Greetings

Whatcom County Planning & Development Services  and the Washington State Department of Commerce (and several other partners) are pleased to host a “Short Course on Local Planning “ on Thursday evening, March 31, 2016 at the Whatcom County Courthouse! You are invited and encouraged to attend what will certainly be a riveting evening of discussion and presentation by a great selection of speakers. As the county and the cities are currently going through their state-mandated GMA Comprehensive Plan Updates (including establishing 20-year future population and employment growth allocations), this is a great opportunity to come hear about the GMA planning requirements…..and ask those pesky planning questions you have always wanted to ask!
 
The Short Course on Local Planning is an opportunity for elected officials, planning commission members, local government staff (clerks, administrators, attorneys), consultants, community members, and students to learn basic information about comprehensive planning and community development, the legal framework for land use planning, and public involvement in the planning process.  The Open Public Meetings portion of the agenda meets the requirements of ESB 5964(laws of 2014) requiring every member of a governing body, including planning commissioners, to take training on the Open Public Meetings training within 90 days of taking an official role, and every four years thereafter, as long as they remain in that role.
 
Please see the attached agenda and supporting materials for the details. We look forward to seeing you there.
 
Thanks,
 
Mark
 
 
Mark Personius
Assistant Director