Upcoming Trainings for Local Government Jan-March

Posted on January 5, 2024

Check out the upcoming MSU Extension and Michigan Association of Planning training programs and resources:

 

Changes Ahead for Renewable Energy Permitting in Michigan Webinar – Register at: https://events.anr.msu.edu/RenewableEnergy

Public Act 233 of 2023, signed by Governor Whitmer on November 28, 2023, makes significant changes to the permitting process for large-scale renewable energy facilities. The new law grants permitting authority to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), unless local governments adopt 'compatible renewable energy ordinances'. Attorneys and renewable energy policy experts will cover the knowns and unknowns of the law. This includes what requirements developers must meet if permitted through the MPSC, what qualifies as a compatible renewable energy ordinance, and the pros and cons of starting the process now of modifying your zoning to be a compatible ordinance. Look to your municipal attorney, consulting planner, and professional organizations for additional support and programming in 2024.

Wednesday, January 10th, 2024, 12:30PM-1:45PM

Cost: Free

MSU Extension Strategic Direction Initiative – Details at: https://extension.msu.edu/listenvirtual2023  

In late November 2023, MSU Extension began a series of public listening sessions held across the state. These sessions were part of an ongoing strategic direction process to gather input from a diverse group of people to determine where MSU Extension is, what is working well and opportunities for improvement. Sessions were held in Detroit, Troy, East Lansing, Marquette, Grayling, Frankenmuth, Muskegon and Kalamazoo.

MSU Extension has now announced three additional opportunities for the public to give feedback and help shape the future of the organization: two virtual listening sessions and an online survey. Virtual sessions will be held on:

Participants will connect to the virtual listening session via Zoom video conference and interact in a cloud-based document. Pre-registration is required; you can register at events.anr.msu.edu/virtualsession.

Alternatively, complete the survey online. The survey will be open until January 23, 2024

Eastern UP Citizen Planner Program – Register at: https://events.anr.msu.edu/CPChippewaCounty24  

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 the Digital 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 Citizen Planner classroom program consists of six sessions:

  1. Understanding the Planning and Zoning Context – Learn the legal sources and limitations of planning and zoning authority, and explore your understanding of ethical decision-making.
  2. Planning for the Future of Your Community – Recognize the function and importance of a master plan, know the process for developing one and its relationship to zoning.
  3. Implementing the Plan with Zoning – Discover the importance of zoning, learn how zoning is administered and gain confidence in your zoning reviews, including site plans.
  4. Making Zoning Decisions – Learn how to adopt and amend a zoning ordinance, understand the role of the zoning board of appeals and obtain skills in basic property development methods.
  5. Using Innovative Planning and Zoning – Strategize with placemaking and design-based solutions for local and regional success in the Digital Economy.
  6. Successfully Fulfilling Your Role – Strengthen your ethical decision-making skills, apply standards to your decision-making and know when to ask for help.

The program will be held on Thursday evenings from 6-9 p.m. on: April 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9, and 16 at the Smartzone, 2345 Meridian St., Sault Ste Marie. 

Citizen Planner Online – Details and Registration at: http://citizenplanner.msu.edu

Citizen Planner Online includes similar content to the classroom program, but is offered in a flexible, self-paced, online format. Citizen Planner Online is different from other courses – the concepts are conveyed through stories about issues unfolding in a fictitious community called Spartyville. The situations Spartyville planning officials face are similar to those many communities must address. The online series of seasons and episodes follows a creative storyline that all learners will enjoy. All you need is a broadband internet connection and a computer, laptop, tablet, or mobile device. The online version of the program includes:

  • Access to resources similar to the classroom program.
  • Access to relevant web resources, decision-making tools, and online exercises.

Watch the Citizen Planner Online promotional video.

ZBA Online Certificate Course – Details and Registration at: http://extension.msu.edu/zbaonline

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) members have a new opportunity to gain in-depth training in roles, responsibilities, and best practices with the recent launch of MSU Extension’s ZBA Online Certificate Course - a unique and comprehensive training consisting of six self-paced modules engaging learners with videos, readings, and activities. ZBA Online includes detailed content on: 

  1. Understanding Basic ZBA Roles & Responsibilities   
  2. Effective Decisions and Ordinance Interpretations   
  3. Hearing Appeals of Administrative Decisions   
  4. Issuing Variances from Ordinance Standards   
  5. Other Responsibilities of the ZBA: Nonconformities   
  6. Circuit Court Review and Standards  

The course is intended to fill a void in ZBA education where suddenly a board that hasn’t met for some time is called to decide a case with just a few weeks’ notice. The course is based in MSU’s Desire to Learn (D2L) learning management system and can be accessed 24/7 by computer, tablet, or mobile device. Participants that complete all six modules earn an MSU Extension course certificate. 

Watch the ZBA Online promotional video. 

MSU Extension seeks interested communities for First Impressions Tourism (FIT) program

This fee-for-service program is a comprehensive community assessment conducted by unannounced visitors in a host community and designed to lead new development based on program results. FIT involves developing community leadership, assessing the host community, sharing the results in a community forum open to all, and providing suggestions to drive community action. Overall, FIT helps communities learn about their strengths and weaknesses through the eyes of first-time visitors. Learn more at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/tourism_first_impressions.

UP communities that have participated in the FIT program include Houghton, Bessemer, Ironwood, Iron County, and most recently the Bay Mills Indian Community.

Two Zoom meetings will provide an opportunity to learn more about the program, Tuesday 1/23, 11am; and Tuesday 1/30, 2pm. Please RSVP here with your preference.

Michigan Association of Planning Coastal Resiliency Webinars – Details and Registration at: https://www.planningmi.org/coastal-resilience-webinars

  • Integrating Resilience Plans and Implementation Efforts - Thursday, January 18, 2024, 1:00-2:30 pm

Learn how your community’s comprehensive plan, your county’s hazard mitigation plan, your zoning ordinance, capital improvements plan and other planning initiatives can work together to guide decisions for a more resilient coastal community.

  • Learning from Community Engagement Case Studies - Thursday, February 22, 2024, 1:00-2:30 pm

Engagement tools and techniques are useful, but the real question always is, “How did it actually go?” Panelists from around Michigan’s varied coastal contexts answer it honestly.

Sustainability Speaker Series: Sustainable Tourism Strategies – Register at: https://events.anr.msu.edu/SusSpkSpring24

Explore legislation to combat inflation and support sustainable energy, innovative composting practices, methods to reduce ecological footprints, effective recycling strategies, and fostering sustainability in the tourism industry. Led by experts, this program equips participants with the knowledge to make a positive environmental impact.

This particular session in the series will focus on environmentally conscious approaches in the tourism industry for a sustainable future.

May 14, 2024, noon - 1:00pm

Cost: Free

Recent MSU Extension Articles and Resources

Looking for what to read or watch next? The list below has some recent articles, videos, and other resources related to MSU Extension for you to dive into. You can always find our newest resources at: www.extension.msu.edu

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