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SAVE THE DATE

2012 RPCGB Annual Meeting

Road Map to Redevelopment

January 25, 2012
The Club
1 Robert Smith Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209
 
Training Sessions 9am - 11:15am
Luncheon 11:30am - 1:00pm
 
Keynote Speaker: Mr. Mitchell Silver, AICP, PP
President, American Planning Association
Chief Planning & Economic Development Officer and Director, Department of City Planning for the City of Raleigh  
 
SESSION TOPICS 
Next Steps of Scenario Planning
Revitalization in Progress
Corridor Planning as a Tool for Redevelopment
Costs of Redevelopment and How to Minimize Them
More information is available at www.rpcgb.org 

Tuesday, January 24, 2012  --  8:30 to 4:30
Government Plaza located at 205 Government Street in downtown Mobile
Multipurpose Room on the first floor

Join staff of the National Park Service, National Register Program (NR), and the Alabama Historical Commission to learn how to prepare a National Register nomination with an emphasis on Historic Archaeology.  End the afternoon learning how to navigate the waters of a Section 106 Review by the Alabama Historical Commission.  The meeting is hosted by the Mobile Historic Development Commission.   Local preservation commission staff and members, cultural resource consultants and the public are invited to attend.

 

Lisa Deline, National Register Reviewer, National Park Service, Washington, D.C.
How do you nominate properties to the National Register? 
Learn about the National Register standards and how they apply to nominations for historic properties and districts.   Deline will provide information on determining periods of significance, application of criteria, determining character defining features, determining boundaries, and placing the property within appropriate historic contexts.  For commission members who review nominated properties or consultants who nominate properties, this is a chance to hear from the reviewer to find out what is needed in a successful nomination form.

 

Erika Seibert, National Register Reviewer, National Park Service, Washington, D.C.
How do you nominate historic archaeological resources to the National Register?
Learn how the National Register standards apply to historic archaeological resources. This session will provide information on National Register concerns for historic archaeological properties, determining periods of significance, level of investigations needed to confirm integrity and significance, and how to include historic archaeological features in larger historic district nominations and setting appropriate boundaries.  Erika will also provide her impressions of the potential Africatown National Register district.   She will explain the process from the reviewer's perspective, an insight that should not be missed.

 

Lee Anne Wofford, Alabama Historical Commission, Montgomery, AL
How do you apply the National Register criteria to architectural properties impacted by federal projects to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act?  Learn what the AHC requires to review Section 106 projects and how to avoid your project being returned for more information.  This session will provide real world examples of common building types that cause the most problems for consultants (and AHC Reviewers!).

 

This program receives federal funds from the National Park Service administered through the Alabama Historical Commission.  Regulations of the U. S. Department of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in departmental federally assisted programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or disability.  Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operated by a recipient of federal assistance should write to: Office of Equal Opportunity, U. S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240

Registration Information Required
Please email your contact information including:
Name, phone number, preferred email address, and name of community, preservation commission and/or consulting firm you represent to:  mhdc@cityofmobile.org

 

You can also mail the information to:
Mobile Historic Development Commission
Listing it All Conference
PO Box 1827

Mobile AL 36633-1827

No registration fee is required, but registration will assure you have a meeting packet for the sessions.

Lodging Suggestions

 

Be aware that the following weekend is the Senior Bowl so players and coaches will be booking for the same week.

Admiral Semmes Hotel:  251-432-8000; www.admiralsemmeshotel.com

Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel:  251-338-2000; www.rsabattlehouse.com

Hampton Inn and Suites Historic Downtown Mobile:  251-436-8787;  www.mobiledownton.hamptoninnlcom

Holiday Inn Downtown Historic District:  251-694-0100;  www.holidayinn.com

Malaga Inn:  251-438-4701

Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel:  251-438-4000; www.RenaissanceRiverview.com

Fort Conde Inn:  251-405-5040;  www.fortcondeinn.com - This is a new bed and breakfast opened in arestored  1836 house.

