A MONTHLY BULLETIN FROM APA FLORIDA

APA FLORIDA ANNUAL SPONSORS

OCTOBER 30, 2009



Remember to cast your ballot on the proposed Bylaw Amendments
(Ballots were included in the September/October issue of Florida Planning)

STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHLIGHTS

OCTOBER DECLARED "COMMUNITY PLANNING MONTH" IN FLORIDA
On October 13th, the Governor and Florida Cabinet designated the month of October 2009 as Community Planning Month, in conjunction with the celebration of National Community Planning Month.  Requested by APA Florida, this was an opportunity to  highlight the contributions sound planning and plan implementation  make to the quality of Florida's communities and environment.  It was also an opportunity to recognize the participation and dedication of members of planning commissions and other citizen planners who have contributed their time and expertise. 

RULEMAKING WORKSHOP ON 9J-5.006, FAC, SCHEDULED
The Florida Department of Community Affairs has released a Notice of Proposed Rule Development. Its purpose is to amend Rule 9J-5.006, F.A.C., "to provide greater detail and explanation relating to the statutory requirements that the future land use element be based upon the amount of land required to accommodate anticipated growth and the projected population of the area." A rule development workshop will be held on November 10, 2009 at 1:00 p.m., in the Randall Kelley Training Center at the Department of Community Affairs.   Contact Robert Pennock, DCA, at 850-488-2356 for more information.

COMMENTS SOUGHT ON DRAFT REVISIONS TO 9J-5, FAC, TO IMPLEMENT HB 697
The Florida Department of Community Affairs is requesting  comments on draft revisions to 9J-5 intended to implement the new energy/climate change requirements of HB 697.  An initial rule development workshop was held on January 12, 2009 and additional ones will be held in the future. In the interim, DCA has posted draft revisions at  http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/dcp/Legislation/2008/Files/DraftRules.pdf  .  Please send your feedback to Robert Pennock, DCA at robert.pennock@dcs.state.fl.us .

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE RELEASES CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
As part of the Department of the Interior's commitment to building a coordinated strategy to respond to the impacts of climate change on the nation's natural resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  released a proposed strategic plan that will guide the agency's efforts to respond to the unprecedented threat posed by global warming. The proposed strategic plan, which is available for public review and comment until November 23, 2009, will help guide the Service's response to impacts such as changing wildlife migration patterns, the spread of invasive species, changing precipitation patterns and rising sea levels. It has three key elements: Adaptation (helping to reduce the impacts of climate change on fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats); Mitigation (reducing levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gas pollution in the Earth's atmosphere); and Engagement (reaching out to Service employees, local, national and international partners in the public and private sectors, key constituencies and stakeholders and the broader citizenry.) To view the proposed plan and submit comments, go to http://www.fws.gov/home/climatechange/ .

 TOP

REPORTS, PUBLICATIONS AND BRIEFINGS 

LEGISLATIVE INTERIM REPORTS RELEASED
A number of interim work reports have been released by various Senate committees.  The full list of Senate interim reports can be accessed at http://www.flsenate.gov/cgi-bin/View_Page.pl?File=index.html&Directory=Publications/2010/Senate/reports/interim_reports/&Tab=committees&Submenu=2.  Simply click on the report that you want to access. Of particular interest is the Senate Committee on Community Affairs' report on Population Need as a Criteria for Changes to a Local Government's Future Land Use Map, found at http://www.flsenate.gov/data/Publications/2010/Senate/reports/interim_reports/pdf/2010-107ca.pdf . This report is scheduled to be discussed by the committee on November 3rd.

NEW CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS TOOLKIT
A new toolkit for formal and informal educators, Climate Change Wildlife and Wildlands, has been released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Designed for classroom teachers and informal educators of all types, the kit helps teach how climate change is affecting our nation's wildlife and public lands, and how everyone can become "climate stewards."   The toolkit can be accessed at http://www.globalchange.gov/resources/educators/toolkit . 

