Village Council does not like Commission's cavalier attitude

At the last City Commission meeting, in September, Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones upset many people by saying that the Coconut Grove Waterfront Master Plan should be considered an "Inspirational Plan," and is not written in stone. Those who spent four long years on the project took offense to this. Spence-Jones said she had "a million" master plans in her district and none were adhered to and so why should the Grove's Waterfront Master Plan be adhered to?

This was in reaction to the proposed Grove Harbour Marina office building project, which came out of left field long after the Waterfront Master Plan was finally completed and approved. Most Grove residents are against the Grove Harbour project saying that an office building does not belong on the water's edge and that the plan should have been brought up during the waterfront planning stages and not brought up after final approval was signed.

Last night at the Cocoanut Grove Village Council meeting, Joyce Nelson, who has worked on the Grove waterfront issues since 1990, stood before the Village Council members and said she was very offended by Michelle's comments. Joyce said, "I think every person in Coconut Grove should be personally insulted by her comments."

Council member David Collins (left) explained that the waterfront issue absorbed thousands of working hours by the community as well as the Sasaki Group who drew up the plans. It was a long process that hundreds of people were involved in. David felt that not only Michelle Spence-Jones, but other Commissioners felt that this project was almost a whim of some large planning company.

He said, "This was not a good moment for democracy in the Grove," meaning that hundreds of concerned citizens were literally in on the planning since day one and the City Commission's jaunty attitude is disrespectful to taxpayers.

The point of the plans was to get community input said Michelle Niemeyer, Village Council head. And yet, some City Commissioners are not taking it seriously.

Council member Felice Dubin (right) suggested writing a letter to Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, letting her know how the community feels about her comments, since hers were the most memorable and offensive.

Felice also made a motion to prepare a resolution about the Grove Harbour Marina project, saying that the Village Council wants to make their views clear that they are against the project and they are totally in favor of keeping the Waterfront Master Plan as-is, in spite of Michelle Spence-Jones.

Lottie Person, (left) council member, got quite upset and defended Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones' comments. She said the Village Council was "crucifying her."

To that end, the Village Council changed the resolution to affect all City Commissioners. Basically, they want to say they are against the attitude that the Commission shows to public master plans. The resolution will also be turned into a letter signed by all Village Council members and published in the newspaper.