Citizen Planner Academy

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Citizen Planner Academy

Course Objective

The Citizens Planner Academy is designed to educate the public about the Growth Management and Land Development Processes. The Citizen Planner Academy consists of a seven-week course covering the principles and methods of Growth Management.

The Academy is open to all Orange County citizens, however, spaces are limited and, therefore, admission is on a first come first served basis. Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of completion and will be recognized by the Orange County Neighborhood Services Division.

The course material covers zoning, transportation, neighborhood re-development, and citizen participation. These topics are explained in more detail below. Throughout the seven weeks, professional planners from the public and private sector will facilitate the interactive work sessions to help participants implement the principles that have been taught.

By the end of the seven-week course, participants will have a working knowledge on how to become engaged within the Land Development process. Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate and be recognized by the Orange County Neighborhood Services Division. Attendance of all course sessions is required to receive a certificate of completion.

Location, Dates, & Registration
Citizen Planning Academy Brochure (PDF - 1.14 MB)

Course Overview

Week 1 - Growth Management
This class is an introduction to Growth Management. We will discuss growth control through regulatory and non-regulatory development incentives. We will review policies on how development should occur and how rate and timing of development is used to control density. We will review the comprehensive policy plan in reference to state requirements, amendments to the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) and how it relates to development in Orange County. We will also review some of the goals, policies, and objectives of the Comprehensive Policy Plan and how they are used to regulate growth and development.

Week 2 � Introduction to Planning
Planning 101 is an introduction to the fundamentals of land use planning. We will introduce some of the basic terminology and principles used. We also look at some of the key historical aspects of planning and how it was used as a tool to shape urban and suburban development.

Week 3 - Land Development Processes
The Land Development class provides an overview of land development processes and regulations required to develop vacant land. We will review the steps for development involving large-scale projects. We will also look at the key players involved in the land development process and their ability to influencing the decision making process.

Week 4 � Zoning
The zoning class will offer participants a in-depth view on zoning and its correlation to land use. Participants will be presented with various zoning definitions and terms. We will also review the zoning regulations and how they impact land development.

Week 5 � Transportation
In this class we will review some of the basic terminologies of transportation planning. We will look at factors such as congestion, land use, and financing and how they are used to accommodate new development. We will examine how new roads infrastructures are built. We will look at how road expansion occurs and how other modes are incorporated to accommodate new development process. We will also look at the steps taken by the transportation planner to determine if a development should be approved.

Week 6 - Neighborhood Redevelopment/Planning
In this class participants will analyze the rise and decline of neighborhoods. We will look at the growth and development of neighborhoods and the resources needed to create self-sustaining neighborhoods. We will also analyze the variables that cause neighborhoods to decline. We will look at how neighborhood redevelopment relates to Growth Management and how planning principles are used to eliminate blight.

Week 7 - Citizen Participation
In this class we will discuss the roll of the citizen within the land development process. We will discuss the opportunities citizens have to effectively influence the decision making process of a land development project. Participants will learn how to communicate effectively at public hearings. We will review specific boards and their functions and how they contribute to the Land Development process.

Location, Dates & Registration

Spring Session has been cancelled. For more information call 407-836-5547.

Fall Session
Begins September 25, 2008 through November 8, 2008
Meets each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Marks Street Senior Center
99 Marks Street, Orlando, FL 32803
$15 - includes textbook, materials, and supplies

Fall Session Registration Deadline
Monday, September 15, 2008.

Important
Enrollment will not be finalized and confirmed unless $15 registration fee is received. Click to register online.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the Citizen Planner Academy, contact Neighborhood Services at (407) 836-5606.

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