Sue Pine, chairwoman of the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission, said Thursday she was resigning from the board.

Pine took a leave of absence in September to help her elderly parents deal with health issues; this week she decided to make the absence permanent.

“They need and deserve my help,” she said of her parents.

Douglas County Commission Chairman Bob Johnson said he had not formally received Pine’s resignation but expected it soon.

“She was a good member and a great chair,” Johnson said.

He said he would consult with fellow county commissioners Jere McElhaney and Charles Jones before naming Pine’s replacement on the Planning Commission. Her term expires in May 2006.

Pine began her second term in May. She was selected commission chairwoman in June.

Sheila Stogsdill, assistant planning director, said that under the commission’s by-laws, Vice Chairman David Burress would become the new chairman. He has been running the commission meetings in Pine’s absence.

Pine, part of the Pine Family Farms ownership, was an advocate for rural and agricultural interests during her commission tenure. She said the tension between rural and city interests would be a big challenge for the commission as Lawrence grows.

“The lines between city and rural are becoming more difficult,” she said. “As the county grows, there are some pretty major issues where they’ll have to reconcile that.”

The Planning Commission next meets Jan. 28.