| In This Issue: |
May 16, 2003 Special Report
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LETTER TO GOVERNOR BUSH
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May 16,
2003
The Honorable Jeb Bush
The
Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida
32399-0001
Dear Governor Bush:
The
purpose of this letter is to express our concern
regarding CS/SB 676, 1st Engrossed, relating to
transportation. Section 59 of that bill preempts
the authority of local governments to exercise
their police power authority to protect local
resources and runs contrary to your
administration's philosophy of helping communities
to “achieve their goals and facilitate positive
growth management and quality of life
improvements.”
Section 59 provides that,
“…regulations of any county, municipality, or
special district shall not apply to existing or
future transportation facilities or appurtenances
thereto, on the state highway system.” This
provision creates a gaping hole in the growth
management process because it exempts the Florida
Department of Transportation from all local
regulations, which include the regulations that
implement local comprehensive plans. If it becomes
law, it will sever the coordination of land use
planning with state transportation planning for
the State Highway System.
Transportation
system development can and should create public
benefits for environmental quality, land use,
housing affordability, social equity, and economic
development. In particular, the integration of
transportation and land-use planning has been
recognized as a key issue in building economically
viable and livable communities, and we support
efforts to strengthen the regulatory connection
between the two. Section 59 of CS/SB 676 breaks
that connection and interferes with the authority
of local governments to address environmental,
transportation, and land-use planning issues.
Therefore, the Florida Chapter of the American
Planning Association urges you to veto this
bill.
Sincerely,
Sheri
Coven
Executive Director
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