I love to hear from readers and find it interesting what some readers point out to me. I verified and I am passing it on. I am posting pictures below that really do expose the current vice mayor and other elected officials of this village for the ‘do as we say, not as we do” mentality.
BACKGROUND – One of my most popular posts in recent history
was September 11, 2024, Fully unfavorable decision rendered against the Village
of Palmetto Bay by the court in FAIRCHILD BAY SUBDIVISION LLC VS VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, 2023-000033-AP-01.
As detailed in the Court's opinion of September 10, 2024,
“A thorough review of the record fails to establish substantial compete evidence to support the Village’s decision. The Respondent (Palmetto Bay) fails to identify any specific material and relevant statements from the public hearing that constitute substantial compete evidence. The evidence primarily addressed the Property’s ownership history, the potential loss of mango trees and Petitioner’s site plan for the future development of the Property...."(bold and underline access added)
Residents speaking against the project, as did the current
Vice Mayor, were concerned for the loss of the mango trees located on the
applicant’s property. Yes, that is right, as the court outlined in thee order (on
page 4):
“Vice Mayor Tellam questioned the existing mango trees on the
Property and potential loss of shade, …” (Sounds great, but wait until you get
to the pictures below and prior post references to see the difference between her talk and the actual action)
Back to the background contained in the order. The court really took this counsel to task. Outlining the relevant criteria in the
applicable Code of Ordinances, (pages 11-13 of the Order). I find it a bit embarrassing
that the court opinion recognized, and pointed out (last paragraph on page 13)
that:
Rather than question Petitioner’s counsel regarding any of the above enumerated criteria, Counsel members asked questions related to the cost to acquire the Property; the Property’s ownership history; the Property’s topography; the potential loss of mango trees; and Petitioner’s site plan for the future development of the Property. ….
It was noted in this opinion that
“None of the questions, … or discussion by Council members were relevant to the established criteria for rezoning.” (Bold emphasis added)
This is quite an indictment. Now if the above wasn’t bad enough (a true traffic wreck of a zoning hearing), it gets worse. And for this I am simply relying upon the photos below. What do they show? Here is my opinion (and as discussed with others who pointed this out to me):
The Vice Mayor says she wants to protect the mango trees –
but apparently only on the applicant’s property (private property, not owned by
the Village). Her alleged concern at zoning hearings does not match what has happened on village property under her watch. Look at the before and after photos of the property where the
Village maintains the Public Works facility.
Look how all the shade trees – including many mature, long-time producing
mango trees were cleared in 2024 – this year – so that village vehicles can park
(no longer in the shade) on dirt (unpaved) grounds. Would private property owners be allowed to
do this? Of course not, as I stated earlier this is Vice Mayor Tellam once
again showing disdain for trees on Village owned property and right of ways. It has happened under this vice mayor and present council all along SW 136 Street for the mega sidewalk: Coral Reef Park: the Public Works building and soon
to Coral Reef Park - where several mature oaks will be cleared for the community
room.
No environmentalist would stand by and allow this to happen. Unfortunately we see here another politician who claims to be an environmentalist; but is really anything but.
Yes, the before and after pictures are of the Village property located on the far south end of Palmetto Bay Park. This is our elected officials doing their worst to set a bad example for all private property owners.
A clear case of “do as I say, not as I do.” It really is sad;
the trees have no chance in Palmetto Bay under this current council.
But it is sadder to see the blatant hypocrisy in how trees
are treated on private property versus land owned by Palmetto Bay under this
current council.
Prior related posts on how this current council does not value trees or a property tree canopy:
September 9, 2021, Remember the trees I warned the Village about in April? Well those trees are now dead. Why it matters.
June 14, 2024, Direct question - one tree saved - but I am seeking a statement from current Palmetto Bay officials: please state with certainty how many trees in Coral Reef Park will be chopped down for the new building
June 18, 2024, I may have found the reason why the current mayor and council remove so many trees - Dendrophobia
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