Limiting Growth With Classrooms

"Taking a page from Orange County’s controversial policy on school crowding, a state advisory group Thursday called for changes to Florida law that could make it easier for local governments to put the brakes on growth when schools have no space for more students. But the proposal from Gov. Jeb Bush’s growth-management commission, the last big item to get a vote as the two-day meeting ended in Orlando, came with a key condition. Although it could give the idea a better shot at becoming law, it also could substantially limit its effects. The group voted 18-1 to require that cities and counties make sure that there’s room in schools when they consider new subdivisions. As in Orange County, the rule would apply only to early-stage development reviews. Developers who already have residential zoning wouldn’t be affected."