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.

July 24, 2025-In Person:Fundamentals of Site Plan Review Workshop

Presented by: Renata Bertotti, UConn CLEAR

Note: this is a repeat of July 16, 2025 training intended for those that prefer a different date/time slot.

Description: 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 utilise practical exercises involving real-world site plans, enabling participants to translate plan information into practical ground-level observations.

Date: July 24, 2025
Time: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. 
Location: UConn Middlesex County Extension Center, 1066 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT 06438
Cost: $20.00 (includes complimentary refreshments)
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: July 18, 2025

This training may be eligible for two (2) general commissioner hours as per CGS Sec. 8-4c.

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.

Register Here

July 16, 2025 – In-Person: Fundamentals of Site Plan Review Workshop

 Presented by: Renata Bertotti, UConn CLEAR

Description: 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 utilise practical exercises involving real-world site plans, enabling participants to translate plan information into practical ground-level observations.

Date: July 16, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
Location: UConn Middlesex County Extension Center, 1066 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT 06438
Cost: $20.00 (includes complimentary refreshments)
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: July 10, 2025

This training may be eligible for two (2) general commissioner hours as per CGS Sec. 8-4c.

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.

Register Here

Affordable Housing and 8-30g: Obstacles & Opportunities

June 12, 2025 

 Affordable Housing and 8-30g: Obstacles & Opportunities Webinar

Presented by: Don Poland

This presentation will explore the implementation side of affordable housing by confronting obstacles and exploring opportunities. The obstacles will include market realities, financial feasibility, and myths. The opportunities will explore case studies, inclusionary zoning, and political will to address affordable housing. Presented by DonPoland, the objective of this program is to broaden our understanding of affordable housing and open up pathways for implementation to provide more affordable housing.

This training may be eligible for one (1) Fair and Affordable Housing training hour as per CGS Sec. 8-4c.

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.

Cost: free

Register Here

May 17, 2025

The Science and Regulation of Wetlands in CT - Hybrid Workshop

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.

In person $45 (includes food); virtual $35.

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.