Growth Management White Papers

Dear APA Florida Member:

White Papers (MS Word Files)

The Future of Florida's Growth Management System (Revised for 2005) The Future of Florida's Growth Management System The Case for Local Official Training Proposal for a Land Use Board of Appeals Optional Sector Plans Rural Land Stewardship Areas Program

Our experience over the last 15 years in implementing growth management concepts has fostered a heightened public awareness of planning and has created a strong body of sophisticated professionals within the field. But like the fellow who can see farther because he is sitting on the giant’s shoulders, today’s planners are proposing change. We want a process that results in more towns and cities that promote a sense of place and provide a rich community experience.

We want citizens to have a meaningful input in visionary planning. We want an appeal process that is fair and efficient. We want a system that recognizes our regional differences and empowers us to plan accordingly, yet one that forces us to consider state concerns. We want the tools to plan for large areas and for the rural locales to chart their future while protecting the precious assets they have. We want all our elected and appointed officials to understand the planning process, to have an opportunity to receive training. As a result, your professional organization has developed a series of white papers that lays the groundwork for much needed new growth management legislation.

We started by convening a group of experienced planners who have produced the first drafts. These papers were presented at September’s annual conference where about 150 members made comments at the four sessions while additional suggestions were received through publication on our website. The drafting committee made revisions based upon the comments received and the new drafts were forwarded to and further refined by your legislative and executive committees. Upon adoption, the executive committee authorized our legislative representative to seek sponsors for the legislation.

Meanwhile, the most far-reaching of the five documents presented, “The Future of Florida’s Growth Management System,” will continue to be reviewed. The changes are dramatic--calling for a small set of guiding principles from the Governor as the State’s chief planning officer, a simplified F.A.C. 9J-5 for all development, and a much stronger regional role in the process.

We all know that the legislative process is complex but so is planning. It is these complexities that have the profession of planning be so challenging, interesting, and rewarding. We ask for your continued input as we continue through these consensus building and legislative processes.

Sincerely,

Marie L. York, AICP
Convener, Growth Management Review Team
Immediate Past President
Florida Chapter American Planning Association