by Cara Capp, Clean Water Action:
Thursday morning the Miami-Dade County Commission held a zoning hearing to consider a mining application by landowner Santa Fe Haciendas, LLC (Masoud Shojaee,
The meeting lasted well over three hours and included testimony from nearby homeowners, environmental advocates, and a handful of Cemex employees who showed up to sing praises of the company’s extensive safety operations and “good neighbor” policies.
After numerous members of the public and the County’s own planning staff warned of the risks associated with excavation activities less than a quarter of a mile from sensitive Everglades wetlands, Cemex’s attorney offered an amendment to the application that would approve only the easternmost portion of the property for immediate excavation, requiring the applicant to come back for further Commission approval before mining could occur on the western half of the property closest to Everglades National Park. Of course this offer did nothing to alleviate the concerns of dozens of nearby residents who showed up to request that the rock mine not be zoned in the agricultural parcel directly adjacent to their homes.
In the end it was a split vote: 6-6. Because the applicant was requesting an “unusual use” permit, a supe-rmajority of nine votes would have been required for approval. A standard majority of seven votes is needed for a denial. A re-vote will be needed to tip the scale for final decision; let’s hope we can count on absent Commissioner Audrey Edmonson to see through Cemex’s smoke and mirrors and put an end to this abominable application.
For now, the application remains unapproved. And given today’s standards, we’ll call that a victory.
The final vote will be taken on July 21, though not additional public comment will be allowed that day. For the record, the Commissioners who helped deny this application are Heyman, Jordan, Moss, Sosa, Souto, and Suarez.
11 comments:
Kudos to those Commissioners who helped stop this nonsense. Of course, the unreformable Commissioners, plus one really confused newbie commissioner, never let down their puppet masters!
Cara, I watched the hearing and I think you, Laura, Dawn, the neighbors immediately to the South of this and so many did such a fabulous job. Another honorable mention goes out to Alice, from the 8 1/2 sq mile area. I know they've been beat up on this blog, but they were vehemently opposed to this, and also very articulate in their opposition.
A huge thumbs down to Lynda Bell and her BFF;anti Derm advocate (guess he wants contaminated wells) James Humbolt. How he serves on the Ag practices board in this County and is an absolute disgrace. After hearing him speak on Thursday and that dog & pony show anti DERM meeting with Bell, he needs to retire to Century Village and leave the rest of us who actually still farm and appreciate what we have alone.
And, another shout out to the Redland Citizens Association and the Kendall Federal. They both submitted resolutions opposing this project too.
Bell never met a rock miner she did not like, unless they were in competition with her true BFF, you know who.
Let's hope that Commissioner Audrey Edmonson and seriously confused Commissioner Monestime realize (prior to the July 21th vote) that approving development beyond the UDB does nothing to improve infrastructure or quality of life for the constituents of their close-in districts.
Anom above: His name is James Humble and he is one of the farmers who made milions selling land for Everglades expansion. He is a Dade County Farm Bureau hack and an embarrasment to real farmers as opposed to developers in overalls (which Humble is).
Last anon, I stand corrected. Yes, we real farmers know he's a hack and another BFF of Losner, Sr. too! I forgot the honorable mention of that one.
I actually cracked up when he was criticizing people for speaking against the application, using the Everglade expansion land (which he made a hefty profit on) as an argument. He was mad because a lot of people who weren't even born when this happened didn't show up to speak against that land issue which occurred 30+ years ago! OMG, I can go on about it, but I have other things to do!
I have no faith in Edmonson. She is untrustworthy.
In a just world, Humble would held accountable for the damage he and his cronies inflicted on Florida.
Commissioners who endanger water,economic sustainability and willful neglect of surround neighbors property rights as set forth in DCMP should be recalled. Period!
With all the water issues and shortages occurring around the world, we, as a community need to save our environment and the future of Miami. Lets hope Edmonson shows up and votes against the proposal.
Write to your commissioners and let them know how you feel.
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