A MONTHLY BULLETIN FROM APA FLORIDA

APA FLORIDA ANNUAL SPONSORS

 MARCH 28, 2008

Become a Sponsor or Exhibitor
 at the
2008 APA Florida Annual Conference
September 10-13th
InterContinental Miami

Click here for more information 

STATE & FEDERAL HIGHLIGHTS

FLORIDA PLANNING TOOLBOX NOW AVAILABLE
The Florida Department of Community Affairs and Florida Atlantic University's Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions (CUES) have announced the release of The Florida Planning Toolbox.  The toolbox contains "how-to" tools that will help Florida communities more effectively address the wide range of issues facing Florida communities. Tools are included that provide a way for communities to conserve agricultural land, address climate change, protect their coasts from inappropriate development, diversify their economy, provide for greater social and economic equity, and address affordable housing needs. It also contains tools that can be used to understand the fiscal impact of development proposals, conserve natural systems, promote infill and redevelopment, plan transportation improvements that improve pedestrian safety and achieve local goals for community character, and protect water resources. One chapter of the toolbox is devoted to tools that enable a high level of public involvement in planning processes. Another chapter contains benchmarking tools that can be used to measure progress on community goals. To download a free copy of the toolbox or to use the searchable online version, visit www.cuesfau.org/toolbox.

DEP LAUNCHES NEW PERMITTING NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
Governor Charlie Crist and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Michael W. Sole launched a new system for e-mail notification of permit applications for the public. The Permitting Application Subscription Service, or PASS, allows the public to receive e-mail alerts when permit applications are submitted to DEP. PASS allows any interested party to access information about environmental permit applications received by the agency in any area of Florida. Users provide an e-mail address and identify locations of interest as well as activities of interest, and then will receive e-mail notification with more information when permit applications are received at DEP that match the specifications chosen by the member of the public. Subscribers will receive an e-mail identifying application information such as project ID, location name and ID, and permit application number as well as contact information for the appropriate permitting office.  To access PASS, go to http://pass.dep.state.fl.us/DepPub/welcome.do/.

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REPORTS, PUBLICATIONS AND BRIEFINGS 

POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ON TRANSPORTATION STUDY RELEASED
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has released a study on the potential impacts of climate changes and land subsidence, the natural sinking of an area's land mass, on transportation infrastructure in the U.S. Gulf Coast region. The Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure: Gulf Coast Study, Phase I, provides an assessment of the vulnerabilities of transportation systems in the region to potential changes in weather patterns and related impacts, as well as the effect of natural land subsidence and other environmental factors in the region. The area examined by the study includes 48 contiguous counties in four states, running from Galveston, TX to Mobile, AL. Subsequent phases of the study will focus on risks and adaptation strategies involved in planning, investment, design and operational decisions for infrastructure in the Gulf Coast region and nationwide. The study was performed in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey and state and local researchers, and is one of 21 "synthesis and assessment" reports produced as part of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program.  The study is available on online at http://climate.dot.gov .

STUDY LOOKS AT IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON U.S. TRANSPORTATION
While every mode of transportation in the U.S. will be affected as the climate changes, potentially the greatest impact on transportation systems will be flooding of roads, railways, transit systems, and airport runways in coastal areas because of rising sea levels and surges brought on by more intense storms, says a new report from the National Research Council. Though the impacts of climate change will vary by region, it is certain they will be widespread and costly in human and economic terms, and will require significant changes in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of transportation systems. In addition to climate changes, there are a number of contributing factors that will likely lead to vulnerabilities in coastal-area transportation systems. Population is projected to grow in coastal areas, which will boost demand for transportation infrastructure and increase the number of people and businesses potentially in harm's way; erosion and loss of wetlands have removed crucial buffer zones that once protected infrastructure; and an estimated 60,000 miles of coastal highways are already exposed to periodic storm flooding.  Read the report and its recommendations at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/sr/sr290.pdf.

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NEWS CLIPS, MAGAZINE ARTICLES, ETC.

