The Florida Legislature is considering multiple bills that would limit the ability of counties and cities to manage land development, preserve open space and protect wetlands and waterways. The bills continue the recent trend of the Legislature “preempting” local regulations by giving the State of Florida control over environmental and land use decisions typically made at the local level. It’s another attack on “home rule,” the ability of local residents to manage what happens in their community, and in each case the bills favor development and industry over local residents.
SB 354/H 299 tosses aside local zoning and land use regulations for development projects larger than 10,000 acres that reserve certain land for agriculture, recreation, and utilities.
SB 718/H 479 would keep local governments from passing laws to protect water quality or quantity, stop pollution of waterways or protect wetlands.
SB 686/H 691 would allow for farmland bordered by development on 75% or more of its perimeter to automatically be allowed to be developed–regardless of local zoning and land use regulations.