The Society of American Travel Writers' (SATW) annual convention, held in New Zealand last month, served as the backdrop to announce the 2011 Phoenix Award winners. Created in 1969, the Phoenix Awards recognize conservation, preservation, beautification, and environmental accomplishments as they relate to travel.  Birmingham's Railroad Park was one of four developments in the nation recognized with a Phoenix Award. Nearly four decades in the making, Railroad Park is a linear, 19-acre green space created on a former urban wasteland in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. The first stage of a planned "Three Parks Initiative," it features a two-acre lake and meandering creeks; paths for bicyclists, runners, and walkers; benches; free wifi; a skate park; play areas for children; a grassy hillside amphitheatre; outdoor workout equipment; and a shaded plaza with covered sheds that hold park offices, bathrooms, and areas for concessions. It serves as a space for recreation and small- and large-scale events. "Railroad Park has all the parts for a Phoenix Award - historical and environmental conservation, public/private partnerships, across-the-board benefit to the community and potential to fuel future growth," a committee member wrote.

For more information on Railroad Park please see www.railroadpark.org.

Cities that have the most complex and messy street patterns provide the most walkable and enjoyable experiences for visitors and residents, argued Allan Jacobs, the former director of San Francisco's city planning department, at a recent conference in Vancouver BC. Jacobs listed cities that have numerous intersections per square mile as a guide to their walkability. Some of the most walkable cities include San Francisco, which has 300 intersections in the Market Street area, along with Paris (281), Tokyo (988), Savannah, Ga., (538) and Portland (341). more

Written by the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, this report examines efforts by advocates and government agencies to build public and political support for affordable housing developments and to counteract negative attitudes toward affordable housing. The document describes 15 campaigns from across the nation, with reproductions of some of the advertisements used in those campaigns.
http://www.p4sc.org/articles/purchase/what-works-and-why-affordable-housing-communications-campaigns-2000-2010

Managed by the US Department of Transportation, the Transportation Planning Excellence Awards Program recognizes outstanding initiatives to develop, plan, and implement innovative transportation planning practices across the country. Winners represent a variety of planning organizations, and will receive awards at the Transportation Research Board Summer Meeting in 2012 on the West Coast. Nominations accepted October 1 to December 1, 2011.
http://www.planning.dot.gov/tpea2012/

EPA's Office of Sustainable Communities is currently offering two technical assistance opportunities: Smart Growth Implementation Assistance and Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities. Both programs have calls for letters of interest open from September 28 to October 28, 2011.

The Smart Growth Implementation Assistance (SGIA) program focuses on complex or cutting-edge issues and can take about 18 months. These projects explore innovative ideas to overcome barriers that are preventing communities from getting the kind of development they want. Potential topics for this round of assistance include economic development for rural communities, resilience planning for natural hazards, linking planning for land use and economic development, using locally generated energy, and smart growth for tribal communities. EPA will choose up to four communities to receive assistance.

The Building Blocks program provides targeted technical assistance to communities that face common development problems.  It employs a variety of tools such as improving pedestrian access and safety, zoning code reviews, and housing and transportation evaluations. EPA will select up to 50 communities and provide direct assistance by EPA staff and private sector experts.

Applicants should determine which technical assistance program is right for their community.

More information on the SGIA program and the request for letters of interest:  http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/sgia.htm

More information on Building Blocks and the request for letters of interest:  http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/buildingblocks.htm

Would You Like to Learn:
• fundamental facilitation skills?
• a simple format for conducting regular updates of your Community's Strategic Plan?

Join us for a 1½ day hands-on demonstration training
focusing on skills needed for
effectively facilitating a Strategic Plan Update

Featured Trainer: Carol Johnson, Continuous Dialog (www.cdialog.com)

Fill out the form below.

Checks, made payable to ACE, may be mailed to:
Alabama Communities of Excellence
PO Box 11749
Montgomery, AL 36111

Cost: $150 per person (covers seminar, first night's lodging and meals)

Space is limited, so register now!!!

If you haven't received a confirmation email within 72 hours, please call 866-557-0007.

8/29-8/30 Marriott Shoals, Florence, AL  or 9/12-9/13 Wynfrey, Birmingham, AL

Register by clicking here.

