planning: PMPEI Planning Course Descriptions

Montgomery County, PA

P.O. Box 311, Norristown, PA 19404-0311
Courthouse Hours: 8:30a.m. to 4:15p.m.
Phone: 610-278-3000
Website: www.montcopa.org

Planning Courses
The Montgomery County Planning Commission will be sponsoring two municipal education courses in 2010.  Each in-depth course is taught in three evening sessions.  Course information is listed below.  For further information, contact Rita M. McKelvey at 610.278.3753.    
 

The Course in Community Planning

The Course in Community Planning will take place on three alternating Monday sessions—April 26, May 10, May 24—in Freedom Hall of the Upper Merion Township building, 175 W. Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  Participants are asked to arrive at 6 p.m. on the first evening and are invited to arrive a little early for each session to relax and enjoy a light meal.  This course covers the fundamental information that municipal officials and planning commission members need to carry out their responsibilities and do an effective job.  It addresses the role of planning in local government and how planning commissions relate to the governing body, zoning hearing board, and zoning officer.  Specific topics include basic knowledge of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), comprehensive planning, plan implementation including zoning, subdivision, and land development regulation, official mapping, and how effective planning commissions approach their responsibilities.  The course is designed for both new and experienced participants.  Brochure.  Online Registration.  
 
The Course in Zoning
The Course in Zoning is scheduled for three consecutive Monday evening sessions—November 15, 22, 29—in Public Meeting Room A of the Whitpain Township Administration Building, 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422.  The course will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  Participants are asked to arrive at 6 p.m. on the first evening and are invited to arrive a little early for each session to relax and enjoy a light meal.  The Course in Zoning, a “nuts and bolts” course for municipal planners, elected officials, and their staff, deals with what is probably the most fascinating, complex, and provocative topic in local planning.  It traces the evolution of zoning in the early twentieth century to the way zoning is practiced in Pennsylvania today.  The Course in Zoning stresses the fundamentals of developing a sound zoning ordinance using the authority of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC).  Course topics include the relationship of zoning to comprehensive plans, understanding zoning terms, key issues in drafting a zoning ordinance and map, adoption and amendment, zoning ordinance administration, MPC options for joint municipal zoning, planned residential development, and traditional neighborhood development.  The course includes mapping exercises, reviews of ordinance provisions, discussion of problem situations, and ethical issues.  Brochure.  Online Registration.