Heart of Florida Section
Congratulations to our 2021 Award Winners!
Plan It!
City of Lake Alfred
Unified Land Development Code
The
City of Lake Alfred completed a total code rewrite. The
project was produced by City staff, Boswell & Dunlap LLP (City
Attorneys), and GAI Consultants - Community Solutions Group.
Reviewing contributors included the Central Florida Regional
Planning Council, CPH Engineering, and several state agencies.
The project took over two years with four guiding principles;
Simplicity, Flexibility, Responsibility, and Livability. Staff
wanted to focus on updating the complicated, outdated code with low
design standards while looking to the future providing for new
development types, protecting water supplies, and preserving the
character of the City. The update enhances the users experience by
creating a user friendly, readable document with graphics and
tables for clarification. Another goal was to streamline the review
process and create equity and flexibility in development
evaluations. The City added a Downtown Overlay in 2015 and wanted
to expand the development standard to implement the City’s vision
for a walkable and livable community. Staff recognized the need to
address current and future housing needs for a changing demographic
and new development types.
The updated code promotes and maintains Lake Alfred’s small-town
character and addresses future housing and water supply demands by
implementing WaterStar standards and requiring the use of Florida
Friendly landscaping concepts. The ULDC continues to protect
sensitive resources and promotes conservation especially in the
Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern.
Jan Johnson Public Involvement Award/Plan It!
City
of Lake Wales
Lake Wales Connected Plan
Lake Wales Connected is the City's revitalization plan for the core
of Lake Wales, covering Downtown and the adjacent Northwest
Neighborhood. It embodies the ideals of the American Planning
Associations utilizing extensive community engagement to establish
a visionary and implementable plan that exhibits sound planning
principles and application of best practices. Many cites and
towns have experienced a shift of vitality from their historic
cores, leaving behind areas in need of investment, infill and
activity to become more complete. The strategies and implementation
action steps in Lake Wales Connected are transferable to many other
communities and similar planning efforts. Although the plan was
completed just over a year ago, it is already proving to be
effective in stimulating important implementation activities.
The Lake Wales Connected planning process was designed to seek
input from many perspectives and engage public and private
stakeholders in defining a vision for the future. Business and
property owners, City staff, and interested residents were
among the many participants that contributed their input and
ideas. The centerpiece of public involvement was an open
“Designing in Public” charrette week in April 2019, which focused
on both the Downtown
and Northwest Neighborhood areas. The plan vision describes
five big ideas to guide future improvements: Design, Activate,
Connect, Populate, and Empower.
Avon Park Air Force Range Field Day
Heart of Florida Section Members participated in a field day at the Avon Park Air Force Range (APAFR), in Avon Park, FL on January 28, 2020.
The day began with an overview of the mission and operations of the APAFR, from Buck McLaughlin, 598th Range Squadron Range Operations Officer. The APFR is the US Air Force's largest Primary Training Range east of the Mississippi River and offer public use opportunities for hunting, camping, fishing and other recreational activities. Range staff explained how these activities are coordinated with military training exercises and the efforts made to preserve the natural, Florida landscape and eco-system. The Central Florida Regional Planning has worked jointly with leaders at APAFR on a Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) and Sentinal Landscape program to plan for compatible land uses within the flight path boundaries and specific training activities, while ensuring the environment is protected.
HOF members enjoyed a tour of the range, which included a visit to a mock village used to train military troops, airfields, and a designated campground on property. Range staff provided information about the numerous programs and public uses on property, answered questions from our members, and provided information about how to enjoy all that the APAFR has to offer the public. The day ended with a demonstration of night vision goggles, which emphasized the importance of dark-sky regulations.