Possible ballot measure may require county vote for changes to county land use

Mon, Jul 6 2009 — Source: Herald Tribune

During his more than eight years on the Sarasota County Commission, Jon Thaxton has consistently warned of the impact of overdevelopment on the region’s quality of life. But Thaxton’s quest for less development is not so strong that he would advocate what could be one of the most restrictive growth management measures ever. A group calling itself Hometown Democracy won approval for a ballot measure in 2010 that would amend the constitution to prevent any changes to a county’s land use plan without a countywide vote.