The Government Affairs Committee (GAC) of the Gulf Breeze Area Chamber of Commerce will recommend to the full Chamber membership that it adopt a resolution officially opposing controversial Amendment 4 in the Nov. 2 general election.

Amendment 4, if passed, would require that changes to an area’s comprehensive land-use plan be approved by voters in a referendum rather than being approved or rejected by city or county commissions.

Comprehensive plans and the growth management process were mandated in 1985 by the Florida Legislature when it passed the Growth Management Act. The law requires all local governments (counties and municipalities) to adopt a comprehensive plan to guide their future growth and development.

Amendment 4 proponents, a majority from south Florida, gathered almost 690,000 signatures to get the issue on the November ballot. They argue that reform is needed to stop rampant overdevelopment and sprawl.

Former state Rep. Buzz Ritchie (left) talks about the effects Amendment 4 could have on Florida business growth while United Peninsula Association president Don Richards listens. Joe Culpepper/Gulf Breeze News Former state Rep. Buzz Ritchie (left) talks about the effects Amendment 4 could have on Florida business growth while United Peninsula Association president Don Richards listens. Joe Culpepper/Gulf Breeze News Opponents contend the law would squash business growth and opportunity in Florida at a time when the economy is suffering and unemployment exceeds 10 percent. Some of the groups that oppose Amendment 4 include the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Association of Realtors and Floridians for Smarter Growth, to name just a few.

"Anybody who has ever wanted to address anything that is in the current plan and have it modified ought to be pretty much shocked about this, about the delays that would be involved,” Buzz Ritchie, a local civic leader, bank founder and former state representative told the GAC last week.

"Any roadway improvements or expansion, hospitals, schools, parks, fire and police stations, even traffic signalization – anything that’s going to amend the land-use plan – would have to go to an election. How could we do that?” More