2024 Florida Planning Conference Program

Florida Planning Conference Program floridaplanningconference.org #FPC24

BUILDING BRIDGES

Planners Invade Tampa and Conquer FPC24!

Welcome to Tampa and the Tampa Bay region, planners! Arrrrgh, you ready to roll?

The City of Tampa has a rich history built on people immigrating, migrating, importing, exporting, and innovating. From V.M. Ybor and Henry Plant to Santo Trafficante, Hulk Hogan, Ron & Ron, and Jeff Vinik, Tampa has long been a place for big personalities working the various industries of their era. Like most of Florida’s cities, Tampa reflects dramatic economic and social changes of boom and bust, segregation and integration, highway expansion, and rapid growth, each driving change to neighborhoods across the spectrum from rich to poor. From Ybor City’s iconic cigar factories to diverse communities like Seminole Heights, Port of Tampa, Palm River, Westshore, Channelside, Carrollwood, and Palma Ceia, Tampa is a city of neighborhoods, each reflecting the city’s unique history, as well as its challenges and opportunities.

Tampa Bay isn’t merely a large water body. It’s a rapidly growing, dynamic region comprising four million residents across multiple counties, supporting three major sports franchises, beautiful trails, the bay, rivers, and natural areas, all with a diverse population of old-timers, part-timers, and

new timers here for good jobs, abundant natural amenities, and awesome communities of all sizes. With Tampa International Airport and Port Tampa Bay as hubs for people and freight, and the iconic Gulf Coast beaches and places like St. Petersburg as destinations, the Tampa Bay region is rapidly growing and changing, putting pressure on planners and elected officials to make the right calls for the future.

This year’s conference theme, Building Bridges, Connecting Communities is appropriate for both Tampa and Tampa Bay. People and places separated by history and water are stronger when we work together. Overcoming barriers to opportunity, building places where people can thrive, and protecting our natural assets are keys to the region’s future. I welcome you to Tampa and invite you to explore the amazing sessions and mobile workshops, meet our sponsors, reconnect with friends and colleagues, and take a deep dive into this great city and region.

Whit Blanton, FAICP

APA Florida President

APA FLORIDA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & CONFERENCE HOST COMMITTEE

STATEWIDE OFFICERS

President Whit Blanton, FAICP

President-Elect

Immediate Past President

VP Membership/Outreach

VP Section Affairs

VP Professional Development

VP Conference Services

VP Continuing Education

VP Communications

Allara Mills Gutcher, AICP

Wiatt Bowers, AICP

Ennis Davis, AICP

Ali Palmer

Henry Bittaker, FAICP

Eddie Ng, AICP

Lara Bouck, AICP, PE

Amy Elmore AICP

Secretary Jill Quigley, AICP

Treasurer John Roach, AICP

SECTION CHAIRS

Atlantic Coast

Broward

Capital Area

Emerald Coast

First Coast

Gold Coast

Heart of Florida

Orlando Metro

Promised Lands

San Felasco

Sun Coast

Treasure Coast

OTHER

Student Representative

University Liaison

EPG Representative

ADMINISTRATION/STAFF

Executive Director

Communications Manager

Admin. Assistant/Bookkeeper

Brad Parrish, AICP

Hing Wong, FAICP

Kwentin Eastberg, AICP

Melissa Ward, AICP

Casey Dendor, AICP

Fabian De La Espriella, AICP

Julie Womble

Roxann Read, AICP, CMA, FRA RA

Laura Tefft, AICP

Gerry Dedenbach, AICP

Nousheen Rahman

Scott Evans, AICP

Jared Hoehing

Milllie Rivera (non-voting)

Van Linkous, Ph.D.

Jarrell Smith

Stefanie Svisco

Patti Shea

Suzie Gray

Legislative Representative Lester Abberger

Communications Intern Julia Sveen

Conference Graphics

Summer Taylor

HOST COMMITTEE

Katrina Corcoran, AICP (Co-Chair)

Sofia Garantiva, AICP (Co-Chair)

Eddie Ng, AICP (VP of Conference Services)

Corinne Arriaga, AICP (Co-Chair, Mobile Tours)

Jared Austin, AICP (Co-Chair, Program)

Austin Britt (Co-Chair, Logistics/Volunteers)

Alvimarie Corales, AICP (Co-Chair, Program)

Brynn Dauphinais (Co-Chair, Logistics/Volunteers)

Kyle Dost, AICP (Co-Chair, Mobile Tours)

Fatima Elkott (Co-Chair, Students/EPG)

Kelsey Olinger (Co-Chair, Receptions/Social)

AICP (Co-Chair, Receptions/Social)

McQueen, AICP (Chair, Sponsorship/Marketing)

Dr. Elizabeth Strom (Co-Chair, Students/EPG)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Conference Code of Contact

The Florida Planning Conference is a professional development opportunity. Attendees are expected to act accordingly and maintain the dignity of the profession in their interactions with colleagues, students, volunteers and others at the conference. APA Florida strongly disapproves of any action or conduct by attendees or volunteers which can be construed to be inappropriate, harassment or intimidating. Conduct of this nature can result in an immediate request to leave the venue and the potential for not being allowed at future events. Anyone who has a concern should bring the issue to the attention of the APA Florida Executive Director or the designated Conference Liaisons, and can be reported confidentially. All concerns will be promptly handled.

Hello, APA Florida Friends and Family

The Sun Coast Section is thrilled to host the 2024 Florida Planning Conference: Building Bridges, Connecting Communities in dynamic downtown Tampa!

We are excited to bring a diverse and innovative list of plenary speakers to discuss inclusive transportation, Florida’s wildlife corridors, and leadership in the workplace. Sessions are assigned to designated tracks that target specific planning areas and follow the theme of Florida’s Gulf coast: CommUnity Blueprint, Bridging the Bay, Gulf Breezes and Urban Seas, Waves of Change, and Planners in Paradise.

A diverse set of mobile tours have been planned for you to explore all that the Tampa Bay region has to offer, including the redevelopment of downtown Dunedin, the newly established Sun Runner bus rapid transit and St. Pete Pier, and the bustling activity of the Tampa International Airport. Several sessions will meet the Equity and Sustainability/Resilience CM credits as well as the other much-needed Law and Ethics CM credits.

Our Tuesday workshops and sessions will get the week started with a full day of learning, including discussions on neighborhood and housing designs for all ages and abilities and how local governments can better serve their citizens. One session will be led by Florida State Sen. Bobby Powell, AICP, and will discuss how planners can become involved in politics. Receptions will include a “Create Your Own Tampa Adventure” BINGO card game designed to explore Tampa’s thriving downtown, and the underwater wonders of the Florida Aquarium.

We hope that you’re as excited as we are to learn about the latest planning has to offer, while enjoying your visit to the amazing Sun Coast!

Katrina Corcoran, AICP Sofia Garantiva, AICP

FPC24 Co-Chairs

BUILDING BRIDGES - CONFERENCE TRACKS

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT:

This track encompasses community planning, historic preservation, placemaking, economic development, and schools planning.

BRIDGING THE BAY:

This track concentrates on mobility infrastructure, safety, connections between land use and transportation, and zoning.

GULF BREEZES & URBAN SEAS:

This track explores resiliency and the natural environment, including hazard mitigation, coastal planning, and water resources infrastructure. This track also includes rural and agricultural/food planning.

WAVES OF CHANGE:

This track focuses on housing affordability and accessibility, as well as innovative applications of technology of data and the future of planning.

PLANNERS IN PARADISE:

This track zeroes in on planners’ professional development, and includes topics such as ethics, law, grants, planning fundamentals, equity, and community engagement/advocacy.

Katrina Corcoran, AICP

Sofia Garantiva, AICP

SPONSORS/EXHIBITORS INFORMATION

We are thankful for our wonderful sponsors who continue to support our conference. Please visit the Expo Floor to learn about how they continue to help us plan an even better Florida. See the Exhibitors Guide in your packet for a map.

PLATINUM SPONSORS

Benesch

England- Thims & Miller, Inc.

Esri

GAI Consultants | Community Solutions Group

HNTB

InNovo Partners

Stantec

Stearns Weaver Miller

GOLD SPONSORS

AtkinsRealis

Ayres Associates Inc

Halff Associates, Inc.

HDR

Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering

Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.

Metro Forecasting Models

Pond & Company

Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council

University of Central Florida, School of Public Administration

AICP CM CREDITS

University of South Florida VHB WGI, Inc.

SILVER SPONSORS

Bowman Consulting Calvin, Giordano & Assoc., Inc.

CDMSmith HART

Patel, Greene and Associates, LLC

Pritchett Steinbeck Group Inc.

The Haskell Company

Volkert, Inc.

BRONZE SPONSORS

Axis Infrastructure

Dickman Law Firm

Ebenbach Consulting LLC

EXP

Forward Pinellas

Port of Tampa

RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture

SB Friedman Development Advisors, LLC

CONFERENCE SUPPORTER

Florida Technical Consultants (FTC)

Urban Planning Innovations, LLC

EXHIBITORS

Amarach Planning Services

APA Transportation Planning Division

Blitz Permits

Burgess & Niple

Chen Moore and Associates

EXP

FAU Urban and Regional Planning General Code

Kirk Wickersham, AICP, Attorney at Law

Neighborhood Lending Partners

Plan Hillsborough

Safe Mobility for Life Streetlight

The Brick Association

UNICUS Rail and Consulting Services, LLC

All breakout sessions and mobile workshops are approved for AICP CM credits as indicated. For AICP credits, use Event Number 9293452. Members of the Florida Bar should refer to The Florida Bar website to submit CLE credits. CM codes: SR = Sustainability & Resilience, EQ = Equity

FEATURED SPEAKERS

WEDNESDAY Opening Plenary & Project Awards

*Sponsored by

VERONICA O. DAVIS

Author of Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities 8:30 - 10:15am l Ballroom B & C l 1 CM credit

Veronica is the Cities Program Director in the United States for AtkinsRealis. She has nearly 20 years of experience in engineering and transportation planning and is an Entrepreneur and Civil Engineer, co-founding Nspiregreen, LLC., which manages Community, Multimodal Transportation, and Environmental planning and consulting. While at Nspiregreen, she led the Vision Zero Action Plans for Washington, D.C. and the City of Alexandria. She co-founded Black Women Bike, an organization and movement which builds a community and interest in biking among black women through education, advocacy, and recreation. In 2012, Veronica was recognized as a Champion of Change by the White House for her professional accomplishments and advocacy.

2024 PROJECT AWARDS

FAICP RECOGNITION

At this year’s National Planning Conference, two APA Florida members were inducted as Fellows into the American Institute of Certified Planning. We’d like to celebrate these remarkable planners: Kathie Ebaugh, FAICP, Kristen Larsen, FAICP

Stay after Veronica’s speech for a celebration of this year’s excellence in planning. Read more about these award-winning projects in the Awards Program.

Best Practices

•Award of Excellence – Southside Action Plan (City of Tallahassee)

•Award of Excellence – Heritage at Risk (Miami-Dade County)

•Award of Excellence – Lake Wales Envisioned (City of Lake Wales)

Implementation Project Award

•Award of Excellence – Southwest Greenways and Debbie Lightsey Nature Park (City of Tallahassee)

•Award of Merit – Southport Turning Notch Expansion (Broward County | Port Everglades)

Grassroots Initiative

•Award of Excellence – Building a Network of Citizen Planners in Florida (1000 Friends of Florida)

Comprehensive Plan (Large)

•Award of Excellence – Mobility Section of the City of Tampa Comprehensive Plan

Comprehensive Plan (Small)

•Award of Merit – City of Punta Gorda Comprehensive Plan 2045 Innovation in Planning for All Ages

•Award of Excellence – 20 is Plenty: Residential Speed Reduction Study (City of Jacksonville)

Student Award

•Award of Excellence – Four Points (University of South Florida)

•Award of Merit – Enhancing Regional Transportation Planning in Rural Areas (Florida State University)

THURSDAY

*Sponsored by

Keynote Lunch

LISA SHIPLEY

CEO of the Live Wildly Foundation

Noon - 1:45pm l Ballroom B & C l 1 CM credit

Hailing from the corn fields of central Illinois, Lisa brings a lifetime of love for nature to her role as CEO of Live Wildly. With 25 years of experience in conservation, she spent nearly two decades at The Nature Conservancy and most recently led the Last Wild Places program at the National Geographic Society, as well as the implementation of its Campaign for Nature. This is where Lisa learned of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Campaign and was inspired by the potential to protect such a large-scale landscape. She joined the effort and helped lead the Campaign to pass the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act.

FRIDAY

DAVE CLARE

Circle Leadership

10:45am - 12:30pm l Ballroom B & C l 1 CM credit

For well over two decades, Dave Clare has been at the coalface of leadership. He is a practitioner that has led multiple businesses in and through commercially and organizationally challenging times. It’s one thing to claim expertise and experience through a range of challenging business environments, but it’s quite another to understand them, digest them, and guide people through them with a simplicity and focus that always points to purpose. Bringing care, compassion and an urgency to his process, Dave’s legacy in the making is one of achievement, fulfillment, and joy in the workspace. Dave’s process works because they matter to everyone - clients, teams, leaders, everybody!

Don’t miss Dave’s Breakout Session from 8:15 - 9:15 am on Thursday in Room 118.

CHAPTER PLANNING LEADERSHIP AWARDS

After Dave’s speech, we will hand out the Chapter Planning Leadership Awards, recognizing the individuals and organizations for their leadership on planning issues. These awards are APA Florida’s highest honors. Please help us celebrate these planners who are or have significantly contributed to our field.

