Current Issues and Topics
Rule Development Workshops:
Future Land Use Map Needs Analysis
The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is proposing to amend rule 9J-5.066 relating to the land use needs analysis requirements for local comprehensive plans. According to DCA, the purpose of the proposed rule amendment is "to provide greater detail and explanation relating to the statutory requirements that the future land use element be based upon the amount of land required to accommodate anticipated growth and the projected population of the area." Draft rule language is not yet available, and the department had held only one initial workshop in Tallahassee. However, this issue is receiving increased attention in the Legislature and an interim report produced by the Senate Community Affairs Committee can be viewed here.
Additional information on this issue has been produced by DCA and can be viewed here.
HB 697 Implementation
The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) will hold a Rule Development Workshop on January 29th at 10 A.M. (EST) in Ft. Lauderdale to amend Rules 9J-5.003, 9J-5.006, 9J-5.010, 9J-5.13 and 9J-5.019, F.A.C, to establish minimum criteria to be used in reviewing comprehensive plans to determine whether they comply with the new requirements of Chapters 2008-191 & 2009-96, Laws of Florida, regarding energy efficient land use patterns accounting for existing and future electric power generation and transmission systems, greenhouse gas reduction strategies, strategies to address reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, factors that affect energy conservation, depicting energy conservation on the future land use map series, energy efficiency in the design and construction of new housing, the use of renewable energy resources, the discouragement of urban sprawl, the achievement of healthy, vibrant urban centers, and strategies to support and fund mobility within certain transportation concurrency exception areas.
The draft rule and related information can be found on the DCA website here.
The workshop will be held in Ft. Lauderdale at the Florida Department of Transportation's District 4 Auditorium, 3400 West Commercial Boulevard beginning at 10:00 A.M. (EST). To access the public notice or for a copy of the draft rule, please visit the DCA website. Please direct any questions regarding the proposed rule or rule development to Robert Pennock at (850) 922-1735 or robert.pennock@dca.state.fl.us.
DCA Sunset Review Process
The 2006 Legislature enacted the Florida Government Accountability Act that established an agency sunset review process to be used by the Legislature to determine if a public need exists for the continuation of a state agency, its advisory committees, or its programs. The Florida Government Accountability Act provided for the creation of the Joint Sunset Committee to oversee the independent review process and make recommendations to abolish, continue, or reorganize the agency under review. The act also provides that the Senate and House may conduct independent reviews regarding the scheduled agency sunsets.
An agency subject to review by the Legislature is to be abolished on June 30 following the year of the agency review, unless continued by the Legislature. A reviewed agency may not be abolished unless all of the services for which the agency had responsibility have been repealed, revised, or reassigned; and adequate provisions have been made for all duties and obligations relating to debt.
Currently, the Florida Department of Community Affairs is one of four agencies under review and staff recommendations regarding the agency are due to the Legislature by March 1st. The Florida Association of Counties 2010 legislative priority for growth management calls for a continuation of DCA as the state land planning agency and urges the legislature to reenact the agency pursuant to state law. Specific information regarding the sunset review process and DCA can be found here.
General Planning Issues
Florida’s growth management laws are considered some of the most progressive in the nation and often challenge county officials due to the range and scope of issues involved. To help understand the basic structure and process of growth management, a number of documents are available and can be by clicking here.
Growth Management Reform
For the past 20 years, growth management has been an issue of interest at both the state and local level. While Florida’s growth management law was left relatively unchanged for nearly 20 years, despite periodic modifications, in both 2005 and 2009, the Florida Legislature made sweeping changes to the 1985 Act that are still not clearly understood. For more information on these changes, click here.
Growth Management Select Committee
On September 27, 2007, the Board of Directors of the Florida Association of Counties created the Growth Management Select Committee in accordance with Article VIII of the FAC Bylaws. The Committee includes 20 members, each of whom is annually appointed by the FAC President as follows:
- 15 county Commissioners
- One county attorney
- One county administrator
- Three county planning directors (or their designates)
Affordable Housing
As Florida’s population continues to grow, so too does the need for decent, affordable housing. With a tourist-based, service economy dependent on lower-wage jobs, ensuring an adequate amount of such housing is essential. Florida has a unique funding source that allows local governments to partner with the state and implement local affordable housing programs. For more information, please click here.
More Information
For more information on these issues contact Eric Poole, Assistant Legislative Director, at (850) 922-4300.