In one of the few times in politics where money apparently didn’t make the
edge, a grass roots activists on Tuesday won their battle against a ballot measure that would have permitted upzoning on Ocean Terrace for a certain developer to build a high rise tower in a historic district with two- and three-story buildings.
Led by North Beach residents and preservationists, voters soundly rejected the referendum to increase height limits on Ocean Terrace — even though the developers spent close to $700,000 to get a yes vote.
A little more than 55% of the voters said no, even though slick TV ads paid for by the For A Better North Beach political action committee told voters that a yes vote would help alleviate parking, spur more redevelopment and decrease the number of residential units on the strip.
For A Better PAC had reported spending $434,000 as of Oct. 29 of its $673,000 in contributions, which come exclusively from Ocean Terrace Holdings, which wanted to raze 11 of 13 historic buildings and replace it with a mega hotel-condo combination along the ocean front strip. Opponents spent about $25,000 or so — on a mailer, robocalls, social media and poll workers with signs — to get voters to reject the idea.
With a shoe string budget, getting outspent about 27 to one, a bunch of activists led by nobodies named Brad Bonessi and Kent Robbins beat campaign consultant and sleazy lobbyist David Custin — who also ran the campaigns of Mayor Philip Levine and two of the elected commissioners — and finally lost one.
Although he is still making out like a bandit, with not only a retainer of $8,000 a month from Ocean Terrace Holdings but also at least $180,000 worth of consulting and work for the Better North Beach PAC.
One has to wonder if, however, with an investment like that, the developers are going to let the voters have the last word.
Voters say No! to well-financed North Beach upzone question added by Ladra on
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Yes Kent Harrison Robbins is the lawyer for the Miami Design Preservation like his buddy Randy Hilliard or Michael Vita gets their names also like Frank Delvecchio n even Jonah Wolfson on pro Preservationist issues so that they can undermine preservation n sellout the Beach to megafirms like Terra or the do foreign investor from Argentina Spain or Russia.
Folks, Kent Robbins is the name on the documents for the Miami Dade Preservation Planning and Action Group PAC, which spent somewhere around $25,000 on the No vote campaign. Sorry if I exaggerated his involvement.
Love, Ladra
I was surprised to read the name Kent Robbins as a leader of the Save Ocean Terrace group. The last time I saw Kent he was representing Terra Group on the 87th Street project. Terra Group demolished the iconic Dezerland Hotel, a Morris Lapidus building. In addition Terra Group purchased the 87th Terr street in order to increase the size of the 20 story tower they are planning.
The sale of the street is a de-facto increase in AREA for he’d elopement. In addition the street will be closed to traffic and make access to the beach more inconvenient.
Are we talking about the same Kent Robbins
If you think kent harrison robbins got one vote from his out of town apartment you believe the moon is made of green cheese. The official preservations did not win this vote young people especially with children who voted for Levine n Arriola n Aleman voted against this because of traffic and schools n the library n how children would be effected. Kent Harrison Robbins has conned people like Gongora Weithorn Wieder political consultant Randy Hilliard that they can or have won elections. garbage
businessmen
The upzoning would have been a disaster for this gem of an historical district. Yes, so nice to know that money does not always talk!
Much credit is also due to Kirk Paskal and his group, who, along with Brad Bonessi, were tireless and heroic in fighting the machine.
Only shining moment in a disgusting election cycle.
Let us now support the lone non-slate candidate who has a chance of winning, Kristen Rosen Gonzalez. Otherwise, this commission will be a rubber stamp for the mayor and his cronies.
And, Ladra, good for you and Steve Cody and Random Pixels for exposing the nasty politics at the black heart of Miami Beach politics.