480 Units at the Palmetto Bay Village Center - Village tax dollars were used to create a record that supports the applicant for this zoning hearing. Is this what you voted for?

I am shocked. A full unqualified recommendation has been issued to approval for 480 units on Old Cutler Road. Shocking considering how the current officials played the "485" in the 2016 and 2018 elections.

Read it here:  

Recommendation:

“The requests meet the criteria that are presented in detail in the Staff Analysis. The staff recommendation is to approve to approve (sic) the site plan for a multi-family development consisting of 480 multifamily development units ....”

From Gregory Truitt, Village Manager (apparently no longer Interim?)

Are you ready for 480 units on Old Cutler Road? This is more than I ever envisioned. This is more than what the current mayor promised, yet here it is a full recommendation, with supportive traffic studies (paid for by Palmetto Bay tax dollars), which all support the FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION from her hand-picked Interim Village Manager.  480. So technically, this is not “485” but it is also not less than the 400 that I was working to reduce this project down to. Ask yourself, go ahead, ask the question: Is 480 what Karyn promised to you for your vote?

Perhaps this tax and spend council needs the revenues to fund their pet projects. The same recommendation also shouts out the very favorable positive impact:

"A positive fiscal impact is expected from the Village portion of the ad-valorem property tax on the 480 residential units. In addition, there is a positive impact to Village assets through the donation of a total of 35 acres of park and preservation land.”

Abandoning Government lite has costs. More development is needed to increase the tax base needed for all the entitlements this current mayor and council are dishing out to their political base.

Vindication. I recommend that Village voters pay special attention to the development of the PBVC; what was stated when, what was promised in the 2018 elections and what is being now being delivered in 2020.

I should have fought harder for the truth as Karyn Cunningham and her supporters continued to misrepresent my position on the Palmetto Bay Village Center (PBVC) for their political gain. Her mission, if I understood it correctly was elect her over me because she would stop the alleged overdevelopment. Yet, if I read the staff report correctly, and I am sure that I am, her hand-picked Interim Village Manager has RECOMMENDED 480 units. 

This is a full acceptance of maximum development of the PBVC which, in my opinion, clearly and completely contradicts her campaign promises.

What will really happen? The project will be voted down for the political show and the proceeding will then move on to courts where the decision will be overturned at great public expense, both in budget and in public angst, all so the spineless mayor and council can then blame the court and prior councils – we have seen this before. See my prior posts on the Palmer Litigation (CLICK HERE).

THE TOOLBOX:

CLICK HERE to review prior blog posts laying out the history and facts related to the PBVC and the 485., included in this is the post of January 27, 2020, Fact Checking the Palmetto Bay Village Center issue. Facts, not conjured up rumors and outright lies.

CLICK HERE to view the prior blog posts relating to the extensive, expensive and fruitless litigation on the Palmer Litigation.

CLICK HERE to view a link to the 11 page agenda to read it for yourself.

Special notes – items of interest that you will find in the 11 pages:

The proposed site plan has been reviewed for traffic impacts by the Village's Traffic consultant that concluded that the study intersections and roadway segments are expected to operate at adopted levels of service or better under all analysis conditions during the A.M. and P.M. peak hours, with report completed and submitted to the Village, October 2019 by Kimley Horn & Associates, Inc; ….

The proposed site plan has been reviewed for compliance with Ordinance 2016-14 requirement for limitations of trip generation to Old Cutler Road by the Village's Traffic consultant and concluded that the proposed development meets the requirements of the ordinance, with report completed and submitted to the Village, November 22, 2019 by Kimley Horn & Associates, Inc ....

Palmetto Bay’s own evidence. This is significant: The traffic engineers hired by Palmetto Bay reviewed the plan and approved it in reports rendered in October and November 2019 – a year after the current mayor and new council members were elected. All this going on behind the scenes. I thought they were going to 'get tough on traffic' instead, Mayor Cunningham and council have blessed this traffic.

Impact: Ask any competent lawyer how Palmetto Bay would defend a council denial in the courts when Palmetto Bay’s own experts provide the evidence that the PBVC applicant would rely upon? Crazy! Traffic concerns are the #1 reason to reject or scale down a project.

Closing statement – for those who have read this far: I feel quite vindicated here. The Village officials keep kicking this can down the road as they know that their campaign promises don’t mesh with the factual or legal realities. Considered yourself played.

