Florida Planning Magazine | Spring 2023

It’s a sunny day in Apopka, as the city commences its annual Health and Fitness Fest. Flocked by health service providers, nonprofits, and vegan food vendors, residents line up to join the festivities. It is ideal for conducting public outreach. Though at my table, where I raise awareness on the East Central Florida Brownfield Coalition, many are scratching their heads over a tough survey question, saying, “I can only choose one?” or “This is hard, they’re all so important.” I hear this often and usually with a slightly nervous laugh, and each time I say back with a smile, “That’s why we need your top dot vote!”

Since 2021, the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (ECFRPC), in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and PPM Consultants, has worked on implementing the OBT/ US 441 Brownfield Coalition program. The program provides environmental site assessments to cities along the historic US 441/Orange Blossom Trail,

Daphne Green, AICP

[APA FLORIDA] KEY CONTACTS - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Name

APA Florida Executive Committee

President Whit Blanton, FAICP

Immediate Past President Wiatt Bowers, AICP

President-Elect Allara Mills Gutcher, AICP

Treasure Coast Section Kori Benton, AICP

VP-Professional Development Henry Bittaker, FAICP

VP Continuing Education Lara Bouck, AICP, PE

San Felasco Section Juan Castillo

Phone E-mail

727-464-8712 president@floridaplanning.org

904-363-8488 pastpresident@floridaplanning.org fx

850-319-9180 presidentelect@floridaplanning.org

727-462-2518 treasurecoast@floridaplanning.org

561-523-0687 profdevelopment@floridaplanning.org

407-481-5672 certmaintenance@floridaplanning.org f

352-393-8698 sanfelasco@floridaplanning.org

Sun Coast Section Katrina Corcoran, AICP suncoast@floridaplanning.org

VP Membership/Outreach Ennis Davis, AICP

Gold Coast Section Fabian De La Espriella, AICP

VP Communications Amy Elmore, AICP

Capital Area Section Macy Falcon, AICP

Promised Lands Section Jason Green, AICP

Broward Section Daniel Keester-O'Mills, AICP

University Liaison Van Linkous, Ph.D.

Heart of Florida Section Laura Lockwood-Herrscher, AICP, CPM

VP Conference Services Eddie Ng, AICP

Orlando Metro Section Luis Nieves-Ruiz, FAICP

VP Section Affairs Ali Palmer

Atlantic Coast Section Brad Parrish, AICP

Secretary Jill Quigley, AICP

Treasurer John Roach, AICP

904-396-5727 membership@floridaplanning.org

786-245-5202 goldcoast@floridaplanning.org

813-273-3774 communications@floridaplanning.org

850-380-2812 capitalarea@floridaplanning.org

863-255-3212 promisedlands@floridaplanning.org

954-786-5541 broward@floridaplanning.org

813-503-2797 university@floridaplanning.org

863-860-5105 heartoffl@floridaplanning.org

401-524-3263 conferencesvcs@floridaplanning.org

407-245-0300 orlandometro@floridaplanning.org

850-553-3528 sectionaffairs@floridaplanning.org

321-567-3776 atlanticcoast@floridaplanning.org

954-641-5680 secretary@floridaplanning.org

561-822-1448 treasurer@floridaplanning.org

407-839-4006 epg@floridaplanning.org af First Coast Section Ray Spofford, AICP

EPG Representative Jarrell Smith

Student Representative Sabrina Viteri

Emerald Coast Section Randy Woodruff, AICP

Executive Director Stefanie Svisco

Ad. Assistant/Bookkeeper Suzie Gray

Communications Manager Patti Shea

Legislative Representative Lester Abberger

Communications Intern Tyler Hast

Graphic Design (Consultant) Summer Taylor

904-265-3189 firstcoast@floridaplanning.org

407-488-6971 students@floridaplanning.org

850-689-7347 emeraldcoast@floridaplanning.org

850-201-3272 ssvisco@floridaplanning.org

850-201-3272 sgray@floridaplanning.org

850-201-3272 pshea@floridaplanning.org

850-524-2779 lesterabberger@gmail.com

850-201-3272 intern@floridaplanning.org

727-452-2416 summer@exaktmarketing.com

All other inquiries, contact APA Florida at 850-201-3272 or e-mail contact@floridaplanning.org

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Your Executive Committee and APA Florida staff ventured to historic DeBary Hall in Central Florida last month for a successful leadership retreat to review progress on our strategic goals and identify new priority tasks to achieve those goals.

The chapter’s retreat occurs every two years and is an opportunity to review how we’re functioning and identify strategic activities that need attention over the next two years.

Topics included the next steps of the chapter’s communications strategy, with both an internal and external focus on the value of planning, professional development, and strengthening the AICP credential, section support, and membership services to existing members, membership growth and community engagement, an assessment of our legislative presence, and expanding sponsorships. APA staff, Executive Committee members, and other volunteer leaders will be working this year on various tasks and activities in each of those areas. If you have ideas to share or a willingness to serve, please let us know your thoughts

The work of our volunteers is mixed in with a good dose of camaraderie. We enjoyed a great walking tour of the DeLand Historic District, including the DeLand Historic Courthouse and Athens Theater. The group visited Artisan Alley, Muse Books, and Persimmon Hollow Brewing Company to learn about preservation and adaptive reuse success stories, thanks to the efforts of Orlando Metro Section member Christine Dalton, AICP, and Wayne Carter of Mainstreet DeLand.

NEW INITIATIVES

Coming out of the retreat, the chapter will begin working on two new initiatives.

