Workshops for Officials
The Michigan Association of Planning's education programs provide participants with the skills and knowledge to make better land use decisions. Our knowledgeable and experienced instructors enable newly elected and appointed officials to better understand their roles and responsibilities, and reacquaint experienced ones with innovative planning tools and techniques. We make it easy for you to receive the education and training necessary to keep up with the ever-changing land use landscape. In person workshops include a meal and refreshments. All workshops include a softbound reference book. Group discounts available. Prices increase 5 days before the event.
Planning and Zoning Essentials
This course is designed to boost confidence by sharpening skills, identifying conflicts of interest, understanding legal foundations, examining roles and responsibilities, and more! Ideal for introducing new planning commissioners and zoning board of appeals members to their roles and responsibilities, and also for more experienced officials looking to refresh their skills and build upon existing knowledge. Roles and responsibilities, site plan review, comprehensive planning, zoning ordinances, variances, how to determine practical difficulty, and standards for decision-making are covered.
| Dates Offered | Time | Format/Location | MAP Member Price | Non Member Price | Student Member Price |
| March 18 | 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM, light lunch provided | In Person, Frankenmuth's Bavarian Inn Lodge | $135 | $165 | $30 |
| March 19 and 20 | 6 PM to 8 PM | Online, via Zoom, in two parts | $95 | $125 | $15 |
Site Plan Review
This program will demonstrate the site plan review and approval process and provide practical tools and techniques on how to read a site plan. You'll discuss site design principles, such as pedestrian and traffic considerations, lighting, utilities, ADA compliance, inspections, and landscaping. Participants in this hands-on workshop receive an engineering scale, turning template and a sample site plan to evaluate.
| Date Offered | Time | Format/Location | MAP Member Price | Non Member Price | Student Member Price |
| March 11 | 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM, light lunch provided | In Person, Washtenaw Community College | $135 | $165 | $30 |
Community Engagement
Knowing which public engagement technique to use for which audience, and managing the public participation process so that all voices can be heard, all the while ensuring that the input is meaningful and relevant is one of a planner's greatest challenges. A process that can be rife with politics, on one hand, and rewarding and beneficial on the other, is part and parcel of the effort. This interactive session explains best practices on how to engage with community members and stakeholders in a more meaningful way.
| Date Offered | Time | Format/Location | MAP Member Price | Non Member Price | Student Member Price |
| March 11 | 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, light dinner provided | In Person, Washtenaw Community College | $135 | $165 | $30 |
Blight: Be Gone!
Many different people are involved with planning and development in a community: elected and appointed officials, inspectors, planners, and other staff, developers and citizens. While no one ever plans for blight or nuisances, they are a part of a community, too. Learn the difference between blight and nuisances and the legal strategies available to combat them. No matter what your role is, this presentation will provide tools and programs you can use to help eliminate blight. Softbound reference book included.
| Date Offered | Time | Format/Location | MAP Member Price | Non Member Price | Student Member Price |
| March 12 | 3 PM to 4:30 PM | Online, via Zoom | $95 | $125 | $15 |
Managing Risk
As more communities face litigation related to planning and zoning decisions, this is essential training for all elected officials, planning commissioners and zoning board of appeals members. Topics include identifying a conflict of interest, applying discretionary standards during special land use reviews, reasonable expectations of a developer and how your comprehensive plan can minimize risk. Softbound reference book included.
| Date Offered | Time | Format/Location | MAP Member Price | Non Member Price | Student Member Price |
| March 12 | 6 PM to 8:30 PM | Online, via Zoom | $95 | $125 | $15 |
Getting the Development You Want
Good development is achieved when a municipality plans for it, and then adopts codes and a development review process to implement the plan. In this 1 1/2 hour workshop, participants will learn how the master plan and zoning ordinance inform the development review process, how a community can balance the needs of all actors in the development review process, and best practices for a productive development review process.
| Date Offered | Time | Format/Location | MAP Member Price | Non Member Price | Student Member Price |
| March 18 | 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM, light dinner provided | In Person, Frankenmuth's Bavarian Inn Lodge | $135 | $165 | $30 |
Watch On Demand
Also available for purchase are recorded, watch on demand, short courses. Topics include: Asset Management, DDAs and TIFs, Environmental Planning, Form Based Codes, Parking, Planned Unit Development, and Utility Basics. MAP Members: $10 each | Non Members: $15 each | Student Members: $5 each
Check out our Event calendar for other great learning opportunities. The calendar is updated regularly with new events.
In addition, MAP's onsite workshops can be scheduled in your community.
Can't find exactly what you are looking for? Please contact Amy Vansen, MAP's Director of Information and Programs with questions.
