FLORIDA PLANNING A publication of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association
EMERGING TRENDS IN INFRASTRUCTURE - Winter 2022
florida.planning.org
Federal Infrastructure Law Provides Opportunities and Challenges for Florida Communities By Brad Thoburn, FDOT Assistant Secretary of Strategic Development
Florida’s long-range transportation plan, the Florida Transportation Plan, establishes goals for our transportation future. These goals include improving safety, mobility, and accessibility, while strengthening Florida’s economy, on page 4 communities, andcontinued environment. Our ability to efficiently and safely move people and goods directly affects our everyday lives. The recently signed Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, commonly called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), has important continued on page 4
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
6
Using Open and Big Data in Transportation Modeling
9
Best Practices for Writing and Implementing Successful Infrastructure Grants
11 14
Next Steps for Passenger Rail in Florida and Tampa Bay
16
Seeking Federal Greenways and Funding for Trails as Infrastructure? Infrastructure: Review Your Florida DEP Agency's Asking for Input Nondiscrimination on Map Plan Compliance
18
20
Florida Planning 2021 APA Florida Conference 2022: Minority Call for Scholarships Presentations Awards
OTHER FEATURES President’s Message - p. 3 Member Spotlight Q&A - p. 21 Planners on the Move - p. 22 Working for You - p. 23 Consultants Directory - p. 24 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 Wiatt Bowers, AICP
904-363-8488
president@floridaplanning.org
Immediate Past President
Laura Everitt, AICP, Esq., LEED GA
813-327-5450
pastpresident@floridaplanning.org fx
President-Elect
Whit Blanton, FAICP
727-464-8712
presidentelect@floridaplanning.org
Treasure Coast Section
Kori Benton, AICP
727-462-2518
treasurecoast@floridaplanning.org
Student Representative
Bob Bernhart
941-504-1852
students@floridaplanning.org t
VP-Professional Development
Henry Bittaker, FAICP
561-523-0687
profdevelopment@floridaplanning.org f
Secretary
Lara Bouck, AICP, PE
407-481-5672
secretary@floridaplanning.org
San Felasco Section
Juan Castillo
352-393-8698
sanfelasco@floridaplanning.org
Sun Coast Section
Katrina Corcoran, AICP
suncoast@floridaplanning.org
VP Membership/Outreach
Ennis Davis, AICP
904-396-5727
membership@floridaplanning.org
University Liaison
Laura Dedenbach, AICP, Ph.D.
352-294-1493
university@floridaplanning.org
VP Communications
Melissa Dickens, AICP
813-273-3774
communications@floridaplanning.org
Capital Area Section
Macy Falcon, AICP
850-380-2812
capitalarea@floridaplanning.org
EPG Representative
Sofia Garantiva, AICP
813-276-8330
ypg@floridaplanning.org
Promised Lands Section
Jason Green, AICP
promisedlands@floridaplanning.org
Broward Section
Daniel Keester-O'Mills, AICP
954-786-5541
broward@floridaplanning.org
Treasurer
Allara Mills Gutcher, AICP
850-319-9180
treasurer@floridaplanning.orgaf
Gold Coast Section
Juan Mullerat
305-444-4850
goldcoast@floridaplanning.org
Orlando Metro Section
Luis Nieves-Ruiz, AICP
407-245-0300
orlandometro@floridaplanning.org
VP Section Affairs
Tony Palermo, AICP
239-321-7926
sectionaffairs@floridaplanning.org
Atlantic Coast Section
Brad Parrish, AICP
321-567-3776
atlanticcoast@floridaplanning.org
VP of Continuing Education
Jill Quigley, AICP
954-641-5680
certmaintenance@floridaplanning.org
First Coast Section
Ray Spofford, AICP
904-265-3189
firstcoast@floridaplanning.org
VP Conference Services
Thuy Turner, AICP, LEED AP BD+C
954-610-1633
conferencesvcs@floridaplanning.org
Heart of Florida Section
Tom Wodrich, AICP, MPA
863-838-8511
heartoffl@floridaplanning.org
Emerald Coast Section
Randy Woodruff, AICP
850-689-7347
emeraldcoast@floridaplanning.org
Executive Director
Julia “Alex“ Magee
850-201-3272
fapa@floridaplanning.org
Ad. Assistant/Bookkeeper
Jessica Groce
850-201-3272
adminbk@floridaplanning.org
Communications Director
Patti Shea
850-201-3272
staff@floridaplanning.org
Intern
Kylie Pope
850-201-3272
floridaplanningstaff@gmail.com
Legislative Representative
Lester Abberger
850-524-2779
lesterabberger@nettally.com
Graphic Design (Consultant)
Summer Taylor
727-452-2416
summer@exaktmarketing.com
All other inquiries, contact APA Florida at 850-201-3272 or e-mail fapa@floridaplanning.org. 2 Winter 2022 / Florida Planning
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE As we get deeper into 2022, I hope that all of you are remaining healthy and safe. Last year I wrote that 2020 was not what any of us expected, and that I was optimistically looking forward to some semblance of normalcy returning in early 2021. I’ll renew that again this year, hoping that the Omicron spread is just about over in Florida. In 2020, we all adjusted to the virtual world, and in 2021 many of us experimented with hybrid events and meetings. I continue to be immensely proud of our APA Florida leadership and their ability to adjust our plans based on ever evolving conditions. I am also tremendously grateful to our many volunteers who continue working diligently to provide professional development and networking opportunities for our members. Last year, we held our public policy workshop virtually for the first time, enabling more members to participate than in years past.