First, on the certification and professional development front, we’ll explore a couple of concerns expressed by our members:

• To what extent can we increase the support and recognition for the AICP credential in career ladder advancement? This is a particular concern with state agencies that heavily influence community and regional planning activities; and

• Whether professional planning should remain apart from the Consultants Competitive Negotiation Act. These topics may be intertwined.

Both are big hairy issues that have a lot of history and interconnected issues to untangle. We’re in the very early stage, but I am looking to appoint a study committee of public and private perspectives to investigate both items and identify one or more courses of action for our Executive Committee to consider.

Second, we will be organizing a Housing Action Clearinghouse comprised of volunteer members to help communities find resources, connect with research, identify case studies, and use best practices to create more housing that’s affordable. The goal is to have a group of Florida planners with housing expertise, whether in an academic or practitioner setting, who can respond to inquiries, advise on legislation and policy, and help Florida planners keep up with innovations and implementation outcomes.

Please let me know if you’d like to be involved.

CHAPTER FAICP ENDORSEMENTS

Applications to the AICP College of Fellows in the 2024 cycle are underway. APA Florida’s role entails a Nominating Committee to identify viable candidates and determine whether to provide the chapter’s endorsement. The decision is based on sustained exemplary work over a member’s career. The Executive Committee approved

We’re in the very early stage, but I am looking to appoint a study committee of public and private perspectives to investigate both items and identify one or more courses of action for our Executive Committee to consider.

[CONNECTING] THE DOTS

continued from cover

including Apopka, Eustis, Kissimmee, and Longwood. The coalition’s primary goals are to spur brownfield redevelopment, strategically build an effective regional economic development tool, and consider environmental justice while engaging community stakeholders.

This makes events like the Health and Fitness Fest excellent outreach opportunities for the Coalition. Those who visit my booth are met with an interactive dotvoting survey alongside a posterboard illustrating the transformation of a blighted building, or “brownfield,” into a new office building. This helps introduce the term brownfield and the concept of brownfield redevelopment to my visitors, which directs them to the survey question: “Which type of brownfield redevelopment is needed most in your community?” This is when the headscratching begins.

Despite the negative connotation the term ‘brownfield’ usually conveys, people tend to understand what they are and see the need for brownfield redevelopment with the briefest conversations. The engagement process reveals that residents can quickly grasp the brownfields concept when they are educated about the benefits of this type of redevelopment.

It also gives them an enhanced appreciation for the reuse and rehabilitation potential of underdeveloped sites within their community. Residents often offer stories about problem

properties that have existed in their community for decades or how badly their neighborhood needs a specific reuse. Others share detailed health issues they know are attributed to or burdened by their physical environment. This time of reflection makes deciding what reuse is needed most in their community, between the options of new local businesses, new food sources, new parks, or new housing, serious trouble for some to cast their dot vote.

“Can’t I choose all of them?” is how many respond. Voters only get one vote so we can hone in on community needs, but in reality, brownfield revitalization can facilitate mixed-use development and is even encouraged to maximize the benefits of redevelopment. Since the creation of the state’s program in 1997, brownfield reuse opportunities have expanded from creating businesses to supplying clean energy, trails, mixed-use developments, and community gardens.

From a developer standpoint, this innovation opens the door to numerous redevelopment opportunities across East Central Florida. Property owners may utilize the brownfields program to move their property closer to either resale or their desired redevelopment goals. From a resident standpoint, it is an opportunity to better improve their quality of life. In speaking with residents, they have shown that they do have a willingness for brownfield redevelopment if it is aimed at improving their community. This engagement with local residents helps further the Coalition’s mission of ensuring equity is interwoven into its brownfield projects while also helping realize the region’s potential for infill development.

Daphne Green is a Planner III with the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council. She is currently a member of the sixth cohort of the Urban Land Institute’s Health Leaders Network. Daphne is also trained in Health Impact Assessments (HIA) and is ToP certified in meeting facilitation and project management. She can be reached at dgreen@ecfrpc.org

Images courtesy of Daphne Green and East Central Florida RPC.

REUSE

AND INFILL DEVELOPMENT WITH A MISSION

By Jill Quigley, AICP, and Thuy Turner, AICP, LEED GA BD+C

Finding

the right collaboration partner can provide diverse communities with amenities once not thought possible.

For instance, in Broward County, Thuy Turner has developed a special relationship with development firm, BSD Capital, which has led to non-traditional planning activities on various projects throughout Florida.

In South Florida, the team is working on the first kosher hotel with a rooftop pool that offers a stunning view of The Guitar Hotel at Seminole Hard Rock. Located in Hollywood, this 100-room Dolci by Wyndham Hotels will offer a kosher restaurant and elevators designed to stop on every floor during Shabbat. This infill project will change the landscape of the segment of SR 7/US 441 where it is located. In addition to providing for the needs of its Jewish customers, the project will also offer a trolley service to connect customers to nearby shops and businesses without the need for a car.

In Manatee County, an old strip mall lost its grocery store tenant and was slowly becoming a problem for the community. Instead of finding another big box tenant,

Above and below: The Oneco Farmer's Market that is in a resused former box store.

Lakeland Publix Mural discovered during renovation, which has since been restored.

The Dania Beach R.E.A.C.H. program field trip to the council chambers.

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[DIVERSE] REUSE

continued from page 6

the team decided to turn the space into an indoor farmer’s market to serve the food needs of the adjacent community. The Oneco Farmer’s Market focuses on supporting small businesses that provide prepared foods as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. The space is 100 percent occupied and has become a focal point for the community, offering cultural events and a flea market in the parking lot on weekends.