CONFERENCE GAME WINNERS & RAFFLE PRIZES

If you played our member Connections game or submitted a BINGO card for the Create Your Own Tampa Adventure, we will pull the winners as well as other raffle prizes.

GET YOUR APA FLORIDA GEAR!

Grab one of these luxurious long sleeve shirts at the Registration Desk. Options are black and heather gray. Sizes range from Mens Small - 3XL. Soft to the touch and ONLY $35!

Closing Plenary & Chapter Awards

Kathie Ebaugh, FAICP Kristen Larsen, FAICP

WORKSHOPS & CHAPTER BUSINESS

TUESDAY September 3

AICP EXAM TRAINING

9am - 4pm l Room: 120

Cost: FREE, but must be registered for the conference

Gain an overview of the AICP exam, its content, and topic areas. In the morning, learn about successful strategies for applying to take the exam, how to address the five types of questions on the exam, and the abundant local, state, and national resources available to help you prepare for the exam. In the afternoon, gain training in several important exam topic areas (History/Law/Ethics), review past test takers’ comments, work on answering practice questions, and learn how to access the Florida Chapter study materials, including presentations, materials, and practice exams. Plenty of time will be available for your questions.

Speakers: Henry F. Bittaker, FAICP, APA Florida Executive Committee

Susan M. Coughanour, FAICP, APA Florida Treasure Coast Section

Peter Henn, AICP, JD, Florida Atlantic University

PLANNING OFFICIALS TRAINING WORKSHOP

9am - 4pm l Room: 121

Credits: Fee required. Sign up at registration.

This all-day training that is ideal for appointed advisory board members, elected officials, utilities, historic preservation or water board members, city clerks, or a local government employee who is eager to learn more about local planning and zoning fundamentals, land use law, transportation planning, future planning trends, and effective public engagement tactics. All positions and backgrounds are welcome.

Speakers: Owen Beitsch, FAICP, GAI Community Solutions Group

Merle Bishop, FAICP, Pennoni Assocates, Inc.

Tia Boyd, AICP, University of South Florida

Bob Cambric, Cambric Consulting Group

Peter Henn, AICP, JD, Florida Atlantic University

CHAPTER BUSINESS: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

9:00am - 11:00am l Room: 103

The APA Florida Executive Committee will hold one of its quarterly meetings. All members are welcome to attend.

CHAPTER BUSINESS: ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING

6:00pm - 6:30pm l Room: 118

Don’t miss the 2024 Annual Member Meeting! APA Florida President Whit Blanton, FAICP, will give the State of the Chapter and update members on chapter events. Members in attendance will be asked to vote on:

-2025 Budget & Budget Narrative

-2025 Legislative Platform, Guiding Principles, and Policy Positions

We will also recognize and honor APA Florida’s 30-, 40- and 50-year members.

SPONSOR SHOUTOUT

We are so excited to have fabulous sponsor that elevate our conference experience. We thank our sponsors for providing these valuable services and assets for all FPC24 attendees.

Keynote Luncheon Opening Plenary

Complimentary Wifi Awards Breakfast

Interactive “Why Plan?” Wall Registration Bags Quiet Room

Mobile Tour Snacks

RECEPTIONS, MEET-UPS, & NIGHTLIFE

TUESDAY September 3

Opening Reception

6:30 - 8pm l Channelside Room + Terrace

725 South Harbour Island Blvd., Westin Waterside Tampa

Sponsored by:

Say hello to old friends or make new ones at the Opening Reception. Join us on the patio of the Westin Tampa Waterside overlooking the scenic Hillsborough River and Downtown Tampa.

Friends of Bill, there will be a cordoned off, alcohol-free space for you to enjoy and mingle with colleagues.

Appetizers and one beverage included. Cash bar available.

Emerging Planners Group Reception

8pm - 10pm l Gen X Tavern

103 East Jackson Street

They may not want their MTV but the APA Florida Emerging Planners Group want you to join them at the Gen X Tavern! Connect with fellow planners for networking and munchies. All generations welcome!

WEDNESDAY September 4

Create Your Own Adventure Through Downtown Tampa

Embark on a unique experience at our “Build Your Own” Reception! Perfect for networking at your own pace, Wednesday evening offers the freedom to experience your own curated adventure. Whether you like structure and opt to participate in the Tampa Riverwalk BINGO, a self-guided walking tour with chances to get discounts and win prizes or decide to be a social butterfly and hop around the specialty and private receptions – don’t miss the chance to explore, connect, and have a blast!

Complete your BINGO card included in your conference packet. Play the game, get a BINGO, then enter it for a chance to win a complimentary registration to FPC25 in Daytona Beach.

APA Transportation Planning Division

6 - 7pm | GenX Tavern

103 East Jackson Street

Members of the APA TPD are invited to the GenX Tavern.

EDI Meet Up

6 - 7:30pm | The Pour House at Grand Central

1208 E. Kennedy Blvd.

The APA Florida Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee will host a meet up at The Pour House at Grand Central.

UNIVERSITY & ALUMNI RECEPTIONS

Florida State University

6:30 - 7:30pm l American Social

601 South Harbour Island Blvd.

This year’s FSU alumni gathering is being generously sponsored by Kimley-Horn, a longtime supporter of the planning profession and our students. Go Noles!

University of Central Florida

6:00 - 7:30pm l Columbia Cafe

801 Water Street

Join former and current Urban Knights at the Columbia Cafe at the Tampa Bay History Center, Riverwalk Tampa. The tapas will be waiting for you!

University of Florida

6 - 8pm | American Social

601 South Harbour Blvd.

Gatornation, we hope you to see you new and veteran alums. Hors d’oeuvres will be available to chomp on.

University of South Florida

4 - 8pm l Hotel Bar

200 North Tampa Street

Since this is our home turf, we are calling on all Bulls to mix it up at the Hotel Bar. See you there!

THURSDAY September 5

Closing Night Reception

6:30 - 9:30pm l The Florida Aquarium

701 Channelside Drive

Sponsored by:

LOOK INSIDE YOUR CONFERENCE PACKET FOR YOUR BINGO CARD

Join us for the grand finale reception on Thursday evening at the Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa, just a short stroll from the conference center.

This isn’t just any venue: The Florida Aquarium, a dynamic 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is at the forefront of environmental stewardship.

Prepare to be amazed as you explore complex ecosystems and engage with interactive and informational exhibits. Experience world-class animal care up close, from fascinating aquatic creatures to intriguing terrestrial animals, all while raising awareness and inspiring action for species and habitat conservation.

Appetizers and one beverage ticket included.

WELLNESS SESSIONS

WEDNESDAY September 4

INTUITIVE MOVEMENT CLASS

7:30 - 8am l Ballroom A Instructor: Fatima Elkott

Join this 30-minute Intuitive Movement Class on Wednesday from 7:30-8am before the conference. This session offers a vibrant space for embodiment and connection, inviting you to explore the full range of human feeling and expression. Through a mix of gentle and uplifting guided movements, we will reconnect with our bodies, cultivate inner awareness, and foster meaningful connections with ourselves and each other. Start your day with intention and presence, setting an energized and harmonious tone for the events ahead.

ZUMBA FITNESS CLASS

5:30 - 6:30pm l Ballroom A Leader: Hayat Mazili

Don’t miss this ultimate dance-fitness party that beats a boring hotel gym workout. Zumba is a super fun, supercharged, Latin-influenced dance workout that brings people together to sweat it on. Attendees will be grooving to the beats of salsa, merengue, flamenco, and other international music while burning up to 1,000 calories. This dynamic calorie-burning form of workout is for people of all fitness levels and age groups. No dance experience is required; just bring your smiley faces.

HELP TAMPA AREA STUDENTS

ON BREAK FROM A SESSION?

Help us pack hygiene kits for OASIS Opportunities, a Tampabased nonprofit working to ensure Hillsborough County Pre-K – 12th Grade students have access to the clothing and hygiene items that empower them to attend school every day, fit in with their peers, and fully engage in their learning.

Activation days will be packing hygiene kits on Wednesday or Thursday, Sept. 4 or 5 in Ballroom D. Attendees can bring items to donate as well. (List below)

There will also be a station where attendees can create inspirational note cards that will be included in clothing orders.

There are three ways to help:

1)Pack kits @ conference

2)Send items through OASIS’s Amazon WishList that will be sent directly to OASIS.

3)Send a check or money order to:

OASIS Opportunities

16057 Tampa Palms Blvd. W #315 Tampa, FL 33647-2001

If you want to bring items with you, scan these QR codes

TAKE A BREAK

PUPPIES & PLANNERS:

Don’t Miss This Paw-some Meet & Greet.

Cutness Overload Alert! APA

Florida is excited to announce that we are teaming up with our friends at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay for a paw-some puppy Meet & Greet!

Attendees will be able to cuddle with puppies and dogs that are available for adoption from 1 - 5 pm on Wednesday, Sept. 3 and Thursday, Sept. 4 in Ballroom D

The rescue group will gladly hold onto any fur babies until the end of conference where they can then be picked up and brought back to their forever home.

Donations are also encouraged, don’t miss out on a chance to potentially meet your forever best friend!.

RUBBER DUCKY, YOU’RE THE ONE!

No, your eyes are not deceiving you, this year you may come across rubber duckies of diverse styles throughout the conference space. What’s the deal?

Our staff will be hiding a limited number of these webbed-footed friends throughout the conference on various days. They could be paddling around by registration, in the exhibit hall, or even in sessions!

Be on the lookout for them anywhere in the conferencerelated spaces.

If you spot one, grab that duck and head to the registration desk for a surprise!

Clothing Hygiene

MOBILE WORKSHOPS

*Tours will queue at the TCC Rotunda on the Channel Entry Side. Attendees can sign up for Mobile Tours at the Registration Desk, as seats remain available.

TUESDAY September 3

WAKE UP AND WALK

THE SELMON! l Credits: 1CM

Tuesday, Sept. 3 | 8 – 9 am

Thursday, Sept. 5 | 8 – 9 am

Friday, Sept. 6 | 8 – 9 am

Join us on a walking tour of the Selmon Greenway to get your morning started before the conference day begins. Learn more about the expressway from private- and public-sector planners, including topics such as technology and safety, master planning, connection to parks and landmarks, and green infrastructure. This is a great way to see how transportation projects can be seen as holistic, connective, and community-driven. Hosted by various members of the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA).

Bring comfortable walking clothes and shoes, a hat, sunscreen, water bottle, etc.

SOUTH OF THE BAY

9 am – 5 pm l Credits: 7CM

Explore the new Eastern extension of the Bradenton Riverwalk and The Bay Park by joining a walking tour. Learn about the different design elements that highlight the rich history and culture of East Bradenton. Next, travel down to Sarasota and enjoy lunch under the Nest, an architectural structure inspired by the ebbs and flows of Sarasota Bay. Learn about the private, public partnership, community engagement, and design and planning that formed The Bay Park Masterplan. Finish with a walking tour of Phase 1 of the 53-acre legacy park. This walking tour will highlight how resiliency was interwoven in the park’s design. Afterwards, unwind on the bus ride back to the hotel before the evening reception.

Bring comfortable walking clothes and shoes, a hat, sunscreen, etc. Lunch is factored into this tour but you may want to bring a water bottle.

WEDNESDAY September 4

ST. PETE PIER & SUNRUNNER TOUR

Noon – 5 pm l Credits: 5CM

SOLDOUT

Explore the new St. Pete Pier by riding on the Sun Runner! The Sun Runner is a newly established Bus Rapid Transit service that serves as the spine for Transit Oriented Development. Sit back and enjoy the artistic bus stops along the way. Once at the St. Pete Pier, attendees will take a walking tour to explore the recently developed area. They will learn about the process and planning as well as the success of this redevelopment project. Pick up your boxed lunch and bring it with you. Bring comfortable walking clothes and shoes, a hat, sunscreen, water bottle, etc.

The one-bedroom, one-bath ADU on display at this year’s conference is just under 500 square feet.

This quality, factory-built home measures 13’4” x 37’0”, plus an optional 6’0” front porch. The professionally designed and engineered floor plan makes the most of this ADU’s footprint, and features an open space that combines living/dining areas with a thoughtfully appointed kitchen.

Stop by the home to learn more about the advantages of factory-built homes, including shorter construction times, construction quality and consistency, reduced material waste, and affordability.

Follow the signs to swing by for a tour and refreshments.

MOBILE WORKSHOPS (continued)

DUNEDIN DOWNTOWN TOUR

Noon – 5 pm l Credits: 5CM

Downtown Dunedin is experiencing a redevelopment renaissance. Learn about the history of Dunedin and how they got to where they are today. Understand how their past guides the future efforts on social inclusion, material and space reuse, diversification of transit, and urban design. Attendees will also explore the Causeway and the development of a resilient ecosystem in highlytrafficked corridors.

Pick up your boxed lunch and bring it with you. Bring comfortable walking clothes and shoes, a hat, sunscreen, water bottle, etc.

THURSDAY September 5

MANUFACTURED HOUSING

FACTORY TOUR

7:30 – 11:30 am l Credits: 4CM

Sponsored by:

Join us for the unique opportunity to tour a manufactured housing factory in Plant City. Palm Harbor Homes will be your host, as you see first-hand how these quality homes are constructed, start to finish. During this behind-the-scenes tour, you’ll learn more about the building process, and the advantages of affordable, factory-built homes. You’ll also tour several completed homes at the model home center. You’ll be impressed with the process and the product.

This tour takes place in a working factory. For your safety and comfort, please wear closed-toe shoes. No sandals, flip-flops, or high heels. The factory tour is not ADA accessible. The tour of model homes is accessible.

