Planner’s Moments is a new project designed to give local planning officials a low-cost, easy way to learn more about important planning topics during their regularly schedules meetings. 

Local land use experts recorded a series of twelve, 15-minute video DVDs or audio CDs on a variety of current land use and smart growth topics. These DVDs/CDs are available to play at the beginning of a planning commission meeting, one each month or as often as the planning commission meets. Additional fact sheets and other information are included for each planning commission member.

This project is sponsored by Michigan State University Extension in cooperation with the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, Charlevoix and Emmet County Planning Departments and H.A.R.B.O.R., Inc. 

Funding for Planner’s Moments was provided by the Charlevoix County Community Foundation and the Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.

Planner's Moments downloads

If you missed a Planner's Moments session, or would like to view or listen to it one more time, below are links to the presentations and resource materials.

To watch or listen to the presentations, a high speed internet connection is strongly recommended.  It is possible to use a dial-up commection, but be patient!  To view or listen to these programs, you will need Real Player. Many computers include this software and it is also available as a free download at www.real.com.  The videos are also available without having to download Real Player at the New Designs for Growth web site, www.newdesignsforgrowth.org.

Session 1 - Introduction to Smart Growth

Our experts:  Matt McCauley, Associate Director, Regional Planning and Community Development, Northwest Michigan Council of Governments and Kurt Schindler, Regional Land Use Educator, MSU Extension.

Video presentation  - click here
Audio-only presentation -click here
Resouce materials - click here

Session 2 - Affordable Housing

Our experts:  Sarah Lucas, Regional Planner and Community Housing Choices Coordinator, Northwest Michigan Council of Governments and Matt McCauley, Associate Director, Regional Planning and Community Development, Northwest Michigan Council of Governments

Video presentation - click here
Audio-only presentation - click here
Resource materials - click here

Session 3 - Farmland Protection

Our expert:  Dean Solomon, Charlevoix County Extension Director, Michigan State University Extension

Video presentation - click here
Audio-only presentation - click here
Resource materials - click here

Session 4 - Why Master Plans sit on the shelf

Our expert:  Kurt Schindler, Regional Land Use Educator, Michigan State University Extension

Video presentation - click here
Audio-only presentation - click here
Resource materials - click here

Session 5 - Joint planning

Our expert:  Kurt Schindler, Regional Land Use Educator, Michigan State University Extension

Video presentation - click here
Audio-only presentation - click here
Resource materials - click here

Session  6 - Access management planning

Our expert:  Larry Sullivan, Charlevoix County Planning Director

Video presentation - click here
Audio-only presentation - click here
Resource materials - click here

Session  7 - Creating active communities

Our expert:  Danna Widmar, Executive Director, H.A.R.B.O.R., Inc.

Video presentation - click here
Audio-only presentation - click here
Resource materials - click here

New Designs for Growth Learning Academy - May 14, 2009
workshop handouts

Michigan New Economy - click here
presented by Dean Solomon, MSU Extension

New Designs for Growth - click here
presented by Matt McCauley, Northwest Michigan Council of Governments

Session  8 - Density Defined

Our expert:  Dean Solomon, Charlevoix County Extension Director, Michigan State University Extension

Video presentation - click here
Audio-only presentation - click here
Resource materials - click here

Session  9 - Growth Boundaries

Our expert:  Danna Widmar, Executive Director, H.A.R.B.O.R., Inc.

Video presentation - click here
Audio-only presentation - click here
Resource materials - click here

Session  10 - How to Conduct and Effective Public Meeting

Our expert:  Kurt Schindler, Regional Land Use Educator, Michigan State University Extension

Video presentation - click here
Audio-only presentation - click here
Resource materials - click here

Session  11 - Farmland Protection Perspectives

Our experts:  Don Coe, Commissioner, Michigan Commission of Agriculture and proprietor of Leelanau County’s Black Star Farm and Nels Veliquette, Land Use Manager, Cherries-R-Us

Video presentation - click here
Audio-only presentation - click here
Resource materials - click here

Session  12 - Shoreline Buffers

Our experts:  Dean Solomon, Charlevoix County Extension Director, Michigan State University Extension

Video presentation - click here
Audio-only presentation - click here
Resource materials - click here