Governor Scott signed HB 503 into law on Friday, May 4^th. The bill will become effective on July 1^st, 2012. The following are highlights from the bill that could impact your projects:

Review Streamlining: HB 503 prohibits local governments from requiring permits from a state or federal agency prior to taking action on local development order permits, unless the state or federal agency permit has been expressly denied. Local governments can, however, continue to require those additional state and federal permits before site work commences. Additionally, review times for the issuance of Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Water Management Districts (WMD) permits for completed applications will be

1)      Governing Rules: The bill also provides that reduced from 90 to 60 days. This will also apply to responses to Requests for Additional Information (RAIs) that are deemed complete.

2)      permits will be governed by the rules in effect at the time when the permit was issued, which key is considering the state’s evolving water management regulations.

3)      Permit Extensions: The bill provides another opportunity for 2-year extensions to building permits and any permit issued by the DEP or WMDs pursuant to Chapter 373 F.S. with an expiration date from January 1, 2012 through January 1, 2014. This includes any local government-issued development order or building permit, including certificates of level of service/concurrency. The extension does not provide for development order extensions for DRIs, which were afforded a 4-year extension in last year’s session. As with previous extensions, the cumulative total of all extensions may not exceed four (4) years, and the authorizing agency must be notified by December 31, 2012. HB 503 also prohibits authorizing agencies from charging a fee for the use of an extension granted under this bill; the two-year extension for building permits and development orders in chapter 2011-139, Laws of Florida; or the four-year extensions for DRI buildout dates in chapter 2011-139. This fee prohibition applies retroactively to June 2, 2011.

Please contact Alexis Crespo, AICP at alexisc@waldropengineering.com or (239) 405-7777 ext. 207, for assistance filing your permit extensions and/or HB7207 refunds.

Waldrop Engineering is pleased to announce the addition of Jeremy Arnold, P.E. to their Civil Engineering Department. Arnold is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with over  10 years of project management experience in Southwest Florida. Arnold joins Waldrop after several years at Barron Collier Companies, where he served as project manager for the Town of Ave Maria.

Waldrop Engineering, P.A. is a full service development consulting firm specializing in civil engineering, landscape architecture and planning. Headquartered in Bonita Springs with a branch office in Tampa, the Waldrop Team offers multi-disciplinary expertise founded on exceptional customer service, quality design, and a solid commitment to their clients’ success.  For more information please call (239) 405-7777 or visit www.waldropengineering.com.

POSITION:
Landscape Architecture and Planning
Landscape Architect/Project Designer

Bonita Springs, Florida (Naples/Fort Myers)

3-5 years experience in landscape architecture, including specific experience in: master planning and community design; resort and hospitality amenity design; land development codes; knowledge of Florida climate, plant materials and building practices; and preparation of construction documents.

Requires minimum BLA or equivalent degree from an accredited program.

Waldrop Engineering, P.A. is a Civil Engineering and Landscape Architecture firm specializing in all aspects of land development.  We are currently hiring a landscape architecture professional to add to our growing team.  Qualified applicants will demonstrate the ability to develop conceptual designs, develop plans and ideas, produce detailed construction documents, and assist in creating effective graphic presentations.

Potential candidates will possess excellent design competency, hand and computer graphic skills, strong communication and organizational skills, and a desire to contribute in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary team environment.  Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, and 3D software, as well as knowledge of construction methods/processes, and familiarity with Florida plant materials are preferred.

Please send portfolios and resumes to Ryan Binkowski at RyanB@WaldropEngineering.com, or to 28100 Bonita Grande Dr. #305, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.  Submissions received without work samples will not be reviewed.

Alexis Crespo, Principle Planner at Waldrop Engineering, has authored an article titled “2012 Florida Legislation” for the Florida Land Development News April 2012-July 2012.

While the 2012 Spring Legislative Session was dominated by re-districting debates and another tough round of budget cuts, there were several bills passed that impact growth management and land development interests. Many believed due to the sweeping changes in 2011 the legislature would have little interest in permit extensions and streamlining the development process again in 2012. Fortunately, Senator Bennett and other legislators kept true to their pro-business principles and ensured our industry was not forgotten in this session.

