New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal Land Use Leaders Certification Program

Commonly Asked Questions

This program contains nine lessons each covering a different aspect of law and practice applicable to the work of local land use boards.  It allows local governments to self-certify their boards when the majority of the board has satisfactorily completed five of the nine lessons.

 

1.    Who is responsible for certifying each local board?

The person who picked up the certification binder or a delegated official from each municipality is responsible for certifying the local board. That person can provide Xeroxed hard copies to each member of their board or they may print out the appropriate lessons through the CD-ROM.

 

2.    How many tutorials are there?

There are a total of nine different tutorials.

·        Zoning – The Basics

·                    Comprehensive Planning

·                    Subdivision Approval

·                    Site Plan Approvals and Conditions

·                    Variances

·                    Special Use Permits and Permit Conditions

·                    Environmental Review

·                    Local Boards

·                    Strategic Local Laws

 

3.    How many tutorials do I need to do?

You need to complete a total of 5 tutorials. You can take the course by using the hard copy or the CD-ROM provided to your board.

 

4.    How long does the certification program take?

The certification program will take you approximately 10 hours. Each session was designed to take 2 hours.

 

5.    Can I work on a different set of tutorials than another member?

This is your decision.  Members should take the courses that round out their experience and teach them subjects they need to know to be productive members of their particular board.

 

6.    Where are the answers?

The answers are located in the back of the binder that the person responsible for the program has received.

 

7.    Who grades the exams?

The person responsible should grade the exams. That person should keep a record of which members have successfully completed the tutorials.

 

 

8.    How many members need to pass the program?

A majority of the board members must complete and pass the program for the board to be certified.

 

9.    What is a passing score?

A passing score is 80% or 8 out of 10 correct.

 

10.          Who do I send the certification form to?

For the Hudson Valley Communities please send the certification completion form to Ann Marie McCoy at Land Use Law Center, Pace University School of Law, 78 North Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603. Other communities may send them to the Pace Land Use Law Center or to the New York Planning Federation, 279 River Street, Suite 302, Troy, NY 12180

 

11. If I have a question, who should I call?

        Please call Tiffany Zezula at 914-422-4103 or the New York Planning Federation at 518-270-9855.