WATER STREET WALKING TOUR l Credits: 2.5CM

Thursday, Sept. 5 | 9 – 11:30 am Friday, Sept. 6 | 1 – 3:30 pm

You don’t have to go far to discover Water Street. In just a short walk to the riverfront, attendees will go on a walking guided tour led by Strategic Property Partners (SPP). SPP’s current project, Water Street Tampa, is an entirely new kind of urban community, embodying an entirely unique urban energy. Designed to deepen people’s interactions with the cityscape, the natural environment and each other, Water Street Tampa embraces wellbeing and outdoor living. Walkable streets connect homes, offices, shops, and hotels – all along an accessible waterfront. Bring comfortable walking clothes and shoes, a hat, sunscreen, water bottle, etc.

EXPLORE THE PORT OF TAMPA

9 – 11:30 am l Credits: 2.5CM

billion in annual economic impact. In addition to being a top 10 U.S. cruise port, the port handles a wide array of bulk, break bulk, containers and roll-on/roll-off cargoes, and is a major shipbuilding and repair center. People will learn about the region’s largest economic engine, Port Tampa Bay, while enjoying the deck for sightseeing and great views of the Port and Tampa Bay. Bring valid government issued ID, as well as comfortable walking clothes and shoes, a hat, sunscreen, water bottle, etc. You will be walking outside and riding on a boat.

TAMPA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TOUR

2 – 5:30 pm l Credits: 3.5CM

Tampa International Airport offers a tour that provides an inside look at the operations of one of the busiest airports in the world. Visitors will learn about the history of the airport, how it’s run, and the various types of aircraft that use it. The tour also includes a stop at the control tower, where guests can see firsthand how air traffic is managed. They will learn about upcoming projects, like Blue/Red Express, and the expansive Public Art Program. Bring valid government issued ID, as well as comfortable walking clothes and shoes, a hat, sunscreen, water bottle, etc. You will be going through airport security screening equivalent to TSA, so no liquids, weapons, etc. Three ounce rule may apply.

FOOTSTEPS OF RESILIENCE: A WALKING TOUR OF TAMPA’S AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE

SOLDOUT

SOLDOUT SOLDOUT

Calling all Freight Fanatics! The waterside tour, provided in partnership with the Yacht Starship, is a boat excursion to learn more about Port Tampa Bay. Port Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest port, supporting nearly 85,000+ jobs and generating more than $17

2 – 5:30 pm l Credits: 3.5CM

Journey through time on this captivating walking tour, uncovering the stories of Tampa’s vibrant African American community. Explore historic landmarks, from schools and churches to businesses and cultural hubs. Learn about influential figures who shaped the city, from entrepreneurs and educators to activists and artists. This tour sheds light on the struggles and triumphs of a community that has left an indelible mark on Tampa’s identity.

Bring comfortable walking clothes and shoes, a hat, sunscreen, water bottle, etc.

FRIDAY September 6

PEDAL TAMPA

1 – 3:30 pm l Credits: 3 CM

The fun doesn’t end when sessions are over. Join Pedal Power Promoters and League Certified Instructor, Christine Acosta, for a 90-minute bicycle tour around Tampa using a Lime electric bike. The tour will begin with a short safety talk, tutorial on how to use the Lime mobile app and Lime ebike features. Standard ride charges will apply. Once everyone is comfortable, Christine will guide the group and showcase Tampa’s emerging active transportation network and hidden gems. A variety of facility types will be featured, including Cycle Tracks, Quick Builds, Neighborhood Greenways, and more. Experience the best ways to access Tampa by bike while learning about the city’s current and future micromobility infrastructure.

Bring comfortable walking clothes and shoes, a hat, sunscreen, water bottle, etc. Helmets will be provided.

TUESDAY’S

HAPPENINGS

Tuesday isn’t just for arrival day anymore. Don’t miss this full day of sessions, workshops, mobile tours, and more! We have a full day of sessions that you won’t want to skip:

WE’RE FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND WE’RE HERE TO HELP

11 AM | ROOM 118

The session focuses on improving service delivery in conventional government structures based on experiences in municipal planning.

AGING IN PLACE: UNIVERSAL ACCESS DESIGNS

12:30 PM | ROOM 118

Presenters will give examples of neighborhood and housing designs that ensure people of all ages and abilities can thrive in their community.

A DISCUSSION BETWEEN GENERATIONS:

ADDRESSING CHALLENGES AND EMBRACING OPPORTUNITIES IN PLANNING FOR ALL AGES

2 PM | ROOM 118

Sponsored by:

Joins planning students and retirees in a discussion about preparing cities for aging populations.

PLANNERS IN PUBLIC OFFICE: WHY WE ARE IDEAL CANDIDATES TO SIT BEHIND THE DAIS

4:30 PM | ROOM 118

There are instances where the world of Planning and the world of politics intersects. This Session is designed to take a closer look at the role of being a planning professional and the parallels of running for public office.

Speakers:

State. Sen. Bobby Powell, Jr, AICP

W.Thomas Hawkins, AICP, JD

AI INSIGHTS FROM CITY MANAGERS

4:30 PM | ROOM 121

Don’t miss this valuable conversation from two city managers on integrating AI into city processes.

MOBILE TOURS

WAKE UP AND WALK THE SELMON! | 8 - 9 AM

Join us on a walking tour of the Selmon Greenway to get your morning started before the conference day begins. Learn more about the expressway from privateand public-sector planners, including topics such as technology and safety, master planning, connection to parks and landmarks, and green infrastructure.

SOUTH OF THE BAY | 9 AM - 5 PM

This all encompassing tour includes stops at the Bradenton Riverwalk, The Bay Park, East Bradenton, The Nest in Sarasota, and Sarasota Bay. Tour ends in time for the Opening Reception.

WORKSHOPS

AICP EXAM PREP WORKSHOP (FREE WITH FPC REG)

9 AM - 4 PM | ROOM 120

The AICP Exam is tough but our experts help planners navigate the exam by sharing strategies and study tips. It’s the most popular workshop at the conference!

PLANNING OFFICIALS TRAINING WORKSHOP ($45)

9 AM - 4 PM | ROOM 121

This workshop is open to any non-trained planner interested in learning what we do! It’s part of APA Florida’s initiative to train local officials and the public on the basic tenets and fundamentals of sound and responsible community planning.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Chapter business must be conducted and we want our members to be there! Help us shape the future of APA Florida by taking part. You have two opportunities:

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

9 - 11 AM | ROOM 103

The APA Florida Executive Committee will hold one of its quarterly meetings. All members are welcome to attend.

ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING

6 - 6:30 PM | ROOM 118

Don’t miss the 2024 Annual Member Meeting! APA Florida President Whit Blanton, FAICP, will give the State of the Chapter and update members on chapter events. Members in attendance will be asked to vote on:

- 2025 Budget & Budget Narrative

- 2025 Legislative Platform, Guiding Principles, and Policy Positions

We will also recognize and honor APA Florida’s 30-, 40and 50-year members.

YOUR EDI GUIDE

RISE & SHINE: A BREAKFAST FORUM ON EDI

WEDNESDAY | 7:30 - 8:30 AM | ROOM 11 8

Please join the EDI Committee, grab some breakfast, and your peers at an interactive forum to provide your feedback on the Chapter EDI Strategy, learn about the EDI Committee’s activities, and network with your peers.

EDI MEET UP

WEDNESDAY | 6 - 7:30 PM | THE POUR HOUSE AT GRAND CENTRAL

1208 E. Kennedy Blvd.

The APA Florida Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee will host a meet up at The Pour House at Grand Central PLANNER TO LEADER SERIES SESSIONS

BUILDING AND PRESENTING YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

WEDNESDAY | 10:30AM | ROOM 121

Learn how to master personal branding and presentation skills and then pitch yourself to at least three new connections. Boost your confidence and build a network catered to your career aspirations!

FINDING YOUR PLACE IN PLANNING

THURSDAY | 11 AM | ROOM 118

This session is aimed at the mid-career planner, but concepts will be useful for any level. The panelists will aim to contribute to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace by recognizing diversity, challenging norms and stereotypes, breaking down barriers, and promoting empowerment and knowledge sharing.

CULTIVATE, NAVIGATE, AND ELEVATE LEADERSHIP ROLES

FRIDAY | 9:30 AM | ROOM 122

Attendees can expect strategies, resources, and reflections aimed at propelling their careers forward while navigating the shift in workplace culture from unconciuos bias to fulfilling and inclusive environments.

SESSIONS NOT TO MISS

PLANNING AND LAND USE LAW UPDATE

WEDNESDAY | ROOM 118

This session will provide an update regarding the key planning and land use decisions and helps planners to stay informed about the current legal trends in the planning profession at both the state and federal level.

ETHICS CASE OF THE YEAR

WEDNESDAY | ROOM 120

Test your comprehension of the Code of Ethics through a lively conversation with fellow session participants!

EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATING WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS

THURSDAY | ROOM 123

This panel will delve into the relationship between planners and elected officials, exploring approaches to enhance communication for more impactful decision-making.

PLANNERS AS EXPERT WITNESSES

THURSDAY | ROOM 121 (90 MIN)

The session teaches techniques for planners to testify as expert witnesses in both the private sector and public sector arenas. An emphasis is placed on how to survive a cross-examination by opposing counsel.

BETTER NEIGHBORHOODS, HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES

FRIDAY | ROOM 118

This session highlights responses to opportunities/challenges shared in peer communities throughout the state (sprawl and climate migration trends, historic preservation, environmental protection, mobility) with a specific focus on neighborhood design and impacts to public health.

SESSIONS ON TREND

Everyone wants to be on trend, so don’t miss these sessions to stay on your game.

DYING MALLS: GIFTS FROM AN EARLIER ECONOMY AND TIME

WEDNESDAY | SEPT. 4

Dying malls represent gifts from an earlier economy and society. These large, well-located sites offer unparalleled opportunities to enhance quality of life, economic opportunity, and resilience—and create places to celebrate shared community—for host cities and suburbs.

CAN WE SHAPE FLORIDA WITH LESSONS FROM ABROAD?

WEDNESDAY | SEPT. 4

Can lessons learned from Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Vancouver or even Seattle be really replicated in Florida? We hope the answer is yes! Attend the session to find out.

NAVIGATING TOMORROW: RESPONSIBLE AI IN GOVERNMENT

WEDNESDAY | SEPT. 4

A trendy topic AND ethics CM? Yes, please. This session will unveil AI and technology’s crucial role in local governance and in the future of planning. Using the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, presenters will give lessons on how municipalities can scale the effectiveness of technology and AI-assisted tools, and implement, train, and adopt technology AI within your work environment.

THEY PASSED WHAT THIS YEAR?!?!

WEDNESDAY | SEPT. 4

Every year, at the end of the legislative session, planners across the state look at each other and say, “What just passed.” We say other things too, but that’s for a completely different session. If you want to get the low down on what came out of Tallahassee this year, don’t miss Eddie and Kody’s session.

DON’T MISS THESE LOCAL FLAVOR SESSIONS!

Get a deeper dive into the roots of our host city and the Greater Bay Area:

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

• NOON - 1 PM: Beyond Boundaries: St. Pete’s Warehouse & Deuces

• 2:45 - 3:45 PM: Tampa CRAs in Action: West Tampa Parking Study

• 4 - 5 PM: Tampa Bay Smart Cities Alliance Innovations

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

• 8:15 - 9:15 AM: Florida Coastal Planning Research from USF

• 9:30- -10:30 AM: Preserving & Activating Tampa’s Union Station

• 1:45 - 2:45 PM: Tampa’s First Climate Action & Equity Plan

• 3:15 - 4:15 PM: Grand Central: A New Vibrant Main Street for ALL!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

• 9:30 - 10:30 AM: Putting the Great in Greater Lacoochee Community

THE

(NON?)STATE OF INCLUSIONARY ZONING IN FLORIDA

THURSDAY | SEPT. 5

It’s been five years since the Legislature placed statutory limitations on the use of mandatory inclusionary zoning legislation. Using local experience, case studies, and legal analysis, this panel will address the pressing question: is it time to move on from mandatory IZ as a realistic option in Florida?

GAME OF ZONES 2.0: NOW IN 3-D!

THURSDAY | SEPT. 5

Join us for a hands-on session on how to run a zoning code stress test to demonstrate the barriers to Missing Middle Housing. Places seeking more housing choices are often stymied by their existing code requirements around lot size, setbacks, frontages, parking, and lot coverage limits.

MANAGEMENT LESSONS FROM THE BRAVOVERSE

THURSDAY | SEPT. 5

Captain Jason. Lisa Vanderpump. Kandi Burress. The Bravoverse is full of the good and the bad examples of leadership. This panel will be a fun take on real world challenges that planners face as they move into management. We can’t promise a Housewives-Reunion-drama-filled session, but we know our three presenters will be dishing the management advise that would make Andy Cohen proud.

IMPORTANCE OF INDUSTRIAL & IMPLICATIONS OF THE LIVE LOCAL ACT

FRIDAY | SEPT. 6

This panel will dive into the importance of industrial lands in ensuring a proper land use mix amidst competing residential & Live Local Act (LLA) related affordable housing pressure.

CAREER CORNER

FREE HEADSHOTS

Sponsored by:

Looking for a new headshot to renew your resume? Look no further!

Join us at Room 102 at the following times for a free session with a professional photographer!

• Wednesday 2 – 4 pm

• Thur sday 9 – 11 am

Dress to slay professionally! Book time with your photographer using this QR code. Make sure you bring your badge!

