Created: 6/1/2009 9:59:51 PM 
TALLAHASSEE, FL -- Gov. Charlie Crist has signed a growth management bill supported by business and development interests but opposed by environmentalists and local governments. Crist says the bill (SB 360) will help stimulate Florida's sagging construction industry by making it easier to build new projects in urban areas and extending the life of existing development permits for two years. Environmentalists had urged a veto. They argued the new law will encourage sprawl because it too broadly defines urban areas where growth restrictions will be eased. Critics say many areas include outlying and rural communities as well as cities.
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