Taking their investment in this Bradenton community further, the firm is developing housing on an unused portion of the parking lot. When complete, 25 percent of the 109 units will be classified as affordable. By offering this level of affordable units, BSD Capital was eligible for Manatee County’s Rapid Response Services, which provided expedited review through the building department and offered impact fee credits for the development.

establish a permanent location. The team hopes to work with Catapult Lakeland, a private non-profit focused on supporting entrepreneurs, to identify occupants for the space.

City of Tavares - Fu ture Land Use Map 2040

Moving to Central Florida, the team is working on a project in Lakeland, with a historic connection. Purchasing an old commercial plaza at auction, the team soon learned that this location was home to one of the first Publix grocery stores. Murals from the original Publix have been identified and will be restored as part of the rejuvenation of this property. Like the Oneco Farmer’s Market, the new use in a low-income and disadvantaged community will focus on providing opportunities for small businesses, specifically providing restaurant space for food truck owners looking to

Beyond the halls of city and county permitting offices, the team has developed a community outreach program, named R.E.A.C.H., which exposes disadvantaged middle school students to the planning and development process. Working with 25 students from Olsen Middle School in Dania Beach, the program offers monthly field trips that include visits to Griffin Living, a residential project in their community, where they can experience the different stages of construction. As part of the program, the students participated in a mock commission meeting, where volunteers from the City of Dania Beach Commission assisted the students with preparing and presenting a development proposal. At the end of the year, BSD Capital will offer one student a $2,500 scholarship.

Combining their passion for planning and development with addressing the needs of disadvantaged communities, Thuy and BSD Capital are changing the future of strip centers throughout Florida and the fortunes of countless communities.

Jill Quigley, AICP, is a Senior Project Manager for Benesch in Fort Lauderdale. She can be reached at JQuigley@benesch.com.

Thuy Turner, AICP, LEED AP BD+C, the Founder and Principal of Turner Planning Solutions, LLC. She can be reached at thuy@turnerplanningsolutions.com

Resiliency and Transportation: What’s the Buzz?

By Jarrell Smith and Yash Nagal

Let’s play a word association game: Imagine you are sitting in a transportation planning course at the University of Florida (Go Gators!), and a professor walks into the classroom before beginning the lecture, the professor starts by reciting the following words, “Resourceful, sustainable, adaptable, redundant, flexible, and robust.”

What do you think will be the professors’ theme for the pending discussion? If you said R-E-S-I-L-I-E-N-C-Y, then you are correct!

The concept of resiliency involves activities that promote flexibility, which refers to the ability to adapt to changing conditions; redundancy, which denotes duplicating needs to ensure a backup exists in case of disruption; and robustness and recovery, which describes the ability to continue operations notwithstanding disruptions and being able to recover quickly from disruptive events.

In reference to a transportation system, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) defines resiliency as “the ability of the transportation system to adapt to

changing conditions and prepare for, withstand, and recover from disruption” (FDOT Resiliency Policy, 2020)

In the transportation industry, resiliency has received notable attention at the federal level. According to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, “Transportation is responsible for the most greenhouse gas emissions of any sector in our economy - so it can and must be a big part of the solution to the climate crisis.”

Notably, two hallmark pieces of federal legislation recently signed into law highlight the increased attention concerning resiliency.

In November 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, was signed by President Biden. In reference to transportation efforts in Florida, the IIJA is estimated to bring $16.7 billion in transportation formula funds to Florida among FDOT, transit agencies, airports, and other partners.

Out of the formula funds aforementioned, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program is estimated to provide FDOT with $198 million over five years to address electric vehicle charging needs for passenger

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[RESILIENCY] & TRANSPORTATION

continued from page 8

vehicles and light-duty trucks. Moreover, IIJA provides $2.5 billion for competitive grants for the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, hydrogen fueling infrastructure, propane fueling infrastructure, purchase and installation of traffic control devices located in the right-of-way, and on-premises signage.

In conjunction with IIJA, in August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), was signed into law. The IRA contains multiple provisions related to the adoption and deployment of “clean transportation” technologies, building upon existing programs and incentives for “clean transportation.” IRA also extends alternative fuel tax credits, establishes new clean vehicle tax credits, and creates new investments in zero-emission technology.

Although additional federal funding supports resilient transportation projects, entities interested in pursuing resilient initiatives should also consider the potential obstacles in implementing resilient projects.

For instance, has your organization completed an adequate planning process? A well-defined plan assists with prioritizing initiatives, along with aiding communication with leadership and stakeholders.

How is one Florida transit agency tackling resiliency?

Yash Nagal, Interim Director of Transit Planning of Palm Tran, discusses how Palm Beach County addresses its increasing need for a resilient transit system.

How does Palm Tran prioritize resiliency initiatives within its strategic planning process?

As a county agency, Palm Tran develops its goals and policies to ensure consistency with County plans and policies. Palm Beach County’s Comprehensive Plan provides goals, objectives, and policies to guide future growth and development within Palm Beach County.

The Future Land Use Element, which was updated February 2022, outlines six policies that address climate change. Policy 1.1.1-b states that Palm Beach County will coordinate with other agencies to develop initiatives and goals to address climate change. Along with Palm Beach County’s Comprehensive Plan, the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) created by the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency helps Palm Tran prioritize resiliency initiatives.

How is Palm-Tran preparing for the transition to an electric fleet?

