Council’s PlanIt series provides resources to local planners

Date: Thursday, June 9, 2016

Local government planners and planning consultants are invited to take part in PlanIt. The new program features a variety of educational opportunities and resources to assist in the comprehensive planning process.

PlanIt logo and link to Plan It pageBy December 31, 2018, every community in the seven-county metro area is required by state law to submit a local comprehensive plan update to the Metropolitan Council. Each plan creates a vision for the future development and growth of a community.

PlanIt includes workshops, webinars, conferences, and online resources such as tutorials and publications related to comprehensive planning. See detailed information about these events and resources in the PlanIt 2016 event schedule (pdf).

Community partners help design PlanIt series

Men picnicking at a park.The Council designed the PlanIt program in coordination with a steering committee made up of city and county planners and planning consultants from across the region, the Council’s Land Use Advisory Committee (LUAC), and Council technical staff. A planning survey asking questions on format, content, and timing of program events helped provide direction as well. Partnering with MnAPA, ULI-MN, Metro Cities, state agencies, and other various planning partners allows PlanIt to provide a diverse set of perspectives and information for regional planners.

The kickoff to PlanIt webinar series began on May 26.  One attendee of the webinar stated, “I'm very new to this process, so I appreciate the opportunity to participate in these webinars and learn more about it all.”

Webinars cover basics and more of comprehensive plans

The 2016 PlanIt webinars are designed to cover the basic requirements of a comprehensive plan, and provide suggestions and insight about the successful completion and use of these plans. Eleven webinars are scheduled throughout the year. Some of the topics include:

  • Land Use Basics

  • Water Resources Planning

  • Transportation Overview

  • Making your Plan a Walk in the Park

  • Housing Requirements Discussion

  • Comprehensive Planning for Solar Energy Systems

PlanIt also includes an all-day, free conference hosted by the Council. Similar to PlanIt webinars, the conference will include sessions on comprehensive planning requirements and helpful information on how to get more out of your plan. Registration for conferences and webinars are free, and may include Certification Maintenance credits for American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) members.

PlanIt includes online library of resources

Additionally, PlanIt provides an easily accessible library of online resources on topics ranging from visualizing density to water resources. For those who want in-person training and detailed information on comprehensive planning, PlanIt also offers a series of workshops. Currently three workshops will be offered in 2016, on the topics of community engagement, affordable housing, and transit-oriented development.

New resources are released monthly. To stay updated on events and opportunities hosted through the PlanIt program, sign up for email notifications.



 

 
 

Posted In: Communities, Council News, Housing, Parks, Planning, Transportation, Wastewater & Water

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