DCA’s Secretary Thomas G. Pelham Visits UF Department of Urban and Regional Planning

July 28, 2009
On January 23, 2009, the Department of Urban and Regional Planning welcomed the State of Florida’s Department of Community Affairs Secretary, Thomas G. Pelham and Charles Gauthier, Director of the Division of Community Planning. Secretary Pelham and Mr. Gauthier met with the faculty and students to discuss both the interests of the state as well as the interests of the Department. The main intent of the meeting was to explore ways in which the faculty and students in the Department could connect their research interests with the needs of DCA and the State of Florida. Secretary Pelham and Mr. Gauthier presented on the roles of the 48 professional planners with DCA in Community Planning, the State agency that regulates growth through managing land planning compliance with the state’s growth management laws. Mr. Gauthier noted specific projects such as waterfront community type planning, post disaster redevelopment planning, mobility fee studies, and county initiated planning including that of Alachua County and discussed various cases around the state.

One of the most interesting cases involved Collier County. The case concerned Rural Land Stewardship (RLS), a program designed to cluster development and preserve agriculture and environmentally significant lands. Secretary Pelham noted this as an important issue because land owners are pushing to be able to develop more and conserve less. One of the main projects associated with Rural Land Stewardship is Ave Maria in Collier County, an area that has received some bad press lately from the planning community. Secretary Pelham and Mr. Gauthier mentioned that Collier County is the center for the over building of residential development, naming it “ground zero” for the housing bubble burst. Secretary Pelham also discussed how RLS is supposed to preserve farmland but land owners are trying to manipulate it so they can develop more. It was conceived as a way to slow rural land development , but aspeople have constantly pushed for more development incentives and amendments to the original deal, it has become less effective.

In addition to speaking about the State’s growth management practices and related issues, they discussed what the agency looks for when hiring planners. They noted the importance of a diversity of skills, especially in GIS, and identified DCA as the “spring board” for many Florida planners’ careers, due to its broad spectrum of planning applications. As for advice for finding jobs in this tough economy, Secretary Pelham and Mr. Gauthier agreed that it will be “luck” that most affects what you fall into for your first planning job. Secretary Pelham shared how he “stumbled” into land use planning. Mr. Gauthier advised that students go where the action is and stressed the importance of mentors throughout your career. Overall Secretary Pelham and Mr. Gauthier provided us with interesting insight into the professional world of planning at the state level. The Department hopes to work with DCA in the future through research and student internships. For more information about DCA, please view its website.

By Katie Fields and Ryan Gilbert