ALACHUA -- If voters say yes to Amendment 4 at the polls Nov. 2, local governments will be required to put all changes to their long range growth plans - known as Comprehensive Plans -- to a public vote.
The Alachua City Commission approved a resolution Monday, Oct.11, that states the Commission opposes Amendment 4 and will send copies of its resolution to all Alachua County governing bodies and to state officials.
Commissioner Ben Boukari Jr. said he "proudly, adamantly, excitedly" supported the city's opposition to the amendment, which would affect how the city's long-range growth plan is handled.
The amendment's supporters, including famous journalist, author and environmental activist Carl Hiaasen, say it will protect local communities from unwanted development and preserve Florida's environment.
Florida Hometown Democracy Inc. sponsors the initiative, which has been gaining momentum for the past five years.
Alachua City Commissioner Robert Wilford said, "I studied it thoroughly, and it scares me to death."
"I feel strongly that this is not good for Florida and certainly not good for the city of Alachua," he said.
A report prepared by the city's Planning and Community Development department said residents already have opportunities to express opinions about major changes to the Comprehensive Plan. The City Commission agreed.
State law requires local commissions to hold a neighborhood meeting, notify the public by newspaper, notify surrounding property owners by mail and post a notice at the property.
For property larger than 10 acres, changes to the future land use map is typically a 12-month process that is expensive for the land owner, according to the report. The city usually holds three public hearings on the issue, as well.
The Comprehensive Plan includes future land use, housing, transportation, infrastructure, recreation, open space, intergovernmental coordination and capital improvements.
Commissioners said that putting all that to a public vote would cause delays in development and real estate and would be more expensive for the land owner and the local government.
According to the report, the amendment's unclear wording would lead to expensive lawsuits, ultimately paid for by taxpayers.
Complex procedures handled by professionals and the elected representatives of the entire community, the commission said, would ultimately be decided by a minority whose campaigning sways voters in the community.
If adopted, the amendment will give voters the power to veto changes that have already been approved by city planners and politicians.
Former City Manager Clovis Watson Jr. supported the city's decision to oppose the amendment and said the city's autonomy is important.
"I do not believe in taking rights from citizens," he said.
However, he said, he believes in letting professionals do their jobs.
"That what you all were elected for," he told the Commission.
Resident Michael Canney spoke out against the city's resolution. He recommended that the pubic read Hiaasen's recent column on the amendment in The Miami Herald.
(Canney has written a column in this week's North Florida Herald on Page 10A.)
When hundreds of thousands of voters petition for the amendment, he said, there has to be a good reason. He called the wording of the city's resolution biased, inaccurate and lifted from the amendment's opponents.
"For the Commission to tell voters how to vote is out of order," he said.
Commissioner Gary Hardacre said he didn't read anything in the city's resolution that tells residents how to vote.
He said he opposed adding land use zoning changes to the general election ballot.
"That opens it up to who's got the most money," he said, "who's got the best tale to tell and can get the sympathy of the voters."
Hardacre was on the city's Planning and Zoning Board and said he has reviewed the book of land development regulations. He said the book is thick, and the regulations are very detailed.
If the amendment is passed, he said voters would have to read the book and understand all the rules in it.
One Florida town has already passed local legislation similar to Amendment 4.
City Attorney Marian Rush said St. Pete Beach, the first town to locally implement public voting before making any change to its Comprehensive Plan, has spent about $1 million in lawsuits related to the amendment.
Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper said Amendment 4 "has brought St. Pete Beach to a standstill."
St. Pete Beach recently approved a resolution similar to the one Alachua approved Monday opposing Amendment 4. In its resolution, St. Pete Beach said the amendment will "paralyze local governments and cripple local businesses" if passed.
Coerper said, "It sounds like they're all crying ‘uncle' and would like to start all over in a more rational way."
After so many comments from the Commission against the amendment, resident Connie Canney said, "I guess I have the audacity to get up here and say something in opposition."
She encouraged the Commission to at least consider the opposing side and said an issue like the amendment would be a perfect topic for a town hall meeting where more community members could express themselves.
Boukari supported her suggestion of a town hall meeting. It would be less "Mr. Mayor, yes sir," he said, and more like an informal dialogue with the residents.
