Florida Hometown Democracy

[SHELLY]

Why are politicians so afraid of the Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment?
http://www.floridahometowndemocracy.com/

From FWB Mullet Wrapper:

Sansom: amendment will devastate local economy

NAVARRE ? The approval of a proposed constitutional amendment give voters the power change local land development regulations would be catastrophic, according to state Rep. Ray Sansom.

Sansom spoke Friday at the Navarre Beach Chamber of Commerce?s breakfast. The Hometown Democracy Amendment was one of the main topics he discussed.

The Hometown Democracy proposal would require voters to approve all changes to local comprehensive plans rather than have decisions made by elected officials.

?There could be nothing more damaging to the development of this county (than the approval of the Hometown Democracy Amendment),? Sansom said.

A petition is circulating to have the Hometown Democracy Amendment placed on the Jan. 29 presidential primary ballot.

Sansom urged the audience to vote down the amendment if it is placed on the ballot because it would severely handcuff local officials and stifle growth. He said voters should trust officials they elect to make the best decisions. If they are not happy with the decisions then the officials can be voted out of office. roll: Good luck with that)

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I think there are many local officials who should be handcuffed...sign me up!


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[florida girl]

The Sierra Club is endorsing it, they're the ones who did SanDestin, along with the National Wildlife Foundation I believe. That's confusing! What ever the Sierra Club is backing, I don't want to participate in!

 

[seacrestkristi]

Why not? More info please. I think these organizations are all about preserving natural resources, aren't they? They did Sandestin? What do you mean? I thought if I was a voter there I would vote for it. The people who live there can't be paid off or wined and dined by developers to get their way, not saying that is what is happening now. ;-) When I see on sowal that folks have hired guards to keep people off "their beach" and other places claiming themselves as a new town when they've sold six houses in the middle of a pre-existing town, but mess up the bike path through mother nature nature for their neighbors, and not give it a second thought. Or steel girters being pounded within feet of the edge of a gulf front dune for an underground parking garage That cannot be environmentally sound . The quaintness and beaches were the reason we bought there. Think I'll go back to bed for a while.

 

[NotDeadYet]

The Sierra Club is endorsing it, they're the ones who did SanDestin,

Whatever are you talking about? Facts, please.

You might find it enlightening sometime to sit in a county commission meeting and listen to ten or twenty or even more local citizens and property owners object to being blindsided by a comprehensive plan change that will completely alter forever the character of their existing neighborhood, then see the commissioners vote in the change anyway.

 

[beachmouse]

If it makes it, I'm voting No. I feel like it could actually end up being bad for the environment because it will encourage the same old low density suburban sprawl that gobbles up land space willy-nilly in existing comp plans rather than moving toward a higher density town center- more designated green space model that works out better from a conservation standpoint, and also stifles creativity from an urban planning standpoint.

 

[seacrestkristi]

And where is an example of this development? and are they also claiming the beach as theirs exclusively? Do they have guards parked? Does that not bother you?

 

[elgordoboy]

The Sierra Club is endorsing it, they're the ones who did SanDestin, along with the National Wildlife Foundation I believe. That's confusing! What ever the Sierra Club is backing, I don't want to participate in!

make sense you!

 

[Miss Kitty]

make sense you!

I had to read that twice, but when I did.....:rofl::funn:

 

[Andy A]

And where is an example of this development? and are they also claiming the beach as theirs exclusively? Do they have guards parked? Does that not bother you?

Believe it or not, there are places in this United States where development is both well planned and strictly controlled. Such a place is Edmond OKlahoma where I use to live. I can almost guarantee that anything but good will come from passing the Hometown Democracy fiasco. You elect your commissioners and other officials to do a very difficult job. If you don't like the way they do it, vote them out or have them recalled. Urban Planning or any land use planning is a difficult and trying task at best and the average citizen is neither interested enough or has enough information to make an intelligent, well based decision on area development. Our Commissioners do a very good job considering the land use codes and ordinances with which they have to work. And yes, I attend most Commission meetings. The Florida Hometown Democracy idea would end up being a disaster, pure and simple.

 

[seacrestkristi]

Why? Clarify please? I would think the people that actually live there and vote would be the graytest stakeholders, no? ;-) I'm not saying any of the commissioners aren't doing their job. I'm saying devlopers are putting guards and signs on the beaches we all pay taxes on. How can these developers claim Walton County beaches as their own like that? Wasn't one of the commissioners' construction company responsible for placing seawalls on public county beaches for homeowners claiming them as private, without proper approval beforehand? YES or NO?
There is too much opportunity for abuse, period. That's how I feel. Beaches are precious commodities for everyone. Guards just, well, how do you like guards on the beach?