Some publications may require free registration.
New rules could soon label Orlando-air unhealthy
Kevin Spear, Sentinel Staff Writer, March 15, 2008
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-smog1508mar15,0,4700819.story

Let's Pave Streets Green
Would you give up your extra parking spot for a garden plot?
Ruben Anderson, The Tyee, March 27, 2008
http://thetyee.ca/Views/2008/03/26/GreenStreets/

Whose Property Rights?
The clash between private interests and public welfare in Oregon raises a question that has vexed the nation since its founding
James S. Russell, Metropolis Magazine, March 19, 2008
http://www.metropolismag.com/cda/story.php?artid=3230

Land Value Impacts of Bus Rapid Transit
Daniel A. Rodriguez and Carlos H. Mojica, Land Lines, April 2008
http://www.lincolninst.edu/pubs/PubDetail.aspx?pubid=1359 

Government Report Warns Planners on Sea-Rise Threat to U.S. Coasts
Cornelia Dean, New York Times, March 12, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/science/12coast.html?_r=1&em&ex=1205553600&en=0845b706d54ba9a4&ei=5087%0A&oref=slogin

Bartow Planning Panel OKs Clear Springs Sector Plan
Suzie Schottelkotte, The Ledger, March 25, 2008
http://www.theledger.com/article/20080325/BREAKING/195398470

"Grand central station" idea stirs up strong opposition
Thomas R. Collins,  Staff Writer, Palm Beach Post, March 14, 2008
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/pbcnorth/content/local_news/epaper/2008/03/14/c1c_grandcentral_0314.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=76

County Commission backs rules to save golf courses
Commission OKs rules to retain open space by imposing limits on builders
Scott Wyman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, March 26, 2008
 http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbgolf0326sbmar26,0,4508516.story 

Plan would give  tax breaks to marinas
Jim Ash, Florida Today Capital Bureau, March 26, 2008
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080326/BREAKINGNEWS/80326025/1086

Bonita slashes grant program to maintain historic structures
Elizabeth Wright, Naples News, March 26, 2008
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/mar/26/bonita-slashes-grant-program-maintain-historic-str/

Bus tours focus on foreclosed properties in Florida, California
Adrian Sainz, Associated Press, Sun-Sentinel, March 26, 2008
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/realestate/sfl-0326foreclosures,0,2807050.story

Sarasota County seeks tighter rein on growth
Ballot measure aims to require unanimous vote on rural projects
Doug Sword, Herald Tribune, March 25, 2008
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080325/NEWS/803250354/1018/news02

Southwest Florida's metro areas still among fastest growing in the nation
Elysa Batista, Naples Daily News, March 27, 2008
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/mar/27/southwest-floridas-metro-areas-still-among-fastest/

Vote on tax-cap proposal postponed for week
The sponsor of a plan to limit government and cap taxes postponed a key vote to get more time to drum up support for the controversial measure.
Mary Ellen Klas, Miami Herald, March 27, 2008
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/471702.html

Local Officials Lobbying At Capitol
Gary Pinnel, Highlands Today, March 26, 2008
http://www2.highlandstoday.com/content/2008/mar/26/local-officials-lobbying-capitol/?news

Bill would freeze Citizens rates through 2009
An extensive insurance bill making its way through the state Senate could freeze rates for Citizens policyholders through 2009 and limit future increases
Beatrice E. Garcia, Miami Herald, March 26, 2008
http://www.miamiherald.com/business/story/470216.html

Florida tax protesters tramp into Crist's office
Alex Leary, Staff Writer, St. Petersburg Times, March 25, 2008
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article431501.ece

Bill would extend Florida Forever
Bruce Ritchie, Florida Capital Bureau, Tallahassee Democrat, March 26, 2008
http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080326/CAPITOLNEWS/803260365

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 APA FLORIDA/APA/AICP NEWS & INFORMATION

SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION FOR APA FLORIDA'S 2008 PROJECT AWARDS
APA Florida is pleased to announce the opening of its 2008 Project Awards Program application cycle.  This program provides APA Florida the opportunity to recognize outstanding planning projects in the State of Florida at its annual conference.  The program provides APA Florida members with the chance to see and learn about development, conservation, government, or environmental projects, where planning has had a positive impact on the outcome.  Judges will be looking for innovativeness and quality, and the potential for use in other areas.  Eligible projects are those completed within the last two years in Florida, and submittals are due by May 16, 2008.  For more information, go to http://www.floridaplanning.org/conference/2008/2008ProjectAwardsAnnouncement.pdf.

