Nation's Building News Online

Builders Monitoring Progress of Florida Land Use Amendment

Continuing to make headway in Florida, a petition drive to amend the state’s constitution by putting land use decisions in the hands of voters instead of elected officials is being watched closely by builders who are concerned that it has the potential for stopping residential growth dead in its tracks.

The amendment that no-growth proponents are hoping to put on the November ballot would require voters to approve changes to local comprehensive plans, effectively stripping elected officials of their land planning abilities.

The amendment is being pushed by Florida Hometown Democracy, which counts the Sierra Club of Florida, Floridians for a Sustainable Population and Save Our Wetlands Coalition as its members.

Last year in Palm Beach County alone, there were 1,364 amendments to the general plan. Multiply that by 67, the total number of counties in Florida, and Florida Hometown Democracy's strategy of stopping growth by playing on voter apathy and confusion becomes readily apparent.

Sponsored by Countrywide Home Loans

As of early February, the coalition had collected more than 30,000 of the 50,000 signatures it needs to send the measure to the Florida Supreme Court for review.  After it receives the court’s approval, the group will need to collect an additional 450,000 signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot. The coalition has hired a signature-gathering firm to help meet both thresholds.

The Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) is assuming that the proposal will reach the ballot. Given the terrible precedent that would be set by passage of the amendment, NAHB is working with the association on an aggressive campaign to defeat it.

The state association has received a grant from NAHB's State and Local Issues Fund, and NAHB’s State and Local Political Operations team has been retained to help build a statewide grassroots coalition to defeat the measure if it is put on the ballot.

Hometown Democracy's efforts could gain national attention from activist groups and be used as a tool for organizing and turning out the pro-environment vote in the presidential election.

For more information on efforts to defeat this potentially devastating amendment, e-mail NAHB’s Alastair Macaulay or call him at 800-368-5242 x8584.
[ Go to Top ]