A MONTHLY BULLETIN FROM APA FLORIDA

2008 FARM BILL PASSED
This summer, Congress overrode a Presidential veto and passed the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill.)  According to the American Farmland Trust, this bill provides critical new funding for several programs and makes improvements to increase program efficiencies and effectiveness. The new farm bill includes: strengthened conservation and farmland protection programs; an improved government safety net; support for local foods, farmers markets and healthy diets; funding for renewable energy to advance environmentally responsible energy production; and dramatic increases in food assistance for families struggling with rising food costs. To learn more about this bill, go to http://www.farmland.org/programs/farm-bill/analysis/default.asp . 

ATLANTA "BELTLINE" CHANGING PATTERN OF REGIONAL SPRAWL
Over the past 20 years, metro Atlanta's growth has occurred in widely spread and disconnected pockets of development which have strained the region's quality of life and economic growth. By attracting and organizing some of the region's future growth around parks, transit, and trails, the BeltLine will help change the pattern of regional sprawl in the coming decades and lead to a vibrant and livable Atlanta with an enhanced quality of life. The BeltLine will combine greenspace, trails, transit, and new development along 22 miles of historic rail segments that encircle the urban core. Anticipated to cost $2.8 billion over 25 years, it will be funded through local, state, and federal public funds as well as private philanthropic contributions.  To learn more about this effort, go to http://www.beltline.org/BeltLineBasics/BeltLineBasicsOverview/tabid/1691/Default.aspx .

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DEVELOPING GREEN AFFORDABLE HOUSING
A new report, titled "Sustainable, Affordable, Doable", features the stories of eight Green Communities projects as told by the  community leaders who developed them. The free report adds to the body of literature on green affordable housing by describing the realities of developing green affordable homes for low-income people, tracing the major stages in the development process. Download the  report at http://www.practitionerresources.org/cache/documents/666/66601.pdf .  For more about green affordable housing, check out the October issue of Green Communities News at http://www.greencommunitiesonline.org/news/newsletters/archives/october_2008_news.asp.

WILDLIFE 2060: WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR FLORIDA
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently released a report focusing on the impact of future development on Florida's fish and wildlife resources and our enjoyment of those resources.  Entitled Wildlife 2060: What's at state for Florida, this report suggests that the best strategies to give large animals and sensitive species a chance include: acquiring and protecting large parcels; promoting compatible agricultural activities; utilizing alternative protection techniques such as conservation easements and tax incentives; and ensuring that thoughtful, large-scale land-use planning, development design and meaningful mitigation agreements are put in place.  There are also a number of ideas for ways that individuals can take action.  To read the report, go to  http://www.floridaconservation.org/Wildlife2060/Docs/FWC2060.pdf

GREEN BUILDING IMPACT REPORT ISSUED
The Green Building Impact Report, issued by GreenerBuildings.com, is an integrated assessment of the land, water, energy, material and indoor environmental impacts of the LEED for New Construction (LEED NC), Core & Shell (LEED CS) and Existing Building Operations and Maintenance (LEED EBOM) standards. The report  attempts to answer whether commercial green buildings live up to their name -- that is, that they are engendering demonstrable environmental improvement. According to the authors,  LEED buildings are making a major impact in reducing the overall environmental footprint of individual structures. However, significant additional progress is possible and indeed necessary on both the individual building level and in terms of market penetration if LEED is to contribute in a meaningful way to reducing the environmental footprint of buildings in the U.S. and worldwide. Read the report at http://greenerbuildings.com/greenbuildingimpactreport/html. 

DISASTER MITIGATION FOR HISTORIC STRUCTURES: PROTECTION STRATEGIES
Prepared by 1000 Friends of Florida on behalf of the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, this is the final part of a series of planning for disaster manuals for historic and cultural resources. This manual seeks to improve the integration of historic preservation and disaster preparedness. The larger joint agency project previously produced a manual entitled "Disaster Planning for Florida's Historic Resources" which identified a number of steps that communities can take to prepare for a disaster and minimize its impacts on historic and cultural resources.  The new manual's focus is on actual mitigation options for individual historic structures.  These mitigation methods were identified and evaluated by a Technical Advisory Committee of historic preservation and emergency management professionals, architects, building code officials, manufacturer/ industry representatives and a testing lab engineer. The result is the identification and documentation of materials, systems, products and installation techniques available to address the specific mitigation needs of historic structures.You can download the manual at http://www.1000fof.org/preservation/disaster/Dos-demPilotProject1.asp or request a hard copy by contacting Dan Pennington at dpennington@1000fof.org.

