A few weeks worth of rain resulted in a ton of weeds in our gardens later! Although the trade off isn't ideal, Southern California got a bunch free water and that's never a bad thing. The sun is shining today, maybe because we wanted to make sure you're awake to submit your project to the IES-APA Awards! The deadline is
TODAY -- so make sure you get your nominations in! Other than that, going to keep this short and sweet. Enjoy your weekend -- even if most of it will consist of weeding the front yard.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2018 IES-APA AWARDS NOMINATION -
2 NEW CATEGORIES!
DUE MAR 23
It's here! The 2018 IES-APA Awards Nomination period is officially open. We will be accepting nomination applications now through Friday, March 23, 2018. If there is a great project, plan, distinguished individual or firm worthy of being recognized for their excellence in planning, now is the time to showcase those accomplishments.
The Inland Empire region has made a significant contribution to the healthy communities movement at the state and national levels. More recently, planners and projects from our region were highlighted during the Planning for Health Conference organized in collaboration between Planners4Health California and the California Chronic Disease Prevention Leadership Project. The time has come to recognized best practices and individuals working on improving our communities' health through community design. Nominate your favorite Healthy Communities project and/or Champion today for the Planners4Health (Healthy Communities) and Planner4Health Awards!
Any questions about this process or sponsorships can be directed to: Chris Gray, Vice Chair - Awards Program, at
cgray@wrcog.us. You may also contact admin@ies-apa.org for any other questions or concerns.
APA ARTICLE - THE NEW NORMAL
Local communities are finding better ways to plan for, and recover from, wildfire.
By: Kristen Pope
"...California is one of the states hit the hardest by recent wildfires. The December 2017 and January 2018 Thomas fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties was the largest in modern California history, burning over 280,000 acres, claiming over 1,000 structures, and taking two lives. Out of the state's 20 largest wildfires on record from 1932 to present, 14 of the blazes occurred after the year 2000, and six of those have burned since 2012..."
"...As planners work to plan for wildfire, they have a number of tools available.
Aaron Pfannenstiel, AICP, a hazard mitigation planner and senior associate with PlaceWorks, cites a number that can help. He points to local hazard mitigation plans, climate adaptation strategy and plans, community wildfire protection plans, brush clearance programs, and an updated wildland-urban interface code (within a city's municipal code) as tools, in addition to GIS.
"There are a significant amount of GIS mapping tools and data sets that help inform communities on the location and extent of wildfire hazards within their community," he says.
He also mentions an obvious tool: the general, or comprehensive, plan. "In the general plan, [communities in California] have a safety element and that's focused on all varieties of natural hazards as well as some man-made hazards, and wildfire is one of those big hazards that is of greatest concern for a lot of communities throughout the state," Pfannenstiel says."
NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING REGARDING THE CEQA GUIDELINES
The Natural Resources Agency's proposed updates to the Guidelines Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act are now available. The proposed changes to the Guidelines and related rulemaking materials are available on the Agency's website at
http://resources.ca.gov/ceqa/. Public hearings will be held in Los Angeles on March 14, 2018 and in Sacramento on March 15, 2018. Written comments must be submitted by 5:00pm on March 15, 2018. Hearing locations, instructions for submitting comments and related information regarding the rulemaking process is contained in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
EVENTS
APA LOS ANGELES PRESENTS: SPRING 2018 AICP EXAM STUDY SESSION - MAR 24
Prepare for the AICP exam in May or November with APA Los Angeles' annual AICP Study Session. The event will be held at USC in classroom RGL 100 from 10 am to 3 pm. Distinguished faculty and planning professionals will give targeted lectures on a variety of exam topics, including: history, theory, planning law, emerging trends, and planning ethics. An overview of the new exam format will also be provided. This event is intended for people who are already signed up to take the exam, and those considering it in the near future.
APA LA AND SCPC PRESENT: JUST SAY 'OUI' - APRIL 14
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND THE GENERAL PLAN
How we plan our communities matters today and into the future! Please join us for a workshop to discuss SB 1000 and inform The Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) Implementation Guidance.
This workshop will include presentations, facilitated discussion, and interactive exercises to support you and how you can apply these new concepts in your own community.
Presentations by:
Dr. Elizabeth Baca, Senior Health Advisor, California Governor's Office of Planning and Research
Ms. Tiffany Eng, Green Zones Program Manager, California Environmental Justice Allliance
Migel Vasquez, Riverside Department of Public Health
Overview:
SB 1000 Authored by Senator Connie Leyva requires cities and counties to adopt an Environmental Justice (EJ) element as part of their General Plans, or to integrate EJ-related policies, objectives, and goals throughout other elements of the General Plan. SB 1000 also includes requires engagement for local residents to become meaningfully involved in the decision-making around Environmental Justice issues. Beginning January 1, 2018, the requirements of SB 1000 will take effect when a local jurisdiction updates two or more elements of its General Plan.
Environmental Justice:
California defines EJ as "The fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to environmental laws, regulations and policies." When applied, environmental justice considers all impacts when developing policies or land uses that would affect the environment, and does not allow any population demographic to be ignored, or excluded. Research has shown areas with lower education, lower incomes, and a higher percentage of minority residents are more likely to have environmental threats and pollutants in their neighborhoods. Environmental justice laws seek to eliminate that bias.