RESUME REVIEW + PRACTICE INTERVIEWS

Match that new headshot (or not) with a shiny resume upgrade! Sit with volunteer planning peers who have served in public or private sectors as planning managers, hiring managers, or key personal on staff interview panels to review your resume. Have a job interview coming up? Book time for a practice interview with one of our planning experts. Use the QR code to sign up! Timeslots will be allocated for first come, first served. Delete replace with All review sessions will be in Ballroom A.

JOBMART BOARDS

SELFIE SPOT + ‘WHY PLANNING?’ WALL

Sponsored by:

Make FPC24 memorable using our Selfie Spot! Don’t forget to tag us at #FPC24. We are also asking all attendees to add to our “Why Planning?” Wall, sponsored by the University of Florida.

“What does planning do for you? Your family? Friends and neighbors?”

Stop by Ballroom D and tell us how Planning has impacted your community!

If there was one thing you hope planning can change for your neighborhood, what would it be?

REMEMBER YOUR TICKETS!!!

This year you will need tickets to enter the Plenary Sessions and Receptions. Make sure you have check your registration packet!

Tuck ‘em behind your name badge!

Looking for that next dream gig? Trying to find your next star on staff? Check out our job bulletin board located in Ballroom D throughout the conference! If you have a position(s) open in your organization, bring copies to post!

STUDENT STUFF LOUNGE

We’ve carved out a space just for students! Take a break in between sessions on one of the comfy sofas in Ballroom D.

It’s a great place to catch up with old friends and to make new ones!

CHEER ON STUDENT POSTER PRESENTATIONS!

Make sure to stop by Ballroom D to cheer on your peers participating in the Student Poster Competition & Session!

There are two judging windows: 3 – 4 pm on Wednesday, Sept. 4 and 10 – 11 am, Thursday, Sept. 5.

The posters will be on display during the conference, so be sure to swing by and check out all the amazing research from these future planners.

The winner will be announced during Friday’s Closing Brunch.

STUDENT MULTIMEDIA SESSION

This year, we held a spot for students to present their research using any multimedia medium.

Make sure you stop by Room 124 during the Box Lunch Sessions on Wednesday to catch all the cool stuff your fellow students are doing!

ICYMI: UNI RECEPTIONS

In your networking era? Don’t miss these chances to mingle with your peers and alumni. All take place on Wednesday: Florida State University | 6:30 - 7:30pm | American Social University of Central Florida | 6:00 - 7:30pm | Columbia Cafe University of Florida | 6 - 8 pm | American Social University of South Florida | 4 - 8 pm | Hotel Bar

FPC25 DAY TONA BEACH

We’re returning to the Atlantic Coast Section for the 2025 Florida Planning Conference. To celebrate, we are raffling off a two-night stay at the conference hotel, the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. You must be present to win!

Mark Your Calendars. The FPC25 Call for Presentations will open Dec. 9, 2024.

BOOTH PARADE!

Join in on the fun and vote for Best Decorated Booth! We asked our sponsors to gussy up their spaces for our inaugural Booth Parade. Each member received a medallion in their registration packets. Drop yours into the sponsor booth you think is tops! You have until 11 am on Thursday to make your pick.

The winner will be announced during Thursday’s Keynote Lunch.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 3 11a - Noon

PLANNERS IN PARADISE

We’re From the Government and We’re Here to Help

1 CM l Room 118

The session focuses on improving service delivery in conventional government structures based on experiences in municipal planning. In this interaction session, the speakers ask why citizens’ interactions with the government don’t function in silos, so why should our service providers? The reality is that government departments are needed for logistical and operational efficiencies, but translating that to citizens’ experience with the government leaves room for improvement. This session dives into those challenging questions and looks at three scales of service: from the individual, the department, and the organization, and identifies principles to adopt a service mindset among teams and organizations.

PRESENTERS

Laurel Harbin, AICP, Ph.D., LEED AP, Florida State University

Devan Leavins, City of Tallahassee

Barry Wilcox, AICP, Leon County

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 3 12:30p - 1:30p

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Aging in Place: Universal Access Designs

1 EQ CM l Room 118

Florida’s population is aging. By 2050, Florida is forecasted to grow by 5.4 million persons. Federal studies show that one in four people will experience disability in their lifetime. When neighborhoods are welcoming and comfortable for wheelchair users, they function for people of all ages. Ninety percent of retirees want to age in place, however, less than one percent of all housing contains any universal design elements. Over a million disabled people over 65 live in inaccessible homes. We present examples of neighborhood and housing designs that ensure people of all ages and abilities can thrive in their community.

PRESENTERS

David Haight, FAICP, LEED AP ND, AtkinsRealis

Laura Streed, AARP Florida

Steve Wright, Steve Wright Storyteller

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 3 2p - 4p

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

A Discussion Between Generations: Addressing Challenges and Embracing Opportunities in Planning for All Ages

2 CM | Room 118

Join us for an enlightening and informative two-hour roundtable that brings together the expertise of AARP volunteers and the fresh perspectives of current planning students from Florida PAB universities. Roundtable participants will share the issues faced by

older generations as the communities in which they live are not ready for an aging population, offering thoughtful insights and practical solutions to eager planning students, who in turn will be able to ask questions that will help them become more effective and empathetic planners. This needed conversation will address the generational gap, embrace the needs of older adults, and help us build more equitable and inclusive Florida communities through effective planning practices.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 3 4:30p - 6p

PLANNERS IN PARADISE

Planners in Public Office: Why We Are Ideal Candidates to Sit Behind the Dais

1.5 CM | Room 118

There are instances where the world of planning and the world of politics intersects. This session is designed to take a closer look at the role of being a planning professional and the parallels of running for public office. It is our opinion that planners are the perfect professionals to run for public office because planners are trained to serve the public interest and because of the role that we are charged with by practicing different disciplines such as transportation, housing and the environment we are uniquely suited to be servant leaders in public office.

PRESENTERS

W. Thomas Hawkins, AICP, JD, University of Florida State Sen. Bobby Powell, Jr., AICP, Florida State Senate

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 3 4:30p - 5:30p

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Connecting Communities via Local & Regional Trails

1 CM l Room 120

Local trail systems are consistently rated a top-tier community amenity. Trails link neighborhoods, open spaces, parks, and commercial areas, and afford residents opportunities for recreation and exercise in a safe environment near their homes. Regional trails enable citizens to travel longer distances, generating recreational and transportation alternatives for people of all ages. An engaging discussion between experts from Trust for Public Lands, Lakewood Ranch, and Viera will offer insight into best practices for the development of community and regional trails and explore ways to use data to guide policy and incentives for trail planning and implementation.

PRESENTERS

Scott Buttari, PLA, LEED AP, Stantec

Laura Cole, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Inc

Charles Hines, Esq., Trust for Public Land

Katie LaBarr, AICP, Stantec Consulting Services Inc.

Todd J. Pokrywa, The Viera Company

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 4 7:30a - 8:30a

PLANNERS IN PARADISE

Rise & Shine: A Breakfast Forum on EDI

1 EQ CM l Room 118

The APA Florida Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee works to address the needs of Florida’s diverse planners and communities and to promote equity and inclusion in planning practice. Please join the EDI Committee and your peers at an interactive forum to provide your feedback on the Chapter EDI Strategy, learn about the EDI Committee’s activities, and network with your peers. Participants will be encouraged to form small-group sharing circles with EDI Committee members to discuss experiences and provide recommendations to promote EDI in planning careers, workplaces, and practice in Florida. All are welcome.

PRESENTERS

PLANNERS IN PARADISE Building and Presenting Your Personal Brand

1 CM l Room 121

A Planner to Leader session series to help you elevate your urban planning game with this interactive session. Learn how to master personal branding and presentation skills and then pitch yourself to at least 3 new connections. Boost your confidence and build a network catered to your career aspirations! This session facilitates connections across all levels of planners, bridging the gap between emerging talent and seasoned professionals.

Corinne Arriaga, AICP, CPH, City of Sarasota

PRESENTERS

Corinne Arriaga, AICP, CPH, City of Sarasota

Lara Bouck, AICP, PE, MetroPlan Orlando

Alissa Barber Torres, FAICP, Ph.D., CLTD, Orange County

Amy Elmore, AICP, EXP

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 4 10:30a - 11:30a

PLANNERS IN PARADISE Bridging the Gap Between Approval and Construction

1 CM l Room 118

Your board approved a site plan and conditions for a PUD or other master development plan and the applicant was sent on their way, but wait ...i s that promised bike rack/sidewalk/buffer or other negotiated condition actually on the ground when all is constructed as approved fulfilling the expectations of the board and public. How can a planning department, whether small or large, implement practices to ensure that developments are completed as promised?

PRESENTERS

Chuck Barmby, AICP, City of Lakeland

Marisa Barmby, AICP, Central Florida RPC

Erik Peterson, AICP, Polk County

Stefanie von Paleske-Bush, AICP, Central Florida RPC

PLANNERS IN PARADISE Planning and Land Use Law Update

1 LAW CM l Room 120

There are instances where the world of planning and the world of politics intersects. This session is designed to take a closer look at the role of being a planning professional and the parallels of running for public office. It is our opinion that planners are the perfect professionals to run for public office because planners are trained to serve the public interest and because of the role that we are charged with by practicing different disciplines such as transportation, housing and the environment we are uniquely suited to be servant leaders in public office.

PRESENTERS

Fatima Elkott, MURP, Conscious Community Connectors

Beneetta Mary Jose, Hillsborough TPO

Varshini Renikunta, MURP, Sarasota Manatee MPO

Jarrell Smith, VHB

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Park System Plan & Implement: Casselberry Story

1 CM l Room 122

The City of Casselberry completed its Parks, Recreation, Pathways, and Open Spaces Master Plan in 2017. The plan was different from years past because it looked at level of service from a user experience and functionality, not just a factor of park amenities per thousand or acreage per thousand. Implementation of the plan included improvements to existing parks as well as development of a new park. How was all of this funded? This panel will discuss the community’s journey from completing the plan to funding over $30 million in implementation costs, including a successful general obligation bond campaign.

Kelly Brock, Ph.D., PE, LEED AP, ENV SP, City of Casselberry

Kristin Caborn, CPRE, FCP, GAI Consultants

Blake Drury, AICP, GAI Consultants

PRESENTERS

Nancy Stroud, FAICP, Esq., Nancy Stroud, P.A.

David Theriaque, Esq., Theriaque & Spain

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

BRIDGING THE BAY How Safety Planning Creates Equitable Communities

1 EQ CM l Room 123

Effective safety planning plays a role in creating equitable and thriving communities. The panelists will present their innovative projects which advance transportation safety at the local, regional, and state levels. During this session, the panelists will share lessons learned on how to plan for and implement safety improvements in communities that have traditionally been sidelined; especially in decision-making about projects that directly impact their mobility options. Panelists will also share transferable ideas and takeaways for other communities that aim to make equity considerations a part of their safety planning activities.

PRESENTERS

Kristof Devastey, PE, PTOE, PTP, Fehr & Peers

Kathy Gademer, AICP, City of Dunedin

Dan Gallagher, AICP, Burgess & Niple

Nousheen Rahman, AICP, Forward Pinellas

Kyle Simpson, AICP, Forward Pinellas

PLANNERS IN PARADISE

Obtaining and Defending Land Use Approvals

1 LAW CM l Room 124

Arguing your case in a public hearing or the courtroom can be stressful. Knowing how to prepare and what to expect will make you an asset to your client. This session will tackle litigation considerations for public and private sector planners, beginning with initial application development and continuing through hearing. Topics will include an overview of the litigation process, record building in anticipation of litigation, strategies for navigating virtual and hybrid meeting environments, and community engagement and due process considerations in a virtual age.

PRESENTERS

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Beyond Boundaries: St. Pete’s Warehouse & Deuces

1 EQ CM l Room 118

Explore the transformation of St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District and Deuces Live Main Street in this session. Discover these evolving areas’ rich history, cultural shifts, and culinary experiences. Learn how the arts helped bridge the gap between the Warehouse Arts District, which is becoming a hub for artists, studios, and galleries, while the Deuces Live, once a segregated hub for black businesses and entertainment, is now revitalizing in collaboration with community partners. Speakers will provide insights into the Joint Plan, detailing the collaborative planning process, public and private investments, and projects, including recent rezoning efforts.

Brian Caper, AICP, City of St. Petersburg

Derek Kilborn, City of St. Petersburg

Claudia Ray, GAI Community Solutions Group

Pete Sechler, AICP, PLA, MBA, GAI Community Solutions Group

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Dying Malls: Gifts from an Earlier Economy and Time

1 CM l Room 120

PRESENTERS

Tina Ekblad, AICP, Stearns Weaver Miller

Liz Ellis, Esq., Stearns Weaver Miller

Erin Tilton, Esq., Stearns Weaver Miller

PRESENTERS

Dying malls represent gifts from an earlier economy and society. These large, well-located sites offer unparalleled opportunities to enhance quality of life, economic opportunity, and resilience and create places to celebrate shared community for host cities and suburbs. This panel brings together a private-sector developer, public-sector officials, planners, and urban designers to talk about the twenty-first-century opportunities and economic/fiscal imperative mall sites offer host communities. Using case studies, ranging from new arts and innovation districts to town and village centers, the panel will focus on strategies for unlocking new civic, social, and economic value from these unique sites.

