We bought our home and some land 4 years ago and our area and the 2000 acres around us and currently in the process of being rezoned, which we do not approve of. Any creative tips on fighting this? We have some public hearings coming up.
2007-02-17 22:55:49 · 6 answers · asked by Stephanie W 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Civic Participation
Florida Hometown Democracy is a place to get some argument points. The biggest thing you need to point out is that expanded development has never led to lower property taxes. Despite the claims that more revenue is generated by denser development, so to are the expenses to the community. More development will give you more traffic, crime, water demand, and sewage while increasing the need for schools, hospitals, and parks. All of these things cost a lot of money, tax payers money. Compare your town's taxes to the taxes of a slightly larger community, if those taxes are higher, then it is fair to question the reasoning behind a massive rezoning. Some compromises that can be reached to accomodate the current land owner are lower densities (1 house per 10 acres, or limits on B-1 square footage allowed (no box stores, just an open air strip mall) and only permit for 100,000 sq ft total. This will allow some commercial use without ruining the quality of life you now enjoy. If it is a predatory company like Sprawl-Mart, then the only effective legal challenge can be restrictions against single unit stores over 25,000 sq feet. Sprawl-Mart has been overly effective at destroying local communities by challenging the legal opposition to their new stores. Also try to identify Conservation and Farm Trusts, which may be able to provide a comparable benefit to the current owner. You can also push for your Community to engage in a Master Planning process before proceeding with such massive changes. Good Luck!
2007-02-18 07:13:39 · answer #1 · answered by Brian L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rezoning from what to what? A little more information would be helpful. Rezoning is not necessarily a bad thing, unless you are being down-zoned.
2007-02-18 13:20:33 · answer #2 · answered by danny_boy_jones 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Re-zoning an area is not always a bad thing. It depends upon how you feel the re-zoning will affect your property ( Property values include how the surrounding areas are valued).
Generally, re-zoning does not change existing facilities ( "grandfather sites") so in that respect you need not be concerned.
2007-02-19 14:42:33 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. Been there 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
express your displeasure in the strongest terms at those meetings.
2007-02-18 17:07:47 · answer #4 · answered by thevillageidiotxxxx 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
raise hell at that meeting.
2007-02-19 16:08:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I haven't.
2007-02-18 07:26:43 · answer #6 · answered by dr_tom_cruise_md 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