As planning practice is increasingly conducted in the private sector, the relationships between public and private sector planners have become a critical force shaping planning processes and outcomes. This paper introduces a framework to evaluate these relationships by defining three planner roles—Rational, Advocate, and Intermediary—and two consultant roles—Expert and Collaborative. Drawing on planning and consulting theory, five practitioner interviews, and professional experience, the paper analyzes how local government capacity and this critical relationship influence planning practice. These dynamics affect how public engagement is conducted, how comprehensive plans are produced, and how planning knowledge is constructed. Ultimately, the study offers a conceptual and practical tool for assessing public-private planning relationships amid broader trends of privatization and professionalization in the planning field.