Tiffany David, AICP, Tiffany David, LLC

David Dixon, FAIA, Stantec

Robert Horne, Dodge Capital / Torburn Partners

James Paulmann, FAICP, Stantec

Hannah Sowinski, AICP, Sarasota County

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Bridging Communities & Schools

After a Hurricane 1 SR CM l Room 121

Over 5 years ago Hurricane Michael devastated Bay County. Since then, the county has experienced a building surge that has transformed older portions of towns, timberlands, and neighborhoods. With this transformation, demand for school capacity within a District that did not have the planning tools to accommodate this growth has caused concern. Learn how Bay District Schools is working to prepare for a future that looks dramatically different from its past. Explore new planning practices and strategies being employed to better forecast student populations, evaluate service capacity, and expand services. Learn how you can adapt these initiatives within your community.

PRESENTERS

Kathie Ebaugh, AICP, JBPro

John Gilreath, GISP, JBPro

Allara Mills-Gutcher, AICP, The Planning Collaborative

GULF BREEZES & URBAN SEAS

Resilient Reuse-Green Infrastructure & Brownfields

1 EQ CM l Room 122

This panel session will include an introduction to brownfields, an overview of the negative public health impacts of brownfields, and how extreme events like flooding and extreme heat exacerbate the negative health impacts of brownfields. Low-income and communities of color are both more likely to live closest to brownfield sites, and are also disproportionately impacted by climate change. Attendees will hear how green infrastructure can improve air quality, water quality, and reduce flood and extreme heat impacts. They will also learn what to consider when implementing green infrastructure on brownfield sites.

Jalessa Blackshear, University of South Florida

PRESENTERS

Ernest Coney, Jr., Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc.

Carrie Martin, AICP, MCRP, NJIT, Technical Assistance to Brownfield Communities

E. Christian Wells, Ph.D., AAAS Fellow, University of South Florida COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

PRESENTERS

Walkers, Rollers - Designing for Health & Aging

1 EQ CM l Room 123

We are living longer and our infrastructure needs for healthy living are changing. Think inclusive places for active seniors, physical rehab treatment, aging and infirm. It’s no longer just ADA, wheelchair accommodations and tactile treatments for the impaired. Equitable access means benches on shaded walks, bridges for physiotherapy, programmed public spaces, social inclusion, housing, health and community services. Hear about the broader aging-in-place strategies supporting the health-impacted but also more active senior population seeking parks, trails, community gathering spaces and even high amenities when competing for “patients.” Senior cycling clubs give a different meaning to riding off into the sunset.

Ivy Clinton, PLA, ASLA, VHB

Clarence Eng, FAICP, Kimley-Horn

David Flanagan, PLA, ASLA, Kimley-Horn

Laura Streed, AARP Florida

STUDENT MULTIMEDIA SESSION

GETTING TEXT + SPEAKERS

1 EQ CM l Room 124

Join this fun session where future planners present their research using the media of their choice!

Ivy Clinton, PLA, ASLA, VHB

PRESENTERS

Clarence Eng, FAICP, Kimley-Horn

David Flanagan, PLA, ASLA, Kimley-Horn

Laura Streed, AARP Florida

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 4 1:15p - 2:15p

PLANNERS IN PARADISE

Ethics Case of the Year 2024

1 ETHICS CM l Room 118

Test your comprehension of the Code of Ethics through a lively conversation with fellow session participants! The Ethics “Case of the Year” consists of several ethical scenarios modeled on real-life inquiries or formal complaints filed with the AICP Ethics Officer during the year. Identifying factors such as names and locations are changed so the focus is on the educational aspect of each scenario. The moderators of this session, all experienced FAICP planners, will facilitate discussion of each scenario and answer questions.

PRESENTERS

Luis Nieves-Ruiz, FAICP, East Central Florida RPC

Silvia Vargas, FAICP, LEED AP, Calvin Giordano & Associates

Melissa Zornitta, FAICP, Plan Hillsborough

Karen Wolf, FAICP, APA President

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

BRIDGING THE BAY

Can We Shape Florida with Lessons from

Abroad?

1 CM l Room 120

Can lessons learned from Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Vancouver or even Seattle be really replicated in Florida? Hear from our panelists about the successes, challenges and differences in how notable places known for multimodal transportation and thriving neighborhoods be applied in Florida. Our discussion will examine the realities of the policy framework, community involvement, land use dynamics, and development expectations that frame the ability to create great places.

PRESENTERS

Clarence Eng, FAICP, Kimley-Horn

Rafik Ibrahim, AICP, CNU-A, City of Delray Beach

GULF BREEZES & URBAN SEAS

Resilience Lessons from Tampa Bay Area Counties

1 SR CM l Room 121

This panel will delve into the evolution of county resilience initiatives across the Tampa Bay region with insights from Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, alongside the TBRPC. Audience members will learn about how each county has navigated resilience planning within their local context, integrating lessons learned and best practices. From the TBRPC’s Regional Resilience Action Plan to the respective resilience initiatives of each county, this panel will explore diverse approaches to fostering resilience through strategic program development. The panel will uncover the region’s vision for driving implementation through collaboration and the development of equitable climate resilience strategies.

PRESENTERS

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Empower60: Growing with Our Aging Population

1 CM l Room 122

EMPOWER60 launched as a 4-week academy, designed for residents ages 60+, to learn best practices within local government. Topics include public safety, clean and beautiful neighborhoods, growth and development, education and economic access, culture and recreation, and efficient and effective government. The two-hour weekly course enabled participants to educate neighbors about local government’s role, impacts and delivery of services. EMPOWER60 evolved to a 4-hour course, centered around individual civic engagement plans to put learned skills into practice. After successful completion, participants attend a City Commission meeting to receive awards, acknowledgment for the completion of the academy, and a stipend.

Michael Roman, City of Miami

Michelle Varas, City of Miami

PLANNERS IN PARADISE

Project Management for Infrastructure Planning

1 CM l Room 123

PRESENTERS

Allan Biddlecomb, PG, Pasco County

Sean Lahav, MPA, Halff

Troy Salisbury, AICP, MPA, Hillsborough County

Alana Todd, Tampa Bay RPC

Lauren Wolf, Pinellas County

PRESENTERS

This presentation delves into the application of project management methodologies critical to the planning and execution of urban infrastructure projects. Case studies from City of Tampa projects are used to illustrate the application of strategic planning frameworks, prioritization tools, and risk management techniques. The session will touch on the implementation grants received and the Quick Build Program to make these projects a reality. The session will provide planners and practitioners an analytical view on leveraging these methodologies to navigate the complexities inherent in project planning initiatives, thereby enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in infrastructure planning and execution.

Todd Bogner, AICP, HNTB

Alfredo Cely, PE, PMP, Alfka Aiah Yassin, AICP, PMP, FCCM, TranSystems Corporation

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

WAVES

OF CHANGE

Sarasota Voluntary Inclusionary Housing Practices

1 EQ CM l Room 124

SPEAKER

PRESENTERS

Housing affordability is a statewide crisis affecting many local jurisdictions in Florida. The City of Sarasota is currently addressing their local housing crisis through an initiative to incentivize the private development of attainable housing units within the downtown and along commercial corridors and commercial centers through a voluntary density bonus program. The session will provide an overview of the city’s attainable housing density bonus program, the public outreach process, a comparison to recently adopted state legislation pertaining to affordable housing, as well as the results that the city has already seen through this attainable housing effort.

Ryan Chapdelain, AICP, City of Sarasota

Steve Cover, AICP, City of Sarasota

Briana Dobbs, AICP, CNU-A, City of Sarasota

Rebecca Webster, City of Sarasota

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 4 2:45p - 3:45p

BRIDGING THE BAY

Connecting Communities with TDM Strategies

1 SR CM l Room 118

Need to balance growth with the needs of modern travelers? Panelists will explore the fusion of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) with sustainability and development goals. Discover TDM’s impact on reducing GHG, healthy communities, and community engagement. Gain insights on the effectiveness of TDM strategies, integrating them into development plans, and innovative implementations at JTA. Learn about tools that support practical TDM applications and measuring performance. This session promises a combination of expertise, creativity, and practical solutions, positioning TDM as a pivotal force in shaping the future of community connectivity.

PRESENTERS

WAVES OF CHANGE

Navigating Tomorrow: Responsible AI in Government

1 EQ CM l Room 120

This session will unveil AI and technology’s crucial role in local governance and in the future of planning. Using the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, presenters will give lessons on how municipalities can scale the effectiveness of technology and AI-assisted tools, and implement, train, and adopt technology AI within your work environment. To enhance public confidence in technology and AI, it is critical to establish transparency, accountability, and risk mitigation processes. Learn about ethical technology AI practices and witness its efficiency in expediting development and reducing review durations for faster projects. This session equips you to navigate the dynamic technology and AI environment, bridging policy, ethics, and real-world application, empowering effective planning for tomorrow’s communities.

Jason Burton, AICP, CNU-A, City of Altamonte Springs

Sabrina Dugan, Swiftbuild.ai

John Mirkin, JD, LLM, Swiftbuild.ai

Omar DePablo, Hernando County

PLANNERS IN PARADISE

Grey Jedi: Going to the Public or Private Sector

1 EQ CM l Room 121

Making the jump from between public and private sector planning can be daunting. What new and complicated ethical dilemmas will I face? Where will my stress come from? What new skills do I have to learn? Three planners, with experience both as faceless bureaucrats and as developer’s shills, will share their experiences of moving between the public and private sectors, and tell you the stories the recruiter wont share!

PRESENTERS

Julie Bond, University of South Florida

Courtney Reynolds, TDM-CP, Agile Mile, Inc.

Kathrin Tellez, AICP, PTP, RSP2B, Fehr & Peers

Xan Traversa, Jacksonville Transportation Authority

PRESENTERS

Kathie Ebaugh, AICP, MPA, JBPro

Matt Lewis, AICP, Stantec

Edward Ng, AICP, The Corradino Group

Bryan Thomas, AICP, City of Newberry

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

BRIDGING THE BAY

Creating the Place that Transit Serves

1 CM l Room 122

LYNX and the City of Orlando have partnered in a transitoriented development study to prepare SR 436 for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). The BRT will serve as the key northsouth connection in Orlando, connecting neighborhoods and businesses along SR 436 to the Orlando International Airport, the planned SR 50 BRT, Brightline, and other LYNX bus routes. Investing in transportation along SR 436 can create new nodes of development, which can support LYNX and their role in creating a vibrant community. Learn how data-driven analyses and community-led engagement can revitalize areas and prepare them for premium transit services.

PRESENTERS

Megan Barrow, AICP, City of Orlando

Jady Chen, AICP, Kittelson & Associates

Carter Gresham AICP, PLA, Orange County

Alex Morgan, PE, Kittelson & Associates

Trish Whitton, AICP, LYNX

BRIDGING THE BAY

Tampa CRAs in Action: West Tampa Parking Study

1 EQ CM l Room 123

The City of Tampa’s Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) program is actively developing projects to revitalize historically disadvantaged communities throughout the city. Furthering these efforts, the West Tampa CRA conducted a comprehensive parking study addressing historical transportation challenges and modern needs focusing on operational management, multimodal demand reduction (emphasizing active transportation), a “park once” strategy, and increased supply recommendations. Developed through an inclusive outreach process, the phased implementation plan spans current conditions to major redevelopment, envisioning sustainable solutions for West Tampa’s evolving parking landscape.

PRESENTERS

PLANNERS IN PARADISE

Your FAICP Path: Successful Nomination Strategies

1 CM | Room 124

Want to achieve professional recognition as a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners (FAICP)? Seen the FAICP designation and wondered what it means? Join us for a session about the FAICP designation and how you can achieve it! All panelists are FAICP and have extensive FAICP nomination experience via APA Chapters, Divisions, and nomination by 10 AICP planners. Topics will include planning for your nomination at different stages in your career, the logistics of the Fellows nomination process, templates and resources for nominations, showcasing your strengths, and successfully managing your nomination from start to submittal.

Luis Nieves-Ruiz, FAICP, East Central Florida RPC

Alissa Torres, FAICP, Ph.D., Orange County

Silvia Vargas, FAICP, Calvin, Giordano & Associates

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 4 4p - 5p

BRIDGING THE BAY

The Evolution of Complete Streets: The Path Ahead

1 CM l Room 118

PRESENTERS

Wade Carroll, AICP, Pond and Company

Rebecca Hester, Pond and Company

Melisa Martinez, City of Tampa

Brenda Thrower, City of Tampa CRA

PRESENTERS

Over the past 20 years, Complete Streets have evolved from an optional alternative design concept to a transportation and planning industry standard. This session will cover Complete Street’s evolution at the national level, based on research for an update to the Complete Streets Planner Advisory Service (PAS) report, and local level experience in the cities of Casselberry and Orlando. Speakers will illustrate elements that are “tried and true” lessons-learned, and emerging practices for incorporating safety, equity, accessibility, and data. The session will highlight critical issues related to equitable mobility, public engagement, funding options and working across multiple departments.

Kelly Brock, Ph.D., PE, CFM, LEED AP, ENV SP, City of Casselberry

Gustavo Castro, City of Orlando

Lisa Nisenson, WGI, Inc.

Roxann Read, AICP, CFM, FRA RA, CPM, WGI, Inc.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

GULF BREEZES & URBAN SEAS

Black Neighborhood Resiliency

1 CM l Room 120

During this presentation, we will cover the research on Carver City/Lincoln Gardens, which is a historically Black neighborhood located in Tampa, FL. The session will include narratives, tables, graphs, and other visual materials to present the findings. The primary sources for this research include Lisa Armstrong’s thesis on Family Life in Carver City-Lincoln Gardens, Richard Rothstein’s book, “The Color of Law,” newspaper articles, and interviews with current residents. The presentation will focus on the neighborhood’s resiliency, its experiences with environmental and systemic racism, and the present-day challenges it faces with gentrification.

