For the public unless you're attending EVERY planning commission and city council/county commissioner meeting you wont hear all of the back and forth.  

I'd also recommend diving into books, podcasts, and even attending real estate events to start learning more.Here:Learn the Basics: Study property types, financing, and market trends.Network: Attend events, connect with pros, and build relationships.Find a Mentor: Seek guidance from someone experienced in commercial real estate.Start Small: Look at smaller deals or partnerships to get your feet wet.Take Action: Once ready, start evaluating deals and making offers.

Found mine while attending a real estate/small business tax conference.

I'd suggest attending local meet ups so you can talk to people who invest in CA and OOS.

I will be attending a CRREIA meeting if you are interested in connecting at all!

I attended the City of Binghamton Council meeting to try and defend why good cause eviction is not the way to go! 

I have attended a number of seminars and trainings by other gurus and have walked away from many with a bad taste in my mouth.

And when they’re uncovered the attendant publicity is huge, IF the resultant loses are large enough.  

If you want a quick reality check on anything 'big ticket" event you are looking to attend or invest in real estate, try this simple exercise.  

This often leads to complacency which is seen by the trail off of attendance at these meetings.