Thursday, July 09, 2009

Key Biscayne is honored today by this Blogger! By Geniusofdespair


Statute 360, that was passed by the State, eliminated Key Biscayne's ability to participate in any meaningful way in the regional DRI process, essentially limiting our ability to be a part of any regional review of large scale projects that may have a negative effect on our community. - Mayor Robert Vernon - Key Biscayne (his email reply when asked why he voted to join the lawsuit)

I reported on this pending lawsuit on July 5th. The Herald reported today that it has been filed. Cutler Bay, Lee County, Deerfield Beach, Miami Gardens, Fruitland Park and Parkland joined Weston to block that new phony growth management law, the Community Renewal Act (that was Senate Bill 360). One Miami-Dade entity voting to join the lawsuit, the Village of Key Biscayne, is probably the least likely in Miami Dade to be impacted by the law since the Key is built out. Earlier today I said maybe they are looking at the good of the County and the good of the State. Nope. just looking out for their interests. Hold the applause but this is still a very good thing they did. Their vote was unanimous to give $2,500 to support the lawsuit! Thomas Thorton Councilman, said the law was a travesty to anyone interested in managing growth. I also want to thank our Miami-Dade neighbors in Miami Gardens and Cutler Bay.

The suit is based on technicalities, not on the substance of the new law:

• One provision says the Legislature can't pass a single law that encompasses multiple unrelated subjects. Lawmakers broke the so-called ''single subject rule'' by adding language about security cameras at private businesses and affordable housing to the growth-management bill, the suit says.

• Another provision limits so called ''unfunded mandates'' -- that is, new laws that are imposed on local governments without any new source of money to pay for them. The Legislature can skirt this requirement by a two-thirds vote in each chamber.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm guessing you got it wrong on this, G.O.D. Key Biscayne was built out by the same forces -- the Rasco crew-- who are trying to build out West Dade. There's something in the new law that they don't like. Dig deeper.

Geniusofdespair said...

I often said I have an oil-slick knowledge on issues...clue me in Key Biscayne folks!! I remember the Key pre-Rasco when my mom lived there.

Anonymous said...

I agree Key Biscayne is a developers paradise. Although already pilfered

Geniusofdespair said...

We are talking about the NOW. Why would Key Biscayne join this lawsuit...it cannot change anything or help Key Biscayne. We know that Weston has a selfish motive...DRI in Davie for instance... Key Biscayne is isolated. It is built out.

Geniusofdespair said...

Looking for a motive: Called the village of Key Biscayne, Called the Manager, watched a video, waiting for a call back from Steve Helfman. The only answer I have so far: Key Biscayne has the same attorney as Weston. Could it be as simple as that. I feel like I am getting stone-walled.

Geniusofdespair said...

Attorney Steven Helfman told the village council the benefits to Key Biscayne, is that the law has unfunded mandates and it would limit Key Biscayne's ability to review neighboring Community's DRI's such as Virginia Key and Seaquarium. They would only have to contribute $2,500 - the bulk of the $50,000 would be absorbed by Weston. He also said the law interferes with home rule powers.

Also the "Fund Mobility" clause was mentioned but it wouldn't effect the Key directly (maybe through the County).

Thomas Thorton on the Council said the law was a travesty to anyone interested in Managing Growth.

Anonymous said...

Thomas Thorton is a real estate developer. What gives? Maybe this is really about Virginia Key and the City of Miami's massive development proposals (www.virginiakeymasterplan.com) for the wildlife refuge island.

Anonymous said...

Who is the Rasco crew?

Anonymous said...

A Rasco relative was one of HABDI group that got the no bid contract at Homestead airbase....

Anonymous said...

Maybe what they're all jacked up about is the litigation around the new law will prevent them from getting what they want out west.