FLORIDA PLANNING A Publication of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association
Spring 2017
www.floridaplanning.org
City of Alachua:
How to Use Your Community Redevelopment Agency for Economic Development in a Rural Community By Adam Hall, AICP Located in northern Alachua County, the City of Alachua (pop. 9,892) has historically been a rural community whose economy was based primarily on agricultural production. Because of its proximity to both the University of Florida and I-75, the city has begun transitioning to sectors like biotechnology and logistics, but agriculture is still an important component. Similar to many small, rural communities, one of its greatest assets is its historic downtown. Located off of US Highway 441, it has been home to many local businesses over the years. Like most places, the Great Recession resulted in the closure of some of these businesses, continued on page 3
OTHER FEATURES
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
6
Florida’s Land Trusts
8
Rural Land Stewardship Area Lessons Learned
9
Small Towns Have Networks Too
11
Creating Safe Routes to School in Rural Communities
12
13
Three Comp Plans APA Florida Garner National 2017 Conference Recognition
16 17
APA Ambassadors
2 Planners 1 Challenge
President’s Message - p. 3 Planner Q&A - p. 18 APA Florida Working for You - p. 19 Planners on the Move - p. 20 Consultants Directory - p. 21 Events - back page
The Florida Chapter of APA provides statewide leadership in the development of sustainable communities by advocating excellence in planning, providing professional development for its members, and working to protect and enhance the natural and built environments.
[APA FLORIDA] KEY CONTACTS - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Name Phone
APA Florida Executive Committee President
Andre Anderson, AICP
407-957-8428
president@floridaplanning.org
President-Elect
Laura Everitt, AICP, Esq., LEED GA
813-224-8862
presidentelect@floridaplanning.org
Sun Coast Section
Stephen Benson, AICP, CNU-A
813-975-6255
suncoast@floridaplanning.org
VP Professional Development
Henry Bittaker, AICP
561-523-0678
profdevelopment@floridaplanning.org
VP Conference Services
Wiatt Bowers, AICP
904-363-8488
conferencesvcs@floridaplanning.org
University Liaison
Jeff Brown
850-644-8519
university@floridaplanning.org
Student Representative
Les Brown
students@floridaplanning.org
Orlando Metro Section
Jason Burton, AICP
407-246-3389
orlandometro@floridaplanning.org
First Coast Section
Ennis Davis, AICP
904-396-5727
firstcoast@floridaplanning.org
Atlantic Coast Section
Lisa Frazier, AICP
321-750-7060
atlanticcoast@floridaplanning.org
Secretary
Kim Glas-Castro, AICP, LEED, AP
561-434-5086
secretary@floridaplanning.org
VP Certification Maintenance
Allara Mills Gutcher, AICP
850-319-9180
certmaintenance@floridaplanning.org
San Felasco Section
Adam Hall, AICP
386-418-6125
sanfelasco@floridaplanning.org
Heart of Florida Section
Hetty Harmon, AICP
863-646-4771
heartoffl@floridaplanning.org
VP Communications
Michelle Heinrich, AICP
813-276-2167
communications@floridaplanning.org
YPG Representative
Brandon Henry
813-272-5940
ypg@floridaplanning.org
VP Section Affairs
Doug Kelly, AICP
321-329-3213
sectionaffairs@floridaplanning.org
Treasurer
Tony LaColla, AICP
813-273-3774
treasurer@floridaplanning.org
Treasure Coast Section
Josh Long, AICP
561-650-0719
treasurecoast@floridaplanning.org
Emerald Coast Section
Catherine McCloy, AICP
850-236-6771
emeraldcoast@floridaplanning.org
Promised Lands Section
Tony Palermo, AICP
239-533-8325
promisedlands@floridaplanning.org
VP Member Services
Marcie Stenmark, AICP
727-724-1555
membership@floridaplanning.org
Broward Section
Thuy Turner, AICP
954-357-6623
broward@floridaplanning.org
Gold Coast Section
Lynda Westin, AICP
954-788-7923
goldcoast@floridaplanning.org
Capital Area Section
Barry Wilcox, AICP
850-891-6400
capitalarea@floridaplanning.org t
Immediate Past President
Melissa Zornitta, AICP
813- 272-5940
pastpresident@floridaplanning.org
Executive Director
Julia “Alex“ Magee
850-201-3272
fapa@floridaplanning.org
Ad. Assistant/Bookkeeper
Amanda Pickles
850-201-3272
adminbk@floridaplanning.org
Communications Coordinator Patti Shea
850-201-3272
staff@floridaplanning.org
Legislative Representative
Lester Abberger
850-524-2779
lesterabberger@nettally.com
Webmaster (Consultant)
Summer Taylor
888-949-5487 x706
summer@exaktmarketing.com
All Other Inquiries, contact APA Florida at 1-850-201-3272 or e-mail fapa@floridaplanning.org. 2 Spring 2017 / Florida Planning
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE It’s Spring Time in Florida!
As the old saying goes, “April showers brings May flowers.” Well, that saying does not seem to apply here in Florida! It has been
unseasonably hot and dry with very little rain resulting in numerous brush fires across the state. But it seems that May is shaping up to bring us a little relief in the form of liquid sunshine. After all we live in the Sunshine State. So, what has happened since we last spoke? Well you spoke and we listened. From our recent membership survey, you expressed several initiatives that you wanted to see happen in APA Florida. You want to see more training opportunities across the state, conference scholarships, minority scholarships, and planning videos for the public to explain what planners do. When the Executive Committee met at our Fall Retreat, we brainstormed how we could accomplish these initiatives. Our first challenge was, how are we going to pay for it all? Well as it turned out, we recently received notice of an award as part of the BP Oil Spill settlement.
