A small group gathered at Whole Foods tonight and heard the pros and cons of the proposed Amendment 4 which will be statewide on the November ballot. Florida Hometown Democracy is the non-partisan grassroots group carrying the word around the state, because quite frankly, they have no funding to compete with the powers who oppose this amendment.
In a nutshell, Amendment 4 gives voters a chance to veto or approve changes of comprehensive land use. This has nothing to do with schools, libraries, water districts, or any other item. If a developer attempts to change the current county land use plan, anywhere in the state of Florida, the taxpayers will be allowed to vote on that change. If an area is currently zoned residential, there will be no changes allowing for another WalMart to be built there, without the approval of the taxpayers at the next election. No 1500 home developments will be quietly built in zoned agriculture areas, without the taxpayers' approval.
Currently, our politicians are making those decisions for us. There have been some questionable decisions made by our elected officials allowing for changes to the growth plan. Growth doesn’t pay for itself. Despite impact fees paid by developers, the burden of current development and growth has been on the shoulders of the taxpayers. While losing green spaces and wetlands to new construction, and suffering through increased traffic, the taxpayers shoulder the burden of water, sewer, garbage, school, and library expenses.
What do the taxpayers benefit from the land use changes? Usually, nothing. How do the politicians benefit? Simply put, they receive campaign contributions from the rich and powerful land developers. The figures quoted tonight at this presentation said that 35% of John Dingfelder’s campaign chest came from land use interests. The percentages went even higher with some county level officials. Another statistic presented tonight said that 92% of all amendments were approved by our elected officials. And 60% of the amendments were initiated by developers.
There is no reason to think that we will be curtailing all growth in Hillsborough County or the state. The current land use plan allows for an additional 35,000 new dwellings in our county within the next decade or less. Over the state, 100 million new dwellings are anticipated. Is there any reason on Earth for developers to increase those numbers? I don’t think so.
Very soon the air waves will be filled with ads promoting the defeat of the bill. The developers have lots of cash to pay for the ads. Facts may be distorted.
The Sierra Club is promoting this amendment. We should as well. In November, vote YES on Amendment 4. Spread the word.
2 comments:
Pulling me into the Amendment 4 debate with inaccurate information about my campaign and my contributors disturbed me greatly.
Anyone who has followed me for the past 8 years on City Council knows that most of the develpment community doesn't care much for me. That is because when they come in for rezonings, I am the one that asks the tough questions and demands that they give back to our community, instead of just taking! When The Cove was coming in, I told them to slow down and hold those mediation sessions with Regency Cove and the rest of the Westshore community. I strongly supported the City and County's ELAPP efforts to purchase the environmentally sensitive part of Georgetown! When the development across Gandy was coming in, I told the developers that I would not support the project unless the waterfront portion was open to the general public. I also told the DOT that if they were going to build the upper deck, they had to do something for RC to help you folks get on and off Gandy safely. Finally, I have been a huge supporter of THAN and all of our neighborhoods during my two terms on Council.
Last election you invited me to come to your meeting for a Q and A session. I hope that you do that again as I look forward to seeing all of you soon! Sincerely John Dingfelder
Like I said in the post, John, the information was presented by the Florida Hometown Democracy. Your name was one of many local and county officials presented. I didn't make anything up. The presenter was George Neman, I'm not sure if the last name is spelled correctly.The next time I hear of a similar meeting, I will certainly fwd you the invitation.
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