Certified PC

The Virginia 2010
Certified Planning Commissioners Program

*Please view our Training Calendar for upcoming training events*

Program Background

Since the mid-1970's CPEAV has been committed to the goal of offering the best possible training to those who give of their time and talent to make their communities better places in which to live, work and do business.

A majority of CPEAV members are planning commissioners (approximately 85%). Because our members face the pressures of accommodating growth in an appropriate manner, even though it often comes rapidly; we are keenly aware of their need for training and assistance. Such help and knowledge are essential to enable planning commissioners, boards of zoning appeals members, other public decision makers, and support personnel to properly make decisions. These public servants must meet their legal responsibilities, yet do so in a manner that will withstand legal challenges while earning the trust of those being served.

The CPEAV Virginia Certified Planning Commissioners’ Program which has received both state and national recognition and awards, is designed to provide the legal and technical background needed by citizen-planners and decision makers. The course is the most thorough and comprehensive available. There is nothing like it available in the nation. It thoroughly covers the law and principles that guide the practices of planning so the student will learn and understand both "why" and "how" to properly handle the various matters that come before a planning commission. The techniques of making legally defensible planning and zoning decisions are literally built into the core of the course. Indeed, a growing number of Planning Commissions are insisting their members learn these techniques by requiring them to successfully complete this Program within a reasonable period following their appointment or even as a prerequisite to their appointment.

Because the CPEAV course provides its students a thorough understanding of the legal background, the planning process and practices; many localities also find it to be excellent, invaluable and affordable training for elected officials. A growing number of localities are also requiring their administrative and support staff to complete the course as well because the process and procedures to make a proper and defensible planning decision must rest on a solid foundation, the construction of which begins at the administrative level.

The Program is designed to provide a basic foundation of planning law, history, and to provide the technical expertise needed by planning commissioners to maximize their competency and ability to render legally defensible decisions and recommendations. This course is particularly important for planning commissioners whether they are newly appointed or are veteran commissioners who have never received formal training. The ever-growing and changing legislation which mandates and regulates the operation of planning programs and procedures makes training a necessity because the traditional OJT or "on the job training" is simply no longer adequate in the more technical, complex, and expensively litigious world of the 21^st Century.

This training is also exceedingly helpful for elected officials, as well as others such as real estate persons, lawyers, builders and developers, engineers, architects and landscape architects. Moreover, members of citizen groups and community representatives, as well as anyone else who works with matters normally going before planning commissions for decisions will greatly benefit from the knowledge gained in this Program.

Staff members serving planning commissions and elected officials are welcomed and encouraged to attend this program. It will provide them an invaluable foundation of general knowledge on which to build and improve their skills. They will not only be more knowledgeable about what their planning commission does, but what, why and how it must discharge its responsibilities.

In order to accommodate varying schedules, this certification program is presented several times each year— usually in early March, in June and again in September. A certificate is awarded to those who successfully complete all requirements.

The Program is divided into Sessions — two classroom and one home study Session.

The two-day opening session features classroom instruction from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the first day and from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM on the second day. This first session focuses on the principles and practices of planning, the planning process, the legal foundations for planning, planning commission duties and responsibilities, the tools of planning, and the job of the planning commissioner.

Accommodations are comfortable and spacious at the
Marriott West hotel in northwest Richmond with easy and
quick access to I-64, I-288, I-295 and I-95.

The concluding session also features two days of classroom instruction. The topics covered include principles of meeting management, communication skills, decision making skills, conflict management, principles of community visioning, creative thinking and leadership principles.

Between the two classroom sessions, all students are required to read several books that are included in the registration fee and complete and submit a series of open-book tests and essays. Everyone is also required to attend a planning commission meeting in another locality and analyze and report on the meeting using an observation guide that is provided during the first session.

All instruction during the Program is provided by the CPEAV cadre of highly regarded, skilled professionals with considerable experience in their respective fields.

Here guest speaker, Bob Hammond, the Goochland County
Director of Planning, addresses a class. This type of training
brings real-world experience of other localities to students.

Attendance

CPEAV urges you to carefully consider this information and then act quickly to reserve your place in the Course of your choice. Courses fill rapidly and attendance may be limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The published registration fee for the Program includes all education materials and most meals during both classroom sessions. Transportation and lodging costs are the personal responsibility of each registrant. The Registration Form will provide first session hotel contact information and how Program participants may obtain special lodging rates for their stays.

If you consult the current Training Schedule and still have questions, please contact either Michael Chandler, CPEAV Director of Education or Allen Webb, CPEAV Executive Director for help.

To obtain registration and information contact either Michael Chandler or the CPEAV office. Mr. Chandler’s email address is rmchan@vt.edu and his telephone number is 804-794-6236. The CPEAV office 24/7 voice mail is 804-270-0532 within the Richmond area and 888-827-2482 outside of the Richmond calling area. The CPEAV Executive Director may be emailed.

Rev October 29, 2009