A MONTHLY BULLETIN FROM FAPA

FAPA ANNUAL SPONSORS

November 19 2007

Thanks again to the Heart of Florida and Orlando Metro Sections for hosting such a successful record-breaking conference!
 

STATE & FEDERAL HIGHLIGHTS

PHASE ONE REPORT SUBMITTED TO GOVERNOR CRIST
The Governor's Action Team on Energy and Climate Change submitted its Phase 1 Report to Governor Crist on November 1, 2007.  This 21 member team was charged with creating a Florida Climate Change Action Plan to include strategies to reduce emissions, including recommendations for proposed legislation for consideration  during the 2008 Legislative Session and beyond. The Phase 1 Report identifies a number of recommendations related to five categories: the power generation sector, the transportation sector, the government sector, organizing state government for Florida's energy future, and a blueprint for development of actions.  With respect to the last category, the Action Team will be pursuing a facilitated stakeholder process in 2008 to result in the Florida's Climate Change Action Plan due to the Governor on October 1, 2008.  Go to http://www.dep.state.fl.us/climatechange/files/20071101_final_report.pdf  to read the full report and recommendations.

NEW WEBSITE FOR CONSUMERS SEEKING ALTERNATIVE OR RENEWABLE FUELS
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson recently unveiled a web site that provides locations  statewide where E85 , E10,  biodiesel, and biodiesel-blended fuels  can be purchased. E85, an alternative fuel comprised of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, requires a flex-fuel vehicle.  E10, gasoline blended with 10% ethanol, and biodiesel-blended fuels can be used in virtually any modern gasoline or diesel engine respectively. The website is the latest effort in Bronson's "Farm to Fuel Initiative," which is designed to ease both Florida and the nation's dependency on foreign oil and promote cleaner, renewable fuels by having Florida farmers grow fuel crops to support this production.  To view locations in your area, go to  http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/standard/petro/AltSiteMap.html  

FLORIDA COMMUNITIES TRUST LAUNCHES ONLINE PARKS DIRECTORY
The Florida Communities Trust (FCT) launched a new online parks directory that will make it easier for residents and visitors to find outstanding recreational opportunities throughout the state.  FCT is the state's premier program for helping local communities preserve open space and recreational areas, and the online directory will enable users, with just a few clicks, to identify local and regional parks in a specific geographic area or those that offer particular amenities. The online directory, which can be found at http://www.floridacommunitydevelopment.org/fct/parks/    was developed by the Trust in conjunction with the Tallahassee-based technology firm Design Farm. The directory features a listing of FCT parks throughout the state. After finding parks by location or amenities, users can read brief descriptions, view pictures and maps, and access a monthly listing of annual events or festivals occurring at the parks. A different park will be highlighted each month.

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REPORTS, PUBLICATIONS AND BRIEFINGS 

NEW REPORT ON PROTECTING RURAL AND NATURAL LANDS
On October 23, 2007, 1000 Friends of Florida released a study identifying strategies to stem the dramatic loss of Florida's rural lands over the next 50 years. Entitled Working to Sustain Florida's Rural and Natural Lands: A Call to Action,  this study is a follow-up to the group's Florida 2060  report which included the projection that the amount of urbanized land in the State of Florida will double by 2060, based on current development patterns.  This new study includes a series of recommendations on how to better protect Florida's vanishing natural lands, covering such topics as visioning and public policy, economic strategies, planning strategies and citizen involvement. A copy of the report is available at http://www.1000fof.org/planning/ruralreport.asp

SMART GROWTH AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Smart Growth America and the Urban Land Institute have released a study addressing the interrelationships between smart growth and climate change.  Entitled Growing Cooler: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change, this new book documents how key changes in land development patterns could help reduce vehicle greenhouse gas emissions.  Less auto-dependent  development is key to mitigating climate change.  The authors, which include Reid Ewing of the National Center for Smart Growth, warn that if sprawling development continues to fuel growth in driving, the projected 59 percent increase in the total miles driven between 2005 and 2030 will overwhelm expected gains from vehicle efficiency and low-carbon fuels. The findings show that people who move into compact, "green neighborhoods" are making as big a contribution to fighting global warming as those who buy the most efficient hybrid vehicles, but remain in car-dependent areas. While demand for smart-growth development is growing, government regulations, government spending, and transportation policies still favor sprawling, automobile-dependent development. The book recommends changes in all three areas to make green neighborhoods more available and more affordable. It also calls for including smart-growth strategies as a fundamental tenet in upcoming climate change legislation.  The full book can be ordered at www.uli.org.  Go to http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/gcindex.html to view the Executive Summary and Technical Report.

