The Regional Planning Commission's first meeting was held August 4, 1960.  In 1963, the Commission hired a full time professional staff with J. Lee Brown, Planning Director, Mary Ann Bausinger, Secretary, and Willis Thomas, Planner-Draftsman.

With the hiring of professional planners, it enabled the Commission not only to better review proposed projects, but plan ahead in areas of transportation, recreation, land use, etc., and in the process, compile data which has been used by many individuals and agencies.  Staffing was also needed for the everyday administration of the City-County Subdivision Regulations, which became effective October 1966. The Subdivision Regulations were the result of hard work by Commission members, staff, and community individuals.  During the existence of the Commission, plans or studies have included the following among others:

1966, 1970, and 1977:   Land Use Plans
1966: Marion City / County Subdivision Regulations
                (updated in 1982 and 2001)
1969: Major Highway Plan
1971: Water and Sanitary Sewer Plan
1972: Solid Waste Report
1972: Capital Improvements Plan
1973: Storm Drainage Plan
1975: Housing Assistance Plan
1976: Criminal Justice Report
1977: Housing Plan
1980: EDA Overall Economic Development Program
1980: Prospect, Caledonia, Green Camp, and LaRue Land
                Use and Housing Plans
1981: Transportation Plan update
1984: Marion Economic Development Strategy
1986: 911 Implementation Plan
1988: Downtown Marion Plan
1989: Business Retention and Expansion Plan (RE Study
                 with Chamber of Commerce)
1992: Preliminary Plan for Airport Industrial Park (with
                 Airport Commission and Wilbur-Smith as
                 consultant)
1994: City of Marion Community Housing Improvement
                 Strategy
1998: Marion Outer Perimeter Transportation Study (ms
                 Consultants)
1999: Farmland Plan (included Land Use Plan update)
2004: Barks Road Development Plan
2004: Marion City Community Housing Development
                  Strategy
2005: Marion County Community Housing Development
                  Strategy
2005: Downtown Marion Plan--update in process
2006: Marion County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan-in
                  process
2006: Marion County Economic Development Plan-in
                  process