This year, for the 20th Annual APA Florida Public Policy Workshop, we again hosted it online on the afternoon of Feb. 10 and the morning of Feb. 11. Our Legislative Leadership team put together a diverse agenda, including the state of our economy, a look at how Federal policy changes may affect Florida, how COVID may affect our development patterns, and our annual discussion on what to look for in the legislature this session. Another great educational opportunity in February comes through our Black History Month Series, presented by the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee. The four-part series, held virtually on Tuesdays in February cover black history from Tallahassee to Miami. Make sure you watch or register for these webinars today as they are free of charge and offer CM credits. APA’s National Planning Conference returns in person this May, with live events in San Diego along with some virtual sessions. While our state conference had some virtual components last year, we are planning for a full in-person 2022 Florida Planning Conference, scheduled for Sept. 6-9 in Orlando. The local host committee has identified keynote speakers, mobile workshops, and social activities. The call for sessions has been released, and is included in this newsletter, so please consider submitting a proposal. For AICP members, this is the first year of the revised CM requirements, and our conference offerings will expand accordingly. Speaking of AICP CM requirements, we are all now on the same two-year certification cycle, which began on Jan. 1, 2022. Some of our members were not able to obtain the 32 credits needed from the last cycle by Dec. 31, 2021. The good news is APA is offering a five-month grace period, allowing members to log remaining needed credits through May 31. In addition to the professional development opportunities mentioned above, APA Florida offers several recorded workshops, including those qualifying for Ethics and Law credits. More information can be found on the chapter website. Looking ahead, 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of growth management in Florida. Later this year, we’ll take a glimpse back at all the changes, and envision what the future of growth management may look likes. If you have perspectives on the past, present, or future of growth management in Florida, we’d like to hear from you. Finally, every two years we elect statewide officers for APA Florida. Our chapter is growing, and we now have more than 3,200 members for the first time in more than a decade. Now is a great time to get involved with APA Florida at the chapter and/or section level. If you’re interested in getting involved in one of our committee, or sections, or maybe considering running for statewide office, please reach out to me at president@floridaplanning.org.
Wiatt Bowers, AICP Winter 2022 / Florida Planning 3
[INFRASTRUCTURE] LAW
continued from cover
implications for the State of Florida and its communities. At a high level, the BIL: • reauthorizes the federal surface transportation act (so a large percentage is not necessarily “new” funding), • increases formula and discretionary funding, • creates several new programs (both formula and discretionary), • emphasizes four planning areas: safety, equity, resiliency, and modernization, and • includes additional funding for water, environment, public lands, power and energy, broadband, and resiliency infrastructure. Like previous federal surface transportation acts, the BIL provides direct funding, allocated by formula, to each state, as well as opportunities to compete for discretionary grants. Florida will continue to leverage our bottom-up planning process beginning with our MPO’s and counties to build our work program and identify opportunities to compete for discretionary funds. Florida is estimated to receive a direct allocation of $16.7 billion in formula funds for transportation, with FDOT receiving $13.5 billion and other recipients, like airports and transit agencies, receiving the remainder. FDOT’s apportionment is $3.5 billion more than provided in the last five-year federal surface transportation act. Federal funding accounts for about 25 percent of total transportation investments in Florida and the federal resources in the BIL will continue to augment Florida’s transportation investments. It is worth noting the BIL reverses the trend in recent authorizations to streamline programs, expand program eligibility in lieu of creating new programs, and provide greater flexibility. The BIL creates new programs, including new discretionary programs which place federal control over funding decisions. The BIL adds 21 new competitive programs on top of 13 existing transportationrelated competitive discretionary grant programs, totaling $187 billion in potential funding. These grant programs do provide new funding opportunities to not only FDOT, but also cities, counties, metropolitan planning organizations, and transit agencies. Four focus areas emerge from the BIL: safety, equity, resilience, and modernization. Some key points of interest to Florida communities include:
4 Winter 2022 / Florida Planning
• Safety. The BIL provides $11 billion in transportation safety programs, including a new $5 billion Safe Streets and Roads for All program. • Equity. Multiple programs include considerations for rural and underserved or disadvantaged communities. The Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program provides $2 billion nationally for surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas. • Resilience. Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) will provide $7.3 billion in formula funding to states and $1.4 billion in competitive grants to eligible entities will augment ongoing state and local efforts support the resilience of our transportation system. • Modernization. The BIL includes $39 billion of new investment to modernize transit and improve accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities. $7.5 billion will be available to build a national network of EV chargers and $1 billion in is included for the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) program to advance smart city or community technologies and systems. While new discretionary funding programs expand opportunities for local projects, these new programs also require local resources for planning, grant writing, project development and delivery. Implementation of the BIL will require enhanced collaboration with federal, state, regional, and local governments, as well as modal and private partners. FDOT will continue to provide input to USDOT to reflect Florida’s unique needs, as USDOT develops implementation guidance. Through our continued investments, we are planning for the future to ensure that all Floridians and visitors have a safe, secure, and reliable transportation system. For more information on the BIL, visit here. Brad Thoburn is the Assistant Secretary of Strategic Development for the Florida Department of Transportation. He can be reached at brad.thoburn@dot.state.fl.us.
Winter 2022 / Florida Planning 5
KEEPING UP WITH THE TRENDS:
Using Open and Big Data in Transportation Modeling By Tewari Edmonson The southeast region, which includes Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County, is embarking on the ninth update of its activitybased travel demand forecasting tool aptly named the Southeast Regional Planning Model version 9 (SERPM 9). The effort is being led by the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), in support of the respective Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) updates done every 5 years. SERPM 9 has a 2050 forecast year and simulates the travel decisions of residents and visitors throughout the southeast Florida region. The model forecasts how many trips each person living within or visiting the region makes on a typical weekday, the origin and destination of these trips, their travel mode, time of day, and even composition of the traveling parties. SERPM 9 will use forecasted 2050 population, employment, and roadway/transit networks to evaluate future demand which guides transportation investments throughout the region. The model forecasts the utilization of new roadway and transit capacity as well as the impact of new capacity on congestion, transit vehicle peak loads, travel times, vehicle-miles traveled, emissions, and other measures of effectiveness. As the model simulates the travel 6 Winter 2022 / Florida Planning
pattern of each person within the region, it will also be used to assess equity impacts across various communities identified by their geographic location, income, ethnicity, and other characteristics. This ninth update is focused on making the model easier to use and maintain while also keeping it current by leveraging new and improved sources of travel behavior data. One of the key improvements planned for SERPM 9 is the deployment of roadway, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian networks based on OpenStreetsMap and continued on page 7
[TRANSPORTATION] MODELING
continued from page 6
Google Transit Feed data. By relying on open and free industry standard data sources the region can reduce the cost and time it takes to keep its networks current while improving the accuracy of the network representation. Another key improvement is the deployment of ActivitySim, an open-source travel model maintained by the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO). By adopting ActivitySim, the Southeast region joins a growing community of agencies that are collaborating to enhance and maintain this activity-based travel demand modeling software, thereby sharing the cost of new feature development, and effectively developing a standard for activity-based modeling. This is beneficial to the region as it leads to faster adoption of best practices, expands the pool of qualified model users, and creates a venue for sharing solutions to common problems. A third key improvement underway for SERPM 9 is the utilization of various “big data” sets for validating the model system.
