Planning Smarter Montco 2023

Planning Smarter 2023

This initiative of the Montgomery County Planning Commission (MCPC) provides important planning information that will enable local leaders and citizens to better plan for the future of their community. All planning smarter events are free and open to the general public unless otherwise noted. For more information, contact Rita McKelvey (610-278-3753).

MA Block 2023

Montgomery Awards Celebration
November 15 | 4:00 PM | In Person | Cost: Free
Meadowood Senior Living, 3205 Skippack Pike, Worcester Pa 19446

Celebrate a successful year in planning with other municipal officials, developers, and planning design professionals. The Montgomery Awards Program recognizes the best in planning, design, and advocacy in Montgomery County. This annual program promotes awareness of outstanding design and innovative planning in our communities by awarding successful land developments, revitalization efforts, open space enhancements, environmental sustainability, and transportation improvements and recognizes sustained planning advocacy.


Past Events

Supporting Municipal Land Stewardship

Montco 2040 logoSupporting Municipal Land Stewardship 
October 30, 2023 | 4:00PM – 6:00 PM | In-Person Event | Free
Schwenksville Borough Hall, 300 Main Street, Schwenksville, PA 19473

Event Program

Join us for this interesting event focused on land stewardship and management. Over the past thirty years Montgomery County municipalities have had tremendous success preserving open space to create parks, trails, and greenways. Recently, there has been an increased focus on how to best manage these lands to enhance their ecological integrity while respecting the impact on municipal maintenance expenses and staff capacity. To support this growing emphasis on land stewardship, from both a public and private land perspective, this event will reinforce the importance of open space interconnectedness and the environmental and social values it contributes to the overall landscape. From a practical perspective, there will be a discussion about the varying degrees of land stewardship practices that municipalities can consider. A panel of land stewardship professionals will share their experiences in Montgomery County, lessons learned, and how each community can adapt or initiate their own practices. 

PS C Zoning 200x200

The Course in Zoning
October 12, 19, 26 2023 | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM | Cost: $110*
Lansdale Borough Hall (Council Chambers), One Vine Street, Lansdale, PA 19446 

The Course in Zoning deals with probably the most complex topic in local planning. This three-session course emphasizes the fundamentals for developing a sound zoning ordinance using the authority granted in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC). Course topics include the relationship of zoning to comprehensive plans, key terms used in zoning and how they are applied, critical issues in drafting a zoning ordinance and map, procedures for adopting and amending ordinances, and basic zoning administration. The course also explores techniques such as overlay districts, performance zoning, traditional neighborhood development, and planned residential development as well as the options available through regional planning. Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in mapping exercises, reviews of ordinance provisions, and discussions of problem situations. Professional credits offered through PMPEI.

*Municipalities with a current Community Planning Assistance Contract with MCPC are eligible for a discounted rate of $90.

2021 Planning Smarter_1

The Course in Community Planning
September 14, 21, 28 2023 | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM | Cost: $110*
Lansdale Borough Hall (Council Chambers), One Vine Street, Lansdale, PA 19446

The Course in Community Planning is an excellent introduction to planning in Montgomery County for any local planning commission appointee or local elected official. This three-session course combines presentations and group exercises that explore the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), the function of a planning commission, comprehensive plans, zoning, subdivision and land development, capital budgeting, and official maps. This popular course is a must for all new planning commission members. Professional credits offered through PMPEI.

*Municipalities with a current Community Planning Assistance Contract with MCPC are eligible for a discounted rate of $90.

Historic Preservation

Montco 2040 logoLunchtime Webinar: Historic Preservation Opportunities 
July 26, 2023 | 12:00 PM | Cost: Free

Historic preservation can benefit community character, economic development, quality of life, environmental sustainability, housing affordability, and more. Join us for a free lunchtime webinar featuring presenters who will provide guidance on historic preservation options available to communities in Pennsylvania, including types of ordinances to consider and inspirational local examples. Participants will learn common misconceptions about preservation and gain a deeper understanding of how to use the tools available in Pennsylvania to pursue the type of preservation framework that is most appropriate for a particular place.  

This event is being offered through Planning Smarter Montco 2023, an education and outreach initiative by the Montgomery County Planning Commission, and corresponds to the “Sustainable Places” theme of the Montco 2040: A Shared Vision, Montgomery County’s comprehensive plan. 

PS C Subdivision Land 200x200

The Course in Subdivision and Land Development Review
April 4, 11, 18 2023 | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM | Cost: $110*
Towamencin Township building (Meeting Hall), 1090 Troxel Road, Lansdale PA, 19446

The Course in Subdivision and Land Development Review is essential for planning commissioners and elected officials. This three-session course reviews the subdivision and land development process from pre-application meetings through the completion of a project. It focuses on the principles of subdivision and land development, the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) requirements, effective plan management procedures, and design and technical standards for subdivisions and land developments. Professional credits offered through PMPEI.

*Municipalities with a current Community Planning Assistance Contract with MCPC are eligible for a discounted rate of $90.

Zoning Administration

The Course in Zoning Administration
May 11, 18, 25, 2023 | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM | Cost: $110*
Towamencin Township building (Meeting Hall), 1090 Troxel Road, Lansdale PA, 19446 

The Course in Zoning Administration provides zoning hearing board members, zoning officials, and elected officials—regardless of experience—with the basic principles, procedures, and information needed to effectively carry out their functions in the administration of municipal zoning. This three-session course covers the technical aspects of zoning and how to build effective relationships with the public. Hands-on experiences and practice exercises are built into each session. Participants learn how to conduct effective and fair zoning hearings in a mock zoning hearing session. Course topics include the principles of zoning, key zoning terms, the zoning administration team, zoning officer duties, enforcement notices, and zoning hearing procedures, variances, special exceptions/conditional uses, and nonconformities. Professional credits offered through PMPEI.

*Municipalities with a current Community Planning Assistance Contract with MCPC areeligible for a discounted rate of $90.