Palm Tran has taken note of the need to prepare for an electric fleet and has initiated and/or completed the following activities:

• Palm Tran developed the Zero Emission Transition Plan for its fixed route system. As part of the plan, the agency reviewed the infrastructure, funding, and workforce development needs required to meet its goal of maintaining a 25 percent low or no-emissions vehicle fleet.

• In 2021, Palm Tran renovated the South County facility to include the construction of conduits needed for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.

• Palm Tran has also secured grant funding from the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency and the Volkswagen Settlement program to purchase 13 electric buses and EV infrastructure.

• Palm Tran plans to develop an Electrification Master Plan in 2023.

• Palm Tran participates in the Federal Transit Administration’s Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet Challenge

What resiliency initiatives is your organization implementing? As Ralph Waldo Emerson stated, “The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall.”

Class dismissed!

Jarrell Smith is a Public Transportation Planner at VHB. He can be reached at jarrellsmith@vhb.com.

Yash Nagal, PMP, is the Interim Director of Transit Planning of Palm Tran. He can be reached at ynagal@pbcgov.org

The below list, produced in conjunction with Transit Center and the National Campaign for Transit Justice, highlights various funding programs associated with the IIJA and IRA that promote resilient transportation projects.

Prioritizing Community

in the Franklin Park Elementary School Rebuild

By: Kathie Ebaugh, AICP, MPA, and Ryan Scott Richards, AIA, LEED AP BD&C

This collaborative planning effort started by asking students to draw their new school and share their concepts in student forums. This fun planning exercise showed the student’s enthusiasm for their new school and what it would become.

many stakeholders — students, parents, teachers and staff, residents, civic and nonprofit leaders, city and county officials, and district and school administrators.

A true community school 66 years in the making, the rebuild of Franklin Park Elementary School is designed to support the historic culture and character of this long-standing African American school in Fort Myers. It is also designed to meet the educational, social-service, and emergency shelter needs of the students, their families, and the entire Franklin Park community.

The school is slated to reopen for the 2024-25 school year.

The community has been a part of the cultural identity of Franklin Park long before the elementary school was originally constructed in 1958, and this character is embraced by the community’s present and past members. Unfortunately, age had taken its toll on the school’s campus, which has been torn down because it was no longer able to provide for the needs of the community.

In its place will be a new campus that reflects the neighborhood’s character and historical past while providing a modern facility that provides for this underserved community. This campus was designed in a collaborative planning effort led by Lee County School District planners and architects in partnership with the school’s

This collaborative planning effort started by asking students to draw their new school and share their concepts in student forums. This fun planning exercise showed the student’s enthusiasm for their new school and what it would become. Discussions focused on a campus vision that reflected the historic character of the school and surrounding neighborhoods. Community members, who had either attended, sent their children to, or worked at the school, were passionate about ensuring the new campus provided for the children’s educational needs in a state-of-the-art facility that reflected the community’s identity.

As a community school in an underserved neighborhood, Franklin Park Elementary School needs to do more than just educate, it needs to provide socio-economic and emergency shelter services. In order to provide for these additional services, district planners and architects collaborated with civic and nonprofit leaders, such as United Way, Lee Health, and the University of South Florida, along with city planners, and county emergency management officials to design campus community spaces. This planning effort led to the design of the new Franklin Park Community Wrap Around Center, where students, their families, and their communities can access school supplies and clothes, take-home meals, social, medical, and educational programs, and an emergency shelter.

The final component of the collaborative planning process was design charrettes with school and district administrators. The charrettes aimed to develop a new educational concept that embraced the students’ design concepts, community vision, and civic leaders’ planning needs. The result was a campus design for Franklin Park Elementary School that responds to the many needs of the school and its community.

In creating this design, the district’s planning and design team embraced the vision the strong, tight-knit community had for the new school and achieved spaces that met the community’s social continued on page 12

[PRIORTIZING] COMMUNITY

continued from page 11

service and shelter needs. The design reflects the past while supporting innovative school programs. Brick accents echo the original campus’ brick construction. Murals mirror the area’s murals and are painted by the same local artists. Bright yellow entrance canopies welcome students and the school community with excitement and reflect the cultural vibrance of the surrounding area. Smaller, more intimate play areas throughout the campus are reminiscent of the courtyards on the original campus. Expansive windows will bring natural light into the school and provide a strong visual connection between the interior spaces and the outdoors. Several semi-public spaces will promote student interaction with colorful accents. The community center provides a seamless, yet secure connection to the remainder of the school. The effect of this new design is a modern campus that reflects the school’s historical value and connects it to the surrounding community.

This collaborative planning process successfully translated the community’s vision into a new campus design. The new campus: 1) reflects attributes of the surrounding community and the original campus; 2) introduces innovative school programs; and 3) provides social-economic and shelter services.

The result of this design is a true community school. Franklin Park Elementary School’s new community campus is possible because Lee County School District planners and architects were willing to listen to and respect the ideas presented to them through a collaborative planning process that engaged and listened to the many stakeholders who participated in the effort.

Kathie Ebaugh, AICP, MPA, is a Planning Director for JBPro.  Previously she was Planning Director for Lee County Schools.  She can be reached at Kathie.Ebaugh@jbpro.com.

Ryan Scott Richards, AIA, LEED AP BD&C, is a Principal at RG Architects.  He can be reached at rsr@rgarchitectspa.com

Images courtesy of RG Architect

THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM: Will This Gas Plant Promise Stick?

What the Redevelopment of The Trop Means to its Neighbors

By: Susan Swift, AICP

After an intense RFP process, St. Petersburg city leaders are currently negotiating with the top-ranked development partnership to redevelop Tropicana Park, where the Tampa Bay Rays play, and the 50+ acres surrounding it. If all goes well, developer and use agreements would be approved in 2024.

