Darrin Taylor As of the Spring of 2011 unemployment in Florida is hovering around 12%. Many people are out of work but what can planners do to help spur the state’s economy? Even Governor Scott has placed economic development as the foundation of his governorship with his 777 Plan. This panel will consider some of the ways that planners can help in economic development efforts. The panel will explore the varied ways planning is intersecting economic development in Florida in the private sector, in the environmental community and on the state and local levels.

1. Can Planners Create Jobs?Planning and Economic Development in a High Unemployment Florida Florida American Planning Conference September 10, 2011

2. Case Studies / Trends A Binding Letter in Niceville A PUD in Tallahassee – The Chamber takes the Challenge Coastal Chaos – The Great Wall of Florida Southwood – When Town Centers aren’t in the Center Anymore Trends/Lessons

5. A Binding Letter in Niceville Client Required a Binding Letter to Build a Wal-Mart In Niceville DCA approval required Bubble just popped

6. A PUD in Tallahassee

7. A PUD in Tallahassee Planners Dream – Mixed Use Project, well located – Developer wanting to do the right thing Organized/well-connected neighborhood in opposition Planning Department strong support Chamber / Business community support

8. Coastal Chaos – The Great Wall of Florida

9. Coastal Chaos Site located in place of repetitive loss due to storms – main road washes out Rock revetment not properly maintained according to permit County has no money for fix – Developer seen as the solution Former Developer was willing to agree (becoming desperate) Bank take over – Unwilling to Maintain Wall

10. Southwood – The Center is not in the Center Anymore

11. Southwood – The Center is not in the Center Anymore Original Plan envision an intense town center Similar to other New Urbanist projects, approved Commercial on edge – consistent with Market Forces Comprehensive Plan retains requirements for higher intensity/multi-story development in center Property well suited for low rise development – well located but not to intensity originally envisioned Many suitors – no takers

12. Lessons / Trends As planners we play a crucial role in the Florida Development Industry / will be part of Florida’s Economic Recovery Fewer Projects in the Door – Have to be smart with the opportunities available We provide guidance in the balance of the immediate and the long term Projects on the Books that won’t be built in the post bust economy

13. Lessons / Trends Projects on the Books that won’t be built in the post bust economy New Owners – Banks Proformas Don’t Pencil Out Lack of Capital New Laws – Re-analyze impacts, no backlog Economic Development the key buzz word for sometime – Planning and Economic Development must work together