REVIEWING STATE AND REGIONAL EFFORTS TO ENGAGE THE FUTURE
As the request of the Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida, Dr. Tim Chapin Ph.D., Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at Florida State University, has investigated a range of visioning models and gathered "lessons learned" .  This research will be used to draft a model plan for a system of statewide coordinated regional visioning that would be a good fit for Florida (with estimates of the costs).  Dr. Chapin discusses the difference between "visioning"  and "scenario planing", as well as provides an summary of visioning initiatives across the nation.  His report to the Century Commission at their November 13, 2007 meeting, can be accessed at
https://www.commentmgr.com/projects/1148/docs/StateRegReview.pdf .

GEOGRAPHICAL MOBILITY/MIGRATION
The US Census Bureau has released Geographical Mobility: 2006,  a series of 34 tables on the 40 million Americans who moved between 2005 and 2006.  This study includes data such as movers by type of move, the annual rate of moving, the distance moved and differences in extent and type. Characteristics of movers include data by race and Hispanic origin, age, marital status, educational attainment, labor force status, occupation and industry group, income and poverty status. In 2006, 39.8 million United States residents moved within the previous one-year period. The moving rate remained statistically unchanged from 2005 at 14%.  To view the various tables, go to
 http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/migrate.html .

FROM THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTE:
GOING NOWHERE: THE DIMENSIONS OF THE TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM IN THE U.S.
This power point was presented by Robert Puentes (Fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institute),  as part of the plenary session  of the William O. Lipinski Symposium on Transportation in Chicago.  Mr. Puentes discusses the urgency of transportation accessibility, connectivity, and mobility issues that affecting the prosperity and vitality of the nation and its metropolitan areas. He highlights several critical flaws in current U.S. transportation policy today and offers a broad framework for a new transportation agenda. The powerpoint is available at http://www.brookings.edu/speeches/2007/1015transportation_puentes.aspx                                                       


2007 GROWTH AND TRANSPORTATION SURVEY
Three-fourths of Americans believe that being smarter about development and improving public transportation are better long-term solutions for reducing traffic congestion than building new roads, according to a survey sponsored by the National Association of Realtors® and Smart Growth America. The 2007 Growth and Transportation Survey details what Americans think about how development affects their immediate community. Nearly three-quarters of Americans are concerned about the role growth and development play in climate change, as well as remaining concerned about traffic congestion. Half of those surveyed think improving public transit would be the best way to reduce congestion, and 26 percent believe developing communities that reduce the need to drive would be the better alternative. Only one in five said building new roads was the answer. To view the survey and results, go to
 http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/narsgareport2007.html .

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NEWS CLIPS, MAGAZINE ARTICLES, ETC.

Some publications may require free registration.

Freeze on Residential Development
Tom Palmer, The Ledger, October 24, 2007
http://www.theledger.com/article/20071024/NEWS/710240433/1004

Insanity: New developments with water in short supply
Ron Littlepage, The Florida Times Union, October 25, 2007
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/102507/opl_211687076.shtml

City to have a greener government, Dyer vows
He joins other mayors nationwide, agreeing to practices that help the environment
Mark Schlueb, Staff Writer, Orlando Sentinel, October 24, 2007
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-climate2407oct24,0,7984107.story

FEMA Aid Went Mostly to the Poor
Melanie Payne, Fort Myers News Press, October 22, 2007
http://www.sun-herald.com/DSNewsstory.cfm?pubdate=102207&story=tp10de10.htm&folder=NewsArchive4

Evaluating Green Communities -Eleven Questions to Ask
Mark E. Hostler, University of Florida IFAS Extension
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW247 

Supermajority Rattles Sarasota Business Sector
Doug Sword, HeraldTribune, November 8, 2007
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20071108/BUSINESS/711080346

Builders' pain brings boon for schools
Costs ease with the slump in construction, putting projects back in play
Tiffany Lankes, HeraldTribune, November 14, 2007
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20071114/NEWS/711140486

FPL moving ahead with solar plans
Kristi E. Swartz, Staff Writer, Palm Beach Post, November 13, 2007
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/business/content/business/epaper/2007/11/13/1113FPLSolar.html

Volusia's future bright with rail
Frank Bruno, Community Voices, Daytona Beach News-Journal, November 15, 2007
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Opinion/Editorials/opnOPN41111507.htm