An important motivation for improving the usability of SERPM 9 is the desire to use the model efficiently to examine a wide range of future scenarios in service of robust decision-making. Changing lifestyles, trends, incomes, and transportation supply caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, mobility as a service, vehicle automation and electrification have long-term consequences that could be profound but also difficult to predict. SERPM 9 is being designed to allow users to quickly test different assumptions regarding the adoption of new trends and technologies on multiple measures of effectiveness. Understanding how travel patterns change and impact different populations helps design transportation solutions that are equitable and robust to a wide range of future economic and demographic conditions. Tewari Edmonson is a Transportation Planner III for the MiamiDade TPO. He can be reached at Tewari.Edmonson@miamidade.gov.
Winter 2022 / Florida Planning 7
8 Winter 2022 / Florida Planning
Images courtesy City of Miami.
FOR WRITING AND IMPLEMENTING SUCCESSFUL INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS By: Jim Murley, J.D.
As Miami-Dade County’s Chief Resilience Officer, I was delighted in 2021 to see increasing support for resilience infrastructure investments at the local, state, and federal levels across all sectors of the political spectrum. I have worked in government for decades, so witnessing this type of teamwork brings a renewed sense of hope and reinforces our local government’s long-standing commitment to strengthening and safeguarding our natural and built environments for upcoming challenges resulting from climate change. While parts of the federal Infrastructure Bill continue working their way through Congress, we can clearly see a growing desire to provide the financial resources required to shore up many places and projects that haven’t received sufficient financial allocations for decades. Miami-Dade County’s extensive experience in grant processes at the local, state, and federal levels offers helpful insights for other communities now looking at potential infrastructure grants. • First, remember that money will need to be invested up front for preliminary designs and cost estimates, especially continued on page 10
Winter 2022 / Florida Planning 9
[INFRASTRUCTURE] GRANTS
continued from page 9
for innovative planning that doesn’t already fit within the core operational functions of a given department. • Also, be prepared for significant lag time between drafting a grant and actually receiving any funding that is awarded. The timeline can extend for years, which can be a barrier to recovery, particularly for middle- and lower-income families. • Read the grant application guidelines thoroughly and make sure all of your questions are addressed. You will need to contact the funder with any remaining questions during the question/answer period. It is helpful to have someone work on the proposal who is detail-oriented, reads carefully and writes well. • Make sure your staff can absorb the additional work that will need to be delivered if the grant is awarded. • Start researching and developing projects beforehand. Many grants are awarded annually, and many organizations provide examples of awarded projects and levels of funding from past years to assist applicants. • Make sure you can provide matching funds if required. In particular, for private foundation grants, it is often helpful to develop trusted contacts within this sector. They may reach out about opportunities that are not advertised publicly. Don’t pursue any grant just for the sake of it. Make sure it aligns with core functions of your workplace. At the close of last year, the State of Florida dedicated more than $270 million in grants for resilience projects. Miami-Dade County and its municipalities are slated to receive close to 35 percent of this funding. This much-needed support will be dedicated to a wide variety of shovel-ready projects ranging from Everglades’ restoration, largescale acquisition of living shorelines and expansion of Miami-Dade County’s Environmentally Endangered Lands program to the elevation of roadways and resilience enhancements for aging public
10 Winter 2022 / Florida Planning
housing developments, libraries, fire stations, a critical data center, and the county’s Integrated Command and Communications center. A key to our county’s success in receiving these grant awards was devoting the research brain power to thoroughly understanding our local needs and which projects to prioritize long before the grant opportunities were announced. We must always remember to address the cause of climate change and not only the symptoms. These interlocking strategies work in a unified way to help our local governments and multiple community partners build back better in the face of both climate change and the financial hardships caused by the pandemic. This vital work will also generate impressive future financial benefits. In fact, the “return on investment” for every dollar spent on resilience work results in anywhere from $4 to $9 dollars of savings down the road – depending on which sector of the economy you look analyze. Stabilizing infrastructure today will save money later by reducing our susceptibility to the multiple risk factors of climate change. Mayor Levine Cava’s leadership has enabled Miami-Dade County to tap into other sources of federal funding for green infrastructure. For example, on Nov. 4, 2021, the EPA announced more than $424 million for a Water Infrastructure Finance & Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to improve water quality and climate resilience. This was Miami-Dade’s fourth WIFIA allocation, making our Water and Sewer Department the nation’s top recipient of these awards for vital infrastructure upgrades. We look forward to more good news locally and across the nation as additional resilience funding opportunities unfold thanks to the diligent work of elected officials at all levels of government who are partnering with leaders in the public, private and nonprofit sectors to enhance the future stability of our nation’s infrastructure. Jim Murley, J.D., is Miami-Dade County’s Chief Resilience Officer. He can be reached at resilience@miamidade.gov.