Key Congressional leaders are attacking Safe Routes to School, Transportation Enhancements and Recreational trails and are taking steps to cut off dedicated federal funding for bicycling and walking.  We need every single person who simply wants safe options to walk or bicycle to contact their Senators and Representative today!
 
House Transportation Chairman John Mica (R-FL) announced today that his transportation bill will eliminate dedicated funding for bicycling and walking, including Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and the Recreational Trails Program, and discourage states from choosing to spend their dollars on these activities that are "not in the federal interest."  Chairman Mica's statement that these programs remain "eligible" for funding is worthless; without dedicated funding for these three programs, they are effectively eliminated.
 
Things on the Senate side are not much better. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), the lead Republican negotiator on the transportation bill, declared that one of his TOP THREE priorities for the transportation bill is to eliminate 'frivolous spending for bike trails.'  This is in direct conflict with Senator Barbara Boxer's (D-CA) commitment to maintain dedicated funding for biking and walking.  However, the Senate is working towards a bi-partisan solution, and Senator Inhofe's comments mean funding for bicycle and pedestrian programs is at risk of total elimination. 
 
Help protect Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and Recreational Trails. Contact your Members of Congress  , and tell them to reach out to Senators Inhofe, Boxer, and Congressman Mica to urge them to continue dedicated funding for these important bicycling and walking programs. 
 
Need some good facts to bolster your argument?  Read on:
 
Not in the federal interest?  Biking and walking make up 12 percent of all trips in the US - even as funding for biking and walking projects only accounts for 1.5% of the federal transportation budget. That is more than 4 billion bicycle trips and 40 billion walking trips a year, including trips to work, school, shopping and for recreation and tourism.
 
Frivolous?  Two-thirds of all pedestrian deaths are on federally funded highways.  One-third of children's traffic deaths happen when children are walking or bicycling and are struck by cars.  Bicycling and walking programs build sidewalks, crosswalks and bikeways--improving accessibility and saving lives.
 
The Facts
Biking and walking are important forms of transportation, and funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements is a very efficient use of federal transportation dollars.  Portland, OR built 300 miles of bike lanes and trails for the cost of one mile of highway.
These projects create jobs and build local economies.  Building bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure creates 46% more jobs than building road-only projects per million dollars spent.  Cities that invest in bicycle and pedestrian projects turn downtowns into destinations, and capitalize on increased business activity.
Eliminating the 1.5% of transportation funding spent on bike/ped would have no meaningful impact on the federal budget, but instead, decreases transportation options for American families in a time of rising gas prices and an uncertain economy. 
 
Why Act Now?  Both the House and Senate long-term transportation bills are being written as we speak.  We still have a chance of influencing the outcomes.  Let's make sure that funding for biking and walking programs don't disappear for many years.
 
We need every Senator to tell Senators Boxer and Inhofe that bicycling and walking are vital parts of our transportation system, and that there must be dedicated funding for sidewalks, bike lanes and trails to ensure that bicyclists and pedestrians are safe.  And we need every Representative in the House to tell Chairman Mica the same.
 
Please contact your Senators and Representatives TODAY to tell them that bicycling and walking are a critical part of a safe and equitable transportation system.  Ask them to tell Representative Mica and Senators Boxer and Inhofe that a federal transportation bill must continue dedicated funding for bicycling and walking.
 

February 16, 2011
 
Last week, the House of Representatives proposed $100 billion in spending cuts for the current fiscal year (2011) which ends on September 30, 2011.

The result would be cutting RC&D funding mid-year.

 If approved, this legislation would eliminate the RC&D Program.

 Note: This is separate and apart from the President's FY 2012 budget which does not include RC&D funding.
 
We will be in contact with our Councils about the FY 2012 budget in the future; our most immediate concern is seeing that there are no cuts for the current fiscal year.

Because Congress failed to complete a budget last year, the federal government is operating under a "Continuing Resolution" that will expire on March 4.
 
If Congress does not pass another Continuing Resolution, the funding for the RC&D Program will end.
 
