For updates plus information on other workshops and conferences, visit our website at www.mngts.org Please share this information with others in your organization. rts Sta 21, y Ma 15 20 Return Service Requested Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 3137 GTS Educational Events 2233 University Avenue W., Suite 150 St. Paul, MN 55114 www.mngts.org PAID FIRST CLASS MAIL U.S. Postage 2015 LAND USE PLANNING WORKSHOPS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS — Appointed, Elected, Staff — and Interested Citizens PROGRAM FEATURES u Accomplished faculty with extensive backgrounds in both planning and instruction Complete workshop u Focus on current issues and timely information information u Practical content designed by a committee of planning experts and local officials u Opportunities for in-depth study and hands-on application u Extensive handouts and reference materials assembled to make your job easier Sponsored by GTS available at: www.mngts.org/LandUse Educational Events Co-sponsors: u APA Minnesota u u Association of Minnesota Counties Metropolitan Council u u Initiative Foundation Minnesota Association of Townships u u National League of Minnesota Cities Joint Powers Alliance CORE WORKSHOPS Basics of Planning & Zoning This workshop covers the nuts & bolts of planning, zoning & subdivision regulation. Participants will learn how planning and zoning is developed, where they fit into the process, and how the different “players” can maximize their impact. Among topics to be addressed are: • • • • • • The history, how the system has gotten to where it is today, the authority and limits to planning and zoning The basic land use and zoning tools: comprehensive plans, zoning and subdivision ordinances, amendments, permits, enforcement Legal basics: avoiding litigation, what is “due process,” what is a taking, conducting public hearings, making findings of fact, and the 60-day rule Who participates in the planning & zoning process; YOUR role, responsibilities and opportunities Hands-on simulations of actual planning and zoning dilemmas Hot issues, answers to your questions Audience: Designed for those new to land use planning or interested in a review of the fundamentals. Presenters: Michael Couri, Attorney, Couri & Ruppe. Anita Rasmussen, Community Development/Assistant City Administrator, City of Sartell Wednesday, May 27, 2015 — 9:00 am - 4:30 pm (check-in - 8:30 am) Location: Little Falls Fee: $135 (includes lunch) Thursday, September 10, 2015 — 9:00 am - 4:30 pm (check-in - 8:30 am) Location: Shoreview Fee: $135 (includes lunch) in conjunction with the 2015 APA Minnesota Conference Wednesday, September 23, 2015 — 8:00 am - 12:00 pm (check-in - 7:30 am) Location: Bemidji Fee: $70 (Note: This is a condensed session) Beyond the Basics of Planning & Zoning: Variances and More! Participants learn how planning and zoning tools are used to deal with a wide variety of development Issues. The complexities of variances are a major focus. Presenters cover the what, when and why (complete with “how-tos” and “hownot-tos”) with numerous examples and case studies’ • • • • • • • • Quick review: planning history, comprehensive planning, and zoning tools Innovative ways to guide land use and development, from PUDs and performance zoning to design guidelines and “cutting edge” applications Sustainability – what it is and how to apply sustainable principles to planning and zoning The environmental review process – EAWs, EISs, and AUARs: tools to expedite careful review of complex projects Detailed discussion of zoning tools to handle various development issues Legal issues in more depth: How to implement the comprehensive plan in zoning and subdivision ordinances? What to require for variances? When to grant conditional uses? When to use interim use permits? How to treat nonconforming uses? When to require easements? Case studies—actual urban, suburban and rural situations Answers to your questions on community zoning issues Audience: Those who have a solid general knowledge of the planning process (1-2 years on the council, board or zoning/planning commission). Presenters: Phil Carlson, Planner, Stantec Kori Land, Attorney, LeVander, Gillen & Miller, P.A. Tuesday, June 9, 2015 — 9:00 am - 4:30 pm (check-in - 8:30 am) Location: Little Falls Fee: $135 (includes lunch) Thursday, November 19, 2015 — 9:00 am- 4:30 pm (check-in - 8:30 am) Location: Shoreview Fee: $135 (includes lunch) Your Role as Planning Commission Member As a Planning Commission member, you contribute hours of unpaid time to your community. Have you discovered that serving in this capacity is a bit more challenging than anticipated? This workshop will focus on what you need to know to be successful in this important position. You’ll learn practical tips that can make the difference between results and regrets. Topics include: • Keeping the “Big Picture” in mind • Setting significant (but realistic) Commission goals • Preparing an annual work program • Changing non-productive patterns of work • Forging healthy relationships with elected officials and staff (Plus…what to do if those relationships are unhealthy!) • Ways to facilitate public participation in the planning process • Effective tools & techniques (models for planning reports and findings of fact, primer on parliamentary procedure) • Handling controversial issues Audience: Those who have a solid general knowledge of