"Hoping to jump start the economy, Florida lawmakers have eased the rules on developers. Many won't have to pay for their projects' impact on roads. It will be easier to get approval to destroy wetlands. Next up: a study of whether developers should have to prove there's a need for new homes before revving up the bulldozers.
As lawmakers undo Florida's growth management regulations, it's useful to look back to a time when government didn't get in a developer's way."
Read more of the ARTICLE and why we need Florida Hometown Democracy in 2010.
4 comments:
Lynn, while I get your point that you don't like the atrocities, mistakes and greed that are found in any large industry, it is difficult to understand your orientation towards eradicating any development that isn't voted upon by the masses. You certainly don't advocate eradicating school boards of education because of the same problems generated by unions and individual teachers NOR do you seem to want medicine run by non medical groups even with all the malpractice of doctors and perceived greed of pharmaceutical companies.
Why do you think voting is the answer to the problem? After all, the article you taught states: "One thing I've learned is that the state government plays an important role in development and it can't walk away from that responsibility," said the man who never had to convince a government official of the need for Lehigh Acres. "They can't leave it up to local governments because local officials often don't understand development and have too narrow a perspective."
Isn’t the point more about balance, long term vision and sustainable smart growth?Lynn, while I get your point that you don't like the atrocities, mistakes and greed that are found in any large industry, it is difficult to understand your orientation towards eradicating any development that isn't voted upon by the masses. You certainly don't advocate eradicating school boards of education because of the same problems generated by unions and individual teachers NOR do you seem to want medicine run by non medical groups even with all the malpractice of doctors and perceived greed of pharmaceutical companies.
Why do you think voting is the answer to the problem? After all, the article you taught states: "One thing I've learned is that the state government plays an important role in development and it can't walk away from that responsibility," said the man who never had to convince a government official of the need for Lehigh Acres. "They can't leave it up to local governments because local officials often don't understand development and have too narrow a perspective."
Isn’t the point more about balance, long term vision and sustainable smart growth?
Jack
Jack--Thanks for you post.
Basically what I am advocating for is recognizing that putting the people in charge of the places where they live is key to a sustainable future of our State.
To change a Comprehensive Plan is serious and when it affects our neighborhoods, we must have a decision in that change. Growth, high density, etc. have proven to be detrimental to municipalities in many ways. They are political decisions. We should have the right to vote on any change to our Comp Plan that will affect land use changes and our quality of life. Certainly if a school is needed or a hospital is needed, it will not be denied for the use. Anything of that nature needs to be built in an appropriate area per the Comp Plan.
So I am not saying that we should vote on any change...just land use changes to our Comp Plan. We need to take our Comp Plan seriously. A developer should not come to a city government and lobby for development that is not appropriate per our com Plan without the voters having a say.
It has gone on now for 50 years and people are sick of the destruction across the State of Florida. With the recent changes and protection we had in place, we need this Amendment more than ever.
Amendment 4 is what we need to stop this kind of developer devastation of our beautiful State. A pity Kris Hundley didn't mention that 'help is at hand.' In giving (or rather, returning to the people) a veto power over unwise (read "corrupt") decisions by local politicians regarding developers' requested changes to our land-use plans, Amendment 4 will sever the politicial-developer cabale, and not only let us determine what happens in our communities but also restore good government and save our State and water supply, etc. Right now, developers and Chambers of Commerce are ganging up on this popular Amendment. Be sure to get out there, and get your friends out there next year to say "Yes on 4!" Better still, help the rest of Floridians learn the truth about Amendment 4 by visiting www.FloridaHometownDemocracy.com and signing up to volunteer and donate! Thanks -- the success of Amendment 4 -- a check-and-balance that our political system desperately needs -- is truly in YOUR hands TODAY.
I agree. Look what happened to Sunset. If there was FHD in place, this never would have happened.
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