How to Build Political and Staff Support Before Your First Hearing

ASK:

We’ve submitted our plans and are waiting for the hearing, how can we make sure it goes well?

ANSWER:

Public hearings can make or break your project. By the time you’re on the agenda, decisions are largely shaped by what’s already happened behind the scenes.

That’s why smart developers start building support months before the hearing.

Building Staff Support

Staff reports drive recommendations. If planning, public works, and fire all support your project, your hearing goes smoother. We build that support by:

Meeting with staff to address concerns early
Following through on requests quickly
Showing flexibility and professionalism
Obtaining local/neighbor support

When staff trusts you, they advocate for you.

Building Political Support

Council members and planning commissioners care about outcomes and optics. They want to approve good projects, but they also want to protect their constituents.

At I&D Consulting, we meet with key decision-makers before hearings to:

Understand their priorities
Share how our project benefits the community
Address likely concerns ahead of time

We don’t lobby politicians, we align our goals to bring the best possible project to each community.

Preparing for the Hearing

We also train our clients to present clearly: concise visuals, no jargon, and a community-forward message. The best hearings are confirmations of trust built through preparation. Not a boxing match.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Build relationships with staff and officials early before your project hits the agenda.
Transparency, professionalism, and follow-through build credibility.
Align your message with city priorities to make your hearing a formality, not a battle.