Let referendum settle land changes that affect many

May 07, 2007
By JESS R. SANTAMARIA
Palm Beach EDITORIAL

Property owners have rights to use their property as zoned. If a property is zoned agricultural, the property owner has the right to use it for any and all agricultural purposes. They paid the fair price for that land, and therefore, they have every right to use it for its intended agricultural purposes. Agricultural land owners do not have the right to use their land for high-density residential and commercial purposes.

Citizens in a community have rights, too. They have the right to demand that their existing "quality of life" not be damaged by a new development on adjacent or nearby land for purposes not originally intended. Citizens have the right to demand the continuance of the peace and tranquility they paid for. However, if the majority of the residents desire a major change in their immediate environment, this can be easily and fairly resolved by a referendum, allowing all the citizens to vote on the proposed change. In a democracy, differences are easily resolved by a fair and honest vote of all the parties affected, and the vote of the majority is to be followed by all.

It is time to change our municipal and county charters, wherein all major zoning and annexation changes that have major impacts on the lives of thousands of people be resolved by a simple referendum, wherein "we the people" decide our own destiny.

Editor's note: Jess R. Santamaria is a Palm Beach County commissioner.