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Winter 2022 / Florida Planning 11
Next Steps for Passenger Rail IN FLORIDA AND TAMPA BAY Whit Blanton, FAICP Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on the Forward Pinellas blog. Regional leaders formally renewed discussions of developing passenger rail in Tampa Bay with state officials from the Florida Department of Transportation last week. The meeting, hosted by the Sun Coast Transportation Planning Alliance (SCTPA), focused on the rail tracks owned and operated by CSX, the national freight rail conglomerate, renewing a decades-long wish for improved transportation in the region. In 2015, CSX offered two little-used rail segments in Tampa Bay – the Brooksville and Clearwater subdivisions – for sale to the state, creating a lot of excitement and activity that has failed to result in a specific concept or project for the rail corridors. The FDOT is developing a statewide passenger rail vision and strategy, and this meeting served as the first opportunity for regional and local officials to help guide the state’s role. The state’s active engagement is a significant change. The Department of Transportation is reframing several key policy documents to better align resources with growing needs to move people beyond ever-wider highways in Florida’s major urban areas, and a statewide passenger rail strategy is part of that effort. In 2015, FDOT officials
took a reactive approach to local and regional calls for leadership on CSX rail and other forms of premium transit, such as Bus Rapid Transit, by providing $1 million for a regional transit planning study and making matching funding available for transit projects that win federal approval, a notoriously high bar to achieve. Now, with the Department more fully engaged in Tallahassee and Tampa, these discussions could prove fruitful with an actual rail project defined and adopted as a regional priority in the next year or two, with possible state funding to acquire tracks, develop and help operate passenger rail service. The planned extension of the Brightline higher speed rail service from its future terminus in Orlando to downtown Tampa in the next several years is helping spur things along. That’s why a productive discussion between state and regional officials in last week’s forum with the Sun Coast Transportation Planning Alliance (representing the Tampa Bay region’s six metropolitan planning organizations) is so important. It signals a recommitment to fully explore a regional consensus for a passenger rail system and an initial project in the Tampa Bay area, with a recognition that other transit initiatives must keep moving forward. continued on page 13
12 Winter 2022 / Florida Planning
[PASSENGER] RAIL
continued from page 12
There were several broad areas of agreement that will inform the process and actions over the next two years: A more robust transit network is a priority in Tampa Bay. Whether it’s the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, downtown St. Petersburg, or unincorporated Wesley Chapel in Pasco County, rapid population growth and the high cost of housing are driving the need to create travel options beyond clogged and under-construction highways. It’s clear that regional officials want action by finding funding to maintain and enhance existing local service, develop Bus Rapid Transit, and pursue passenger rail, keeping in mind that the local and regional systems are complementary, and one cannot be developed at the expense of the other. There was consensus that multiple projects should be defined and advanced through the SCTPA’s priority projects to become eligible for state and federal dollars. Get started on negotiating for CSX rail tracks. The SCTPA gave its support to conducting an evaluation of the CSX rail lines, particularly the Brooksville and Clearwater lines that converge near Tampa International Airport. The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority (TBARTA) stated it has funding available and is scoping a study to examine the best use(s) for the CSX tracks, including assessing costs for acquiring and upgrading the two rail lines CSX said in 2015 it would sell. Negotiating with CSX will be a complex and time-consuming effort that depends on knowing specifically what the region wants to do with the rail lines. The FDOT will need to be a key partner to garner necessary state support. Clarify roles and responsibilities. As the state re-imagines its role and policies to support passenger rail in Florida, so too must the locals come together as a region to clearly establish needs, define a service plan and associated costs, and establish priorities. In the continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive transportation planning process, the MPOs – through the SCTPA and its subcommittee, the Tampa Bay Management Area(TMA) Leadership Group – must define long range regional transportation needs, establish priorities, and advance projects through the five-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) in partnership with the area’s transit providers. That process is the gateway to federal and state funding. Whether it’s TBARTA or FDOT that will focus on specific rail corridors to define a potential passenger rail project will be a useful complement to the state, regional, and local decision-making process about priority-setting and funding. It is indeed within TBARTA’s mission to help define, advance, and develop transit projects that serve the region. The Sun Coast Transportation Planning Alliance and TMA Leadership Group will provide the regional forum for the MPOs and their local government members to determine which projects are priorities and the most worthwhile from a ridership, economic development, and community perspective for allocation of federal and state funds. To that end, the TMA voted last week
to make the issue of passenger rail transit and the CSX study the focus of their meetings through 2022. Funding is the ultimate test. While the state may be rethinking its approach to transit, funding will continue to be a shared responsibility among federal, state, and local partners. Even with the trillions in federal spending for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the federal government and state government can pay up to 75 percent of a project’s capital costs, but typically do not fund operations except for a limited time. As with SunRail in the Orlando region, the state may be asked to pay for relocation or upgrading rail infrastructure to handle freight traffic on the CSX lines. Ultimately, without substantial changes in federal laws or Florida Statutes, local government agencies like the counties, HART, PSTA and Go Pasco will be responsible for paying to operate and maintain bus or rail service. That cannot happen without new funding source(s) or a drastic shift in local priorities from roads to transit. What’s been happening over the last six years? When the opportunity first came up in late 2015 for the state and region to acquire the two CSX lines, FDOT provided $1 million to TBARTA to conduct a regional evaluation of potential corridors for a regional transit project. In 2016-2018, various CSX rail lines and corridors like I-275, US 19, SR 54, and SR 60 were evaluated for potential service, including developing ridership forecasts and potential costs. The CSX rail lines and other corridors did not show high ridership levels, much redevelopment potential, or gain traction through that study. Instead, the work by TBARTA led to the identification of the I-275 corridor as the most valuable and cost-effective for reºgional transit, with development of a regional BRT project (called Regional Rapid Transit) linking Pasco, Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties. But without the support from Hillsborough County to make it a priority project or participate in its funding, it has a highly uncertain future. That same challenge awaits any new regionally significant transit project. Next Steps. FDOT is encouraging those interested in sharing thoughts on FDOT’s future role in a statewide passenger rail policy or program to email comments to planning@dot.state.fl.us. Regional partners will ill develop a scope of work and begin the CSX study in early 2022. The MPOs, led by Forward Pinellas, will undertake a Regional Needs Assessment for the 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan, a key step beginning next year that will guide the adoption of Long Range Transportation Plans for each MPO and county. Whit Blanton, FAICP, is executive director of Forward Pinellas, which serves as the metropolitan planning organization for Pinellas County and a member of the Sun Coast Transportation Planning Alliance. He can be reached at wblanton@co.pinellas.fl.us.
Winter 2022 / Florida Planning 13
Seeking Federal Funding for Infrastructure? Review Your Agency’s Nondiscrimination Compliance. By: Alissa Barber Torres, FAICP., PhD, CLTD With President Biden’s signing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (aka the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), Florida planners in local government or other public agencies may be preparing to receive infrastructure funds through formula funding or competitive grant programs. To be eligible for federal funds, local governments and public agencies must be in compliance with federal civil rights/ nondiscrimination laws. Even if your agency has never had to document its nondiscrimination compliance before, that may be on the horizon. At the 2021 National Environmental Justice Conference, several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, spoke at length about their compliance and enforcement of existing federal nondiscrimination legislation, as well as President Biden’s Executive Orders addressing Racial Equity and Environmental Justice, which created the Justice40 Initiative to guide federal funding investments. Federal agencies are releasing new policy guidance, planning training for staff and federal funding recipients, implementing public engagement programs, updating applicable rules, doing compliance reviews of funding recipients, and filling enforcement positions. It’s clear that now is the time to review, and potentially enhance, your agency’s nondiscrimination efforts, starting with these key elements: Title VI: To be eligible for federal funds, local governments and other public agencies must comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits federal aid recipients from discriminating against, excluding participation from, and denying benefits to any person on the basis of race, color, or national origin. If one department of an agency accepts federal funds, all agency operations must be in compliance, as one department’s noncompliance risks federal review of every agency program, service, and activity and the potential loss of federal funds. These requirements include policy development, data collection and analysis, program evaluation and monitoring, public engagement, and notification to the public of their rights under Title VI. “It is the policy of the Department to award and to continue to provide Federal financial assistance only to those applicants and recipients who comply fully with all Title VI requirements.” Source: DOT Order 1000.12C, U.S. Department of Transportation, June 11, 2021.