PRESENTERS

Lisa Armstrong, Ph.D., University of South Florida Rhonda Campbell-Brown, Carver City-Lincoln Garden Resident

Erica Larson, Plan Hillsborough Rufus Lewis, Carver City-Lincoln Garden Resident

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Stop Sprawling and Build New Communities! (90 min)

1.5 CM l Room 121

Existing land use controls -- making reactive, ad hoc decisions on single-purpose development proposals -- has resulted in suburban sprawl and strip commercial development. Planners improve these projects, but the sum of good projects is not good communities, just better sprawl. Without something different, further sprawl is inevitable. This panel will present and evaluate a bundle of innovative, proactive implementation measures designed to replace sprawl with new communities. Interestingly, the process is based on regulation of oilfield development. It could, and should, enable us to create holistic new towns that are more diverse, sustainable, interesting, attractive, and affordable.

PRESENTERS

WAVES OF CHANGE

Tampa Bay Smart Cities Alliance Innovations 1 CM l Room 122

Tampa Bay Smart Cities Alliance (TBSCA) was initiated by the City of Tampa, Florida Department of Transportation District 7, and the Center for Urban Transportation Research at USF. This core group is seeking a broader vision for a regional group that would focus on near-term operational goals in the Tampa Bay area that will continue to move the region forward in deploying cutting edge technologies that cut across multiple disciplines, including transportation, energy infrastructure, health, and more. Our team will share the region’s advancements in the regional data platform (SunCoast Mobility Hub), reimagining infrastructure, and Mobility as a Service (MaaS).

Sara Hendricks, AICP, TDM-CP, University of South Florida

Margaret Kubilins, City of Tampa

Alice Price, AICP, PMP, AtkinsRealis

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

A New Era of Downtown Opportunity

1 CM l Room 123

PRESENTERS

Owen Beitsch, FAICP, GAI Community Solutions Group

Haley Busch, 1000 Friends of Florida

Bob Cambric, Planning Consultant

Tim Chapin, Ph.D., Florida State University

Kirk Wickersham, AICP, Esq., Attorney and Planning Consultant

PRESENTERS

The pandemic’s impact on downtowns — stagnant office markets and vacant retail — obscures unparalleled opportunity triggered by a perfect storm of transformative demographic and economic development trends. Over the next two decades downtowns will face unprecedented housing demand, which — with the right planning — can represent a powerful tool for evolving these downtowns into engines for community-wide and regional knowledge and innovation economy growth. The panel will focus on tangible strategies for leveraging changing demographics into downtown mixed-use development that, with the right densities and compact critical mass, can emerge as live/work/play/learn/innovate ecosystems that attract knowledge and innovation economy jobs and investment.

Elizabeth Abernethy, AICP, City of St. Petersburg

Jared Beck, AICP, Stantec

Tiffany David, AICP, Tiffany David, LLC

David Dixon, FAIA, Stantec

John Zeanah, AICP, Memphis and Shelby County, Tenn.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

WAVES OF CHANGE

They Passed WHAT This Year?! And What Your Communities Can Do About It

1 LAW CM l Room 124

Every year, at the end of the legislative session, planners across the state look at each other and say: What just passed? And more importantly – what do planners need to do to account for these laws? Join us in our annual tradition of discussing and providing community toolbox solutions for the latest curveballs, as we discuss SB 328 (Live Local Act updates) and HB 7073, HB 1365 (Homelessness), and major school planning items that will affect how you may need to approach your land use and development regulations, including amendments and policy updates.

PRESENTERS

Kathie Ebaugh, FAICP, JBPro

Kody Glazer, JD, Florida Housing Coalition

Edward Ng, AICP, The Corrradino Group

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5 8:15a - 9:15a

WAVES OF CHANGE

Future of Leadership. Now.

1 CM l Room 118

The world is changing rapidly. Technology is advancing at unbelievable speed. What does this mean to the future of work and the future of leadership? What do we need to do to evolve the world of work to keep up with this rate of change? This session will explore the 4 key things organizations and leaders need to focus on to stay relevant.

PRESENTERS

GULF BREEZES & URBAN SEAS

Resilient Communities: Lessons from Hurricane Ian

1 SR CM l Room 121

This session will demonstrate the realities of the devastation experienced from Hurricane Ian. We will cover factors affecting land use planning along with new resilient regulations and incentives for stronger protections to guide development and to help address social equity and economic impacts, including reduced insurance rates and claims. We will highlight Babcock Ranch, a great model for a sustainable and resilient community that fared well during Hurricane Ian. This session will also identify opportunities and strategies to take advantage of funding programs to build more resilient communities.

Jessica Harrison, CAM, CIC, ARM, Brown & Brown Insurance

Tyler Kitson, Kitson & Partners

Paula McMichael, AICP, City of Sanibel

James Paulmann, FAICP, Stantec

Diane Quigley, AICP, CFM, WEDG, Stantec

GULF BREEZES & URBAN SEAS

Florida Coastal Planning Research from USF 1 CM l Room 122

PRESENTER

Dave Clare, Circle Leadership

PLANNERS IN PARADISE

Effectively Communicating with Elected Officials

1 CM l Room 120

Planning is inherently political. It can often feel like a minefield to navigate and garner support for recommendations. This panel will delve into the relationship between planners and elected officials, exploring approaches to enhance communication for more impactful decision-making. A panel of seasoned professionals and elected officials will discuss how to approach different political scenarios, tailor messages to resonate with diverse stakeholders, approach politically challenging topics, and leverage data and planning tools to make convincing recommendations. Join us to elevate your communication skills and drive positive change in policy-making.

PRESENTERS

This session highlights coastal planning research from USF’s Urban and Regional Planning program and research documenting Florida local government policies for accommodating or limiting residential density in the Coastal High Hazard Area. The panelists will highlight a trend toward accommodating density using criteria and features two case studies of different appraoches and share a GIS model on sea level rise of the Shore Acres neighborhood in St Petersburg.

Samad Agha, University of South Florida

Steven Fernandez, MA, GISP, CCM, University of South Florida

Evangeline Linkous, AICP, Ph.D., University of South Florida

PRESENTERS

Whit Blanton, FAICP, Forward Pinellas

Gina Driscoll, City of St. Petersburg

Gwen Myers, Hillsborough County BOCC

Andrew Ross, City of Temple Terrace

Melissa Zornitta, FAICP, Hillsborough County CityCounty Planning Commission

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Empowering Growth for Small Town Prosperity

1 CM l Room 123

This panel explores methodologies and opportunities available to planners looking to inspire changes in small towns that can lead to economic growth and prosperity. Panelists from the University of Florida and the City of Newberry will examine their collaborative project as a case study and discover innovative and cost-effective placemaking approaches that create spaces for locals to connect and thrive. The projects proposed to address the needs of current and future businesses, foster community and inclusivity, and improve visibility. The panelists will explore dynamic strategies for downtown development, unlocking economic potential while fostering a sense of community.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5 9:30a - 10:30a

WAVES OF CHANGE

AI for Restoration and Invasive Species Control

1 CM l Room 118

PRESENTERS

Abhinav Alakshendra, Ph.D., University of Florida

Ari Rabinovich, University of Florida

Uma Sarmistha, Ph.D., City of Newberry

Bryan Thomas, AICP, CPM, City of Newberry

GULF BREEZES & URBAN SEAS

Safe Streets: Using Trees to Transform Urban Life

1 EQ CM l Room 124

Often treated as “nice to have” and removed from project budgets when things get tight, street trees are essential to creating safer, healthier communities. Attendees will learn about pedestrian safety, greenspace equity, and successful integration of street trees into urban plans. Presenters will discuss connections between pedestrian safety and Tree Equity scores, ways trees positively impact urban planning, and tree planting space recommendations and solutions based on urban forestry research. This multidisciplinary discussion of Green Infrastructure will empower attendees to create spaces that are safer, more resilient, and better able to facilitate connections between nature and people of all backgrounds.

PRESENTERS

Hillsborough County manages 68,000 acres of environmental lands in a rapidly developing landscape. Invasive grass species, stimulated by climate change, infest these areas, becoming fire hazards at the wildland-urban interface. The County needed to map infestations rapidly and efficiently with quality data to help manage habitats and appropriate resources. Machine learning and advanced remote sensing technologies (high-resolution satellites and drones) are revolutionizing the scale, efficiency, and quality of natural resource data collection and analysis. This session will provide land managers with the knowledge and understanding to effectively use these technologies to enhance their analysis and decision-making.

Mary Barnwell, MNR, CERP, ISA Arborist, Hillsborough County

Tim Boesch, AICP, CDM Smith

Brendan Brown, PWS, CDM Smith

WAVES OF CHANGE

The (non?)State of Inclusionary Zoning in Florida

1 LAW CM l Room 120

It’s been five years since the legislature placed statutory limitations on the use of mandatory inclusionary zoning (IZ) via House Bill 7103 (2019). Using local experience, case studies, and legal analysis, this panel will address the pressing question: is it time to move on from mandatory IZ as a realistic option in Florida? Or are there circumstances where mandatory IZ can still make sense? This panel will explore how policymakers can comply with the legal requirement to “fully offset all costs” associated with mandatory IZ and lean into how voluntary incentives and by-right zoning reforms can facilitate affordable housing growth.

PRESENTERS

Katie Habgood, AICP, Patel, Greene and Associates

Deb Hilbert, Ph.D., University of Florida

PRESENTERS

Ali Ankudowich, AICP, Florida Housing Coalition

Ivy Bell, Alachua County

Kody Glazer, Esq., Florida Housing Coalition

Minjee Kim, Ph.D., Florida State University

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Preserving & Activating Tampa’s Union Station

1 CM l Room 121

Built in 1912, and nearly lost to aggressive highway expansion in the 1980s, Tampa Union Station is one of Florida’s oldest remaining active passenger rail stations and is also the NYC-Miami Amtrak Silver Star’s busiest station by ridership. Now publicly-owned, the non-profit group, Friends of Tampa Union Station, is working with the City of Tampa and other partners to preserve this landmark for generations to come. This panel-style presentation will touch on the station’s role in Tampa’s history through the lens of the Friends’ three priorities: the current restoration, future activation, and preservation of long-distance passenger rail service in Tampa.

PRESENTERS

Jerel McCants, AIA, Jerel McCants Architecture

Jackson McQuigg, Atlanta History Center

Brandie Miklus, AICP, PSG

Robert Modys, AICP, CNU-A, Benesch

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Protecting Community Character: Lessons Learned

1 SR CM l Room 122

Design is a powerful planning tool to preserve the identity and character of our communities while enhancing economic development and embracing sustainability. Presenters will discuss the City of Lake Worth Beach’s innovative approach to design, sustainability, and carbon neutrality; the City of Boca Raton’s concise and in-depth design guidelines; and the Village of Tequesta’s approach to redevelopment emphasizing community vision and design. This panel will focus on lessons learned and strategies to protect our Florida built and natural environment under pressure by market driven developments.

PRESENTERS

BRIDGING THE BAY

FDOT & Sarasota Advance Local ContextBased Design

1 CM l Room 123

In 2018, FDOT created a context-based design manual to align land use and community goals with the speed and design of state roads serving those communities. Since then, local agencies have expressed increased interest in integrating context classification into their processes to improve the safety and livability of streets. FDOT and the City of Sarasota will share lessons learned and efforts to advance context-sensitive design on state and local streets. Sarasota will share their new contextbased design manual. FDOT will share outcomes of their context-based approach and updates to the Context Classification Guide and Florida Greenbook to support local streets.

Corinne Arriaga, AICP, CPH, City of Sarasota

Alvimarie Corales, AICP, City of Sarasota

Jacqueline Morris, CPM, ATD, CNU-A, FDOT

Jennifer Musselman, PE, Kittelson & Associates

GULF BREEZES & URBAN SEAS

Tools for Charting Resilient Futures

1 CM l Room 124

PRESENTERS

Sara Benbasat, Chen Moore and Associates

Brandon Schaad, AICP, City of Boca Raton

Erin Sita, AICP, City of Boca Raton

William Waters, AIA, NCARB, City of Lake Worth Beach

Nilsa Zacarias, AICP, Chen Moore and Associates

PRESENTERS

This session features innovative tools and methods for resiliency planning that empower planners, decision makers, and the public with credible data, visualizations, and insights into future flood risks. Topics include: Resilient Cedar Key, a dashboard that explores the impacts of compound flooding under different sea level rise scenarios; Arkly, a tool for homeowners to explore their flood risk and insurance options; HighTide, a tool for local governments to support flood vulnerability assessments; AOI Tool Resilience Report, which generates an analysis of flood hazards for a userspecified area; and exciting methods to model the city of Fort Myers using unreal engine.

Jeff Carney, AICP, AIA, University of Florida

Changjie Chen, Ph.D, University of Florida

Crystal Goodison, University of Florida

Adrian Santiago Tate, HighTide

Dennis Smith, AICP, Florida State University

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7 11a - Noon

PLANNERS IN PARADISE

Complete Streets and Equitable Streets: From Rhetoric to Results 1 EQ CM l Room 118

Florida experienced 824 pedestrian fatalities in 2022. Vision Zero. Walkability. Equity in Transportation. Complete Streets. Multi-modal transportation. While these terms have become more commonplace at Chamber lunches and Commission meetings across Florida, new highways and road expansions far outpace the number of road diets and other complete street projects. According to the US Census, 8.3% of occupied housing units have no vehicles available. A Smart Growth America’s 2022 Dangerous by Design report found that people of color, particularly Native and Black Americans are more likely to die while walking than any other race or ethnic group. Improving pedestrian safety within our transportation systems is an issue at the forefront of the Equity in Transportation movement. Expanding complete streets and multimodal opportunities will improve transportation equity by fostering safety and accessibility for all users. Join us for a discussion on how we can do a better job of implementing these improvements across Florida.