But then again, far too many vote based upon what they want to hear rather than focusing on the facts and the truth.

Me? I have always fought to save the 22 acres on Palmetto Bay. This needs to happen, but it could have happened either by purchase that would have cost the village less than $1.8 million or at a development number of approximately 389 (more on those in later blog posts). I remain the only mayor who ever served Palmetto Bay who has fought against development on those 22 acres. Which mayor first recommended development? I will point you to a Miami Herald article for that fact nugget: July 22, 2014, Palmetto Bay council defers old Burger King property zoning; approves Palmer Trinity’s site-plan changes, by Lola Duffort. Yes, that is correct, Mayor Stanczyk first proposed development within the 22 acres on the PBVC. Where was the alleged covenant then?  And I never heard a peep in opposition from CCOCI.

Correcting the record. The parking easement lasts for as long as a library, community room and Park operate as provided for in Resolution 2008-20. This was approved by the (then) Village Council on February 25th, 2008. Why would they lie, is it intentional or do they honestly don’t know the facts?

I have to say this: I wonder if the authors of their blast even know what the truth is.  Allow me to politely exposure their serious breach of the truth. Parking is locked in for as long as this library and the park operate. 

What they allege:

If the Council grants the zoning for the 485 units or 389 units at 8 or 9 stories the Village will then remove from the tax rolls all the property being deeded to the Village which includes the Old Cutler Rd screen and other wetland acreage and be responsible for its maintenance.

The approval of the 485 or 389 is in exchange for parking by the Library. Apparently, when the library was built the property did not lend itself to enough parking. Instead of planning for parking within the framework of the site, former mayor Flinn cut a deal with the next door neighbor to allow parking on his property. That agreement has expired.

Really? Not true, not true in the lease, I mean the least!

Here is the truth - Parking is locked in for as long as this library and the park operate. [See numbered paragraph 2, page 3 or 11, of the easement agreement (page 5 of 19)] CLICK HERE to view this agreement contained in Resolution 2008-20 was approved by the (then) Village Council on February 25th, 2008.

So what has expired? Only a ten year term where the Owner(s) of the Palmetto Bay Village Center paid the Village the sum of $5,000.00 per year, "which funds are to be used to enhance the Library and Community Center."  So what I, mayor Flinn, negotiated was $50,000 worth of donations for this park. A great deal. Palmetto Bay received parking and the PBVC paid for it!

The annual $5,000 payments did expire as of 2018 (the 10 years expired), but the parking lease or easement will continue for as long as the village continues to use the property primarily as a public library, community center and park [Numbered paragraph 2, page 3 or 11 of the easement agreement (page 5 of 13)].

It is a shame that former Mayor Stanczyk cannot remember the details, after all, she voted for Resolution 2008-20. Voting in favor on February 25th, 2008, were Mayor Eugene Flinn, Vice Mayor Linda Robinson, and Council Members Ed Feller (D 1), Paul Neidhart (D2) and Shelley Stanczyk (D3).

Consider the source of the latest missive. There is no need to pass the current Palmetto Bay Village Center zoning issue for the library.  Read the details, get the facts. Reject sloppy untrue inflammatory allegations.

Update on the ‘Gold standard BRT”. A single qualified bid was received by Miami-Dade County for the BRT line along US1. The Final Bid is $326,172,000.00. What this means for Palmetto Bay. Renderings posted.

Update on the ‘Gold standard" BRT. A single qualified bid was received by Miami-Dade County for the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) line along US1.

The BRT will have a profound impact on the future of Palmetto Bay and every community to the south that drive up US1 as well as through Palmetto Bay neighborhoods to reach destinations to our north. Simply saying it is critical to our future is an understatement. 

After reviewing the deliverables of this bid, my first though is of that 1970’s era song by Paul Simon. How does that song go? Oh yeah:

Slip slidin' away

Slip slidin' away

You know the nearer your destination

The more you're slip slidin' away

And, most importantly, Palmetto Bay lost the 174th Street Transit Station. This was a key component of the downtown development and it was in the plans as late as 2019.

Here we go – more cement on the project, unless Palmetto Bay officials expect the total package to miraculously take a new form through a series of deep change orders. 

The final bid is $326,172,000.00. But most importantly, Palmetto Bay lost the 174th Street Transit Station.

