First Coast Planners Reality Check

[John P]

I took part in this last year. It was interesting and a nice beginners lesson for anyone interested in the subject of Jacksonville development and strategic planning.

http://jacksonville.com/business/2011-03-04/story/building-blocks-help-first-coast-planners-develop-reality-check-report

[urbanlibertarian]

From the above linked article:

Also resulting from Reality Check First Coast exercises were the following "guiding principles:"
- To protect and conserve open spaces, agricultural land and natural resources.

- To promote compact and sustainable mixed-use development.

- To provide mobility choices.

- To promote infill development.

- To promote economic vitality and competitiveness.

Seems to me that the easiest and cheapest way to promote "compact and sustainable mixed-use development" and "infill development" and "economic vitality and competitiveness" is to stop prohibiting them outright or greatly reducing the red tape and multi-layered approval processes that stand in their way.  In other words let property owners decide for themselves the best and most productive ways to develop their property.