INVITATION TO ATTEND FLORIDA RECEPTION AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE
APA Florida members attending the APA Conference in Las Vegas are cordially invited to attend the annual APA Florida/Florida Planning Schools Joint Reception on Tuesday, April 29th from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at Bally's Skyview 1 Room. Mark your calendar! 

APA AND AICP ELECTION 2008
Remember to cast your vote in the APA and AICP 2008 elections! This year, for the first time, APA and AICP voting will occur by electronic ballot. For members with a valid e-mail address, voting will take place online. Paper ballots will be mailed to members without an email address, and those members will also have the option to vote online. A ballot message was emailed to members March 10, 2008 and sent by mail to members without a valid e-mail address. The deadline for return of ballots online or by mail is April 10, 2008. The results of the election will be announced at the APA Annual Meeting on April 30, 2008 at the National Planning Conference in Las Vegas.

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OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

RURAL LAND STEWARDSHIP WORKSHOP
The Department of Community Affairs has scheduled a third rule development workshop to receive comments concerning potential revisions to Rules 9J-5 and 9J-11, Florida Administrative Code regarding the Rural Land Stewardship Area Program. The third workshop will be held in Gainesville on March 31, 2008, at the offices of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in the Doyle Conner Building Auditorium, 1911 S.W. 34th Street (State Road 121). Two earlier workshops were held on July 19, 2007, and September 24, 2007, in Lakeland. To view the proposed rule, go to http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/dcp/RuralLandStewardship/RLSARule.pdf .

SUSTAINABLE FLORIDA SEEKING BEST PRACTICE AWARD NOMINATIONS
Sustainable Florida - Collins Center is accepting nominations for the 2008 Sustainable Florida Best Practice Awards thorough April 10, 2008. Previous Sustainable Florida Best Practice award recipients have been rewarded for their efforts to conserve water, revitalize coastlines, implement cleaner more efficient processes for air and water, preserve and promote agricultural practices,create green developments that reduce energy and water usage and save residents money, adopt and implement practices to create sustainable communities, companies and campuses, develop win-win solutions to enable smart growth while preserving green space and native habitat, and many more.  For more information, go to http://www.sustainableflorida.org/documents/SustFLBestPracticeAwardsApplication.pdf.

IFAS HOSTS "LIVING GREEN" WEBSITE
This website contains information and links on a wide variety of topics including water conservation, energy saving tips, recycling, locally grown food, lawn care and irrigation, and many other ways to "live green."  Visit the web site at http://livinggreen.ifas.ufl.edu/.

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RFPs/RFQs, GRANTS, AWARDS, ETC.

  RFQs/RFPs are listed in this newsletter and posted to APA Florida's website at no charge. APA Florida 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 web link.                                                                                                            

City of Palm Coast:  The City of Palm Coast is seeking a firm to assist in developing an Airport Area Master Plan and Airport Zoning Overlay District regulations. The deadline for response is March 31, 2008, 2:00 PM.  For more information, visit http://www.ci.palm-coast.fl.us/government/departments/purchasing/index.aspx

Town of Ebro:  The Town of Ebro is issuing a Request for Proposals for Planning and Land Use Services. To request a copy of the RFP you may contact Linda Marlow, Clerk at 850-535-2842 . All proposals must be submitted to the Town of Ebro no later than 12:00 p.m. April 1, 2008.

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JOB MART

Newest JOB MART advertisements now posted:

PLANNER (City of Oldsmar); TRANSPORTATION PLANNER (City of Rock Hill, S.C.); VICE PRESIDENT LAND PLANNING/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (Lee County Development Company); PLANNER I (City of Apopka); ASSOCIATE PLANNER (City of Hallandale); TRANSPORTATION PLANNING & CONCURRENCY MGR (Manatee County Public Works); COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST (City of St. Cloud); DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR (City of Stuart); PLANNER (City of St. Cloud); MUNICIPAL PLANNER (Professional Engineering Consultants, Inc.); PLANNER I (RWA, Inc.); PLANNING AND CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (City of Eustis); PLANNING DIRECTOR (City of South Miami); COMPREHENSIVE PLANNER (City of Vero Beach); PLANNER (Putnam County-Palatka); DEPUTY CITY MANAGER FOR DEVELOPMENT (City of Eustis); WORKFORCE HOUSING COORDINATOR (Orange County Growth Management Department); SENIOR POLICY ANALYST (Florida Housing Finance Corporation- Tallahassee);  DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PROJECT COORDINATOR (City of Dunedin); PLANNER II (EC&D); PLANNING AND ZONING TECHNICIAN (Town of Fort Myers Beach)
 