Limited English Proficiency: Title VI requires planning for and providing services to residents with Limited English Proficiency 14 Winter 2022 / Florida Planning
(LEP), as determined by the U.S. Census, to avoid discrimination on the basis of national origin. Local agencies must complete language access planning using a “four factor analysis” and other assessment to determine the extent of their needs for document translation and interpretation services for agency operations/public engagement, which must be provided at no cost. Environmental Justice: Under Executive Order 12898, Environmental Justice (EJ) provisions require agencies to identify and avoid disproportionately high and adverse effects on minority and lowincome populations, including from transportation decisions, programs and policies. These effects can be environmental, social, and economic and are determined based on effects as compared to other populations, not the minority and low-income populations’ size. Agencies must ensure full and fair participation by all potentially-affected communities in the agency’s decisions and prevent denial, reduction, or significant delay in benefits to minority and low-income populations. The US Department of Transportation’s recent update to its EJ policy provides an overview of key requirements, and several other EJ resources are published by federal agencies, with Justice40 guidance forthcoming. ADA: While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for building accessibility may be most familiar, ADA has important requirements for public infrastructure under Title II of the ADA. Local governments that are repaving/resurfacing roadways must bring them into compliance with ADA at that time, such as by providing ADA-compliant curb ramps. New Public Right of Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) are expected to be adopted in April 2022 and will make key updates to accessibility standards. Some PROWAG standards may also require updates to local governments’ Land Development Code standards for sidewalk and on-street parking accessibility. If your public agency has more than 50 employees, it is required to complete an ADA self-evaluation and transition plan for any noncompliant public rights of way that include an inventory of the agency’s pedestrian facilities, the methods and annual schedule for making facilities compliant, and the person responsible for compliance activities. These also must be posted for public comment. As seen in this review, the need to address civil rights requirements in planning for infrastructure is essential for federal infrastructure funding eligibility. At the same time, ensuring your agency’s nondiscrimination compliance is critical to its efforts, and our profession’s, to promote equity, inclusion, and social justice in Florida’s communities. Alissa Barber Torres, PhD, FAICP, CLTD is the Co-Chair of APA Florida’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee and a Chief Planner with the Orange County Transportation Planning Division. She can be reached at alissa.torres@ocfl.net.
Winter 2022 / Florida Planning 15
Greenways and Trails as Infrastructure: FLORIDA DEP ASKING FOR INPUT ON MAP PLAN By: Samantha Browne
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Division of Recreation and Parks (DRP) has identified as one of its objectives “to plan, promote and provide outdoor recreation opportunities through a network of trails, access and information.” The Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT), a bureau within DRP, is tasked with fulfilling this objective.
To accomplish this, OGT works with state and local partners to facilitate development of an interconnected Florida Greenways and Trails System (FGTS). Through this effort, OGT compiles local trails data from cities, counties and other land managing entities into one inclusive system. Depicting the trails data on a statewide map helps identify where connections can be made across jurisdictional boundaries. Another important function of OGT is to facilitate communication among various stakeholders involved in greenways and trails planning, development, management and maintenance. This requires OGT to establish strong relationships with planners, land managers and other stakeholders, both public and private. The FGTS plan outlines the vision for the state’s Greenways and Trails System on land and water, and defines the role of the system in advancing Florida’s economy, tourism, public health, transportation choices, recreation, conservation and quality of life. continued on page 17
16 Winter 2022 / Florida Planning
[GREENWAYS] & TRAILS
continued from page 16
The Florida Legislature passed measures in 2014 and 2015 to fund the development of multi-use trails by establishing the Shared-Use Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail program. Administered by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the SUN Trail program provides funding for the development of a statewide system of paved multi-use trails, including the paved component of the FGTS Priority System. FDOT advances the establishment of the FGTS by programming a recurring $25 million allocation to close gaps and complete trails within the Priority System. Coordination with local and metropolitan planning organizations is vital as these organizations distribute Federal Transportation Alternative funds to projects specifically focused on developing bicycle/pedestrian facilities and multi-use trails. They also develop a priority project list that FDOT uses to select projects for funding. OGT will continue to coordinate with agencies and other grant programs (including Florida Forever, Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, and Recreational Trails Program and Florida Communities Trust) to support public recreation access. OGT is currently updating the FGTS Plan, Goals and Objectives, and Opportunity and Priority maps. This will be the third update to the plan since Connecting Florida’s Communities laid the groundwork in 1998 to implement the many greenways and trails programs and projects that exist today. The FGTS Plan and Priority Maps were last updated in 2018 and the visioning maps (Opportunity Maps) in 2015. The current update to the plan will guide implementation of the connected statewide trail system from 2023 through 2027. Keep tabs on the update process through the OGT FGTS Update Page. To assist in this effort, please utilize one of the tools below: • View the 2018 Priority Maps and 2015 Opportunity Maps interactively through FDEP’s interactive app. Instructions on how to use the app are available by clicking on the “How to Use the App” button that appears at the top of the Map Direct window. • Download shapefiles of the draft Priority and Opportunity Trails from the OGT FGTS Update Page. Comments are due by May 21, 2022. OGT prefers to receive maps and shapefiles electronically, along with a narrative of the status and need for each corridor. If you have questions, please contact your Regional Coordinator.
Statewide map to Florida Greenways and Trails System.
Infrastructure comes in all shapes, sizes and uses!
Samantha Browne is the Bureau Chief, Division of Recreation and Parks, Office of Greenways and Trails. She can be reached at samantha.browne@dep.state.fl.us.
