Miami does not enforce the zoning code

Why is this ok?

There's an excellent story in today's Herald regarding the big white boxy houses all over Coconut Grove. 

Our friend Melissa Meyer has been all over the issue of illegal lack of proper setbacks and lack of space on property lines. Illegal because it is against zoning codes.

For instance, "houses at 3374 and 3384 Day Avenue, one under construction, one occupied, have a total of 4 feet, 10 inches between them." We wrote about this issue in June.

The Herald article, "Invasion of the white boxes in the Grove," explains that houses will have to be torn down and people who approved this from they city will have to be fired. 

From the Herald: “Unfortunately, developers have a history of circumventing our code in order to maximize square footage and minimize setbacks,” Commissioner Ken Russell said. “However, if the developer and builder acted with the blessing of the city, we share in the blame.” 

Why is this allowed?

And yet, no one does anything to stop the destruction as this has been happening for years and we have been fighting this issue for years. You know what would be good? Ken should stop giving this lip service and perhaps have the City Commission call in these developers to appear before them, you know, like Congress does. Have these nameless, faceless people appear in public and have them explain why they are breaking the laws. I mean, we know it's all about greed. But let's shine the light on these creeps. And let's shine the light on the zoning people who sign off on this corruption.

Let's have public hearings. Bring out the greedy developers, zoning people, city workers - everyone who has their hands in the pot. Illegally at that.

The Grove is ruined in so many areas. While it's true that many of the house, especially in Village West are quite small, there is no reason to overbuild. I was told years ago by developers that people don't want small shotgun houses, they want large kitchens and bathrooms.

But the city is not protecting property rights. This doesn't happen in Pinecrest or Coral Gables. Developers do not have a conscience. It's all about greed.

I have a friend who says, "Developers are only doing what the law allows." When is enough, enough? 

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