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Dr. Karelia Martinez Carbonell, President of the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables
No, the City is not starring in the next Star Wars film, but it may have lost its light source—“government in the sunshine” that is.
According to several issues this year, it seems the City decided to pull the blinds and shut the lights. Open and transparent discussions are best face-to-face, but the City went dark.
One example of several behind closed doors conversations, is the zoning issue affecting our City’s historic downtown. The item, brought by staff to the Commission in October, passed on first reading but bypassing public comment. A zoning code clean up became a zoning code rewrite. It turns out residents were in the dark and only recently learned of the proposed zoning changes affecting the historical integrity of Miracle Mile and the Crafts Section.
Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law was enacted in 1967. Florida’s Sunshine Law, a series of laws put in place to guarantee the public’s access to governmental records, includes an open meetings rule: Public boards have to conduct their business in public and notify people before they do.
Due to the circumstances referenced and the fate of the historic downtown in jeopardy, a devoted HPACG member made it possible for the organization to hire legal counsel. The objective is to pursue all avenues available to stop zoning decisions negatively impacting Miracle Mile and the Crafts Section.
Letter submitted on January 4, 2020 by attorney David Winker to City Commissioners, City Attorney, and City Manager
RE: February 9, 2021 Commission Meeting on Zoning Changes
Gentlepeople:
I represent the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables, a non-profit organization founded in 1991 to promote understanding of the importance of historic resources and their preservation in Coral Gables.
I am writing to formally request that the Miracle Mile remote parking and Crafts Section zoning changes to be heard at the Commission Meeting scheduled for February 9, 2021 be temporarily postponed until such time that public attendance is possible at the Commission Meeting in accordance with the City Code.
Critical to have in-person meeting with public attendance
As you are aware, Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order 20-69, which allowed governmental meetings to take place virtually through “communications media technology, such as telephonic and video conferencing,” expired on November 1, 2020.
As such, public meetings are to be carried out in accordance with each municipality’s city code [Article I, Section 24(b) of the Florida Constitution provides that “[a]ll meetings…of any collegial public body of a county, municipality, school district, or special district, at which official acts are to be taken or at which public business of such body is to be transacted or discussed, shall be open and noticed to the public[.]” Florida’s Sunshine Law, found in chapter 286, Florida Statutes, provides that “[a]ll meetings of any…agency or authority of any county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision, except as otherwise provided in the Constitution,…at which official acts are to be taken are declared to be public meetings open to the public at all times, and no resolution, rule, or formal action shall be considered binding except as taken at such meeting.” § 286.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2019). Section 286.0114, Florida Statutes, also provides, with respect to certain “propositions” before a board or commission, that an opportunity for public comment must be afforded.]
Sec. 2-30 of the Coral Gables City Code requires that “All meetings of the commission shall be open to the public except as otherwise authorized by law.”
It has become clear that very few Coral Gables residents were aware of the “community meetings” that took place with City staff. Whether that is an issue of inadequate public notice or an aversion to virtual meetings among a city population where the median age of voters is over 60, there can be no argument that there was almost no resident participation in the meetings.
The February 9, 2021 meeting will not be “open to the public” and the decision regarding whether to make these zoning changes is a once-in-a-lifetime decision. Allowing remote parking would result in a transformation of historic Miracle Mile that is unprecedented in its 100-year history.
There is no need to rush this critical issue through as the pandemic is soon coming to an end. The roll-out of vaccines has begun and it appears that in-person meetings will be possible as soon as early summer.
This important decision deserves more transparency, education and public participation. It has become clear that Coral Gables residents are overwhelmingly opposed to the zoning change to Miracle Mile.
The Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables is asking that this important decision be made in a regular, in-person meeting when public attendance and participation is possible.
