News Archive
Brown Bag Series Winter 2012: Land Use Mediation—Opportunities and Challenges
Posted: February 01, 2012
Presented by George Steirer of Mercer Island; Courtney Kaylor and Jim Pearman of McCullough Hill Leary PS.
Wednesday, February 8th, 12:00-1:30 PM
Mercer Island City Council Chambers, 9611 SE 36th St.
This session will show how mediation can result in more efficient, satisfying and enduring resolution of land use and environmental disputes.
Visit washington-apa.org/sections/pugetsound for more information.
Annual Report
Posted: January 31, 2012
APA Washington’s first annual report is now available online and can be downloaded here. There are several purposes for the annual report. First, we can showcase everything we do as an active APA chapter in one document. From committees, to sections, to Board of Directors activities, the report provides readers a snapshot of who we are. Second, it can be used to help recruit and retain members by showing the value of membership and all of the varied service we provide. Finally, the report celebrates our successes and recognizes excellence in planning.
WASLA 2012 Conference: Changing Convention
Posted: January 30, 2012
WASLA welcomes the public, allied professions and vendors to attend our 2012 Conference, Changing Convention on March 29th. This year, we examine the way projects are conceived, designed and constructed; how we are shaping the dynamic with clients and allied professionals; and how the conversation is different now than it was a decade ago.
Winter 2012 Brown Bag Series Announced
Posted: January 16, 2012
The Puget Sound Section, Washington-APA announced the schedule for the Winter 2012 Brown Bag Series of continuing education. The schedule and other information has been posted on the website and is available here.
FBC 201: Preparing a Form-Based Code: Urban Design
Posted: January 13, 2012
FBC 201 looks beyond the standard land use controls of FAR and the separation of uses, going deeply into the essential elements that make up a town or city. Instructors show how to put these elements together in a regulatory framework that intends to shape communities by timetested forms of urbanism. Participants study building types, street types and the street/block/building scale, and how to bring these together in regulatory plans. Instructors and panelists discuss "real world" design challenges. Thursday February 23 • Friday February 24 at the Heritage Hall on the waterfront Kirkland
Membership Survey Results and Strategic Plan
Posted: December 19, 2011
Our thanks to the 362 members who responded to the membership survey last fall as we began preparations for the Strategic Plan. You can see the full results here and the summary I presented at the conference here. The Board met in early November to craft the plan and has reviewed the draft plan at the December Board meeting. We are completing revisions to the plan this month and will be releasing it for comments by the membership in early January. We look forward to hearing your ideas on the draft plan early next year.
2012 Legislative Agenda
Posted: December 14, 2011
In preparation for the upcoming 2012 Washington State Legislative Session, a group of knowledgeable and committed Legislative Committee (LC) participants came together as an ad hoc subcommittee this past summer to draft a Legislative Agenda for 2012. The Chapter has enjoyed success over the last several years in enhancing our presence in Olympia and looks forward to ongoing participation in framing policy decisions and legislation in 2012.
APA Washington Chapter Committee Critique of a UW Study on the Costs of Regulation
Posted: November 27, 2011
In February of 2008, a research study on the costs of land use regulations was issued by University of Washington Economics Professor Theo Eicher. The study claimed that regulations add over $200,000 to the cost of a home in Seattle. A Committee of APA Washington Chapter members, both public and private sector practitioners, reviewed the UW study at length and concluded that it has a number of flaws and limitations. These are described in detail in the Committee’s white paper titled Observations on the Costs of Land Use Regulations and Growth Management: Critical Perspective on a Controversial UW Study.
Puget Sound Section Holiday Party
Posted: November 21, 2011
Please join your fellow planners at the 2011 Puget Sound Section Holiday Party. Thursday, December 8, 6:30 at Salty’s on Alki.
At this year’s event the Washington Chapter will recognize Ron Sims (former Deputy Secretary HUD and King County Executive) and Larry Springer (Representative - 45th District) with awards for their legislative work that has benefited our state and its communities.
Establishing a Chapter Legislative Agenda for 2012
Posted: November 09, 2011
An ideal way for APA Washington’s Legislative Committee (LC) to approach each year’s session of the State Legislature is to be standing on a stable platform of ideas and objectives built together with the membership and Board of Directors. In preparation for the upcoming Session, a group of knowledgeable and committed LC participants came together as an ad hoc subcommittee this past summer to draft a Legislative Agenda for 2012. The subcommittee pulled together past information, examined where we left off last Session and what we anticipate for next Session, and drafted an updated Legislative Agenda for consideration by LC leadership and eventually the Chapter Board of Directors.