Will the Historic Gas Plant District stakeholders finally see promises kept and benefits reaped?

To appreciate the roller coaster ride area residents and businesses of the Gas Plant neighborhood have endured, one must go back in time to the 1970s.

As listed in the RFP and the city’s Comprehensive Plan, the planning history of this neighborhood is a veritable bibliography of plans showing every iteration of federal and state redevelopment tools available throughout the decades. And yet, despite all the tools and funding, most goals were never achieved, and those

that were, did not benefit the affected stakeholders.

Attempting to avoid all of the baseball metaphors, the 60-year game can be boiled down to three strikes, I mean, eras:

1. Construction of I-275, I-175 & I-375. This spur of I-75 that was built in the late 1960s – early 1970s ripped the neighborhoods into shreds. Programs like CDBG, UDAG, etc., promised to replace what was lost.

2. Constructed a baseball stadium and then attracted an MLB team. This promised new economic opportunities and job creation.

3. Baseball team threatens to leave in 2027. The city rethinks the area with and without Major League Baseball.

Interstate highways were cutting through minority and poor neighborhoods nationwide at that time, but you don’t have to be a planner to see how the two “ramps” were even more devastating than I-275 itself. The feeder ramps are so big, they have official names: I-175 and I-375 were far more

continued on page 15

All images courtesy City of St. Petersburg.

[GAS PLANT] PROMISE

continued from page 14 egregious because they isolated the area and prevented any chance to reconnect.

Although not thrilled with the prospects of The Rays leaving when their use agreement sunsets in 2027, the city used it as an opportunity to rethink and repair the physical and social mistakes of the past. In 2015, they conducted an engagement process for a Conceptual Master Plan with a stadium. In 2018, they did the same for a concept without a stadium.

The pandemic provided another pause and an election - and new Mayor Ken Welch, who grew up in the Gas Plant District, took ownership of the process. The RFP identified 23 Guiding Principles of Development illustrating the changes in the city’s persona in those 60 years.

This era was internally focused – on seeking community benefits like housing and amenities for people and families already there. Prior efforts always seemed needy – as if the city or the county had to use baseball and interstates to bring outsiders in, hoping for eventual benefits for locals.

The Hines-Rays proposal that was selected and is at the negotiating table reflects the over-arching priority list developed with stakeholders: housing, affordable housing, business

opportunities, and community amenities for all types of families, entrepreneurs, and incomes.

What makes this era/inning different?

Answer: With vs. For.

The depth and breadth of the engagement process was with the local community, not for the community. More than 1,000 people commented on the proposals via in-person meetings, pop-up venues, and online. The Hines-Rays concept was envisioned with the stakeholders, not for them.

Most important, the uses are primarily for the benefit of internal stakeholders, residents, and local businesses – internally focused with housing and community benefits as the focus – not only for baseball fans or tourists. If the promise is kept this time, the Developer and Use Agreements will ensure the details will be designed with them.

If the Rays season, as of this writing, is any indication, the St. Petersburg community will be able to recite several winning baseball metaphors.

Susan Swift, AICP, is the Director of Planning for BBE-Boggs Engineering, LLC. She can be reached at sswift@boggseng.com

SR 30 (US 98) at SR 368 (23rd Street) Intersection in Panama City, Florida 2022 Outstanding Major Project, Florida ACEC

Learn more about what we’re up to!

Helping Power Florida’s Future

VHB’s greatest contribution to a more sustainable world is through the services we provide. By integrating sustainability into our daily conversations with clients, our approach to problem solving, and our culture as an organization, we support our mission to deliver smart resilient and sustainable solutions for our clients and communities.

florida planning conference 2023

jacksonville l september 5 - 8, 2023 INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKERS

Jacksonville and the First Coast are home to a deeprooted history, beautiful coastlines, and the St. Johns River. This is our Roots and Rivers. It is also a place with a rich mix of art, culture, music, and architecture.

There is so much to see and explore here on Florida’s First Coast. Visit one of the national, state, or local parks that collectively form the most extensive park system in the nation; or visit one of our famous museums and art galleries, take in some live music, or let your inner foodie out to enjoy numerous culinary delights including numerous seafood and farm to table options. There is something for everyone! While you’re here, don’t forget to take a walk around downtown or one of our urban core neighborhoods to enjoy modern and historical style architecture. In spite of the Great Fire of 1901, which destroyed nearly 2,500 buildings, Jacksonville boasts more buildings built prior to 1967 than any other Florida city.

Jacksonville is also the third fastest-growing metropolitan area in the country, which means there is an abundance of planningrelated issues facing the First Coast. From historic preservation to environmental protection and everything related to growth and urban sprawl in between, like many communities in Florida, Jacksonville is at a crossroads that will determine the direction of our collective future. A long-term view is required and a commitment to an equitable, resilient, and sustainable future is demanded.

Hosting FPC23 in Jacksonville is timely. We look forward to exploring new ideas, trends, and opportunities; discussing best practices and lessons learned; and celebrating the diversity of our profession and the people in it.

We are excited to share with you our inspirational featured speakers.