It's time for all Council Members and supporters to flood the House of Representatives and Senate by phone, email, etc.  Tell them:

RC&D Council Members strongly oppose the $100 billion deficit reduction package.
RC&D spending creates jobs and spurs economic development while conserving precious natural resources.
Consult your area and annual plans and remind Congress of what will NOT happen in your areas if the RC&D Program is eliminated.

If you need information and assistance about contacting your elected Members of Congress, feel free to contact your National Association at 202.434.4780.

City Limits magazine recently published a piece on the Obama Administration's urban policy work, arguing that significant change has been happening―change that is mostly below the radar of the press and public. The article provides information on the Sustainable Communities Partnership, a partnership formed in 2009 between EPA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Transportation to help improve access to affordable housing, offer more transportation options, and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment in communities nationwide. The article discusses some projects that the Partnership has funded, and provides background context for urban-focused federal efforts to encourage sustainable communities.

Resource: http://www.citylimits.org/news/articles/4268/obama-s-urban-policy-slow-start-sustainable-finish

By Curt Pianalto with Rob Balmes, Byways Specialists 

A message from Planning Commissioner's Journal Editor Wayne Senville:

One of the most innovative online ideas we've seen in quite a while has been the creation of what's called a "Twitter newspaper." A small Swiss company by the name of Small Rivers has created a way of -- as they put it -- making Twitter postings and links available in an "easy to read newspaper-style format." And they're absolutely right.

What this means is that you can access some of the most interesting and relevant (to you) content on Twitter without even needing to use Twitter. And even if you're a Twitter user, the daily paper provides an amazingly convenient way to quickly view postings (aka Tweets) that will interest you.

We recently started the City Planning News Updatenewspaper. Take a look at today's edition.

Design Alabama Executive Director Gina Clifford interviews Stacey Bryan, Director of theAlabama Communities of Excellence and Linda Swann from the Alabama development Office and current President of ACE. ACE is an organization which works closely with Design Alabama to create quality communities in Alabama. Founded in 2002, The Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) program is a comprehensive three-phase approach to economic and community development for cities with populations between 2,000 and 18,000. With the mission of helping Alabama's smaller communities to plan, grow and prosper, ACE partners from the private sector, governmental agencies, and universities work with each community to successfully achieve the vision and goals created during the ACE program

This special radio series will air every Sunday at 5:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M., on the Troy University Public Radio Network at:  

• WTSU 89.9 (Montgomery and Troy)
• WRWA 88.7 (Dothan)
• WTJB 91.7 (Columbus and Phenix City) 

And every Saturday, broadcasting from Spring Hill College in Mobile, at 2:30 P.M. on:

• WHIL 91.3 Public Radio (Mobile-Biloxi-Pensacola)

This radio series may not be broadcast in your area, but it can be accessed via the Internet at: http://www.arts.state.al.us/actc/1/radioseries.html#ace

The Jefferson County Department of Health invites you to attend its Leadership Breakfast & Tour
Guest Speaker: Mark Fenton, Host of America's Walking on PBS
Join Fenton on a bus tour following breakfast as he discusses how community design and the built environment can improve health, safety, and quality of life.

Tuesday, August 10th
Energen Plaza Conference Center 605 Richard Arrington Jr., Boulevard North

Public parking lot behind Energen Plaza (the rate is $3.00); metered parking on street.
7:30AM Breakfast • 8:30AM Bus Tour
Contact Flo Fleming at 930-1480 or Flo.Fleming@jcdh.org to reserve your spot today!

HUD Secretary Shawn Donovan has announced a Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) that gives grantees priority for buying foreclosed Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured homes. Called FHA's First Look Sales Method, the initiative also offers NSP participants - states, localities and nonprofits - a 10-percent price discount for about 14 days from the transfer of foreclosed properties to FHA. After the 14-day period, those properties remaining will be listed for sale under FHA's standard procedure. The initiative will be effective until May 31, 2013.

''We believe FHA First Look will provide communities with a powerful tool to help them convert these vacant properties into the affordable homes families need to thrive and our local economies need to recover,'' Secretary Donovan told the National Council of La Raza Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas. ''The truth is, as hard as it is right now, it's even harder to imagine what would have happened had we not acted when we took office - when we were losing 753,000 jobs a month, home prices had declined for 30 straight months and Americans had lost $6 trillion in home equity.''

