Greene and Columbia County Planning Boards’ Annual Spring Planning and Zoning Training
June 15 @ 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
This training may qualify for three (3) hours of training credits to meet the NYS mandatory training requirements for municipal planning and zoning officials. Certificates will be mailed/emailed after the training has been complete. Code officials may apply to use these courses as professional development electives.
5:00 – 6:30 p.m. – Session 1: Affordable Housing
- Affordable housing is a topic shrouded in misconceptions and strong biases. One thing is certain: it cannot be ignored. Public interest and case law require municipalities to address the affordable housing needs of their regions. This course examines the history and evolution of laws, policies and programs pertaining to affordable housing. Exclusionary zoning case law is highlighted, as well as the benefits of using land use tools such as inclusionary zoning regulations and accessory apartments to provide affordable housing. Strategies to preserve existing affordable housing, the process of developing affordable housing, and affordable housing design are also discussed.
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Session 2: Spot Zone or Grant the Illegal Use Variance
- Neither, we hope. The title of this course is to catch your attention and aspires to help avoid both spot zoning and the granting of illegal use variances. This course explores how situations in which a proposed use different from those around it (which local officials agree would not be a detriment to the community) might best be handled—with a review of the use variance test, the definition of spot zoning, and a few cases that will help local officials make sure their zoning works for their municipality.
8:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Session 3: County Referral
- Many applications before local boards require referral to the county planning agency before action can be taken on them. This course reviews the requirements of General Municipal Law 239-l, -m, and -n and the law’s impact on local decision making. It includes discussion of the benefits of the county referral, the effect of recommendations from the county planning agency, and the consequences of failing to make a required referral to the county planning agency.
Questions? Please contact Victoria Keyser at 518-719-3290 or at planning@greenecountyny.gov
