10/04/2024
We Endorse LEANNE TELLAM FOR VICE MAYOR AND STEVE CODY FOR COUNCILMEMBER 2 and Here's Why We Can't Support Their Opponents
https://www2.miamidadeclerk.gov/ocs/Search.aspx
Let me tell you why we support Leanne and Steve and their efforts at protecting our quality of life and the community that is important to all of us.
We know we are lucky to live in a community that is our real hometown with parks, churches, community events, great schools, green spaces loaded with trees. We support our Council and government to ensure that our Village continues to deliver to all of us this great community we live in.
Certain issues seem to always steal the attention of residents: DEVELOPMENT
We read the campaign handouts and the candidates' social media. Are you sure you know what reasonable development, low development, smart development, transit oriented development mean? (Transit oriented development is the highrises along US1fyi)
We know terms like these are not objective and don't tell us how they will vote and what the end results will be. They are just a veiled means of telling you what you want to hear. Will they vote for high density, over development, or not? Do those terms guarantee that a 10 story building won't be next door to you? No promises are made there.
Will you support candidates who vote for and support high density development?
Do you support 9 or 10 or 20 story buildings in our community and surrounding area with hundreds to thousands of residents competing for services and adding traffic to our single family residential community?
Should high density developments such as the Palmetto Bay Village Center project of 485 condos at 96' or 8 stories or the Luxcom project of hundreds of units and amenities be a part of our community?
Over the past few years we have asked these questions many times. The answer has always been a resounding NO.
The Council's response to the height issues was to pass a 45' height limitation on new construction in most areas of the Village. This item was supported by the Neighborhood Protection Committee.
The outrage of residents was loudly heard when then Village Manager Silva, former mayor Flinn and in 2016 David Singer began the march to bring more highrises and dense housing to Palmetto Bay. It took another election to make the correction.
The "Downtown Urban Village" or "DUV" approved by the FLINN Council in December 2015 began the march to change our Village from a single family residential community into a community of mixed use highrise apartments 8 stories tall. It was approved in 2015 under the guise of progress, bringing services, promoting growth of the tax base and updating an older section of the Village.
We see no proof that any of those "aspirations" came true except for the apartment buildings. Their construction has created parking issues, blocking streets, tearing up the right of ways, higher demand for services with no positive changes for the community. The developer has won here in the Village.
The attraction of the DUV and its easy as it goes code and the dollars to be made brought the spectre of "DARK MONEY" into our elections. Tens of thousands were spent on our elections from developers and PACs to ensure that "their votes" got into office. The concept of being governed by your neighbor and improving our quality of life wasn't a priority with them.
On Monday Jaunary 27, 2020 the Council approved on 1st reading the new Downtown Palmetto Bay zoning code following over 20 public meetings inviting public input under the leadership of Mayor Cunningham. This plan lowers density and heights across the downtown. It fulfills the campaign promises made to maintain the 3-4-5 heights of buildings.
Flinn's DUV code was labeled a developers' dream code for its flexbility to approve unrestricted heights and density or number of units and creating a potential concrete canyon.
4-1 vote to fix what was wrong. David Singer voted AGAINST decreasing density, (https://www.palmettobay-fl.gov/1177/Downtown-Palmetto-Bay-Code) heights of buildings and development controls found in the new Downtown Palmetto Bay code as demanded by residents.
Palmetto Bay Village Center's application for 485 Condos on Old Cutler Rd (Old Burger King Property) was approved in 2016 and the original Village Mixed Use designation was approved in March of 2008. Both approved under former mayor Flinn.
In Jaurary of 2022 after years of delay by the owner to get a favorable council, Mayor Cunningham and the Council including Vice Mayor Leanne Tellam and Councilmember Steve Cody unanimously denied the Palmetto Bay Village Center's site plan application (VMU) for 485 condos, retail stores, hotel units, etc. with heights up to 96' or 8 stories on Old Cutler Rd. Litigation followed for a time. It seems that the ownership of Palmetto Bay Village Center may have decided to file a new application for something different.