TWO HOUSING/TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT REPORTS ISSUED
Reconnecting America and the National Housing Trust for AARP recently published a study which explores the impact of expiring federal contracts on affordable housing in transit-oriented developments.  The study reported that, in the next five years, as many as 160,000 renters in 20 metro regions could lose their affordable apartments because the contracts on their privately-owned HUD -subsidized rental units are due to expire.  The renewed popularity of urban living means that properties in walkable areas near transit have increased in value and that property owners are likely to opt out of the HUD program and convert the housing from affordable to market rate.  The report recommends that Congress appropriate sufficient federal funding to renew all Section 8 contracts, and increase funding for the Section 202 housing program. The report also recommends that state and local governments allocate funds to preserve affordable housing in transit-rich areas, including the development of affordable housing acquisition funds for properties near transit, and that governments develop "early warning systems" for properties with expiring federal subsidies.  Download this report at http://www.reconnectingamerica.org/public/display_asset/2009aarppreservingaffordability .

On a related topic, in early September the General Accounting Office released a report to Congress examining the job that the Federal Transit Agency and the Housing and Urban Development Agency have done in promoting affordable housing in transit-oriented developments since their interagency pact of 2005.  The study found that more formal collaboration and other practices could enhance collaboration between the agencies, and that many agency field offices, local housing and local transit agencies were unaware of the collaborative effort to provide this type of housing.  The study can be downloaded at http://www.reconnectingamerica.org/public/display_asset/gao09871sept9affordablehousing?docid=343. 


RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF CLEAN ENERGY REPORT ISSUED
The Natural Resources Defense Council recently released a report which looks at a clean energy economy for Indiana and the rural economic development potential of its renewable resources.  The report looks at a number of resources including wind, biomass, solar, geothermal and others.  The national and state policy changes that are needed to move towards a clean energy economy are also discussed.  The report can be downloaded at http://www.nrdc.org/energy/cleanIN/files/in.pdf .

 TOP

NEWS CLIPS

Some publications may require free subscriptions.

Pedestrian-friendly Miami 21 zoning code approved
Four years after the discussion began, Miami commissioners Thursday adopted an urban-oriented, pedestrian-friendly zoning code.
Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, October 22, 2009
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/1296056.html 

Poll: Voters want tough land use law
Ashby high-rise controversy cited for apparent turnaround in public opinion
Bradley Olsen, Houston Chronicle, October 19, 2009
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/6673959.html

Nudging Recycling from Less Waste to None
Leslie Kaufman, New York Times, October 19, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/science/earth/20trash.html?_r=2&ref=us

An Isolated Village Finds the Energy to Keep Going
Simon Romero, New York Times, October 15, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/16/world/americas/16gaviotas.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

Odense: Masterplan for sustainable mobility
Sustainable Cities
http://sustainablecities.dk/en/city-projects/cases/odense-masterplan-for-sustainable-mobility

From Run-off to Riches
Jeffersonville considers innovative canal district
Brandon Klayko, The Architect's Newspaper, October 15, 2009
http://www.archpaper.com/e-board_rev.asp?News_ID=3924

Residents of transit-oriented Orenco Station still driving cars to work
Dylan Riveria, The Oregonian, October 17, 2009
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/10/despite_urban_design_most_oren.html

Japan's new hi-tech graveyards
Roland Buerk, BBC News, October 13, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8302476.stm

Eco-friendly parking garages drive transit movement
Haya El Nassar, USA Today, October 12, 2009
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/2009-10-12-parking_N.htm

Sustainable Streetscape
St. Louis tests green road design
Miriam Moynihan, The Architect's Newspaper, October 13, 2009 
http://archpaper.com/e-board_rev.asp?News_ID=3917

North America's Largest Photovoltaic Solar Plant Set to Open
Zac Anderson, Lakeland Ledger, October 18, 2009
http://www.theledger.com/article/20091018/NEWS/910195023/-1/NEWS99?Title=North-America-s-Largest-Photovoltaic-Solar-Plant-Set-to-Open

A $4 billion push to make affordable housing green
Katherine Wroth, Grist, October 21, 2009
http://www.grist.org/article/2009-10-21-a-4-billion-push-to-make-affordable-housing-green/

