Constitutional Amendment No. 4: Collins Center for Public Policy

AT A GLANCE: AMENDMENT 4

Sponsor/Originator: Florida Hometown Democracy

Title on Ballot: Referenda required for adoption and

amendment of local government comprehensive land

use plans.

Official Summary: Establishes that before a local

government may adopt a new comprehensive land use

plan, or amend a comprehensive land use plan, the

proposed plan or amendment shall be subject to vote

of the electors of the local government by referendum,

following preparation by the local planning agency,

consideration by the governing body and notice.

What it would do: Amendment 4 would give local

voters a veto over changes in comprehensive plans.

Arguments for: Local governments have proven

themselves incapable of placing the public interest

before the interests of real estate developers. Let the

people vote on the proposed changes.

Arguments against: The amendment would require

votes on every change, no matter how minor.

Ballots would be long and involved. Voters would be

overwhelmed. Growth would grind to a halt, and the

state’s economy would remain mired in recession