Share Planning Map with Public Comments

The best planning decisions happen when community input is collected where it matters most—directly on the map.

If your public engagement relies only on written comments, general surveys, or town hall meetings without spatial context, you're missing the location-specific insights that make planning truly responsive to community needs. That's why effective planners ask: can we share our planning maps directly with the public and collect comments that are tied to specific locations and proposals?

With Atlas, you can share planning maps with built-in public comment capabilities that let community members provide feedback exactly where they see issues or opportunities. No separate survey platforms, no disconnected feedback systems, no lost spatial context. Everything connects visually and geographically for meaningful public engagement.

Here's how to set it up step by step.

Why Map-Based Public Comments Matter for Planning

Sharing planning maps with location-specific comment capabilities creates more informed public participation and better planning outcomes.

So map-based public comments aren't just modern engagement—they're essential tools for creating plans that truly reflect community needs and local knowledge.

Step 1: Set Up Your Planning Map with Proposal Details

Atlas makes it easy to create comprehensive public engagement mapping:

• Upload planning proposals including zoning changes, development projects, and infrastructure improvements
• Add existing conditions showing current land use, transportation networks, and community facilities
• Import contextual data like property boundaries, environmental features, and demographic information
• Create clear visual styling that makes proposed changes easily distinguishable from existing conditions

Once configured, your planning map provides complete context for informed public feedback.

Step 2: Configure Public Comment Areas and Feedback Categories

Next, set up structured comment collection that captures useful planning input:

You can create comment areas for:

• Proposed developments allowing feedback on design, scale, and compatibility with surrounding areas
• Transportation improvements collecting input on traffic impacts, safety concerns, and connectivity needs
• Zoning changes gathering community perspective on appropriate land uses and development patterns
• Public facility locations receiving feedback on accessibility, capacity, and service delivery
• Environmental features capturing local knowledge about drainage, wildlife, and natural resources
• Infrastructure projects collecting input on utility improvements, road changes, and service impacts

Each comment area focuses public input on specific planning decisions and geographic locations.

Step 3: Enable Easy Public Access and Comment Submission

To make public participation accessible and straightforward:

1. Create shareable map links that work on any device without requiring software downloads or account creation
2. Design simple comment forms with clear categories and guidance for constructive feedback
3. Set up anonymous options so residents can provide honest input without privacy concerns
4. Configure mobile optimization ensuring maps and comment forms work well on phones and tablets
5. Add multilingual support to accommodate diverse community languages and communication preferences

Public participation becomes accessible to all community members regardless of technical experience.

Step 4: Moderate and Organize Public Feedback

To manage public comments effectively while maintaining transparency:

• Set up moderation workflows to review comments for appropriateness before public display
• Create feedback categories that organize comments by topic, location, and planning issue
• Design response procedures showing how planning staff will address community concerns
• Configure notification systems that update commenters when their input influences planning decisions
• Establish review timelines so the public knows when and how their feedback will be considered

Also read: Collect Location-Based Survey Responses

Step 5: Display Community Input and Planning Responses

To create transparent, responsive planning processes:

• Show approved comments directly on the map so all participants can see community input
• Add planning staff responses explaining how feedback influences proposal modifications
• Create summary views highlighting major themes and concerns from public input
• Design update notifications that inform the community when plans change based on their feedback
• Configure export options for creating public reports and meeting materials

Community members see that their input matters and influences real planning decisions.

Step 6: Integrate with Planning Workflows and Decision-Making

Now that public comments are collected on planning maps:

• Generate public engagement reports summarizing community feedback by location and planning issue
• Create staff analysis showing how public input aligns with or challenges planning recommendations
• Set up decision documentation that connects planning commission actions to specific community comments
• Design follow-up communication keeping the public informed about implementation progress
• Export engagement data for integration with planning databases, GIS systems, or reporting platforms

Your map-based public engagement becomes part of comprehensive, responsive planning processes.

Use Cases

Sharing planning maps with public comments is useful for:

• Municipal planners conducting comprehensive plan updates, zoning amendments, and development reviews
• Transportation agencies gathering community input on road improvements, transit projects, and safety initiatives
• Park and recreation departments planning facility improvements, trail systems, and program locations
• Environmental organizations engaging communities in conservation planning and restoration projects
• Development teams collecting neighborhood feedback on proposed projects and design alternatives

It's essential for any planning process where community input and local knowledge improve decision-making and project outcomes.

Tips

• Start with clear project descriptions so the public understands what they're commenting on and why input matters
• Provide comment examples showing the types of feedback that are most helpful for planning decisions
• Set realistic expectations about how public input will influence planning outcomes and decision timelines
• Create multiple engagement opportunities combining map comments with meetings, surveys, and other participation methods
• Follow up with results showing the community how their feedback influenced final planning decisions

Sharing planning maps with public comments in Atlas creates meaningful community engagement.

No separate engagement platforms needed. Just configure comment areas, enable public access, and create the transparent planning process that connects community knowledge with better planning decisions.

Planning and Public Feedback with Atlas

When you're planning projects that affect communities, the challenge isn't just creating good technical solutions—it's making sure those solutions work for the people who will live with them.

Atlas gives you the tools to make planning truly participatory: one map for proposals, community input, and transparent decision-making.

Share Plans and Collect Location-Specific Input

You can:

• Upload planning proposals with clear visual context and project details
• Enable public comments tied to specific geographic locations and planning elements
• Moderate and organize community feedback for meaningful analysis and response

Also read: Map Proposed Development with Community Buffer Zones

Build Transparent, Responsive Planning Processes

Atlas lets you:

• Show how public input influences planning decisions and proposal modifications
• Create comprehensive engagement records for planning commission review and public accountability
• Export community feedback for integration with planning workflows and decision documentation

That means no more disconnected public input, and no more questions about whether community voices actually matter in planning decisions.

Plan Better with Community Knowledge

Whether you're updating comprehensive plans, reviewing development proposals, or planning infrastructure improvements, Atlas helps you tap into local knowledge that makes plans work better for everyone.

It's community-centered planning—designed for genuine public participation.

Boost Your Planning Process with the Right Tools

Planning moves fast, but communities need time to understand and respond to proposals. Whether you're collecting input, analyzing feedback, coordinating stakeholders, or making decisions—clarity and participation matter.

Atlas gives you both.

In this article, we covered how to share planning maps with public comments, but that's just one of many things you can do with Atlas.

From community engagement to stakeholder coordination, impact analysis, and transparent decision-making, Atlas makes complex planning processes accessible and participatory. All from your browser. No public engagement expertise needed.

So whether you're planning municipal projects, transportation improvements, or community development, Atlas helps you move from "planning for communities" to "planning with communities" faster.

Sign up for free or book a walkthrough today.