Thank you, Karelia, for speaking up for the Historic District of Coral Gables. Helen G., the rich are getting richer, not “someone is getting rich.” I was not opposed to development, because I do believe it is inevitable; however, when is it enough? Coral Gables has developed a skyline since I moved here in 2006. Yes, I have appreciated some of the development, but now the City Beautiful has become a City Nightmare with Miracle Mile the “Elm Street.” Our beloved, Tarpon Bend on The Mile, took hit after hit after hit after hit…not to mention many other businesses. And let’s talk about Giralda…what a joke. That project, beautiful now, took several years knocking out just about every long lasting business in restaurant row. The wonderful La Dorada fought hard to stay open, until the business realized the fate of demise due to a project that was full of delays and bad contracting. Shameful! Come on City, the constituents are screaming for participation. Let them!! “Be careful what you wish for” is so understated in this case.
Very sad how our dear Miracle Mile will be transformed. Coral Gables is known for the stores, etc. situated in Miracle Mile.
Instead the city should be working to bring more boutiques, nice shops and restaurants. Trying to restore the flavor on the Mile.
Rents are going up and up without any control. Merchants cannot afford it and closing its doors.
LET’S HELP OUR UNIQUE AND ORIGINAL MIRACLE MILE!
I have been writing about this issue since I heard about this gift to developers. Not only has the commission and staff hidden the ball. The only place I could find the information about Zoom connections 6 clicks down on the Coral Gables app. This morning I asked the Commissioners and the City Manager other places where the Zoom information could be found. 10 hours later, no response.
Where exactly would this remote parking be? There is hardly any convenient parking available now. Especially since the last “save the mile” multimillion dollar project took away a fair amount of street side spaces. This whole idea is delusional as usual.
Stop over building our City Beautiful. I moved her 25 years ago because I fell in love with the quaint little place. City government stop selling yourself to the developers.
Trying to capitalize on what makes Coral Gables a desirable destination will destroy what made it a destination in the first place, like Atlantis destroyed downtown Nassau as a desination. Its appeal is that it’s not for everybody. Limited #of hotel rooms is better for its exclusive appeal
I think the ‘upgrade’ of Old Spanish Village marked the beginning of the end of Coral Gables with a town feel. If the Alan Morris project is allowed on the 2 parking lot sites, and the hotel in the 200 block, then it’s a big city. The loss of pull-in parking ended convenience on the Mile. Somrone’s getting rich over this. I think there is no stopping it. Small businesses will suffer. The restaurants will decline (as they already have with the very grest loss of Tsrpon Bend and John Martin’s). If left unchecked, the Gables will be come ust another downtown of offices without the elite appeal of high-end shops and elegant eaterys. You can’t BE a big city and still be “CORAL GABLES”.
The Mayor and others that have shown contempt for the residents of Coral Gables and should be thrown out and shown the door.
The Mayor and others are corrupt. The attitude of the Mayor on many issues of substance clearly has shown that he has been in the pocket of developers, Vals family and others.
The reason for these meetings to keep the public out is so that they can secretly discuss how to further enrich themselves. I am hopeful that others can stand up to the incompetence that surrounds them and further ask for a full financial audit of everyone involved. Perhaps, a little jail time will serve them right.
Great appreciation for Dr. Martinez Carbonell and the work of the HPACG. Gables leadership has lost its way and represents only the developers. They have no regard for the needs and desires of residents, and the Mayor is beyond arrogant in this regard. We need city leaders who understand that we moved here because of the city’s resident-friendly traditions, and many have already moved to other areas because that lifestyle is being jeopardized by overdevelopment.
Kudos to Dr. Karelia Martinez Carbonell, and the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables for taking a stand against this travesty of the public trust of the residents of Coral Gables!
This is our City, we should be heard.
Agree, that this is the worst Gables leadership in my three decades living here. I kick myself for supporting Keon, though, fortunately, I was sufficiently perceptive (doesn’t take much) to know V-F’s true intents.
I agree with Dr. Martinez Carbonell to postpone the meeting. Thanks.
It is time to vote out every single person involved in this. This is OUR City, not just yours. We have been ruined by over building and spot zoning. The Mayor and Keon need to be shown the door. After 32 years in Coral Gables this is the worst leadership I have seen. Again THIS IS OUR CITY and we are to determine what is wanted. Not you or your greedy developer friends.