Hometown Democracy?

Hometown democracy is an item certain groups are trying to get on a ballot which would require every single land use or zoning item to go to a vote rather than following through the normal planning & zoning & commission procedures they currently use.

Bottom line - good intentions perhaps but very BAD idea. If you think the economy is bad now, this will stop any growth whatsoever for EVERYONE - including private homeowners who want to develop a small parcel here or there that they own, as well as developers. Stop growth and any chance of our pulling out of this severe recession is over. Any chance of redeveloping run down, blighted areas - gone! Any chance of the average Joe subdividing his 3 acre parcel to make some extra retirement income - gone! Any chance of businesses redeveloping or expanding thier property, or even looking to buy some property for redevelopment - gone! Want a Home Depot, school or pharmacy/grocery in your rural area - forget it!

Also consider how much money (our tax dollars)it will cost in order to prepare multiple elections throughout the year for each item. Or, if items are saved for a once or twice a year cycle, businesses and developers will leave Florida for more growth friendly states. Time is money to these people and between the cost of a referendum plus time delays - they will choose to go elsewhere.

If the idea is to involve the public more so that they know more about what's coming and can voice their concerns and/or opinions, then that is better acheived through local policies requiring a greater sphere of notification. Ex. rather than the typical say 1,000 foot radius to notify property owners within that radius of an upcoming land change, how about making it 5,000 feet? Let's up the "minimum" standard so that a better job of advertising is performed, yet at an economical cost (your tax dollars).

Of course, you can lead a horse to water but you can not make him drink. If property owners receive notice and merely file 13 it and ignore it rather than taking the time to read, understand, ask questions and contact their local officials with concerns then who really is to blame? Everyone is responsible for how your area grows or doesn't grow but you must take the time to care and participate. Granted not everyone can make the meetings - but there are telephones and e-mails that are an easily accessible method of contact. You can also write a letter and mail it as well. Let me encourage everyone to take the time to participate in some way as to how your area will grow and improve through redevelopment.