2009 Berrien/Cass/Van Buren Counties Michigan Citizen Planner Program - Session 4

Dates:
Sessions will be held weekly on Thursdays from 6pm - 9pm between October 22 through December 10, 2009. Enrollment in the entire core series is strongly encouraged however, individual sessions are also available.

Program Location:
The Berrien/Cass/Van Buren Michigan Citizen Planner sessions will be held at the Berrien County MSU Extension Office at 1737 Hillandale Road in Benton Harbor, MI 49022.

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, MSU faculty.

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

Curriculum for the Roles and Responsibilities' sessions were developed by the Michigan Association of Planning (MAP), and are taught by MAP-certified instructors.

Sessions will be held weekly on Thursdays from 6pm - 9pm between October 22 through December 10, 2009. Enrollment in the entire core series is strongly encouraged however, individual sessions are also available.

Core Curriculum:

1. Thursday, October 22 - Introduction to Planning and Zoning: Smart Growth, Ethics and Planning Resources

2. Thursday, October 29 - Legal Foundations of Planning and Zoning: Cases, Statutes and other Planning Authority

3. Thursday, November 5 - Roles and Responsibilities Part I: Master Plan and Planning Process

4. Thursday, November 12 - Roles and Responsibilities Part II: Zoning, Site Plans and Zoning Board of Appeals Process

5. Thursday, November 19 - Plan Implementation and Development Controls: Subdividing Land, Zoning Controls and Non-Regulatory Techniques

6. Thursday, December 3 - Best Practices for Innovative Planning and Zoning: Causes of Sprawl, Traditional Design and Conservation Design

7. Thursday, December 10 - The Art of Community Planning: Participation, Effective Meetings and Managing Conflict

* Sessions 1-7 are required to earn a 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:
Scholarships may be available from your community's liability insurance provider. For PAR-Plan members contact Barb Callahan at 800.783.1370 for more information.

The Sauk Trails Resource Conservation and Development Project has provided a grant for a limited number of $25 scholarships to local officials in Berrien, Cass or Van Buren Counties who complete the course.

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.

To register or for more information, visit http://www.citizenplanner.msu.edu/cart2.php.

Contact Berrien County MSU Extension at 269.944.4126 for further directions.

County Contact:
Joanne Davidhizar
County Extension Director
Berrien County MSU Extension
1737 Hillandale Road
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
269.944.4126
msue.berrien@county.msu.edu