Desperate Developers
Rebecca Wakefield has a good article in the Sun Post on the Mercy circus and the low life developers.
posted by Tom Falco at 10:08 AM
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13 Comments:
I love the way that scum bag Jorge Perez told Channel 10: "You always have some naysayers and that’s what we have."
I would love to see a 410 foot tower go up 500 feet from his house. I truly believe the Devil resides in Jorge Perez, he has no conscience -- he is a greedy person who doesn't give a crap about anyone. May he rot in hell.
You've heard about the Argentine ego, right?
Anything Perez wants he buys, opinions, votes...
Nothing on the Mercy site should exceed 16 to 18 stories.
What is wrong with a high end ACLF?
Nursing home for rich Miami residents?
Rebecca Wakefield's description of "the distracting sight of a deeply tanned young assistant of some sort in a tight leather skirt and pearl-colored satin top" is perfect - I thought that was Vanna White! What do ya figure she gets paid for turning those boards on the easels?
Rebecca Wakefield's article is a masterpiece - The Related's presentation was as convoluted as a day on Wisteria Lane - it just moved a lot slower.
Follow the money.
Village West gets paid off.
Natoma paid off.
Bay Heights paid off.
Lucia paid off.
Former City of Miami asst manager paid off.
Commissioner paid off with affordable housing for her district.
Mercy Gets lots of Money.
Jorge Perez makes millions.
I wonder if the Mayor or any of our commissioners will end up working for Jorge Perez some day!
At first the issue was Mercy needs money to upgrade facilities.
Then the issue was traffic.
Now the issue is the sightline from Vizcaya.
All those issues are smoke and mirrors.
The real issue is zoning.
There is no justification to even consider changing the zoning let alone changing it for the advantage of Mercy, Jorge Perez, the rich neighbors or anyone.
The building train is once again on track and there is little doubt that Mercy and the Related Group will get their way and eventually reduce the size of the building as a compromise. and it will be built.
It is a crime that our Mayor and commissioners are not respectful to the needs of our community, they do not abide by our zoning laws and dont even abide by the Grovner Rule that they voted on.
The City and the commissioners will only halt this travisty when they are sued, fined or fired.
Harry Emilio Gottlieb
Harry Emilio Gottlieb is of course, spot on.
Point of clarification, Commissioner Marc Sarnoff made a Motion to deny the re-zoning. Commissioner Tomas Regalado seconded the motion. Sanchez, Gonzalez and Spence-Jones voted against the motion. Two commissioners showed respect for the residents of Miami.
I was told that this site would give me some much needed information regarding the Mercy Hospital's sale of land. To my disappointment, I find nasty comments and name calling that ultimately do little more than confuse me. It appears there is discontent with the zoning change issue -- will someone just answer this for me -- what can be built on the property under the current zoning (how big, density, etc) versus the project that is now being proposed. Which development would have less impact (specifically TRAFFIC) to the rest of the community?
This is a blog. It isn't the be all and end all of what happens in the City of Miami. It is a place where we argue and snipe at each other on an almost daily basis. If you are looking for news, try the Miami Herald.
That being said, I think it is zoned for low rise offices and/or medical facilities, not 410 story condos. Anything built there will ruin traffic patterns, the area is overdeveloped as it is.
Thank you "grapevine" for your response. After entering my blog, I did some further research.
I believe you are incorrect regarding the current zoning allowing "for low rise offices and/or medical facilities". On the contrary, the current zoning would allow for unlimited height on anything built there, even taller than the proposed project.
Then what is all the fuss and meeting about if anything can be built there?
Zoning Codes Must Be Driven By Needs of Community
Not Needs of Property Owners, Developers, Attorneys & Lobbyist
Zoning Codes are supposed to be like the speed limits on local roads and highways. They are both implemented to protect our community and our citizens. They are both designed to be in the public’s best interest and are approved by our government and protected by our laws.
There are various neighborhoods with different Zoning Codes and many streets and highways around town with different speed limits, which range from 30 to 55 mph.
Now just imagine if some guy owned a trucking company and wanted the speed limit changed on the street that he works. So, he makes the claim that by increasing the speed limit it will benefit the community with less consumption of gasoline, less traffic, less noise, more money for the city and make more money for his company that will trickle down to the rest of the neighborhood.
If a trucking company can’t change the speed limit with these arguments than a developer or property owner should not be able to even ask the community to change its zoning code, let alone have the City vote on it.
I still feel that the G/I zoning in properties such as that of Mercy Hospital must not be changed for the benefit of a privately owned business or that of an overly ambitious developer even if he does have many political connections. There is no justification to build the 300 Grove Related/Group Residential Project that consist of three out of scale and out of place towers. There is no justification for looking for loopholes in our Zoning Code or Grovener Ordinance to help Mercy Hospital and the Related Group to circumvent the intent and spirit of our land use codes and laws.
The G/I zoning for Mercy Hospital should remain as is. Mercy should build or they should sell the property to some one that will honor the G/I zoning. They should build an Assisted Living Facility that will provide Mercy with a much needed revenue stream and our community with a much required health care service.
Some People are saying that an Assisted Living Facility will then have the right to build up to 400 feet high if they wish, but I disagree. There is no reason for an ALF to be any taller then the present height of Mercy Hospital. And besides, the City can restrict the height of any G/I project just like they are bargaining to restrict the height of the proposed R-4 or even R-3 ill-conceived 300 Grove Related/Group residential project.
I still find it difficult to understand why a decision as important as this “Zoning” issue with Mercy Hospital is being allowed to be made as a compromise with the three major players. Too little consideration is being made for the public’s needs and the rule of law pertaining to our Zoning Codes and Grovener Ordnance.
It is the cities job to protect the community, abide by the Zoning Codes and abide by the Grovener Ordnance. The City should be proactive in implementing good urban planning and driving the Zoning Codes to benefit our community and its future. It must not be left up to developers, attorneys and lobbyist to drive our Zoning Codes and create a patchwork of projects that are a detriment to our neighborhoods and community.
Any compromise to change the Mercy Hospital property zoning will be a travesty. Any effort by our city to once again bend over backwards to better accommodate the Related/Group in building even more unnecessary residential luxury units in Coconut Grove and throughout Miami will be an affront and an insult to our community. We can only hope that our communities concerns, the rule and the spirit of the law and the future of our city will be enough to persuade 3 out of 5 City of Miami Commissioners to deny the change of zoning request by Mercy Hospital and decline the offer by Jorge Perez and the Related to build on this property.
Harry Emilio Gottlieb
Coconut Grove
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