By Robert W. Ganger
The Florida Senate and House recently passed a new “Community Renewal Act” (Senate Bill 360). As of this writing, it is on the governor’s desk for his signature or veto. The bill has some appealing aspects. It tries to streamline state and regional government involvement in administering local development projects, allowing municipalities more latitude in how they wish to renew community growth. At the same time, SB 360 removes some protections afforded the people of Florida that could have a permanent negative effect on our quality of life.
On balance, just about everyone (except developers) finds something not to like in the bill. Most environmental and public interest groups are urging a veto, and a regrouping before the next legislative session to correct obvious flaws.
For readers of The Coastal Star, the most egregious deficiency relates to a baffling last minute revision in bill language.
In their haste to draft 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. In effect, SB360 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.
The Florida Coalition for Preservation has asked Gov. Crist to veto SB360. If he sends it back to the House and Senate for revision, we have requested several modifications to bill language making it absolutely clear that (1) the state does not regard barrier island communities and Coastal High Hazard Areas as a “Dense Urban Land Area,” regardless of existing population density; (2) that the Department of Community Affairs and all appropriate state authorities must have the opportunity to review major changes to existing municipality comprehensive plans as they relate to barrier island and Coastal High Hazard Areas: and (3) citizens in the affected areas must have an opportunity to voice concerns to the state in the event that a proposed development poses a risk of compromise to the natural environment.
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.
Robert W. Ganger is president of the Florida Coalition for Preservation, a grass roots public interest organization whose mission is to champion responsible development on barrier islands and in coastal communities. We stand to work with our coastal communities and legislators to make Florida a model for responsible growth management. Please visit www.preservationfla.org for further information.
You need to be a member of The Coastal Star to add comments!
Replies