Why are home builders behind consolidation?
We’ve been asked numerous times why the Home Builders Association is backing the current consolidation plan. The HBA was the primary sponsor of the pro-consolidation presentation at New World Landing earlier this week.
Put simply, it’s because of a single line tucked away in Section 12.04 of the proposed Consolidated Government Charter:
The electors are not empowered to reconsider measures that extend to providing an annual budget, levying taxes, setting salaries of officers or employees of the Consolidated Government, land use ordinances (comprehensive plan, land development code, rezoning, variances, conditional uses, development approval) or bond resolutions.
The provision bars citizens from challenging decisions of the consolidated government relating to, among other things, any sort of land use issue, including zoning or land development code changes. It’s a very developer-friendly provision.
So — add this to the many other serious problems we’ve pointed out in the consolidation plan. This provision could threaten the integrity of neighbourhoods and turn our community into a developer free-for-all. Any changes or conditional uses desired by a developer need only the support of five of the nine Consolidated Government Council members. If they can get that, we as citizens will have no recourse.
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To the Just Trust Us committee………Jason Crawford or John Peacock or Mr. Bell or M O’Sullivan ….
How did the loyal citizens committee who were looking out for the interests of the citizens come to the conclusion that blocking citizens from addressing these issues will be better for us?
“The electors are not empowered to reconsider measures that extend to providing an annual budget, levying taxes, setting salaries of officers or employees of the Consolidated Government, land use ordinances (comprehensive plan, land development code, rezoning, variances, conditional uses, development approval) or bond resolutions.
The provision bars citizens from challenging decisions of the consolidated government relating to, among other things, any sort of land use issue, including zoning or land development code changes. “
I’ve read your comments. Sounds like a continuous Freudian slip
Jason Crawford
Feb 18, 2010, 17:23
Reply
Why can’t we work together to make Progress in Pensacola? Consolidation will be as good as you make it. Let’s put our energy into making Pensacola great! Let’s get over the Good Ole Boy politics that has kept us back, let’s work together to make government more accountable, let’s make sure our community is the best it can be.
For details on the Good Ole Boy politics of Pensacola.. See homebuilder bonus clause above which was added to the document
This is exactly what you claim it is not.
Not sure this clause matters if the Hometown Democracy amendment passes – it would mandate that comp plan changes be submitted to voters. If it’s in the State Constitution, wouldn’t it preempt this clause?
Yes, but God let’s hope that amendment doesn’t pass. What a mess that would be.
Just out of curiosity did you happen to speak with the Home Builders and ask them why they are backing the Consolidation Plan?
If it passes, but what if not?
What was the goal to add this?
The “big picture” which the consolidation group is focusing on is a good one. Reduce overhead, slimline, pull everyone together in a “united” front. It is the small details, such as this one which Derek mentions, that keep us “divided”.
If the pro-consolodaters really believed in this idea of “united we stand, divided we fall” then they would be standing with the town of Century, Pensacola City Council, Escambia County commission, the sheriff, the clerk of the courts, the property appraiser, the supervisor of elections, and the tax collector.
Give me a damn break!
And the beat goes on. Hide the poison pill in the details, wrap it in the American flag and claim it will lower our taxes. This is another one of those ploys by the industry that has crashed Florida’s economy. Have they no shame?
In addition to prohibiting a local version of FHD there would be fewer politicians to buy.