WEDNESDAY OPENING SPEAKER: GIL PENALOSA

Our opening plenary speaker is Gil Penalosa, who will discuss Cities for Everyone – Affordable, Equitable, Sustainable

Gil founded the successful Canadian non-profit organizations 8 80 Cities and Cities for Everyone. Gil is passionate about cities for all people and advises policymakers and communities worldwide on creating vibrant cities and healthy communities for all, regardless of age, gender, ability, and social, economic, or ethnic background. His focus is on the design and use of parks and streets as great public places, as well as the promotion of sustainable mobility: walking, riding bicycles, using public transit, and new use of cars.

Interested in a deeper dive? Watch for conference registration and sign up for a Gils’ pre-conference session on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

THURSDAY LUNCH SPEAKER: ILANA PREUSS

Ilana Preuss , founder and CEO of Recast Your City, will discuss Growing Economies in Smaller Cities by bringing small-scale manufacturing into downtowns and neighborhood main streets as a way to create vibrant places that people love, while building stronger local economies.

We invite you to discover and explore our Roots and Rivers at this year’s Florida Planning Conference, Sept. 5 – 8, 2023. continued on page 18

America’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic will depend on new business growth in communities nationwide. The key will be smaller cities – of about 250,000 people or less – where small-scale manufacturing and other forms of entrepreneurship can afford to locate and have the space to grow. Ilana is a leading expert on growing the economies of smaller cities and neighborhoods that have been left behind, and there has never been a better time to build businesses and thriving

[FPC 2023] SPEAKERS

continued from page 17

places in those communities. She will ensure we are engaged by organizing a breakout session that will dive further into the subject of small-scale manufacturing and entrepreneurship in small cities.

CLOSING BRUNCH SPEAKER: AMINAH RICKS

Aminah Ricks is an architect, urbanist, writer, and teacher who is also the founder of Future Planners, which fosters awareness and engagement of children in the practice and promise of urban planning. When we see our cities through a child’s eyes, we are able to make public spaces more vibrant and accessible.

Working directly with children, or cities and institutions, Future Planners informs and educates on the importance of including a child-friendly design approach to improving cities.

REGISTRATION UPDATE

As we inch closer to the 2023 Florida Planning Conference, we wanted to inform our members about a change in registration windows and prices

This year we will open registration two weeks earlier, the week of June 5, with our Early Bird Discounted price. There will also be a late registration window Aug. 525. There will be no on-site registration. Go to the conference website for all pricing and registration window information.

You will notice a small price increase this year as hotel catering and services costs have also increased significantly. We understand that prices have increased everywhere, and we are sorry to do the same. This adjustment will allow us to continue hosting this stellar event for you. Please go to the Registration page on the conference website for all prices and windows.

Room rates at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront are locked in at $148 per night for single/double occupancy and $119 per night for students for single - quad occupancy. In addition, self-parking for hotel guests is discounted at $15 per night.

We hope this heads-up will allow most of you to register early. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact us here. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing you in Jacksonville.

Student Poster Competition @ FPC23

Students, here’s your chance to strut your stuff at the 2023 Florida Planning Conference. We invite you to submit posters to be displayed at FPC23 in Jacksonville, Sept. 5-8, 2023. This inaugural Student Poster Competition and Session gives you an opportunity to showcase your work and get feedback from seasoned planning professionals. It is also the ideal networking opportunity.

florida planning conference 2023

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

jacksonville l september 5 - 8, 2023

Professional Headshot Sessions

We are excited to announce that we will be offering headshots as a FREE SERVICE for all registered attendees this year.

AS

AN ADDITIONAL PERK, STUDENTS WHOSE POSTERS ARE SELECTED WILL RECEIVE 50% OFF FPC23 REGISTRATION, A $75 VALUE!

Here are the Student Poster Competition and Session Rules and Guidelines. All entries must represent original student work. You will be asked to verify that you have reviewed the rules and guidelines when submitting your poster idea. A panel of judges from both academic and professional backgrounds will be assembled. Recognitions for outstanding content will be held during the conference or at the Closing Reception.

If you have questions, please contact the chapter office here

Whether you are a student or a mid-career professional, it’s always a good idea to have an updated headshot on the ready.

Once in Jacksonville, check the conference program for timing and details.

Volunteers Needed

If you are interested in volunteering @ FPC23, please fill out this short form

Student volunteers will be eligible for a $50 voucher Criteria to be entered (or receive voucher) is working a minimum of 4 hours during the conference.

~ APA Florida Executive Committee & FPC23 Host Committee

PLANNING STRONGER COMMUNITIES

For nearly a century, we’ve been developing creative and thoughtful solutions to strengthen communities and improve our quality of life. We adapt our work processes to fit the unique demands of each project using a collaborative, friendly style. The result? Solutions you can stand behind.

MEMBER SURVEY RESULTS:

More Local CMs, More Collaboration with Community Partners, and More Information Sharing!

By: Patti Shea, MPP

The results are in for the 2023 APA Florida Member Survey. Thank you to the 408 members who responded and told us how we can improve your membership value. The APA Florida Executive Committee reviewed these results at its recent retreat and is creating the chapter’s Strategic Operating Plan (SOP) based on the results. The 2024-25 SOP will be ready for membership approval in September.

What we heard: Seventy percent of respondents say more local CM opportunities outside the annual conference is a top-value item, with 46 percent wanting better avenues for information sharing and 40 percent asking for more chapter integration with other professional organizations. Refer to pp. 5 in the survey pdf

Most of our participants are satisfied with their local sections but want more in-person educational events as we emerge from the pandemic. Many of you want an array of networking, mentoring, and socializing opportunities that are closer to you. (Results not made public due to our promise not to share any comments, even though they are anonymous.)