This workshop will cover:
A review of the statue
Lessons from locals working on the ground
Cover tools
Provide an opportunity to do breakout and discussion some of the challenges with implementation which will inform the forthcoming OPR guidance
APA LA AND SCPC PRESENT: JUST SAY 'OUI' - APRIL 14
Save the Date!
APA Los Angeles and SCPC Present:
Just Say 'Oui' - Supporting the Paris Climate Change Accords at the Local Level
Saturday, April 14
9 AM - 4 PM
All Saints Church
132 N Euclid Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
Join us for a day-long summit aimed at bringing together planning and design professionals around local climate action. The purpose is to build a coalition and strengthen networks and resolve in supporting US legislation and worldwide cooperation. The day is meant to be fun, inspiring, and interactive. Participants will explore best practices at the local level, discover ways to connect, and continue their commitments to climate justice and sustainability. Additional details and registration will be available soon -- please save the date!
2018 NATIONAL PLANNING CONFERENCE: NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 20-24
New Orleans is one of the world's most unique cities, and its melting pot of culture, food, and music offers APA conference-goers rich experiences well beyond the convention center. Register todayfor the opportunity to experience some of the city's planning precedents like the Lafitte Greenway, the iconic streetcar system, and extensive new infrastructure upgrades - all on the program for NPC18, April 21-24 in NOLA.
California Planning Foundation has announced its 2018 scholarship awards program: More than $60,000 in scholarships will be awarded to outstanding planning students in California.
Every year, CPF invites planning students to compete for scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Scholarships are awarded, based on an application and selection process by the CPF Board, to students seeking to enter the planning profession. The scholarships are designed for continuing students entering their final year of an eligible undergraduate or master's degree program. Award criteria include academic performance, financial need, a commitment to serve the planning profession in California after graduation, and increasing diversity in the planning profession.
For a list of eligible degree programs in California, please see http://bit.ly/2FocmQe. Some scholarships are limited to students from PAB-accredited planning programs, asterisked in the list.
To join a free webinar on April 3rd where you can learn about the scholarship application process, you must pre-register at http://bit.ly/2FpJG9f. The webinar will be recorded and will be available afterwards for students who were not able to participate.
Are you a young planner looking for opportunities to meet other planners and engage in the Inland Empire? If so, the IES-APA Board needs your help in sustaining a Young Planners Group. Be a part of this fun and exciting initiative and network with planners across the Inland Empire and Southern California. Contact John Hildebrand (IES-APA Section Director) to get involved at JHildebr@RIVCO.ORG.
Find us on Facebook at "Inland Empire Section - Young Planners Group (IES-APA YPG)", a subgroup of the IES-APA page. Please join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IESAPA.YPG/
OPPORTUNITIES / TRAINING
9TH ANNUAL NATIONAL INNOVATION COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE (NICC) - CALLING ALL PRESENTERS!
Calling All Presenters!
We are pleased to announce Reach Out in Partnership with Partners for Innovative Communities, will now be accepting proposal applications for the 9th Annual National Innovative Communities Conference (NICC). NICC will be held at the Ontario Convention Center on the 5th and 6th of June, 2018 and is open to all individuals throughout the United States.
We are seeking renowned, presenters, panelist, and keynote speakers with cutting edge and dynamic topics. Our goal is to connect ideas, leaders, communities, and resources to each other for health and wellness innovation and ignite transformation.
Being a presenter will bring great opportunity to connect with attendees such as: community leaders, parents, teachers, law enforcement and many more! As a presenter we ask that programs be emphasized appropriately and approaches taken to be easy to link across a broad spectrum of attendees.
Deadline to submit proposals are Friday, May 11, 2018
For more information on NICC, please visit, www.pic-nicc.org to receive updates.
2018 APA CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE: SHAPING OUR FUTURE - OCT 7-10, SAN DIEGO
As you may have heard, the 2018 APA California Conference will be located in San Diego from October 7-10. The theme of the conference, "Shaping Our Future: Planning Places for All" reflects the task planners face throughout their careers. The work done today will shape how communities grow and meet the challenges of the future. California strives to develop inclusive, dynamic neighborhoods; therefore, it is important that you share your experiences, successes, and ideas with other planners at the 2018 APA California Conference this year.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE OF CITIES - GUIDE TO NEW HOUSING LEGISLATION
In response to changes in state housing laws that will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2018, the League of California Cities has prepared a comprehensive compendium of key legislation to help cities prepare and comply.
Get up to speed on best practices with online courses for individual study. Topics in this convenient and cost-effective format include planning law, ethics, health policy, and transportation. Go here for more info: https://www.planning.org/ondemand/
JOBS / RFPs / RFQs
The Inland Empire Section of the American Planning Association (IES-APA) provides listings for planning and planning related jobs. If you are interested in listing your job, please visit the Sponsorships page (scroll down to the bottom) for more information. In addition, as a courtesy to our members - RFPs/RFQs may be submitted and posted on the IES-APA website free of charge. Please email us at admin@ies-apa.org for more information regarding RFPs/RFQs postings.
Director of Development Services at City of Hayward
Senior and Associate Planners at Civic Solutions
Assistant, Associate, and Senior Planner Positions at City of Menifee
RFPs / RFQs
None
OUR SPONSORS
Board reports are available on ourboard reportspage on our website. In addition, newsletter archives are available on our website as well. For any comments, questions, or inquiries of the Inland Empire Section of the American Planning Association (IES-APA), please contact admin@ies-apa.org.
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