Thanks largely to the joint HUD-Treasury Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) and FHA's loss mitigation options, which together ''helped set a standard across the industry,'' the secretary pointed out, ''nearly 3 million borrowers have received restructured mortgages since April of 2009,'' almost three times more than lost their homes during that time.   7/12/2010

Click here to view the source article or Click here to view the source publication.

16th Street Corridor Study and Conceptual Streetscape Plan

The RPCGB and the Fountain Heights Neighborhood Association presented the 16th Street Corridor Study and Conceptual Streetscape Plan to the City of Birmingham Planning Commission and City Council. The City of Birmingham Planning Commission adopted the 16th Street Corridor Study and Conceptual Streetscape Plan on May 5th, 2010.  The City of Birmingham City Council adopted the 16th Street Corridor Study and Conceptual Streetscape Plan on May 11th, 2010. The Fountain Heights Neighborhood Association and the City of Birmingham have requested assistance from the Regional Planning Commission through the Building Communities Program to complete this study.  For additional information please contact Richard Amore, Senior Planner with the RPCGB at ramore@rpcgb.org.

City of Leeds Master Plan

The RPCGB continue to move forward on the City of Leeds Master Plan 2010.  The RPCGB met with several stakeholders during the month of May and is moving forward with the stakeholder involvement process during the month of June in guiding the future direction of the Master Plan. The RPCGB is in the process of putting together a stakeholder advisory committee for the City of Leeds Master Plan. The RPCGB looks forward to kicking off the public involvement meetings in the coming months once the existing conditions analysis is completed. The City of Leeds has requested assistance from the RPCGB through the Building Communities Program to complete the master plan for the city.  For additional information please contact Richard Amore, Senior Planner with the RPCGB at ramore@rpcgb.org.

To see a complete list of community planning projects completed over the last year, visit the Community Planning section of the RPCGB website.

Greenway Project Moves Forward

A long anticipated greenway project has taken another step towards completion with help from RPCGB.  In April 2009, a Building Communities Grant was awarded to complete a "Strategic Plan for the Implementation of the Five Mile Creek Trail Location Study."  The implementation study will be modeled after the PATH Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization in Atlanta with a mission of develop a system of interlinking greenway trails from commuting and recreation.
 
Plans for the Five Mile Creek Greenway began with an 8-mile section of greenway on Five Mile Creek funded by Sloss Industries (now Walter Coke) as part of a Supplemental Environmental Plan agreement. Sloss also set aside property on the creek in conservation easements and planted trees.  RPCGB and Cawaco RC&D Council in cooperation with Sloss produced the Five Mile Creek Greenway Master Plan in 2005.  RPCGB took the project another step by securing funding through the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for trail location studies in Brookside, Fultondale, and Center Point.  The Five Mile Creek Trail Location Study was completed in April 2008. 
 
The main feature of the Five Mile Creek Greenway is a 16.5 mile path planned on the CSX Cane Creek Rail Line.  This historic mineral rail line is planned to be developed as a multi-use trail.  Money has been programmed for the acquisition of the Cane Creek Rail Trail through the MPO. Matching funds will be provided through fund raising and local grants.

A new survey reveals that just since November, the number of Americans willing to pay more now for energy-efficient and less wasteful national infrastructure in order to save money and resources in the future has risen from 58 to 64 percent. Equally significant, 96 percent of respondents agree with the need to consider sustainability in all new construction, 76 percent see sustainability-minded, large-scale infrastructure projects as an important investment for future generations, and 51 percent would add an average of $256 to their annual taxes to ensure some form of sustainability for new construction in their regions.
www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=7633

Free technical assistance available!

The Development, Community, and Environment Division in EPA's Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation is seeking applications for technical assistance from communities that want to incorporate smart growth in their future development to meet environmental and other community goals. This request is being coordinated under the interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities. Staff from HUD and DOT will assist in the provision of this technical assistance.