the planning process (1-2 years on the council, board or zoning/planning commission). Presenters: John Shardlow, Principal, Stantec Wednesday, June 10, 2015 — 6:00 - 9:00 pm (check-in - 5:30 pm) Location: St. Paul Fee: $50 (does not include dinner) Wednesday, November 4, 2015 — 1:00 - 5:00 pm (check-in - 12:30 pm) Location: Little Falls Fee: $70 SPECIAL FOCUS WORKSHOPS FREE 90 minute Workshop in four locations! Understanding Groundwater: An Invisible Yet Critical Resource Presented by the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) with funding and support from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Every living thing requires water and it is a resource that we all share in Minnesota. While it appears on the surface that Minnesotans are water-rich, the availability of groundwater varies a lot throughout the state, with SW Minnesota having limited groundwater supply and the metropolitan region having fairly good groundwater availability. Come and hear about groundwater quality and quantity issues in your part of the state from local and state experts. Learn: • Partial results of a statewide survey of SWCD staff • Local groundwater issues • Why these issues are important • What local officials can do to help address those issues Audience: Local elected and appointed officials Presenters: A panel of state and local experts FREE, but registration is REQUIRED. Wednesday, July 15, 2015 — 4:00 - 6:00 pm (check-in - 3:30 pm) Location: Southwest State University, Marshall A Practical Guide to Variances in Shorelands and Floodplains Minnesota variance laws have changed. Learn from the experts how to make decisions in light of the purposes and intent of those regulations. Topics include: • The criteria for reviewing variance requests in cities and counties • How to evaluate and develop findings for typical shoreland and floodplain variance requests • How to determine whether a practical difficulty exists • What it means to alter the essential character of a shoreland or floodplain • When to impose conditions to mitigate impacts on public water resources; examples of what’s appropriate Audience: Elected officials, appointed planning commissioners and members of boards of adjustment, local staff making recommendations on variances Presenters: Jed Burkett, Land Use Attorney, League of Minnesota Cities Dan Petrik, Land Use Planner, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Paul Radomski, Research Scientist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Thursday, October 22, 2015 — 1:00 - 5:00 pm (check-in - 12:30 pm) Location: St. Cloud Fee: $70.00 Wednesday, July 29, 2015 — 4:00 - 6:00 pm (check-in - 3:30 pm) Location: Thumper Pond Resort, Perham Area Thursday, August 13, 2015 —4:00 - 6:00 pm (check-in - 3:30 pm) Location: Cascade Meadow Wetland, Rochester Wednesday, August 19, 2015 — 4:00 - 6:00 pm (check-in - 3:30 pm) Location: Stearns County Service Center, Waite Park Community Solar Gardens Community Solar Gardens (CSGs) have quickly become one of the hottest energy topics in Minnesota. Xcel Energy’s program received over 400 applications for solar gardens in its first week, and several other utilities already have projects underway. With the advent of this new opportunity to participate in local solar power, many local units of government are considering their role in Minnesota’s new Community Solar Garden market. This workshop will cover what local governments need to know about developing community solar gardens, including best practices for regulating land use, options for encouraging CSGs to capture benefits of local solar resources, and alternatives for participation. Participants will also learn about some of the tools being developed to help both consumers and local governments make informed decisions. Topics include: • What CSGs are— policy intent, legal foundation, differences from other types of solar development • Business models and likely markets; regulatory best practices • Participation possibilities — host site, subscriber, developer • What’s involved in developing an RFP Audience: Local government staff, appointed and elected officials Presenters: Lissa Pawlisch, Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) Director, University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships and Extension Brian Ross, Senior Program Director, Great Plains Institute Trevor Drake, Project Coordinator, Great Plains Institute Thursday, May 21, 2015 — 8:00 am - 12:00 pm (check-in - 7:30 am) Location: Shoreview Fee: $70 Emerging Issues for Professional Planners (Advanced Zoning for Staff) Co-Sponsored by APA Minnesota Application for AICP CM credits in process Designed in response to demand for in-depth offerings for practitioners, this workshop combines a rapid-fire review of fundamentals with a focus on key responsibilities they face as well as current challenges. Participants will: • Receive a complete refresher on planning principles, source and limitations of local government authority, different levels of legal discretion and an extensive review of frequently misused and misunderstood zoning tools • Learn how to avoid frequent mistakes when pursuing such advanced zoning techniques as community design standards, form-based codes and performance standards • Gain an in-depth understanding of the importance and specifics of an effective and complete public record (from administrative procedures to contents