Bush highlights plans for growth

By Bruce Ritchie
March 10, 2001

Rezoning for housing projects that will produce more public school students shouldn't be allowed if classroom space isn't available, Gov. Jeb Bush said Friday.

Standing in front of a school bus outside the Capitol, Bush announced his proposals for reforming how the state regulates development. His proposals focus on three areas, including preventing growth from causing school crowding.

"You are not allowed to do it (rezone for more housing) unless you have the funding sources or the school capacity," Bush said.

He was flanked by Republican state officials, other supporters of his proposals and some environmentalists who have criticized reforms recommended last month by a growth study panel he appointed.

In addition to linking schools and development planning, Bush said he wants to determine the proposed development's cost to government so that better land-use decisions are made.

Calling himself a "pro-growth governor," Bush also said he wants to narrow the state's review of development to areas of "compelling" state interest. His state agencies will develop recommendations for defining those areas.

Representatives of Audubon of Florida and the 1000 Friends of Florida growth management advocacy group stood behind Bush along with representatives of school boards, home builders and local governments from around the state.

Audubon Senior Vice President Charles Lee, who was the only member of the 23-member growth commission to oppose its final report, said the governor's growth proposals do not include commission recommendations that he had opposed.

1000 Friends of Florida has been critical of the commission report but likes the concepts the governor has proposed, said Charles Pattison, the group's executive director.

"There aren't any particulars yet," he said. "How all (the governor's proposals) get worded is going to be a critical item."

Sierra Club officials, who also have been critical of the commission report, said Friday they were not invited to the news conference. They said they don't have a stance on the governor's proposals because they don't have details about them.

The House likely will consider separate legislation to implement other growth commission recommendations not proposed by Bush, said Rep. Ken Sorensen, R-Tavernier and chairman of a House committee overseeing growth reforms.

The legislation could include eliminating state review of larger developments and encouraging urban development and clustered development in rural areas, Sorensen said.