Eligible entities are tribal, local, regional, and state governments, and nonprofit organizations that have a demonstrated partnership with a governmental entity. Letters of interest are due at 3:00 pm EST, April 9, 2010.

EPA has identified some key topics in which communities are likely to benefit from technical assistance:

• climate change
• equitable development
• financing and planning infrastructure investments
• hazard mitigation plans
• removing local barriers to implementing LEED-ND
• suburban retrofit
• transportation solutions for rural communities and places without rail
• cities in transition (significant population loss, poverty, or economic deterioration)

Proposals are not limited to requests for technical assistance in only these thematic areas; other topics for assistance are welcome and encouraged, provided they demonstrate cutting-edge challenges and the possibility of replicable solutions. The type of work may incorporate policy analysis and review, planning and visioning processes, scorecard/ranking criteria development and assessment, and/or other elements pertinent to the role of the applicant.

Selected communities or states will receive assistance in the form of a multi-day visit from a team of experts organized by EPA, HUD and DOT and other national partners to work with local leaders. EPA plans to assistthree to four communities over a period of twelve months. The Agency anticipates announcing the selected communities in fall of 2010.

For more information and application materials, visit http://epa.gov/smartgrowth/2010_0128_rfli.html

Often we are asked about the challenges communities struggle with when reviewing and calibrating SmartCode for their city or town. Two themes often arise in the discussion of SmartCode developments and mixed use projects in general. One is the financing of mixed-use development and the second is the long term municipal responsibility of improvements constructed within the public frontage.
 
The tightening of underwriting standards and changes in interest rates has altered financing capabilities for mixed-use properties. This makes the financing of mixed-use properties challenging. The development team must help bankers and investors feel comfortable with the project and how its various components will fit together to create a successful development. If the community is committed to changing development patterns, then the case can be made that mixed-use development will provide incremental benefits to the community in which the development sits. Secondly, the case can be made that mixed-use projects provide long term benefits the public in ways that single-use developments do not. Local government may play an important role in providing ongoing support, zoning flexibility, and/or creative financing for mixed-use projects.
 
SmartCode diagrams typically delineate private frontage and public frontage. This delineation should not be confused with sidewalk maintenance responsibility. Sidewalk maintenance can be designated as the responsibility of the adjoining property owner. In fact §11-48-65 of the Code of Alabama states, "Nothing in this article shall be so construed as to take from any city or town or in any manner affect the power and authority to compel the property owners, by penal ordinance or otherwise, to repair the sidewalks in front of their property in such manner and with such material as may be directed under the supervision of the engineer or other officer or agent of the city or town or to cause such repairs to be made at the expense of the property owner, such expense to be collected as in the case of taxes". The issue of sidewalk maintenance does not need to stand in the way of SmartCode Development.

If you have SmartCode questions please contact Steve Ostaseski or Richard Amore at RPCGB. Steve may be reached by phone at 205.264.8421 or by email at smo@rpcgb.org. Richard may be reached by phone at 205.264.8447 or by email at ramore@rpcgb.org.

16th Street Corridor Study and Conceptual Streetscape Plan

The RPCGB and the City of Birmingham conducted a successful public meeting on the 16th Street Corridor Study for the Fountain Heights Neighborhood on Tuesday, November 3rd.  The RPCGB presented a overview of the project, the results from the Visual Preference Survey, and displayed conceptual alternatives based on the comments from the September 12th  Fountain Heights Neighborhood Association Meeting. The residents of Fountain Heights comments and public input were insightful for guiding the future development of the 16th Street Corridor Plan. The Fountain Heights Neighborhood Association and the City of Birmingham have requested assistance from the Regional Planning Commission through the Building Communities Program to complete this study.  For additional information please contact Richard Amore, Senior Planner with the RPCGB at ramore@rpcgb.org.
 
