Upcoming Workshops
Date: May 17th, 2025
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)
Save the Date: Land Use Academy Advanced Training
Date: October 25, 2025
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. Content will be similar to 2024 training.
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
Fundamentals of Site Plan Reading and Interpretation
Date: July 16, 2025 / July 24, 2025
This hands-on training is most helpful to those with little or no experience in site plan reading and interpretation. We offer two opportunities to attend, on July 16th and July 24th. NOTE: Content of training will be the same on both dates. Two (2) general commissioner training hours under the CGS 8-4c (Fair and Affordable Housing hour NOT covered). Refreshments provided. Cost $20.
Registration Link Coming Soon
Land Use Academy Basic Training for New Commissioners
Date: April 26, 2025
This training is most helpful to newly appointed or elected Land Use Commissioners and those with little or no experience in site plan reading and interpretation. Three or more (3+) general commissioner training hours under the CGS 8-4c (Fair and Affordable Housing hour NOT 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
and
- The Fundamentals of Site Plan Reading
Breakfast and lunch included. Cost$60
Registration Link Coming Soon
Past Workshops
Date: April 11th, 2025
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
Date: October 19, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Registration and breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m.)
Location: UConn Middlesex County Extension Center, 1066 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT 06438
The UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) will be running an all-day Land Use Academy – Advanced Training. The full four (4) credits of the required CGS Sec. 8-4c training will be provided through this event. Advanced Training topics of Bias, Predisposition, and Conflicts will be presented by Richard P. Roberts, Halloran & Sage, Advanced Training topics on Running a Meeting and Making a Decision will be presented by Kenneth Slater, Jr., of Halloran & Sage, and Mark Branse, of Halloran & Sage, will present a session on Fair and Affordable Housing Policies which will cover one (1) credit on Fair and Affordable Housing Policies as required by the State Statute.
Topics covered:
General commissioner training hours: 3
Fair & Affordable Housing training hours: 1
Workshop Recordings and Slides:
Running a Meeting and Making a Decision:
Bias, Predisposition, and Conflict of Interest:
Fair and Affordable Housing: