Planning Federation Hosts Certification Courses

POMONA – The Rockland Municipal Planning Federation will sponsor a series of Certification Courses on April 24, April 28 and May 13, 2014.

The courses are free and fulfill the certification requirement for municipal, planning and zoning board members as well as provide three hours of training for each course for each member towards their four-hour State training requirement. Interested members of the public are also welcome to attend. All of the sessions will be held from 7 – 10 p.m. at the Town of Clarkstown Town Hall, 10 Maple Avenue, New City, NY 10956.

Session I, entitled Overview of the Boards, will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2014. The course will discuss the laws creating the boards, the roles of the different players and their responsibilities and limitations.

Session II, Update of Case Law and SEQRA Case Law, will take place on Monday, April 28, 2014. Session II is required to be taken every two years for re-certification.

Session III, Working Group Discussions, will take place on Tuesday, May 13, 2014. For Planning Board members, the course will discuss the following topics: Subdivision, Comprehensive Plans, Site Plans/Map Interpretation, Cluster Development, Special Permits, Advisory Role and SEQRA. For Zoning Board of Appeals members, the course will discuss the following topics: Area Variances, Use Variances and Special Permits.

The Rockland Municipal Planning Federation is comprised of Town and Village Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals members, plus members of the Rockland County Planning Board and the Rockland County Department of Planning. The staff, attorneys, consultants and building inspectors for the boards and land use professionals such as planners, surveyors, architects, and engineers are also members. Any individual interested in the purposes of the Federation may become an Associate Member.

The Federation serves a number of purposes, including creating and maintaining a forum to discuss common land use planning and regulation, zoning and related issues. The Federation also offers education and training in planning and zoning methods and land use issues, as well as certification for municipal planning and zoning board members.

Those interested in attending any of these sessions must register to reserve their space.

To register for the Rockland Municipal Planning Federation’s Certification Courses, please call Arlene Miller at 845-364-3448, or send an e-mail to millera@co.rockland.ny.us. Registration may also be done via fax to 845-364-3435.