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Bruce RitchieApril 7, 2015

A wide-ranging House growth management bill was amended Tuesday to remove language requiring construction approval on agricultural land surrounded by development. But HB 933 still faces opposition from cities, counties and environmental groups that are concerned it eliminates a state review process for designated “developments of regional impact.” HB 933 passed the House Transportation and […]

Bruce RitchieApril 6, 2015

Critics of a wide-ranging House growth management bill say that a section would undermine local development planning by requiring approval of agricultural lands that are nearly surrounded by development. HB 933, by Rep. Mike La Rosa, a Republican from St. Cloud, is scheduled to be heard Tuesday by the House Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 25, 2015

A 2015 Legislative Session that already was busy with water bills and Amendment 1 funding just got a huge growth management bill in the House. A House subcommittee on Wednesday passed a sweeping committee substitute for HB 933 despite objections from cities, counties and environmental groups. “We’ve got a lot to consider,” Rep. Mike La […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 24, 2015

Counties, agriculture, industry groups and environmentalists all raised concerns Tuesday as a Senate committee passed its first version of a water bill. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner have said passing water legislation is a top priority in the 2015 Legislative Session. The House bill, opposed by environmentalists, passed the chamber 106-9 […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 24, 2015

A Senate bill that shifts from utilities to local government the cost of moving power lines and other utilities in easements for roadway expansions passed a Senate committee on Monday despite opposition from local governments. SB 896 by Sen. Jeff Brades, a Republican from St. Petersburg, was prompted by a dispute between the city of Cape […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 18, 2015

A House bill prompted by a U. S. Supreme Court case involving a Florida landowner is pitting property rights supporters against local governments. The Supreme Court in 2013 overturned a Florida Supreme Court ruling against the late Coy A. Koontz Sr., who sought to build on 3.7 of his 15 acres in Orange County. The […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 10, 2015

A bill that would eliminate a state process for reviewing large developments cleared its first committee stop on Tuesday. Meanwhile, another bill that would eliminate Florida’s 11 regional planning councils was amended to eliminate only one of them. Large developments such as shopping malls and housing projects with hundreds of homes now are classified by […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 27, 2015

A bill that would substantially change state review of proposed large development projects has been filed, but whether it will pass the Senate and House remains a big question. Trilby Republican Sen. Wilton Simpson, chairman of the Senate committee that oversees growth management, has filed SB 562, which would eliminate the existing state review process […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 26, 2015

A bill that would substantially change state review of proposed large development projects has been filed, but whether it will pass the Senate and House remains a big question. Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby and chairman of the Senate committee that oversees growth management, has filed SB 562, which would eliminate the existing state review process […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 8, 2015

When you drive past a huge shopping mall, office park or major housing development, you’re likely passing what planners call a “Development of Regional Impact.” Since 1972, Florida law has regulated these developments by requiring review and comment from state agencies and affected cities and counties. State planners can require developers to reduce harm to […]

Tag: Florida Association of Counties
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Growth bill passes House panel after “constrained” agriculture language removed

Growth bill critics target “constrained” agricultural parcels language

Add growth management to a busy legislative session

Senate panel clears water bill; environment, industry groups concerned

Cities, counties say bill would stick them with costs for moving roadside utilities

House bill pits cities and counties vs. property rights supporters

Development bill passes first stop despite opposition from cities and counties

Bruce Ritchie: Will bill to end state review of large developments pass?

Bruce Ritchie: Will bill to end state review of large developments pass?

Bruce Ritchie: Former state planning chief wants new state process for reviewing major developments