The South Carolina Advisory Committee on Educational Requirements for Local Government Planning or Zoning Officials and Employees
(SC Planning Education Advisory Committee--SCPEAC)
Request for Program Certification
The SC Planning Education Advisory Committee (SCPEAC), established pursuant to Section 6-29-1310 (et. Seq.) South Carolina Code of Laws, seeks proposals by providers of educational programs and/or courses to be reviewed and considered for certification by the Advisory Committee.
Title 6, Chapter 29, South Carolina Local Government Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act Of 1994, Article 9 requires a minimum 6-credit orientation program and minimum 3 credits of continuing education (CE) annually for those who are not exempt pursuant to Section 6-29-1350 . Appointed officials (planning commissioners, board of zoning appeals members, or board of architectural review members) and professional employees (planning professionals, zoning administrator or official, or a deputy or assistant to the above) are required to comply with the educational provisions—with compliance for municipalities and counties above 35,000 population by January 1, 2006 and below 35,000 by January 1, 2007. See Section 6-29-1310 (et. Seq.) for further details.
Technology offers opportunities to enhance traditional learning models by increasing access to educational opportunities for officials or employees. Educational proposals from an array of providers and through different formats will be considered, dependent upon quality control provisions. All formats must include “faculty” presentations or professional planners as discussant leaders; no self-educational methods will be authorized at this time.
Credit Hours are based on actual minutes of education including reasonable question and answer periods during the class.
Note: Introductory remarks, business meetings, breaks, receptions, luncheons, etc. are not to be included in the computation of credit.
ALL PROPOSALS WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND APPLICANTS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE ACTION TAKEN WITHIN 30 DAYS OF RECEIPT BY THE SCPEAC CHAIRMAN.
This RFP covers the array of application forms for:
- Appendix A--Uniform Application for Orientation Program Proposals
- Appendix B--Uniform Application for Approved Sponsors of Continuing Education
- Appendix C--Uniform Application For Accreditation of Continuing Education Course(s)
- Appendix D--Uniform Certificate of Attendance (suggested model)
ORIENTATION PROGRAM PROPOSALS
Proposals will be taken separately for the Orientation and Continuing Education programs. The SCPEAC allows for more flexibility with respect to various proposals for continuing education. Pursuant to its responsibilities to compile and distribute a list of approved orientation programs/courses, the Committee has established minimal requirements for applicants to provide orientation programs. While the Committee will accept individual proposals for modules within the orientation program, the Committee will give priority to those sponsors submitting a complete orientation program proposal.
A 6-credit orientation program should cover at least the following topics:
- Overview of the Comprehensive Planning Act
- Description of Zoning and Land Development Regulations
- Description of Related Regulations such as Capital Improvements Programs, Development Agreements, Design Regulations
- Description of the roles and responsibilities of the Council, Planning Commission, Zoning Officer, Boards of Zoning Appeals and Architectural Review, and Appellate Processes—concepts of legislative, administrative, and quasi-judicial functions
- Legal Issues for Planning and Zoning
- Freedom of Information, Conflicts of Interest Provisions, Section 1983 Liability, and related Ethics
See Appendix A for the Uniform Application for Orientation Program Proposals.
APPROVED SPONSORS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION
The Committee has determined that conferences or training sessions of the SC. Chapter of the American Planning Association meet the requirements for Continuing Education and are approved as a sponsor. Programs provided by Planning Accreditation Board (PAB)-accredited planning schools are also approved as sponsors by the SCPEAC. In the region, those include Clemson University , Georgia Tech, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, University of Florida , Florida State, among approximately 65 other accredited schools. See the list of PAB approved planning schools at http://showcase.netins.net/web/pab_fi66/ (go to documents, accredited schools).
Any organization or entity may apply to the SCPEAC for designation as an approved sponsor of on-going educational programs, provided that all their courses are related to planning and zoning issues. Organizations which occasionally provide courses pertaining to any legitimate direct planning and zoning function(s) should have an application for each course to be approved for continuing education credit—see Appendix C.
An approved sponsor must:
- Develop and implement methods to evaluate its course offerings to determine their effectiveness and how they meet the needs of planning and zoning officials and staff.
- Submit information concerning the course or activity within 30 days of its presentation including the brochure description, description of presentation method and types of materials; upon request, submit complete course materials. Submit to the Chairman of the SCPEAC:
Mr. Steve Riley, AICP
SCPEAC Chairman
Town Manager
One Town Center Court
Hilton Head Island , SC 29928
- Identify the instructor(s) and brief background description; upon request, provide resume(s).
- Submit to all reasonable requests and abide by all regulations promulgated by the SCPEAC and Article 9.
The Committee has the authority to audit and review programs.
See Appendix B -- Uniform Application for Approved Sponsors of Continuing Education.
ACCREDITATION OF CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSE(S)
Article 9 requires a minimum of 3 credits of continuing education on a variety of subjects as listed in Section 6-29-1340 , Subsection (C). Individual courses/activities need to be approved by the SCPEAC including the provision of an Approved Course Number.
See Appendix C -- Uniform Application for Accreditation of Continuing Education Course
MODEL FOR A UNIFORM CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE FOR ORIENTATION PROGRAM AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
We have provided Appendix D--Model For A Uniform Certificate of Attendance For the Orientation Program and Continuing Education. This is a suggested model to document attendance at the Orientation Program and Continuing Education activities for providers to give to attendees as a form of documentation. This is not a requirement but a suggested model.
See Appendix D -- Uniform Certificate of Attendance
Questions pertaining to any of these applications or general information should be directed to:
Mr. Steve Riley, AICP
SCPEAC Chairman
Town Manager
One Town Center Court
Hilton Head Island , SC 29928
SteveR@hiltonheadislandsc.gov
843-341-4700
Request for Program Certification in entirety with Appendixes in Adobe Acrobat Format 