1. Land Use Academy
  2. Upcoming Training

Upcoming 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.

April 11, 2025

In-Person - CLEAR Maps: Fundamentals of Site Plan Review and Using CT ECO Map Viewers

Presented by: Emily Wilson and Bertotti , UConn CLEAR

This training is most helpful to newly appointed or elected Land Use Commissioners. It will cover 2.5 general commissioner training hours under the CGS 8-4c (Fair and Affordable Housing hour will NOT be covered).

Description:

The first session will focus on “Fundamentals of Site Plan Reading.” This training is recommended for Land Use Commissioners with no prior experience in site plan reading. The class will assist commissioners in developing essential plan reading skills, including the comprehension of scale, topography, hydrology, and stormwater. The session will utilize practical exercises involving real-world site plans, enabling participants to translate plan information into practical ground-level observations.

The second session will introduce and demonstrate CT ECO (https://cteco.uconn.edu/), an interactive online map viewer. The Advanced Map Viewer will be the primary focus of this demonstration. The presentation will guide participants through locating parcels or areas of interest and highlighting relevant data layers. It will also provide hands-on guidance on utilizing the viewers effectively.

    Complimentary breakfast included. Cost $30

    Register Here

    April 26, 2025

    In-Person - Basic Training for New Commissioners

    Presented by: Renata Bertotti, UConn CLEAR

    This training is most helpful to newly appointed or elected Land Use Commissioners. It will cover three (3) general commissioner training hours under the CGS 8-4c (Fair and Affordable Housing hour will NOT be covered).

    Following topics will be covered:

    • Legal Basis for Land Use Regulations
    • Types of power of Land Use Commissions
    • Types of application: Zone Change and Regulation Amendments v. Special Permit v. Site Plan v. Variances
    • Meeting decorum and responsibilities / Fundamental Fairness

    Complimentary breakfast included. Cost $45

    Register Here

    May 17, 2025

    In-Person - The Science and Regulation of Wetlands in CT

    Presented by: Josh Wilson and Mike Zizka

    This half day workshop will explore both the science of wetlands and the regulation of development related to wetlands in CT. Josh Wilson, Senior Ecologist at Biohabitats and Chair of the East Hampton Inland Wetlands Watercourse Agency, will discuss the scientific and ecological issues that Wetland Commissioners should know. Mike Zizka, a renowned Land Use attorney, scientist, and author of “What’s Legally Required,” will cover the dos and don’ts and ins and outs of local wetland regulation.

    This training is for inland wetland commissioners or any other land use commissioners interested in learning more about wetlands and efforts to protect them during the development process.

    This training may be eligible for three (3.0) commissioner training hours as per CGS Sec. 8-4c. (Fair and Affordable Housing hour will NOT be covered).

    For more information, contact Renata Bertotti, UConn CLEAR at Renata.bertotti@uconn.edu, (860) 345-5210.

    UConn CLEAR is a partnership of the Departments of Extension and Natural Resources in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources and the CT Sea Grant Program.

    Prices range from $35.00 to $45.00 (price depends on options selected)

    Register Here

    October 2025 Series

    Virtual - Basic Training for New Commissioners

    Presented by: Renata Bertotti, UConn CLEAR

    This training will be most helpful to newly elected or appointed land use commissioners and board members. The content will be the same or very similar to what was covered during 2024 "Third Thursday monthly Webinars". Four hours of general commissioner training. Fair and Affordable Housing commissioner training hours NOT covered. In 2025, this training will be provided weekly, in October, on each Thursday at 12 PM (noon) in a form of one (1) hour long lunch time webinars.

    Topics covered:

    • October 2, 2025 at 12PM (noon) : Legal Basis for Land Use Regulations, Commissioner Training Requirements, Types of Power of Land Use Commissions
    • October 9, 2025 at 12PM (noon): Types of Applications, Running a Meeting; Responsibilities/Fundamental Fairness
    • October 16, 2025 at 12PM (noon): Alternates, Site walks, Public Hearings
    • October 23, 2025 at 12PM (noon): Conflict of Interest, Bias and Predisposition, Representation by Commission Members, Social Media, FOIA

    Register Here

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    October 25, 2025 (Save the Date)

    Land Use Academy Advanced Training - Hybrid, In-person and Virtual

    Three or more (3+) general commissioner training hours and one (1) hour of commissioner training in Fair and Affordable Housing Practices as required under the CGS 8-4c. Breakfast and lunch provided.

    Cost $60.

    Topics covered:

    • Bias, Predisposition, and Conflicts
    • Fair and Affordable Housing Policies
    • Running a Meeting and Making a Decision

    NOTE: This is an annual event, taught by several prominent Connecticut Land Use Attorneys. Content of training is similar to 2024 Land Use Academy Advanced training.

    Registration Link Coming Soon 

    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.