Thursday, February 24, 2011

Florida's Growth "Management "

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One of the founders of Florida Hometown Democracy, Ross Burnaman, has been involved in a law suit. His client, Richard Burgess, has kept a development on hold that was considered sprawl by every agency in existence, Hammock Creek Green in Edgewater. Even Pelham of the DCA had agreed with him that it was out of compliance. Rick Scott essentially kicked Pelham to the curb and recently appointed Billy Buzzett to head the DCA. Billy Buzzett, involved in Florida real estate development for many years, currently serves as the vice-president of strategic planning for the St. Joe Company the largest landowner in the State of Florida.

Hammock Green eventually made major changes to its original plan and now Audubon has even approved it.

We congratulate Mr. Burgess for pursuing this case which forced the developer to make major changes but he still believes the project is just flat wrong. Recently he said, "We're going to end up with just another big empty development on the downside of the largest bubble we've ever seen in the country on excess housing. It's insanity."

Norma Kenya says, "Unless modern man learns to tame his greed and overconsumption, he is destined to destroy himself in the name of “development.” Development without a moral compass is unethical.

It probably is but the deck is getting more and more stacked against the residents of Florida as developers are desperate for work at any cost. Scott is taking away all protections leaving the decisions to local elected officials, the ones who have been the problem all along. And now we learned earlier, impact fees have exploded to 505% from 1993 to 2004 and are continuing to rise as our communities respond to explosive growth and local governments will not be able to compose or collect these fees from the developer.

All those who didn't want a vote on growth when they voted against Amendment 4 are getting their way and it will hit them right in the pocket-book.

5 comments:

  1. Local communities can still stand firm on zoning changes and the so-called "smart growth" projects to block impacts of overdevelopment.

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  2. "Smart Growth" in Florida's context is a sham. The smartest growth we can home for is growth within the existing rules. Adding more density no matter how high it is stacked in not smart growth.

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  3. Beautifully put, Lynne! Please keep raising the flag! I'm saluting!

    Dorothy

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  4. Hi Lynn,

    St Joe is having big money problems. They are on the verge if not already in bankruptcy.

    S

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  5. Scott and the cronies will keep drinking their masters Koolaid. Florida will continue it's downward,unsustainable spiral.The head of Audobon is a paid shill for development. Good luck, Florida taxpayers. You deserve the govt you voted into office.

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