Well you spoke and we listened. From our recent membership survey, you expressed several initiatives that you wanted to see happen in APA Florida So, now we are able to put in place several programs and initiatives that you asked for at least the next five years that will directly benefit you, our loyal members, including: • offering two conference scholarships for each section for the next five years • increasing the minority scholarship program for the next six years • developing Florida-based one-hour educational curriculum for four levels of students, available to be used by members in the classroom • developing/compiling short videos on the importance of planning and specific planning issues for use on social media, presentations, workshops etc. • creation of a “Circuit Rider” program to travel the state over the next two years to provide learning opportunities for each section So, what else is going on? In this issue of Florida Planning we focus on rural areas and agriculture. You will learn about how to revitalize small downtowns, land stewardship, as well as some lessons learned from Collier County. Also, read about how the Safe Route to Schools is being implemented for rural areas as well as various trail projects in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. As you read this, I am representing you at the APA conference in New York City. I will be attending numerous leadership meetings and making sure that Florida’s voice is heard. Other officers, the executive director, and other members will also be there to represent our chapter at the delegates meeting, PDO meeting and Chapter Executive Directors meeting. I promise that I will share what we learn in the summer issue! One more thing ... Mark your calendar and make plans to attend our next Annual Conference in Daytona Beach, Sept. 5-8, 2017. You do not want to miss it! As always, I would love to hear from you. Please send me a note at president@floridaplanning.org. Until next time, continue to #PlanFlorida.
Andre Anderson, AICP APA Florida President
Spring 2017 / Florida Planning 3
[CITY OF] ALACHUA
continued from cover page
but while the rest of the there are major employment city slowly recovered since centers nearby, these 2007, the downtown has employees which include a struggled to attract and large number of millennials, retain businesses. The City do not choose to visit the Commission and staff of downtown area. The report Alachua realized that a included investments that special effort needed to be the CRA and city could make made to address this. that would help address In 2016, as part of their some of these issues. These Strategic Planning process, investments include: hiring the City Commission a full-time CRA coordinator adopted an initiative that (completed!), marketing and resulted in the completion branding initiative, directional of a market study and and wayfinding signage (in economic development progress), street lighting and implementation plan additional streetscape and for the CRA district, landscape improvements (in which encompasses the progress) and setting up a downtown area. façade improvement program The city contracted (in progress.) with Redevelopment Of course, for many rural Management Associates communities there are a (RMA) to conduct this number of investments that study. RMA collected could be made but fiscal economic data, conducted constraints significantly surveys of business impact the ability to make owners, large employers, investments in large, and other stakeholders, catalytic projects. Bonding and held workshops with CRA revenue, pursuing local community leaders public-private partnerships, and the public in order to building improvement grants evaluate existing conditions and business development and determine what could grants are all potential tools be done to encourage for getting these projects economic development and implemented. If your city’s investment. goal is to attract younger The resulting study had workers, then craft breweries, several key takeaways. music and art venues, a wide First, one of the issues variety of dining choices, a identified by current variety of housing options, business owners is the and entertainment/ recreation Revitalized downtown Alachua. Photos courtesy of the city of Alachua. lack of off-street parking. opportunities are all good The city is currently in uses to consider pursuing. Adam Hall, AICP, is a planner the process of addressing with the City of Alachua and is currently the chair of the San Felasco through the construction of an 89-car parking lot to serve Section. He can be reached at sanfelsaco@floridaplanning.org. the downtown area. Second, there is no real anchor or attractor that gets people to come downtown. Third, while 4 Spring 2017 / Florida Planning
Spring 2017 / Florida Planning 5
Floating forest of carnivorous bladderworts at Dixie Plantation, Jefferson County. Photo credit: Pierson Hill
Florida’s Land Trusts:
Working to Conserve Florida’s Natural Heritage By Neil Fleckenstein, AICP The faint smell of smoke from the prescribed And, land trusts are an excellent resource and fire hung in the dry afternoon air. A former colpartner for planners throughout Florida! league once described the aroma as “The smell The mission of the TTLC, one of four acof good land stewardship.” The property, a quail credited local and regional land trusts in Florida, hunting preserve located between Tallahassee is to conserve the natural resources and rural and Thomasville, Ga., includes several thousand land use traditions of the Red Hills Region of acres of rolling hills, open park-like vistas of towNorth Florida and Southwest Georgia. This area ering pines, and habitat for more than two dozen has the highest concentration of undeveloped Couple at Fowler’s Prairie Overlook at Little Orange imperiled species. This forest, rich in ecosystem hunting preserves in the country. Creek Preserve. Photo credit: Melissa K Hill services benefiting the public, will never be de Tall Timbers fee and conservation easement veloped. It is one of more than 140 conservation lands protect 142,000 acres of this landscape easements held by Tall Timbers Research Station including some of the last remnants of the old& Land Conservancy (TTLC) based in Tallahassee. growth longleaf pine forests that once spanned The TTLC is one of 1,363 land trusts in the from Virginia to Texas. These woodland giants United States (of which 372 are accredited.) reach 500 or more years of age and tower over These non-profit organizations conserve 56 carpets of flowering native groundcover. Tall Timmillion acres nationwide, more land than the bers conservation efforts also protect areas of high National Park Service manages in the lower 48 aquifer recharge, miles of river and lake frontage, Quail hunting on horseback in the Red Hills. states. Florida has 20 local land trusts as diverse and the scenic views along much of the 300 miles Photo credit: Bill McDavid as the environment they are working to protect. of red clay roads that wind through the Red Hills. The Sunshine State’s land trusts have a wide variety of missions including Supporting the TTLC’s conservation efforts is a land use plannatural resource protection, habitat restoration, public education, outdoor ner who works with local communities supporting smart growth recreation, and advocacy. Florida’s diverse land trusts protect rural forestand advocating against the sprawling development that has fragland, farmland, parks, trails, nature preserves, and vital water resources. mented so much of Florida’s natural heritage. continued on page 7
