to the 2015 Land Use Workshops brochure.

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GTS Educational Events
2233 University Avenue W., Suite 150
St. Paul, MN 55114
www.mngts.org
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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:
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APA Minnesota
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Association of Minnesota Counties
Metropolitan Council
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Initiative Foundation
Minnesota Association of Townships
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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:
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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’
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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 kwielinski@mngts.org
Questions?
Contact GTS Educational Events, 651-222-7409 or 800-569-6880
Registration: Kim Wielinski, Registrar, ext. 200 kwielinski@mngts.org
Workshops: Dolly Parker, Program Manager, ext. 201, dparker@mngts.org
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
(anna.gruber@njpacoop.org).
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.