Planning and Zoning Workshops for Local Officials Announced

The "Introduction to Planning and Zoning for Local Officials" workshop is now open for registration across various Iowa locations. Offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the workshop is tailored for local officials engaged in city and county governance, planning, zoning, and community development. It focuses on delivering foundational knowledge in land use planning and development management, vital for effective local governance.

Scheduled Workshop Dates and Locations Across Iowa:

· April 2 — Fairfield Arts and Convention Center, Fairfield

· April 4 — O’Reilly Center, Creston

· April 11 — Carroll County Extension Office, Carroll

· April 16 — Best Western Holiday Lodge, Clear Lake

· April 18 — Holiday Inn Council Bluffs, Council Bluffs

· April 22 — DoubleTree Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex, Cedar Rapids

· April 25 — Hotel Winneshiek, Decorah

· April 30 — Hilton Garden Inn Des Moines/Urbandale, Johnston

Luke Seaberg, a seasoned field specialist and the workshop's lead instructor, highlights its interactive and case-based learning approach. “We use timely examples from local communities, focusing on scenarios you are most likely to encounter here in Iowa,” Seaberg notes.

The curriculum is crafted to cover crucial issues such as comprehensive planning, variances, special uses, non-conforming uses, spot zoning, hearing procedures, and ethical dilemmas. “It's about providing local decision-makers with the tools and knowledge they need to make well-informed decisions about land use in their communities,” Seaberg adds.

Priced at $65 per participant for a three-hour session, the workshop is an accessible and valuable investment for enhancing governance skills. It includes a group discount for communities sending three or more participants, a light dinner, and a spiral-bound resource packet.

“We are excited to work with local officials from across Iowa and to help them sharpen their skills and increase their knowledge of planning and zoning, an integral element in fostering and sustaining community and economic development,” remarks Seaberg.

In addition to the scheduled workshops, the Community and Economic Development unit of ISU Extension and Outreach provides place-based planning and zoning training for cities, counties, and townships throughout Iowa as needed and as schedules allow.

For more details and registration, please visit http://www.extension.iastate.edu/communities/events. For more information and accommodation requests, contact Luke Seaburg at seaberg@iastate.edu.