School of Professional and Continuing Studies

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A noncredit Chancellor’s Certificate from the University of Missouri–St. Louis indicates that you have put in the time and effort to enhance your knowledge and improve your skills. Earn a Chancellor’s Certificate in Planning and Zoning for completion of any six modules over both courses. Coursework must be completed by the end of the second course.

Gain a broad overview of the job of the planning and zoning commissioner, including issues that must be addressed and the processes that a commission must use to be successful. These two courses review critical practices and technical processes for management of meetings and hearings, interacting with the public, and conducting the business of planning and zoning. Selected sessions provide an overview of the key issues addressed through planning and zoning practice.

These courses provide valuable education for:

Each module includes an assessment element through open participation, to verify participants have an understanding of the key concepts taught in the module.  Please visit the Online Catalog for details about each module.

Fees & CEUs

Instructors

Planning & Zoning course instructors are professional, practicing planners in the St. Louis region and members of the American Planning Association St. Louis Section as well as the national and state APA.

Partnerships

Courses

Fundamentals of Planning and Zoning and Advanced Issues in Planning and Zoning review practices and processes including management of meetings and hearings, comprehensive planning, legal issues, and conducting the business of planning and zoning. 

You may register for a full course and all its six modules or take the individual modules of your choice. Register for both courses and save $75. Click the tabs below for module descriptions.

To register for an individual module or to register for both courses and save $75, you will need to mail, fax, or call in your registration. To mail or fax, download the Planning & Zoning Registration Form. To call, contact Jennifer Clemente at (314) 516-5994.

Fundamentals of Planning & Zoning (Register for All Six Modules) 

Module 1

Planning and Placemaking: Developing and Maintaining Healthy Communities

When: October 11, 2012 

Why is good planning important to the future of the St. Louis region? This session will illustrate the impact of planning and zoning decisions made at the municipal and county levels on developing and maintaining healthy communities. It will demonstrate the importance of creating a sense of place and will explore emerging planning trends including consideration of community gardens, food deserts, walkable complete streets and municipal sustainability plans. We will discuss the role of commissioners, elected officials, and citizens in this process.

The Trainers

Rosalind Williams, director of planning and development, City of Ferguson, MO. Holds an MA in Urban Planning from the University of Washington.

Kara Lubischer, community development specialist, UM–Extension, formerly planning staff for St. Louis County Government. Holds an MA in Urban Planning, Design and Development from Cleveland State University.

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Module 2

Developing a Comprehensive Plan

When: October 18, 2012

Learn about the major components of the planning and zoning process that are recognized by state statutes and comprehensive master plan and zoning ordinances. Understand the comprehensive planning process, the commission’s responsibilities, and how they vary from city to city. Learn about the inclusion of historic and other types of special districts.

The Trainer

Hilary Perkins, AICP, GISP, planner, City of Maryland Heights, Mo. Holds an MA in Environmental Planning from Arizona State University.

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Module 3

Implementing a Comprehensive Plan

When: October 25, 2012

Discover how a county, village or municipality can use a comprehensive plan as a tool to manage and guide all growth in the community, and how the plan is used with zoning and other ordinances to create the community as envisioned in development of the plan.

The Trainer

Aimee Nassif, AICP, director of planning and development services, City of Chesterfield, MO. Hold an MA in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Policy Administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

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Module 4

Zoning

When: November 1, 2012

Review the basics of zoning structure, format and process. Learn about updating and drafting effective and unified zoning codes, the plan/code relationship and administering exceptions. Address topics including code regulation of commercial and residential development, protecting the environment and governmental roles in zoning.

The Trainer

Paul Langdon, AICP, director of planning, City of Creve Coeur, MO. Holds an MA in Environmental Planning from Arizona State University.

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Module 5

Legal Aspects of Planning and Zoning

When: November 8, 2012

Learn about legal aspects of planning and zoning. Gain insight on adoption and use of planning and zoning tools, the scope of and limitations on regulatory authority, and the procedures involved in zoning reviews, appeals and public hearings.

The Trainer

Dan Vogel, founding shareholder, Cunningham, Vogel & Rost, PC. Practices law in land use, telecommunications and general municipal issues.