PRESENTERS

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Bridging Hope: Inclusive Spaces & Collective Impact

1 CM l Room 121

The built environment, public spaces, and community services, profoundly shapes residents’ wellbeing and social connectedness. For the LGBTQ+ community, fear of discrimination in these spaces hinders accessibility, contributing to social isolation and health disparities. By fostering inclusive, safe, and accessible environments, we aim to enhance the health of marginalized communities. Through strategic infrastructure, support, and training, we create spaces that promote not only physical health but also social cohesion, ensuring equitable access to services and opportunities. This session equips planners with knowledge and tools needed to create more inclusive and accessible spaces, promoting diversity and equity in the planning process.

Michael Roman, City of Miami

Michelle Varas, City of Miami

WAVES OF CHANGE

PRESENTERS PRESENTERS

Alex Bond, USDOT

George Kramer, AICP, Inspire Placemaking Collective

Valerie Neilson, AICP, Palm Beach TPA

Bessie Reina, CNU-A, FDOT

PLANNERS IN PARADISE

Finding Your Place in Planning 1 EQ CM l Room 120

A Planner to Leader session series focused on the dynamic landscape of planning and endless possibilities to create a career tailored to your aspirations. The sessions in the “Planner to Leader” series span early, mid, and advanced career topics. This session is aimed at the mid-career planner, but concepts will be useful for any level. The panelists will aim to contribute to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace by recognizing diversity, challenging norms and stereotypes, breaking down barriers, and promoting empowerment and knowledge sharing. Join us as we discuss identifying your role in planning, providing insights to help you confidently navigate the diverse landscape of planning and find your unique and fulfilling space within it. Discussion topics will include the role of higher education, cultivating a personal brand, skill development, salary considerations, guidance on pivotal career decisions, navigating the public sector, and effectively leveraging employer support while recognizing diversity, challenging norms and stereotypes, breaking down barriers, and promoting empowerment and knowledge sharing.

Alvimarie Corales, AICP, City of Sarasota

Kyle Dost, AICP, University of Florida

Kayla Huetten, AICP, Benesch

Sofia Thordin, AICP, LEED GA, Benesch

PRESENTERS

Infill and Redevelopment for Diverse Housing Needs

1 CM l Room 122

Join us for an in-depth exploration of innovative housing typologies tailored to Florida’s urban fabric. This session delves into strategies for maximizing space and efficiency on narrow infill lots. Despite the potential for efficient and sustainable land use, many local policies pose challenges to implementation. From navigating zoning restrictions to addressing community concerns, learn how to overcome barriers and advocate for policies that support compact, inclusive, and environmentally conscious development.

Brian Canin, FAICP, AIA, CNU-A, Kimley-Horn Elisabeth Dang, AICP, City of Orlando

Katy Magruder, AICP, CNU-A, LEED GA, Kimley-Horn

Douglas Metzger, AICP, City of Orlando

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

GULF BREEZES & URBAN SEAS

The Undeniable Power of Urban Green Spaces

1 SR CM l Room 123

Cities are working hard to improve equitable access to urban green spaces as more evidence indicates the undeniable benefits of these spaces on community well-being, resiliency, and sustainability. This session will touch on topics such as environmental justice, green gentrification, and social determinants of health and seeks to understand the role of the built environment on sustainable places. The session will focus on research and takeaways for public agencies to advance equitable green spaces and social justice. Learn about innovative tools and partnerships to better integrate nature into your city while also balancing the potential consequences of green gentrification.

PRESENTERS

Viniece Jennings, NOAA Center for Coastal & Marine Ecosystems

Hadley Peterson, AICP, Kimley-Horn

BRIDGING THE

BAY

Vision to Action SR 44 Interchange Management Area

1 CM l Room 124

Learn how Citrus County took a proactive approach to establish the area around the new Suncoast Parkway Extension and SR 44 interchange as an area for economic development, mixed-use development, and an efficient transportation system. It was a cooperative approach between the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) and Citrus County. TBRPC prepared a study of development alternatives for the new interchange area that provided the basis for Citrus County to take the Focused Growth development alternative and transform it to comprehensive plan future land use policies and a new zoning district.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7 1:45p - 2:45p

WAVES OF CHANGE

Game of Zones 2.0: Now in 3-D!

1 CM l Room 118

The wildly popular Game of Zones session from 2023 is back and now in 3-D! Join us for a hands-on session on how to run a zoning code stress test to demonstrate the barriers to Missing Middle Housing. Places seeking more housing choices are often stymied by their existing code requirements around lot size, setbacks, frontages, parking, and lot coverage limits. We will examine a traditional Euclidean code as participants try to fit scaled models of various missingmiddle building types in a traditional neighborhood block. The block game boards will be from the North Greenwood CRA in Clearwater.

PRESENTERS

Brad Cornelius, AICP, CPM, CFM, Wade Trim

Joanna Coutu, AICP, Citrus County

Sarah Vitale, AICP, Tampa Bay RPC

Amanda Warner, AICP, Wade Trim

PRESENTERS

John Anderson, CNU-A Fellow, Anderson Kim

Catherine Hartley, AICP, CNU-A, Benesch

Jennifer Krouse, Liberty House Plans

Jayme Lopko, AICP, City of Clearwater

Ivy Vann, AICP, CNU-A

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Complete Neighborhoods Retail Best Practices

1 CM l Room 120

Walkable, 15-Minute neighborhoods rely on businesses offering the daily retail goods and services needed and desired by their households. Delicious cafes, well stocked groceries and attentive personal services, embedded within a community can foster a desirable quality of life and ecological sustainability advocated by the New Urbanism. This interactive workshop will illustrate the market based design and management practices required for economically sustainable neighborhood stores and centers. The site location, business types, sizes, building, architectural, and management best practices will be illustrated with hands-on actionable applications.

PRESENTERS

Robert Gibbs, AICP, FASLA, Gibbs Planning Group Gary Hoyt, AIA, Hoyt Architects

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

COMMUNITY

BLUEPRINT

A Deep Dive Into the 2024 APA Trends Report

1 CM l Room 121

We live in a world of accelerating change and increased uncertainty. Planners help their communities navigate change and give advice on preparing for an uncertain future. However, conventional planning practices don’t include the future even as they plan for it. Most plans reflect data from the past and assumptions from today, but don’t represent what’s on the horizon. In order to create resilient and equitable plans for the future, planners need to include the future. This presentation describes emerging trends that will be important for planners to consider and introduces ways to make sense of the future. With foresight (i.e. understanding potential future trends and knowing how to prepare for them) in mind, planners can guide change, create more sustainable and equitable outcomes, and establish themselves as critical to a thriving community.

PRESENTERS

GULF BREEZES & URBAN SEAS

Tampa’s First Climate Action & Equity Plan

1 CM l Room 123

In 2023, the City of Tampa released its first Climate Action & Equity Plan (CAEP). In addition to a comprehensive energy analysis, the plan includes detailed recommendations pertaining to Energy, Water and Wastewater, Transportation and Land Use, Waste Management, Housing and Development, Community, Habitat and Environment, Food, and Governance. The CLEO Institute assisted with the community outreach effort with a focus on underserved communities. Upon its release, City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor issued Executive Order 2023-03 requiring that proposed infrastructure and capital projects in the City be in congruence with the CAEP recommendations.

Brian Cook, Applied Sciences Consulting Whit Remer, City of Tampa

BRIDGING THE BAY

PRESENTER

PRESENTERS

Sagar Shah, AICP, Ph.D., American Planning Association

COMMUNITY

BLUEPRINT

Bringing a Real Estate Lens to Redevelop Midtown

1 EQ CM l Room 122

The Fort Myers region has seen significant growth in recent years, with increased population and successful Downtown reinvestment. However, the underutilized News-Press site and former Boston Red Sox training facility have contributed to Midtown’s lack of vitality, despite its location adjacent to downtown. interest in walkable communities suggest significant demand for places to live, work, and play in this urban neighborhood. This session will share real estate strategies and promising initiatives breathing new life into Midtown, including approaches to placemaking and communitybuilding, infrastructure and gateways, and improved connectivity and inclusion. In addition, hear about hurricane recovery efforts and updates.

Cassandra Francis, FAICP, CRE, FRICS, FCIArb, MLAI, LEED AP BD+C, KARIATID

Monica Hagewood, CRE, Strata Real Estate Alliance

Jonathan Romine, RLA, Collaboratory

PRESENTERS

Walk, Bike, Thrive: Cape Coral’s Mobility Era

1 EQ CM l Room 124

Dive into the first step to transforming Cape Coral’s transportation system as a panel of key team members present and discuss the city’s inaugural multimodal transportation master plan. This panel explores the shift away from a car-centric past towards a future focused on safety, equity, and connectivity. Crafted collaboratively with community input, the master plan charts an innovative course resulting in nearly 300 program, policy, and project recommendations. Join the conversation to learn of the diverse perspectives and challenges encountered during this plan, showcasing the commitment to a more sustainable, vibrant, and inclusive urban landscape for Cape Coral’s future.

Ned Baier, AICP, Volkert, Inc.

Laura Dodd, AICP, City of Cape Coral

Sara Kovachich, PLA, Alta Planning & Design, Inc.

Rob Schiffer, AICP, FuturePlan Consulting

Chris Zuppa, Volkert, Inc.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7 3:15 - 4:15p

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Longevity by Design

1 CM l Room 118

Participants will be introduced to a new urbanist community, Amelia Park, located in Fernandina Beach, by developer, Joel Embry. Tim Chapin, Dean of FSU’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy will discuss an initiative to help unlock how community design can amplify social interactions and influence wellbeing. FSU’s Barnebey Planning Lab staff, Dennis J. Smith, AICP, and Billie Ventimiglia, with graduate student Marion Knowles, will guide participants through interactive stations to demonstrate techniques for understanding the needs of aging populations and how to maximize urban design, public programs, and private sector solutions to meet these needs.

PRESENTERS

Tim Chapin, Ph.D., Florida State University

Joel Embry, Civic Software

Marion Knowles, Florida State University

Dennis Smith, AICP, Florida State University

Billie Ventimiglia, Florida State University

PLANNERS

IN PARADISE

Planners as Expert Witnesses (90 Min)

1 LAW CM l Room 120

The session teaches techniques for planners to testify as expert witnesses in both the private sector and public sector arenas. An emphasis is placed on how to survive a cross-examination by opposing counsel. The session includes lecture and role-playing.

PRESENTERS

BRIDGING THE BAY

Grand Central: A New Vibrant Main Street for ALL!

1 CM l Room 122

In 1996, Central Avenue (west of downtown St. Petersburg), was a high speed four-lane roadway with parallel parking. The problem? Shops were dying on the vine as motorists flew right by them. The solution? Slow the !@#$ down by converting Central Avenue to two-lanes with angled parking. In 1997, before Complete Streets, Vision Zero, Road Dieting (forget about Lane Repurposing), City staff worked with the business community to effect change -with NO MONEY! This discussion panel focusses on the growing pains of reinventing Central Avenue from its original implementation; evolving multi-modal and infrastructure development; and business & diverse community participation.

Whit Blanton, FAICP, Forward Pinellas

Angelo Rao, PE, Kittelson and Associates

Nicole Roberts, CEM, St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership

Cheryl Stacks, AICP, PE, PTOE, City of St. Petersburg

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Spin City: Collaboration in Planning

1 CM l Room 123

PRESENTERS

Allara Mills-Gutcher, AICP, The Planning Collaborative

David Theriaque, Esq., Theriaque & Spain

WAVES OF CHANGE

Data + School Choice + Facility Plans

Build Equity

1 EQ CM l Room 121

Brevard County School District’s Student Accommodation Plan is a critical component of school planning and an effective example of a best school planning practice. The plan synthesizes a multitude of essential data points and uses GIS to effectively illustrate data trends and their spatial implications. As a collaborative effort across departments, it provides community stakeholders a transparent look into the basis for school district planning and decision making. This presentation will showcase the Plan and provide an overview of how school district data, especially geospatial data, influences school facility plans and school choice programs and addresses student equity.

PRESENTERS

Miami-Dade County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) is spearheading the inaugural Countywide Transportation Master Plan. This panel will spotlight the meticulous, equitable, and efficient process of project evaluation and prioritization, emphasizing deep engagement across departments, the community, CBOs, and municipalities. Insights will be shared on fostering collaboration and leveraging tools to ensure fairness and effectiveness in planning endeavors of similar scale for other agencies.

County: Come ready to learn how to position yourself as a strong, regional transportation leader.

Municipalities: We will provide the tools to position you as a better counterpart to deliver projects together with partners.

Lisa Colmenares, AICP, Miami-Dade County

Erin Emmons, GISP, Kimley-Horn and Associates

Alyssa Goldberg, MST, EXP

PRESENTERS

Karen Black, AICP, Brevard County School District

MelindaMaier, Ph.D., Brevard County School District

Saralee Morrissey, FAICP, Saralee Morrissey Consulting

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

BRIDGING THE BAY

SunRunner: Sowing the Seeds for Community Assets

1 CM l Room 124

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) and City of St. Petersburg worked cooperatively to develop the SunRunner bus rapid transit project. The first federally funded premium transit service in the Tampa Bay region, it features 15-minute headways, long operating hours, and rapid service. Key partners came together over a twenty-year time period to complete a community asset that is not just multimodal but also an important investment helping to spawn economic development.

