Lisa Nisenson PORTFOLIO
Planning Policy Community
LISA NISENSON 5418 Siesta Cove Dr Sarasota, FL 34242
202-744-6854 lisa@nisenson.net www.nisenson.net
TABLE OF CONTENTS Resume of most recent planning work Key Work – Redevelopment & Density Key Work – Stormwater and Urban Design Policy Key Work – Transit and TOD Key Work – Civic Engagement and Outreach Key Work – Economic Development, Climate Change and Sustainable Practice Publications, Presentations and Blogs
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CURRENT WORK Neighborhood-Friendly Density One the largest barriers to redevelopment is neighborhood opposition to higher densities and a new use mix. Current work focuses on developing an organized resource containing design, policy and operational options can provide some measure of certainty to neighbors, developers and local elected officials.
Redevelopment, Smart Growth and Climate In many cities, the areas best suited for redevelopment are also in the most vulnerable zones for sea level rise and inundation. Current work includes development of new policy frameworks that address the intersection of managed retreat, economic development & equity.
Redeveloping the Suburbs Redeveloping suburbs can call on skills that are not familiar in areas where large, single owner greenfield projects have comprised most of the planning and permitting activity. Current work includes writing material to build skill sets among local elected officials, developers, journalists, and citizen planners for planning nodes and corridors.
Transit Oriented Development for Local Bus Systems Local bus systems comprise over half of all transit trips. For suburbs, the share is much higher. Current work looks at improving technology, way-finding and smart growth options where local bus is the highest transit technology.
Specialized Civic Engagement Current work includes use of campaign techniques to improve and customize outreach using better data, technology, graphics, social and traditional media, and personal meetings for education and feedback.
MAIN SKILLS INTEGRATING COMMUNITY DESIGN Stormwater Management for Urban Locales Transit Oriented Development & Multi-Modal Planning Redevelopment & Infill Policy
EXPERIENCE FROM MANY VANTAGE POINTS Non-Profit, Local Government, Federal Policy, Private Practice, Citizen Activist
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LISA NISENSON 5418 Siesta Cove Dr Sarasota, FL 34242
202-744-6854 lisa@nisenson.net www.nisenson.net
Journalism
PLANNING EDGES – Urban Planning blog covering suburban smart growth | July 2011 - present THIS WEEK IN SARASOTA – Created an urban planning blog (SRiQ) to reach young professionals and " the creative class and inspire local activism for sustainable redevelopment | March 2012 – present FLORIDA HOUSE INSTITUTE | Board Member and Executive Director Sarasota, Florida | March 2012 - present " Responsible for repositioning one of the U.S.’s first green demonstration houses into a resource for " participatory planning, visioning, civic technology, and sustainable design.
Policy & Planning
SARASOTA COUNTY | Planning & Development Services | Greenhouse Gas Reduction Coordinator " Sarasota, Florida | February 2007 - December 2011 Clean Technology and Economic Development – Created strategies and regulatory support for " sustainable economic development. Multi-Objective Planning – Developed concept plans to include land use, regional and local mobility, " water resource protection and economic development. Electric Transportation – Formed a local neighborhood electric transportation “cluster” to integrate " charging stations and electric vehicles into transportation, land use, and tourism planning. Redevelopment – Worked with interdisciplinary team of professionals to promote redevelopment and " better zoning codes in Sarasota County. Transit Oriented Development – Teamed with Dr. David Brain of New College and the Sarasota County " Area Transit Authority to engage the public on transit oriented development and redevelopment " plans. NISENSON CONSULTING | Principal Sarasota, Florida | 2006- Present " Planning for Neighborhood Friendly Density – Authored August 2012 edition of Zoning Practice on " designing proactively to limit the impacts of higher density development. Congress for the New Urbanism – Serve as Co-Lead for the Rainwater-in-Context Initiative Town of Bluffton, S.C. – Assisted in land use plans to control stormwater impacts on the May River. " United States Environmental Protection Agency – Developed national guidance for municipalities to " integrate stormwater controls and local land use and transportation plans. Ventura County, CA – Developed land use plans to integrate new stormwater requirements State of California, Ocean Protection Council – Developed policies to support Low Impact Design. U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY | Senior Project Manager Washington, D.C. | 1989-2006 " Planned, developed and executed smart growth projects, including contract and grants " management: Stormwater – Developed a multi-office program within EPA to integrate smart growth techniques into " state and local stormwater regulatory programs. Transit Oriented Development (TOD) " Managed research project on evaluating the performance of transit oriented development. " Conducted workshops and walk tours on transit oriented development, focusing on Arlington, VA. Neighborhood Form and Community Development " Managed and contributed to research on smart growth and emergency response solutions for " street design with the Local Government Commission. Contributed to “Choosing Our " Community’s Future,” a cooperative project between EPA and Smart Growth America. Outreach " Directed EPA’s participation as partner in the Smart Growth Network, the annual Partners for " Smart Growth conference and the Transit0oriented development conference, Railvolution.
