This is a “how it actually works” episode.

In a time when it’s easy to turn every local decision into a political argument, we wanted to slow it down and walk through the real process behind the scenes—how decisions actually get made in Gwinnett County.

Joined by District 4 Planning Commission appointees Buzz Brockway and Chris Franklin, along with Matthew Holtkamp, we break down the role of the Gwinnett County Planning Commission—what they do, how items are reviewed, and how recommendations move forward.

This isn’t about what people think is happening. It’s about what is happening.

We cover:

How Planning Commission appointments work

How zoning and development decisions are reviewed

And where citizens actually have a voice in the process

The reality is simple: every Planning Commissioner is responsible for every item that comes before them—regardless of where it is in the county. District appointees work together to divide and review items within their area, while the at-large commissioner focuses on issues that impact Gwinnett as a whole.

Most people don’t realize how accessible this process really is.

You can show up.

You can speak.

You can be involved.

This episode is about understanding the system—not reacting to it.