BIO

Elizabeth “Liz” Abernethy has over 30 years as a practicing planner in the Tampa Bay region, with twenty years in public service and eleven in private practice. From September 2014 through May 2025, Elizabeth served the City of St. Petersburg, first as Zoning Official and manager of the Development Review Services Division and ten as the Director of Planning and Development Services, directing the City’s building, zoning, planning and historic preservation activities.

Elizabeth’s St. Pete efforts included leading the award winning StPete2050 community visioning effort (2021 FAPA Award of Excellence); updating the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan; shepherding code changes to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) city-wide and a new Missing Middle zoning district; establishing a process for approval of affordable housing projects under Florida House Bill 1339 and SB 102 (Live Local Act); updating Urban Agriculture provisions expanding Community Gardens; updating Coastal High Hazard policies and regulations to address Sea Level Rise and storm vulnerability; creating a Storefront Conservation Corridor Overlay addressing space for small business and corridor character; updating noise regulations improving enforcement procedures and establishing a requirement for noise mitigation and monitoring plans; implementing a comprehensive update to the residential Land Development Regulations with an innovative FAR approach addressing compatible infill; and a Tree & Landscape code update introducing enhanced protection for Grand and Signature trees.

Publications include “HB1339 When the public benefit can justify a bypass to planning and zoning laws” Florida Planning, Fall 2021 “Breaking Down the Big Box House: How the City of St. Petersburg adopted and implemented zoning regulations to address compatible residential infill” Florida Planning, Fall 2017.

Elizabeth’s previous experience from 2004 through 2014 includes private sector positions as a Site Development Project Manager for Bloomin’ Brands, Inc., managing national level restaurant development on their behalf and as a Senior Project Manager, Associate for the firm of WilsonMiller/Stantec, managing a variety of private-sector real estate land development projects. Previous public sector experience includes eleven years with the City of Tampa.

Elizabeth has been certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners since 2004. Recent professional service includes serving on the ULI Tampa Bay Executive Board, the Professional Advisory Council for the University of Florida Urban & Regional Planning program, the FAPA Legislative Policy Committee, serving as a panelist in workshops and conferences on planning and housing related topics, and guest lecturing for the University of South Florida, Urban Planning Program and the St Pete College, Public Administration Program. 

Elizabeth participated in mentoring programs for many years through the Suncoast Chapter of the American Planning Association and Take Stock in Children, at St Petersburg High School.

Elizabeth was awarded the Peter Kanavos, Sr. Memorial Award for Overall Excellence of a Graduate Planning Student, 1993; the Florida League of Cities – Home Rule Hero Award, 2020; the American Planning Association Chapter Planning Leadership Award – Outstanding Public Official, 2024; and the City of St. Petersburg Economic Impact Award, 2025.