Regarding how we communicate with you, 67 percent of participants ranked chapter emails as their top preference in receiving news, followed by section emails (35%), and then our publications, including Florida Planning Magazine and eNews & Notes (29%). Participants consistently ranked social media platforms lower than emails and publications, with the most popular platform being LinkedIn, then Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter respectively. Refer to pp. 14 on the survey

When asked how the chapter can improve its communications efforts, some participants said they wanted more frequent emails, while others suggested the “less is more” approach is best. Some recommend increasing social media presence, while others want more information from sections. (Again, data not made public.)

We encourage you to review the survey and see how your colleagues responded. The Executive Committee takes seriously your input on how we can change with the times

and adapt to the growing needs of our members. Please note there were more questions on the survey, but the responses were all open-ended questions, so we will not show those results.

If you have a question, comment, or idea on how we can improve your membership value, it’s not too late! Fill out this short contact form and we will be in touch!

Patti is the Communications Manager for APA Florida. She can be reached at pshea@floridaplanning.org.

APA FLORIDA WORKING FOR YOU

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ENVISIONS

APA FLORIDA’S FUTURE –2024-25 STRATEGIC PLAN

The APA Florida Executive Committee met for a Strategic Planning Retreat on April 14-15, 2023, at Historic DeBary Hall to envision the future of APA Florida. Throughout this excellent brain-storming session, the committee explored how to serve our members through enhanced communications strategies, maximization of financial resources, ensure the quality of section events, provide more professional development opportunities, create partnerships, and fighting for inclusion in the planning field and in the communities in which we work.

The board spent an evening touring Downtown Historic Deland and learned about the historic preservation efforts its Main Street is implementing in this charming community.

More information will be provided after the Executive Committee finalizes the 2024-25 Strategic Operating Plan. Members will vote on it during the Annual Member Meeting on Sept. 5 at the Florida Planning Conference.

MEMBER SURVEY: MORE CMS, COLLABORATION, INFORMATION SHARING

The results of the 2023 APA Florida Member Survey are in. We were excited that 408 members (nearly 14% of the total chapter membership) shared insights on how we can improve your member value.

Top results are: Seventy percent of respondents say more local CM opportunities outside the annual conference is a top-value item, with 46 percent wanting better avenues for information sharing and 40 percent asking for more chapter integration with other professional organizations. Read a longer recap on pp. 20.

2023 PUBLIC POLICY WORKSHOP REACHES ALMOST 300 PEOPLE

The 2023 Public Policy Workshop was a huge success, reaching almost 300 attendees and providing a plethora of online panels and interactive workshops to discuss public policies and how they affect or will affect the planning profession and planners in the future.

Thanks to all who attended, we look forward to hosting you again next year!

HELP US STOP SB 540 & OTHER LEGISLATIVE SESSION NEWS

We are calling on all APA Florida members to help us stop SB 540. On May 5 we sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis asking him to veto SB 540, which would significantly dismantle the effectiveness of local comprehensive plans and lead to unharnessed development that will cause irreparable harm to communities statewide. You can help by calling or emailing the governor and urging him to veto SB 540.

Earlier in the legislative session, we lobbied and sent letters to Senate President Passidomo asking her to stop the bill as it would adversely impact the oversight of workforce housing supply called for in the Live Local Act, the bill she drafted and championed because a consistency challenge would not apply to the housing requirements mentioned in that bill.

Throughout the 2023 Legislative Session, we tracked 189 bills and sent weekly Legislative Reporter updates each Friday to help our members follow the legislation impacting how we plan communities. Members can review all reporters on our website

Need an in-person recap of this eventful and newsworthy session? Then be sure to register for the 2023 Legislative Session Review Webinar. The presenters are:

• Whit Blanton, FAICP - APA Florida President

• Allara Mills Gutcher, AICP - APA Florida PresidentElect and Legislative Policy Committee Chair

[APA] WORKING FOR YOU

continued from page 21

• Thomas Hawkins, JD, MSRE - University of Florida

• Lester Abberger - APA Florida Legislative Representative

This FREE webinar is at noon EST on May 23. 1 Law CM or 1.5 CM . Register for the webinar here

mitted to promoting the organization’s mission. Tyler will manage social media accounts and help implement effective communication strategies for the organization, drawing on his experience in communications, music, and arts administration.

Welcome to the team, Tyler!

WELCOME TO THE TEAM, COMMUNICATIONS INTERN TYLER HAST STUDENT RESOURCE BOOK

We are thrilled to welcome Tyler Hast as the chapter’s new Communications Intern. Tyler is pursuing his Master of Arts Administration from Florida State University. He also serves as the Membership Intern at Tallahassee Community Chorus and works as a Graduate Assistant for the College of Music at Florida State University.

With a Master of Music in Voice Performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts and a Bachelor of Music from Missouri State University, Tyler brings a unique blend of creative and communication skills to this position. He is passionate about using his experience to support communities with APA Florida and is com-

To give our student members the career resources they need to prepare for a job search, the chapter office worked with APA Florida Student Representative Sabrina Viteri to create The Planning Playbook.

It’s a one-stop repository for planning students that includes information on scholarships, mentoring, and networking opportunities, as well as guidance on how to find a job after graduation.

Review this great resource and be sure to share with a planning student you know!

2023 GREAT PLACES IN FLORIDA COMING SOON

Get ready for the 10th Annual Great Places in Florida Award nomination window. This year we are focusing on Great Resilient Places.

