2021 PAAZO Fall Seminar -11/9/21 - East

In the PAAZO Fall Seminar, learn from experts on a wide variety of topics pertinent to your duties as a municipal Zoning official. 

Eligible for 5 CZO Credits and/or 5 PMGA Planning/Zoning points. 

Agenda:

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

* Navigating Municipal Ethical and Legal Gray Areas

Township officials often have the best intentions when working for government expediency, fiscal conservancy, open communication and transparency with the public, and to foster land development or land preservation that will benefit the township and its residents.  Such officials do not have a corrupt motive, and have no intentions of violating the Sunshine Act, taking a bribe, or violating a resident’s constitutional rights.  However, despite the good intentions of elected officials or employees, situations may arise where their actions may run contrary to the law.  This presentation will address situations that often arise in the scope of a Township official’s employment or service that present legal and ethical gray areas, and discuss potential avenues or alternatives that can be used to proceed on a stronger legal footing. 

John F. Walko, Esquire, Kilkenny Law, LLC, and

Rebecca Geiser, Esquire, Kilkenny Law, LLC

10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

* Effective Enforcement of Municipal Code and Zoning Violations

A property is not in compliance with your Township’s zoning code, property maintenance code, or other code provision as adopted, now what can the Township do? Township officials and staff often receive complaints, comments and concerns regarding zoning and municipal code compliance issues.  As such, an understanding of the enforcement process and its potential pitfalls is a useful tool for every Township official. This presentation will provide an overview of the standards and processes related to the effective enforcement of Township code and zoning violations. Township officials will leave this presentation with a working knowledge of the requirements for code and zoning notices, with effective tools for crafting enforceable notices, and with an understanding of the appeal and court enforcement process and its potential interplay with other areas of municipal law.

Sean Kilkenny, Esquire, Alex Baumler, Esquire & Patrick Hitchens, Esquire, Kilkenny Law, LLC, & Amrinder Singh, Code Manager, Borough of Norristown

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

* Must Have Checklists for Preparing for Zoning Hearing Board Meetings

In this session, learn about practical ways to better prepare yourself for zoning hearing board meetings through battle-tested checklists created and used by experienced municipal and zoning hearing board solicitors.

Stacey L. Fuller, Esquire & Patrick McKenna, Esquire, Gawthrop Greenwood

12:30 - 1:15 p.m.

* Lunch

1:15 - 2:15 p.m.

* Regionalizing City, Town, Suburban and Rural Zoning

The session will highlight how the nine municipalities of the Scranton-Abingtons Planning Association boldly came together to prepare a regional comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances. Administered by the Lackawanna County Planning Department, funded by state, county, and local dollars, and assisted by Environmental Planning and Design, this regional planning effort represents a mix of urban, suburban, and rural landscapes, covering ½ the population and 1/5 of the land area of Lackawanna County. The ordinances include land-use sharing, decided by each municipality and a steering committee. Each municipality maintains autonomy administering its piece of this regional zoning puzzle. Attendees will see how this complex project went from an idea to implementation.

Andrew (AJ) Schwartz, AICP, CUD, PLA LEED AP, Studio Director, Environmental Planning & Design

Carolyn Yagle, AICP, PLA, Director of Planning & Policy, Environmental Planning & Design

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

* Zoning for Controversial Uses

This session will offer practical recommendations on how to address difficult and controversial land uses through zoning regulations. This will include solid waste uses, mineral extraction, wind turbines, scrapyards, heavy industrial uses, drug and alcohol treatment centers, after hours clubs, adult entertainment uses, illicit massage parlors and other uses. There also will be recommendations for addressing growth of colleges and hospitals near residential areas.

Charlie S. Schmehl, Vice-President, Urban Research & Development Corporation

Date:

        November 9, 2021

Location:

       Chester County
       Hilton Garden Inn Exton
       720 East Eageleview Blvd..
       Exton, PA 19341


Class Time:

         9:00 a.m. - 3:30 pm

REGISTRATION FEE:      

                - Member*: $ 125.00
                - Non-Member $ 175.00

             *PSATS Member = Registrant has paid current annual membership dues to PSATS or one of its professional associations (e.g., Township Emergency Management Association, Township Engineers Association, Township Planners Association, Township Solicitors Association, or the Pa. Assoc. of Zoning Officials).

CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS / NO SHOW POLICY:

Cancellations must be in writing, and can be sent to us by email to cancellations@psats.org; by fax to (717) 763-9732; or by mail to PSATS Education Program, 4855 Woodland Drive, Enola, PA, 17025. Refunds will be determined by the sent date of the notice.
Refunds for cancelling a webinar at any time will be subject to a $10 processing fee. 
For classes, (in-person and virtual), refunds for a cancellation sent to us between 10 and 2 business days before the class you are registered for will be subject to a $20 processing fee. Those who cancel within two business days of the class you are registered for, or do not attend, forfeit the full registration fee which, if unpaid, will be invoiced.

ACCESSIBILITY & OTHER NEEDS:

If you require alternate format, sign language, or have other needs, please contact PSATS directly (717) 763-0930, x-159.