Winter 2022 / Florida Planning 17
florida planning conference 2022
CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS orlando l september 6 - 9, 2022 Hello and welcome to The Game Has Changed! The Orlando Metro Section is pleased to host the 2022 Florida Planning Conference in Orlando! We will be meeting Sept. 6-9, 2022 at the Hilton on Destination Parkway. This year we call on you to create dynamic and interesting session proposals that will facilitate future ready cities. Special attention will be paid to sessions that support equity, diversity, and inclusion within the planning profession and provide a “lessons learned” aspect for the enrichment of attendees. We have provided topics of particular interest below and welcome research projects at the university level from both professors and students that would be of interest to our membership and allied professionals. continued on page 19
IMPORTANT INFORMATION Session proposals are due by 5:00 pm EST on March 31, 2022. APA Florida wants to support the planning community in developing innovative and practical approaches for planning in the public interest. We recognize the inequities of past planning practices, and our goal is to create inclusive, just, equitable, and sustainable communities. We encourage session submitters to provide a statement as to how your proposed session contributes to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in planning in Florida. As part of this commitment, you are encouraged to submit sessions that have panelists of diverse identities, have topics that engage APA’s commitment to equity, and that consider the equity implications of projects being featured. All session proposals should be for 60 minutes. Panel sessions are encouraged. All sessions must have at least two presenters.
18 Winter 2022 / Florida Planning
[CALL FOR] PRESENTATIONS
continued from page 18
tracks COMMUNITY CARDS This track focuses on the evolution of diversity and inclusion in both our work and our workplaces. What lessons did we learn during COVID related to equitable community engagement that we want to keep? Explore the COVID effects on 2020 Census results, ethics of equity and preserving cultural heritage through participatory planning. AT THE ARCADE This track describes innovative strategies for equitable and inclusive solutions in planning, age-friendly streets, school planning and community engagement, public safety, innovative financing for lower income/ minority homeowners, addressing disruptions from COVID 19, missing middle housing and COVID innovations - what stuck, i.e. outdoor dining, on-line permits, etc.
HOW TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL 1
Download the Conference Session Practice Form to fill in all required information and get approval from your panelists.
2
Fill out the online form @ bit.ly/fpc22form
TUG OF WAR This track emphasizes regulatory topics such as short-term rental regulation, exactions toolbox, regional transportation planning, private property rights (climate change effects, case for eminent domain of beach front property), ethics, moratoriums shaping policy and innovative code processes. LAST PIECE OF THE PUZZLE This track centers on equitable and inclusive placemaking and redevelopment, post-pandemic reality for cities, planning for changing urban mobility, disposition of distressed assets, celebrating diversity in multicultural neighborhoods and mobility choices for resort destinations. FIELD DAY This track concentrates on health, recovery, and the environment. Topics in this track include rural planning challenges, comprehensive planning for water, wildlife corridors, evacuation technologies, hurricane simulation for small business, heritage trails, environmental planning and sustainability and resilience planning. Emphasis should be placed on equitable and inclusive projects and solutions.
See You In Orlando! Winter 2022 / Florida Planning 19
2021 APA FLORIDA MINORITY SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO
AGUERREBERE AND ELKOTT By: Kylie Pope
APA Florida is elated to award scholarships this year to two outstanding, up-and-coming planners. Emilee Aguerrebere and Fatima Elkott are the recipients of the 2021 APA Florida Minority Scholarships. Emilee will receive $2,000 and Fatima will get $1,500 to apply toward education expenses. Let’s meet these intriguing students: Emilee, a second-year graduate student in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Florida, will graduate in Fall 2022 with a focus in Environmental and Adaptation Planning. Preceding her journey to graduate school, Emilee received her Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies and Geography with honors from Mount Holyoke College. As a Miami native, Emilee has seen the urban landscape of her hometown evolve as a result of pressing environmental stressors. This has largely influenced her decision to pursue planning as a career, focusing on social equity and environmental stressors affecting affordable and sustainable housing. Presently, she is working for the Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience (FIBER) as a graduate research assistant, which has led her to dive deeper into interests such as, climate gentrification, climate-resistant housing, defensive design, and participatory and community-led processes in planning. Fueled by personal experiences and the rich history of her hometown of Miami, she hopes to extend her knowledge and assistance to surrounding communities to “promote a more just and ecologically responsive future.” Fatima, a second-year graduate student in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of South Florida (USF), will graduate in Fall 2023 with focuses on Community and Advocacy Planning and Food Systems Planning. Preceding her journey continued on page 25
20 Winter 2022 / Florida Planning
Emilee Aguerrebere
Fatima E
lkott
Member Spotlight Q&A: Katrina Corcoran, AICP Safety and Security Committee. I’ve been involved with this committee since 2018 as a Young Member and Paper Review Coordinator. Would you like to share anything about your family? I have a wonderful boyfriend who I live with in South Tampa. My mom and stepdad live in Arcadia, my dad lives in Bonita Springs, and my brother and sister-in-law live in Orlando, so I get to visit many different parts of the state.
Where are you originally from? I was born in Sarasota, but my family moved to Arcadia when I was in elementary school. On my mom’s side, I am a fourth generation Floridian!
What are your hobbies and interests? I love walking, running, and biking around Tampa. I also like to draw in my sketchbook, use Procreate for digital art, and read in my downtime. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I also love being around my rescue cats Max and Maycee, who were adopted from the Bahamas, and Skye, who my boyfriend adopted in Pinellas.
What university did you attend? I went to the University of South Florida for both of my undergraduate and graduate degrees. My undergraduate degree focused on Economics and Public Administration. My graduate degree is a Master in Urban & Regional Planning. I also completed a certificate in Sustainable Transportation. During undergrad and graduate school, I worked as a student research assistant at the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at USF. I credit this job for my original interest in urban planning and transportation.
Do you have any advice to new graduates in your field/career tips? Be sure to join APA and stay involved! There are so many great networking opportunities, which can lead to great professional relationships and even job opportunities later. Additionally, prior to any job interviews, reach out to other professionals you trust to do a “fake” interview. It will help if you’re anxious and help you prepare what you’ll say during the real thing. Finally, never stop learning. Planning is a multifaceted field and the opportunities to grow are endless.
What is your current position? I am a Senior Planner with the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission. I assist with transportation-related policy, strategic plan implementation, and special area studies. I currently lead the update of the Mobility Section within the Unincorporated Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan and serve as a liaison with the Transportation Planning Organization to coordinate on joint project efforts and related tasks. I recently assisted with our 2021 Annual Report as a part of our Strategic Plan implementation. I’ve also assisted with HART’s Transit-Oriented Development work, which our agency is a partner on.