of planning reports, to solid findings of fact for supporting records of decision) • Understand the differences between hardship and practical difficulty as a result of recent case law and Minnesota statute changes • Test their ability to draft effective findings—through small group discussions regarding complicated hypothetical case studies • Become familiar with key recent court cases that affect local planning as well as results of on the current legislative session Participants will have the opportunity to identify priorities on a survey sent before the workshop. Audience: Planning professionals serving in staff or consultant positions, targeted to those with at least two years of professional planning experience Presenters: John Shardlow, Principal, Stantec Soren Mattick, Attorney, Campbell Knutson, PA. Thursday, July 23, 2015 — 8:30 am - 12:30 pm (check-in - 8:00 am) Location: St. Paul Fee: $70 SPECIAL PROGRAM Comprehensive Planning — It’s Not The Same Old, Same Old With funding from Greenstep Cities This fall the Metropolitan Council will be issuing its new system statements for the required 2016 comp plans to be completed by local jurisdictions in the seven-county area. Because there has been a relative lack of land use changes since the last plan was submitted (due to the recession), many metro communities believe there is a limited need to devote time, energy and resources to their upcoming comprehensive planning process. The reality is that there are compelling issues confronting local governments as they plan for the next 30 years. This workshop is an excellent opportunity to gain a “big picture” perspective on the issues and how they interrelate plus practical information on how to implement an effective planning process. In addition, participants can select two of four breakouts to explore specific needs in more depth. Topics include: • What’s required, contents, options for organizing, possible resources • New resources available to communities in the Local Planning Handbook • Gathering data; understanding trends; translating these into decisions about the future • In-depth focus on housing, energy, water, and sustainable infrastructure investment & resiliency in breakout sessions Audience: Planners, local elected officials and planning commission members Presenters: John Shardlow, Principal, Stantec Barbara Thomson, Planning Manager, City of Plymouth Angela Torres, Senior Planner, Metropolitan Council Cathy Bennett, Housing Initiative Director, Urban Land Institute Minnesota Brian Ross, Senior Program Director, Great Plains Institute Pete Willenbring, Vice President, WSB & Associates Wednesday, October 28, 2015 — 9:00 am - 4:30 pm (check-in - 8:30 am) Location: Bloomington Fee: $110 (includes lunch) HOW TO REGISTER Go online to www.mngts.org/LandUse to register for all workshops. This is the preferred registration method. You will be able to print or email an invoice or receipt and make group registrations. Payment methods include credit card, purchase order and check. If you cannot register online, a paper form is available on the above-referenced website. This can be completed (one form per person only) and returned to GTS (2233 University Avenue West, Suite 150, St. Paul, MN 55114), or faxed to 651-223-5307 or email [email protected] Questions? Contact GTS Educational Events, 651-222-7409 or 800-569-6880 Registration: Kim Wielinski, Registrar, ext. 200 [email protected] Workshops: Dolly Parker, Program Manager, ext. 201, [email protected] NOTE: The registration fee for all workshops held at Little Falls is free of charge to representatives of jurisdictions providing services in the National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) Region 5 counties (Cass, Crow Wing, Todd, Morrison or Wadena). This is made available through financial support provided by NJPA. Online registration system allows for this registration option. All questions regarding this matter should be directed to Anna Gruber ([email protected]). WORKSHOP LOCATIONS Bemidji Sanford Convention Center 1111 Event Center Drive NE Bemidji, MN 56601 218-441-4000 Bloomington Doubletree by Hilton 7800 Normandale Blvd. Minneapolis, MN 55439 952-835-7800 Little Falls Initiative Foundation 405 First Street SE Little Falls, MN 320-632-9255 Marshall Southwest State University 1501 State Street Marshall, MN 56258 1-800-642-0684 Perham Area Thumper Pond Resort 300 Thumper Lodge Road Ottertail, MN 56571 218-367-2000 Rochester Cascade Meadow Wetland 2900 19th Street NW Rochester, MN 55904 507-252-8133 Shoreview Shoreview Community Center 4580 Victoria Street North Shoreview, MN 55126 651-490-4790 St. Cloud Best Western Kelly Inn 100 4th Avenue South St. Cloud, MN 56301 320-258-8404 St. Paul League of Minnesota Cities 145 University Avenue West St. Paul, MN 55103 651-281-1200 Waite Park Stearns County Service Center 3301 County Road 138 Waite Park, MN 56387 320-656-3600 GTS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping those who provide services to Minnesota citizens and communities meet current needs for knowledge and skills, plus anticipate and prepare for changes to come. We have worked with policymakers, staff and appointed officials from all levels of government and all types of nonprofit agencies—and their collaborators in associations, business, higher education and community groups—since 1977.
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