Tavares, FL - August 9, 2011 - Recently we wrote about the dangers of the UN Agenda 21 socialistic philosophy being rolled out into local government, with land planning restrictions that reduced property rights, with "planning" methods to push people away from CHOICE in where they lived to government decided central people pods (or "Employment Centers" in Green Speak). I don't really know what is the right answer to "growth" but stealth marketing of extreme Agenda 21 objectives needs to be monitored.
I mentioned the existence of a Florida State Commission called the "Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida", and some of its objectives which reek of Agenda 21 objectives. But, a recent Florida law will apparenty abolish the 15 member Commission and they defunded it for year 2010-2011.
Today I was reading an analysis of a new law passed by the current conservatives in the State legislature, HB 7201. The Lake County Board will get a presentation NEXT Tuesday on this bill and how it affects the County Comp Plan.
Effect of the Bill
This bill repeals s. 163.3247, F.S., and abolishes the Century Commission on June 30, 2013.
You can go HERE to read three analysis of the bill. If you want to read the details of the bill and learn about all the changes to reverse regulations passed by environmentalists in the past, you can do it there. For instance, a lot of burdensome regulations were removed, the power of the State to delay local comp plan changes is reduced or their oversight is eliminated. More "power" on local land use planning is given back to local Counties.
Another example is that the bill " Removes industrial areas, hotels/motels, and theaters from the list of developments of regional impact. "
HERE is the offical Bill Summary for HB 7207.
Here is what one of the Analysis reports says about the Century Commission and it's planned abolishment by 2013:
Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida
Current Situation
The Century Commission was created in 2005 as a standing body charged with helping the state envision and plan for the future using a 25-year and a 50-year planning horizon.37 The Century Commission must submit an annual report containing specific recommendations for addressing growth management in the state. The report, which must be submitted to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, must also contain discussions regarding the need for intergovernmental cooperation and the balancing of environmental protection with future development, as well as recommendations regarding dedicated funding sources for sewer facilities, water supply and quality, transportation facilities, and educational infrastructure.
The Century Commission consists of 15 members representing local governments, school boards, developers, homebuilders, the business, agriculture, environmental communities and other appropriate stakeholders. The Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives each receive five appointments to the commission.
The commissioners serve without compensation, but, with the exception of FY 2010-1138 may receive reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses while in performance of their duties. Meetings of the commission are held at least three times a year in different regions of the state to collect public input and the DCA provides staff and other resources necessary for the Century Commission to accomplish its goals. The Century Commission was not funded for FY 2010-11. In recent years, the commission has operated primarily on private funding.
Effect of the Bill
This bill repeals s. 163.3247, F.S., and abolishes the Century Commission on June 30, 2013.
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