"Agriburbia" sprouts on Colorado's Front Range
Combines homes and harvest
Jason Blevins, Denver Post, October 24, 2009
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13631048?source=pop_section_news

Architect Thom Mayne, UCLA students create floating house for New Orleans residents
Shilo Munk and Caroline Blackburn, UCLA Newsroom, October 6, 2009
http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/professor-students-create-floating-111023.aspx?link_page_rss=111023

Study raises new red flag on coastal development
Despite growing concerns about rising sea levels, Atlantic states, led by Florida, continue to steer development toward the coast, a new study finds
Curtis Morgan, Miami Herald, October 28, 2009
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/5min/story/1303473.html

Offshore drilling splits House
Polls show growing support as opponents warn of environmental fallout
Bill Cotterell, Florida Capital Bureau, Tallahassee Democrat, October 26, 2009
http://www.floridacapitalnews.com/article/20091026/CAPITOLNEWS/910260313&theme== 

Inland port plan delayed; officials want business plans from competing sites
Vote is off until Dec. 17, while environmental objections are raised
Andy Reid, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Orlando Sentinel, October 22, 2009
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/sfl-port-jobs-everglades-p102109,0,5220127.story

Amendment 4: Hurting towns and democracy
Ward Friszolowski, Special to the Tampa Tribune, October 20, 2009
http://www.onevoiceforflorida.com/forums/thread/21ee3963-6e60-4f69-9e26-bb59e5f19d7f/1

Hard-line rhetoric won't solve growth problems
Thomas Tryon, Herald-Tribune, October 18, 2009
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20091018/COLUMNIST/910181027/-1/NEWSSITEMAP

New Voices: New 'city' on a slippery slope
Rebecca Egan, Opinion, Orlando Sentinel, October 22, 2009
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-edpmyword-growth-density-102209102209oct22,0,1002486.story

The 'Vacancy' Blight: Finding New Uses for Empty Stores
Barbara Kiviat, Time Magazine, October 3, 2009
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1927067,00.html

Rivals for Florida governor endorse land-buying
Michael Peltier, FloridaEnvironment.com, October 28, 2009
http://bruceritchie.blogspot.com/2009/10/rivals-for-florida-governor-endorse.html

 TOP

 MEMBER CONTRIBUTED ARTICLES

 APA Florida welcomes articles of varying opinions.   However positions expressed in these articles should not be construed as having been reviewed and/or edited to conform with or be representative of APA Florida's official positions.

Co-Housing: Worth a Look 
William Wisniewski, AICP
Principal, Community Based Planning
http://www.floridaplanning.org/articles/Wisniewski_frustrated_planner.pdf

RURAL COUNTIES - Need is a 4 Letter Word
Richard Woodruff, AICP
Senior Vice President, WilsonMiller
http://www.floridaplanning.org/articles/Woodruff_RuralCounties%20-%20TimetoPlan.pdf

 TOP

 APA FLORIDA/APA/AICP NEWS & INFORMATION

BYLAW BALLOTS DUE BY DECEMBER 14
Amendments were developed by the Bylaws Committee at the direction of the APA Florida Executive Committee and the membership per the Strategic Operating Plan approved in September 2008. Additional amendments were identified by the Executive Committee relative to new procedures and processes, e.g. the Certification Maintenance Program, as well as various clarifications and formatting corrections.  All of the proposed amendments were sponsored by the Executive Committee and approved by the Executive Committee at their meeting in June 2009.  The proposed amendments are posted at  http://www.floridaplanning.org/exec_committee/2010/announce.asp and the ballots were sent in the September/October issue of Florida Planning.  Please carefully follow the directions for filling out the ballot AND the envelope to ensure your vote is counted!  Votes are due in the Chapter Office by December 14th.  If you did not receive your ballot, contact the Chapter Office at 850-201-3272. 