What this gets us, the commuters of South Miami-Dade County:

• This is getting us the BRT line – the promised special buses with stations that provide level boarding (adding the bells and whistles to a bus that the county tells us will change your mind and will get you riding these special buses).
• A parking garage on 168th Street (pictured)
• Train type mast arms on the cross streets that cross US1 (the traditional arms that close off traffic to the original diesel trains that historically ran along the original rail line).

The following is where this bid falls short for Palmetto Bay residents:

• Metrorail on grade only in the future – when? Well, let’s be honest. We now get the BRT. That will not be upgraded, if ever, until that is maybe 40-60 years from now.
• A parking garage on 168th Street - What this doesn’t get us – 174th street Transit Station (which could have been built with County money – a recurring theme with the current mayor and council – ‘could have’ but failure to deliver).  
  
• This removes the 174th Street transit station that was a long cornerstone of the FT&I, DUV and current version of the revised DUV. 
• No station for the residents and businesses means a greater need for individual transportation as the current DUV passed by the current mayor and council is not a transit oriented development, is much more reliant on personal vehicles due to the lack of a major transit stop at 174th street.

And the where was this ball dropped? I had been all over this issue as an interested, involved resident and while serving as mayor – I had raised the alarm in my blog post of October 17, 2019, “We lost the 174th Street Station? I feel left out of the loop. Did I miss the announcement or were Palmetto Bay elected officials not going to tell us?”

  

So we can document that several items including the fact that:

1. The current mayor and council knew or should have known,

2. They were warned publicly – as posted on my blog – that they all read, and,

3. They did nothing to restore the 174 street transit station.

As a result: This will cause more traffic from the DUV development and removes it from being a true TOD.

Once again, how does that 1970’s era Paul Simon song go?:

Slip slidin' away

Slip slidin' away

You know the nearer your destination

The more you're slip slidin' away

Or maybe the appropriate Paul Simon song is "Stranded in a Limousine".

Don’t worry, we’re “all in this together”. We will have a picnic or a tree give away and all will be better. No – it won’t be.  Palmetto Bay needs to change its trademarked tag line from “Village of Parks” to “Village of bread and circuses”.

COVID-19 Weekender update Saturday, May 9, 2020, by FLORIDA HEALTH– Palmetto Bay reaches 27, Pinecrest now at 9 and Cutler Bay remains at 2. Link provided to full daily report.

Source - official Florida Health Report for Saturday, May 9, 2020:

Cases          Area

13,841*        Miami-Dade County (Countywide) (inclusive of the municipalities listed below)

       2            Cutler Bay                      See page    12 (out of 710 total pages)

     27            Palmetto Bay                 See page     8

       9            Pinecrest                        See page    10

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of Saturday, May 9, 2020, 10:00 AM. Data in this report are provisional and subject to change. An area is only listed if there is a confirmed report of the COVID-19 virus for that specific municipality.

The increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 5/09/2020 (710 pages - municipalities listed can be found beginning page 6 – 15)

Birdie, Birdie, in the sky, was there a contest or was it a lie? - an inquiry generated by a FOSDU

Well, was there a winner? People submitted. Who won and when will the winner be announced?

We usually hear about the winners immediately after the event closes. Does the cat have their tongue? (I ask this tongue in cheek)

Here is the contest relating to this inquiry:

• How many entered?
• Who won?
• When and how will prize be awarded?
• Will the suspense be lifted, 
• Why ..... :

via GIPHY

A plea from a fellow resident on proper use of facemasks - official CDC information/links provided. Be your brother's keeper

Concern from a fellow resident: "A mask is a tool. A tool is only effective if you use it properly."

Photo Credit - from CDC info site

This is a critical time to disseminate and be aware of important lifesaving information. While we all enjoy updates on virtual happy hours, exercise, or photo op caravans, many have pointed out that some hard core information is needed on prevention, not fluff emails meant to entertain people. This article was sent to me by a friend and reader who feels an urgency to get this information out on how to properly wear a face mask.

 Yesterday, while I was waiting for my son to come out of Publix, I saw person after person after person walking around wearing their face mask improperly.  These people seem to think the idea behind wearing a face mask is to be compliant and not get into trouble or so they are allowed into the store.  

Some people don’t seem to understand that their face mask is supposed to be for protection. I saw people wearing masks covering their mouth, but not their nose.  I saw people wearing a mask using only one of the straps, making it sit loosely on their face, but not actually sealing the mask.  This wasn’t just one or two people. This was dozens of people. This helps to clarify part of the reason why Palmetto Bay has far more infections than Cutler Bay and Pinecrest.

