The next deadline for submission of applications for comprehensive plan amendments in Jacksonville is February 3, 2010. This will be the last cycle of applications processed before the November 2010 election when Amendment 4, the “Hometown Democracy” initiative, will be on the ballot. Hometown Democracy proponents advocate a constitutional amendment which would require voter approval of every amendment to a local comprehensive plan. If approved by the voters, the Hometown Democracy Amendment would take effect immediately; thus calling into question the status of applications that are pending when it takes effect. Moreover, all applications filed after the amendment potentially takes effect would be subject to the more stringent requirements of voter approval proposed by the Hometown Democracy Amendment.
Comprehensive plan amendment applications processed with the February batch should be adopted and become final by the end of October 2010, based on the current Planning and Development Department schedule. This application period creates an additional window of opportunity for landowners, developers or other interested persons to move forward with an application for comprehensive plan amendment prior to the potential changes which might occur after the November election.