This is the second time in less than a month that Political Cortadito writes about an upcoming zoning request before the Miami-Dade Commission to build 550 homes on the abandoned Calusa Golf Course, which has turned into an organic natural preserve that his home to endangered wildlife.
Because the commission deferred the request last month. Too many people wanted to talk about it, probably. They’re hoping that those people don’t stay engaged through all these delay tactics. They’re hoping people forget that it’s coming up again at Wednesday’s zoning meeting.
So Ladra is here to remind them.
Commissioners like to talk the talk about greenspace. This is an opportunity for them to walk the walk. This is a unique, precious opportunity to protect 168 acres of wildlife smack dab in the middle of Kendall’s suburban sprawl. Nobody should let them rezone this park space into high-density residential.
Read related: Developers plan to build 550 homes hurts imperiled birds, endangered bats
It would be criminal to let developers fill in the lakes where the threatened tri-colored heron and other Florida birds wade and obliterate the land where they nest and forage. There has also been evidence that the endangered bonneted bat has also made a home at Calusa.
The environmental studies are not even complete, yet. And the ones they have are wrong because they were done outside of the recommended period. That’s not a coincidence. The developers did that intentionally to under report the wildlife activity on the property. They say there are no rookeries when the state has, in fact, identified one.
The least the county can do is wait until all the studies and reports are complete. They shouldn’t hurry. Developers have been trying to develop this land for years. They let the golf course deteriorate so they could do this. Now they want to ram it through as quickly as possible because they know that if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service deems the property a “critical habitat,” the project grinds to a stop and nothing can be built.
That is almost certainly why they have already started to disturb the environment — mowing the lawn and trimming foliage unnecessarily — and are applying for permits to remove trees and fill in lakes.
Please read the last story on this effort to kill one of the most unique and natural spaces in our county. Because everything is still true.
Then, call your county commissioner and tell her or him to vote against this criminal zoning request.
Miami-Dade Commission could wipe out Calusa preserve for 550 homes added by Ladra on
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Voters should remember and vote against Raquel Regalado next time!
Follow the money. Which commissioners took money from the developers?
Now that the Commission has voted to wipe out the Calusa preserve all we can do is remember who voted for the wipe out. Full disclosure, I supported Michael Rosenberg for the District 7 (the Calusa district) commission seat in the primary election. While campaigning he promised that he would recuse himself from Calusa votes since he lives there–so his non-vote wouldn’t have helped–but perhaps he would have convinced other commissioners to vote otherwise. I also supported Raquel Regalado for the the seat she won in the general election (as did Ladra) and I can’t say how strongly I am disappointed in her vote on Wednesday, especially when before the election her campaign web site, under the heading, “Meet Raquel — Promises Made, Promises Kept” made this very specific promise:
“As our County Commissioner, Raquel Regalado will be our voice on the issues that matter to our District and our residents. From East Kendall to Pinecrest, from Coral Gables to the City of Miami and Key Biscayne, Raquel Regalado is ready to serve and bring solutions to our traffic woes, help protect and enhance our green spaces, protect our coastal communities and ensure that our District and our County are more resilient to weather events and sea level rise.”
Source: https://bit.ly/3x8ttNl
Oddly, that promise is ~still~ on her campaign web site today! I suppose in future elections her opponents will be able to challenge her ability to keep promises, but those challenges will likely be offset by the voters living in their new homes that she voted to approve.
Another sad loss for nature as we continue to Pave It All!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
” Miami has a climate of contrasts, having arrived at Kendall Boys’ camp, in the Peter Pan exodus , we appreciate the bucolic environment of the area.”
South Florida is building fast , actually Florida as a whole is but nowhere as fast as Miami .
About 6 years ago when moved here to Miami I would go fishing , more like collecting as fish are my hobby outside Everglades park by those assorted canals .
I was there 3 weeks ago in same area looking for Everglades pygmy sunfish and the entire area was cement with a community about to go up.
I know interlopers like myself have to live somewhere but yes find it sad .
The Commissioners ONLY work for special interest which is mostly builders but they are experts at the con and every project they make it look like the ” little people ” are going to benefit .
In truth they continue to get reelected so they must have a hell of a laugh .
I can see when unfortunately no one runs against them but Jose Pepe Diaz has had challengers yet the ultimate self serving Cosa Nostra gets reelected .
In ” Consultation fee ” alone in EVERY project the Commissioners make a fortune .
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” We all know how “affordable” that’s going to be.”
I imagine another gated community as those type builders OWN the Commissioners .
I’m in Doral which real estate call ‘ Transient City ” due to the high turn over rate because of the gated community / Boards .
Have you thought to measure the air quality, and air temperatures that prevail in the development of Calusa, and what eliminating this pristine green area will do to it? Miami has a climate of contrasts, having arrived at Kendall Boys’ camp, in the Peter Pan exodus , we appreciate the bucolic environment of the area.
Sr. Bacardi turns a nice capital gain on a land sale. Palms are greased. Divide and conquer ! .
Leave it to Pepe “It’s five o’clock somewhere” Diaz and his developer-loving friends to push this down the Kendall residents’ throat. I hope people stand up for once against these goons and keep things right for the environment. Miami-Dade needs affordable housing, not a brand new development on a former golf course… We all know how “affordable” that’s going to be.