City of Calera adopted Subdivision Regulations

The City of Calera and the KPS Group conducted a successful public hearing on the City of Calera's subdivision regulations on Tuesday, November 3rd.  The City of Calera's Planning Commission adopted the subdivision regulations on November 3rd and recommended the regulations to the City Council. The update to the city's zoning and subdivision regulations are funded by the RPCGB through the Building Communities Program.  For additional information please contact Richard Amore, RPCGB Senior Planner, ramore@rpcgb.org or Jason Fondren with the KPS Group, jfondren@kpsgroup.
 
City of Leeds Master Plan

The RPCGB met with the City of Leeds Planning Commission of October 8th to go over the first installment of the draft Master Plan.  The draft of the first installment of the Master Plan includes a community assessment that shows the existing conditions, which include the environmental analysis, a demographic study and an overview of the City of Leeds services and infrastructure. 

The RPCGB will meet with the City of Leeds Planning Commission on Thursday, November 12th to collect any comments from the Commissioners, Councilors and City Staff.  The RPCGB and the City of Leeds are seeking a date in  December for a public meeting on the Master Plan.  The public meeting date will be confirmed in the next few weeks. The City of Leeds have requested assistance from the RPCGB through the Building Communities Program to complete the Master Plan for the City.  For additional information please contact Richard Amore, Senior Planner with the RPCGB at ramore@rpcgb.org.

City of Irondale to Examine Commercial Corridor Areas

The City of Irondale has contracted with the RPCGB and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to examine the land use and transportation issues along three important commerce corridor areas within the City of Irondale. The project will examine and report findings within concentric drive time areas for the three geographic targets defined by the City. Through a comprehensive analysis of the community's economy and demography, RPCGB will compile an inventory of existing retail businesses and identify the most promising types of retail prospects for economic development for the market. In addition to a market assessment, RPCGB will also develop a transportation plan for the City of Irondale which will include a circulation review, roadway assessments, and improvement recommendations. 

City of Jemison Master Plan Completed

The City of Jemison's Master Plan was completed and adopted in recent months.  The plan addresses growth and future development within the next twenty years and examines the city's current policies that relate to the changing conditions in the area and region. To look at the City of Jemison's Master Plan please visit the RPCGB website.

To see a complete list of community planning projects completed in 2009, visit the Community Planning section of the RPCGB website.

ATLANTA - Thirty years ago, people from the Gulf Coast to Canada were cleaning up from a
monstrous storm named Hurricane Frederic.
 
Frederic struck the Gulf Coast near the Alabama-Mississippi border on September 13, driving  storm surges of 12 feet and producing more dollar damage than any previous Gulf Coast  hurricane. However, the death toll was small for such a large and intense storm, which  President Jimmy Carter credited to accurate, timely warnings and an orderly and extensive  evacuation.  


That was an example of the value of preparedness,‖ said Federal Emergency Management  Agency (FEMA) Region IV Administrator Phil May.  ―FEMA was in its infancy at the time, and  today we still know the best way to respond to an event like this is to be ready before it  happens.
 
Alabamians long experienced with hurricanes described the devastation of their coast as ―near- total from Fort Morgan to Gulf Shores, which reported 80 percent of its buildings destroyed.  Before hitting the mainland, Frederic struck Dauphin Island - knocking out the causeway that  joined the island to the mainland. Although Alabama suffered the most damage, Frederic's eye  spent more time over Mississippi than any other state in remaining a hurricane to Meridian - nearly 200 miles inland. Florida suffered the only coast-state fatality when a boater was washed overboard near Pensacola.
 
Amid the largest evacuation in Gulf Coast history to that time, some 500,000 people, all three  states received disaster declarations and FEMA spent over $225 million helping them recover.  Some $118 million of that was in Alabama, $34 million in Mississippi and $4 million in Florida.  FEMA followed those dollars with more federal funds aimed at reducing the impact of future  disasters - $42 million to Alabama, nearly $750,000 to Mississippi and $1.5 million to Florida.
 
Frederic was indeed the first mainland hurricane in the history of FEMA, which the president had activated that July. Although the first hurricane disaster declaration of the FEMA era was for Hurricane David, it was for Puerto Rico. After what have been called the ―twin hurricanes‖ separated, Frederic targeted the mainland as no storm ever before in terms of dollar damage and time over land. After holding hurricane strength almost halfway to Tennessee, it retained tropical characteristics all the way to Pennsylvania and dumped more than half a foot of rain
into New England and even Canada.
 