6 Spring 2017 / Florida Planning
[FLORIDA’S] LAND TRUST
continued from page 6
While the TTLC focuses on conserving a rural of its most creative. ACT is a leader in using Florida landscape, the Indian River Land Trust (IRLT) works in a Communities Trust funding to acquire wilderness prefast-paced urban environment amidst rapidly growing serves, greenways, and parks in and around Alachua counties on Florida’s East coast. County. ACT is also a key partner in the successful The IRLT was created in 1990 to save McKee Botani“Wild Spaces and Public Places” referendum that will Native mangroves along the Indian cal Garden. Over the past decade, the trust focused its raise $130 million in funding for land acquisition and River Lagoon. Courtesy: Indian River efforts on saving the Indian River Lagoon — the most improvements to local parks. Land Trust diverse estuary in the nation — by addressing the One of ACT’s signature projects is the Little Orange “Three P’s”: preserving wildlife habitat, protecting scenic Creek Preserve, an eight-year, multi-agency effort that waterfront, and providing access for public recreation resulted in the creation of a 3,000-acre preserve near and education. Unlike the TTLC, which uses donated the city of Hawthorne. This project will provide needed conservation easements to protect the Red Hills, the IRLT public greenspace, tremendous ecological restoration relies upon fee simple acquisition for their projects. opportunities, and an outdoor classroom for grades K-5. One of the trust’s most important projects is working ACT is also a leader in finding creative ways to in collaboration with partners to acquire and restore engage the community about the natural world. Guided Research team seines a coastal a 220-acre lagoon-front parcel along US Highway 1. birding trips, concerts on the Sandhill Stage (“Building wetland adjoining Lagoon This property will meet multiple objectives including community one concert at a time”) or fund raisers at Courtesy: Indian River Land Trust wetland enhancement, natural stormwater treatment, local craft brewers are regular opportunities for the public recreation, and education. Racing against the increased pace of regional community to interact with ACT staff and learn about the ecology development, Executive Director Ken Grudens says the future for the of North Central Florida. IRLT involves acquiring strategic lands to enhance connectivity and buffer Florida’s land trusts are working on the front lines conserving forests and ecologically sensitive areas, restoring coastal wetlands and adjoining farmland, wildlife habitat, and vital water resources. Connect with your local uplands, providing new opportunities for public recreation, and becoming land trust at findalandtrust.org. Neil Fleckenstein, AICP, is the Land Planning Coordinator for Tall Timbers more of an advocate for the Lagoon. Research Station & Land Conservancy in Tallahassee. He can be reached Northwest of the Indian River Lagoon you’ll find the Alachua Conservaat neil@ttrs.org. tion Trust, another of Florida’s accredited land trusts and certainly one
Spring 2017 / Florida Planning 7
Rural Land Stewardship Area Lessons Learned By Michael Bosi, AICP
The Collier County Rural Land Stewardship Area (RLSA) was adopted in 2002 and covers approximately 195,080 acres. The RLSA program is a designated sub-district within the Collier County Growth Management Plan (GMP) and an optional overlay within the County’s zoning map and land development code. The program has placed 52,378+ acres of privately held land within Stewardship Sending Area (SSA)s, which limits the development within the SSA, in exchange for credits to entitle future Towns and Villages (see above map). One Stewardship Receiving Area (SRA) has been developed, Ave Maria, which entitles 11,000 dwelling units and 1.4+ million square feet of non-residential land use (retail, office, business park, etc.) on 5,027 acres. A second SRA (Rural Lands west) is currently under review and proposes 10,000 dwelling units and 2+ million square feet of nonresidential land use on 4,000+ acres. Below are key points or lessons learned from the County’s decade and a half experience with the RLSA. • Environmental data should be supported by all parties, government, private land owners and non-governmental agencies (NGO’s) • Process let’s environmental science dictate the specific location of where development occurs, which allows for agreement between NGO’s, land owners and local government • Long Range Infrastructure needs more easily quantified and modeled based upon identification of open lands and likely locations of towns and villages • New Programs need to provide for a required structural review of the regulations within a specific timeframe to allow for program modifications to ensure the success of the program. • Town and village developments need substantial time to reach economies of scale and any development agreements for infrastructure should be tied to specific bench marks • Employment Centers such as Research and Development Parks should be required for largest form of compact urban development allowed, such as the Towns in Collier’s RLSA • Future Transit location/Park and Ride set asides should be required of all towns and villages • Attention to policies that promote Agricultural protection must be part of a balanced program. Property Rights, Environmental Protection and Agricultural protection must find balance between often competing interest • Requirements for fiscal neutrality are difficult to evaluate based upon timeframes associated with build-out of future towns and villages and assumptions utilized to develop fiscal analysis
8 Spring 2017 / Florida Planning
Michael Bosi is the Planning and Zoning Director for Collier County. He can be reached at MichaelBosi@colliergov.net.
With so much focus on trails in urban areas, be it the Underline in Miami or the Riverwalk in Tampa, it’s easy to forget that there are plenty of rural areas in Florida (and nationwide) that have bicycle and pedestrian needs or have benefitted from enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Couple this perspective with an increasing recognition that one size does not fit all when it comes to facility type, and you get the development of a new resource by the Federal Highway Administration, the Small Towns and Rural Multimodal Networks guide. This resource for planning trails, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities for small and rural towns was developed specifically in response to the idea that there is often a different need in small or rural communities and that the available toolbox of solutions didn’t fully match the needs of these communities. Lower income levels, different crash data trends, or limited funds lead to the need to be more creative, sometimes with less. This guide describes everything from separated multi-use paths to an advisory shoulder treatment which means to establish a shoulder on a road otherwise too narrow. Often in communities the focus is on filling the gaps in the bicycle and pedestrian network. Trails may be (relatively) easy, but connecting to them can be challenging. This guide offers additional ways to make connections. In South Central Florida, there are many projects underway that use a variety of facility types to complete the network, but we’ll highlight just two of them.
