24th Annual Current Issues in Planning & Zoning
Continuing Education Conference
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Pines Manor
2085 Lincoln Highway
Edison, NJ 08817
This event is co-sponsored by the Rutgers University Center for Government Services and the New Jersey Association of Planning & Zoning Administrators.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Conference Details:
Course Code: PZ-3308-SP25-1
Fee: $245
Date: June 12, 2025
Location: Pines Manor, Edison
There are two ways to register for the conference:
1) If registering with a purchase order, visit https://cgs.rutgers.edu/form/registration-form for the registration form and PO instructions. You will need the following information to register with a PO.
Course Title: Current Issues in Planning & Zoning
Course Code: PZ-3308-SP25-1 (You may wish to write it down to enter on the online form OR copy/paste the code from this page to enter on the online form).
Course Fee: $245
PO Number
2) If registering with a credit card or e-check, register online: CLICK HERE .
Before a student is officially enrolled in a course, payment must be authorized or secured. A student who has a delinquent account with CGS will not be permitted to enroll in any additional courses or events offered by the Center until the delinquency is resolved. Withdrawal requests must be submitted in writing at least 3 business days before the conference start date and will incur a $25 processing fee. Withdrawals will be refunded, minus the $25 fee. Failure to notify CGS within the time frame will result in forfeiture of all fees. There is a $25 fee for returned checks.
All registrations for the conference must be received by June 9th. Late registrations will not be accepted.
Conference Agenda
7:45 – 8:30 Conference Sign-In & Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 8:45 Welcome & Announcements
8:45 – 10:00 General Session
Legal Lowdown: Case Law You Can't Miss!
Lou Rago, Esq.
Stay up to date with the latest legal decisions impacting municipal governance in this annual case law update. This session will review key rulings from the past year and their implications for local government operations, policies, and decision-making.
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 - 11:30 Navigating OPRA: Smart Records Management
Kim-Marie White, Municipal Clerk/Township Manager of Eastampton Township
This session will guide land use professionals in effectively managing public records and OPRA requests. Key topics include records retention requirements, best practices for digitizing land use files, and the benefits of working with imaging companies to streamline document access. Attendees will also learn OPRA best practices to ensure compliance and efficiency when handling development applications, permits, and other essential records.
11:30 – 12:30 Lunch
12:30 – 1:30 Concurrent Sessions - Select One
Breakout Session Choice #1
What it is, Is Redevelopment
Ricardo Fernandez, AICP, PP, QPA Business Administrator, Executive Director of the Passaic Redevelopment Agency
Ilene Cutroneo, Planning Board Coordinator, Princeton, Retired
This session will provide land use professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage redevelopment designations and plans. It will cover the entire process, from the referral to legal noticing aspects, hearing designations through the actual ordinance implementation to make the project a success. Participants will understand their role and navigate key steps throughout the process in the redevelopment process as the Planning Board reviews, responds to the redevelopment plans under their jurisdiction. In addition to the land use professionals' legal responsibilities, topics will include trends in the adaptive reuse of office and retail spaces, zoning challenges for mixed-use developments, and incentives for developers in redevelopment areas. Additionally, the session will focus on guiding the redevelopment process, leading hearings before the Planning Board, and maintaining comprehensive records to support legal challenges.
Breakout Session Choice #2
Dealing with Administrative Disasters
Adele Lewis, Land Use Administrator & Planning/Zoning Board Secretary, Township of Maplewood
Kayla Wharton, Land Use Administrator & Deputy Municipal Clerk, Borough of Shrewsbury
Danielle Sims, Land Use Administrator & Planning/Zoning Board Secretary, Township of Millstone
Administrative disasters—such as lost records, missed deadlines, and meeting disruptions—can create chaos in a land use office, but they also offer valuable learning opportunities. This session will explore real-world challenges that board secretaries face and provide strategies for resolving issues while improving processes for the future. Discover how to turn setbacks into opportunities for efficiency, ensuring smoother operations and better communication moving forward.
Breakout Session Choice #3
Ding Ding: It’s time for the New Round of Affordable Housing
David Kois, PP, AICP, Planning Director / Deputy Zoning Official, Hillsborough Township
The 4th Round of Affordable Housing will begin on July 1, 2025, and run until June 30, 2035. Are you prepared to contribute to your municipality’s success? Discover the essential roles that Board Secretaries and Zoning Officers play in effectively managing this round and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of affordable housing.
Breakout Session Choice #4
Mixed Bag: Key Topics You Didn’t Know You Needed
Peter Lupo, Esq., Hoplite Communications
Dive into various essential planning and zoning topics that may not be on your radar but are crucial for navigating today’s challenges. This session will cover emerging issues and practical insights to help zoning officials and board secretaries stay ahead of the curve.
1:30 – 1:40 Break
1:40 – 2:40 Concurrent Sessions Repeat
Select one session from the 12:30-1:30 choices.
2:40 Conference Sign-Out
Continuing Education Credit Information
To obtain credit for a session, you must be present throughout the sessions and complete the required attendance submission.
This event has been approved for the following:
- Rutgers Planning/Zoning Board Secretary, Zoning Official, and Land Use Administrator – 5 technical contact hours
- Affordable Housing Professionals – pending
- Rutgers RPPO/S - pending
- NJ DCA – pending
Approval information will be posted here as received.