Great Places in Florida is a unique awards program as all nominations are submitted by communities and the public determines the winner. Each year the nominees focus on unique, memorable places that work for the good of their community and attract people to visit them. The award is an annual selection of places that represent the gold standard of having a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement, and a vision for tomorrow. A newly restructured program includes an annual theme that includes planning elements that contribute to the “greatness” of a space or place. This year’s theme is Great Resilient Places

A Great Resilient Place embodies the ability to thrive amidst changing conditions and to conserve resources for present and future generations. Any Street, Public Space, Greenway/Trail, or Downtown in your community are eligible

for submission. Please review the award criteria and guidelines here

Finalists will be chosen by a panel of multidisciplinary experts, and the Great Places in Florida winner will be chosen by the public in the People’s Choice voting round.

CONTEST TIMELINE:

• Nomination period opens: June 26, 2023

• Nominations are due by: 5 pm ET on July 31, 2023

• Selection committee will deliberate and announce finalists: Aug. 25, 2023

• People’s Choice Award voting runs: Aug. 28 – Sept. 29, 2023

• Winner will be announced: Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, to kick off National Community Planning Month activities

[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 (four issues) plus inclusion in our web-based consultant directory.  Display ads to promote your business, conference, projects and more are available.  Contact the Chapter office at 850-201-3272 for rates and details.

[PRESIDENT'S] MESSAGE

continued from page 3

the committee’s recommended list of chapter-endorsed candidates at its April meeting in DeBary. Other eligible members who are interested may still pursue nominations by their APA Division or by obtaining a nomination from 10 AICP members. Selecting FAICP candidates for the chapter’s nomination is a difficult process, primarily because it’s hard to discern truly exemplary work by reviewing a person’s resume and summary of achievements. The process can also seem somewhat opaque and unfair, given the diversity in the field of planning. For those reasons, before the next cycle, APA Florida will be looking to strengthen the FAICP nominating process through greater clarity, earlier guidance, and other measures as needed.

LEGISLATIVE WATCH

The 2023 Florida Legislative Session may go down as one of the most hostile to planning and local government authority in decades. There are too many bad bills to mention, amid a too-small number of good ones. As of this writing, with one week to go in the 60-day Session, the Live Local Act (SB 102) is now signed into law, and the chapter has prepared a veto letter for SB 540, which undermines many of the provisions in the Community Planning Act. We’ve also been closely engaged in HB 439 regarding land use and land development regulations, as well as educational reforms prohibiting certain types of higher education instruction and degree programs under HB 999.

As usual, there’s a lot going on in Florida planning. I’d love to hear how the chapter can help you

Our purpose is to inspire people to be outside and engage in the community around them.

[THANK YOU] TO OUR ANNUAL SPONSORS

[FLORIDA] PLANNING

Published by the Florida Chapter, American Planning Association, the Florida Planning digital magazine has a current circulation of 3,000 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 August 2023.

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 contributions are not tax deductible.

For news and information on chapter concerns, visit the APA Florida website at florida planning.org

APA Florida

2017 Delta Boulevard, Suite 101 Tallahassee, FL 32303

Phone: 850-201-3272

Fax: 850-807-2576

[UPCOMING] EVENTS

MAY 23: APA FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION REVIEW

Webinar APA Florida is hosting. Don’t miss this review of the 2023 Florida Legislative Session, where we will recap all the bills that will affect how we plan communities, including the Live Local Act. Information here Free. 1 Law CM or 1.5 CM.

MAY 25: ADVOCATING FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Webinar. Florida Trust for Historic Preservation is hosting. What do you need to know to save historic places and spaces near you? Learn the fundamentals during this webinar. Information here Free

JUNE 9: REGIONAL COLLABORATION OF UTILITIES AND COMMUNITIES TOWARD RESILIENCE GOALS

Webinar. Planning Webcast Series is hosting. How can energy providers work collaboratively with local communities to provide resources and coordinate on planning to accelerate progress in clean energy, equity and resilience? This webinar will feature two initiatives from different regions of the U.S. that involve innovative collaboration between energy providers, local government and community stakeholders to achieve enhanced sustainability and resilience-related outcomes. Learning Objectives:

• Understand two different models of collaboration between regional utility providers and local communities, and their histories

• See how social equity has been incorporated programmatically in each example

• Gain knowledge of a variety of tools and resources available to planners. Information here Free. 1 SR CM or 1.5 CM.

JUNE 15: DISSECTING THE LAND USE AND PROPERTY TAX INCENTIVES IN THE LIVE LOCAL ACT

Webinar. Florida Housing Coalition is hosting. The Live Local Act, which is the 2023 Legislative Session's omnibus housing bill, contains a number of policies aimed at producing more affordable homes in Florida. This webinar will be the first in a series of trainings designed to help the public and private sector implement the tools in the Live Local Act. Information here Free. 1.5 CM.

JULY 18-19: PRESERVATION ON MAIN STREET

Ocala. Florida Main Street & Florida Trust for Historic Preservation are hosting. Preservation on Main Street is a meeting point for small business owners, community leaders, architects, planners, scholars, and the public to connect, exchange ideas, participate in educational sessions and workshops, and enjoy special tours. Information here

AUG. 28-30: FLORIDA’S STATEWIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONFERENCE

Orlando. Florida Housing Coalition is hosting. As the premier housing event in Florida, the conference attracts more than 1,100 affordable housing professionals, advocates, lenders, developers, administrators, and policymakers. We look forward to seeing newcomers and affordable housing veterans engage in thoughtprovoking exchange of new ideas, sharing best practices through housing workshops, forums, caucuses, and special events. Information here

For more information on these and other APA Florida events, please visit florida.planning.org/calendar/