Friday, September 21
TO VIEW PRESENTATIONS WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT USE INTERNET EXPLORER.
9:00 – 10:15 – SESSIONS
E1: I’ll Take a Latte with that Building Permit
To properly support the many and changing roles of government, master planning for municipal facilities requires a clear understanding of both traditional functions and the impact of newer forms of civic interaction. It is necessary to integrate existing infrastructure with the very specific needs of the municipal employees and the citizens they serve and, just as importantly, integrate the services with the neighborhoods and communities around them. Learn about planning and design to promote efficiency, take advantage of new technologies, support all users, and generate multiple benefits by linking facilities and plans to community economic development. Panelists: Kenneth J. Buckland AICP, LEED AP, PP[NJ], The Cecil Group; Laurence S. Spang, AIA, LEED AP, Arrowstreet; Laura A. Wernick, AIA, REFP, LEED AP, HMFH Architects, Inc. CM: 1.25.
E2: Rural Economic Zoning
Rural economies continue to emerge with local entrepreneurs, farmers, craftsmen and other professionals opening shops in their homes, fields, barns and garages. These businesses provide essential goods and services closer to home for many residents and contribute to the rural “do it yourself” character. One of the greatest challenges comes when business owners find themselves facing the reality that part of their livelihood is illegal. Learn the results of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) study which extensively researched rural accessory business zoning in New England. Panelists: Nathan Kelly, AICP, Horsley Witten Group, Inc.; Scott Millar, RI Department of Environmental Management; Peter Flinker, ASLA, AICP, LEED-AP, Dodson and Flinker. CM: 1.25.
E3: Housing and Planning for a Healthy Public
Public health has begun to recognize that affordability of housing and its place in a community are critical to addressing health and health inequities. This session will discuss how – through strategic partnerships and thoughtful local policymaking – public health and planners can work collaboratively to create health-promoting communities. Panelists: Shelby Mertes, Partnership for Strong Communities; Alyssa Norwood, JD, MPH, Connecticut Association of Directors of Health. CM: 1.25.
E4: When do Stormwater Utility Districts Make Sense?
Stormwater projects typically compete with other priorities for local tax dollars. This competition can lead to neglect and increased risk of flooding and pollution. Stormwater utilities alleviate this problem by creating a dedicated funding source. Unfortunately, stormwater utilities are not without controversy. So when do stormwater utilities make sense? Panelists: M. James Riordan, AICP, LEED AP, Fuss & O’Neill; Christopher Stone, PE, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection; Harry A. Smith, AICP, City of New London, CT; Maria Rose, CFM, City of Newton, MA. CM: 1.25.
E5: Getting to Yes – New Techniques in Transportation Planning - SPECIAL PROGRAM
Learn proven, innovative techniques to make transportation projects successful, from changing how Departments of Transportation do business, to finding innovative ways to reach disadvantaged populations when building support for a project, to using new techniques to bring public transportation to suburbs. This session will provide a hands-on approach to solving today’s transportation problems and looks at different techniques to make projects happen. This session was organized by the SNEAPA Committee. Trey Joseph Wadsworth, MRP and Rachel Bain, MPA of Mass. Department of Transportation; Rebecca Townsend, PhD, Manchester Community College; Jason Schrieber, AICP and Bethany Whitaker, Nelson Nygaard Consulting Associates; Stephen Gazillo, AICP, URS Corporation AES. CM: 1.25.
10:30 – 11:45 SESSIONS
F1: Life As A Planning Director - SPECIAL PROGRAM
Need some advice on how to handle a delicate / sticky / political situation? Think you might like to be a planning director? In this talk show style session, you will hear from three experienced directors on the thrills and chills of managing a planning department. How do they keep connected to planning while dealing with budgets, administration and personnel issues, as well as handling local politics? Bring your questions and experiences as this will be an interactive session between the panel and the audience. The SNEAPA Committee has organized this session. Panelists: Glenn Chalder, AICP, Planimetrics; Mark Pellegrini, AICP, Town of Manchester CT / Former CCAPA President; Lynn Goonin Duncan, AICP, City of Salem, MA; Thomas E. Deller, AICP, City of Hartford, CT. CM: 1.25.