In Inverness, the Withlacoochee State Trail is the centerpiece of their bicycle network but it doesn’t pass directly through town. This didn’t stop the city from making the connection and incorporating the trail into their downtown. A separated trail wasn’t possible because of rightof-way constraints, but in 2013 the planned Bicycle Boulevard project was completed. The bike boulevard along North Apopka now safely connects cyclists between downtown Inverness and the trail. In Brooksville, planning is well underway for the construction of the Coast to Coast Trail. This 250-mile trail from St. Petersburg to Titusville is the first trail to be constructed as part of the statewide FDOT SUNTrail system. The recently adopted Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Master Plan identified the locally preferred route as coming directly through downtown, rather than using a bypass route. This route, while strong in its economic benefits and offering a great user experience, was challenging to devise because of limited roadway options and the goals for the trail. And the downtown segment is just a piece of it. The entire gap runs from the Suncoast Trail along the Suncoast Expressway to an existing trailhead at the start of the Good Neighbor Trail. The existing Good Neighbor Trail will connect to the Withlacoochee State Trail by the end of 2018. Completing the gap will take a mix of facility types ranging from separated trail to cycletrack. This mix responds to available right-of-way and local vision for the trail experience and will offer bicyclists a safe and varied facility experience as they make their way through Brooksville. Jennifer Bartlett is a multimodal planner with Tindale Oliver, supporting FDOT
D7’s Complete Streets efforts. She can be reached at jbartlett@tindaleoliver.com.
By Jennifer Bartlett
ess. State Trail in Invern The Withlacoochee ifer Bartlett. nn Photo courtesy of Je
Spring 2017 / Florida Planning 9
10 Spring 2017 / Florida Planning
In 1969, nearly half of all students in the United States walked or rode a bicycle to school. By 2009, that number dropped below 15 percent of all school trips. Due to this decline, physical activity, traffic, air quality, and bicycle and pedestrian safety have all been adversely affected. The Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) program seeks to remedy these issues by enabling and encouraging primary and secondary school students, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school; to make walking and bicycling to school safe and more appealing; and to facilitate the planning, development and implementation of projects that will improve safety and reduce traffic and air pollution in the vicinity of these schools. While Florida helped pilot their own version of the program called Safe Way to School in the 1990s, and efforts have been ongoing since the federal program was established in 2005, its focus is often directed at urbanized areas. However, the state’s rural areas are often where Safe Routes programs are needed most. Despite perceptions that rural communities have less traffic and greater access to open space, studies have shown that built environment factors in these areas create disproportionate safety hazards and barriers to physical activity. This is especially true for primary and secondary school students in rural Florida, where state and federal highways have often replaced main streets, and lack of sidewalks, lighting and other infrastructure discourage active travel to school for students who otherwise live within walking or bicycling distance. Nonetheless, surveys have found that nine out of 10 rural Americans believe pedestrian-friendly communities are important and want to see their communities do more to support walking. Further, the benefits of Safe Routes investments extend beyond quality of life and environmental improvements — studies have shown that active travel to school helps establish lifelong healthy habits among students and may even improve academic performance. While built environment factors are not the sole barrier to active travel for rural students, investments in infrastructure to support safe walking and bicycling to school are a crucial first step and often provide links to connect and extend existing networks. Furthermore, rural towns are often tightknit and resourceful, allowing supportive communities to fast track these improvements. Recognizing discrepancies in program implementation between rural and urban areas, and substantial opportunities to improve walking and bicycling to school in rural communities, the Florida Department of Transportation recently hired a team led by Dr. Ruth Steiner of the Department of
Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Florida to provide technical assistance to help more rural communities qualify for the state’s Safe Routes to School infrastructure funding grants. Along with other students and faculty members in the department, the project team has reviewed national best practices and refined methods to best fit the needs of rural Florida communities during the pilot phase of the project, culminating in the submission of a Safe Routes infrastructure grant to provide sidewalk extensions, lighting improvements, bike racks, enhanced pedestrian signage and crosswalks to support safe walking and bicycling to school for students in the rural North Central Florida town of Hawthorne. The project is currently recruiting for its second phase, where selected rural schools and communities across the state will be given technical assistance on how to engage their community to create support for the Safe Routes project, implement the school site assessment and data collection methodologies, and prepare an application for a Safe Routes infrastructure grant. To learn more about current or future rural Safe Routes to School infrastructure grant technical assistance opportunities, email safe.routes@dcp.ufl.edu. Les Brown is the APA Florida Student Representative. He can be reached at les.brown@ufl.edu.
CREATING SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL IN RURAL FLORIDA COMMUNITIES By: Les Brown
Spring 2017 / Florida Planning 11
Three Florida Small, Agriculture Cities Receive National Recognition for Their Comprehensive Plans APA’S PILOT PROGRAM RECOGNIZES COMPREHENSIVE PLANS THAT INTEGRATE SUSTAINABILITY ELEMENTS. The American Planning Association has recognized three Florida communities’ comprehensive plans through the second round of the organization’s Comprehensive Plan Standards for Sustaining Places Recognition Program Pilot. The cities of Temple Terrace, Plant City and Fernandina Beach were recognized for their innovative plans to advance the principles, processes and attributes of sustainability. Submitted plans produced within the last five years were eligible for review and recognition. Comprehensive plans from 30 communities were submitted for review. The city of Temple Terrace is the first plan has received gold level recognition. Gold is a score of 90–100 percent, silver a score of 80–89 percent and bronze a score of 70–79 percent.