Citizen Planning
Transit and Community Development " Arlington Virginia’s Transit Advisory Commission (2003-2005). Provided input on investment, " routes and operations for regional subway and bus systems (METRO). " Clarendon Alliance, Board member (2003-2005). " Lyon Park Citizen’s Association, President (1997-1999). " Citizens for Redeveloping Clarendon, co-Founder of a group to promote Arlington’s established " land use plans for the Clarendon metro station area (1995).
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Redevelopment, Area Planning and Density Practice Principles • Articulate the environmental, fiscal and transportation benefits of redevelopment. • Help suburban communities embark on small area planning to orchestrate the interlinking elements of successful placemaking and redevelopment. • Inspire a national conversation on preventing and mitigating development-related impacts where new density is introduced to existing neighborhoods. Key Work Density Density and the Planning Edge, author, American Planning Association, Zoning Practice, September edition, 2012 This article presents a framework for addressing infill and redevelopment-related impacts through better design, policy and long term maintenance. The need to address livability for neighborhoods was featured in Atlantic Cities on November 26, 2012. Choosing our Community’s Future, project manager, USEPA/Smart Growth America, 2004 This publication was written to better understand the potential benefits and impacts related to redevelopment. This reference guide provides case studies, common issue areas, information on process and concepts of good planning to prevent and mitigate any impacts such as noise and parking. Area Plans Energy Economic Zone, Project Lead Sarasota County Planning and Development Services, 2008-2011 Project Manager for a land use and economic development pilot program developed by the Florida legislature. Developed plans for a large infill site integrating community design elements for sustainability, with a focus on multi-modal transportation, greenhouse gas reduction, and low impact development. Led multi-disciplinary teams to grow Sarasota’s clean technology sector. Responsible for drafting legislative proposals, comprehensive plan amendments, concurrency options and zoning code language to align zoning, comprehensive plan, and regional transportation plans. Brought new approaches to project management and civic engagement. Project Lead for Technical Assistance Program, USEPA Worked with design teams to assist specific planning projects around the country, including a transit-oriented redevelopment of the Weymouth Naval Air Base in Weymouth, MA.
2004
2008
2012
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Choosing Our Community’s Future 2003 Energy Economic Zone Pilot Program
Zoning Practice 2012
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Water Resources and Stormwater Practice Principles • Coordinate analysis of water resource management at the site, neighborhood and regional scales. • Design multi-objective water management practices into redevelopment area plans that complement the underlying urban form while targeting the most pressing pollutants. • Use water practices to frame planning for strategic retreat and adaptation to climate change. Key Work Federal Level Rainwater-in-Context Initiative Co-lead, Congress for the New Urbanism, (2010-present) Co-founded an initiative to shape federal, state and local regulations that better align urbanism and water management practices. Draft EPA regulations reflect these better practices (a final rule expected in 2013). Nisenson Consulting Principal, Sarasota, Florida, 2006-Present Developed national guidance on stormwater controls to meet new regulatory requirements under the Clean Water Act, as well as model ordinance language for joint smart growth and stormwater programs. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. 1989-2006 Planned, developed and managed environmental and smart growth projects, including contract and grants management. Developed a multi-office program within EPA to integrate smart growth techniques into stormwater regulatory programs. Authored guidance on using smart growth techniques as stormwater best management practices, including associated training and outreach materials for integrating zoning codes and stormwater requirements. Advised the U.S. Green Building Council on integrating stormwater into existing buildings (EB) and neighborhood design (LEED-ND). State Level: Enabling Source Water Protection, consultant , Smart Growth Leadership Institute, 2008-09 Provided policy innovation to align land development and water resource policies to support source water protection in Ohio, Maine and New Hampshire. State of California, Ocean Protection Council (2007) – Developed state policies to support wider implementation for Low Impact Development. Local Level: Town of Bluffton, South Carolina –Assisted in formulation of unique joint watershed and land use plan to control stormwater runoff and its impacts on the May River. Ventura County, California – Developed watershed plans to integrate a new generation of water and stormwater requirements with land use programs and General Plans. This work led to adoption of Redevelopment Project Management Areas by the Regional Water Board.
