After the Gainesville City Commission's marathon hearing on the fire service assessment late Thursday night, commissioners passed a resolution denouncing the so-called Florida Hometown Democracy amendment that will be on the ballot in November.
The amendment, if passed, would require that changes to municipal comprehensive plans for development go before the voters.
With a 6-1 vote, with Commissioner Jack Donovan in dissent, the commission passed a resolution stating, "The City Commission believes that any problems with the comprehensive planning process should be addressed at a local level or with amendments to state law, such as limiting the frequency of plan amendments or requiring additional mandated public hearings."
Mayor Craig Lowe said in an interview that while there are problems with comprehensive plan changes, the amendment would essentially create fundraising battles anytime there was a proposed change.
"While I realize there is a problem, I don't think this is the solution," Lowe said.