What have you gained or learned by being a member in APA Florida? APA, especially the Sun Coast Section, has been a constant part of my life since I started graduate school. It has been an invaluable membership for me. It has provided networking and learning opportunities that have helped my in my career. As a Student Representative, I was able to network with local professionals and that lead to lasting relationships. As a Professional Development Officer, I was able to learn about the AICP process, earn my certification, and then help others do the same. Finally, as Chair, I’m working with a fantastic Board to plan events, networking, and professional development opportunities for the entire Section! It’s a very exciting role that I’m thrilled to be in.
What is your current and any past positions in APA Florida? I am currently the Chair of the APA Florida Sun Coast Section. Previously, I was the section’s Student Representative from 201617, Professional Development Officer from 2017-20, and Chair-Elect from 2020-21. What you would be doing now if you hadn’t chosen the planning profession? If I hadn’t gone into planning, I may have gone further into studying economics before joining the professional world. I’ve also always enjoyed art and graphic design, so that may have been an option too. As a child, I wanted to be a horse racing jockey or an illustrator. Are you a member in other planning or non-planning boards, committees or organizations? I am involved with the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Transit
Is there a particular state planning topic you’d like to comment on or feel fellow planners need to follow? Politics and planning are interconnected. I feel it is very important for planners to be aware of state legislation that may help or hinder what they do. Do you have a planning or personal achievement to discuss? I started my first role as a supervisor with one of my agency’s Fellows. It’s been a very rewarding experience and he is wonderful to work with. Additionally, I am training toward completing a 5K in April (“5K on the Runway” at Tampa International Airport). While I’ve run 5Ks before, I am hoping to complete my goal of running it in 30 minutes or less. Winter 2022 / Florida Planning 21
APA Florida
PLANNERS ON THE MOVE BENSON APPOINTED PLANNING DIRECTOR FOR TAMPA Stephen Benson, AICP, CNU-A has been appointed Director of City Planning for the City of Tampa. Stephen joined the City of Tampa Mobility Department in 2019 to support strategic initiatives. In his new role, Stephen will be responsible for continuing to build Tampa’s newly reestablished City Planning Department, and leading citywide planning programs and community planning initiatives. Stephen has more than 10 years of experience in the transportation and planning industry in Florida, serving as Metropolitan Planning Administrator and Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Program Manager for FDOT District 7. While at FDOT, Stephen led the development of the first cycle track on the state highway system in Florida, and supported the deployment of FDOT’s complete streets program and statewide context classification standards. EKBLAD JOINS STEARNS WEAVER MILLER AS DIRECTOR OF PLANNING Tina Ekblad, MPA, AICP, has joined Stearns Weaver Miller, a full-service Florida law firm, as a Director of Planning in Tallahassee. Tina will be part of the firm’s statewide Land Development, Zoning & Environmental group and will work with attorneys, planners and GIS specialists to further support and diversify the firm’s preeminent planning services throughout Florida. She will regularly travel between the Tallahassee and Tampa offices, as well as focus on bolstering the firm’s services on the Gulf Coast and throughout Florida’s panhandle. VHB HIRES FENNESSY AS DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND DESIGN VHB Advances growth in the Southeast by welcoming Roberta Fennessy, AICP, AIA, as Director of Planning and Design. Roberta brings a rich background in urban and regional planning, spanning higher education and as a seasoned practitioner. Prior to joining VHB, Roberta served as an Associate Instructor at the University of Central Florida’s School of Public Administration where she taught the next generation of urban and regional planners. In addition to her background in research and education, Roberta brings nearly two decades of strategic master planning, urban design, architecture, and development consulting for both public and private sector clients. Roberta received her Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida and Master of Science in Urban Planning from Columbia University. She serves on the Parramore Community Engagement Council and is Director-at-Large of the APA Florida Orlando Metro Section.
22 Winter 2022 / Florida Planning
HEY NAMED DIVISION DIRECTOR AT PLAN HILLSBOROUGH David A. Hey, Jr., AICP, has been named the Division Director for the Comprehensive Plan and Policy Review (CPPR) Division at Plan Hillsborough. With more than 20 years planning experience in both the City of Tampa and unincorporated Hillsborough County, David will oversee and coordinate division staff members on numerous development projects proposed within the unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County and the county's three municipalities, including the update of the Comprehensive Plans for Tampa, Plant City, Temple Terrace; providing counseling to private and public sector interests, elected officials and local and regional organizations on a variety of land-use related topics ranging from long range planning and neighborhood planning to transit-oriented and economic development. TAMPA TAPS JORGENSON AS TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING MANAGER Danni Jorgenson, PE, AICP has been named Division Manager for Transportation Engineering at the City of Tampa. Danni has more than 15 years of experience in the private and public sectors. In this new role, Danni will oversee teams of planners and engineers responsible for transportation planning, design, and capital project management for the Mobility Department. Danni has been instrumental in supporting the implementation of Mayor Castor’s Transforming Tampa’s Tomorrow (T3) strategic plan. Since joining the city in 2018, Danni has served as Chief Transportation Planning Engineer, leading the launch of numerous high-profile initiatives including the Crosswalks to Classrooms program, Vision Zero, the Citywide Mobility Plan Tampa M.O.V.E.S., and more. Just last year, Danni was accepted as a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and was named Young Transportation Professional of the Year by the Tampa Bay Section of the Institute for Transportation Engineers. MALONE CHOSEN AS EXECUTIVE PLANNER FOR PLAN HILLSBOROUGH Jennifer Malone, AICP, was recently named Executive Planner–City of Tampa Liaison for the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission. Since 2016, Jennifer has worked at the Planning Commission reviewing rezonings and plan amendments for consistency with the Tampa Comprehensive Plan. In her new role, Jennifer will co-lead an extensive update to the City of Tampa Comprehensive Plan. continued on page 25
APA FLORIDA WORKING FOR YOU WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE UPDATES The 2022 Legislative session began on Jan. 11 and is expected to run through March 11. APA Florida provides both a weekly bill tracking and legislative updates so you can keep tabs on the bills that will impact the planning field. Review and download these weekly reviews on the chapter website’s Legislative News page or in your email inbox.
APA FLORIDA 20TH ANNUAL PUBLIC POLICY WORKSHOP APA Florida hosted this virtual event, worth 6.25 AICP credits, on Feb. 10 and 11. Speakers covered everything from the implications of federal policy changes to post-COVID development patterns. Thank you to the speakers and volunteers who helped pull together these informative sessions!