Here are some helpful links on how to wear a face mask.

Photo Credit - from CDC info site

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html


https://youtu.be/zoxpvDVo_NI

-FOSDU

Editor’s Note: here are just some of the topics covered in the links above –

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines:

Cloth face coverings should—

• fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• be secured with ties or ear loops
• include multiple layers of fabric
• allow for breathing without restriction
• be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

CDC on Homemade Cloth Face Coverings

NOTE : CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

• Should cloth face coverings be washed or otherwise cleaned regularly? How regularly?
• How does one safely sterilize/clean a cloth face covering? 
• How does one safely remove a used cloth face covering?
• Sew and No Sew Instructions

Having accurate and pertinent information is of the utmost importance of staying safe. I recommend that you review the full information posted by the CDC

March 19, 2020 update – Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez, rendered Amendment No. 1 to Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 07-20

Amendment No. 1 to Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 07-20 was rendered by Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez at 8:45 PM on Thursday, March 19, 2020 (CLICK HERE).

As explained by Miami-Dade County official sources:

Amended and restated to clarify language related to: new and used automobile dealerships; university, college, or technical college residence halls; private and municipal marinas and boat launches, docking, fueling, marine supply and other marina services; hotels, motels, other commercial lodging establishments and temporary vacation rentals; veterinarians and pet boarding facilities; and mortuaries, funeral homes, and cemeteries.

The balance of the Emergency Order 07-20 remains in full force and effect.

Other amendments may be made at later dates.  CLICK HERE to follow the Miami-Dade County coronavirus (COVID-19) page and get the latest updates from the source.

This information updates the previous post of March 19, 2020, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez has ordered the closing of all non-essential retail and commercial establishments. This order will be effective as of 9:00 PM, Thurs., March 19, 2020.

Photos below are of Black Point Marina - closed on Thursday, May 19, 2020 (photos taken at approximately 5:00 PM 3/19/2020):

 

Did I touch a nerve? Readers react. Village officials attempt to hide their shame behind a green screen for all to see at our upcoming community picnic. Update of the bridge.

It is obvious that my blog posts get reactions, if not results. This time the reactions are merely reaction and avoidance. I was tipped off today (Thursday, March 5, 2020) of a frenzy of activity at Coral Reef Park near the area of the new pedestrian bridge construction.  My first thoughts included, if the missing permit was finally issued and, if so, are they trying to make some progress on the bridge before the picnic? But, alas, it was not to be.  The frenzy of activity is nothing more than an attempt to hide the council created mess behind a green screen. Unfortunately for our current village officials, this is not TV or the movies, so the “green screen” does not change what is there. Furthermore, they have run out of green screen, not having a sufficient amount to fully envelope the construction site (perhaps more green screen is on order).

The activity around the incomplete pedestrian bridge was viewed by readers of this blog who believe this action is too late, and a sad attempt to sweep this mess under the rug for the picnic.

The photos on this page show the site as it now exists as of Thursday, March 5, 2020. The prior posts (at bottom) have photos for those earlier days.

One big question (and a fair one): If this screen is simply to properly protect park users, then why has it taken well over 2 months to install it? It is just now marked “CONSTRUCTION AREA – DO NOT ENTER”. Why was this warning not put into place until now? Was this site up to our building code without the sign?

The tool box – past relevant posts on this bridge fiasco:
March 5, 2020. Palmetto Bay officials – acting as if “permits are for the little guy”: building a bridge without a permit – caught, now on hold, waiting for the permit. WTH (heck)??? Follow up on the issues.
      and
March 1, 2020, This is no way to bridge a community. Both banks are a mess at Coral Reef Park as we near the annual community celebration.

Cleaning Lazy GIF from Cleaning GIFs

Palmetto Bay officials – acting as if “permits are for the little guy”: building a bridge without a permit – caught, now on hold, waiting for the permit. WTH (heck)??? Follow up on the issues.

Here is an update on the Coral Reef Park pedestrian bridge fiasco.  Because you have questions, and because it takes an investigation to get answers from the current Mayor and her administration,and because readers raise an issue, I work to obtain the facts through knowledgeable backdoor channels and to actually keep you in the loop on what is happening on our Village. Be advised that I am protecting my source(s) on this issue.  Background on this construction fiasco can be found on  my blog post of March 1, 2020: This is no way to bridge a community. Both banks are a mess at Coral Reef Park as we near the annual community celebration.

