The Ups and Downs of Florida Growth Policy, 1971–2008

Abstract

This article reviews the accomplishments and shortcomings of Florida growth management and smart growth policies in the past four decades. It begins with three history sections on Florida growth management: the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. After a slow beginning due to incomplete legislation in the 1970s, Florida innovative growth management moved quickly forward to the forefront of the planning profession in the 1980s, but then faced its most critical implementation dilemma in the 1990s. The article continues with three sections on Florida smart growth in the 2000s: a general one on politics followed by two specific ones on legislation. The 2000s smart growth legislation was a positive accomplishment, but it was overshadowed by political deadlock and a troubled intergovernmental system, which ultimately contributed to Florida's decline as a national growth leader. The concluding section offers long-range policy implications for Florida and other states that contemplate or implement growth management and smart growth initiatives.

Notes

1. The 1985 Florida Growth Management Act (GMA) was originally entitled the Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act. Its initial formal reference below is Florida Statutes, Chapter 163.3161-3243 (1987). Since then, the GMA experienced many changes in title, section numbers, and their contents. Hence, its latest reference appears below under Florida Statutes, Chapter 163.2511-3247 (2008). The generic ‘GMA’ acronym is kept throughout the article. Similarly, regarding Rule 9J-5, its initial formal reference below is Rule 9J-5.001-016 (1989). Its latest reference appears below under Rule 9J-5.001-025 (2007). The generic ‘Rule 9J-5’ acronym is kept throughout the article. Furthermore, Florida statutes, legislative bills, and administrative rules and codes are published by the Florida Department of Community Affairs in Tallahassee. The web site offers the following links to Florida Statutes Chapter 163 (the GMA) and to Rule 9J-5 (the GMA's state-level regulations): Chapter 163, Part II, Florida Statutes; 9J-5, Florida Administrative Code. This web site also offer links to: Chapter 186, Florida Statutes; Chapter 187, Florida Statutes; Chapter 380, Florida Statutes. Available at http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/dcp/publications/statutesruleslegis/index.cfm.

2. For more on this important issue, see Benton (2008) and Chapin et al. (2007). For a regional example including local communities, see FAU/FIU Joint Center for Environmental and Urban Problems (2000) and Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions (2006).