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
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Using Smart Growth Techniques as
Zoning Practice 2006
LID in California
CNU Rainwater in Context Initiative
Stormwater Best
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Transportation and Transit Oriented Development Practice Principles: • Attract attention and investment to the role local bus systems play in sustainable communities, particularly where bus is the highest transit technology. • Introduce new transit types, such as neighborhood electric vehicles and shuttles, as an alternative to costly paratransit. • Continue building the case for transit oriented development, affordability and connections. Electric Transportation Energy Economic Zone, Project Lead Sarasota County Planning and Development Services, 2008-2011 Created a local neighborhood electric transportation “cluster” to integrate charging stations and low speed electric vehicles into transportation, land use, tourism, and economic development plans. Formed working group among Florida planners to develop the planning framework to include low speed electric vehicles in multi-modal plans. Transit Oriented Development Sarasota County Planning and Development Services and Sarasota County Transit Authority (SCAT) 2009. Teamed with Dr. David Brain of New College, Sarasota County and the Sarasota County Area Transit Authority to develop a public participation program on transit oriented development and redevelopment. USEPA, Policy Analyst, Transit Oriented Development (TOD) 1999-2006 Managed research project on evaluating the performance of transit oriented development. Served on coordinating committee for Railvolution, an annual conference on TOD Conducted workshops on transit oriented development, focusing on the policy and implementation features of Arlington, Virginia’s transit program. Authored Transportation section in Getting to Smart Growth, Volume II. Clarendon Alliance, Neighborhood Representative Served two terms on Arlington Virginia’s Transit Advisory Commission (2003-2005). Provided information and feedback to County staff and decision makers on investment, routes and operations for regional subway and bus systems (METRO) and bicycle infrastructure.
2003
2009
2012
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Transportation Chapter, Getting to Smart Growth
Walk Tours and Workshops
Volume 2, 2003
on Transit Oriented Development, 2009
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Multimodal land use plans, Energy Economic Zone, rendering by Stantec, 2010
NEV cluster meeting group, 2011
Citizen Planning and Sustainability Practice Principles: • With the proliferation of new technology, determine how stakeholders and audiences prefer to get their news, and then find the communication technology match. • Conduct on-going planning exercises outside of proposed projects to build skills and prepare for future development and redevelopment. • Effective planning requires a shared vision; developing that vision has three steps: (1) mapping assets, (2) developing a vision, and (3) developing strategic plans. FLORIDA HOUSE INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Board Member and Executive Director, February 2012 - Present Administrative: Responsible for repositioning one of the U.S.’s first a green demonstration houses into a resource for participatory planning, visioning, civic technology, and sustainable design. Duties include management, community outreach, fund raising, grants, event planning, and web design. Helped spearhead successful capital campaign ($100,000). Programming: Initiated engagement events pending re-opening of the Florida House, including walk tours and workshops. Brought together community groups to embark on vision-led planning and asset mapping. Developed outreach programs for bringing in the economic development community and a work plan for the greater effort. US EPA Directed EPA’s participation as partner in the Smart Growth Network (1999-2003). Coordinated EPA’s involvement in the annual Partners for Smart Growth conference, including program development, speechwriting, and other major aspects of conference planning (2000-2005). Served on the Railvolution planning committee (2003-2005). Led over 20 walk tours of the Clarendon Metro station areas to analyze transit oriented development. CITIZEN PLANNING Co-founded Citizens for Redeveloping Clarendon Sensibly to promote Arlington’s established land use plans for the Clarendon metro station area (1995). Served as civic association president of the Lyon Park Citizen’s Association (1997-1999). Provided extensive comments on behalf of the community for development proposals, county investment and comprehensive planning amendments.
2003
2009
2012
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iPad presentations to local leaders on asset mapping
Using Legos to describe Urban design and policy manual for Clarendon –
transit oriented development in Sarasota
Walk tour series to showcase infill projects in Sarasota
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Economic Development, Climate Change and Sustainable Practice Practice Principles: • Sustainable community development is still an innovation in many areas; as such, approaches successful to attract early adopters will not work with the next level of the “early majority.” This newer group wants convenience and seeks peer referrals. They are increasingly tech savvy and sensitive to price. This is true of both products and community design. • Continue work on “affordable green” to reach price sensitive markets in an era of reduced subsidies and rebates.
Key Work Clean Technology Florida House Institute, Board Member and Executive Director, 2012 Led strategic planning process to develop Florida House “2.0” and the next level of demonstration for the home, landscape and community. The new direction includes: (1) developing revenue generating activities to showcase new technology, (2) providing a laboratory for local innovators testing energy and water products, and (3) use of information technology and marketing to promote sustainable products beyond early adopters. The greatest challenge was moving Florida House from a publicly supported demonstration house to a new non-profit with revenue streams. Economic Development Energy Economic Zone, Project Lead Sarasota County Planning and Development Services, 2008-2011 With County and State partners, created strategies and regulatory support for sustainable economic development: (1) determining Sarasota’s green business and clean technology strengths and (2) building basic business acumen through improved networking and small business visibility Key outcomes were the development of the Business Development Network with the Sarasota Economic Development Corporation, expansion of the Green Business Partnership, and a Green Talent initiative.
