Galvano Introduces Bill to Reduce Development Restrictions

BRADENTON – Florida SB 372, sponsored by Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton), seeks to ensure that large development projects would no longer be reviewed by the state when they are proposed for counties with a population of more than 300,000 (which would include both Sarasota and Manatee).

Such an exemption already exists for eight Florida counties with populations over 900,000. Under Galvano's bill, exempt areas only have to have 400 people per square mile. Currently, density in Florida is defined as 1,000 people per square mile. Such a change would all but eliminate the concept of density in land development and growth management.

The bill also eliminates the requirement that development be steered toward areas with existing infrastructure, such as schools and roads.