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

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

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

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

Planning Community Redevelopment

Area

Comprehensive Plan

Punta Gorda Adaptation Plan

2004 Hurricane Charley

Step 1: 2007 Comprehensive Plan Policy Conservation & Coastal Management

Element Under Hazard Mitigation Goal Drafted by University of Florida Law

Clinic students

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

Assess Vulnerability

SummarizeConditions

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

Making Trabue Park

2000 Eastside & Downtown Planning Study

2000-2004 Community Redevelopment Area Acquisitions

2008 CDBG Disaster Recovery Funds

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

Pilot Project

Partnerships▪ The Nature Conservancy

▪ Mosaic Company Foundation

▪ Community Volunteers

▪ Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Benefits▪ Habitat

▪ Water Quality

▪ Shoreline Stabilization

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

2016 Comp Plan changes

Pursue additional acquisition of land along the eastern waterfront area for preservation

Update Adaptation Plan

Seek grant funding opportunities for:

▪ exotic species removal

▪ stormwater management improvements

▪ coastal native species restoration

Seek partnerships to develop strategies to reduce the adverse impacts of climate change to the City

Adaptation Planning: The Punta Gorda Experience

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