2010
2012
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The new mission for an established non-profit – The Florida House Institute
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Blogging by Topic Redevelopment, Area Planning and Density
PB Placemaking and the Big Question: Who will Pay for Planning?
Race to the Edge - How to do Infill
Irritating Interpretations Outside the Beltway – Infill
Explaining Sarasota’s Malls
Sarasota is Making Portland’s Same Mistakes
What's Driving Apartment Construction - Good News or 2007 Redux?
Four Corners and Urban Design – It Didn’t Work for Basketball Either
The Parking Fetish
A-Park-olypse Sarasota
Stopping Florida Sprawl – It's Not Just Small Area Plans
The Most Important Building in Sarasota
Fixing Florida Sprawl - It's not just Transportation Concurrency
Walmart’s hard lessons: the “D” Word
Economic Development, Climate, and Sustainable Practice
Managed Retreat and Economic Development… at the same time
Redevelop or Retreat? Sarasota’s Climate Conundrum
3-D Printing – Crossing the Chasm and Coming to Sarasota
Want to Expand Arts in Sarasota?
Careful What You Wish For – Risk, Property Insurance and the Coast
A New Kind of Tourism
3-D Printing - The Future of Manufacturing?
Water Resources and Stormwater
Congress for the New Urbanism - Green Cities & Water
A Hipster’s Guide to Urban Watersheds
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Blogging by Topic Transportation and Transit Oriented Development
Walkable Urbanism Tour of Sarasota
High Speed Rail in Florida Just Got Way More Interesting
Is Sarasota Ready for Bike Share?
Bus-Ta-Move - Whipping up Love for the Bus
What is the Opposite of Traffic?
Are Electric Bikes the “Killer App” for Transportation?
Rethinking Transit, Transportation and Land Use with electric solar vehicles
Smart Growth's Tragic Inattention to Local Bus Service (and how to make up for it fast)
Smart Growth's Biggest Ally is a Guy Named Dan in Colorado
Upward Mobility
The Streetcar — Getting Real
Transit-Oriented Development – Highlights
Citizen Planning, Outreach and Sustainability
Community Design Take on Sarasota High School charrette
Tech and Civic Apps – Summary of April 19th radio show with Sue Nilon
Augmented Reality and Urban Planning – It's Coming (actually It's Here)
How Do People Get Their Civic News?
Pre-Paid Phone Plans and the Quiet Equity Revolution
The Vision Thing – How to get it done
Eye candy with a purpose: infographics and charting solutions
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Full List of Publications, Articles and Presentations PUBLICATIONS and ARTICLES 2012 – American Planning Association, Zoning Practice Density and the Planning Edge. 2011 – Planetizen “A Little More Complete – Making way for Neighborhood Electric Vehicles.” 2011 – Stormwater, “Ahead of the Learning Curve” 2009 – Stormwater magazine, “Zoning Code Audits – from the Watershed’s Point of View.” 2008 – Urban Land Magazine, December/January 2008 issue, “Stormwater Regulations.” 2008 – Water Resources and Land and Use Planning Watershed-based Strategies for Ventura County, with the Local Government Commission for the California Water Resource Board. 2008 – “State and Local Policies Encouraging or Requiring Low Impact Development in California”
consultant to TetraTech for the California Ocean Protection Council 2007 – Planetizen and Landscape Architecture magazine, December issue, “A Browner Shade of Green.” 2006 – “Zoning Practice,” Watershed Planning, American Planning Association 2006 – “Using Smart Growth Techniques as Stormwater Best Management Practices” EPA publication 2006 – “Why 2006 Matters for Transit Oriented Development,” January issue of Getting Smart, ICMA publication 2005 – “Hidden Credits – Using Smart Growth Techniques to Manage Stormwater under Phase II,” October issue of Public Management magazine, ICMA 2005 – “New Stormwater Laws - What Smart Growth Advocates Need to Know,” published in Planetizen 2003 – “Getting to Smart Growth, Volume II,” contributor, EPA publication. RECENT PRESENTATIONS 2012 – SRQ Assets, marketing presentation for asset mapping 2012 – Planning for Walkable Urbanism, guide for walk tour series 2012 – Congress for the New Urbanism, Rainwater-in-Context Speed Presentations (video) 2011 – Sarasota County Sustainable Communities Workshop, “Recharging the Economy, Sarasota’s NEV Cluster.” 2010 – Center for Watershed Protection webinar – Better Site Design 2009 – New Partners for Smart Growth conference, Albuquerque, N,M., Merging watershed and Land Development Codes and Plans 2008 – International Erosion and Sediment Control Conference – All day workshop on Low Impact Development and Smart Growth, Orlando, Florida 2007 – California Association of Stormwater Quality Administrators, Costa Mesa, California, workshop on impervious cover and land development ordinances. 2007 – New Partners for Smart Growth conference, Los Angeles, California, workshop on barriers to smart growth and infill
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