 TOP

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

 CAP AND TRADE PRIMER
If you have searching for an simple discussion of the cap and trade concept, the Sightline Institute out of Seattle issued the Cap and Trade 101, A Federal Climate Policy Primer in July.  The report contains a good discussion of the basic concepts behind the program and potential implementation strategies.  You can read this report at  http://www.sightline.org/research/energy/res_pubs/cap-and-trade-101/Cap-Trade_online.pdf .

FLORIDA HOUSING DATA CLEARINGHOUSE NOW UPDATED
The Shimberg Center for Housing Studies announced the release of the updated Florida Housing Data Clearinghouse website, found at http://flhousingdata.shimberg.ufl.edu/.  New information on the site includes: Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data regarding home purchase, home improvement and refinancing lending in Florida cities and counties; Data on Manufactured Housing Parks and Condominiums by county, including locations, number of units, and information about condo conversions.; Historical data on Florida's Assisted Housing Inventory through the Assisted Housing Inventory - Historical Information, 2004-2009 tool; and Preliminary Construction and Sales property appraiser data for 2008 on units by age, type and valuation, plus full 2007 data on properties and sales prices.

The Clearinghouse has also released The State of Florida's Assisted Rental Housing which examines the characteristics of Florida's stock of privately owned, publicly subsidized multifamily housing stock. The report traces changes to Florida's assisted housing supply since the 1960s and discusses preservation risks to older developments.

 TOP

RFPs/RFQs, GRANTS, 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. Include deadline and web link.

                     There are currently no RFQ's posted. 

GRANTS:
2011 Small Matching Historic Preservation Grants - The Department of State is soliciting applications for this grant program, with the deadline being December 18, 2009 at midnight EST.  Small matching grants are available up to $50,000 for historic preservation projects in the following categories: Main Street programs; State Historical Markers; Community Education projects; Survey and Planning projects; and the Acquisition and Development of historic properties.  For more information and the application, go to http://www.flheritage.com/grants/preservation/grants/index.cfm .

 TOP

JOB MART

 Newest Job Mart Ads posted:

SENIOR PLANNER (Putnam County); PLANNING MANAGER (City of Cocoa); SENIOR PLANNER (City of Ormond Beach);  PLANNER-DEVELOPMENT REVIEW (City of Largo); PLANNER-STRATEGIC PLANNING (City of Largo)
 
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 .

 TOP

APA FLORIDA CHAPTER & SECTION CALENDAR

November 3, 2009:  The APA Florida San Felasco Section will  hold its Section Meeting and Election of Officers in Gainesville.  Go to http://www.floridaplanning.org/sanfelasco/index.asp for details.

 November 6, 2009:  The APA Florida Treasure Coast and Broward Sections are helping to sponsor the Third Annual Ethics Seminar Continuing the Exploration of South Florida Corruption: Challenges for Land Use and Planning Professionals.  It will be held in Boca Raton and has been approved for 7 AICP CM credits (Law and Ethics) and 7 Board of Landscape Architecture CEC.  Go to http://www.pbcplanningcongress.org/ for details.

November 17, 2009:  The APA Florida Capital Area Section will be hosting "Industrial Lands Debate: Protect or Reuse" in Tallahassee.  The workshop is approved for 1.25 AICP CM credits.  Go to
http://www.floridaplanning.org/capital/index.asp for details.

November 18, 2009:  The APA Florida Sun Coast Section will host its Annual Dinner in Tampa.  Contact section PDO Yeneka Hemingway at (813) 273-3774 ext. 373 or by email at hemingway@plancom.org for details.

November 20, 2009:  The APA Florida First Coast Section will hold its Winter Luncheon at the University of North Florida.  Go to http://www.firstcoastapa.org/events.html for details. 
 

 TOP

OTHER STATEWIDE EVENTS

November 1-4, 2009:  The 12th Annual Brownfields Conference and Exhibition will be held in downtown Tampa.  Go to http://www.floridabrownfields.org/Conference/Default.htm  

November 3, 2009:  Sarasota County will hold its 2009 Sustainable Communities  workshop at the Girl Scouts Conference Center in Sarasota.  For details, go to http://www.scgov.net/SustainableCommunities/ .

 TOP

Disclaimer