The members of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals of
the Town of Urbana discharge an important and complex responsibility.
Because of the complexity of the planning, zoning and legal issues
with which they must deal, as well as the rapid pace with which such
areas change, appropriate training and continuing education is necessary
to ensure that such individuals have reasonable access to all information
and training necessary for them to properly and knowledgeably accomplish
their important functions. The New York State Legislature has recognized
this importance by its enactment of amendments to §§ 267
and 271, respectively, to the Town Law. Accordingly the Town Board
finds that such education and training is essential and must be reasonably
pursued by the members of such Boards.
It is the purpose of this local legislation to assist the Planning
Board members and Zoning Board of Appeals members to obtain such education
and training so that their abilities to carry out their legal duties
will be improved and to provide that payment of the costs in connection
therewith shall be an expense of the Town of Urbana.
After prior discussion and consultation with the Planning Board Chairman, the Town Board shall establish, by resolution, a list of approved programs and the required minimum hours of attendance, to satisfy the requirements of Subsection A. The Town Board may, from time to time, modify and amend the list of approved programs by resolution, after prior discussion and consultation with the Planning Board Chairman.
The Town Board shall choose programs which relate to the duties of
Planning Board members. These may include courses, workshops or training
programs sponsored by groups such as the New York State Association
of Towns, the New York State Department of State or certified training
providers, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,
the New York Planning Federation or other appropriate entities.
By December 31 of each year, members of the Planning Board shall
file with the Town Clerk proof of their attendance at any training
programs required by this article.
Noncompliance with the minimum requirements relating to training
shall be deemed a proper cause for removal from office. A Planning
Board member who fails to attend the programs as provided in this
article and specified pursuant to the resolutions promulgated thereunder
shall be subject to removal following the procedures set forth in
Town Law § 271.
All Zoning Board of Appeals members shall attend training programs
at an appropriate level during their term of office, approved in the
manner herein provided.
After prior discussion and consultation with the Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman, the Town Board shall establish, by resolution, a list of approved programs and the required minimum hours of attendance, to satisfy the requirements of Subsection A. The Town Board may, from time to time, modify and the list of approved programs by resolution, after prior discussion and consultation with the Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman.
The Town Board shall choose programs which relate to the duties of
the Zoning Board of Appeals members. These may include courses, workshops
or training programs sponsored by groups such as the New York State
Association of Towns, the New York State Department of State or certified
training providers, the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation, the New York Planning Federation or other appropriate
entities.
By December 31 of each year, members of the Zoning Board of Appeals
shall file with the Town Clerk proof of their attendance at any training
programs required by this article.
Noncompliance with the minimum requirements relating to training
shall be deemed a proper cause for removal from office. A Zoning Board
of Appeals member who fails to attend the programs as provided in
this article and specified pursuant to the resolutions promulgated
thereunder shall be subject to removal following the procedures set
forth in Town Law § 267.