The 2011 Session definitely lived up to expectations with respect to major growth management legislation. The “Community Planning Act” was finally passed as HB 7207 after having been debated in the last days of session as HB 7129. Governor Scott signed the bill into law on June 2, and it is now in effect.

This landmark legislation significantly limits the role of state agencies and should shorten the time needed to process plan amendments. It revises or removes some of the key hurdles for many development projects, including demonstrated “need” and state-mandated concurrency for transportation, schools, and parks and recreation facilities. The Act also incorporates substantial changes to Chapter 380 that should result in fewer projects being required to go through the Development of Regional Impact (DRI) process. In addition, the legislation provides approval extensions for some projects.

This is extensive and far-reaching legislation that rewrites major portions of the statute and modifies others. The following summary highlights some of the major features.