Luxcom and Oscar Barbera, the owner (2019) of the former 71 acres FPL property initially filed an application for hundreds of housing units including single family, highrise condos, townhouses, live aboard boats, dredged channels, boat servicing. The Zoning approved by Council is for 1 unit per acre. The Courts have pointed to the fact the property was properly zoned. The zoning of the FPL property was sponsored by former vice mayor Dubois.
Since the denial the ownership has used intimidation tactics such as a "threat" to build a hospital, or a Black Point type park to get us to give in.
Our Mayor, Vice Mayor and Council continue to Stand up to the litigation to protect the quality of life of the surrounding community from increased traffic, affects on the marine and local animal life and environment. Questions still remain about the remediation of the contaminated soil. Traffic is a serious consideration in the Old Cutler area, the many different housing communities and the schools.
The influence of the lobbyist for Luxcom has been felt in our elections going forward since then. Currently Greenpoint is the campaign consultant for the candidate Mark Merwitzer opposing Leanne Tellam and has acted for other candidates as well.
And in 2022 The RTZ (Rapid Transit Zoning) approved by the County Commission usurped the Council's ability to control zoning through the use of Home Rule Authority. Building approval is under the control of the County in "the Zone" Heights could be up to 22 stories 1/2 mile into the Village from US1. Density willl be increased exponentially. Take a look at the highrises along US1 at SW 184 St., 180, north in the Gab les and South along US1.
The Council has advocated for a cut-out for Palmetto Bay based on the code approved under Down Town Palmetto Bay. The Council believes that our code will meet the requirements of the RTZ.
Mayor Cunningham and councilmembers spoke before the BCC as well (go to 58 on the slide bar) as the chair of our Neighborhood Protection Committee and residents to advocate for the future protection of our Village. The Council in solidarity voted to oppose the high density RTZ to the Commission.
Mark Merwitzer, candidate for Vice Mayor was there advocating in (https://miamidade.granicus.com/player/clip/7355?meta_id=388694) support of the RTZ. (go to 106. on the slide bar) His job at Transit Alliance is to advocate for smart growth and development which translates to high density and in many ways subverting our single family home community. Here's a snippet of Mark Merwitzer at the BCC supporting the RTZ. (https://miamidade.granicus.com/player/clip/7355?meta_id=388694)
These outsize buildings are out of character for our Village and single family community. However, the plan is a true boon to the builders looking for a cash cow. Palmetto Bay is an attractive community to developers with available properties with a profit motive that the super density of the RTZ feeds.
We have shown you instances where a Council vote made a huge difference in the outcome to Palmetto Bay.
Is this what we as a Village desire for our future? More high density development pushed on our community by those we elect? Progress and development can be compatible with our community. It doesn't have to turn into overdevelopment.
Leanne and Steve have been part of the Council who has worked successfully together to deter high density over development.
One candidate (a developer) has advocated and voted to keep higher density development in Palmetto Bay. Another candidates advocates for high density development under the veil of smart growth and transit development.
Can you trust them to protect our Village and your quality of life?
Will the chaos and lawsuits of past years return? Have they even stopped?
Our next email will share more on the importance of this election.
Elections Information: Order your mail-in ballot NOW
You have the power and right to influence the direction of your village. It is your responsibility to take action to maintain the quality of life and the type of village that you choose.
Please educate yourself on the issues. Your voice matters. You will make a difference in the future of our Village because of it.
Write your [email protected] and tell them your opinion of how the Village is doing.
Gary Pastorella
[email protected]
Facebook Concerned Citizens Est. 2005.
Concerned Citizens of Old Cutler Est. 2005 .
This email is only our opinion. We will not be intimidated, threatened and or coerced as we will continue to work for the residents of Palmetto Bay and their quality of life.
