Calusa Waterkeeper is urging our supporters and followers to contact the Governor to veto the following bills that have a strong nexus to water, unabated development and the negative impacts that result.
HB 337 on impact fees
restricts the amount that local government can increase impact fees charged to developers for the cost of roads, sewer lines and other infrastructure necessitated by that new development.
The Issue:
This bill makes it virtually impossible for local governments to require that new development pays its own way, which will result in existing residents shouldering even more of the costs associated with new development through raised taxes, declining roads, parks, and other public infrastructure, or both.
HB 421 & HB 1101 on “property rights”
expands the scope of the Bert J. Harris Jr. Private Property Rights Act and will have a chilling effect on the ability of local governments to enforce their comprehensive plans and land development regulations and adopt new provisions related to community resilience and other critical issues.
The Issue:
The result may be increased taxes due to local governments being required to pay large settlements for numerous legal challenges; less planning protection for natural lands and waters; declining quality of life and property values; and reluctance to plan for community resilience due to local government concerns about potential legal challenges and settlement costs.
HB 487 on small-scale amendments
increases the acreage threshold on small-scale comprehensive plan amendments five-fold. Now, up to 50 acres in urban areas and 100 acres in rural areas will avoid state agency oversight and regional coordination.
The Issue:
Due to this legislation, there will be less opportunity for citizens and state agencies to raise questions about the environment, transportation and other impacts of proposed development.
You may Write the Governor:
Office of Governor Ron DeSantis
State of Florida
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001