Friday, September 16, 2011

Invite to Oct. 14th Seminar: Plat-a-Palooza: Platted Lands Legacy in SW Florida



Here's a great opportunity to be part of the discussion about finding a solution to the economic development problems created by pre-platted communities, such as Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres.

Thanks to Reconnecting Lee and the American Planning Association of Florida for co-sponsoring this important seminar.

Where: Palmetto Pines Country Club When: October 14, 2011 8am-4pm
1940 SW 9th Court Credits: 6 AICP/CM Credit Hours approved
Cape Coral FL 33991 Cost: $10.00; Free to FGCU students


Business leaders, local legislators, planners and students want to solve an age-old problem: how to grow healthy, thriving communities in locales where each lot has already been platted, or spoken for by individual owners. Finding a solution to this issue could be a strong driver for economic development in pre-platted places like Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Port Charlotte.

Representative Matt Caldwell wants to take on the issue at the legislative level, and he went to the volunteer group, Reconnecting Lee County (RLC) to ask for input. This one-day seminar sponsored by RLC and the American Planning Association of Florida is geared to give Rep. Caldwell the fuel he needs to take a plan to Tallahassee.

At issue is the challenge of assembling individual lots to create large enough blocks of land for attractive development options. Another problem created by pre-platting communities is urban sprawl, which is costly to governments/taxpayers who must provide service to homes or businesses located in distant, mostly undeveloped portions of a community.

On October 14th, City and County leaders and planners from Lee, Charlotte and Collier Counties and the City of Cape Coral will join forces to explore the problem, potential solutions and look at a case study from Collier that’s being hailed a success.

Among the participants will be State Representative Gary Aubuchon, Lee County Commission Chair Frank Mann, former Charlotte County Commissioner Adam Cummings, Cape Coral Mayor John Sullivan and former Mayor Joe Mazurkiewicz and a host of planners and others well versed on the topic. The conclusion will be moderated by former Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council Executive Director Wayne Daltry.

Other project partners include: Florida Gulf Coast University, Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council, Florida, Florida Planning and Zoning Association, and the Urban Land Institute. The event is being hosted in Cape Coral, our area’s largest pre-platted City. Anyone interested in sponsoring or attending the event is welcome.

“Please RSVP and make checks payable to “Florida Chapter of APA”.
Please send to the following address.
Alexis V. Crespo, AICP, LEED AP BD+C
Waldrop Engineering, P.A.
28100 Bonita Grande Drive, Suite 305
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
Office: (239) 405-7777
Cell: (239) 850-8525

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