CONFERENCE UPDATE
By Vince Cautero, AICP, Chair, Promised Lands Section

Download the FINAL SCHEDULE

In just a few months, hundreds of planners from across the state will arrive on Marco Island for the Association’s annual conference. This year’s conference will be held at the beautiful Marco Island Marriott from September 27-30. Some exciting sessions are planned as well as tours, special events, and mobile workshops.

The conference host committee received and reviewed over 90 proposals for sessions in response to our Call for Presentations. We appreciate the response and hope that we have put together a series of programs in each of the five tracks that will prove to be exciting as well as educational. Listed below is a brief description of one session that will be offered in each of the tracks to serve as a sampler for the full program.

Track 1 – Development and Redevelopment

Creating Strategies for Urban Infill and Redevelopment: Increasing Densities and Gentrification without Displacement

This session will be moderated by Dr. Jaap Vos, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Florida Atlantic University. A panel of experts will discuss redevelopment proposals for Dania Beach, Belle Glade, South Miami, and Overtown. All of theses communities are faced with disinvestment, high vacancy, and inadequate infrastructure. The presentations will show that although each community poses its own challenges, the issues of displacement, gentrification, and density increases arise. Different approaches to maintain affordable communities will be discussed.

Track 2 – Infrastructure

Kennedy Space Center Infrastructure Changes for NASA’s New Launch Systems
Sue Gaines and Melodie Jackson of the NASA/Kennedy Space Center Constellation Project Office will provide an overview of the vision for space exploration; infrastructure modifications and expansion; new facilities; and the planning and engineering process which includes involving stakeholders in the studies and analyses.

Typically, we don’t see this type of program at a FAPA conference. I’m sure it will be very educational while offering a welcome change of pace.

Track 3 – Natural Resources

Living on the Edge: Wildfire is a Hot Planning Issue
Wildfire has been, and continues to be, a significant public safety issue that impacts all planners and communities in the state. Wildfire conditions are returning to Florida and there is a need for planners to be active participants in the public safety process.

A panel of experts from Continental Shelf Associates, Inc., the Florida Department of Community Affairs, and the Florida Division of Forestry will use innovative software demonstrations to explain how planners can play a key role in the protection of their communities. Each participant will receive a copy of the Living on the Edge interactive software, two wildfire mitigation educational posters, and a guidebook on wildfire mitigation planning.

Track 4 – Professional Development

Why Can’t We Be Friends? – Building Effective Public-Private Sector Working Relationships
This session will be based on lively interaction and participation. Terry Clark, PMP, AICP, and David Barth, ASLA, AICP, will provide insight into the motivation and drivers for public and private sector employees and provide ways to improve working relationships. They will explore the relationship between private and public sector agencies; differences in cultures and expectations; how to anticipate and avoid common problems; and how to create win-win relationships on every project.

Track 5 – Hot Topics

An Overview of the Babcock Ranch Comprehensive Plan Amendment Process
Charlotte County staff, representatives from the development company, and consultants will present an overview of their efforts to amend Comprehensive Plans for Babcock Ranch, a 91,000+ acre site located in southeastern Charlotte and northeastern Lee Counties. The developer, Kitson and Partners, is working with Babcock Company Florida, the Babcock family, and the State of Florida to prepare a comprehensive strategy for the future success of the ranch. This includes:

A sale of approximately 73,235 acres to the state at prices substantially below market value to be conserved and managed in perpetuity;

Interlocal agreements between the applicants; the state, and the counties involved;

Amendments to the Charlotte and Lee County Comprehensive Plans; and

Perpetual maintenance and stewardship of the environmental, cultural, and agricultural resources of the property and the continuous operation of the ranch.

Mobile Workshops

RookeryBay Boat Tour and Research Facility Tour
The Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve staff will provide a boat tour led by a research biologist who will provide information on the 110,000 acres of native habitats including pristine mangrove forest, uplands, and protected waters. The Reserve represents one of the few relatively undisturbed mangrove estuaries in North America. The boat excursion will include trawling for biological sampling. Participants will also have an opportunity to explore a barrier island.

Naples CRA Tour
Participants will take a trolley ride to Fifth Avenue in downtown Naples. A presentation of the history and successes of Fifth Avenue will be presented along with a walking tour. The tour will include the redevelopment project of Grand Central Station. Presenters will include city planning staff, business owners, and officials from the Fifth Avenue Association, the project architect, and the developer.

Rural Planning, Past and Present
This tour encompasses planning efforts in eastern Collier County. The tour will begin with a video of the Immokalee Area Study as the basis for the creation of the Collier County Rural Land Stewardship Program. The tour will include the development site for Ave Maria University. Participants will visit the Immokalee Ranch, the town of Immokalee, the town’s airport, and Robert’s Ranch.

Everglades Airboat Rides
Participants will enjoy an airboat ride through the swamps of the Everglades. You will be able to witness the diverse ecosystem with your own personal guide.

EvergladesCity
This tour will include a trip on the historic Tamiami Trail with stops in Everglades City and the Smallwood Store. Presentations will be made by Collier County Park and Museum staff members and a member of the Collier County Historic Preservation Board. The tour will also include stops and presentations regarding everglades restoration at the Faka Union Canal, Big Cypress State Forest, and Collier Seminole State Park.

Swamp Walk at Clyde Butcher’s Studio in Ochopee
This workshop will be conducted in a two part, all day tour. The morning segment will include a tour of Clyde’s gallery where participants will have the opportunity to view his work and meet Clyde in person. The afternoon segment includes a swamp walk through the Everglades. Bring a change of clothes!

Paradise Gone Wild: Discover Tigertail
Tigertail Beach County Park, located on Marco Island, is the site for this workshop. The Park was recently designated as one of the best all-around birding spots in southwest Florida and an official site on the Florida Birding Trail The tidal lagoon hosts a rich food web and offers great views of various types of shorebirds. This tour will be hosted by Marco Island’s Environmental Specialist and the President of Friends of Tigertail who will guide participants along Sand Dollar Spit - a state designated Critical Wildlife Area made up of sandy beaches, dunes, and mudflats and provides a valuable nesting, resting, and feeding ground for over 60 species of migratory and resident coastal birds. You will also see nests of loggerhead turtles.

MarcoIsland Trolley Tours
This tour will provide participants an overview of the City’s landmarks including the hotel district, Caxambas Park, Beach Club of Marco, Towne Center, Residents Beach, and the Village of Goodland.