left nav content goes here!

Why Citizen Planner?

Local Planning Commissioners and Zoning Boards of Appeals are often called upon to make important decisions to guide the growth and development of their communities. Issues surrounding land use planning and regulation, and the tools and techniques available within Michigan to address them, have become increasingly complex.

Back to Top

The Program

Citizen Planner is a seven-week, non-credit course series leading to an optional certificate of competency awarded by MSUE. Earning the certificate involves the successful completion of seven core sessions and the performance of community-oriented service and land use planning or related activities.

Back to Top

Course Overview

Courses are often held for eight consecutive weeks at a local facility. Participants are encouraged to sign up for the entire course. Each session is designed to be approximately 2 1/2 hours in length and includes hands-on learning and field trips as appropriate. The first seven core sessions provide a basic skill set and are required for certification. Participants with limited time may enroll in individual sessions of their choosing.

Back to Top

Core Curriculum

Curriculum was developed in partnership with the Michigan Association of Planning. Core sessions required to earn a MSUE Citizen Planner certificate include:

1. Introduction to Planning and Zoning:
Smart Growth, Ethics, and Planning Resources

2. Legal Foundations of Planning and Zoning:
Cases, Statutes, and Other Planning Authority

3. Roles and Responsibilities Part I:
The Planning Team and the Comprehensive Plan

4. Roles and Responsibilities Part II:
Zoning, Site Plans and the Zoning Board of Appeals process

5. Plan Implementation and Development Controls:
Subdividing Land, Zoning Controls, and Non-regulatory Techniques

6. Best Practices for Innovative Planning and Zoning:
Causes of Sprawl, Traditional Design, and Conservation Design

7. Art of Community Planning:
Participation, Effective Meetings, and Managing Conflict

Back to Top

Local Topics

Following the completion of core sessions, participants may choose to continue training in additional locally selected “hot topics” that may include:

• Affordable Housing
• Community & Economic Development
• Conflict Management & Resolution
• Ethics and Conflict of Interest
• Fundamentals of Farmland Preservation and Brownfield Redevlopment
• Farmland Preservation: Tools and Techniques
• GIS and Electronic Decision-Making Tools
• Hazard Mitigation
• Low Impact Design
• Manufactured Housing
• Planning for Parks and Recreation
• Principles of New Urbanism
• Private Property Rights and the Takings Issue
• Right to Farm Act and GAAMPSPlanning for Tourism
• Planning for Water Quality
• Principles of New Urbanism
• Private Property Rights and the Takings Issue
• Right to Farm Act & GAAMPS
• Riparian Rights
• Planning for Tourism
• Transportation Planning
• Urban Fringe Community Planning
• Planning for Water Quality
• Wetlands: Science and Regulation
• Working Across Community Borders - Coordinated Planning
and more…

Back to Top

Instructors

Instructors for the training program include members of MSU Extension staff, practicing planners, attorneys, university faculty, government officials, developers and other leaders involved in the local planning process. Sessions 3 and 4 are taught by MAP-certified instructors.

Back to Top

Program Fee

The course fee is $385 per participant for the entire program, which includes the seven core sessions. Individual sessions are available at $75 per participant per session. Locally Selected Topic sessions are available at $45 per participant per session. The fee covers registration, course materials in an expandable notebook, and refreshment breaks.

Group discounts for four or more registrants from the same local unit of government are available. The entire program is discounted to $315 per participant.

Local scholarships may be available to subsidize course costs (check with your local county MSU Extension office).

Back to Top

For More Information

If you have questions about the program or wish to explore the possibility of beginning a course series in your community, contact your local county MSU Extension office. You may also contact the state program office.

Back to Top