The Monroe County Department of Planning & Development hosts workshops as part of the Land Use Decision-Making Training Program each spring and fall. This program is designed for new board members to learn the basics of land use decision-making, for returning municipal board members to go deeper into specific areas of land use, and most classes also offer something new for municipal officials and staff, agency personnel, planners, attorneys, architects, developers, engineers, landscape architects, surveyors, and citizens.
Fall 2025 - Registration is Open!
Register Here
Join us for a deep dive into Monroe County’s housing landscape - explore the data, zoning tools, and strategies that can help your community support a wider range of housing options.
- When: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
- Where: Monroe Community College, 1000 E Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14623
- Learning Credits: 4 hours
- Cost: $50 (meal included) - Fee waivers and financial aid are available for eligible participants
- Registration: Required (Registration link: Monroe County Planning & Development - Training Registration)
- Registration Deadline: Friday, October 10, 2025, or until all seats are filled
Session Description
Topic:
Housing Affordability: Challenges, Opportunities, and Local Strategies
Overview:
This training session will explore current housing trends and challenges in Monroe County. Participants will gain insights into local housing supply and demand, zoning patterns, and the growing need for diverse housing types, including starter homes, townhouses, rental units, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The session features a dynamic lineup of local, regional, and national experts with extensive hands-on experience in housing policy, planning, and community development.
Presenters:
- Jim Yockel, Chief Executive Officer, Greater Rochester Association of Realtors
- Ruhi Maker, Esq., Senior Attorney, Empire Justice Center
- Barbara Van Kerkhove, PhD, Data Analysis & Research Manager, Empire Justice Center
- Susan Thering, PhD, Susan Thering Consulting
Presenter Bios: Click Here
Payments are accepted online, if your municipality needs to pay with a PO or Check please mail all payments and registration forms to:
Monroe County Planning Board Training Program
c/o Lisa Huntoon
Monroe County Department of Planning and Development
City Place, 50 W. Main Street, Suite 1150
Rochester, NY 14614
Make all checks/claim vouchers payable to: Monroe County Planning Board
Please include the name of the registrant or order number on the check or claim voucher if registering online and submitting a check or claim voucher via mail.
Financial assistance is available. No charge to veterans, active members of the military, and Monroe County employees with proof of ID.
Please contact Yixuan Lin (585-753-2026) or Lisa Huntoon (585-753-2034) with any questions.
Or send them an email by clicking here.
Contact: [email protected]
Please review courses previouly offered by this program: HERE
The Monroe County Land Use Decision-Making Training Program is proud to be endorsed by the following organizations:
American Society of Civil Engineers--Local Chapter, Genesee Valley Branch of the American Public Works Association, American Society of Civil Engineers--Local Chapter Institute of Transportation Engineers, Center for Environmental Information, Rochester Green Business Network, Monroe County Environmental Management Council, Monroe County Supervisors Association, Monroe County Village Mayors Association, New York Bar Association & Upstate New York Chapter of the Municipal Law Section New York Planning Federation, New York Upstate Chapter of the American Planning Association, Rochester Home Builders Association, Rochester Regional Community Design Center, Upstate New York Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