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
Imagine 2040: Temple Terrace Comprehensive Plan — Temple Terrace, Florida The Imagine 2040: Temple Terrace Comprehensive Plan focuses on issues related to future land use and transportation, particularly as they connect housing, schools, jobs, and recreational areas. The use of historic resources, sustainable development, renewables, green building practices, and intergovernmental cooperation are also emphasized. Reviewers cited the plan’s key features, such as a policy listing, definitions, index of terms, and definition of metrics, which helps readers understand the plan’s objectives and evaluate its progress.
Imagine 2040: Plant City Comprehensive Plan — Plant City, Florida The Imagine 2040: Plant City Comprehensive Plan includes details not usually included in many comprehensive plans, such as green buildings, renewable energy, local food access, jobs-housing balance, public schools, and counseling of developers. The plan has a strong emphasis on refocusing growth and redevelopment in walkable, less auto-reliant neighborhoods. It is unique in its ability to simultaneously update all area comprehensive plans in concert with other county-sponsored plans. Fernandina Beach Comprehensive Plan — Fernandina Beach, Florida The Fernandina Beach Comprehensive Plan focuses on creating distinctive and appealing communities with compact development and multi-modal transportation. The plan also emphasizes environmental sustainability with specific focus on land use, energy, and the natural environment while addressing issues related to resiliency and hazards. Policies call for denser development and improved infrastructure for more accessible transportation which will help reduce pollution and waste. Development plans call for the construction of green-certified buildings and better access to natural resources.
Images courtesy of the cities of Temple Terrace, Plant City and Fernandina Beach.
Congratulations to all three of these wonderful Florida communities and the planners who worked tirelessly on the plans. All three cities will be recognized at APA’s National Planning Conference in New York City, May 6–9. 12 Spring 2017 / Florida Planning
2017 APA FLORIDA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
FEATURED SPEAKERS Majora Carter & Hank Dittmar
MAJORA CARTER At this year’s conference in Daytona, we welcome Majora Carter as our keynote speaker. Majora is a leading urban revitalization strategist, real estate developer, and Peabody Award-winning broadcaster. Majora is responsible for the creation and implementation of numerous green-infrastructure projects, policies, and job training and placement systems in communities across the nation. Moreover, Majora has amassed a long list of awards and nine honorary degrees. Among her notable accomplishments, Majora was awarded a 2005 MacArthur “genius” grant. Her 2006 TED presentation, Greening the Ghetto, was the first of many that details her work. Majora was the executive director and founder of Sustainable South Bronx for seven years. There she pushed for both ecofriendly practices (such as green and cool roofs) and, equally important, job training and green-related economic development for her vibrant neighborhood on the rise. Since 2008, Majora has been the founder and president of the economic consulting and planning firm, Majora Majora Group, LLC. Majora has helped connect tech industry pioneers such as Etsy, Gust, FreshDirect, Google, and Cisco to diverse communities at all levels, and continues to drive resources that value diversity into the communities across the country that have been left out of previous economic growth trends. Majora Carter has an insightful perspective on urban renewal through an environmental lens. She is sure to deliver a commanding and inspiring speech that will leave attendees stimulated.
HANK DITTMAR To close out the conference, we welcome Hank Dittmar with Dittmar Associates of London, England. Hank is one of the world’s leading urbanists, an international advisor to governments, companies, and communities all over the world on making cities and towns more livable, resilient and beautiful. He will present a discussion on the global perspective on the importance and value of physical design, lean urbanism, and resilient cities. Hank has more than 20 years of international experience in urban design, development, and urban and transportation policy. Hank’s background includes, the longest serving Chief Executive for the Prince’s Foundation for Building Community, from 20052013 and remains as a Special Advisor. From 2000-2005, Hank was Founding President and CEO of Reconnecting America, and was Chairman of the Congress for New Urbanism from 2000-2008 Hank has been the head of a US-based foundation, a regional planner, an airport director, and an outreach worker with street gangs in Chicago’s inner city. He served on the White House Advisory Committee on Transportation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions during the Clinton administration and was the Chair of the President’s Council on Sustainable Development’s Metropolitan Working Group. He has provided testimony to the United Sates Congress and has been a policy adviser to senior officials in Great Britain, the United States, Australia and the OECD. He also served on the Farrell Review of architecture and the built environment for the UK government and provided design advice to London Mayor Boris Johnson. Hank is an author and coauthor of various books and has written for the London Evening Standard, the Guardian, the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times.
Spring 2017 / Florida Planning 13
RECEPTIONS, MOBILE TOURS, AND FUN THINGS TO DO The Atlantic Coast Section is excited to host APA Florida’s annual conference, being held in Daytona Beach! The Host Committee has selected a full slate of mobile tours and one-of-akind reception venues that showcase the planning work and local landmarks for which this area is well known.
RECEPTIONS The opening reception kicks off Tuesday night in the Ocean Center convention hall located adjacent to the conference hotel and a short stroll away from the “World’s Most Famous Beach.” Wednesday night’s reception takes place in the elegant Rolex 24 Lounge overlooking the track at the iconic Daytona International Speedway. And Thursday, guests will visit the Bank & Blues Club, a celebrated music venue on Main Street, the heart of Daytona’s annual Bikeweek motorcycle festival.
MOBILE TOURS This year’s mobile tours will explore locations and topics highlighting the area’s natural assets, opportunities, and future challenges. Tuesday offers a day-long tour to see the past, present, and future of space travel at Kennedy Space Center. Wednesday and Thursday provide multiple half-day tours across Volusia and Flagler counties. • A tour of International Speedway Boulevard will look at the role of public-private partnerships and highereducation institutions in improving the city’s primary commercial thoroughfare. • Trips to the west side of the county will include eco-tours of Blue Springs and the St. Johns River, as well as the rebirth of historic downtown DeLand. 14 Spring 2017 / Florida Planning
Additional tours will visit: • The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in Florida and a National Historic Landmark. • Reconstruction of Highway A1A after Hurricane Matthew in Flagler Beach • CRA redevelopment in the surfing hot spot of New Smyrna Beach; • An “All-Access” tour of the Daytona Speedway and its 31° banked race track.
