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Simple Reforms Would Restore Faith In Growth Management

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 16, 2008

Leave it to Florida Department of Community Affairs Secretary Tom Pelham to come up with a way to reform growth planning without the impossible demands of Hometown Democracy.

Pelham, who heads the state's planning agency, understands the problem surrounding county growth plans. They are amended so often that they can hardly be called plans. In 2005 alone, local governments adopted more than 8,000 amendments to their comprehensive growth plans.

No wonder activists began a petition drive for a constitutional amendment - called Hometown Democracy - that would require voters to approve any change in a county's growth plan, a costly and complicated requirement that would grind development to a halt. The petition drive nearly collected enough signatures to be placed on this year's ballot and is likely to make the 2010 ballot - unless things change.

Pelham is offering legislation that would reform the process without making land-use decisions a popularity contest or so cumbersome that construction becomes virtually impossible.

His "Citizen's Planning Bill of Rights" would, among other things, allow local governments to make major changes to their comprehensive plans only twice a year. It also would require a supermajority vote to approve any change opposed by the local planning agency.

Moreover, neighborhood or community hearings would be required on proposed changes. And the bill of rights would prohibit any changes to a proposed amendment less than five days before a vote. This would prevent developers from orchestrating last-minute revisions that catch the public off guard, not an uncommon tactic.

Hometown Democracy appeals to people who feel bulldozed by influential developers, who can hire armies of consultants and attorneys and give generously to elected officials. Not only do people feel left out, but they also pay the price of poor development with congested roads, crime, crowded schools, water shortages, ruined resources and higher taxes.

Pelham's plan would bring order and accountability to the process without mandating a public vote on every minor change. After all, local governments should be able to revise their plans to meet changing community and market needs.

It is telling that homebuilders oppose Pelham's sensible restraint. They like the growth management deck stacked in their favor, as it is now.

But Pelham's plan is far superior to Hometown Democracy, which is waiting in the wings unless something changes.

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