A number of key outcomes of the November elections are likely to alter the landscape for Florida growth management for the next several years. This update highlights important issues to watch in the coming months.

Effect of Amendment 4’s Crushing Defeat

Constitutional Amendment 4 (a.k.a Hometown Democracy) would have required a local referendum for comprehensive plan amendments in every jurisdiction throughout the state; thereby increasing the cost, timing and uncertainty of such changes. The proposal was opposed by a wide variety of groups, including business and development interests, local governments, and planners. Even Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Secretary Tom Pelham thought the proposal was flawed. Although Amendment 4 appeared likely to pass until recently, voter support dwindled in the weeks before the election and the measure lost by a margin of 2 to 1. The threat of the proposed constitutional amendment has influenced development and legislative decisions for the past several years, and its defeat substantially changes the growth management backdrop in Florida.