FUN THINGS TO DO Opportunities abound for fun, shopping, and dining within walking distance of the conference hotel, including the Ocean Walk Shoppes entertainment complex and Daytona Lagoon water park. Between the hotel and beach is the Boardwalk, with carnival rides, arcades, and historic fishing pier. Those staying through the weekend can see free classic rock tribute bands and fireworks at the historic Bandshell. Last but not least is the beach itself, open to pedestrians 24/7. For more information, visit www.daytonabeach.com. All mobile tour, speaker, session information can be found on floridaplanning.org/conference. Details posted once available.
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2017 APA FLORIDA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
PROJECT AWARDS NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN!
One of the keystone features of the annual conference is the recognition of your outstanding efforts in planning and planning leadership through the APA Florida Project Awards Program. The program consists of seven categories, including one student award:
The volunteer committee scores each entry using the following criteria: • originality and innovation • quality, transferability • comprehensiveness
• Planning Project
• implementation
• Comprehensive Plans (small and large jurisdiction)
• engagement
• Best Practices
• role of planners
• Grassroots Initiative
• effectiveness
• Neighborhood Planning
• education
• Innovation in Planning for All Ages • Outstanding Student Project
This year we’re excited to announce a new award category: Innovation in Planning for All Ages, which will focus on a project, program or campaign that emphasizes innovative planning in meeting the needs of the 50+ population. AARP Florida is sponsoring this award.
Please refer to the Project Awards application and information because not all criteria apply to each award type. Keep the criteria in mind when you select your nomination for the 2017 Project Awards Program. During committee deliberations, projects are recognized as either an Award of Merit or an Award of Excellence. The highest honor, an Award of Excellence, is bestowed for projects that exhibit excellence in nearly every aspect of their planning and execution. During the plenary opening session, the videos of the Awards of Excellence are previewed to celebrate the projects. Check out the past winners for some inspiration. Share your time, talent and achievement to help the next generation Rise to the Challenge!
All applications must be received by May 15. Application & criteria can be downloaded here. Pro tip: Start early, download the award program and collect background documents. It may take you longer than you budget.
Call the chapter office if you have questions: 850-201-3272.
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Photos are courtesy of Haskell.
APA AMBASSADORS: INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF PLANNERS By: Debbie Love, AICP
What do LEGOs, milk cartons and skateboards have in common? Obviously, not much at first glance, but in the hands volunteer APA members they can become amazing tools to introduce non-planners to our profession. Last year, APA introduced its Ambassador Program with the goal of, “…increasing awareness and understanding of the power and value that the planning profession brings to communities.” That first year, ambassadors nationwide hosted more than 100 events and 6,000 students to show how planning positively impacts their neighborhoods - hopefully inspiring the next generation of planners! Activities ranged from using Legos and boxes to understand urban design and complete streets, to helping skateboarders learn how to design a skate park and the importance of civic engagement. All the events were geared to maximize racial and ethnic audience participation. While the program’s focus is reaching outwards, ambassadors benefit both personally and professionally. For example, through interesting engagement activities, we can achieve one of our highest aspirations as planners: empowering those potentially left out of the planning process. Additionally, we get to meet new people and expand our network; polish our public speaking and teaching skills; and AICP members earn pro-bono CM credits. For me, being an ambassador has been an amazing and enlightening experience. One of our challenges as planners 16 Spring 2017 / Florida Planning
is translating esoteric planning concepts and making them real for those outside of our profession. This program has sharpened my skillset and reminded me of the importance of simplifying and distilling a planning message to its core essence – trust me, working with kids will do that! For 2017, there are seven ambassadors here in Florida, it would be exciting to see more participation in the program. So, whether you are a student, mid-career professional or a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners, if you are passionate about our profession and hold fast to the principles of diversity in planning, consider signing up for the 2018 APA Ambassador Program; the application window runs from October to December. To learn more or apply, click here. Debbie Love, AICP, is the Director of Planning, Public Relations and
Outreach for Keith and Schnars. She can be reached at dlove@ksfla.com.
Two Planners’ Take on a Commuter Challenge By Tony LaColla, AICP and Melissa Zornitta, AICP
Plan Hillsborough held its first Commuter Challenge Week, which challenged staff to use alternative modes of transportation for our commute to and from work and meetings. We asked two staff members, Tony LaColla and Melissa Zornitta, to write about their carless week. Tony LaColla
Having professed the gospel of using alternative modes of transportation, yet rarely using anything except my car, I decided to embrace the challenge wholeheartedly and experiment with the transportation options I have available in my neighborhood. Thankfully, I live in an urban core neighborlla hood, close to my office in Downtown Courtesy of Tony LaCo Tampa and with multiple modes of transportation available to me including a good network of sidewalks and trails, bike share, care share, carpool, bus service, streetcar service, and on some days even pedicab service. Using Facebook, I logged my commutes and gave descriptions of my experiences with each mode of transportation. To my surprise, I developed a small following of friends and family who, by the third day, were anxiously awaiting a post about my experience. Because I had a variety of available options, my commute became a guessing game as to how I would get to and from work. By the end of the week, I logged six walks, four bus rides, two bike trips, two carpools, one streetcar ride, and one ride on the Downtowner, our Downtown neighborhood electric vehicle shuttle service. Having taken part in the one week challenge, I was able to evaluate each transportation option and weigh time, cost, convenience, and comfort. The winner for me, other than my own personal car, was surprisingly the bus due to its service frequency, reliability, and speed when compared to the other modes. I also became more confident in my ability to get to and from work and meetings using bus service. Something I had been apprehensive about in the past. Beyond my own experience, the challenge gave me a perspective into the lives of people who don’t have automobiles and how they plan their day around transportation.
