Central Florida Asked To Vote On Growth Vision

Myregion.org is offering 3.5 million Floridians a unique chance to vote now on how Central Florida will grow by 2050, when the population is projected to double. Four options are offered on the website www.myregion.org, based on input received at a series of public workshops held throughout the community and attended by about 9,000 area residents over the past year.

The four options include: the "Trend" (current pattern, which develops an estimated 2577 additional square miles in low density suburbs);"Green Areas" (with an emphasis on major preservation of environmental assets through purchase, but less emphasis on creating jobs, reducing commutes and protecting unpurchased lands); "Centers" (emphasizing the development of new city centers and densification of existing ones -- but requiring more road construction than any other alternative); and "Corridor", which develops less land than any other but calls for a $45 billion investment in rail, light rail and transit, while encourages redevelopment near bus, rail and transit stops.

From January 22 through 26, public television and public radio stations have featured programs about the options. February 14th is the cutoff day for voters to express their preferences via the website or a mail-in flyer. A running talley will be kept on the website; so far, more than 200 votes have been cast and the week of informational programming is not yet complete.

When voting is complete, the results will be presented to elected officials throughout the region, in the hopes that policies will be incorporated into local and regional plans.