Gables sues developer of Trolley Garage
You know that Coral Gables Trolley garage in our own Coconut Grove Village West? It might not happen.
Coral Gables is not amused. They are suing Astor Development, the company building the trolley garage. The Gables claims it does not fit in with zoning, which is what the neighbors have been trying to say since day one. Coral Gables is now siding with the neighbors who sued to stop the project.
I don't know if you have been by the area, but picture a quiet little neighborhood with single family houses and a big warehouse type structure built right in the center of it. Not even on the edge, right in the center of houses!
If a judge rules that the zoning is proper, then the Gables will stay with the project, if a judge rules that it is not zoned properly, then the City of Coral Gables will walk away from the whole thing.
Coral Gables is not amused. They are suing Astor Development, the company building the trolley garage. The Gables claims it does not fit in with zoning, which is what the neighbors have been trying to say since day one. Coral Gables is now siding with the neighbors who sued to stop the project.
I don't know if you have been by the area, but picture a quiet little neighborhood with single family houses and a big warehouse type structure built right in the center of it. Not even on the edge, right in the center of houses!
If a judge rules that the zoning is proper, then the Gables will stay with the project, if a judge rules that it is not zoned properly, then the City of Coral Gables will walk away from the whole thing.
posted by Tom Falco at 10:13 AM
YOU MAY NOT LIFT THE PHOTOS & TEXT. IT'S COPYRIGHTED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. YOU CAN HOWEVER SHARE A STORY ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY USING THE LINKS HERE.
For linking to this one story, just click on the time it was posted & just this story will open for sharing - only through social media. Not copying and pasting.
5 Comments:
Tom, why don't you post a photo of the "warehouse". I think its right next to a grocery store isn't it?
I agree that we shouldn't have this in our neighborhood. However, your report is a tad too extremist in painting the picture.
Anyways, just my opinion. But its your blog you can do what you want and be as impartial as you may be.
God bless America!
Good Gracious its just a building made of brick, mortar & glass like all else around, but with fresh paint and folks who will partially spread out and spend a few bucks in the areal and provide a few jobs; what's the problem?
Glad that the City of Coral Gables is making the right decision. It is not fair that a Developer buys a cheap land in a poor and black residential neighborhood, and tries to build an industrial facility which is not possible according to the Miami 21 code. This was done merely for the purpose of making a great deal with the land of Coral Gables where Astor was planning to build luxury condominiums for huge profits, at the expense of this community which has been affected many times. The developer could have chosen industrial locations that could have served for this purpose, but for him they were "too expensive" and that's why he chose these cheap lands. All neighbors are completely opposed to this project, which would affect their lives tremendously. Commissioner Sarnoff tried to convince all neighbors at the City Hall about all the "benefits" the trolley depot would bring to the area (even doing an environmental presentation paid by City of Miami saying the pollution would not harm the population nearby). This presentation not only didn't convince anybody, but also upset everybody, because it looked like Sarnoff was on the developer's side, and did not care about the welfare of the people he represents. Not even him and his developer friend could convince this community with an offer of $200k for park improvements - which neighbors rejected completely.
This project doesn't bring any benefit to Coconut Grove: no trolley service, NO JOBS for any resident, a lot of noice (you can notice it already, while it has not been opened yet!) and a lot of traffic for a residential area. If you'd live nearby, you will be outraged and upset. It is not "just a building made of brick" it is an industrial facility inside a residential area...
The local commissioner allowed the maintenance garage within a Grove residential community. Guess what? The residents are black and the garage is for another city.
Post a Comment
<< Home