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.
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

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems
SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.

How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope
Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.

Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects
The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service