Why fight this bill?
The bill’s prevailing party attorney fees provision would effectively eliminate planning challenges by citizens and public interest groups because, if they lose, they could be required to pay enormous challenge-related legal costs incurred by deep-pocketed developers and local governments. Few if any citizens or public interest groups would be willing to take that risk.
1000 Friends of Florida is not alone in our opposition to SB 540. Numerous environmental organizations have called upon their members to oppose this bad bill that would have serious negative impacts on Florida’s environment and our quality of life. Last week, the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association sent a letter to Senate President Passidomo outlining the importance of protecting the comprehensive planning process and how SB 540/HB 359 would debase this practice.
But wait, there’s more
SB 540 was a bad enough bill when it was introduced in February, but last week it actually got worse. An amendment was filed by the sponsor with language that would resurrect an environmentally disastrous development proposal in Miami-Dade County — a proposal that was rejected by state reviewers because it didn’t meet a 180-day deadline for local approval. The proposal was for a 380-acre warehouse complex in an undeveloped coastal area vital to Everglades restoration. By reviving that proposal, this amendment would undermine one of the Governor’s top priorities, restoring the Everglades.
Floridians play an integral role in shaping the future growth and development of their communities. Good community planning requires citizen engagement in all steps of the process, from the visioning and plan-making phase to the application and enforcement of those comprehensive plans. This engagement should be encouraged, not stifled.
Thanks to all who have called and emailed legislators thus far. This is one of our last opportunities to stop this bill from moving through the legislative process, and we need all the help we can get!
