Neill Herring of the Sierra Club's Georgia Chapter also is leery of the political connections that could give big developers an advantage over small builders.

"The combination of political connections plus owning big blocks of land, if you have got those two things and . . . tax-free bond financing, I just don't know how you can overcome it if you have to be a free-market builder," Herring said.

A LOOK AT THE BILLS: What Senate Bill 414 and House Bill 1323 would allow:

--Local governments would be asked to approve creation of development districts for new housing developments.

--The district would have supervisors appointed by the developer and later voted on by homeowners.

--The supervisors would oversee levying taxes on or charging fees to those who buy homes.