We’ve been warning you about the “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill — and now it is one step away from reaching the Senate and House floors.

SB 354  has advanced through its first two Senate committees and is now in the Senate Rules Committee, its final stop before a floor vote. The House companion (HB 299) has also cleared two committees and is heading toward its final committee stop in House State Affairs.

The proposal poses a serious threat to rural Florida. The bill would allow developments of 10,000 acres or more on natural or agricultural land to move forward through an expedited, largely administrative approval process — even if they conflict with a community’s comprehensive plan, and are located far away from existing development.

Contact members of the Senate Rules Committee and House State Affairs Committee NOW at https://takeaction.io/1000fof/vote-no-on-house-bill-299-blue-ribbon-projects/

To put that in perspective:

At the densities allowed under the bill, a single project could add tens of thousands of new residents — larger than many Florida cities. Yet under this proposal, a 10,000-acre development could receive less scrutiny than a typical 50-acre subdivision.

Supporters point to a requirement that 60% of a project be designated as “reserve.” However, this may include stormwater facilities, utility corridors, undevelopable wetlands and lakes, and other infrastructure — and there’s no requirement that the land is permanently preserved. The designation does not guarantee true conservation.

Supporters also argue that expedited approval is justified because Blue Ribbon projects must meet certain standards, including mixed-use design, walkability, transportation planning, and economic development goals. But those principles are already required under existing state law and included in local comprehensive plans. This bill does not include meaningful standards.

Instead, it circumvents the local processes used to evaluate whether those standards are truly met, and limits public input.

Remember, state law already provides tools for large-scale planning efforts, including sector plans. These rural planning procedures provide full public participation. Final decisions are made during a public hearing by local elected officials who can ensure that the sector plan is consistent with the local land use plan.

Equally concerning, the bill:

• Explicitly overrides local comprehensive plans and zoning, rendering a community’s adopted vision for its future irrelevant.
• Relieves applicants of the fundamental requirement to consider projected population growth and demonstrate a need to expand development beyond the reach of existing urban services — a cornerstone of Florida’s growth management framework.
• Includes undefined standards for walkability, mixed use, transportation, and economic development that are difficult to enforce and easily satisfied, even by sprawling projects.

In short, the bill sacrifices Florida’s natural and agricultural lands and abandons established planning safeguards to accelerate the sprawling development that is already degrading our environment and quality of life in Florida – all in exchange for a hollow promise of “free” conservation land.

Florida’s rural lands, farms, and ranches are not blank slates for administrative mega-projects. Community planning exists to ensure growth happens thoughtfully, with public input, infrastructure coordination, and protection of natural and agricultural lands. This bill would take the community out of community planning.

The time to act is now. Tell members of the Senate Rules Committee and House State Affairs Committee to oppose the Blue Ribbons Project bill.

Contact members of the Senate Rules Committee and House State Affairs Committee NOW at https://takeaction.io/1000fof/vote-no-on-house-bill-299-blue-ribbon-projects/

Thank you for standing with us.
1000 Friends’ legislative advocacy team