If you are interested in statewide legislative and policy matters, take a look at this November 8 draft Legislative Agenda. You are welcome to provide comments through November 18. Email your comments to LC Co-Chair Esther Larsen.
2012 Conference Location Survey
Posted: November 08, 2011
We have begun planning for the APA Washington 2012 Conference, and want your opinion on location. Please take a minute to complete the short survey found here:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KK32K93
Thank you, and stay tuned for more information.
Designing the New Cities of China: Blending Ancient Traditions with 21st Century Sustainability
Posted: October 28, 2011
You are invited to hear one of the most prominent designers in China speak in November.
Jie hu is the Director and Chief Designer of the Department of Landscape Architecture at Beijing Tsinghua Urban Planning and Design Institute. He is a very prominent designer of Sustainable parks and cities in China; and he is coming to Portland in November. Professor Hu will give a lecture on Tuesday, November 8. It will be at 5:30 p.m. at the University of Oregon in Portland (the White Stag Block).
There may also be opportunities to meet with Professor Hu in smaller groups. Call Derek Chisholm for more information 971-322-7942.
World Town Planning Day Online Conference 2011
Posted: October 19, 2011
Going Public: Spaces in our Communities
1-2 November 2011
We've put together an exciting line-up of speakers from around the world—Canada, USA, Dubai, China, and many more. What better way to celebrate the planning profession than to engage in a worldwide conversation on-line? We hope you'll join us for this our third annual event in honor of World Town Planning Day! Registration closes on Saturday, 29 October at midnight.
Do you want to learn more about the MLO?
Posted: October 14, 2011
Join us on Wednesday, October 26 at Lighting Design Lab(LDL) in Seattle, WA for a session on the Model Lighting Ordinance. Find out how it can be used to promote energy conservation and limit the effects of light pollution such as glare and light trespass.
Expanding the School Siting Conversation: A Webinar Series
Posted: October 14, 2011
To encourage healthy, sustainable schools and communities, the Council for Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI), the National Center for Safe Routes to School, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity, and EPA are offering a series of educational webinars, including a live chat with experts.
SAVE THE DATE: December 8th
Posted: October 12, 2011
APA Puget Sound Section Holiday Party – We'll be having the party at Salty's on Alki again this year (1936 Harbor Ave SW, Seattle). Join your fellow planners for a great night out and an end of the year celebration of Planning in the Puget Sound Region. The section is looking for sponsors and this will be great opportunity to highlight your firm or agency and key project.
Fall 2011 Brown Bag Series Announced
Posted: September 15, 2011
The Puget Sound Section, Washington-APA announced the schedule for the Fall 2011 Brown Bag Series of continuing education. The schedule and other information has been posted on the website and is available here.
The 2011 Puget Sound Section Election Results
Posted: September 01, 2011
The 2011 Puget Sound Section election results are in! As you know we only had two open positions this year: President-elect and Snohomish County representative. Salina Lyons, with 100% of the votes cast (118 total) will be our incoming president-elect. Congratulations Salina and thank you for your service!
We also received several write-in candidates for the Snohomish County Representative. If you are interested in the position contact any one of the Board members. This is a great opportunity to participate in the Section's educational and social activities.
Thanks for your Participation!
Student Scholarship Auction
Posted: August 19, 2011
We kindly request donation items for our auction to raise college scholarship funds at the 2011 Joint APA Washington / APA Oregon Conference. The auction will be held during the Conference networking reception the evening of October 20th. This year’s conference theme is: Cascadia Collaborative: Bridging to the Future. This conference will bring hundreds of participants from Washington, Oregon and beyond to the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon, on October 19-21, 2011.
EWU Urban and Regional Planning Hosts 34th Annual Chili Cook Off
Posted: August 16, 2011
Mark your calendars for Friday, October 28th for the 34th Annual Chili Cook Off hosted by EWU Urban and Regional Planning. Festivities begin at 6:00 pm at EWU's Riverpoint Campus. Chili judging begins promptly at 6:30 pm. Costumes are encouraged! For more details, check the web page. To RSVP, please call Rose Morgan at 509-358-2230 or rmorgan@ewu.edu.