IMPACT FEES AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently released  "Impact Fees and Affordable Housing - A Guidebook for Practitioners".  The purpose of this guidebook is to help practitioners design fees that more equitably reflect actual proportionate share and therefore have less of a negative impact on housing affordability. It includes information on the history of impact fees; discusses alternative financing models to ensure the most appropriate financing tools are at least considered; summarizes state legislation which can influence the design of local impact fee programs; and addresses how to design impact fees to be more progressive. Case studies of local government impact fee programs that are sensitive to affordable housing are also included.  Go to http://www.nmhc.org/Content/ServeFile.cfm?FileID=6877 for a copy of the report.

URBAN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES
In response to a request from EPA, the National Research Council's Committee on Reducing Stormwater Discharge Contribution to Water Pollution recently completed its review of EPA's stormwater program.  Their report concludes that the course of action most likely to halt and reverse degradation of the nation's waterways would be to base all stormwater and other wastewater discharge permits on watershed boundaries instead of political boundaries, which is a radical shift from the current structure. A number of additional actions, such as conserving natural areas, reducing hard surface cover (e.g., roads and parking lots), and retrofitting urban areas with features that hold and treat stormwater, are recommended. Go to http://dels.nas.edu/dels/rpt_briefs/stormwater_discharge_final.pdf to read the full report.

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Some publications may require free registration.

State high court decision clears the way for redevelopment projects
Don Jordan and Willie Howard, Staff Writers, Palm Beach Post, November 20, 2008
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2008/11/20/1120cracase.html

At the WaterColor, government-cutting ideas fly
Aaron Deslatte, Orlando Sentinel, November 19, 2008
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2008/11/at-the-watercol.html

Adviser tells state land in U.S. Sugar deal worth less than Florida offered
Craig Pittman, Times Staff Writer, St. Petersburg Times, November 19, 2008
http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/wetlands/article908657.ece

Fla. Economy: Plan for Growth Well 
Mark Wilson, Columnist, Lakeland Ledger, November 19, 2008
http://www.theledger.com/article/20081119/COLUMNISTS/811190310/1382/EDIT?Title=Fla__Economy__Plan_for_Growth_Well

Biomass debate in Tallahassee coming to a boil
Emotions run high over pollution concerns
Bruce Ritchie, Democrat Staff Writer, Tallahassee Democrat, November 19, 2008
http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20081119/NEWS01/811190339/1010

Water: Sustaining, allocating it key to Tucson area's future
B. Poole, Tucson Citizen, November 6, 2008
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/fromcomments/101963.php

Bitterroot voters nix county's growth policy
John Cramer, Ravalli Republic, November 2008
http://www.ravallirepublic.com/articles/2008/11/06/news/news81.txt

Farming group offers rival bid for U.S. Sugar
The proposal comes as state talks to buy land for Everglades restoration appeared to be nearing an end
Andy Reid, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, November 21, 2008
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flpsugardeal1121pnnov21,0,7580725.story

A new (but familiar) plan for downtown
Casey Ross, Globe Staff, Boston Globe, November 21, 2008
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/11/21/a_new_but_familiar_plan_for_downtown/

Shopping center owners want to stack housing on retail
Katie Worth, Examiner Staff Writer, San Francisco Examiner, November 13, 2008
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Shopping_center_owners_want_to_stack_housing_on_retail.html

More transit, fewer roads in city's new master plan
Road projects worth hundreds of millions could be shelved, canceled to help pay for light rail, buses
Jake Rupert, The Ottawa Citizen, November 11, 2008
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=60c4d77d-87ae-4b33-88ff-fb1103d84159

