Florida Home Builders Allowed to Push Growth Plans

Published by nora | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Communities, Market Trends, Miscellaneous, Real Estate

State lawmakers must have complete trust in Florida home builders because they passed the Growth Management Bill, a bill that would remove the authority of the state to control residential development in cities and counties. Additionally, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed the first of a series of Senate bills supporting the new growth management principles and substantially relaxing growth management restrictions instituted in 1985.

Under the growth management law passed in 1985, local governments cannot decide on their own whether to approve land-use proposals. They need to confer with the state about changes in local comprehensive plans and community development projects.

With the bill already approved by the House and expected to be signed into law by Governor Scott, counties and cities can now expect to be given the authority to require or not require home builders and residential developers to pay for the construction of roads, parks and schools leading to their residential projects. It would also be up to local residents and landowners to challenge the decisions of their cities and counties concerning new real estate projects.

Proponents and supporters of the bill argued that the bill would step up economic growth, as potential investors from out of state wouldn’t be put off by restrictions, bureaucracy and additional investment costs.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce, among the major supporters of the bill, lauded the passage of the bill. Chamber members said that state lawmakers are on the right track, increasing the attractiveness of the state to businesses outside the state and making the environment more business-friendly for companies already operating in the state.

As expected, environmentalists and land-use advocates were saddened by the approval of the bill. They contended that Florida may again return to an economic environment downed by overbuilding, vacant houses, and real estate projects that lack infrastructure.

They also argued that residents would not be able to have a say about development projects in their communities – a blow to the claim that growth plan decisions are returned to the locals — because the bill states that local governments would be banned from holding referendums that ask residents to vote for or against the plans.

What does this new growth management bill mean to Florida home builders and the residential real estate market?  The result can go both ways: another period of overbuilding that worsens urban sprawl, or the emergence of excellent residential communities with good roads, schools and telecommunications facilities.

Let’s hope for the second possibility.

In Tampa, many master planned communities incorporated into their overall plans t the protection of the natural environment. Contact Tampa4U.com to explore these communities.