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Module 6

Ethics and Effective Public Hearings

When: November 15, 2012

Address ethical considerations in the duties of commissioners, elected officials and staff including conflicts of interest and responsibility to the community and petitioners. Learn about the appropriate role and conduct of commissioners, staff and attorneys in maintaining objectivity and decorum in public hearings and meetings. Discuss fact-finding and conflict resolution. A panel discussion will be included in this session.

The Trainer

Ted Shekell, AICP, director of planning, zoning and building, City of O’Fallon, IL. Holds an MA in Urban Planning from the University of Virginia.

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Advanced Issues in Planning & Zoning (Register for All Six Modules) 

Module 7

Site Plan Review

When: January 10, 2013

Understand the implications of different site plan/preliminary plat choices and the variables that minimize negative impact, bringing maximum benefit to a community’s transportation, engineering economics, environment and visual appearance. Consider the work and responsibilities of architectural review boards. Examples of actual site plans will be provided and discussed.

The Trainer

Dan Lang, president, The Lang Gang Inc., a planning and zoning consulting firm. Worked in planning for the cities of Lake Saint Louis, St. Peters, and St. Charles, Mo. Holds a BS in Natural Resources from the University of Missouri–Columbia.

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Module 8 

Annexation

When: January 17, 2013

Discuss the planning, statutory and economic issues related to annexation in Missouri and Illinois. The processes required for annexation efforts will be examined, as will the role of planning commissions. Consideration also will be given to the ramifications of potential annexations.

The Trainers

Julie Powers, AICP, director of planning, community and economic development, City of St. Peters, Mo. Holds an MA in Urban Planning from University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.

Ted Shekell, AICP, director of planning, zoning and building, City of O’Fallon, IL. Holds an MA in Urban Planning from the University of Virginia.

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Module 9

Financing

When: January 24, 2013

Learn how developments can be financed. Review implementation and development financing techniques and applications authorized by law. While planning and zoning commissions do not have approval authority over project financing, it is important that financing terminology and arrangements are understood by commissioners and staff.

The Trainer

Thomas A. Cunningham, founding shareholder of Cunningham, Vogel & Rost, PC. Practices law in land use, urban development and municipal finance.

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Module 10

Responsible Growth, Stormwater Management, and Sustainable Site Design

When: January 31, 2013

Place local planning issues into a regional context and consider what factors are important to ensure long-term sustainable development and health of both the local community and the region. Consider the components and issues surrounding stormwater management and the use of sustainable site design, and the implications of this development strategy for your jurisdiction.

The Trainers

David A. Wilson, senior manager, environment and community planning, East-West Gateway Council of Governments. Holds an MA in History from Washington University in St. Louis.

Mark Meyer, PE, principal civil engineer, Intuition and Logic, a St. Louis based engineering firm specializing in analysis and design of urban watersheds and streams. Holds an MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri–Rolla.

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Mark Meyer, PE, principal civil engineer, Intuition and Logic, a St. Louis based engineering firm specializing in analysis and design of urban watersheds and streams. Holds an MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri–Rolla.

Module 11

Transportation and Land-Use Connections

When: February 7, 2013

Gain an understanding of the interaction of transportation infrastructure with adjacent land use, and why land use can be a transportation strategy in and of itself. Learn about the benefits of a multimodal system, mixed land uses in a single area and density.

The Trainer

Paul Wojciechowski, AICP, PE, project manager, CH2M HILL. Previously served as director of public works for the City of Clayton, MO. Holds a degree from the University of Missouri–Rolla in Civil Engineering.

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Module 12

Integrating City and Regional Plans

When: February 14, 2013

Increase your understanding of government structures and the planning agencies in the St. Louis metro region. Consider the relationship between city and regional planning efforts. Discuss the responsibilities commissioners have to the region and how this interaction takes place in other states.

The Trainers

Joe Vujnich, director of planning and parks, City of Wildwood, MO. Holds an MS in Resource Planning from Missouri State University.

Les Sterman, chief supervisor of construction and the works, Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention District Council. Formerly served as executive director of the East-West Gateway Council of Governments. Holds an MS in Urban and Environmental Studies from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Click to register for this module.