Opinion: 1000 Friends of Florida neutral on Amendment 4

After much debate and careful consideration, 1000 Friends of Florida has refined its position on Amendment 4 and is now taking a neutral position on Florida Hometown Democracy. On the ballot this November, the proposed constitutional amendment would require that local voters approve any amendments to their local comprehensive plans. 1000 Friends’ updated position statement is attached.

“The Board still believes that there are flaws with Amendment 4,” notes 1000 Friends of Florida Chairman Emeritus Nathaniel Reed. “However, we also recognize that the on-the-ground results of the existing growth management system are far from perfect and need major improvement,” he explains. “Amendment 4 may be the catalyst that is needed to promote positive change.”

Since the amendment was first announced, the Board of Directors of 1000 Friends of Florida has been on record as not supporting it for a host of reasons. However, given the unwillingness of some local governments and the Florida Legislature to address serious shortcomings with Florida’s existing growth management system, the Board now is taking a neutral position on Amendment 4.

The built vacant housing inventory in Florida hovers between 300,000 and 400,000 dwelling units, and the Department of Community Affairs indicates that over the last two years an additional 600,000 dwelling units and 1 billion square feet of non-residential office and institutional space have been approved but not yet constructed.

“1000 Friends certainly understands the need to create construction and other jobs for Floridians,” 1000 Friends Board President Victoria Tschinkel explains. “But in light of such dramatic existing and proposed overdevelopment , this excess capacity will provide construction and related jobs for Floridians for years to come, whether or not the amendment passes.”

“We urge Florida’s voters to carefully evaluate 1000 Friends’ attached analysis, other information, and their local and state growth management experiences when voting on this important constitutional amendment,” says 1000 Friends President Charles Pattison.

Should Amendment 4 pass, 1000 Friends will work with state and local leaders and citizens to help establish a fair and equitable new process. Should Amendment 4 fail, 1000 Friends resolves to work with the same parties toward meaningful reform to Florida’s growth management process.

“Whatever the outcome in November, Florida cannot return to ‘business as usual,’” states Reed. “The recent economic crisis has proven all too clearly that a growth- and development-driven economy is costly, shortsighted, and untenable over the long haul.”