Read more…

Waldrop Engineering is pleased to announce the addition of William (Bill) Conerly, P.E. to their Tampa office. Conerly is a Professional Engineer with 15 years of project management experience, serving clients through Southwest Florida, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida. Conerly currently serves as a Manatee County Planning Commissioner, and is also active on the Sarasota Manatee MPO Citizens’ Advisory Committee, Manatee County Environmental Lands Management & Acquisition Committee (ELMAC), and the Florida Engineering Society (FES). Mr. Conerly has served as project manager for a variety of large-scale public and private projects, including State College of Florida’s Center for Innovation and Technology in Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota National, and Del Webb Orlando.

Waldrop Engineering, P.A. is a full service development consulting firm specializing in civil engineering, landscape architecture and planning. Headquartered in Bonita Springs with a branch office in Tampa, the Waldrop Team offers multi-disciplinary expertise founded on exceptional customer service, quality design, and a solid commitment to their clients’ success.  For more information please call (813) 443-8282 or visit www.waldropengineering.com.

Kristina Johnson of Waldrop Engineering has earned her professional engineer (P.E.) licensure in the State of Florida. Johnson is a project manager at Waldrop Engineering’s Bonita Springs office and has six years of civil engineering experience. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. She has assisted clients on a variety of residential and commercial projects across Southwest Florida, including the new Arthrex Facility at Ave Maria.

Waldrop Engineering, P.A. is pleased to announce the addition of Sabrina L. McCabe, LEED AP to their Planning and Landscape Architecture Department.

Sabrina has over eight years of experience as a land planner and landscape designer, and is a graduate from the University of Florida, with a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture. She has contributed to various projects from master planning and design development, to design-build and construction observation.  Her range of project types include international resorts, master planned communities, commercial, public parks and streetscape, FDOT roadways and high-end residential.  Sabrina also has been involved in many community fundraisers and programs such as American Heart Association, March of Dimes and Young Readers.

Waldrop Engineering, P.A. is a full service development consulting firm specializing in civil engineering, landscape architecture and planning services. Headquartered in Bonita Springs with a branch office in Tampa, the Waldrop Team offers multi-disciplinary expertise founded on exceptional customer service, quality design, and a solid commitment to their clients’ success.

Waldrop Engineering is a diverse land development consulting
firm providing civil engineering, planning, and landscape architecture for a
wide array of projects including mater planned residential communities, golf
course & destination resort communities, community parks, commercial &
industrial developments, and master surface water management systems.
We provide our services along the West Coast of Florida from Tampa to Naples.

Waldrop Engineering is seeking a Project Manager with civil
engineering experience with land development projects to be located in our
Bonita Springs office. The applicant needs to have the following skill set:

• Hard working, detail oriented, and technically
  sound with engineering principles & practices.
• Highly motivated to progress in career path with
  a growing firm.
• Able to work effectively within a
  multi-disciplinary team.
• Engineering expertise in water & wastewater
  distribution systems, surface water management systems, drainage systems,
  roadways, and other similar land development related design.
• Preparation of engineering permits, plans, and
  technical specifications.
• Processing of multiple permitting entitlements
  with governmental agencies.
• Provide engineering services related to
  construction activities and project certifications.
• Management of project team & client
  relationships including contract procurement, contract administration, and
  project coordination throughout the duration of the project.

Requirements:

• 3-6 years of civil engineering experience with
  land development projects.
• Minimum of a BS in Civil Engineering.
• P.E. licensure is preferred.
• Experience with Utility, Stormwater, and Land
  Development/Site design and permitting with our local governmental agencies is
  preferred.
• AutoCAD/Civil 3D
• ICPR
• StormCAD
• WaterCAD
• MS Office, Excel, and Project
• Local candidates preferred. Relocation expenses will not be provided.

All inquiries will be kept CONFIDENTIAL.

Waldrop Engineering P.A., a land development consulting firm in southwest Florida, has recently expanded their services to include landscape architecture and planning. Hired as department director, Ryan Binkowski, RLA, ASLA continues to advance his professional career as a leader in quality design. Binkowski has worked quickly to grow the department with the addition of Michael Ekblad, RLA, ASLA, Jack Caldwell, Associate ASLA, and Alexis Crespo, AICP, LEED AP. Ekblad is a graduate of Louisiana State University and the 2009-2011 SWFL Section Chair of the Florida Chapter ASLA. Caldwell is a recent University of Florida graduate. Crespo supports the Department’s policy planning initiatives.

