Topic: FL Dept. of Community Affairs

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is challenging the approval of a development in Lake County within the Green Swamp. "The agency is near death but it's good to know there is still an ounce of breath in the body," said Tom Pelham, a land use attorney who twice served as secretary of the Department of Community Affairs.

There were 13 findings of "adverse impacts" in 2012, the first full year after the Legislature approved sweeping growth management law changes, but none resulted in findings of "not in compliance." Critics say the newly written law was vague and discourages enforcement. The Department of Economic Opportunity, however, says its job is to help communities achieve compliance. ... Related Research: Sept. 30, 2013 DEO "not in compliance" data 1989-2012.

The massive rewrite of Florida's growth management laws has left uncertainty over what the "important state resources and facilities" are that require protection, says Robert M. Rhodes, who was Florida's first growth management administrator, in the 1970s. "They can keep the same framework of expedited review (of local land use decisions)," he said. "But define and refine and make this a much more coherent piece of legislation."

The 1st District Court of Appeal in a Martin County land-use case ordered that an administrative judge impose legal fees and sanctions against 1000 Friends of Florida and the Martin County Conservation Alliance. But in dissent, Judge William A. Van Nortwick Jr. said the erroneous standard used to impose sanctions "will create a precedent that will severely chill" those who seek appeals.

Tom Beck, director of the Division of Community Development at the Department of Economic Opportunity, will become director of DEP's Office of Water Policy. ... Related Research: Feb. 7, 2013 Job changes announced in DEO email.

The legislation that created the Department of Economic Opportunity in 2011 required it to issue a report each year on the state of Florida's economic development and business climate. The 2012 report provides a few more details about the need for growth management and environmental protection to protect the state's quality of life.

"The state government has gotten out of local issues" since the 2011 growth law changes, DEO's Tom Beck told a Senate committee this month. But Charles Pattison of 1000 Friends of Florida said it's too early to tell whether the law changes were appropriate or will create new growth problems.

Growth management issues have been moved from the former Community & Military Affairs Subcommittee to the Economic Development & Tourism Subcommittee. "We think growth has a more prominent role than just kind of being a secondary issue for economic development," Charles Pattison, president of 1000 Friends of Florida, said in response. ... Related Research: Rep. Will Weatherford memo on 2012-14 committee structure, and 2012 session summary: Real Estate and Growth Management.

The 1st District Court of Appeal in 2010 awarded attorneys fees to Martin County and a developer on a challenge by 1000 Friends of Florida and the Martin County Conservation Alliance. Two appeals court judges said 1999 law changes were intended to discourage such "frivolous" litigation. But the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association says the court had interpreted the sanctions law too broadly. ... Related Research: Court documents from the Martin County planning case.

Flagler County now has the large majority of registered voters in the redrawn House District 24. The district covers much of the former House District 20 seat held by Rep. Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine, who faces term limits. Business owner Douglas Courtney, 57, faces Flagler County Commissioner Milissa Holland, 41, in the Aug. 14 Democratic primary. ... Related Research: Demographic profile and information from the LobbyTools 2012 Elections Coverage page for House District 24.

Florida law requires cities and counties surrounding military bases to submit by Saturday policies addressing the compatibility of surrounding land uses. State planners downplay the fact that many won't meet the deadline. The 20 military installations in Florida have an annual economic impact of $70 billion, according to state officials. Avoiding encroachment helps communities avoid having bases closed by the federal government.

The Department of Economic Opportunity's Office of General Counsel, which handles public records requests, does not have an employee with experience processing requests related to economic incentives prior to the agency's creation in October. ... Related Research: The AWI policy on processing public records requests.

The group asks the governor to establish a resource management committee to oversee protection of Silver Springs and Rainbow Springs in Marion County as a 13-million gallon daily water-use application is pending. Graham says the approach should apply to springs throughout north central Florida. "It is a regional issue calling for a regional policy and implementation," he said. ... Related Research: Robert Knight's letter and presentation on the springs flow emergency.

Saying she wants to spend more time with her family, Cynthia Lorenzo resigned Monday as chief operating officer of the Department of Economic Opportunity. ... Related Research: Read Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Chief Operating Officer Cynthia R. Lorenzo's resignation letter.