Questions and Answers

 

 

Question:   Who establishes the urban boundaries?

Answer: The boundaries, called Urban Service Areas, are already established in the various comprehensive plans for the county and its municipalities. 

 

Question: . Can the Comprehensive Plans still be revised after passage of this charter revision? If so how?

Answer:  County and City Commissioners would still retain the power to make land use decisions and propose changes to Comprehensive Plans, BUT the changes must not increase residential development units over the total set by the referendum.

 

Question:  Does this charter revision eliminate the need for the Planning Commission?

Answer: No, the Planning Commission will still be responsible for reviewing any changes to comprehensive plans.

 

Question:  How will the charter revision impact taxes?

Answer:  The charter revision should, over time, reduce the infrastructure needs for services in rural areas and improve the overall efficiency of tax utilization. 

 

Question:  Does this charter revision affect any constitutionally assured property rights?

Answer.  It will not affect anyone’s rights to own and utilize their property.  Nothing in the referendum limits a homeowner or landowner from what is already approved in comprehensive plans.  This can have an effect on up-zoning property.  Up-zoning a parcel is not a right.

 

Question:  Will this charter revision eliminate all future building and development in Polk County?

Answer:  It will assure high density development is confined to existing urban areas and the rural areas retain their rural character.

 

Question:  How will this charter revision affect the serious water shortage that exists in central Florida?

Answer:  The revision will reduce the future expansion of developments requiring massive amounts of ground water for irrigation.

 

Question:  Will the charter revision make mass transportation more feasible for Polk County?

Answer:  It will ensure a trend to higher density urban areas which will make mass transportation more feasible.

 

Question:  If this charter revision is approved by the voters, is there any way the Board of County Commissioners can rescind it or over ride it?

Answer:  No, not as long as Polk County has a Charter. The Board of County Commissioners can propose changes to the Urban Boundaries to the voters in a ballot initiative, but approval of changes is entirely up to the voters.

 

Question:  How will the charter revision affect city annexation?

Answer: It will significantly reduce the incentive for cities to annex. 

 

Question:  Will the charter revision affect school construction needs in Polk County?

Answer:  It should encourage schools to be built closer to urban centers.

 

Question:.  Can residential development units be transferred from rural to urban?

      Urban to rural?

Answer:  From rural to urban, Yes.

     From urban to rural, No.

 

Question:  Who will develop policy and procedures to enforce this charter revision?

Answer:  The Board of County Commissioners.   If the Board of County Commissioners refuses to act, the Court system can instruct them to do so.

 

Question:  At what level will the housing cap be established?

Answer:   If the Charter Revision is approved by voters, the total number of residential dwelling units will be capped at the number that exists on the next business day following the election.   That number includes the total residential dwelling units described in all Comprehensive Plans in Polk County (county and municipalities).  That number cannot increase unless the voters approve a future charter amendment to increase that number or alter the Urban Service Area.

 

Question:  Will municipalities be in favor of this revision?

Answer:  Municipalities should recognize the benefits and embrace it as it will improve their tax base and reduce overall costs, but change is a scary thing.

 

Question: How will this revision preserve the rural qualities of Polk County?

Answer:  Enforcement of this revision will assure maintenance of the rural densities established in the comprehensive plans and encourage redevelopment of urban areas.

 

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? YOU CAN EMAIL US AT: GrowthCapCoalition@gmail.com