Agenda - Planning Commission - 06/07/2007

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Tennessee also requires training for members of planning commissions and zon- ing boards of appeal. State legislation adopted in 2002 requires .board members to receive at least four hours of initial training and continuing education annually in at least one of 13 subject areas similar to those out- lined in the Kentucky legislation. Affected board members must file a certificate with the secretary of their local board with the date of each training program attended, its subject matter, location, sponsors, and time spent. Local governments are responsible for paying the tuition cost or board member training and travel. The Tennessee legislation contains a provision allowing municipalities to opt out of the state requirements by adopting a training program of their own. South Carolina adopted legislation in 2003 requiring six hours of orientation train- ing for new board members on specified sub- jects and three hours each year thereafter. The legislation mandates subject matter (similar to Kentucky and Tennessee) and creates a state oversight board to review and approve training courses. In Louisiana, legislation adopted in 2005 describes the type of training but requires local boards to determine how to provide it. Lo'uisiana's board members must complete four hours of training before taking office. NEW JERSEY New Jersey's mandatory planning law, adopted in 2005, begins with a requirement that the commissioner of the Department or Community Affairs prepare a basic course in . land-use law and planning. The course is offered to current, prospective, and alternate members of local planning boards and zoning boards of adjustment. Participants set aside one day to complete five hours of training. The law prevents the seating of first-term board members unless they agree to take the course within 18 months of assumi.ng board member- ship, but does not invalidate a hearing or decision if a member of such board is subse- quently found not to have completed this course. However, rules adopted under this statute by the commissioner declare that any board member who fails to complete the prescribed training program is ineligible for further service. The rules require the govern- ing body of a municipality to remove a board member not in compliance with the training requirement. The commissioner approves course providers and allows them to charge reasonable tuition to cover the cost of offering the course. Municipalities are responsible for paying the c.ost of tuition. Course providers have some flexibil- ity in designing their courses, but each course must offer five hours of train'jng and cover board roles and responsibilities, the master plan, and the process or reviewing development applications. The New Jersey Department of Commu- nity Affairs, Office of Smart Growth, in its ZONINGPRACT1CE 4.07 AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOC1ATJ~ Iloa. 3