Melissa Zornitta The idea for the commuter challenge was brought to me by some Plan Hillsborough staff members several months ago. They had learned of a similar initiative Courtesy of Meliss a Zornitta done by a local planning firm, Tindale Oliver. I thought it sounded like a great idea to try, though I must admit I was a bit unsure of what kind of response we would get from the staff. We provided a lot of options of how staff could participate; commuting to and from work, at lunch or to meetings could all be done by different modes. We are fortunate to be located in downtown Tampa, which has numerous options, particularly for short trips. We had staff use buses, bikes, the trolley, our Downtowner shuttle, and walk. It was great to see staff get out of their comfort zone and try something different. For someone like myself who lives in the suburbs, it was a bit more challenging to participate for the daily work commute. There are express buses, which I was able to take home; however, there are only two buses in the evening, so I had to make sure my meetings and work day wrapped up in time that I made the bus. In the morning, the bus times didn’t coincide with when my kids had to be dropped off at school, so my husband, kids and I all carpooled. That worked well but did require my husband to be flexible in his work hours. Those would be my major take-aways: To make alternative commuting methods work on a regular basis, there would need to be more frequency of express buses to accommodate more schedules. I also think that flexibility from an employer standpoint is important to support staff using alternative work hours, storing bikes in the office, or other accommodations to make commuting by different modes feasible. Spring 2017 / Florida Planning 17
Planner Q&A: Sen. Bobby Powell Jr., AICP Sen. Bobby Powell Jr., AICP is a member of the Florida Senate representing District 30, and the first certified planner to serve in the that chamber. He is also employed as a professional planner with the West Palm Beach firm Urban Design Kilday Studios. Bobby earned a Bachelor of Science in public relations from Florida A&M University and a Master of Science in Planning from Florida State University. He was employed as a planner with the City of West Palm Beach before serving as a legislative aide for State Rep. Mack Bernard. In 2012, when Bernard did not seek re-election, Bobby ran for the newly created House District 88 seat, where he served two terms before winning his current senate seat in 2016. Kim Glas-Castro, AICP, caught up with the senator before the commencement of this year’s legislative session to ask how his planning background helps or affects his decisions or actions as a state legislator.
KGC: Why did you decide to run for office? Was there a particular event or issue? BP: I became involved in community activities, and I realized that, as a regular person [a non-elected community member], I had a means to affect change. I started volunteering and using my skills to assist people and to seek changes to improve the community. KGC: How has your planning background helped you as a representative and now senator? BP: As an AICP certified planner my primary objective is to serve the public interest. I have the same objective as an elected official. I try to think of ways to involve the public and get the community involved so that they better understand what is being proposed. KGC: How are you educating your fellow senators on the approaches to planning? BP: When it comes to land-use or growth-management issues, my colleagues in the legislature allow me to take the lead in discussing issues. I try to corral theories and convey planning principles to non-planners. KGC: What are your priorities for your Senate term? BP: A major priority for me is to communicate better with my constituents and with other elected officers. I want to be more visible and accessible. I want to hear what is important to others; but find a means to empower them and show them that power is in the people’s hands. [Bobby’s other priorities include restructuring juvenile prosecution procedures in the adult criminal system, revamping the education system, and bringing economic development appropriations to the local governments.]
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KGC: What advice would you give for a planner who wants to run for office (local or state, etc.?) BP: It is an opportunity. Seek opportunity, not security. Don’t stand idly by and let others dictate the future. You have skills to effectuate change. Planners are inherently leaders. KGC: What advice or guidance would you like to give to your fellow planners? BP: Pay attention to legislation. Make sure your electeds, and especially me, are in tune with the issues and any unintended consequences. Session moves quickly and something might not be apparent to me.
APA FLORIDA WORKING FOR YOU A FREE PAS Did you know that digital publications from APA’s Planning Advisory Service are now available online and free to all APA members? This includes PAS Reports, PAS Memos, PAS QuickNotes and PAS Essential Info Packets. Previously only available to subscribers, these are timely and helpful resources of information on a variety of topics available for instant downloading. Here are some helpful resources now available as we focus on rural and agricultural issues in our state: • PAS Reports: Urban Agriculture: Growing Healthy Sustainable Places • PAS Memos: Land Trusts: Conserving Land, Strengthening Communities Local Agricultural Preservation: Making the Food System Connection • PAS QuickNotes: Planning to Support Small Businesses The Farmland Protection Toolbox • PAS Essential Info Packets: Planning & Zoning for Rural Character
PUBLIC ART FOR PLANNERS
Forecast Public Art and the American Planning Association (APA) are partnering in an NEA-funded effort to create educational materials about public art for planners and other professionals involved in community development and place-based design. We are asking you to help us reach planners in your community to complete an online survey to share their thoughts on how, where, and what planners want to learn about public art. Respondents could win a $50 Amazon gift card and a subscription to Public Art Review. Forecast and the APA need your help to better understand how planners want and like to learn. Please forward this email to your local planners in this quest to make public art resources more widely available! Questions about this project or survey? Please reach out to Jack Becker at Forecast Public Art at Jack@ForecastPublicArt.org.
CM GRACE PERIOD ENDS MAY 31 The 2015–16 CM reporting period ended on Dec. 31, but there’s still time to earn and log required CM credits through May 31. Don’t miss this deadline! If you do, your AICP membership will lapse and require reinstatement before you can resume using the AICP credential. Please email questions about CM to AICPCM@planning.org APA Florida has an archive of Legislative Reports and Bill Tracking Summaries available for download. This page will be updated with an end-of-session wrap up!
