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12-14-2006, 06:50 PM
Frightening Vision Of Florida Should Shock Leaders Into Action
Published: Dec 13, 2006
The map that projects Florida's growth over the next 50 years should
terrify every resident. It shows the Interstate 4 corridor smothered
by development from coast to coast, nearly devoid of agriculture and
wilderness. Save for the Big Bend area and the Panhandle, the state is
little more than an expanse of subdivisions.
The map dramatically depicts Florida's urbanization if growth trends
continue and if, as expected, the state's population doubles to 36
million in 50 years. What the map doesn't show is the crowded schools,
gridlocked roads, water shortages and sky-high taxes sure to follow
such overwhelming growth.
The frightening vision comes from the University of Florida's GeoPlan
Center, based on research sponsored by 1,000 Friends of Florida, a
nonprofit organization that promotes smart growth and whose membership
includes developers and environmentalists.
The findings should serve as a wakeup call to citizens and elected
officials. Is this the Florida we want for our children and
grandchildren? A land without farms or forests? A land of endless
highways and tax obligations?
And forget about going to the Keys to escape it all. The island chain
will be completely overrun by development, the analysts predict.
Admittedly, the map is a worst-case scenario. The researchers did not
try to guess how much land would be bought and preserved by state and
local governments - an effort that clearly needs to be stepped up.
Nor did they try to predict whether economic downturns, higher taxes
or even the occasional alligator attack might discourage people from
moving here.
Floridians ignore the map at our state's peril.
Despite all the well-intentioned growth management laws, local leaders
too often fail to take the long view. As a result, South Florida has
allowed subdivisions to creep into the Everglades, Pasco and
Hillsborough have sacrificed agricultural lands with scarcely a second
thought, and counties throughout the state continue to encourage
housing patterns that require people to drive long distances. Indeed,
the state builds roads to open up natural lands to development.
It's impossible to stop growth, but leaders must get serious about
better protecting the Florida of tomorrow.
A key first step is to fully implement a "pay as you go" system that
prohibits development unless the necessary infrastructure is in the
works to support it. The Legislature made some encouraging growth
management reforms two years ago, but the restrictions are far from
absolute.
Moreover, as 1,000 Friends recommends, state and local governments
should identify where development should be directed and what lands
should be targeted for preservation. It also recommends, as this
editorial board consistently has, the expansion of the public
land-buying program called Florida Forever. The program receives only
$300 million a year - a pittance given what's happened to real estate
values.
Charles Pattison, executive director of 1,000 Friends, says $1 billion
a year would be more realistic.
A priority for elected leaders should be making sure 1,000 Friends'
map does not become a reality.
Otherwise, 50 years hence, the people of a vastly different Florida
will wonder why their leaders stood by and allowed paradise to be
paved over.
Find this article at:
http://www.tbo.com/news/opinion/editorials/MGBZUV34NVE.html
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Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article.
TBO.com is Tampa Bay Online 2006 Media General, Inc. All rights
reserved Member agreement and privacy statement
Published: Dec 13, 2006
The map that projects Florida's growth over the next 50 years should
terrify every resident. It shows the Interstate 4 corridor smothered
by development from coast to coast, nearly devoid of agriculture and
wilderness. Save for the Big Bend area and the Panhandle, the state is
little more than an expanse of subdivisions.
The map dramatically depicts Florida's urbanization if growth trends
continue and if, as expected, the state's population doubles to 36
million in 50 years. What the map doesn't show is the crowded schools,
gridlocked roads, water shortages and sky-high taxes sure to follow
such overwhelming growth.
The frightening vision comes from the University of Florida's GeoPlan
Center, based on research sponsored by 1,000 Friends of Florida, a
nonprofit organization that promotes smart growth and whose membership
includes developers and environmentalists.
The findings should serve as a wakeup call to citizens and elected
officials. Is this the Florida we want for our children and
grandchildren? A land without farms or forests? A land of endless
highways and tax obligations?
And forget about going to the Keys to escape it all. The island chain
will be completely overrun by development, the analysts predict.
Admittedly, the map is a worst-case scenario. The researchers did not
try to guess how much land would be bought and preserved by state and
local governments - an effort that clearly needs to be stepped up.
Nor did they try to predict whether economic downturns, higher taxes
or even the occasional alligator attack might discourage people from
moving here.
Floridians ignore the map at our state's peril.
Despite all the well-intentioned growth management laws, local leaders
too often fail to take the long view. As a result, South Florida has
allowed subdivisions to creep into the Everglades, Pasco and
Hillsborough have sacrificed agricultural lands with scarcely a second
thought, and counties throughout the state continue to encourage
housing patterns that require people to drive long distances. Indeed,
the state builds roads to open up natural lands to development.
It's impossible to stop growth, but leaders must get serious about
better protecting the Florida of tomorrow.
A key first step is to fully implement a "pay as you go" system that
prohibits development unless the necessary infrastructure is in the
works to support it. The Legislature made some encouraging growth
management reforms two years ago, but the restrictions are far from
absolute.
Moreover, as 1,000 Friends recommends, state and local governments
should identify where development should be directed and what lands
should be targeted for preservation. It also recommends, as this
editorial board consistently has, the expansion of the public
land-buying program called Florida Forever. The program receives only
$300 million a year - a pittance given what's happened to real estate
values.
Charles Pattison, executive director of 1,000 Friends, says $1 billion
a year would be more realistic.
A priority for elected leaders should be making sure 1,000 Friends'
map does not become a reality.
Otherwise, 50 years hence, the people of a vastly different Florida
will wonder why their leaders stood by and allowed paradise to be
paved over.
Find this article at:
http://www.tbo.com/news/opinion/editorials/MGBZUV34NVE.html
EMAIL THIS | Close
Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article.
TBO.com is Tampa Bay Online 2006 Media General, Inc. All rights
reserved Member agreement and privacy statement