Planning Commissioner Training
Virtual Recording
Overview
ILG and our partners have designed and recorded a training exclusively for city and county planning commissioners, both new and experienced. In separately recorded modules, this virtual training will define the role of planning commissioners and help planning commissioners better understand the basics of planning documents, CEQA, housing laws, and public engagement principles.
Training Sessions
Planning Commissioner Training Intro
This module provides a brief overview of the planning commissioner training content, recorded sessions, and available technical assistance resources.
Planning Commissioner Training Intro PPT Slides
Introduction to Planning and Planning Framework
This module discusses the foundational aspects of planning (concepts, principles, legal basis) and reviews essential planning documents, such as the General Plan and its elements. The training session distinguishes between planning goals, policies, and implementation strategies, discusses the intricacies of zoning regulations, and provides concise decision-making tips tailored for planning commissioners.
Presenter:
- David Early, AICP, Senior Advisor, PlaceWorks
Introduction to Planning & Planning Framework PPT Slides
Your Role as a Planning Commissioner & Public Meetings
This module covers the role an responsibilities of Planning Commissioners including tips on how to work with their governing body, agency staff, and the community. Additionally, this session discusses and overview of the legal parameters related to the public meetings as well as resources to learn more about the legal and ethical framework surrounding public meetings.
Presenter:
- Melissa Kuehne, Senior Program Manager, Institute for Local Government
Access session recording here.
Community Engagement
This modules introduces the basics of community engagement. Authentic community engagement and a well-designed engagement and outreach process can help address a number of common community concerns related to housing development and planning. While planning commissioners often do not lead community engagement efforts, they play a critical role in understanding their residents’ vision, concerns, and needs. Specifically, this session focuses on equity-centered public engagement strategies that take into account the digital divide and language access. It also reviews outreach strategies, provides tips for handling difficult situations, and offers a messaging checklist to effectively communicate with your community on housing and planning topics.
Presenters:
- Melissa Kuehne, Senior Program Manager, Institute for Local Government
- Hanna Stelmakhovych, Program Manager, Institute for Local Government
Community Engagement PPT Slides
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
This modules covers the foundational aspects of CEQA and its practical applications in environmental planning and assessment. The session discusses various topics, including applicable projects and the different types of CEQA documents, such as Environmental Impact Reports and Negative Declarations. It offers valuable insights on how to identify baselines and determine the threshold of significance within the context of CEQA compliance. This section provides a thorough discussion of mitigation strategies, shedding light on effective methods for addressing environmental concerns.
Presenter:
- Mark Teague, AICP, Managing Principal, PlaceWorks
New Housing Laws and Policies
This modules offers an overview of the California housing landscape and provides updates on housing laws and programs that affect housing development. The training covers state regulations, such as SB 10, SB 9, SB 35, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and transitional housing, among others, which impact local land use authority. Beyond legal insights, the session explores the tools and programs available to local agencies to address the housing needs of their communities.
Presenter:
- Sohab Mehmood, Housing Policy Specialist, Department of Housing and Community Development
Additional Resources
Planning Commissioner Handbook
The Planning Commissioner Handbook is intended to help local officials understand the planning process and provide a glimpse of some potential planning challenges commissioners may experience during their terms. The handbook describes the major terms, plans, and policies that make up the framework of local planning, as well as typical stakeholders in the process and the basics of reviewing applications for development.
Housing and Public Engagement Toolkit
The Housing and Public Engagement Toolkit is resource to help California local governments establish more trust and transparency by collaborating with and engaging their residents on housing-related issues. The toolkit offers public engagement strategies and techniques to address community concerns related to housing, as well as regional case stories, policy considerations and funding opportunities for cities and counties across California.
Housing Planning Hub Site
The Housing Planning Hub site provides resources and technical assistance for local governments on topics including objective design standards, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), rezoning to permit by right, community engagement, and more.
Statewide Housing Plan
The Statewide Housing Plan lays out a vision to ensure every Californian has a safe, stable, and affordable home. The plan describes why we need to act now to address the state’s housing affordability crisis, what we know about California’s housing crisis, including how we got here and growing challenges, what the housing needs in California are, what our state and local governments are currently doing to address the problem, where we are going in the future, and how we will track our progress.