―Citizens can best be safe by having a disaster plan and an emergency kit, learning a life-  saving skill and checking on one neighbor after they make sure their own family is safe, May  said.
 
Over the years, September has brought many major disasters and is now observed as National Preparedness Month. For more information on that observance or getting prepared, call 800- BE-READY or visit www.ready.gov, its Spanish-language version www.listo.gov or www.citizencorps.gov for free preparedness resources, such as family emergency plan templates, emergency supply kit checklists, and much more. 
 
The Ready Web site also has a special sections for children, ages 8-12, (Ready Kids) and  small- to medium-sized businesses (Ready Business). 
 
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. 

Huntsville Preservation Workshop
Huntsville Museum of Art
300 Church Street, South
August 27‐28, 2009
Fee: $35 per day or $70 for both days
Fee includes lunch, snacks and tours.

Come join the Huntsville Historic Preservation Commission, Historic Huntsville Foundation, Alabama Historical Commission, and National Park Service in a special opportunity to learn about the National Register of Historic Places from the expert - LISA DELINE - the National Park Service staff member who reviews all National Register nominations from the state of Alabama. Ms. Deline will discuss how to document and record historic buildings and districts for listing and the many new requirements for submitting digital photographs and maps. Also be ready to put this information to work as we use case studies and participate in activities to determine why properties are eligible. All participants are asked to bring a photo of one building or archaeological site to share with the group and discuss questions related to their National Register status. Please bring the information in a digital format (disc or flash drive) to project image for group participation. Preservation consultants, commission staff and members active in the National Register program are strongly encouraged to attend this session.

The program continues on August 28 with more general training specific to the work of local historic preservation commission members and staff in Huntsville and other Alabama communities. The agenda will include a presentation on the value of documenting the historical significance of properties listed on the National Register and protected with local design guidelines.

Dr. C. VAN WEST, director of the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University is our featured speaker on the National Register and historic significance on Aug. 28. He is an author and also works with the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, Tennessee Historical Quarterly and Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture.

The program will include discussion of designating landmarks and districts and regulating changes to protect these special places. Presenters will be staff with the Alabama Historical Commission, Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation and Certified Local Government communities. Download the brochure/registration form: historicpreservation-huntsville.pdf 

The Year of CLG Training continues with another great opportunity in Huntsville on August 27-28! Lisa Deline, the National Register nomination reviewer with the National Park Service will provide a one day workshop on the National Register process and requirements on August 27.  This workshop will be useful to consultants, CLG staff and commission members wanting to take a more active role in nominating properties and providing oversight to consultants and other nomination  preparers.  The August 28 program will provide more general training for historic preservation commission members and staff.  Agenda items are in
development but will include:

• Roles and responsibilities of preservation commissions
• National Register program requirements with a focus on properties eligible for their historic associations
• Protecting historic resources.  

We will send out details on registration and the agenda soon.  Please share the date with your commission members and others with an interest in the program.

Thank you,
Mary Shell, Alabama Historical Commission
334-230-2691

Historic Preservation Training Seminar
July 23,2009
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Historic Barna Theatre
600 Greensboro Avenue
This workshop provides annual training for local historic preservation commission members and staff to meet Certified Local Government (CLG) requirements. Communities interested in establishing a local historic preservation planning program in accordance with CLG requirements are also encouraged to attend.
Registration: 8:00 - 8:45
Program: 9:00 - 4:00
The featured speaker is David Schneider, Executive Director of the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation. Ethics training for Preservation Commissioners will be provided by City of Tuscaloosa Office of the City Attorney. After lunch at one of Downtown Tuscaloosa's fine dining establishments, there will be a tour of Tuscaloosa's Downtown Urban Renewal Project.
The tour will also include a visit to the Historic Queen City Bathhouse, which is currently being converted to a museum. For more information, please contact Brendan Moore at bmoore@tuscaloosa.com or Sherry King at sking@tuscaloosa.com.