Elected officials and citizen-led boards and commissions make up the backbone of the local planning and zoning process. Unfortunately, the issues surrounding land use, and the tools and techniques available to address them, are becoming increasingly complex. At the same time developers, landowners and residents are increasingly likely to litigate over unfavorable decisions. This Introduction to Planning and Zoning workshop is designed as a “basic training” for local elected and appointed officials on the land use issues facing them today. It will provide participants with an overview of Iowa law, including relevant statutes and court cases; the roles and responsibilities of the planning commission, the board of adjustment and the elected council and board of supervisors, and technical information on how to make the land use decision-making process more effective, efficient, and legally defensible.

The workshop is intended primarily for local officials new to planning and zoning issues, though it may serve as a refresher for veteran members. A list of dates and locations is provided below. For a workshop agenda and registration form, please download the program brochure, provided in the original format (.pdf file), for printing on 11x17 paper, or in split sheets for viewing on screen or printing on 8-1/2x11 paper.

Upcoming Workshops, May-July 2005:

1. Dubuque, Wednesday, May 18
Northeast Iowa Community College
Town Clock Center, 680 Main Street

2. Calmar, Thursday, May 19
Northeast Iowa Dairy Center

3. Cedar Rapids, Tuesday, May 24
Kirkwood Community College Main Campus
Community Training and Response Center
(formerly Environmental Training Center Building)
Room 126 A and B

4. Creston, Tuesday, May 24
Union County Extension Office

5. Council Bluffs, Thursday, May 26
West Pottawattamie County Extension Office
Iowa School for the Deaf Campus, Careers Building
3501 Harry Langdon Boulevard

6. Oskaloosa, Tuesday, May 31
Mahaska County Extension Office

7. Waterloo, Thursday, June 2
Waterloo Center for the Arts

8. Spencer, Tuesday, June 7
Spencer School Administration Building

9. Sioux City, Wednesday, June 8
Western Iowa Community College

10. Bettendorf ,Tuesday, June 14
Scott County Extension Office

11. Mount Pleasant, Wednesday, June 15
Iowa Wesleyan College

12. Mason City, Wednesday, June 22
Mason City city hall

13. Ames, Monday, July 18
Gateway Hotel and Conference Center

For more information, contact Gary Taylor, assistant professor and extension specialist, Department of Community and Regional Planning, (515) 294-2973, e-mail gtaylor@iastate.edu