Florida Growth Management

Senate Bill 360

At the very end of the 2009 Legislative Session, a Bill intended to weaken oversight on the State Growth Management Act by Florida's Department of Community Affairs was passed and signed by Governor Crist. FCFP opposed language in the original Bill and supports the 30+ Florida municipalities who have launched court action to have key provisions declared unconstitutional. The Bill may be amended for better or worse in the 2010 Legislative Session this March. The Coalition is not a lobbying entity, but we intend to support sensible legislation that protects the environment, and recognizes that Florida can no longer grow itself out of a recession at any cost.

In their haste to make changes to the state's Growth Management Act, our legislators removed critical protections afforded to environmentally sensitive barrier islands, coastal communities, and Coastal High Hazard Areas (CHHA). In effect, SB 360 considers most of our Florida coastline to be a "Dense Urban Land Area" that can be exploited almost at will. Ironically, the state has long recognized that the land and marine environment along our extensive shoreline require special protection from overdevelopment. By exempting these priceless areas from traditional state scrutiny, we could be opening ourselves to abusive development practices affecting residents, visitors and the native habitats alike.

Florida has already allowed too much overdevelopment on our oceanfront. We cannot afford to let our guard down in order to stimulate a flagging economy.

Click here to read the final version of Senate Bill 360.

Click here to read recent coverage on the passing of SB 360 and its impact to our community.

The passage of SB 360, added fuel to the fire for Amendment Four: the Florida Hometown Democracy Land Use Initiative. Amendment Four is headed to the November 2, 2010 ballot in Florida as an initiated constitutional amendment to the Florida Constitution. The initiative proposes to require voter approval of all changes to local comprehensive land-use plans, in order to give voters more say over development. Currently, county and city commissioners make land-use decisions.

The initiative is supported by the leaders of Florida Hometown Democracy. Click here to learn more.

Floridians opposed to the initiative have started a campaign, Floridians for Smarter Growth. Click here to learn more.

To view all constitutional Amendments on Florida's 2010 ballot, click here.

In 2004, the Town of Gulf Stream negotiated an agreement with the City of Boynton Beach whereby Gulf Stream agreed not to attempt annexation of property on the barrier island north of its borders (such as Sea Horse), if Boynton Beach would agree to abide by existing County zoning restrictions were it to annex County enclaves. Said differently, Gulf Stream would not oppose annexation of properties such as Sea Horse, if Boynton Beach would limit building heights in annexed areas to 35', and adhere to other stipulations relating to density.

Aware of the Interlocal Agreement, the developer has now approached Boynton Beach to see if they would reconsider annexation and nullify agreement terms in favor of the desired 7 story design. While the entire Sea Horse matter is in a state of flux, the lesson is clear: We must remain vigilant, and demand that County height and density restrictions are followed. Click here to read the Interlocal Agreement.