Developers find ways to drive new residents home
Leena Rao, San Francisco Business Times, November 7, 2008
http://sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2008/11/10/focus5.html?b=1226293200^1729915

As a road to a better economy, an old idea gains ground
Richard Simon and Jim Puzzanghera, Los Angeles Times, November 9, 2008
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-na-infrastructure9-2008nov09,0,2104157.story?track=rss

Report Calls for Overhaul of Power Grid to Handle Sun and Wind Power
Matthew L. Wald, The New York Times, November 9, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/business/10grid.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin

NYC proposes bike parking rules in new buildings
Karen Matthews, Business Week, November 10, 2008
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D94CBKE80.htm

County praised for new, interactive Growth Management Web site
Cindy Swirko, Staff Writer, The Gainesville Sun, November 23, 2008
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20081123/NEWS/811231006/1002?Title=County_praised_for_new__interactive_Growth_Management_Web_site

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REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2009 PUBLIC POLICY WORKSHOP
In the November/December issue of Florida Planning, you will find the announcement and registration information for the 2009 Public Policy Workshop to be held on February 4, 2009 in Tallahassee.  Unfortunately, a few hours after the newsletter was taken to the post office, the Chapter Office was informed that the Holiday Inn Select, the workshop venue, will be closing its doors at the end of November.  The workshop will now be held on February 4th at the Ramada Conference Center at 2900 North Monroe Street in Tallahassee.  There will be a reception the night before and the workshop will be submitted for AICP CM credit.  Updated registration  and sponsorship forms are posted at http://www.floridaplanning.org/events/2009_PublicPolicy/index.asp.  A small block of rooms is being held at the Ramada.  The room rate is $89 per night and the block is held under "American Planning Association".  The number to call to make reservations is 850-386-1027.   Please call the Chapter Office at 850-201-3272 or fapa@floridaplanning.org if you have any questions.


TRAIN YOUR ZONING BOARD
Are you looking for a ready-made training program for your zoning board members? APA and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy are sponsoring an audio/web conference called "Introduction to the Zoning Board of Adjustment". This program prepares zoning board members for their vital role in planning successful communities. Topics include the operation of the zoning board, conducting sound public meetings, taking testimony, assessing reports and presentations, and making meetings accessible. Presenters also review practices that commonly lead to litigation. Participants learn about variances, how to develop defensible findings of fact, and guidelines for conditional and special uses. Throughout, ZBA members will learn not only legal, but also ethical, decision making. The program provides resource materials on key planning concepts and includes guidelines for preparing a local, follow-up module. The training will be held on December 3, 2008, 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m., E.T. or 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., E.T. Visit www.planning.org/audioconference to read more information about the conference and for convenient online registration.  Please contact Sarah Lutz at 312-786-6729 or education@planning.org if you have any questions about the conference or registration. 

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1000 FRIENDS OF FLORIDA SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR 2009 BETTER COMMUNITIES AWARDS
Once again, 1000 Friends of Florida is honoring successful efforts to save special places, fight sprawl, and build better communities across our rapidly growing state. They encourage you to nominate individuals, organizations, public-private partnerships, local governments, agencies, and/or projects that have enhanced the quality of life in your community. The nomination form is found at http://www.1000fof.org/Awards/09nomination.pdf , and the deadline is January 30, 2009. Please contact Vivian Young at 850-222-6277, ext. 109 or vyoung@1000fof.org if you have any questions. Please visit http://1000fof.org/Awards/main.asp for information on past recipients.

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO PARTICIPATE IN PLANNING SURVEYS
Tracy Mullins, AICP, is conducting research to document practices, tools, techniques, and other relevant items that are generally recognized as good practice.  In an effort to add to the current urban planning body of knowledge, Tracy plans to create a series of ten short questionnaires focused on various facets of the planning process. Each survey will be limited to ten questions, and the surveys will be spaced out over the next year so the full set of questionnaires will be quick to complete. The success of this project will depend on identifying planners who are willing to respond to the surveys. If you would like to help by answering this series of questionnaires, please contact Tracy at floridaplanner@gmail.com .

