WV APA is the West Virginia state chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) Our organization is comprised of professional and citizen planners who work to support responsible planning throughout the state. Membership is open to professional planners employed in planning or a related field, lay planners who serve on planning commissions or boards of zoning appeals, student members who are enrolled in a course of study in planning or a related field, and citizens interested in planning for their communities.

NPC23 will offer two distinct, complementary experiences for planners to connect. Once again, this year planners can attend in-person and online. Each venue will have unique content and sessions.

Core content areas will include sessions on these topics:

• Climate Emergency
• Digitalization
• Diversification of Transportation
• Future of Work, Upskilling and Reskilling
• Health Equity and Nature
• Housing Affordability, Availability, and Accessibility
• Implementation of Federal Programs and Grants
• Political Shifts and Polarization
• Population Diversity and Inclusive Design

The meeting will be limited to one hour in duration, and the only item of business for consideration will be the proposed legislative changes.  A member of the Legislative Committee will be asked to provide a brief update on the proposed changes.  The floor will then be open for discussion and any motions.  Please take a few minutes to review the legislative changes proposed by your colleagues and plan to attend the chapter-wide meeting. 

This is in regards to House Bill 3215, which has been introduced and is currently under review by the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee.

This letter contains dates, times, and links to the committee meetings for those wanting to participate as well as updates from each committee to the chapter. Participating in the Membership, Legislative, or Professional Development committees of APA WV is another great way to give back and help with the success of the profession and our communities here in WV.

Please also note this newsletter has information on a webinar being hosted by the Mid Atlantic Planning Collaborative on Land Use Law Updates. That is next Tuesday, February 21st.

If you have something you’d like included in the monthly newsletter, please reach out to Shae Strait or Rickie Yeager.

These are the current job postings:

Hazard Mitigation Planner for FEMA, Charleston, WV Office 

Transportation Planner/Engineer for Belomar Regional Council in Wheeling, WV

Director Level for City of Wheeling, WV