2023 PAAZO Spring Seminar - 4/23/23 - Dauphin County

This educational seminar explores issues that zoning officers and planning/zoning officials face on a regular basis, and discusses effective strategies to address them. 

Attendees are eligible to receive five (5) continuing education credits toward their "Certified Zoning Officer" designation and/or 5 PMGA Planning/Zoning points.

Agenda:

9:00 AM         Welcome and Introduction

                       Kathy Kronicz, PAAZO Manager and Training Coordinator, PSATS

9:00 AM         Short-Term Rental Update

                       Brett C. Flower, Esquire, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC

The polarizing land use of short-term rentals is here to stay, especially in this housing market. This session will address the current status of short-term rentals, including a recent decision issued by the Third Circuit in Nekrilov v. City of Jersey, and give municipalities ways to manage prolific rentals within their borders.

10:00 AM      Break

10:10 AM       A Deep Dive Into the MPC (and Permitting Issues Too!)

                      John Trant, Esquire, AICP, CZO, Strategic Solutions, LLC

This session will focus on some of the lesser known, but still vitally important, sections of the Municipalities Planning Code. We will also discuss the timelines and requirements associated with issuance of permits.

11:10 AM       Break

11:20 AM       The Zoning Officer’s Role in ZHB and Conditional Use Hearings

                        Susan J. Smith, Esquire, Law Office of Susan J. Smith

In this session we will discuss the role that zoning officers play before, during, and after zoning hearing board and conditional use hearings, as well as best practices that they can implement to smooth the process.

12:20 PM       Lunch

1:20 PM         Jumbo Shrimp and the Suburban Center

                       John Weller & Justin Smiley, West Whiteland Township, Chester County

By definition, suburbs aren’t the center of anything. Our identity as a suburb is due to some urban area beyond our borders: we SPRAWL, we don’t CENTER. But the latest Chester County Comprehensive Plan shows Exton in West Whiteland Township is a “suburban center.” Isn’t that an oxymoron? Like jumbo shrimp?

Between 2016 and 2021, West Whiteland approved over 2,000 dwelling units, including nearly 1,300 apartments, and we find that they are being sold (or leased) even before they’re fit for occupancy. The siren song of the suburbs remains strong.

Planning theory seems oddly thin regarding suburbs given that they have been the residential choice of millions over the past seven decades.  We will begin this session by sharing our experiences in Exton, but most of it will be dedicated to audience participation and discussion to consider:

·                     What makes a suburban center?

·                     What should a suburban center look like?

·                     Can we promote meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion?

·                     How might suburbs be affected if more cities eliminate zoning for single-family detached homes?

·                     What about aging suburbs?  And aging suburbanites?

·                     What can local government do?

·                     What SHOULD we do?

Not sure that we’ll come up with many answers, but we sure have lots of interesting questions.

2:20 PM         Break

2:30 PM         Review of Recent Zoning-Related Court Decisions and Legislation

                      Scott E. Coburn, Esquire, PSATS

This session will get you caught up on all the recent activity in the Pennsylvania and federal courts that you need to know. We will also discuss new laws and legislative efforts that impact you as a zoning officer.
 

3:30 PM         Adjournment

Date:

               April 23, 2023

Time:

                9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Location:

                 Hershey Lodge
                 Room:  Wild Rose A/B   
                 325 University Drive
                 Hershey, PA 17033

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.