Property-tax plan's side effects hurting chances for approval
Mary Ellen Klas and Marc Caputo, Miami Herald, November 13, 2007
http://www.bradenton.com/280/story/197758.html

Size of New Homes Starts Shrinking as Builders Battle Housing Slump
Kelly Evans. Wall Street Journal, September 12, 2007
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118955679788724507.html

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 FAPA/APA/AICP NEWS & INFORMATION

FAPA'S 2008 PUBLIC POLICY WORKSHOP
Registration is now open for FAPA's 2008 Public Policy Workshop.  Secretary Tom Pelham will be the keynote speaker,  The agenda will include a discussion of development pressures on rural lands and strategies to address that issue.  During the day's events, we will be hearing from experts regarding energy/climate change and Florida's response.  Of course, a FAPA Public Policy workshop would not be complete without hearing the perspectives of various Tallahassee lobbyists and key Legislators who play a significant role in the growth management legislative arena. Seating is limited to 90 spaces so make sure you register early!  Registration and sponsorship forms are available at http://www.floridaplanning.org  .

NEW APA BRANDING FOR CHAPTERS TAKING EFFECT
You may have noticed the new logo at the top of this e-newsletter.  As a part of APA's initiative to "brand" the national organization and its chapters, each chapter received a new logo and newsletter masthead.  In the future, the "FAPA" logo will read "APA FL".  Obviously the implementation of this new "brand" will take time, but you will begin to see changes on the website, in Florida Planning, and correspondence.  The Chapter Office appreciates your patience as we move through this period of transition.

AICP CM SYSTEM AVAILABLE ONLINE
As of October 25, 2007, the online Certification Maintenance (CM) system became available to AICP members to log their CM credits.  Sessions from the 2007 Annual Conference were submitted for credit approval and are listed on the APA site.  Please make sure that you go back and check the list - courses have been added to the approved list since it was originally posted.  These include the School Concurrency Session (held on Thursday at 4:00 pm) and Visions without Implementation are just Hallucinations (held Thursday at 4:00 pm.)  Additionally, the "Braveheart:Courage under Fire" (held on Friday at 4:00pm), "Innovation Required" (held on Thursday at 10:30 am), and the Thursday luncheon have been approved.

AMPO 2007 CONFERENCE SESSIONS APPROVED FOR AICP CREDIT
AMPO  applied for and has become a provider of CM credits to AICP members.  Many of the sessions held at the 2007 AMPO conference  have been approved for credit.  Go to  www.planning.org to log in and register if you attended the conference.   AMPO had indicated that they look to provide this same service at future AMPO events as well.

CONFERENCE MATERIALS AVAILABLE ONLINE
Many of the FAPA 2007 conference presentations are now available on-line at http://www.floridaplanning.org/conference/2007/materials.asp .  If you were a speaker and have a presentation that is not yet posted, please send it to fapa@floridaplanning.org .  We will be happy to post it.

APA'S HIGH SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST
The 2007-08 High School Essay Competition has begun. This year's topic is "Creating a Green Neighborhood Plan," which coincides with National Community Planning Month's green streets and neighborhoods theme. High school students nationwide compete for a $5,000 college scholarship. Submissions are due January 15, 2008.  For details, go to http://www.planning.org/institutions/hsessay.htm

RESERVE CONFERENCE HOUSING NOW!
Hotel reservations are now being accepted for APA's 2008 National Planning Conference in Las Vegas next April 27- May 1.  APA has arranged to accommodate everyone who will need a reservation, but for the best selection, reserve housing soon. Please help to make the conference a success by staying in a designated conference hotel.  For more information, go to http://www.planning.org/2008conference/housing.htm.

2008 APA CONFERENCE EXHIBIT AND SPONSORSHIP SPACE
APA's 2008 National Planning Conference will be held in Las Vegas from April 27, 2008 through May 1, 2008.  If you are interested in either being a sponsor or exhibitor, the deadline is February 8, 2008.  For further information and application forms, go to http://www.planning.org/2008conference/exhibits.htm

PLANNING COMMISSIONER TRAINING
APA and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy provide the Introduction to the Planning Commission and the Introduction to the Zoning Board of Adjustment audio/web conferences. These programs prepare planning commissioners and zoning board members for their vital role in planning successful communities. Topics include planning principles, practice, and legal foundation; the powers and duties of the commission and board; ethics and meeting conduct; the comprehensive plan; special plans and policy integration; the development review process; zoning; plan implementation; subdivision regulation; citizen engagement; and resolving conflict in public meetings. The programs provide resource materials on key planning concepts and include guidelines for preparing a local, follow-up module. 
      Introduction to the Planning Commission
      December 5, 2007, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, E.T. or 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, E.T.

