The director of engineering at my first job out of school told me he was on some board in his town. He decided to get involved when they wanted to build the water works on the downstream side of the sewage treatment plant.
Incredible! And it happens all the time!
Usually, it's some member of the City Council, who just happens to 'control' the land (the rights aquired the week before), that pushes his/her land for the municipal development.
Been through it, and I owned the land! Still do! ............. FRegards