AICP Credit - Accessibility Online

Accessibility Online offers online training regarding accessibility. Many of these training opportunities are free and offer AICP Certification Maintenance Credits. A schedule can be found here: www.accessibilityonline.org/Schedule

Message from Vision North Texas

I am writing today to ask for assistance from Texas APA for Vision North Texas. I have three requests. Your members have been active with Vision North Texas in the past, so I hope we can continue to benefit from their expertise, imagination and perspectives.

First, I want to invite Texas APA members to help us identify and understand the mixed use centers in North Texas. We’ve developed an online tool that makes it easy to comment on the centers we’ve identified so far, and to suggest new centers. This is important because these mixed use centers are an essential part of a successful 21st century community. They are places where people can live, work, play, shop, learn and take care of other daily needs without driving and parking a car between each destination. Comments are requested by August 10, 2011. You can get involved at: http://www.visionnorthtexas.org/Centers/index.asp.

Second, I’d like to be sure Texas APA members join Vision North Texas at the 2011 Regional Summit on October 28, 2011. The Summit will feature Keynote Speaker Richard Florida, an internationally known author and expert on economic competitiveness. New tools for creating a better future for North Texas will also be released. Information and online registration are at: http://www.visionnorthtexas.org/2011summit/index.html.

Third, I want to ask for your assistance in communication with your members and leaders. Please include links to Vision North Texas on your website (the main address is www.visionnorthtexas.org), talk us up on your blog, and include information on these items in any electronic or print communications you use. The text below is an example you can use or modify to fit your communication methods.

Thanks so much for your past support! I look forward to continuing our work together. Should you need more information on any of these, please email me or call 214-320-1154.

Karen Walz FAICP
Vision North Texas Project Manager

Open Position - Senior Planner

Planning & Development Department - Denton, Texas
Salary: $4,042.13 - $4,959.07 month
Closing Date: September 11, 2011
More information: http://www.dentonjobs.com/

Summary of Duties

• Manages development applications, and perform field inspections to ensure conformance with approved plans, policies and standards.




• Participates in the City’s multi-disciplinary or multi-departmental development review process relative to the preparation of plans, review of development proposals or other projects.




• Reviews and processes comprehensive plan amendments, development code amendments, Planned Developments (aka PUD), Master Planned Communities, rezonings, annexations, site plans, and plats.




• Manages complex planning studies, gathers relevant data, and performs statistical reports and analytical land-use research associated with physical, social & economic issues.




• Presents reports and other findings to staff, Planning & Zoning Commission, the City Council, the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and serves as liaison to such committees.




• Leads and coordinates neighborhood meetings, schedules and conducts meetings with advisory boards, commissions, and elected officials as needed.




• Participates in the development of work priorities and task coordination decisions relative to the Department’s Strategic Plan.




• Evaluates section performance and provides recommendations for improved efficiency and effectiveness. Performs complex planning tasks as assigned such as conducting reviews consultant proposals.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning or Community and Regional Planning and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience working as a City Planner or in an occupation involving urban/regional planning; or

Master’s degree in Urban Planning or Community and Regional Planning and three (3) years of experience working as a City Planner or in an occupation involving urban/regional planning.

Elected and Appointed Officials Workshop

The 19th Annual Elected and Appointed Officials Workshop will be held on August 29th. Each year, the Midwest Section - Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association hosts a workshop for local Elected and Appointed Officials covering the basics of development regulations, the role officials play in the urban planning process and an overview of challenges and innovations facing planning and development departments within our communities. This year, the Section has put together a panel of speakers that will provide insight and moderate discussion among attendees concerning a variety of topics facing those who deal with the development process. Speaker topics will include:

• Basics of planning and development review (zoning and subdivision ordinances)
• Revitalization of commercial corridors
• Ethics (Roles and Responsibilities of Officials)
• Land use and the law

The workshop includes a catered lunch and opportunities to meet officials from other communities to network and discuss challenges and opportunities in the development process. See attached brochure and agenda for more details.

When: Monday, August 29, 2011 – 10 am to 4:00 pm

Where: Brookside Convention Center, 1244 Brookside Drive, Hurst

Cost: $25 per person. Please make checks payable to: Midwest Section TX Chapter of APA. Credit cards cannot be accepted for payment at this time. Payment may be made at the event.

RSVP: Email names of attendees by August 25 to Karla Weaver at kweaver@nctcog.org or 817-608-2376.

Workshop Agenda Workshop Flyer

2011 Texas APA Conference Early Registration Open

Register now for the 2011 Texas APA Conference in Austin. The conference will be held October 5 - 7 at the Hilton Austin. Early registration ends on September 2, 2011. Register early and receive a $25 discount on the full registration fee. Reservations for rooms at the Hilton Austin end on September 16th. For hotel reservations call toll free 1-800-445-8667, or 512-482-8000.

AICP Credit - July 29th Networking Lunch - Follow Up

The Midwest Section's July 29th networking lunch, "Speaking Strategies for Influencing Audiences", has been approved fro 1.0 AICP CM credit. If you attended this lunch, you may now claim your credit through APA's website. An easy way to log your credit is to enter event number 17690 in the search box on the CM Activities page.

Elected and Appointed Officials Workshop

Each year, the Midwest Section - Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association hosts a workshop for local Elected and Appointed Officials covering the basics of development regulations, the role officials play in the urban planning process and an overview of challenges and innovations facing planning and development departments within our communities. This year, the Section has put together a panel of speakers that will provide insight and moderate discussion among attendees concerning a variety of topics facing those who deal with the development process. Speaker topics will include:

• Nuts and Bolts of Development Regulations (Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances)
• Ethics (Roles and Responsibilities of Officials)
• Legal Responsibilities
• Revitalization of Commercial Corridors

The workshop includes a catered lunch, presentation materials and opportunities to meet officials from other communities to network and discuss challenges and opportunities in the development process.

A flyer with more details will be posted very soon.

When: Monday, August 29, 2011 - 10 am to 4 pm

Where: Brookside Convention Center, 1244 Brookside Drive, Hurst

Cost: $25.00 per person

Questions: Clayton Husband, AICP at clayton.husband@arlingtontx.gov or 817-459-6668