Here is what I have been advised. Are you ready for why this is taking so long?

Here it is: Palmetto Bay does not have a permit for the bridge construction at Coral Reef Park.  Let me say this again just in case you thought you read it wrong (and because it bears repeating). Palmetto Bay does not have a permit for the bridge construction at Coral Reef Park.

What the hell? Doesn’t Palmetto Bay have a permitting department? Doesn’t Palmetto Bay have code enforcement and building departments that investigate and stop property owners within Palmetto Bay from performing work without a permit??? 

The answers are yes, yes, and hell yes.

This park construction nightmare appears to be yet another example where the current mayor and council demonstrate that they believe to be above the rules. This behavior of 'dig first, permit only if caught' is clearly on par for the course of this current administration of “do what we say, not what we do!”

Will today, Thursday, March 5, 2020 "be the day"? When will the Village receive the permit? Per outside sources, the permit may finally be ready for the Village on March 5, 2020, or three (3) months after dirt started turning on this project. I’d love to see if there is a paper trail of finger pointing between current village officials and the contractor as to who was responsible for securing the permit.

Short answer as to that: The property owner is always ultimately responsible for making sure that proper permits were pulled prior to the commencement of any work.

What if you or I (or any property owner without political connections to the Village) created a similar mess? Our project would be subject to a stop work order, citations risk of fines, and possibly double permit fees would be assessed. And, that does not include any code enforcement action for having an ongoing debris site on the property as the photographs document.

Fair questions: Who applied for the permit and when? Who was tasked to monitor the permit? Is there threat of a fine from Miami-Dade County or other agency for this permit debacle? And, if so, who pays (we know the answer: we the taxpayers!)?

Will there be more blame game, more finger pointing and deflection, coming from this current Mayor and council? "You betcha!" But here is the difficulty for them: This project was started after the former manager was effectively out the door on furlough, running out his time as of December 1, 2019. He certainly was not involved in the day to day as of that date.  It is up to those who occupy the seat(s) of authority to make sure everything is ready, especially permits, before the heavy machinery cranks up and starts excavating. 

I wonder if anything similar is adversely impacting the Franjo Road project which allegedly was on track to finish in February. We are now in March with no sign of completion.

This is no way to bridge a community. Both banks are a mess at Coral Reef Park as we near the annual community celebration.

Complaints have been made loud and often regarding the status of the canal banks and the pedestrian bridge that is supposed to be there in Coral Reef Park – but isn’t. I have been asked questions that I will answer, because it has become quite obvious that the current Palmetto Bay elected officials would rather avoid the tough questions, referring them to others.

Yes, this pedestrian bridge should be finished by now.  And, it does not appear that this new pedestrian bridge will be a focal point for the 18th Annual Picnic Celebration, scheduled for March 7, 2020, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM at Coral Reef Park. Wait, I take that back. It will be a focal point; but not as intended. It won't be a positive ribbon cutting / grand opening photo op event that our resident photo op professional would like it to be.

It would have been appropriate to have this pedestrian bridge open in time for the Sunday, March 1st event: Samantha's Purpose Run, Walk & Stroll 2K for Cerebral Palsy. This is an outstanding event that started with my support as part of my third term as Mayor. It is an event that I am pleased to see our village continue to support. But, it would have been nice to have this new bridge to pass over for the event, rather than a construction zone to avoid passing through.

HISTORY OF THE BRIDGE: While I was Mayor, the Village of Palmetto Bay applied for and was awarded a $200,000 grant from the Recreational Trails Program administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. As a result, Resolution No. 2016-83 (CLICK HERE - 26 pages) was adopted on September 19, 2016, accepting the grant award. This grant did require an equal match by the Village, for the connection of 3 trails and the construction of a new pedestrian bridge.

On October 12, 2017, the Village of Palmetto Bay advertised Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 1617-12-010 seeking proposals from qualified firms for the design/build services for the new pedestrian bridge.

Anzac Contractors, Inc. was selected to provide the design/build services for the new pedestrian bridge [see Resolution 2017-115 - CLICK HERE But these projects, especially design/build projects, don't happen automatically. They take significant village oversight by the Parks Director, Building Officials and the Manager (or in this current situation, the Interim Village Manger). The construction started in early-December 2019.  

