Regional Workshops for Officials

Planning and Zoning Essentials

The most requested training product we offer. This course is designed to boost confidence by sharpening skills, examining roles and responsibilities, identifying conflicts of interest, understanding legal foundations, and more!

A robust introduction for new planning commissioners and zoning board of appeals, but also a great refresher for more experienced officials looking to build upon existing knowledge. Public hearing procedures, site plan review, master planning, zoning ordinances, variances, how to determine practical difficulty, and standards for effective decision-making are covered.

It provides a broad overview for students and emerging planners who want to learn about planning procedures in Michigan. Two options for attending:  live in person or via Zoom.  

March 16, 12 PM to 4:30 PM live in person presentation in Frankenmuth at the Bavarian Inn Lodge, includes a light meal

MAP Member Price:  $115 | Nonmember Price:  $145 | Register

March 21 and 22, 6 PM to 8 PM live presentation via Zoom 

MAP Member Price:  $80 | Nonmember Price:  $110 | Register

Zoning Administration

This program is for zoning administrators in rural, suburban, or urban settings as well as municipal officials, other staff members, or citizens interested in a more complete understanding of all facets of zoning administration from legal basis to record keeping to enforcement. This four hour program is divided into two presentations.  

March 1 and March 2, 2 PM to 4 PM, live presentation via Zoom 

MAP Member Price:  $95 | Nonmember Price:  $125 | Register

Managing Risk 

As more communities face litigation related to planning and zoning decisions, this is essential training for all elected officials, planning commissioners, zoning board of appeals members and emerging planning professionals. Topics include identifying a conflict of interest, applying discretionary standards and how your comprehensive plan can minimize risk. 

March 8, 6 PM to 8:30 PM, live presentation via Zoom 

MAP Member Price:  $70 | Nonmember Price:  $110 | Register

Zoning Ordinance: A to Z

This brand new MAP workshop to provide local decision makers with everything they need to know about this important regulatory, police power tool. A brief history of zoning, alternative ways to zone, a tour of a typical zoning ordinance including tips and best practices, zoning approval processes, and enforcement are all on the agenda. 

March 10, 2 PM to 4:30 PM, live presentation via Zoom

MAP Member Price:  $80 | Nonmember Price:  $110 | Register

Zoning Board of Appeals

This interactive, case study based workshop goes into greater depth on the issues of practical difficulty and unnecessary hardship. A summary of voting and membership requirements and other procedural requirements unique to ZBA operations are reviewed. 

March 15, 6 PM to 8:30 PM, live presentation via Zoom

MAP Member Price:  $80 | Nonmember Price:  $110 | Register

Capital Improvements Program

This program explains-- from start to finish-- everything you need to know to prepare and adopt a Capital Improvement Program, including: who should be involved in the Capital Improvement Program process; the accounting and budgetary requirements of a CIP; how to tie the program into your infrastructure capacity; and how to handle controversial topics. Included is a hands on workshop where participants work in groups to prepare their own CIP. 

March 16, 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM live in person presentation in Frankenmuth at the Bavarian Inn Lodge, includes a light meal

MAP Member Price:  $115 | Nonmember Price:  $145 | Register