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News-Press Editorial, January 31, 2008

Hometown Democracy a Bad Idea

The sentiment behind the proposed Hometown Democracy amendment to the state constitution makes sense on the surface: Put the people in charge of land use changes.

This stems from frustration with changes to county and municipal comprehensive plans that may be perceived as sprawl, because an agricultural area is rezoned to allow for more housing.

We hear local residents who don't want Lee County to look like Broward with its myriad strip malls, and would prefer to halt growth, with its increased traffic, crime and development.

While making these decisions by popular referenda may feel good, sending voters to the ballot box every time local officials make a comp plan change is unwise and irresponsible.
The News-Press Editorial Board opposes Hometown Democracy.

If the measure receives enough signatures by Friday, it will appear on the November ballot and requires 60 percent of the electorate for approval.

We oppose this proposed amendment because we believe:

• It dictates land use planning by ballot box and would make planning a free-for-all.

• It focuses on gratifying the immediate needs and wants of residents who may lack a vision for the future of our community.

• It takes away accountability from local commissioners and councilors who are elected to make tough decisions.

• It would hurt poor neighborhoods which would likely see unfavorable projects shifted their way by more affluent and engaged voters who do not want a jail or garbage dump in their backyards.

• It would benefit developers with deep pockets who could finance a campaign to create a land use change for themselves.

• It would artificially raise the cost of land, making affordable housing more scarce.
We realize that proposal supporters are sending a message to local elected officials that their planning has been out of control.

One can argue that if it passes, it could be a disincentive for them to make comprehensive plan changes at all.

We elect them, however, to make decisions for the benefit of our cities and counties.

Then, we voters can decide at election time whether they should keep their jobs.