Leaders ignore protests and widespread opposition
Coral Gables commissioners approved the controversial zoning code update Tuesday — or a watered down version, taking out potential height increases, a reduction of parking restrictions, and the contentious changes proposed on Miracle Mile for more discussion.
But the upzoning for the Crafts Section — three blocks of single family homes just south of the downtown core that will now be for mixed use retail/commercial and multi-family — was approved.
But the most striking thing was the way that Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli rudely treated his constituents in his hurry to get these amendments approved, outright lying about the number of public meetings and cutting speakers off and insulting them with disrespectful last words (more on that later).
Except Vice Mayor Vince Lago, who voted against the amendments, the other commissioners, Planning and Zoning Director Ramon Trias and consultant Elizabeth Plater Zyberg were downright condescending in their disingenuous doublespeak about the breadth of the changes.
“We are proposing a smaller scale though some of the updates we are proposing,” Plater Zyberg, hired to “clean-up” and “streamline” the code in 20017, said at the beginning of the meeting. “Especially for Miracle Mile. We’ve explained it many times.”
Read related: What’s the rush? Residents urge Coral Gables leaders to listen, slow upzoning
Well, they’ve “explained” it three times and not very well because very smart people like Gordon Sokoloff and attorney Brooks Miller still don’t understand it.
From what we do understand, while, yes, six-story buildings are technically allowed by right according to the current zone, they don’t exist because the parking requirements make it economically unviable to build. Some changes would change that and allow property owners increased FAR — or floor area ratio, used to determine size and height restrictions — for increased density. Pictures on the city’s own website don’t lie.
Plater-Zyberg, who couldn’t stay for the whole meeting to hear the residents’ complaints (she’s probably tired of them), urged the commissioners to approve all of the amendments. The whole shebang.
“You have certainly heard the comments from both sides, the supporters as well as the detractors,” she said.
Yeah, but there are more of the latter. There was also a small protest earlier in the day across from City Hall.
While insulting concerned and engaged residents, Valdes-Fauli pushed hard for the passage and he and other proponents — including commissioners Pat Keon and Mike Mena — said that the changes would help prevent the oversized developments that residents were complaining about.
In one breath, Valdes-Fauli said this will prevent people from building six-story buildings they can build as of right. In the other breath, he said the city was prohibited from reducing someone’s property rights.
Disingenuous drivel. It’s like they think Gables residents are stupid. “We need to implement the new code because it’s going to save us from all the bad things happening now,” asked Miller, incredulously.
Translation: Give me a break.
Read related: Vince Lago wants one more community powwow on Coral Gables upzoning
Sue Kawalerski of the Riviera Neighborhood Association and Gables Neighbors United reminded everyone that the commission can always — and does usually — waive setback and height requirements, reduce parking requirements and change zoning with a 3-2 vote.
“Don’t update the zoning code. You can always change it,” she said. “It’s a farce if you can change it with three votes.”
At this point, Ladra doesn’t think that Lago’s alternative version will be accepted — no matter how much merit it has — because the residents don’t feel like the city has acted in good faith.
And it wasn’t just about Miracle Mile.
Several residents in the Crafts Section support the zoning upgrade in their neighborhood — but those are mostly the people whose properties more than tripled in value overnight. They include former Assistant City Manager Maria Menendez and commission candidate Kirk Menendez, no relation.
Residents in the Crafts Section abutting this little three-block area were mostly against it and see the change as loss of a buffer and increase of commercial density creeping into residential areas.
Karelia Carbonell, president of the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables, who said that 2,000 people have spoken against the changes, and attorney David Winker, who represents a group of Ponce area homeowners opposed to the rewrite, both explained that the grievances of residents falling on deaf ears is not equal to providing input.
“Speaking on an item is not the same as meaningful participation in the shape that Coral Gables will look like in coming decades,” Winker said. “Our ideas and suggestions are not being incorporated.
Read related: Miracle Mile zoning reboot on hold as Vice Mayor Vince Lago seeks more input
“We understand exactly what the amendments say,” Winker added, responding to the condescending nature city leaders addressed residents. “We don’t want these changes. Full stop.”
And still the commission is moving ahead. They talked about having a Sunshine meeting to discuss Lago’s alternative proposal before taking it to a public community meeting for, eh, input?
“There’s still a lot of loose ends,” Lago told Ladra after the meeting. “If the residents believe we need more time, I don’t have an issue. What’s the hurry?”
Lago said he would have preferred to pass one comprehensive, holistic zoning code update rather than segment it out in pieces — FAR, parking, Miracle Mile. He said he didn’t want the main drag to go the way of Lincoln Road, where big box retailers that replaced mom and pops are failing.
“Miracle Mile is a historic gem that needs to be protected,” he said.
“Why do we need to change the zoning code on Miracle Mile for a few developers? Miracle Mile is sacred and it defines what Coral Gables is.
“I’m a NO vote, in capital letters.”
Coral Gables commission oks zoning shift for Crafts Section, not Miracle Mile added by Ladra on
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