BLACK HISTORY MONTH WORKSHOP SERIES Every Tuesday in February, in honor of Black History Month, the chapter’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee is hosting virtual sessions that focus on Black history and planning in the state. Each session is worth 1.5 CM credits, and cover topics throughout Florida. Register here and watch past events here.
EDI COMMITTEE RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS APA Florida’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee strives to represent a broad spectrum of our membership and is actively recruiting new Hispanic and Latino/a/x members. If you want to join the EDI Committee or would like more information, please contact the committee here.
INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE APA FLORIDA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE? Want to help your fellow planners? Want to be more involved with APA Florida? Here’s your chance! Run for a statewide APA Florida office. Every two years, APA Florida elects its statewide officers to the Executive Committee. The Nominating Committee is actively seeking candidates for the positions listed below. Elected candidates will serve from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2024 (except President Elect who will serve as President Elect, President, and Immediate Past President starting January 1, 2023, and ending December 31, 2028). The links below provide position descriptions (downloads as pdf): • President-Elect • Vice President for Professional Development • Vice President for Membership and Outreach Services • Vice-President for Conference Services • Vice-President for Section Affairs
• Vice President for Continuing Education • Vice President for Communications • Secretary • Treasurer If you are interested in running for a position, please complete our candidate interest form here no later than March 4, 2022. If you would like more information or to consult with a member of the Nominating Committee, please reach out to any one of us. We are happy to chat. • Kori Benton | Treasure Coast Section Chair • Whit Blanton | President Elect • Wiatt Bowers | President • Bob Cambric | Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Representative • Laura Everitt | Immediate Past President • Macy Falcon | Capital Area Section Chair If you need further information, contact the Chapter Office at 850-201-3272 or here. We look forward to hearing from you!!!
Winter 2022 / Florida Planning 23
[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 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.
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24 Winter 2022 / Florida Planning
[CONSULTANTS] DIRECTORY CONTINUED
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continued from page 20
to graduate school, Fatima received her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology from USF. Over the past year, Fatima has worked on projects with Tindale Oliver and Plan Hillsborough, both of which offered career shaping experiences that have led her to realize her passion for advocacy planning. She has worked on several outreach initiatives with Plan Hillsborough including, “FLIP Jr” (Future Leaders in Planning) and the Hillsborough County Nondiscrimination and Equity Plan. Engaging with communities around her has helped Fatima understand her role as a future planner “to help bridge a connection and foster a true partnership between planners and the public.” Fatima aims to encourage greater representation of all people and the opportunity to have their voices heard. It is clear both future planners will be remarkable advocates in the planning community.
USF MARK R. HAFEN MURP DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP Provides financial support to a planning graduate student from an underrepresented or historically marginalized group. Donate Today!
Congratulations to Emilee and Fatima!
[PLANNERS] ON THE MOVE
continued from page 22
Before joining the Planning Commission, Jennifer gained valuable experience as a Planner with the City of North Port. Jennifer served as the Hillsborough County Area Director for the Sun Coast Section from 2019-21 and holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University. WILLITS RETURNS TO TINDALE OLIVER AS PROJECT MANAGER Justin Willits, AICP, has re-joined Tindale Oliver (now Benesch) after 2.5 years at the Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART). While
at HART he managed short-and-long-range planning projects, developed and implemented service recommendations, and coordinated with local agencies to improve transit in Tampa and Hillsborough County. He joins Benesch as a Project Manager where he will be focused on expanding the Transit and Complete Streets practice of the firm as they increase their capacity to deliver solutions to their clients across the country. Justin is looking forward to helping clients progress toward more sustainable communities through equitable transportation investments.
Winter 2022 / Florida Planning 25
[FLORIDA] PLANNING Published by the Florida Chapter, American Planning Association, the Florida Planning newsletter has a current circulation of 3,200 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 May 2022.
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 201 Tallahassee, FL 32303 Phone: 850-201-3272 Fax: 850-807-2576
[THANK YOU] TO OUR ANNUAL SPONSORS
[UPCOMING] EVENTS FEB. 15 & 22: BLACK HISTORY MONTH WEBINAR SERIES Four-part series. Hosted by the APA Florida EDI Committee. Join us for a four-part series commemorating Black History Month. On Feb. 15 we will discuss Planning in Gullah Geechee Communities in Northeast Florida. This session offers 1 Eq CM. Closing the series on Feb. 22, we will discuss Florida Main Street and Historically Black Communities. This event offers 1.5 CM. You can watch recordings of previous webinars at florida.plannining.org/edi. FEB. 18 & 25: SUSTAINABILITY & RESILIENCE WEBINAR SERIES Two-part webinar. Hosted by the Planning Webcast Series and presented by the APA Sustainable Communities Division. Part 1: The Basics. What do planners need to know about climate science? This webinar will provide a concise overview of changing climate conditions and their impact on current planning practice. Part 2. Intermediate Roundtable. What are planners doing around the country to incorporate climate considerations into their practice of planning? This course will take a deep dive into the intersection of climate science and planning, with emphasis on applying effective planning tools and techniques to the challenge of changing climate conditions. Information Part 1 + Part 2. Free. Each part offers 1.5 CM & 1 SR CM. MARCH 25: DIGITAL PLANNING IN A DIGITAL WORLD Webinar. This webcast features planning stories where cities have worked to make their backend (permitting, plan review) and frontend (comprehensive plans, maps) more accessible, engaging, and transparent through digitalization. The City of Gainesville will present its ePlanReview process, the story of how it was created, lessons learned, and planned improvements. Finally, the presentation ends with the City of Burlingame’s presentation of its completely online and digital General Plan, featured as a top website on planning news sites for 2021. Information here. Free. 1.5 CM when viewed live. APRIL 7: WHERE THE ROOT MEETS THE ROAD: PREVENTING TREE ROOT DAMAGE TO HARDSCAPING Webinar. Hosted by the University of Florida IFAS Extension-Hillsborough County. This webinar will provide research-based recommendations on how far a tree of any size should be planted from ground-level infrastructure to avoid damage to built infrastructure. This information will help engineers, landscape designers, planners, arborists, urban foresters, and others responsible for the management of urban trees and the built environment make informed decisions about the space needed by trees to prevent damage to infrastructure. Information here. $5. For more information on these and other APA Florida events, please visit florida.planning.org/calendar/