Unit 1 – Basic Legal Framework for Planning Officials
This unit introduces the laws that give planning officials the powers to perform their duties. It also introduces the sources and types of law that planning officials should know in order to understand the legal basis for planning and zoning.
Unit 2 – Governmental Authority for Planning and Zoning
This unit introduces the legal basis for planning and zoning. It describes how the authority for planning and zoning is established, why zoning has been upheld by the courts as a legitimate exercise of police power, and how zoning authority changes over time.
Unit 3 – Constitutional Limitations on Planning and Zoning
This unit introduces the constitutional limitations of government and the rights of individuals with respect to planning and zoning. The unit will help planning officials understand that their actions are limited by provisions in the U.S. and state constitutions.
Unit 4 – How does Zoning Work?
Now that you have completed your comprehensive plan, it is time to put the plan into practice by using the tools available within the zoning ordinance. But before jumping into zoning procedures, it is necessary that you know the basics of zoning, what zoning tools are available, and how they can be used to their best advantage.
This unit introduces zoning from the vantage point of how its implementation by local governments is similar to the work of our federal government. Legislative, administrative, and quasi-judicial functions provide a check and balance for each other. This unit will also look at the roles different bodies and people perform.
Unit 5 – The Site Plan
In this unit, you will learn about the nature and use of a site plan and how it relates to the requirements of the zoning ordinance. The unit covers the definition of a site plan, site plan requirements, and the process of conducting a thorough site plan review. The site plan is often the last step in the review process prior to having the development actually under construction. The plan, once approved, is what the public will see once the project is completed; and once the plan is approved, the community is committed to seeing it through.
Unit 6 – Making Site Plan Decisions
When presented with a site plan, what do you do? This unit walks you through the site plan review process and decisions you will encounter along the way. The unit offers a series of questions that you can use to help you understand how a site plan should be reviewed.
Unit 7 – Development Options
Subdivisions, conservation subdivisions and planned unit developments are common development options available to property owners and developers. Each of these options work in concert with the zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan. This unit will review each development option, explaining the authority for their use and common issues arising under them.
Unit 8 – Site Specific Zoning Tools
In this unit, we discuss some of the specific tools that communities can employ to control how developments fit and function within the community. These tools are included in the zoning ordinance and support the goals of the comprehensive plan. For example, there are many aspects to reviewing a site plan including parking, site circulation, landscaping, and screening requirements. Being comfortable with the underlying concepts of zoning tools used for site plan reviews can help you employ them effectively during the development review process.
Unit 9 – Overview of the Zoning Process
This unit gives you an overview of the zoning processes. The remaining units in this module provide details that will assist with actually performing each process.
Unit 10 – Appeals, Variances and Interpretations
What happens if the zoning ordinance has requirements that cannot be fulfilled on a particular property? What happens if the zoning ordinance is ambiguous or unclear as it applies to specific circumstances? How should landowners in your community go about seeking relief from the ordinance requirements when those requirements prevent a reasonable use of land?
In this unit, we will consider appeals, variances, and interpretations. The perspective of this presentation should benefit members of the Zoning Board of Appeals, those wishing to bring their issues to the ZBA, and anyone else involved in the zoning process.
Unit 11 – Zoning Enforcement
Even the best ordinances are of little value without the resources and willingness to enforce them. An effective enforcement program requires three essential pieces that together make up the COP: Commitment; Ordinances; and Process. This unit will consider each of these.
Unit 12 – Making Zoning Decisions
Knowing what is included in a zoning ordinance, that it can be amended, and that exceptions to the rules can be made is the first step in understanding how zoning ordinances, ordinance amendments, variances, Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) and other special uses relate to each other. This unit takes the next step. It offers a series of questions that you can use to help you decide which is the best course of action when it comes to changing land use and/or intensity of an existing property.
Unit 13 – Effective Public Meetings
This unit is designed to help you with the selection of the right type of meeting for the situation. It will also guide you through the process of running meetings for each situation. You will learn about the steps involved in successful meetings and how to organize them. You will be able to record those meetings and understand decisions made at the meeting based on the written record.
Unit 14 – Dealing with Conflict
Conflict is inevitable and when conflict is not handled effectively, negative consequences may result. Identifying and effectively addressing conflict can greatly reduce the chances of interactions getting out of hand. This unit provides tips and information on how to identify, prevent, de-escalate, and resolve conflict.
