Education and Training

Land Use Commissioner Trainings

Public Act 21-29 established that all planning, zoning, combined planning and zoning, and zoning board of appeals members complete at least four hours of training every four years or each term if the term is longer than four years. The requirements are codified in Section 8-4c of the Connecticut General Statutes and CT OPM was tasked with providing guidelines for training providers and commission members.

A library of trainings will continue to be added for future viewing on this page.

• The Buildable Square: An Innovative Way to Protect Inland Wetlands and Reduce System Failures
  • Training Description: This training reviews a strategy Connecticut’s zoning commissions can use in to protect wetlands. The protection of wetlands through zoning has become more apparent with the adoption of buildable lot standards that exclude wetlands from the entire lot or from what is called a “buildable square” (MBS) or “buildable rectangle” (MBR) that must fit within a building lot and be totally free of wetlands. If the concept is recognized for its environmental, waste and drinking water planning, and lot design values, it could revolutionize inland wetlands protection.
  • Course Credit: 1-hour
  • Originally Given: July 22, 2024
  • Video Link: The Buildable Square
  • PDF Link: The Buildable Square
  • Study Link: The Buildable Square: An Innovative Way to Protect Inland Wetlands and Reduce System Failures

• Affordable and Fair Housing for Land Use Commissioners
  • Training Description: This training is intended to be an introductory course covering housing statistics in the region, fair housing policies, the history of affordable housing in Connecticut, Connecticut housing statutes, and planning and zoning techniques that can make housing more affordable.
  • Course Credit: 1-hour
  • Originally Given: December 5, 2023
  • Video Link: Affordable and Fair Housing for Land Use Commissioners
  • PDF Link: Affordable and Fair Housing for Land Use Commissioners

• Protecting Inland Wetlands and Watercourses: The Role of Connecticut’s Zoning Commissions
  • Training Description: This training is on how planning and zoning commissions can play a critical role in the protection of wetlands and watercourses within their own sphere of authority. It reviews the relevant laws governing wetlands, discusses the importance of protecting them, and three zoning tools that can be effectively used to protect wetlands resources.
  • Course Credit: 1.5-hours
  • Originally Given: December 14, 2023
  • PDF Link: Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commissioner Training
  • Video Link: Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commissioner Training