Short Course for Planning and Elected Officials

For over 50 years, the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association has provided training for planning commissioners and elected officials.  APA Texas recognizes the importance of training for citizen planners who willingly give their time to provide input and guidance in current and long-range issues facing their communities. This year, non-planners that deal with planning such as city secretaries may also attend.

The Short Course curriculum includes sessions aimed at covering basic planning issues as well as important challenges and opportunities that face planning officials in Texas communities.  The program includes 6 sessions covering an Introduction to Planning in Texas: Roles and Responsibilities; Introductions to Zoning and Subdivision review and processing, related statutes/updates and the development process; Comprehensive Plans; including Transportation Planning; Park Planning; Infrastructure Planning; and topics of current and local interest. Trainers include chapter and national leaders along with local planners and planning commissioners.

The Short Course will have all six sessions on October 14th and 15th during the annual state conference. Both one-day and full conference registrations are available. Short Course Registrants can also attend other APATX Conference program sessions, including sessions throughout all day Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with a full registration. Short Course attendees will be provided a list of available professional Conference sessions that would expand on their training achieved at the Short Course.