Topic: Development

Bills eliminating state-level reviews of large development projects in more counties and environmental permitting regulations didn't make it out of the legislature but a bill favored by the real estate industry to entice insurers to write more flood insurance policies will go to Gov. Rick Scott's desk. Read more . . .

HB 7023 was rewritten without a an exemption from impact fees after Sen. Nancy Detert withdrew an amendment in the face of critical questioning. A two-year extension of state environmental permits was added.

Two growth management bills are headed to governor while a third is hung up in Senate. Read more ..

There are more than 1,635 such special districts in Florida, and they include hospital districts, mosquito control districts, draining districts and community development districts. SB 1632, which requires special districts to have web sites and amends reporting and ethics requirements, prompted criticism from senators who said the districts are out of control and need to be reviewed.

The Senate, however, is sticking to its version with a provision making an online skills test for unemployment benefits voluntary.

The most controversial growth management bill this year, SB 372 dealing with developments of regional impact, appeared to have died Monday when the Senate Rules Committee temporarily passed it during the committee's final scheduled meeting.

Wednesday marks Day 30 of the 2014 legislative session, and lawmakers are tempering their push for many controversial issues during an election year.

A proposal nearly doubling the number of counties where developments of regional impact are exempted from review by state regulators continues to move while opposition grows. Its sponsor said he will consider whether to strengthen intergovernmental coordination requirements.

SB 372 would increase from eight to 15 the number of counties where larger developments are exempted from state review as "developments of regional impact." ... Related Research: Feb. 19, 2014 List of additional counties exempted from DRI review under SB 372 and reports on 2009 legislation and on the DRI process.

Lawmakers are pushing bills this year to limit local governments' ability to charge transportation concurrency fees, reduce state reviews of local growth management decisions, require written notice to retain subsurface mineral rights and require Citizens Property Insurance Corp. customers to repair sinkhole damage only through approved contractors.

SB 372 would increase from eight to 15 the number of counties designated as "dense urban land areas" where those developments are excluded from state review as DRIs. Also Tuesday, HB 189 dealing with citizen referendums also passed its first committee stop.

The case involving 1000 Friends of Florida has become a flashpoint between environmental groups and those supporting property rights. Meanwhile, a law firm specializing in property rights cases got involved with an extensive public records request and claims against the Martin County Commission.

Eight counties were exempted from state review of proposed "developments of regional impact" under 2009 legislation. Now SB 372 by Sen. Bill Galvano would extend the exemption to Brevard, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Sarasota and Volusia counties. ... Related Research: Dec. 10, 2013 Fla. Dept. of Economic Opportunity -- local governments qualifying as "dense urban land use" areas under 2009 legislation.

The governor created the East Central Florida Corridor Task Force to make recommendations on transportation, environment and land-use planning and to serve as a pilot effort for statewide use. Environmental groups had raised concerns about transportation corridor planning at the Department of Transportation and said they hope the effort won't just focus on road-building. ... Related Research: Executive Order 2013-319, creating the East Central Florida Corridor Task Force.