This initiative to require voter approval of changes to a county or city’s comprehensive land use plan is supported by Lesley Blackner, president of Florida Hometown Democracy and opposed by Ryan Houck executive director of Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy
Feature length – 24:19
The Hometown Democracy initiative known as Amendment-4 to the Florida constitution, would – if approved by Florida voters on November 2, 2010 - require voter approval of land-use changes to a county or city’s comprehensive land use plan. Proponent Lesley Blackner, president of Florida Hometown Democracy and opponent Ryan Houck executive director of Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy are heard in a spirited point-counterpoint presentation of this contentious amendment.
In this feature Lesley Blackner, president of Florida Hometown Democracy presents the arguments in favor of Amendment 4. Speaking in opposition to the amendment is Ryan Houck executive director of Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy. The discussion begins with opening statements by Ms. Blackner and Mr. Houck and is followed by their responses to questions. Marilyn Crotty, director of the John Scott Daily Florida Institute of Government at the University of Central Florida, and moderator of the original forum, is heard asking questions of the two advocates.
Lesley Blackner, who has led the fight for Amendment 4 during the last four years, speaks of the failure of Comprehensive Land Use Plans to curtail sprawling growth because of the revisions and exceptions granted to developers by local officials. She supports placing the decisions on every modification of the comprehensive plan into the hands of local voters who live in the area controlled by that plan. Ryan Houck warns of unintended costs and consequences to the economy and local government from potential lawsuits and reduced economic development if Amendment 4 is approved.
The proposal above will appear as a ballot initiative facing Florida voters on November 2, 2010. It is referred to as the Florida Hometown Democracy Land Use amendment. On Wednesday March 17, 2010 the Seminole and Orange County branches of the League of Women Voters presented a panel to debate the merits of this proposal. This feature is a condensed version of the original gavel to gavel presentation originally posted here on CMF’s portal Heard in Central Florida.
Ballot Language of Amendment 4
Key Participants and Bio’s
Relevant External Links on Issues Addressed by Panel Speaker (in approximate order of reference)…
- Laws governing the Citizen Initiative Process in Florida
- Growth Management and Comprehensive Planning
- Florida Department of Community Affairs
- Florida Senate Bill 360 – neutral growth management
- Farmton Plan
- Volusia County Council votes 5-2 to approve adoption of land-use change
- National Geographic Society – Linda Chapin interview
- 1000 Friends of Florida
- St. Pete Beach, Pinellas County, Fl. (Politifact)
- Sun Rail
- Bert J. Harris, Jr., Private Property Rights Protection Act
- Coalition for Property Rights
- An Economic Impact Analysis of the Proposed Amendment 4 on the Economic Development of Florida Association of Counties
