Local zoning boards in the United States, made up of citizens appointed by city officials, play a crucial role in land use decisions. These boards, known as Planning and Zoning (P&Z) commissions and Boards of Zoning Adjustment (BZA), help create city plans and make decisions on zoning classifications and permits. The P&Z commission focuses on long-term planning, while the BZA provides flexibility by handling variances and special permits. The study looked at how these boards are composed and how the public feels about zoning issues.