Statement by Tom Pelham, Secretary, Department of Community Affairs re Growth Management Legislation

"Last week, the House voted in favor of HB/CS/CS/SB360, which substantially revised SB360.  This week, the Senate is reported to be moving forward with Senate Bill 362 which closely mirrors HB/CS/CS/SB360.   
"SB362 and HB/CS/CS/SB360 contain numerous provisions which will substantially undermine Florida’s growth management laws.  Among other things, these provisions open up the state’s major rural areas to unchecked development, and eliminate transportation concurrency and the DRI review process in major portions of the state without providing any alternative means of addressing transportation and other extrajurisdictional impacts.   
"After careful evaluation of SB362 and HB/CS/CS/SB360 and the many concerns raised about these bills, the Department has concluded that the bills do not constitute good public policy and will seriously undermine Florida’s growth management laws.  Therefore, the Department opposes SB362 and HB/CS/CS/SB360."

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