QUESTIONS FACING THIS CURRENT MAYOR AND COUNCIL: I cannot answer the following questions:

• Why hasn’t the village provided updates as to the delay?  Maybe there is no delay. Maybe this project is on time in the minds of the current mayor and council members.
• Why isn’t the job site secured? There are children at the park and a picnic upcoming. The photos show the environmental barriers down at critical points, at the waterline (see photo below).
• Is Palmetto Bay in danger of losing the grant?
• These projects usually have prefabricated bridges. Why isn’t it at the site? Is it built? Does it match the specifications called for in the RFP?
• Where is the contract? Has the contractor been placed on notice?
• Is there an issue with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), internal permitting?               Or, ....
• Is this current Mayor and Council simply losing sight of, or interest in, the project?

I can state that I don't think that this bridge will be completed and open for the 18th Annual Village Celebration Picnic scheduled for Coral Reef Park on Saturday. 

PERFORMANCE TO DATE ON THIS PROJECT: This project is currently making the Franjo Road street project look well organized and well-done.

Tallahassee update – REVISED – I missed one significant appropriation regarding Pinecrest. A great request. Also, confirming my prior post as to the Palmetto HS Field request.

First: I left this worthy project from my list. Pinecrest is working on improving their jewel, Pinecrest Gardens. Palmetto Bay should do the same. Palmetto Bay has received millions in the past for our parks system that allowed us to claim the title “Village of Parks” – these parks are used by far more than our residents. The parks are open for all.

Pinecrest is getting aggressive in their appropriation requests; making some very reasonable and well researched requests to the Florida Legislature.

One such request is House Bill (HB) 2545 - Village of Pinecrest-Pinecrest Gardens ADA Upper Garden Initiative – the request is for $500,000

Title of Project: Village of Pinecrest-Pinecrest Gardens ADA Upper Garden Initiative

House Member Sponsor: Javier Fernandez

Stated purpose (“Village” below refers to Village of Pinecrest):

The Village proposes to renovate the existing playground, bathrooms, petting zoo, Inspiration (educational) Center and connecting paths to make them ADA accessible; it also intends to add new playground equipment and a unique, greatly expanded ADA accessible Sensory and Learning Garden. Additionally, creating new picnic facilities, a new nature trail and installing better lighting.

CLICK HERE to view the details of this request.

Second, I was contacted regarding my post of February 20, 2020, pointing out to me that the HB 5001 currently lists the appropriation level to the school at $100,000.

Miami Palmetto Senior High School Athletic Field (HB 4987) –  CLICK HERE to view the 8 page project details. HB 4987 is a request for $1,000,000 – One Million dollars.  But it appears (at this time) to be funded at only the $100,000 level that I reported on February 20. As I also said, nothing is ever final until an item makes in into the budget, avoids the veto pen and remains safe in a budget signed/approved by the Governor.  See numbered page 31 (it is actually page 32 of the posted .PDF) of the current list of appropriations listed in HB 5001 – again – no result is guaranteed. Changes can and often do happen, sometimes positive and often less than positive. 

PRIOR RELATED POSTS:

February 6, 2020, Palmetto Bay legislative appropriations requests - Appropriations Project Request-Fiscal Year 2020-21.

February 20, 2020, Tallahassee update - What monies are currently listed in House Bill 5001 - General Appropriations Act – a review of what is currently earmarked for our local Miami-Dade municipal communities –including Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Cutler Bay& Palmetto HS

February 7, 2020, Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) - FY2020-2021 Recommended Priority List

Prior posts providing background:

May 8, 2014, Florida Communities Trust (FCT) requires Palmetto Bay to change its operation of Thalatta Park – This is good news for area residents

Property analysis - the tool box - trend of development report prepared by the firm of Calvin, Giordano & Associates

Information relevant to the Luxcom Bert J Harris Act claim (part of a series).

The Village of Palmetto Bay retained the firm of Calvin, Giordano & Associates (CGA) to review the development potential and determine a “Trend of Development” on approximately 69 acres of the overall 81.91-acre site which was the former site of the Cutler FPL power plant owned by FP&L.

This firm of (CGA) is part of a list of pre-approved qualified firms eligible to provided engineering and transportation planning services to Palmetto Bay (Palmetto Bay Resolution 2013-40, approved 5/6/2013, as well as resolution 2014-34, approved 4/7/2014). 