Landscape Architecture & Specifier News (LASN) – September 2011

ORLANDO — A spectacular custom home by Phil Kean of Phil Kean Designs in Winter Park earned one of the home-building industry’s highest honors on July 23 when it captured the coveted Golden Aurora Award in the 2011 Aurora Awards design competition presented at the 33rd annual Southeast Building Conference (SEBC).

In addition to the Golden Aurora, winners were honored for Grand Awards, Best in State, and Aurora Awards. Special awards were presented for energy-efficient construction.

The complete list of winners and their corresponding images are located at www.theauroras.com.

Grand Aurora winners in Southwest Florida include:

Stock Development: Category: Recreational Facility – Special Amenity Facility (tennis, health/fitness): Players Club & Spa at Lely Resort, Naples. Team members: Stock Development; Stock Development; Humphery & Rosal; Waldrop Engineering; Outside Productions; Expressions In Design; Doug Thompson Photography(http://www.theauroras.com/2011-winners/grand-aurora/10384551)

Palladino Custom Homes: Category: Remodeling, Rehabilitation or Historical Restoration – Whole house Renovation Over $100,000: Private Residence in Bonita Springs. Team members: Palladino Custom Homes; Palladian Design Group, Inc; Collins & DuPont Interior Design; Tom Harper Photography

Collins & DuPont Interior Design: Category: Interior Merchandising Over $3,000,001: Moraya Bay Coastal Retreat in Naples. Team members: Collins & DuPont Interior Design; Signature Communities; Van Auken Miller Architect; Doug Thompson Photography

Stevens Construction Inc.: Category: Commercial Project Healthcare Facility: Collins Vision in Fort Myers. Team members: Stevens Construction Inc.; Stevens Construction Inc.; Christopher J. Lee Architects Inc.; L.E.A. Design; Doug Thompson Photography

Aurora Award winners are:

Stock Development: Category: Residential Construction Recreational Facility Community Clubhouse: Paseo Village Center, Fort Myers. Team members: Stock Development; Len Cappozzo; Barraco & Associates; Outside Productions; East Indies Home & Design of Naples

Stock Development: Category: Residential Construction Recreational Facility Special Amenity Facility (tennis, health/fitness): Players Club & Spa, Lely Resort, Naples. Team members: Stock Development; Humphery & Rosal; Waldrop Engineering; Outside Productions; Expressions In Design(http://www.theauroras.com/2011-winners/grand-aurora/10384551)

Palladino Custom Homes: Category: Residential Construction Remodeling, Rehabilitation or Historical Restoration -Whole house Renovation Over $100,000: Private Residence, Bonita Bay Country Club, Bonita Springs. Team members: Palladino Custom Homes; Palladian Design Group Inc.; Collins & DuPont Interior Design

Vogue Interiors Inc.: Category: Interior Merchandising/Design Kitchen $2,000,001 – $3,000,000: The Brighton Private Residence, Brighton Condominium, Naples. Team members: Vogue Interiors Inc.; DesignTech of Southwest Florida Inc.

Antonacci Design Group Inc.: Category: Interior Merchandising/Design Interior Merchandising $2,000,001-$3,000,000: Private Residence, Tavira Tower/Bonita Bay, Bonita Springs. Team members: Antonacci Design Group, Inc.; The Lutgert Companies

Collins & DuPont Interior Design: Category: Interior Merchandising/Design Interior Merchandising Over $3,000,001:  Moraya Bay Coastal Retreat, Moraya Bay, Naples. Team members: Collins & DuPont Interior Design; Signature Communities; Van Auken Miller Architect

Collins & DuPont Interior Design: Category: Interior Merchandising/Design Interior Detailing Over $2,000,001: Moraya Bay Coastal Interior, Moraya Bay, Naples. Team members: Signature Communities; Van Auken Miller Architect; Collins & DuPont Interior Design