Builders, Developers and Cities Team Up Against Florida's Amendment 4

Amendment 4, on the Nov. ballot in Florida, would put state-mandated growth plans before the voters, and could mean any change to a community's development plan would have to be approved by the masses.

1 minute read

September 29, 2010, 2:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur

Creators of the amendment have named it "Hometown Democracy," and as reporter Damien Cave notes, it is understandable that the ire of some Floridians has been raised. Florida has been a hotbed for builders and developers for decades. Cave notes, "Since 2007, local governments have approved zoning and other land use changes that would add 550,000 residential units and 1.4 billion square feet of commercial space, state figures show."

Builders and developers obviously see the amendment as detrimental to their business, as the supporters of the amendment are driven by an anti-growth stance. But cities are also very uncomfortable with the language of the amendment, which could make standard planning processes onerous and expensive:

"Opponents say that under Amendment 4, each tweak of a development plan - which every county and municipality must have in place under a state law passed in the mid-1980s, and which requires updating every seven years - would have to appear on the ballot."

FULL STORY: Florida Voters Enter Battle on Growth

Monday, September 27, 2010 in The New York Times

Government / Politics Urban Development Florida Amendment 4

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

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.