2025 Municipal Bootcamp Program
MRB Group and Hancock Estabrook are offering a free annual training program to assist local governments, municipal officials, and planning and zoning boards.
The program will include 10 hours of remote training designed to provide a comprehensive education that encompasses all aspects of municipal governance. Each program in the series will be provided remotely on the fourth Thursday of each month with subject matter experts from MRB Group and knowledgeable attorneys from Hancock Estabrook, LLP. Topics will be lively, useful and – potentially as important – can qualify for the education requirements for members of Planning Boards and Zoning Boards of Appeals.
*Please Note: You are required to register for each session individually. Certificates will be emailed after the session to each individual who attended the session for the full hour.
2025 Municipal Bootcamp Schedule
SESSION #4: PLANNING BOARD BASICS: ROLES OF THE PLANNING BOARD IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
April 24, 2025 | 6pm-7pm
What triggers a public hearing? When do I need site plan approval? There are so many nuts and bolts to planning boards’ roles and responsibilities. In your time on the board, you’ll see a wide variety of projects, and be asked to take action in lots of different ways. This session focuses on the basics of the board’s role in the development process, and what you might expect when you take your seat.
SESSION #5: ENVIRONMENTALLY SPEAKING – THE NUTS & BOLTS OF SEQR
May 22, 2025 | 6pm-7pm
New York’s State Environmental Quality Review Act impacts nearly every decision you’ll face as a community development player. Getting SEQR right is critical to addressing development projects—whether you’re working to advance a development, or to stop one that doesn’t align with your community’s value. This session will focus on the processes associated with SEQR review, and on what to do when you’re faced with challenging SEQR questions.
SESSION #6: ZONING BOARD BASICS: ROLES OF THE ZONING BOARD IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
June 26, 2025 | 6pm-7pm
Area variances vs. use variances. Statutory tests. Public Hearings. There are so many nuts and bolts to zoning boards’ roles and responsibilities. In your time on the board, you’ll see a wide variety of projects, and be asked to take action in lots of different ways. This session focuses on the basics of the board’s role in the development process, and what you might expect when you take your seat.
SESSION #7: SOAKING UP THE SUN – SOLAR AND BATTERY STORAGE AND THE LOCAL REVIEW PROCESS
July 24, 2025 | 6pm-7pm
New York State’s regulations, and specifically those that allocate local authority are constantly evolving. How can planning boards, zoning boards, and local development staff address the growing popularity of solar energy solutions, while protecting the quality of life of your community? This session focuses on best practices for local regulations regarding solar and battery storage projects, and how to navigate the state’s regulations on large scale alternative energy developments.
SESSION #8: PUTTING THE HOME IN HOMETOWN – STRATEGIES FOR ATTRACTING HOUSING INVESTMENT TO YOUR COMMUNITY
September 25, 2025 | 6pm-7pm
The U.S. is in the depth of a significant crisis relating to housing. The short answer is that supply is lacking, driving up prices and putting some community members on or beyond the brink of safe, affordable housing. This session will focus on regulatory and other tools that communities can use to address housing shortages and enhance affordability.
SESSION #9: SHORT, BUT NOT TOO SHORT – HOW SHORT TERM RENTALS ARE CHANGING THE DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATORY LANDSCAPE
October 23, 2025 | 6pm-7pm
AirBnB, VRBO, Craigslist…everywhere you turn, there’s a platform to provide for short-term rentals of everything from a 10 bedroom house to an antique steam engine. What powers do local officials have to regulate these facilities, and who’s doing it best? This session will focus on the impacts of short-term rentals in the housing and lodging markets, and the tools your community has at its disposal to address possible conflicts around the neighborhood.
SESSION #10: SANTA’S NAUGHTY and NICE LIST— THE BEST AND WORST OF 2025
December 18, 2025 | 6pm-7pm
We’ll close out the year with a fun session on who got it really right and who might have missed the boat in 2024. We’ll provide case studies on the best examples of great development review, and a few pitfalls discovered by your neighbors that you should avoid going into the New Year.
Any questions or concerns?
Contact Eric Hankin eric.hankin@mrbgroup.com