The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) has offered the Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Education Institute (PMPEI) courses in community planning and land use regulations since 2014. These courses are targeted to planning commissioners, zoning hearing board members, zoning administrators, elected officials and others with an interest or involvement in planning. Over 300 people from the public, non-profit and private sectors have graduated from at least one of the courses since 2014. Included among them are 79 people who earned the distinction of being named a Certified Citizen Planner for attending three courses, ushering in a new era of community land use leadership.

For the 2023 courses, the LVPC conference room has been reconfigured to allow social distancing. Each class will be limited to 18 students.

2024 PMPEI CLASSES WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

previously held COURSES

ZONING

April 6, 13, 20 2023

5:30-9:00 PM

Where: LVPC, 961 Marcon Blvd., Suite 310, Allentown, PA 18109

This is a “nuts and bolts” course that deals with probably the most complex and provocative topic in local planning. The course reviews how zoning evolved in the United States and how many of the original concepts still form the basis of the way zoning is practiced in Pennsylvania in 2022. By the end of the course, attendees will be able to: review zoning ordinance provisions, make decisions about how an area should be zoned through mapping exercises, conduct a build-out analysis to learn the potential impact of the zoning ordinance, discuss methods for handling problem land uses and situations, consider ethical issues using case studies.

ZONING ADMINISTRATION*

April 4, 11, 18 2022

5:30-9:00 PM

Where: LVPC, 961 Marcon Blvd., Suite 310, Allentown, PA 18109

Participants learned the basic principles and procedures to effectively carry out their work administering municipal zoning. The course covered the rationale and technical aspects of zoning and how to build effective relationships with everyone involved in zoning administration. Hands-on experiences and practice exercises were built into each session. Attendees learned how to conduct effective and fair zoning hearings in a mock zoning hearing session.

COMMUNITY PLANNING

May 9, 16, 23 2023

5:30-9:00 PM

Where: LVPC, 961 Marcon Blvd., Suite 310, Allentown, PA 18109

This is a course to teach planning commissioners, local officials and others how to carry out their responsibilities under the PA Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), the statute that endows municipalities with the authority to plan. For those who don’t know or fully understand the provisions of the MPC, this course will teach them how instrumental it is in giving a jurisdiction the ability to make critical decisions involving land use, which can shape their community’s quality of life.

SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT

September 6, 13, 20

5:30-9:00 PM

Where: LVPC, 961 Marcon Blvd., Suite 310, Allentown, PA 18109

This course explored the work of planning commissions in the subdivision and land development review process, from pre-application meetings through project completion. The course was organized into three major sections: principles of subdivision and land development regulation and ordinance requirements; subdivision and land development review procedures; and design and technical standards of subdivision and land development. Participants received hands-on experience reviewing plans and designing alternative solutions.

Participants learned the key provisions of the PA Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) governing subdivision and land development regulation, including approving and denying plans; the three-stage procedure for reviewing applications; project completion and follow-up; density and open space criteria; how to coordinate review comments from other agencies; role of performance and maintenance guarantees in project implementation.

COMMUNITY PLANNING

October 9, 16, 23

5:30-9:00 PM

Where: LVPC, 961 Marcon Blvd., Suite 310, Allentown, PA 18109

This is a course to teach planning commissioners, local officials and others how to carry out their responsibilities under the PA Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), the statute that endows municipalities with the authority to plan. For those who don’t know or fully understand the provisions of the MPC, this course will teach them how instrumental it is in giving a jurisdiction the ability to make critical decisions involving land use, which can shape their community’s quality of life.

*Not offered in 2023

ADDITIONAL TRAINING

Local Technical Assistance Program

Click here for courses

Complete three courses at the Lehigh Valley Government Academy and you will be awarded the “Citizen Planner Certificate”. Certificates will be awarded during a ceremony at a Lehigh Valley Planning Commission meeting.

* Denotes PMPEI Outstanding Education Achievement Award

Lehigh Valley Planning Commission

961 Marcon Boulevard - Suite 310

Allentown, PA 18109

Phone: (610) 264-4544

Toll Free: (888) 627-8808

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