F2: Building Capacity for TOD
The Capitol Region Council of Governments is leading two capacity building efforts funded by a HUD Regional Sustainable Communities Grant to help determine the market for TOD and provide the regulatory framework to help make TOD a reality. Get an overview of transit plans, specifically, the New Britain to Hartford Busway and the New Haven to Springfield Rail Line. This session will also highlight two regional capacity building projects: the Market Analysis for the Region’s Bus Rapid Transit and Rail Corridors and the Sustainable Land Use Code Development Project. Panelists: Lyle Wray, PhD, Capitol Region Council of Governments; Jim Burke, AICP, Town of Windsor, CT; David McCarthy, Jonathan Rose Companies; Emily Moos, AICP, Capitol Region Council of Governments. CM: 1.25.
F3: New Futures for Traditional Villages: A Balancing Act
Communities are increasingly seeking the benefits of village-scaled centers, and rediscovering historic patterns that provide models for their futures. This session will explore emerging methods to find the artful balance between preservation and change that brings new uses, residents and amenities into the compact areas of New England’s traditional villages. Panelists: Steven G. Cecil AIA ASLA, The Cecil Group; Marcia Rasmussen, Town of Concord, MA; Phil Chester AICP, Town of Lebanon, CT; Jonathan Reiner, AICP, Town of North Kingston, RI; Brad Schide, Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. CM: 1.25.
F4: Urban Ecological Tools
At last year’s conference we described opportunities for encouraging urban economic development through high-yield agriculture. In this presentation, a new team digs deeper into the challenges of transforming post-industrial sites through urban agriculture and green space creation. We explore benefits of applying innovative community development principles to achieve more nourishing urban neighborhoods. Panelists: Seth Zeren, M.E.M, Newton MA; Melinda Stylos-Allan, M.B.A., Urban Edge; Walker Holmes, M.E.M., Skeo Solutions. CM: 1.25.
F5: Quincy Community PlanIt
Learn how Quincy Community PlanIt is bridging diverse populations in a planning dialogue about North Quincy and Wollaston. Partners on the project include Asian Community Development Corporation, the City of Quincy, and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. Work includes assessing community needs, developing an Asian Community Engagement Task Force, and community visioning using Community PlanIt with a focus on engaging the Asian community in planning activities and city affairs. Panelists: Robert A. Stevens, AICP, City of Quincy, MA; Holly St. Clair and Jennifer M. Raitt, Metropolitan Area Planning Council. CM: 1.25.
1:45 – 3:00 – SESSIONS
G1: How to Make Land Use Inventories Meaningful and Useful
The Land Based Classification System (LBCS) extends the notion of land uses by refining the Standard Land Use Coding Manual (SLUCM) categories into multiple dimensions, including activity, function, building type, site development character, and ownership. An examination of multi-dimensional land uses reveals specific development patterns, densities and other features particularly useful in planning for infill development and redevelopment in New England town/village centers where modern uses in traditional forms are often desired. Learn about a practical application of the LBCS as the foundation for a larger downtown and waterfront planning process underway in Burlington, Vermont. Panelists: Mike Zuba, AICP, and Rebecca Augur, AICP, Milone & MacBroom, Inc. CM: 1.25.
G2: Applying Correct Market Factors Before Developing a Land-Use Strategy
This session provides an interactive question and answer style format, allowing participants to test their knowledge concerning market analysis fundamentals and the underpinning methodology. Through the case study method, session participants will make land-use choices based on complete and incomplete market data – mimicking real world dilemmas faced by planners. Panelist: Todd J. Poole, 4ward Planning LLC. CM: 1.25.
