Ballot Amendments Aim to Manage Growth

By Charlie Venuto

Growth management in Florida is a fallacy. In the 1990s Florida’s population growth was greater than India or Mexico! Current growth management laws allow for 101 million residents and an unlimited number of tourists. This “limit,” of course, continues to rise each time developers alter comprehensive growth plans requesting higher density projects. In spite of numerous attempts to regulate growth, including the 1975 Local Government Comprehensive Planning Act and the 1984 State and Regional Planning Act, unbridled growth continues to envelop the state.

Growth pays for itself is another fallacy. If this is true, why is there a referendum to raise sales taxes in Brevard this year? The money is needed for our school system. When did the schools become underfunded? Probably when new students arrived. Impact fees do not cover these costs. In fact, according to Florida Home Town Democracy, for every $100 in taxes development brings, it costs $130 in government services.

In an effort to bring some sanity to the process, an amendment to the state constitution which would require voter approval of changes to comprehensive land use plans has been proposed. Remember, this will still “limit” our population to 101 million. This amendment would force those who desire to change the comprehensive plans to demonstrate the benefits of the change to the community and hopefully fund the true costs. Organizers plan to have this on the 2004 ballot. A petition is available at: www.floridahometowndemocracy.com. Brevard County citizens are not waiting on the State initiative. The Save Brevard organization is seeking a vote on two amendments. One would require unanimous approval by the Board of County Commissioners to changes to the comprehensive plan. The other would prohibit the destruction of wetlands greater than 1/8 acre. IRAS efforts to stop the Brevard Crossing Mall and its destruction of 99 acres of wetlands is the type of development this bill would stop. Petitions are available at www.savebrevard.org.

These amendments would hold elected officials and members of the regulatory agencies accountable for their actions. These are serious matters that deserve your attention.