The Technical Planning Board was established in 1950 by Bylaw 1354. Its members included the Mayor, a City Commissioner, the heads of various departments, and other members as appointed by Council. The Board's duties were to co-ordinate all technical and administrative matters relating to development in Edmonton for the purposes of preparing a General Plan, acting in an advisory capacity in planning matters, and promoting public interest in planning. This work also involved the consideration of all new subdivisions and replotting schemes. Prior to this the work was done by the Town Planning Commission, established in 1929 through Bylaw 46. The Town Planning Commission was made up of nine members, including the Mayor, Aldermen, and members of the community. They acted in an advisory capacity regarding matters of planning, and were responsible for creating an official Town Plan and Zoning Bylaw.

The Technical Planning Board was replaced by the Municipal Planning Commission, established under Bylaw 2147 passed on July 22, 1963 pursuant to Section 15 of the Planning Act. The duties of the MPC were to advise and assist Council to co-ordinate the activities of the various departments and agencies of the City with regard to the planning of orderly and economic development. The Commission served as an approving authority under the Subdivision and Transfer Regulation and acted as the approving authority for subdivision applications received in areas governed by the Zoning Bylaw. In addition, the MPC advised Council on amendments to the Zoning Bylaw. The Commission sought to ensure that any proposal for the development of the City with which any City department was concerned would only be initiated after due consideration of its bearing upon the preparation of the General Plan. The MPC was composed of a City Commissioner and the heads of various departments. The MPC was dissolved in 1995 when Bylaw 11135 was passed, establishing the Subdivision Authority and repealing the Municipal Planning Commission Bylaw.