Comm. Joe Sanchez on Miami 21
This letter was sent Friday from Commissioner Joe Sanchez's office:
I sincerely believe in Miami 21 and I applaud the efforts of everyone that invested so much of their time in this plan. When I studied Miami 21, I envisioned a City where urban Miami would come to life. People walking in clean and wide pedestrian-friendly sidewalks. Bicyclists pedaling throughout well thought out bicycle lanes in many of Miami's corridors. An increase in trees and park space that we so desperately need, and so many other people-friendly features Miami 21 offers.
But, the plan presented before the Commission was awfully distorted! As I heard passionate support and criticism of this plan, I was truly torn. Ultimately, I decided to vote against this version of Miami 21 because I refuse to let this very important and much needed plan to be molded out of shape and from its original intent. Unfortunately, there are still many questions to answer and ponder regarding Miami 21. Also, many of the proposed amendments proffered by individuals with personal agendas twisted this plan so much, that if passed, their version of Miami 21 would have only brought about lawsuits and a needless financial burden upon our residents!
This is not the end of Miami 21 though. In due time, a plan featuring increased park space, improved public transportation, more pedestrian friendly corridors and increased bike lanes will come to Miami. I will make sure of it.
This plan will be revisited at an appropriate time, with the core benefits that it will bring to our residents. What we must immediately focus on is our City's budget, and doing away with high salaries and outrageous pension plans that are taking us and our residents to the verge of bankruptcy. This is a pressing matter and nothing should derail this Commission from focusing on providing serious aid to our tax payers.
Sincerely,
Joe Sanchez
Chairman
City of Miami Commission
Reminder: All comments over 100 words will be rejected by the system.
I sincerely believe in Miami 21 and I applaud the efforts of everyone that invested so much of their time in this plan. When I studied Miami 21, I envisioned a City where urban Miami would come to life. People walking in clean and wide pedestrian-friendly sidewalks. Bicyclists pedaling throughout well thought out bicycle lanes in many of Miami's corridors. An increase in trees and park space that we so desperately need, and so many other people-friendly features Miami 21 offers.
But, the plan presented before the Commission was awfully distorted! As I heard passionate support and criticism of this plan, I was truly torn. Ultimately, I decided to vote against this version of Miami 21 because I refuse to let this very important and much needed plan to be molded out of shape and from its original intent. Unfortunately, there are still many questions to answer and ponder regarding Miami 21. Also, many of the proposed amendments proffered by individuals with personal agendas twisted this plan so much, that if passed, their version of Miami 21 would have only brought about lawsuits and a needless financial burden upon our residents!
This is not the end of Miami 21 though. In due time, a plan featuring increased park space, improved public transportation, more pedestrian friendly corridors and increased bike lanes will come to Miami. I will make sure of it.
This plan will be revisited at an appropriate time, with the core benefits that it will bring to our residents. What we must immediately focus on is our City's budget, and doing away with high salaries and outrageous pension plans that are taking us and our residents to the verge of bankruptcy. This is a pressing matter and nothing should derail this Commission from focusing on providing serious aid to our tax payers.
Sincerely,
Joe Sanchez
Chairman
City of Miami Commission
Reminder: All comments over 100 words will be rejected by the system.
posted by Tom Falco at 9:00 AM
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26 Comments:
Joe Sanchez is right about one thing. Manny Diaz and his administration should be doing nothing but trying to find solutions to the projected $118 mil budget deficit. Miami 21 is flawed useless fluff compared to the inevitable financial disaster.
The $4 mil in fees and costs, or more, Manny Diaz and Joe Sanchez approved for Miami 21 consultants only add to the deficit.
Today's posts on Old Grover deal with the Commissioner trying to be for and against the same plan.
I am pleased that Comm Sanchez comprehends the many problems that have infiltrated Miami 21. The basic premise has been lost, and it is wise to defer. But promises just for the sake of getting elected will not work with Grove residents. Commisioner Regalado has promised to personally meet every single month with Grove residents, activists, merchants, homeowner associations and discuss real nitty gritty issues affecting our community. This is a lot more than we are getting from Comm Sarnoff, who has distanced himself from the folks who supported him.