COMMENTS ON LEED-ND RATING SYSTEM SOUGHT
The US Green Building Council (USGBC) invites the public to participate in the first public comment period for the proposed draft of the LEED for Neighborhood Development 2009 Rating System. As a result of input from the pilot program, which began in the summer of 2007, LEED for Neighborhood Development has been revised by the LEED for Neighborhood Development Core Committee and the culminating draft can now be reviewed and commented on by the public. Any member of the public may comment on the proposed changes to LEED for Neighborhood Development (after registering a site user profile on the USGBC Web site). The first public comment period will be open for 50 days, from Monday, November 17, 2008 through Monday, January 5, 2009 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. USGBC is also forming a consensus body to vote on the proposed draft of the LEED for Neighborhood Development 2009 Rating System. To learn more about this effort or to comment on the LEED-ND draft, go to http://www.usgbc.org/LEED/LEEDDrafts/RatingSystemVersions.aspx?CMSPageID=1458 .


SUBMISSIONS FOR CNU'S 2009 CHARTER AWARDS  NOW OPEN
CNU's Charter Awards recognize the best of New Urbanism and Smart Growth -- whether the work is architectural, landscape, and urban designs or the publications, policies, plans, and codes that structure them. Awards are selected by a jury of distinguished urbanists and judged on the extent to which they fulfill and advance the principles of the Charter of the New Urbanism. This year, submitters also have the opportunity to describe how projects advance the operative principles in the Canons of Sustainable Architecture and Urbanism, found at http://internetmailmanager.com/i/ou.htm?a=172293&b=1307889&c=11857344&d=http:~~cnu.org~canons. Find information and entry forms at http://internetmailmanager.com/i/ou.htm?a=172293&b=1307890&c=11857344&d=http:~~cnu.org~awards.

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 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. Include deadline and web link.
 
 LAKE WORTH CRA:  In accordance with the Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Plan goals of eliminating slum and blight, encouraging the acquisition, demolition and reuse of underutilized properties, and developing and marketing housing opportunities within the redevelopment area, the CRA wishes to redevelop a significant portion of the district through the development and implementation of a cultural program. The program should attract, develop and promote arts and culture and develop artistic events and enterprises that promote the revitalization of the district.  The posting can be found at: http://internetmailmanager.com/i/ou.htm?a=172293&b=1307891&c=11857344&d=http:~~www.lakeworthcra.org. The submission deadline is December 3, 2008.                                                                                                      

Newest JOB MART advertisements now posted:

Planner I- Development Review (City of Clearwater); Planner (Lynn Haven); Senior Transportation Planner (Volusia County MPO); Development Review Planner (City of Fort Pierce); Growth Management Administrator (Pasco County); Transportation Planner (Bay County); Transportation Systems Plans Reviewer (Manatee County Public Works Department); Planner (PEC Inc.); Senior Planner (City of Palm Coast)

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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December 8-11, 2008: The Florida Bay and Adjacent Marine Systems Science Conference  will be held at the Naples Beach Hotel.  Go to http://www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/FloridaBay2008/ for details.

December 8-11, 2008: IFAS, USGS and other sponsors will host ACES 2008: A Conference on Ecosystem Services at the Naples Grande Hotel in Naples.  For details, go to http://www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ACES/ .

December 11-12, 2008:  The Litigating Land Use Conference will be held at The Conrad in Miami.  Go to http://internetmailmanager.com/i/ou.htm?a=172293&b=1307897&c=11857344&d=http:~~www.cle.com~miamilit for more information.

December 12, 2008:  Attend the Marine Shoreline Development and Permitting Workshop at the Renaissance Tampa hotel International Plaza in Tampa.  It is approved for 6.5 AICP CM credits, including the law credit.  Go to http://www.lawseminars.com/detail.php?SeminarCode=08MARFL for details.

February 5-6, 2009:  Save the date for the 2nd Annual Water and Energy Sustainability Conference at the Hilton in Deerfield Beach.

February 18-20, 2009:  Registration is now open for the Florida Chamber's 25th Annual Growth Management, Energy, Climate Change & the Environment Short Course, to be held at the Hilton Oceanfront in Daytona Beach.  Go to http://www.floridaenet.com/ to register.

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