Controversy over Palmetto Bay development

08/18/2017

The Miami Herald has just published an article about the controversy over the Palmetto Bay development, where it appears there is no viable legal option to prevent some development there on that property - the situation was created initially before Palmetto Bay was incorporated. I don't know what options might be considered other than the ones the mayor and vice mayor there have clashed over; regardless, there are expenses a city has in dealing with situations just like this; a developer could sue the city for trying to reverse earlier zoning rulings or residents could sue over something like that also if they are unhappy with an outcome and think things were mishandled. City staff and contracted outside consultants examine these matters and these people are not unpaid volunteers. I have heard from people in the newer towns that they were misled by those who wanted incorporation - simple logic and accounting shows that there are substantial costs involved for something that wasn't a genuine need in the 1st place. My own view is to root out waste and corruption at all levels of government before even considering any possibility of creating any new governing corporations or expanding existing ones. County government isn't disappearing, so we need to reform it if we see areas where it is dysfunctional, rather than creating another governing body that is likely to also be co-opted in some manner by self-serving people who abuse power and fail to address some community needs adequately. If government incompetence or corruption are problems the solution is certainly not more government. Whichever view we may take I do think it's important to look fully, systemically and holistically at a situation: the Palmetto Bay case isn't a new development, it's one that was approved a long time ago but is just now coming toward fruition and being revised some. A bigger issue there is the traffic situation countywide, where the infrastructure just can't handle increased development/population. Yet, too many influential people make their living trying to further "growth" for community leaders and office holders to take steps to halt the influx of people and real estate development. There has been a lack of competent and wise leadership for decades here in Miami-Dade so the area has become rife with corruption and multiple quality of life problems - yet the same elected and non-elected people tend to remain in power for too long. Let's start with new, capable leadership in the offices of those currently in government if we want to see positive changes. Elections are coming soon - investigate the candidates for all the local, state, and federal offices and see who would foster the changes needed for our communities. Most people don't even keep up with choosing the existing public officials who are elected, so why add more officials to elect when just a small percent of the population are voting?

Jed Shlackman

Stop The Falls Incorporation, Miami, Florida
All rights reserved 2017
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