Politics as usual. If "the plan presented before the Commission was awfully distorted", then just fix it, quickly, and get to work on the Sidewalks, Bike-paths and start planting the trees. With the bloated Salaries our "representatives" get, don't they have the time to get this DONE? Oh the have to "focus on the budget" now? Just fix Miami 21, next week, and get to work on the streets next month. (just dreaming) CI
Manny Diaz and Pete Hernandez should face facts, see what is happening nationwide, and immediately fire and/or lay-off 600 employees. Non-union and union. The solution to stupid wasteful management cannot always be "just raise taxes".
Who allowed employees to get $20 mil in overtime this year?
Who allowed over $2 mil in liens on City owned Watson Island?
Who demanded $3 mil to out-of-town consultants for Miami 21?
Who demanded $3 bil (yes, billion) for the privately owned Marlins.
Who gave away 40 acres of the City owned Orange Bowl site for zero?
Manny and Joe have some explaining to do...
(Sorry if this is over 100 words, but cut me some slack for signing my name.)
The concept of Miami 21 is, for the most part, positive as is the exciting theory of New Urbanism. Yet even for an enthusiast such as I, it's not been easy to understand all the nuances, and how they impact my neighborhood, even with the benefit of perspective offered by friends in urban planning. (For instance, determining the height of buildings by "stories" as opposed to actual feet-- some "stories" in the case of commercial buildings, can be as high as 14 feet each on the first 2 floors, so that there would be a significant difference between a 50 ft building and a 5 story building, as allowed by Miami 21).
Miami 21 is a stellar, but possible ambition, and a necessary step in keeping with the progress of a world-class city. I applaud everyone: Mayor Diaz, for his vision, the City's Planning & Zoning Dept. for such an undertaking, Commissioners Sarnoff and Spence Jones who voted in its favor, and Commissioners Regalado and Sanchez, who did not.
If the latter two commissioners did not vote for it, as is, it is assumed that they did so because as candidates for the office of Mayor, they are no doubt listening a little more keenly to the questions raised by many of the people they wish to represent. Re-writing the zoning code is a daunting task, and because doing so will have such significant impact on Miami's neighborhoods, it is imperative that it be perfected.
It is sad that the Herald article today simply reduced this to political speculation. This is not about speculating on Regalado's or Sanchez's political strategy. (Isn't everything in politics, particularly, during a political campaign, about strategy?). This is about an opportunity to perfect a very important plan that for the most part, will benefit Miami for future generations, that they may enjoy a better lifestyle and opportunity for commerce.
An urban geographical legacy takes time to execute. Rome, as they say, was not built in a day. The great cathedrals of Europe took over a century each. This is an opportunity to get it right.
"This is an opportunity to get it right."
Absolutely, Mrs. Dones, but how long will it take? Politics, pls refer to my comment @ 11:46am, (the longer one I typed with further details didn't get the same "preferential" treatment you got from the Grape, just about the same size as your posted comment, saying some of the same things you do and even allowing for a skeptical benefit of a doubt for Mr Sanchez). CI
"As I heard passionate support and criticism of this plan, I was truly torn"
Try again, I heard plenty of the same at Mercy Towers, Home Depot, and the Marlins Stadium. Just with you know....no support and all criticism.
Sanchez denied his support because Sarnoff offered amendments to bring M21 closer to the residents desires. Very similar situation to the Stadium vote. Sanchez voted against M21 because of the Biscayne Blvd 35' height limit. His vote was totally consistent with his development loving past.
Agreed. One of the few times I agreed with Sarnoff. The height restriction on a historical district such as MiMo would hardly "encourage lawsuits"
If anything the city would have gotten sued by city residents.
Again....
Joe Sanchez is doomed if he does and doomed if he doesnot. People will not give him credit for his personal explanation. Where is the vote explanation of our friend Regalado? According to one anon, to busy scheduling listening sessions to let us vent, but in the meantime already made a pact with Police and Firefighters Unions not to affect their benefits or at least to minimize the impact. How is that for fixing the budget or to correct Miami21, which I believe is good and necessary but need to be tweeked before implemented.