The goal of the Trend of Development analysis is to provide clarity regarding which uses predominate in order to create land use and development patterns on the site that are compatible with the surrounding area.

CLICK HERE to view the actual trend of development report (14 pages including site photos) 

This is a document which provides some historical background of this property - Interesting reading for those who, like me, enjoy reading historical background. See section 3 Site History, beginning page 3 (pages 3 & 4 of this 14 page document).

3. Site History
The site subject to the Trend of Development study was settled by William C. Cutler in the 1910’s and was used as a plantation estate for many years.

On September 15, 1947, the Dade County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), via Resolution 2615, approved a request for a special permit to develop the site as a power plant facility.

On February 27, 1951, the Dade County BOCC, via Resolution 4177, approved a request for a special permit to allow the installation of an additional 75,000 kilowatt generating unit.

On June 24, 1952, the Dade County BOCC, via Resolution 5099, approved a request for a special permit to allow a recreation and meeting room for employees and their families and headquarters meeting room and lounge for plant visitors.

On March 24, 1953, the Dade County BOCC, via Resolution 5779, approved a request for a special permit to allow the installation of an additional 75,000 kilowatt generating unit.

On December 29, 1953, the Dade County BOCC, via Resolution 6582, approved an expansion of the uses at the location.

On December 18, 1963, the Dade County BOCC, via Resolution 2-ZAB-683-63, approved a permit to allow the expansion of the existing plant by the addition of two 425,000 kilowatt generating units and all accessory equipment and facilities.

On July 12, 1994, the Dade County BOCC, via Resolution 5-ZAB-248-94, approved a request for a special use permit to allow the installation of a monopole cell tower.

In November 2012, the property ceased its power generation activities and the power generating plant was demolished by FP&L on August 10, 2013. The site now only serves as a substation for the distribution of power produced at FP&L’s Turkey Point Facility.

On May 6, 2014, the Miami-Dade County BOCC issued Resolution No. R-439-14 determining that the Cutler Ridge Electric Power Generating Plant site was no longer in use, nor would it be used in the future, for an electrical generating facility of county-wide significance. Through this determination, and via the above referenced resolution, the County relinquished its prior regulatory authority over the site to the Village of Palmetto Bay.

Without the power generating plant, FP&L no longer needs to retain all 82 acres of the site.
FP&L’s plat application, filed on November 13, 2014, sought to separate approximately 13.4 acres from the site which they intend to retain for the purpose of operating the existing power distribution substation.

Page 9 & 10 - 4.e Surrounding Uses

Different sections of the site are bound by:

a) residential development of varying styles and densities to the north, southeast and southwest;

b) the northern edge of the Deering Estate North Addition Preserve to the south;

c) school facilities to the west; and

d) water channels connecting to the Cutler Channel and Biscayne Bay.

The surrounding residential uses include:

• To the north, King’s Bay Subdivision, an established 68-acre gated subdivision located within the boundaries of the City of Coral Gables. This subdivision contains 150 dwelling units (du’s) at an average density of 2.5 du/acre.This neighborhood was annexed into the City of Coral Gables in 2003. Single-loaded homes lining the southern edge of the subdivision back onto the FP&L site.

• To the southwest, Royal Palm Estates, a subdivision of approximately 22 lots within the Village of Palmetto Bay, that is surrounded on three sides by the properties that constitute the Miami Dade County-owned Deering Estate. Some of the estates are large, but the average density in this subdivision is approximately 2.5 du/acre.

• To the southeast, Paradise Point, a gated subdivision within the Village of Palmetto Bay, consisting of 12 single family homes, approximately 100 townhouses, and amenities including a marina. The average density in this neighborhood is 9 du/acre.

BLOG EDITOR'S NOTE: NO CONCLUSION - YET.  No conclusion is provided here as there is not one to make at the present time. This information is being provided due to the fact that Palmetto Bay is not putting out this important information. Everyone should read the entirety of information provided to understand this issue. To better understand this information is to be better prepared to defend the Village Council's actions in court. 

The Village's position will be much more difficult to defend if it is cast as a political decision in response to political pressure rather than a decision based upon a deliberate process that properly take all past, present and future concerns into account, relying upon these professional tools.

The defensible data is out there. It is up to the Village Council to provide responsible and competent leadership, allowing staff and village council to do its job without political interference.