Every strong community has a master plan, but they don’t just drop out of thin air and onto the drafting table. They take a tremendous amount of thought and, as you might expect, planning. If you’ve ever considered the prospect of playing a role in master planning or even just as a member of a zoning board in your community, there’s a class for that.
In fact, Michigan State University Extension will offer their notable Citizen Planner Program twice this summer via Zoom.
MSU Extension is offering two rounds of their six-week land use education series, Citizen Planner, delivered through video conference, for example, a live webinar. Citizen Planner is a course designed for locally appointed and elected planning officials, zoning administrators, and interested residents throughout Michigan that provides participants with the fundamentals on roles, responsibilities, and best practices for planning and zoning in Michigan. Over the course of six weeks, participants will learn about such things as:
- The legal context for planning and zoning in Michigan
- The function and importance of a master plan
- How zoning is administered
- Using innovative planning and zoning techniques
- Tips to successfully fulfill the role
All taught by experts from around the state.
If you’re wondering why Citizen Planner is offered, local officials have a responsibility to help their communities manage the impacts of economic change and be part of the solutions to challenges their communities face. Local communities that proactively plan to succeed in Michigan’s new economy can improve their quality of life and overall sustainability. The Citizen Planner Program empowers local officials to shape the future of their communities by providing them with the tools and education they need to lead.
The limited time offer from MSU Extension is available at a reduced price of $225 per person, with a group rate of $195 per person for 4 or more from the same municipality. You can check for local reimbursement or scholarships and find more info on that on the website.
Registration for this and all other Citizen Planner events can be found at the link below, or by contacting the Citizen Planner Program Coordinator, Kara Kelly, at cplanner.msu.edu or (517) 353-6472 or your local MSU Extension Land Use Educator, Tyler Augst, at augsttyl@msu.edu.
Here is the direct link: http://CitizenPlanner.msu.edu
Summer Session I will meet virtually on Tuesdays, 6:00pm – 9:00pm beginning on June 23rd and finishing up on July 28th. Summer Session II will be offered on Wednesdays, 2:00pm – 5:00pm beginning on July 29th and finishing on September 2nd.