      Introduction to the Planning Commission: Part Two
      January 16, 2008, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm E.T. or 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, E.T.

       Introduction to the Zoning Board of Adjustment
       April 16, 2008, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm, E.T. or 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, E.T.  

Visit http://www.planning.org/audioconference  to read more information about the conferences and for convenient online registration.  Please contact Sarah Lutz, Education Associate, at 312-786-6729 or education@planning.org if you have any questions about the conference or registration.       

       

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OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

 2008 CNU CHARTER AWARDS SUBMISSION DEADLINE:  December 12, 2007
The Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) Charter Awards recognize achievements in design, planning, and development that meet the exacting standards of the Charter of the New Urbanism.  Each year CNU convenes a jury of respected experts to review submissions and select the winning entries that best embody and advance new urbanist principles.  Winners set the gold standard for urban design and development and serve as powerful examples for future development. CNU welcomes the submission of work representing the full range of project types suggested by the principles of the Charter. The submissions deadline is December 12, 2007.  Visit http://www.cnu.org/awards for full details and submission forms.

NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS FOR SMART GROWTH ACHIEVEMENT
Through the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement, EPA seeks to recognize and support public entities (from cities to state governments and the many types of public entities in-between) that promote and achieve smart growth, while at the same time bringing about direct and indirect environmental benefits. On November 14, 2007, EPA announced five winners of the 2007 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC. The winners are the Housing Authority of Portland Oregon(for overall excellence in smart growth); the Seattle Washington Housing Authority (built projects); the State of Vermont (policies and regulations); the Town of Barnstable, Hyannis Massachusetts (waterfront and coastal communities); and the Borough of Manhattan, Harlem New York (equitable development).  For more information on this award program or to find out more about the award winners, please visit http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/awards.htm.

SAVE THE DATE for the CNU Florida Statewide meeting - Global Climate Change: Florida Solutions.   It will be held at Rollins College on January 24 - January 24, 2008.  The state-wide meeting will be preceded by an optional short course on Wednesday January 23, 2008 entitled "Sustainable Urbanism & LEED-ND."  Go to http://www.cnuflorida.org for more details and information.

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RFPs/RFQs, GRANTS, AWARDS, ETC.

 CITY OF CALLAWAY:  The City of Callaway hereby gives notice that a Request for Qualifications is invited for a professional planning/design consultant experienced with developing and preparing design standards for specific areas or corridors.   Interested professionals or firms will assist the City in the following types of services:  Developing and preparing overlay districts;  Initiating and conducting public workshops/charettes; Developing and preparing design standards for specific areas or corridors; Community, neighborhood and comprehensive planning;  Gateway, wayfinding and graphic design;  Collecting and evaluating data and analysis;  Preparing textual revisions and essential narratives for the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code.

Interested firms or individuals are invited to obtain a copy of the complete Request for Qualifications (RFQ) package from the office of the Director of Planning, City of Callaway, 6601 East Highway 22, Callaway, Florida 32404 (telephone 850 871-6000) during regular business hours (or via e-mail at arichard@cityofcallaway.com), and are requested to indicate their interest in providing the requested services by submitting one original and nine (9) copies of their Statement of Qualifications on or before December 21 2007, to Amanda J. Richard,  Director of Planning, at the same address.   The qualifications and other information should be submitted in strict compliance with the directives provided in the RFQ.  There is no express or implied obligation for the City to reimburse responding firms for any expenses associated with preparation and submittal of the Statement of Qualifications in response to this request.

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CITY OF SEBASTIAN: The City of Sebastian is seeking a firm to assist in updating several elements with the Comprehensive Plan outside of the regular Evaluation and Appraisal Report cycle. The services to be requested from the successful offeror may include, but are not limited to, the following type of services:
. Facilitation of a community workshops/hearings to meet the
requirements of updating a Comprehensive Plan pursuant to Fla.
Stat. 163
. Preparation of Comprehensive Plan Element updates to meet State
requirements.

