About the Introduction to Planning and Zoning Workshops
The Introduction to Planning and Zoning for Local Officials workshop is a three-hour session designed to introduce the basic principles of land use planning and development management to elected officials, planning and zoning officials, and board of adjustment members without formal training in the subjects. Using case scenarios in a highly-interactive format, the workshop highlights issues frequently faced in the land use process, such as the roles and responsibilities of the planning and zoning commission, the board of adjustment, and the elected council and board of supervisors. It also will highlight legal issues frequently faced by local officials, such as variances, special uses, nonconforming uses, spot zoning, hearing procedures, and conflicts of interest.
The workshop is offered annually in multiple locations across the state. Locations change from year-to-year so that city and county officials are able to attend a location near them at least once every two years. All workshops begin with registration and a light supper at 5:30 p.m. The program begins at 6:00 p.m. and concludes by 8:45 p.m. The registration fee is $65 per individual. This fee is reduced to $55 per individual if a city or county registers 5 or more officials to attend. The fee covers the workshop instruction, workshop materials, and supper.
Dates of the Spring 2020 workshops:
Tuesday March 3-- Iowa City Location: Johnson County Extension Office, 3109 Old Highway 218 S, Iowa City
Thursday March 5-- Clear Lake Location: Best Western Holiday Lodge, 2023 7th Ave, Clear Lake
Tuesday March 10-- Sioux City Location: Hilton Garden Inn, Sioux City Riverfront, 1132 Larsen Park Road, Sioux City
Tuesday March 24-- Ankeny Location: Courtyard by Marriott, 2405 SE Creekview Dr., Ankeny
Thursday March 26-- Okoboji Location: Arrowwood, 1405 Hwy 71, Okoboji
Thursday, April 7-- Carroll Location: Region XII Council of Governments, 1009 East Anthony Street, Carroll
Tuesday, April 14-- Decorah Location: Hotel Winneshiek, 104 East Water Street, Decorah
Tuesday April 21-- Oskaloosa Location: Library, Room A-B, 301 S. Market St., Oskaloosa
Download the brochure here
Certification Credits
The workshop has been pre-approved by the Iowa Municipal Finance Officers Association and the Iowa League of Cities for credits toward certification.
Other matters?
New board or commission members? We will conduct a workshop tailored to your community’s needs anytime throughout the year. Contact for costs and scheduling: (515) 231-6513 or ejchr@iastate.edu