Regalado explained his vote at the dais. I am sure you can get an apology from him for not putting up a press release every time he goes to the bathroom like some people.
Regaldo explained his vote very eloquently.
After his no vote, Joe was looking for a motion to accept M21 without Sarnoff's citizen friendly amendments. It didn't happen, he was stammering, didn't know what to do next. Bad strategy on his part. and he wants to be mayor? I don't think he has the intellectual capacity.
Sarnoff described Sanchez well:
``He looked absolutely lost,'' said Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, who with Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones voted in favor of the ordinance, with Angel Gonzalez absent. ``Like an impetuous child who lost something -- then wanted to take it back.''
Let's all thank the one City of Miami Commissioner that really helped stop Miami 21 from being passed at this time. That Commissioner has allowed us more time to review it, improve it, tackle the real important issue of the $118M budget deficit and do right for our community. Thank you Angel Gonzalez for being absent from the meeting so that the vote was split and the motion to pass Miami 21 failed. Your absence has been an enormous gift to our community. We owe you a debt of gratitude. Please feel free to be absent from meetings in the future as often as possible. Harry Emilio Gottlieb
If you read Mr Sanchez's letter, and all of the posts here, it's really hard to see WHY this Miami21 proposal was rejected. Exactly why? "Distorted from the original plan" How so, exactly? "Personal agendas" whose, and what for?
Zero specifics. Politics as usual. People like one candidate over another. I don't care: WHEN are they going to improve the Sidewalks, build Bike-lanes, plant trees? Probably not anytime soon, as this will get buried back into the political burocracy backburner for years to come after the elections (much like the infamous Waterfront project).
Vote this or that! Nothing gets DONE. CI
Was Angel Gonzalez really sick or just avoiding his vote? Will we ever really know?
Wow, it took a while to digest all the back & forths. But, interesting none the less. For those who did not stick it out until 9:15ish, Sarnoff proffered 18 amendments, 3 of which Sanchez was against. Now, put yourself in the shoes of the Chair of the Green Commission in support of all the good Miami 21 has to offer. Consider the thoughts that were going through his head. If he were to become mayor, he would inherit two extremely hot potatoes, a budget crisis and a slew of lawsuits. And yes, there is a lot more going on than meets the eye. And, yes, this would have brought on a flurry of lawsuits. He did the right thing. Table Miami 21 for now. Deal with the budget crisis & then revisit Miami 21 when appropriate.
Ah I see, Regalado ask's to table it to iron out the kinks and everyone says he's a naysayer and Sanchez says how this has to go through (ala Marlins stadium) and all of a sudden he used good judgment to table it (he did)
One of the things sarnoff proposed that Sanchez was against was a height restriction next to single family homes.
Oh yeah a slew of lawsuits my butt.
Sarnoff had a solution to the possible lawsuits. One of Sarnoff's amendments dealt with running Miami 21 as an overlay. If Joe was really worried he could have expanded that idea.
At this point with so many flaws having been exposed in the drafting of Miami 21 and with so many changes coming at the last minute Miami 21 must legally go back to the Planning Advisory Board for review.
Harry Gottlieb of Coconut Grove has a better plan than Miami 21. Has anyone read it? It is truly interesting, but is it really any better than Miami 21?
Sanchez asked the City attorney for her opinion on potential lawsuits and SHE DID NOT SUPPORT HIS CONCERN ABOUT LAWSUITS
Back to the Planning Advisory Board...
Everyone should attend the Transit Symposium on Aug 26th at Captial Grille 6pm. We will not be a real city until we fix transit!!!
We will not be a real city until everyone can afford Capital Grille.
Joe is done with me....I dont like Regalado. But geez...
Manny Diaz is facing a massive budget deficit. Why is he still pushing this loser? Wasn't taking $3 bil from the taxpayers for the out-of-state Marlins enough for him?
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