We encourage you to visit APA Florida's JobMart website at http://www.floridaplanning.org/jobs2.asp for salaries, descriptions, minimum requirements and application deadlines.  Also, don't forget about APA Florida's resume posting feature at http://www.floridaplanning.org/membership/resume_select.asp.

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APA FLORIDA CHAPTER & SECTION CALENDAR

April 3, 2008: APA Florida First Coast Section is hosting a half-day workshop entitled "Planning for a Disaster-Resistant Community."  The workshop runs from 12:30 - 5:00 pm and is approved for 4.0 AICP CM credits. Register for this event by April 1st by sending RSVP, check or money order to: Lori Hodges, First Coast APA, c/o England, Thims & Miller, Inc. 14775 Old St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville, FL 32258

April 11, 2008:  The Executive Committee of APA Florida will hold its Quarterly Meeting at the Embassy Suites -Orlando, 5835 TG Lee Boulevard, Orlando.  The meeting will start at 9:30 am.  For more information contact the Chapter Office at fapa@floridaplanning.org.

April 12 & 19, 2008:  APA Florida First Coast Section will conduct its AICP Short Course for those planning on taking the AICP exam in May.  For more information, email Planning@FirstCoastAPA.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/.

September 10-13, 2008:  Save the date for APA Florida's 2008 Annual Conference at the InterContinental Miami in downtown Miami.  Keep up with breaking news at http://www.floridaplanning.org/conference/index.asp.

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OTHER STATE & NATIONAL EVENTS

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.   For more information, go to the CNU website at http://www.cnu.org/cnuxvi/

April 7-8, 2008:  The Urban Land Institute is holding a conference, "Developing and Investing Green:Creating Value through Sustainability", at the Charlotte NC Convention Center.  For more information, call 1-800-321-5011.

April 12, 2008:  The next FPZA State Board of Directors Meeting will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn St. Augustine Beach, 32080.

April 24, 2008: The Florida Design Institute and many partners are hosting a free lecture by Ed McMahon at 7 PM on Thursday, April 24, 2008, at Florida Atlantic University's Jupiter campus auditorium. The lecture is titled  "Sustainability -- What Does It Mean and Why Is It Important?".  One hour of AICP credit may be sought.  For more information, call 561-799-8526.

April 25, 2008:  The Land Use Law Section of the Florida Bar is conducting an all day workshop on Hot Topics in Environmental and Land Use Law, at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six in Fort Lauderdale.  Eight hours of AICP credit are being sought.  For information, call 850-561-5831.

May 12-16, 2008:  The 22nd Annual Governor's Hurricane Conference will be held at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward Convention Convention Center.  For information, go to http://www.flghc.org.

May 23, 2008:  The Palm Beach Planning Congress will host a seminar, Effective Planning in an Anti-Government Environment, in Boca Raton.  They intend to apply for AICP credit.  For more information, go to http://pbcplanningcongress.org.  

June 11-14, 2008:  The FPZA Annual State Conference will be held at the Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine.  For information, email fccfpza2008@yahoo.com.

June 16-17, 2008:  Save the date for DCA's Annual Growth Management Workshop, at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando.

July 16-18, 2008:  Save the date for the Florida Chamber's 22nd Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School at the Marco Island Marriot Resort.

July 31 - August 2, 2008:  Save the date for the 2008 FLASLA Annual Conference and Expo at the Omni Jacksonville Hotel in downtown Jacksonville.  Check http://www.flasla.org/conference.htm for more information.

October 22-24, 2008:  The Florida Redevelopment Association will hold its 2008 Annual Conference at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Tampa.

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