You’re preparing to staff your first Planning Commission meeting and a controversial project, land use plan, or zoning amendment is on the agenda. How do you prepare, not just for the meeting, but so that your commission is well-informed and can make legally sound decisions that impact the growth and development of your city?

In this Essential Hour Webinar, we will discuss the planning process, important and relevant policy considerations, the role of the planning commission counsel, how to prepare action items, and what to do when you get curveballs during a hearing.

The League of California Cities is a State Bar of California Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Approved Multiple Activity Provider. This webinar will meet the standards for participatory MCLE credit for registered attendees in the amount of one hour. Participatory MCLE credit is only available to those registered to participate in the live webinar. Cal Cities is unable to provide credit to those who choose to view the webinar recording.

Presenters:  
Lauren Langer, Partner, Best Best & Krieger LLP  
Heidi von Tongeln, Chief Deputy City Attorney, Santa Monica  
Heidi Vonblum, Planning Director, San Diego

Registration is $50 for Cal Cities members. Nonmember cities and other government entities will be charged $150. Registration must be completed by Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. Registration is limited.

For questions about how to register for the webinar, please contact Megan Dunn. For all other questions, please contact Janet Leonard.

Please review Cal Cities’ event and meeting policies.