Adaptation Planning: The Punta Gorda Experience

Mitchell S. Austin, AICPUrban Planner & Joan LeBeau, AICPChief PlannerCity of Punta GordaUrban Design Division

Q: What’s a Punta Gorda?

Location 100 Miles south of

Tampa Mouth of the Peace

River at Charlotte Harbor

Key components of our economy Catering to retirees Healthcare Sport Fishing &

Ecotourism

A: It is a Fat Point!

Founded in 1884 32 Square Miles of

Land & Water 15 Square Miles Water 8 Square Miles

Preservation Land Low Natural

Elevations 4 to 12 feet above sea

level 50 linear miles of Gulf

Access canals

A: Punta Gorda is Historic

Platted in 1884 Waterfront lots

platted as parks Incorporated in 1887 1921 County Seat of

Charlotte County 3 Historic Districts

Over 300 sites on Florida Master Site File

6 Sites & 1 District on National Register

Q: How did Punta Gorda get here? Planning

Community Redevelopment Area

Comprehensive Plan Punta Gorda Adaptation

Plan

A: Tropical Cyclone Visit

2004 Hurricane Charley

A: Take Baby Steps

Step 1: 2007 Comprehensive Plan Policy Conservation & Coastal Management

Element Under Hazard Mitigation Goal Drafted by University of Florida Law

Clinic students

A: Take More Baby Steps

Step 2: 2009 City of Punta Gorda Adaptation Plan Charlotte Harbor

National Estuary Program (CHNEP)

Citizen/Stakeholder Workshops

Plan Contains▪ Assessment of Risk▪ Adaptation Strategies

Q: What is Punta Gorda Actually Doing?

Assess Vulnerability

Summarize Conditions

Set Priorities

Select Action Plan

Implement Plan

Monitor Results

Understanding the risks

Stopping actions that increase risk Never underestimate the

power of inaction Taking actions that

mitigate risk Acquire Vulnerable Land Stormwater

Management Oyster Reef Restoration

A: Acquiring Most Vulnerable Land

A: Acquiring Most Vulnerable Land Making Trabue

Park 2000 Eastside &

Downtown Planning Study

2000-2004 Community Redevelopment Area Acquisitions

2008 CDBG Disaster Recovery Funds

A: Stormwater Management

A: Stormwater Management

Flood Improvements Phases I & II 5 Major Basins▪ FEMA 75%▪ Local Match 25%

2010 Phase 1 ▪ 3 Major Basins▪ $ 2.8 Million

2014 Phase II▪ 2 Major Basins▪ $ 1.6 Million

A: Oyster Reef Restoration

A: Oyster Reef Restoration

Pilot Project Partnerships▪ The Nature Conservancy▪ Mosaic Company

Foundation▪ Community Volunteers▪ Florida Department of

Environmental Protection

Benefits▪ Habitat▪ Water Quality▪ Shoreline Stabilization

Lessons Learned

Comprehensive Plan Develop flexible policies

Adaptation Plan Partner wherever possible

Acquire Land Purchase properties as

they become available Stormwater

Management Understand the end game

Oyster Reef Project Utilize pilot projects

Questions?Adaptation Planning: The Punta Gorda Experience

By: Mitchell Austin, AICPUrban Planner& Joan LeBeau, AICPChief PlannerCity of Punta GordaUrban Design DivisionWinter 2016