Current Short Course Schedule - Updated February 2, 2010
One of several ways in which Growth Management Services provides direct assistance to local communities is through the Short Course on Local Planning. This three-hour workshop which covers the legal basis of planning in Washington State, explains the basics of comprehensive planning and plan implementation, and discusses the role of the planning commission.
The Short Course is co-sponsored by the Planning Association of Washington. There is no charge to attend (or sponsor) a course session. Courses are scheduled at the request of local communities, and are always open to the public. Copies of the Short Course Manual are available on CD. Please email Linda Weyl to request a copy of the Short Course CD.
Follow these links to learn more about "Hosting a Short Course for your Community" or "How to Arrange a Short Course." Contact: Janet Rogerson, Short Course Coordinator at 360.725.3047 or email questions to: Janet Rogerson
A Short Course On Local Planning (Short Course Manual) - Resource Guide, 369 pages, Version 5.1, July 2009.
A resource guide to accompany the Short Course on Local Planning, developed by the Planning Association of Washington and the State of Washington Department of Commerce.
Select the Table of Contents individual sections or Chapter (1-10) links below
from the Short Course Manual, July 2009
Introduction
New To Planning Commission: Frequently Asked Questions
Chapter 1. Legal and Practical Objectives of Planning
A. The Planning Model in Washington
B. The Constitutional Basis for Planning
C. The Statutory Basis for Planning
D. Endnotes for Chapter 1
Chapter 2. Citizen Participation and the Public Process
Part 1: Citizen Participation
A. What is Citizen Participation?
B. Who Should be Involved
C. Citizen Involvement: A Matter of Timing
D. Methods for Encouraging Citizen Participation
Part 2: The Public Process
A. Public Meetings/Executive Sessions
B. Public Documents/Confidential Documents
C. Appearance of Fairness
D. Public Decisions and Creation of Records
Chapter 3. The Growth Management Act
A. Origins of Growth Management
B. The Primacy of the Comprehensive Plan
C. The Goals of Growth Management Planning
D. Who Must Plan?
E. Building on Your Community’s Growth Management Legacy Past Accomplishments and Current Challenges
F. Growth Management Hearings Boards
G. Integrated Project Review
H. Where to Go for Further Information
I. Endnotes for Chapter 3
Appendix 1: Growth Management Services: Planner Assignments Map
Appendix 2: Whatcom County-wide Planning Policies
Appendix 3: Skagit County-wide Planning Policies
Chapter 4. Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities in Planning
A. Due Process
B. The Taking Issue
Chapter 5. Development Tools and Techniques
A. Community Development Regulations and Official Controls
B. Platting and Permits: The Development Process
C. Vested Rights
D. Development Fees/Impact Fees
E. Development Limitations – The Final Word
F. Financing Public Improvements
G. Endnotes for Chapter 5
Chapter 6. Planning and Environmental Legislation
A. State Environmental Policy Act
B. Water Quality Protection
C. Endnotes for Chapter 6
Chapter 7. The Shoreline Management Act
A. Overview
B. Shoreline Master Programs
C. Permits and Decisions
D. Endnotes for Chapter 7
Chapter 8. County/Tribal Planning Issues
A. Coordinating With Tribal Governments
B. Indian Tribes of Washington State
Chapter 9. Transportation Planning in Washington
A. Introduction
B. Fundamentals of Transportation Planning
C. Statewide Transportation Planning
D. Transportation Improvement Program and State Transportation Improvement Program
E. Endnotes for Chapter 9
Chapter 10. Annexation Procedures
A. Why Annex?
B. The Evaluation of Annexation Proposals
C. Consequences of Annexation
D. Preliminary Matters
E. Methods of Annexation in First, Second, Third, and Fourth Class Municipalities
F. Methods of Annexation in Code Cities
G. Review Boards
H. Endnotes for Chapter 10
Making the Most of Being a Short Course Host!
Once the City of Issaquah had hosted their recent Short Course on Local Planning, they followed up with an e-mail to all of the invitees:
“Thanks to all of you that were able to attend this week’s Short Course on Local Planning. For those who were not able to attend, the presentations from the meeting are available at this link here.
There are also other links to other training opportunities on this site. Thanks again for your interest.”
The City of Issaquah listed the completed Short Course on their Planning web page under “Recent Accomplishments”, and provided a link to a Short Course web page, thereby using the Short Course materials as an ongoing educational opportunity.
The information provided on the Short Course Agenda was adapted as a web page from which to access each of the power point presentations, as well as other educational resources.
Kudos to Trish Heinonen, Planning Manager of the City of Issaquah for this terrific idea!
When commended, Trish said; “it was a great training opportunity, so the posting is an Encore!!!!”