A controlled-growth advocacy group has filed a lawsuit to end a new Florida law that limits local development regulations.
1000 Friends of Florida[1] has long argued for tighter land development regulations, and the group has now announced[2] a suit seeking to “invalidate” SB 180[3]. The measure, approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, freezes municipal government development regulations in the aftermath of a hurricane or other disasters.
But the group says the law has a much wider scope than just dealing with the aftermath of disasters.
“SB 180 goes far beyond disaster recovery. It undermines communities of the basic ability to plan responsibly for growth, infrastructure, and the environment,” said Paul Owens, President of 1000 Friends. “Voters and local officials across the state are being silenced just when Florida most needs smart, resilient planning.”
The intent of the law is to spur quicker recoveries and construction that could be bogged down in regulatory red tape after an emergency situation. The measure was largely influenced by recovery processes in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.
But the measure limits regulation until October 2027. The law also allows individuals to sue if they’re affected and recover attorneys fees if successful.
The 1000 Friends lawsuit[4] was filed in Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit Court[5] in Leon County. The legal brief lists the advocacy group and Rachel Hildebrand as plaintiffs and specifically names five different Florida agencies and their directors as plaintiffs in the case. That includes the Chief Financial Officer, Department of Revenue, Commissioner of Agriculture, Division of Emergency Management and Secretary of Commerce.
Hildebrand said the state’s new measure simply goes too far.
“We’ve done everything right to protect our rural community, but the state’s actions are stripping away those safeguards,” said Hildebrand, an east Orange County resident and co-plaintiff in the case whose neighborhood lies within the county’s rural boundary. “This fight is about ensuring our local voice is heard and that our children can inherit the safe, natural environment we’ve worked so hard to preserve.”
The lawsuit was officially filed Tuesday. It coincides with another local government being told that their latest comprehensive plan, which governs land development, was rejected[6] by the Department of Commerce.
The St. Johns County plan[7], a strategic growth management proposal through the year 2050, details the arrangements to deal with population and corresponding infrastructure and construction growth. It’s been required since the 1980s in Florida.
FloridaCommerce[8] rejected the plan submitted this Summer.
“FloridaCommerce has identified a conflict,” read a memo sent to St. Johns County Commission Chair Krista Joseph Sept. 26. “These conflicts render the proposed comprehensive plan amendment null and void.”
That’s just the latest of about a dozen Florida counties that have had their growth plans rejected by the state, a move that was generally rare before the new law was enacted.
1000 Friends argues the state has now denied local municipal self-determination.
“As both a board member of 1000 Friends of Florida and an organic farmer, I see firsthand how reckless development threatens clean water, wildlife, and the land that sustains our communities,” said Bryon White, board member of 1000 Friends of Florida.
“SB 180 ties the hands of local governments and organizations like ours, making it harder to protect Florida’s natural resources and quality of life. We can’t stand by while the state denies the rights of communities working for a sustainable future.”
References
- ^ 1000 Friends of Florida (1000fof.org)
- ^ announced (1000fof.org)
- ^ SB 180 (www.flsenate.gov)
- ^ lawsuit (1000fof.org)
- ^ Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit Court (2ndcircuit.leoncountyfl.gov)
- ^ was rejected (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ plan (stjohnsclerk.com)
- ^ FloridaCommerce (www.floridajobs.org)