G3: Putting Cars in their Place: Walking, Biking and Parking
Successful downtowns depend on reducing the influence of the automobile and creating environments that are attractive to pedestrians and bicycles. But cars aren’t going away. This session will explore the concept and design implications of “putting cars in their place” with effective parking strategies and expanded pedestrian and bicycle environments. Panelists: Jason Schrieber AICP, Nelson Nygaard Associates; Phil Goff, LEED AP, Alta Planning and Design; Tom Daniel, AICP, City of Salem, MA; Wendy Landman, WalkBoston; Steven G. Cecil AIA ASLA, The Cecil Group. CM: 1.25.
G4: US Manufacturing Renaissance
While we are seeing a slow, steady rebirth of the manufacturing sector, the manufacturing sector is different today than in the 1970s or 1980s. Business models have changed, employment density is different, site requirements are different and the “Maker Sector” is breathing new life into making products. The session will walk planners and development officials through the changes taking place in manufacturing in terms of business models and how it impacts planning. Topics will include changes in building typologies, labor/skill shed issues, industrial park design, and how to segment manufacturing for purposes of zoning and land use. Panelists: Russell J. Burke, AICP, BSC Group; Kevin Hively, Ninigret Partners, LLC. CM: 1.25.
G5: Casino Coming to Town
New gaming venues are a national phenomenon. Over the last ten years the explosion of casinos, river boats, racecinos and slot parlors have changed many towns. Learn what’s happening in Massachusetts as different communities and developers vie for the new gaming licenses. Who benefits and who does not? Panelists: David W. Schweid, AICP, Municipal Planner & Planning Consultant; Attorney Jonathan Silverstein, Kopelman and Paige, PC; Robert J. Birmingham, Municipal and Tribal Planner & Planning Consultant; Pawcatuck, CT; Thomas Weissmuller, Judge, Attorney, Mediator. CM: 1.25.
3:15 – 4:45 – SESSIONS
H1: Ethics – University of Real World Planning
Earn your CM ethics credits. Planning is a profession where life-long learning is a must. The associated topics, available technologies, and means of communicating ideas are rapidly evolving. Thus the competent professional must, too. This interactive workshop explores real-world learning – how planners do it; how it connects to professional training; and how to enrich it. Panelists: Marijoan Bull, PhD, AICP, Westfield State University; Mark Hamin, PhD, University of Massachusetts. CM: 1.5 ethics.
H2: Innovate to Collaborate
How do you develop a bicycle network plan that is flexible, visionary, and implementable? Using Boston’s Bicycle Network Plan as a case study, participants will learn about innovative bicycle facility types and participate in decision-making scenarios using dynamic mapping tools created for this project. Panelist: Laurie Pessah, AICP, Toole Design Group. CM: 1.5. View the presentation by clicking here.
H3: Parking Reform Comes to New England
Turning conventional parking wisdom on its head, see how the lessons of “SF Park” (which adjusts parking prices based on demand) and other West Coast pioneers have been applied successfully in cities and towns in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York, helping to turn perceived parking problems into the tools for downtown improvement and consensus-building. Panelists: Jason Schrieber, AICP, Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates; Tom Daniel, AICP, City of Salem, MA; Jay Szklut, Town of Belmont, MA. CM: 1.5.
H4: Land Banking: An Opportunity for Southern New England?
Vacant and abandoned properties decrease the value of surrounding properties, reduce tax revenue, make neighborhoods less safe, and are costly. Land banks have helped communities with such properties, including in Michigan, Ohio, Georgia, and New York. This session explores land banking, its successes, and its potential in southern New England. Panelists: Sorell E. Negro and Evan J. Seeman, Robinson & Cole LLP; Erin Graves, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston; Annette Bourne, Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation; Timothy D. Bates, Robinson & Cole LLP. CM: 1.5.
H5: Cross Road for Sustainability: The Silo or Systems Approach?
Many communities have initiated sustainable development projects such as green buildings, energy plans, and climate change initiatives. Few, however, have been able to bring about widespread systematic community change to sustainable practices. Learn about the track record of success of over 100 communities that have chosen the systems approach and how they accomplished this. Panelist: Sarah James, MCP, Institute for Eco-municipality Education & Assistance. CM: 1.5.
