<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0Qbt7m_0vE8FD8H00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Qbt7m_0vE8FD8H00" width="650" height="433" ><figcaption>Brown Township Hall (Submitted photo/Brown Township) </figcaption></figure> MANISTEE COUNTY - Michigan State University Extension is offering its premiere Michigan Citizen Planner program in&nbsp;Manistee County at Brown Township Hall, located at 8233&nbsp;Coates Highhway. Citizen Planner offers land use education for locally appointed and elected planning officials and interested residents throughout Michigan. This six-week program will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Thursdays from Oct. 3 to Nov. 7 - the Oct. 31 class will be moved to Oct. 30. More information and registration for this program can be found at <a href="https://events.anr.msu.edu/CPManistee24/" rel="nofollow"> events.anr.msu.edu/CPManistee24/ </a> The course fee is $250 per participant for the complete core program. Group discounts are available. The cost is $225 per participant for groups of four or more from the same municipality. The fee covers registration, course materials and refreshments. A $45 cancellation fee will apply. Participants that complete all six sessions will receive a certificate of completion and may continue on to become Master Citizen Planners. Registration will be open through Sept. 20. In 2023, over 220 people completed Citizen Planer programs across the state to increase their knowledge, skills and confidence in making land use decisions. Evaluations from participants showed that majority of respondents increased their knowledge of best practices for board operations, structure and functions. The training includes proper procedure for planning and zoning, and knowledge to avoid compromising people’s due process and private property rights, as well as much more. The six-class series includes: <ul><li> Understanding the planning and zoning context: Learn the legal sources and limitations of planning and zoning authority and explore your understanding of ethical decision-making. </li><li> Planning for the future of your community: Recognize the function and importance of a master plan, know the process for developing one and its relationship to zoning. </li><li> Implementing the plan with zoning: Discover the importance of zoning, learn how zoning is administered and gain confidence in your zoning reviews, including site plans. </li><li> Making zoning decisions: Learn how to adopt and amend a zoning ordinance, understand the role of the zoning board of appeals and obtain skills in basic property development methods. </li><li> Using innovative planning and zoning: Strategize with placemaking and design-based solutions for local and regional success in the New Economy. </li><li> Successfully fulfilling your role: Strengthen your ethical decision-making skills, apply standards to your decision-making and know when to ask for help. </li></ul> For additional information, contact Mary Reilly, reillym8@msu.edu or 231-889-4277 ext. 1. </div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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MSU Extension’s Citizen Planner Program offered in Manistee County

The six-week land use education program will take place on Thursday nights from Oct. 3 to Nov. 7.