The successful offeror will provide the professional services described herein in support of the City. The successful offeror will demonstrate qualifications, experience, abilities and the proposed methodology necessary to successfully accomplish and support all aspects of the prescribed type of work. Please refer to the document for the complete specifications.
 http://www.cityofsebastian.org/PDFs/GM_RFP.pdf

Deadline:  November 30th, 2007.  Additional information: Rebecca Grohall, AICP ,Growth Management Director, City of Sebastian , rgrohall@cityofsebastian.org ; (772) 388-8228

RFQs/RFPs are listed in this newsletter and posted to FAPA's website at no charge.  FAPA's does this as a service to its members. Please take advantage of it.  Email a one paragraph summary to the Chapter Office at fapa@floridaplanning.org for posting.  Be sure to include a deadline and website link.

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JOB MART

Newest JOB MART advertisements now posted:

Sustainability Program Manager (Miami-Dade County); Branch Office Manager (Tindale-Oliver & Associates Inc.);Ecologist/NEPA Specialist, Boynton Beach (Tetra Tech EC, Inc.); Aquatic/Wetland Biologist, Stuart FL (Tetra Tech EC, Inc.); Senior Planner (Indian River County); Senior Transportation Planner (Ocala/Marion County Transportation Planning Organization); Transit Planner (Ocala/Marion County Transportation Planning Organization); Principal Planner (Collier County); FT Planning Manager (City of Schertz Texas); Senior Planner/Planner III (Orange County Growth Management Division); Director of Planning and Development Services (City of Dunedin); Planner II (Charlotte County/Punta Gorda MPO); Planner III Workforce Housing Coordinator (Orange County Growth Management Division); Senior Planner (City of Key West)....and many more. We encourage you to visit FAPA's JobMart website at http://www.floridaplanning.org/jobs2.asp for salaries, descriptions, minimum requirements and application deadlines.  Also, don't forget about FAPA's resume posting feature at http://www.floridaplanning.org/membership/resume_select.asp.

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FAPA CHAPTER & SECTION CALENDAR

 November 30, 2007:  The Emerald Coast Section invites you to join them at their NOVEMBER MEETING for a discussion of Hometown Democracy at the Milton Community Center from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm C.T.  For more information, contact Tim Brown at brotim@co.walton.fl.us .

December 7, 2007: Please join the Emerald Coast Section for its ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY from 6:00 - 9:00 pm at the Shalimar Pointe Resort Golf and Tennis Club in Shalimar.  For more information, contact Tim Brown at brotim@co.walton.fl.us .

December 8, 2007:  Participate in a FACILITATED BOOK DISCUSSION of Planning and Politics by  Roger Waldon, sponsored by the Sun Coast Section, from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.  For more information contact James Ratliff at jamesratliff@wilsonmiller.com

January 18, 2008: A FAPA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING will be held on this date at the Embassy Suites Orlando Hotel in Orlando.  For more information, contact the Chapter Office at fapa@floridaplanning.org

February 7, 2008:  Make plans to attend FAPA's 2008 PUBLIC POLICY WORKSHOP at the Park Plaza Hotel in Tallahassee. Please visit the FAPA website to download the agenda, registration form and to find out about sponsorship opportunities at http://www.floridaplanning.org .

February 8, 2008:  FAPA's LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE will meet at the Park Plaza Hotel in Tallahassee from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.  For more information, please contact the Chapter Office at fapa@floridaplanning.org. 

April 27 - May 1, 2008:  Las Vegas will host the American Planning Association's 2008 NATIONAL PLANNING CONFERENCE. Enjoy 200-plus conference sessions, mobile workshops, training seminars, and networking opportunities. For more information, visit http://www.planning.org/2008conference/.

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OTHER STATE & NATIONAL EVENTS

January 16-18, 2008:  The NATIONAL CHARRETTE INSTITUTE CHARRETTE PLANNER® CERTIFICATE offered by the Knight Program in Community Building is an intensive, two-part certification program.  This course is organized as two modules: an introductory half-day course with open enrollment followed by an intensive 2.5-day course limited to 35 participants, leading to certification by the NCI as a charrette planner. Continuing education credits are available through AIA and AICP for this course.  For more information see the Knight Program website, http://www.arc.miami.edu/knight/, e-mail knight@arc.miami.edu or call 305.284.4220.

April 3-6, 2008:  Save the date for the CNU XIV, the annual Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), to be held in Austin Texas.  CNU members come from far and wide to discuss development practices and public policies, learn from recent innovative work, and advance new initiatives to transform our communities.  For more information, go to the CNU website at http://www.cnu.org/cnuxvi/

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY!

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