Basic Training

The Land Use Academy Basic Training is also now online. It is strongly recommended that any new commission or board members first complete a Basic Training course, such as that provided by the CLEAR Land Use Academy, before pursuing training in other topics of interest.

2024 Land Use Commissioner Training Basic Training Webinar Series

When:

  • 3rd Thursday from 12:00pm – 12:40pm
  • Topics will vary monthly
  • Commissioner training hours: 0.5 per session

Registration/agenda:

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Land Use Academy 2024 Basic Training Webinar Series Session 9

December 19, 2024
Presented by: Renata Bertotti, UConn CLEAR

Fundamentals of Site Plan Reading

Register Here

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Land Use Academy 2024 Basic Training Webinar Series Session 8

November 21, 2024
Presented by: Renata Bertotti, UConn CLEAR

Fundamentals of Site Plan Reading

Register Here

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Land Use Academy 2024 Basic Training Webinar Series Session 7

October 17, 2024
Presented by: Renata Bertotti, UConn CLEAR

Timeline will progress based on interest and questions:

  • Representation by Commission Members
  • Social Media
  • FOIA

Presentation Recording and Slides Coming Soon

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Land Use Academy 2024 Basic Training Webinar Series Session 6

September 19, 2024
Presented by: Renata Bertotti, UConn CLEAR

Timeline will progress based on interest and questions:

  • Conflict of Interest
  • Bias and Predisposition

View Presentation                      View Slides

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Land Use Academy 2024 Basic Training Webinar Series Session 5

July 18, 2024
Presented by: Renata Bertotti, UConn CLEAR

Timeline will progress based on interest and questions:

  • Public Hearings

View Presentation                      View Slides

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Land Use Academy 2024 Basic Training Webinar Series Session 4

June 20, 2024
Presented by: Renata Bertotti, UConn CLEAR

  • Alternates
  • Sitewalks

View Presentation                      View Slides

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Land Use Academy 2024 Basic Training Webinar Series Session 3

May 16, 2024
Presented by: Renata Bertotti, UConn CLEAR

  • Running a Meeting
  • Responsibilities / Fundamental Fairness

View Presentation                      View Slides

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Land Use Academy 2024 Basic Training Webinar Series Session 2

April 18, 2024
Presented by: Renata Bertotti, UConn CLEAR

  • Types of Power of Land Use Commissions
  • Zone Change and Regulation Amendments v. Special Permit v. Site Plan

View Presentation                       View Slides

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Land Use Academy 2024 Basic Training Webinar Series Session 1

MARCH 21, 2024
Presented by: Renata Bertotti, UConn CLEAR

  • Legal Basis for Land Use Regulations
  • Commissioner Training Requirements for members of Planning, Zoning, ZBA, Inland Wetlands and Watercourse and Aquifer Protection Commissions

View Presentation                       View Slides

2020 Legal Requirements Information

2020: Legal Requirements & Procedures, Roles & Responsibilities

This class provides a basic understanding of legal principals and procedures that must be adhered to so that legal challenges to decisions or other actions are minimized. Gives land use commissioners an overview of the source of their authority, their role in relation to other land use commissions, current land use issues they should consider, and their responsibility to be fair and unbiased in their decision making. This sessions is interactive using “clickers” and case studies.

Includes:

Legal Basis for Land Use Regulation, Roles of Commissions, Public Hearing and Timeframes, Important Issues to Consider, Conflicts, Bias and Pre-determination, Running a Meeting, FOI, Ex-Parte Communications, Hypothetical Case Study Review

Materials:

This training refers to handouts that are typically used in the in-person training (access these handouts). You should download the hypothetical case study, The Town of East Northport, CT, before starting these online training modules.

2020: Fundamentals of Reading Plans

A version of Fundamentals of Reading Plans is now online.

Assists commissioners with developing plan reading skills including understanding scale, topography, hydrology and stormwater. It goes beyond the basics in a way that is understandable and relevant. This session is hands on using plans from real projects. Participants learn to translate what is on the plans to what it will look like on the ground.

Includes:

  • Review of the difference between a plan and a map.
  • Review of basic map reading techniques-wetlands, legends, scale, topography, water flow, etc.
  • Hands on exercise: the participants will use the skills learned in the beginning of the session to plan a hiking trail that contains specific features like crossing streams at a specific elevation, avoiding wetlands, crossing hilltops and hits the high and low point on the property.

Materials:

For citation purposes: University of Connecticut’s Center for Land Use Education and Research. (March 05, 2024). Basic Training. https://clear.uconn.edu/lua/basic.