CPEX Hosts Traveling Road Show for Land Use Toolkit

Local leaders from around the state will be introduced to a new tool for smart growth.

In April, the non-profit Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) will hit the road to educate leaders around the state about a groundbreaking new online tool that will help them plan for future growth and development in their communities: The Louisiana Land Use Toolkit.

There will be 10 Louisiana Land Use Toolkit “Road Show” Workshops scheduled throughout April and May and community leaders, planners and other stakeholders are being invited to attend. The funding for the “Road Show” Workshops was provided by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Each workshop will include a discussion of the development-related issues, needs or concerns in a specific area and a hands-on, interactive mapping session that will illustrate what good planning and clear, consistent development tools can mean for a community and the entire state.

“The Toolkit is a valuable resource to Louisiana communities that are feeling the pinch of sprawling, uncontrolled development that isn’t compatible with historic growth patterns,” explained CPEX Director of Planning Camille Manning-Broome. “This will provide community leaders with a tool that can help them make fair and predictable development decisions, save on infrastructure costs, protect property values, preserve rural landscapes and encourage attractive, walkable neighborhoods.”

Because space is limited, attendance at the Workshops will be limited to parish and municipal officials and staff, planners, realtors, economic development officials and those who receive invitations from CPEX or supporting organizations. However, representatives of the media are welcome to attend. The complete schedule of workshops is as follows:

Tues, April 14, 9:00-11:30 am – Gonzales, Lamar Dixon Expo Center

Wed, April 15, 9:00-11:30 am – Lafayette, National Wetlands Center

Thurs, April 16, 9:00-11:30 am – Thibodaux, Nicholls State Univ. Cotillion Ballroom

Fri, April 17, 9:00-11:30 am– Hammond, Southeast Louisiana Business Center

Tues, April 21, 9:00-11:30 am – Shreveport, Centenary College, Whited Room

Wed, April 22, 1:30-4:00 pm – Alexandria, Alexandria Museum of Art, 3rd floor

Thurs, April 23, 9:00-11:30 am – Lake Charles, Chamber of Commerce, 1st floor

Mon, May 18, 5:30-8:00 pm – Metairie, East Bank Regional Library

Wed, May 20 1:30-4:00 pm – Natchitoches, Natchitoches Events Center, 750 Second St.

Thurs, May 21 9:00-11:30 am – Monroe, Monroe Civic Center, Fort Miro Room

Download the Official Road Show Flyer

For more information on the Workshops or the Louisiana Land Use Toolkit, please visit www.landusetoolkit.com.

click map for larger view