Florida Voters Reject Sweeping Land Use Amendment

On Tuesday, balloters issued a resounding 'no' on Amendment 4, which would have required voter consent to change comprehensive land use plans at the city, county and state levels.

1 minute read

November 5, 2010, 8:00 AM PDT

By Lynn Vande Stouwe


67 percent of Floridians rejected the measure, which was first proposed in 2004 by a non-profit called Florida Hometown Democracy. Proponents believed Amendment 4 would free land use decisions from political interests and a process that has led to unchecked sprawl throughout the state, according to Polyana da Costa. Opponents, including both local and national real estate developers, spent $12 million to fight the measure, arguing it would lead to protracted legal battles over land use decisions and higher taxes to support frequent referendums.

Voters may have dismissed the amendment in part because of its ambiguity, writes da Costa:

"It was unclear how many comprehensive plan amendments Floridians would have been asked to vote on each year; how often the votes would have taken place; and at what cost and how the implementation process would have worked."

Tuesday, November 2, 2010 in Daily Business Review

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

View of Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground during morning golden hour.

The Paradox of American Housing

How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.

March 26, 2024 - The Atlantic

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

Aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska downtown with mountains in background at golden hour.

Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan

Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.

March 28 - Anchorage Daily News

Young man in wheelchair crossing zebra crosswalk.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities

Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

March 28 - Governing

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

March 28 - CBS News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.