BILL TRACKING REPORTS & LEGISLATIVE REPORTER APA Florida has an archive of Legislative Reports and Bill Tracking Summaries available for download. This page will be updated with an end-of-session wrap up!
Spring 2017 / Florida Planning 19
APA Florida
PLANNERS ON THE MOVE RICK PEREZ LEAVING LAKELAND FOR LARGO After more than 10 years of service to the city of Lakeland Planning Division, Rick Perez, AICP, is heading west to the city of Largo in May. As Planning Manager for the Community Development Department, Rick will lead long range planning and development review. Rick has 13 years of history working for various planning agencies in Polk County, including the Polk BoCC, City of Lake Alfred, City of Eagle Lake, and Lakeland. He is the former Florida APA Chapter Vice President of Certification Maintenance and former chair of the Heart of Florida Section. JONATHAN WILLIAMSON MOVES TO DEWBERRY IN ORLANDO Jonathan Williamson, AICP, has been hired as a senior planner for the transportation division in the Dewberry’s Orlando office. As a member of the general engineering consultant (GEC) team for the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX), Jonathan will be responsible for managing CFX studies as well as performing project development and environmental (PD&E) studies for Florida
20 Spring 2017 / Florida Planning
Department of Transportation projects throughout the state. He will also support public engagement initiatives, including agency coordination with local, regional, and state entities. Jonathan has more than 14 years of experience. He has worked on PD&E study analysis for highway projects covering all facets of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) planning process, including feasibility and development of alternatives, environmental document preparation, public involvement coordination, and alternative impacts analysis on the natural and human environment. Additionally, his expertise includes geographic information systems (GIS) mapping and analysis for the use of GIS technologies in constraints mapping, wetland and stream studies, land use analysis, and socio-economic analysis. Williamson earned his bachelor’s degree in applied geography from East Carolina University.
[CONSULTANTS] DIRECTORY Advertise in the Consultants Directory The Consultant Directory is a fitting place to showcase your firm. $250 buys space for a year in the newsletter (five issues) plus inclusion in our webbased consultant directory. Display ads to promote your business, conference, projects and more are available. Contact the Chapter office at 850-2013272 for rates and details.
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Spring 2017 / Florida Planning 21
[CONSULTANTS] DIRECTORY Advertise in the Consultants Directory The Consultant Directory is a fitting place to showcase your firm. $250 buys space for a year in the newsletter (five issues) plus inclusion in our webbased consultant directory. Display ads to promote your business, conference, projects and more are available. Contact the Chapter office at 850-2013272 for rates and details.
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[FLORIDA] PLANNING Published by the Florida Chapter, American Planning Association, the Florida Planning newsletter has a current circulation of 2,600 members, subscribers and other readers. Four issues are published a year.
CHANGES OF ADDRESS For APA members, Send to: Member Records Department American Planning Association 205 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 1200 Chicago, IL 60601 Fax: 312-786-6700 or log onto www.planning.org/myapa
ARTICLES Florida Planning welcomes articles, announcements, letters, pictures and advertising. Call 850-201-3272 regarding articles. The next issue will be published July 2017.
DEADLINES Article deadlines are generally four weeks prior to publication. Ad deadlines are generally two weeks prior to publication. Consult the editor for any exception to this schedule.
ABOUT THE CHAPTER APA Florida is a non-profit organization funded through membership dues and fees. Contributions are also welcomed for general purposes and earmarked programs. Please note that contributes are not tax deductible. For news and information on Chapter concerns, visit the APA Florida website at www.floridaplanning.org. APA Florida 2017 Delta Boulevard, Suite 201 Tallahassee, FL 32303 Phone: 850-201-3272 Fax: 850-807-2576
[THANK YOU] TO OUR ANNUAL SPONSORS
[UPCOMING] EVENTS MAY 12: THE NEW DISRUPTION TECHNOLOGY: AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES Webinar. Autonomous cars are coming. This technology is not only being rapidly developed, the largest and most influential corporations in the world are defining it. As city planners, we must be on the forefront of understanding this technology and how we can prepare for the potential impacts. Our research team is concerned by the general lack of acceptance and understanding that we’ve encountered among planning professionals regarding the near-certain implementation of this technology. 1.5 CMs. Free. Information here.
MAY 26: PLANNING OFFICALS TRAINING Moore Haven. This one-day workshop is designed for elected and appointed officials who make planning and zoning recommendations and decisions as well as planning staff. The series covers the basic laws, principles and practices that have shaped the planning process in Florida. Planning officials will receive basic instruction about Florida’s planning and growth management system, his/ her role and how to do the job more effectively. 6 CMs. $50. Information here.
JUNE 2: WOMEN IN PLANNING: LEADERSHIP & EMPOWERMENT Webinar. This webinar will provide an opportunity for female planning professionals to learn more about the fundamentals of becoming an effective leader, strategies for advancement within your career and how to create a culture of supporting and empowering other female leaders. A panel of experienced female professionals will discuss a wide range of important topics including career growth and development, how to gain a valuable planning network, and share their own experiences and stories. 1.5 CMs if viewed live. Free. Information here.
JUNE 16: A ROAD MAP FOR AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES Webinar. America is aging: The most dramatic change is in the 65-74 year old age category with the age wave of the Baby Boomer generation with far-reaching economic and socio-political consequences. Population aging is viewed as a challenge and burden, especially, for communities unprepared for this demographic change. In this session, planners will explore a community’s capacity to foster aging-in-community in transportation, housing and community supports and connections: three of the six Guiding Policies in the Policy Guide. 1.5 CMs if viewed live. Free. Information here. For more information on these and other APA Florida events, please visit www.floridaplanning.org/calendar/