Regional Workshops for Officials

In March 2024, we will offer mix of in person and virtual workshops that provide participants with the skills to make better land use decisions.  Registration will open in January 2024.  

Workshop Topic

 

Dates and Places 

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!
This program is 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.

Softbound reference book included. 

 

March 5
Kirtland Community College, Grayling area
11:30 AM - 4:30 PM, light lunch included

MAP Member Price: $130
Non Member Price: $160


March 21

Bavarian Inn Lodge, Frankenmuth
11:30 AM - 4:30 PM, light lunch included

MAP Member Price:  $130
Non Member Price: $160


March 26 and 27

Via Zoom
6 PM - 8 PM

MAP Member Price: $90
Non Member Price: $120


 

     

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. Learn how the master plan and zoning ordinance inform the development review process, how to balance the needs of everyone, and best practices for a productive process.

 

March 5
Kirtland Community College, Grayling area
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM, light dinner included

MAP Member Price: $115
Non Member Price: $145


 

     

Zoning Administration
This program is for zoning administrators in rural, suburban, or urban settings as well as municipal officials, other staff members, or citizens interested in a more complete understanding of all facets of zoning administration from legal basis to record keeping to enforcement.

Softbound reference book included. 

 

March 6 and 7
Via Zoom
2 PM - 4 PM

MAP Member Price: $100
Non Member Price: $130


 

     

Zoning Board of Appeals
This interactive, case study based workshop goes into greater depth on the issues of practical difficulty and unnecessary hardship. A summary of voting and membership requirements and other procedural requirements unique to ZBA operations are reviewed.

Softbound reference book included. 

 

March 6
Via Zoom
6 PM - 8:30 PM

MAP Member Price: $90
Non Member Price: $120


 

     

Nonconformities
Nonconformities can be vexing and how planners have approached them has changed over time. Join MAP for a deep dive into all types of nonconformities. The latest case law on the subject will also be covered.

 

March 14
Via Zoom
6 PM - 8:30 PM

MAP Member Price: $85
Non Member Price: $115


 

     

Zoning Ordinance: A to Z
Learn everything you need to know about this important regulatory tool. A history of zoning, alternative ways to zone, a tour of a typical zoning ordinance including tips and best practices, zoning approval processes, and enforcement are all on the agenda.

Softbound reference book included. 

 

March 19
Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Texas Township
12:30 PM - 4:30 PM, light lunch included

MAP Member Price: $125
Non Member Price: $155


 

     

Advanced ZBA: Beyond The Fundamentals
A high level, interactive session for ZBA members, where recent court cases and statutes are reviewed and where participants will dig into four different case studies and discuss their findings. Basic ZBA knowledge is necessary to best participate.

Softbound reference book included. 

 

March 19
Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Texas Township
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM, light dinner included

MAP Member Price: $125
Non Member Price: $155


 

     
Housing Supply, Choice & Affordability

A fast paced, 2.5 hour program that reviews master planning for housing, community engagement, zoning reforms, including a deep dive into one missing middle type--ADUs, plus how to tackle the approval processes and meetings that can stop the development a community has planned for.

Softbound reference book included. 

 

March 21
Bavarian Inn Lodge, Frankenmuth
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM, light dinner included

MAP Member Price: $130
Non Member Price: $160


 

 

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.  

Interested in hosting a watch party in your community or want to brush up on a particular topic on your own?  MAP offers a number of recorded webinars from signs to clean energy to utility basics and asset management and more.  Check out our Build Your Own workhop offerings (these are shorter sessions), other hot topic webinars (generally a couple of hours).  We also host a number of recorded webinars that are available free of charge.  

Can't find exactly what you are looking for?  Please contact Amy Vansen, MAP's Director of Information and Programs with questions.