23rd Annual North Texas Elected and Appointed Officials Planning Workshop

8:30

AM

REGISTRATION: ARRIVE EARLY FOR REGISTRATION

9:00

AM

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS: Tamara Cook, Midwest Section Director-Elect

WORKSHOP OPENING: Kim Mickelson, President, Texas APA

Kim will discuss statewide APA initiatives underway and current efforts in advocating for planning.

9:30

AM

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW – THE BASICS: Dave Gattis, FAICP, Deputy City Manager, City of Benbrook

Dave will provide an overview including, but not limited to, types of planning and development, history of comprehensive planning; strategic planning; the rational planning process; other types of planning including land use plans, thoroughfare plans, capital improvement plans; zoning; use regulations (e.g. signs and parking); subdivision regulations; platting; and form-based codes.

11:00

AM

BREAK

11:15

AM

ETHICS FOR DECISION MAKERS: Connie Cooper, FAICP, Cooper Consulting Company, Inc.

This session will include, but not be limited to: covering the roles, responsibilities, and ethics for planning commissioners; the role of planning commissioner; interacting with staff and City Council; conflicts of interest; and scenarios to test your ethical know how.

12:15

PM

LUNCH AND PLANNING DIRECTOR PANEL

Hear from planning directors from around the region about current planning initiatives including the importance and impacts of planning in their communities, how their communities are addressing challenges and leveraging opportunities to improve quality of life for residents, and current and future key topics of focus for their communities and the region.

• Will Guerin, AICP, Director of Planning and Community Development, City of Garland
• Rachel Roberts, AICP, Director of Planning, City of Kennedale
• Darren Groth, AICP, Director of Planning, City of Waxahachie
• John Lettelleir, FAICP, Director of Development Services, City of Frisco

1:45

PM

QUICK COURSE: RESOURCES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT PLANNING

Universities, community colleges, and other technical resources are available to local governments including research and planning project assistance. Hear from representatives about planning and project resources available to local governments to assist in furthering planning initiatives in your community.

• Shima Hamidi, Ph.D., Director of Institute of Urban Studies, College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs, University of Texas at Arlington
• Ben Magill, Executive Director, Labor Market Intelligence, Dallas County Community College District
• Pam Stein, District Council Executive Director, Urban Land Institute

2:15

PM

BREAK

2:30

PM

WHAT REGIONALISM MEANS FOR YOUR CITY

Representatives from the North Central Texas Council of Governments will provide an overview and update on regional planning initiatives that are important to your community including transportation, demographics and growth, emergency preparedness, and environment and development.

• Dan Kessler, Assistant Director of Transportation
  
• Edith Marvin, Director, Environment and Development
  
• Molly McFadden, Director, Emergency Prepardeness
  

3:15

PM

QUICK COURSE: NO HARD COPIES – CREATING WEB-BASED PLANS: Doug McDonald, Comprehensive Planning Manager, City of Plano

Doug will talk about the City of Plano’s innovative web-based Comprehensive Plan and the opportunities the electronically based plan provides for public participation, plan implementation, and setting and reaching goals.

3:45

PM

CLOSING REMARKS: Jeff Whitacre, APA Midwest Section Director

4:00

PM

WORSHOP ADJOURN