PRESENTERS

Tim Boesch, AICP, PMP, CDM Smith

Abhishek Dayal, AICP, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority

Tom Whalen, AICP, CTP, ENV SP, City of St. Petersburg

Catherine Woods, C Glass Studio

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7 4:30 - 5:30p

PLANNERS IN PARADISE Management Lessons from the Bravoverse

1 CM l Room 118

Captain Jason. Lisa Vanderpump. Kandi Burress. Andy Cohen. The Bravoverse is full of the good and the bad examples of leadership. This panel will be a fun take on real world challenges that planners face as they move into management. Using leadership, teamwork and personnel management examples from Bravo reality tv shows, this panel of HR professionals and planners will discuss leadership, management and human resource techniques necessary to create an inclusive and welcoming workplace. Learn how not to repeat the mistakes of those Bravolebrities.

PRESENTERS

PLANNERS IN PARADISE Ethics Family Feud!

1 ETHICS CM l Room 121

Join your planning family in an exciting interactive session on ethics - Family Feud style! An overview of elements of the code of ethics and recent ethics cases will be presented in a ‘Family Feud’ style. Meeting participants may be asked to participate to answer the ‘survey’ questions. For example “Top 5 answers on the board - name the top areas of ethics violations in the Southeast in 2023?”

Discussion on each of the ethics “questions” will be led by the session moderators after each round of play. Will you pass, or play?

Tina Demostene, AICP, M/I Homes

Mindelyn Heath, AICP, CDM Smith

Jennifer Stults, AICP CTP, CPM, FCCM, Renaissance Planning

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Design Thinking in Planning Practice and Education

1 CM l Room 122

This session examines the growing trend of design thinking and its applicability to urban and regional planning. It is presented from the experience of practicing planners and faculty from the University of Florida and Florida State University design and planning programs, that are applying design thinking in planning education. Examples from planning studio courses, as well as real-world applications from City of Tallahassee planners are shared with lessons learned and best practices.

PRESENTERS

Megan Betourney, SPHR, PlanHillsborough

Danni Jorgenson, AICP, PE, H. W. Lochner

Melissa Zornitta, FAICP, PlanHillsborough

PRESENTERS

Kyle Dost, AICP, University of Florida

Laurel Harbin, AICP, Ph.D., LEED AP, University of Florida

Devan Leavin, University of Florida

Meghan Mick, RLA, LEED AP, Florida State University

WAVES OF CHANGE

Regional Housing Initiative, Five Years Later

1 EQ CM l Room 123

In 2019, APA recognized the outstanding work associated with Central Florida’s Regional Affordable Housing Initiative (RAHI), an example of local action benefiting from purposeful interjurisdictional coordination. Five years later, the involved jurisdictions share their accomplishments, continuing challenges, and lessons learned in the context of the envisioned RAHI.

PRESENTERS

Owen Beitsch, FAICP, Ph.D., GAI Community Solutions Group

Susan Caswell, AICP, Osceola County

Elizabeth Dang, AICP, City of Orlando

Mitchell Glasser, Orange County

Rebecca Hammock, AICP, Seminole County

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

BRIDGING THE BAY

Regional Cooperation for Transportation Options?

1 CM l Room 124

The Factors of Affordability, Connectivity, Land Use and Transportation in the current and future Economic , Social Well-Being and Stability of Tampa Bay. Examining how regional cooperation in a fast-growth region such as Tampa Bay can address the issues of housing affordability, transportation connectivity, and mobility options. Led by a 2018 qualitative research conducted with industry experts in Tampa Bay and the climate today as we navigate the changing dynamics for the future.

Whit Blanton, FAICP, Forward Pinellas

Brian Caper, AICP, City of St Petersburg

Lucia Fariss, Ph.D., Tampa Bay Partnership

Shrimatee Ojah-Maharaj, AICP, DBA., City of St Petersburg

Johnny Wong, Ph.D., Plan Hillsborough

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8 8:15a - 9:15a

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Better Neighborhoods, Healthier Lifestyles

1 CM l Room 118

Community-driven plans for Lake Wales are guiding growth and conservation, focusing on design to support sustainability, equity, and active living. Lake Wales Connected (2019) revives an Olmsted Brothers plan, establishing a strategy for revitalization of the historic Downtown and adjacent Northwest neighborhood. Lake Wales Envisioned (2023) widens the scope to the city and region, anticipating infill as well as future growth at the edge. This session highlights responses to opportunities/challenges shared in peer communities throughout the state (sprawl and climate migration trends, historic preservation, environmental protection, mobility) with a specific focus on neighborhood design and impacts to public health.

PRESENTERS

WAVES OF CHANGE

Empowering Florida Communities with LID+GSI

1 SR CM l Room 120

As Florida strives to dramatically improve resiliency and increase sustainable development practices, it is essential to prioritize low-impact development (LID) and green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) strategies to mitigate flooding and improve water quality while accommodating the needs of our growing communities. The panel discusses a FDEO-funded Community Planning Technical Assistance grant project offering recommendations for incorporating LID and nature-based GSI best management practices and incentives into local codes to facilitate LID+GSI in site planning and stormwater management.

Ginger Adair, Volusia County Eban Bean, Ph.D., PE, University of Florida

M. Jennison Kipp, University of Florida

Michelle Morrison, East Central Florida RPC

Gerald Murphy, AICP, JD, CFM, University of Florida

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Importance of Industrial & Implications of LLA

1 LAW CM l Room 121

This panel will dive into the importance of industrial lands in ensuring a proper land use mix amidst competing residential & Live Local Act (LLA) related affordable housing pressure. This panel will offer: 1) a comprehensive LLA legal update as most recently passed by the Legislature 2024 and changes from 2023; 2) perspectives from both private & public attorneys regarding challenges .posed by the latest LLA while balancing the provision of affordable housing with counties’ attempts to preserve industrial lands; and 3) a case study where the public & private planners collaborated on unique conditions of approval to overcome opposition.

PRESENTERS

Victor Dover, FAICP, CNU Fellow, Dover, Kohl & Partners

Joanna Lombard, AIA, LEED AP, ACSA DP, University of Miami

Steve Postma, CNU-A, Dover, Kohl & Partners

PRESENTERS

Robyn Baker, AICP, CPM, City of Plant City

David Goldstein, Esq., Pasco County

Nicole MacInnes, Esq., Stearns Weaver Miller

Tom Ryan, CEcD, Pasco Economic Development Council

Cynthia Spidell, AICP, Stearns Weaver Miller

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

GULF BREEZES & URBAN SEAS

Creative Preservation as a Resiliency Tool

1 SR CM l Room 122

Climate adaptation and resilience policy is quickly evolving -- and with it, so are the roles of planners and preservationists. The Urban Design and Preservation Division created and deployed the Design and Preservation Rapid Assistance Team (D-PRAT) to solve problems in collaboration with local governments and community organizations. D-PRAT has cultivated a plan and process that will help North Miami understand the impact of resiliency planning as a preservation tool. This program offers a model that can be applied to communities from small rural areas to dense urban centers.

PRESENTERS

Sarah Cody, Miami-Dade County

Hadley Peterson, AICP, Kimley-Horn

Paula Christina Viala, LEED AP ND, ENV SP, WELL AP, LFA, City of North Miami

GULF BREEZES & URBAN SEAS

Surprisingly Synergistic Relationships

1 SR CM l Room 123

Resiliency planning takes into account numerous threats and risks including extreme weather events, droughts, flooding, and the effects of prolonged temperature changes to natural resources, wildlife, agriculture, and community economic and cultural wellbeing. This panel will discuss the unusual partnerships formed through identification of common ground and desire to accomplish multiple goals through collaboration, as well as the ability to impact equity, diversity, and inclusion of disadvantaged communities as a planning consideration.

Jennifer Codo-Salisbury, AICP, MPA, Central Florida RPC

Josh Daskin, Ph.D., Archbold Biological Station Ret. Lt. Col Charles “Buck” MacLaughlin, Avon Park Air Force Range

Sheila McNamara, SFP, Central Florida RPC

Jeff Schmucker, AICP, Central Florida RPC

BRIDGING THE BAY

Where Can I Park My Truck? Truck Parking Solutions

1 CM l Room 124

Did you know truck drivers carry nearly 80 percent of the goods Floridians buy at their local stores? The trucking industry is a critical link in keeping Florida’s supply chain network strong, and time is money for truck drivers. Lost time looking for parking wastes fuel, increases costs, and eventually leads to higher prices for consumers. Parking shortages also force drivers to park in unauthorized locations that creates hazards for themselves and others. This panel discussion will highlight innovative approaches and solutions to improve safe truck parking access across Florida.

PRESENTERS

Holly Cohen, AICP, FDOT

David Haight, FAICP, LEED AP ND, AtkinsRealis Alix Miller, Florida Trucking Association

Marie Tucker, FCCM, FDOT

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8 9:30a - 10:30a

GULF BREEZES & URBAN SEAS

Beyond Climate: Local Resilience and the Comp Plan

1 SR CM l Room 118

Learn how to leverage your local comprehensive plan update process to address community resilience holistically. The City of North Miami recently instilled its comprehensive plan framework with innovative policies and new elements that address sustainability and resilience beyond climate issues. In this session, representatives from the City and its consultant team will share useful lessons about systems thinking, approaching resilience and sustainability comprehensively, and turning community resilience policy into action.

PRESENTERS

Karla Ebenbach, AICP, LEED GA, Ebenbach Consulting LLC

Debbie Love, AICP, City of North Miami

Silvia Vargas, FAICP, LEED AP, Calvin, Giordano & Associates

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

WAVES OF CHANGE

Artificial Intelligence in Workplace

1 SR CM l Room 120

Are you using AI to increase efficiency at work by generating text or images? Are your co-workers using it? Do you know when using AI might violate our ethical requirements as a certified planner? Join us for a discussion to learn how planners are using AI to improve efficiency at work, to explore the ethics surrounding its use (both as public and private planners), and to review some sample employer policies governing its use.

PRESENTERS

Wiatt Bowers, AICP, AtkinsRealis

Sabrina Dugan, MyQuantum.ai

Laura Everitt, AICP, Esq., LEED GA, Benesch

Melissa Zornitta, FAICP, Hillsborough County CityCounty Planning Commission

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Arterial Transformation and Inclusive Design

1 CM l Room 121

FDOT is focused on enhancing safety and mobility for all. This session will focus on recent FDOT District 5 projects - S.R. 426 in the City of Winter Park and S.R. 501 in Brevard County. The S.R. 426 Coalition brought together stakeholders to vet alternatives to increase the safety and modal accessibility. FDM traffic calming measures provided opportunities for improved livability to support goals of reducing fatal crashes while improving multi-modal access. This session will highlight the community’s integration into this plan, progressive design alternatives, and collaboration between the stakeholders. S.R. 501 focused on reducing speeds and improving pedestrian safety.

PRESENTERS

PLANNERS IN PARADISE

Shifting Gears: Collaborating on Safety 1 CM l Room 123

Ensuring the safety of roadways for travelers of all modes is a collaborative process that involves stakeholders across state and local government agencies, advocacy groups, research communities, and between the private and the public sectors. Panelists will discuss noteworthy practices for datadriven safety coordination between Florida Counties and first responder agencies, including how these approaches relate to the Safe System Approach and Vision Zero. Session attendees will get an in-depth explanation of how collaboration supports transportation safety, what collaboration approaches are currently in use in Florida, and strategies to support cross-agency collaboration on key issues.

Tia Boyd, AICP, University of South Florida

Taylor Dinehart, AICP, University of South Florida

Jeff Kramer, AICP, University of South Florida

Lama Alfaseeh, Ph.D., PMP, Hillsborough County

COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT

Putting the Great in Greater Lacoochee Community 1 EQ CM l Room 124

PRESENTERS

Christine Fanchi, PE, PTP, RSP1, WSP USA

Mark Trebitz, PE, FDOT

PLANNERS IN PARADISE

Cultivate, Navigate, and Elevate Leadership Roles

1 EQ CM l Room 122

This session in the Planner to Leader series is dedicated to initiatives catering to mid-career planners, offering insights into goal-setting, attaining leadership roles, creating diverse and inclusive work environments, and maintaining success in leadership positions. Attendees can expect strategies, resources, and reflections aimed at propelling their careers forward while navigating the shift in workplace culture from unconciuos bias to fulfilling and inclusive environments. This panel and breakout group serves as an opportunity for individuals to receive guidance, and foster both personal and professional development, empowering them to excel in the challenging and dynamic field of planning.

PRESENTERS

Steven Cover, AICP, City of Sarasota

Danni Jorgenson, AICP, PE, H. W. Lochner

Uma Sarmistha, Ph.D., City of Sarasota

Clarence Sirmons, AICP, City of Riviera Beach

Heather Urwiller, AICP, CFM, LPG Urban and Regional Planners LLC

The Greater Lacoochee Community is in northeast Pasco County. This community is underserved and has been in decline since the late 1950’s. The session will walk attendees through the past few years of the county’s planning efforts to improve the community while sharing lessons learned from creating a listen first mentality and empowering the community to advocate for policy changes. The panel will discuss the new implementation plan to harnesses the community’s spirit and desires for progress and prosperity.

Chris Dougherty, AICP, Inspire Placemaking Collective

Nick Hill, AICP, Inspire Placemaking Collective

Hayat Mazili, CPM, Pasco County

Nectarios Pittos, AICP, CPM, Pasco County

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

THANK YOU TO OUR ANNUAL SPONSORS

DIAMOND ANNUAL

SAPPHIRE ANNUAL

EMERALD ANNUAL

RUBY ANNUAL