2009 Ottawa County Michigan Citizen Planner Classroom Series - Session 7

Dates:
Sessions will be held weekly on Thursdays from 6:30pm - 9pm between October 1 and November 12, 2009. 

Program Location:
The Ottawa County Citizen Planner sessions will be held at the Ottawa County Fillmore Complex Adminsitration Building at 12220 Fillmore Street, Suite 122 in West Olive, MI 49460.

Registration will be available soon at www.citizenplanner.msu.edu/cart2.php.

Introduction:
The simple truth is that communities need to change the way they do community planning. Local official have a responsibility to help their communities manage the impacts of economic change and to be part of the solutions to challenges and issues their communities face. Local communities that proactively plan to succeed in the New Economy can improve their quality of life and lead Michigan's recovery and transformation. Michigan Citizen Planner empowers local officials to shape the future of their communities by providing them with the tools and education they need to lead.

Michigan Citizen Planner offers Fundamentals of Planning and Zoning, a seven-session, non-credit course leading to a certificate of completion awarded by Michigan State University Extension. Michigan Citizen Planner is a continuing education unit (CEU) course in compliance with the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (ACET) guidelines. Michigan Citizen Planner provides time-tested educational programs on important issues that are proven to be comprehensive without being overwhelming.

Instructors:
Instructors for the training program include MSU Extension educators, planners, attorneys, and MSU faculty.

Curriculum:
Michigan Citizen Planner is a continuing education (CEU) course in compliance with the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) guidelines.

Sessions will be held weekly on Thursdays from 6:30pm - 9pm between October 1 through November 12, 2009. Enrollment in the entire core series is strongly encouraged however, individual sessions are also available.

Core Curriculum:

1. Thursday, October 1 - Introduction to Planning and Zoning: Smart Growth, Ethics and Planning Resources

2. Thursday, October 8 - Legal Foundations of Planning and Zoning: Cases, Statutes and other Planning Authority

3. Thursday, October 15 - Roles and Responsibilities Part I: Master Plan and Planning Process

4. Thursday, October 22 - Roles and Responsibilities Part II: Zoning, Site Plans and Zoning Board of Appeals Process

5. Thursday, October 29 - Plan Implementation and Development Controls: Subdividing Land, Zoning Controls and Non-Regulatory Techniques

6. Thursday, November 5 - Best Practices for Innovative Planning and Zoning: Causes of Sprawl, Traditional Design and Conservation Design

7. Thursday, November 12 - The Art of Community Planning: Participation, Effective Meetings and Managing Conflict

* Sessions 1-7 are required to earn a Michigan Citizen Planner MSU Extension certificate.

Program Fee:
The course fee is $350 per participant for the entire program, which includes the seven core sessions. Individual sessions are available at $75 per session. The fee covers registration, course materials and refreshment breaks.

Group discounts for four or more registrants are available. The entire core series is discounted to $290 per participant for 4-9 registrants and $250 per participant for 10 or more registrants.

Scholarships may be available from your communities liability insurance provider. For Michigan Township Participating Plan members, contact Barbara Callahan at 800.783.1370 for more information.

MCP Certification:
Participants may also choose to continue on to earn the Master Citizen Planner (MCP) credential by completing the Fundamentals of Planning and Zoning, an examination and a capstone project. MCPs receive course discounts, exclusive training opportunities and other incentives.

County Contact:
Adam Kantrovich
County Extension Director
Ottawa County MSUE
12220 Fillmore Street, Suite 122
West Olive, MI 49460
616.994.4580
msue.ottawa@county.msu.edu