Zoning Board ‘solves’ parking dilemma?

Michael Miller, Executive Editor

By Michael Miller….


Michael Miller, Executive Editor

Overcrowded parking conditions caused Community Council 12 to wind up as traffic engineers at the board’s latest zoning meeting.

To settle a conflict of parking on neighboring streets, the East Kendall ZAB “permitted” conditions that will require no parking sign installations, policing and even traffic direction during primary services conducted at the Alpha and Omega Church on Miller Road.

Those specifications accompanied the board’s approval of a new parking garage with ingress/egress limitations, all to keep residents in the Miller Drive – SW 77th Court area at least somewhat mollified over the expansion of church facilities to include a multi-level parking structure.

Truth is, Church officials, their attorney and architect spent several months in collaboration with the Miami-Dade Planning Department staff to work out an agreeable solution to the parking jam-ups, regularly occurring during Sunday services and holiday events.

Council 12 members have at times bent over backwards to try to settle issues between institutional property owners with expansion plans that have often become intrusive to established neighborhoods.

The decision to incorporate parking and traffic cop requirements into conditional exceptions to required zoning seemed even a new departure for this Council that admittedly works industriously and conscientiously to settle issues at a local level, relieving County Commissioners of a great deal of resident complaints.

While some might question the legality of incorporating such conditions into zoning conditions for any given property (legally speaking), no one can dispute the Council’s efforts to adjudicate a touchy issue with equal concerns for both sides by fashioning a compromise that will eventually will work out to the satisfaction of all.

Winding up its business for the night, Council 12 gave two of its newest members extra work by electing Jose Garciga as its new Chair who, very likely at age 25, is the youngest ZAB Chairman in Florida. A member of a local architectural firm and a graduate of Columbus High and FIU, Garciga is high on adopting LEED (“Green”) standards within local construction. Veteran Atty. Jose Valdes was elected vice-chair, a post he previously held as well as chairing the board.

Long-time Continental Park resident, Albert Harum-Alvarez, hosts a radio talk show each week on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. Listeners can “telephone in” live at 305-541-2350 to join Albert and guests in discussions of current issues at Listen305 on 880AM radio. Recent broadcast highlighted our veteran columnist R. Kenneth Bluh of Community Newspapers on the topic: “Is Our County Commission Haunted?”

Newly-installed Commission Chair Joe A. Martinez celebrates a “topping out” ceremony of the Cuban Memorial, providing a permanent home to a monument that has been part of Miami-Dade for almost a decade. Supporters of the memorial’s construction can witness the final assembly of the obelisk’s summit, signifying a milestone in the structure’s completion. The event takes place at Florida International University near the campus’ stadium on SW 114 Avenue, at 6 p.m., Friday, January 28.

Commissioner Martinez and Audrey M. Edmonson were sworn in to their new offices during a brief installation ceremony as Chairman and Vice Chairwoman of the Commission before a day-long January 20 meeting. Both were elected November 12, 2010 for two-year terms (through 2012) but Joe has now cast his hat into a potential race for County Mayor, if Mayor Carlos Alvarez gets the boot in the coming recall election. Both Alvarez and Martinez have long-time Kendall roots, so it is with some regret that folks here see these well-liked ‘pols’ from our area continue warring on county business.

The student talent contest is on again, set for Jan. 30

Good news! We hear that the “Good Vibrations” talent contest, which had been scheduled earlier and postponed due to some timing conflicts, has been reset for Jan. 30, from 2-5 p.m. at the Village amphitheater at Ludovici Park, 17641 Old Cutler Road. The event is sponsored by Ludovici & Ludovici and is open to highschool students who will compete for generous cash prizes. For more info call 305- 259-1234 or visit the village website at www.palmettobay-fl.gov/.

Now hear this! District 1 Councilman Patrick Fiore will conduct a Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday February 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Coral Reef Park, 7895 SW 152 Street. It’s a chance for members of the community to voice concerns and discuss priorities. “Other Village of Palmetto Bay Council members may be present at the meeting and speak on matters that may be considered at this or future meetings.”

Into the arts? If so, don’t forget that SoBay Festival of the Arts, the Deering Estate’s 5th annual two-week series celebrating the literary, performing and visual arts begins on February 4. It’s a great group of events that showcase the arts and artists within the South Biscayne Bay community. For more information please call 305-235- 1668 or visit www.deeringestate.com/ and click on “Featured Events.”

And don’t forget, the next Regular Council Meeting will take place on Monday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. in the spiffy new Village Hall Chambers, located at 9705 E. Hibiscus.

Seniors, take note: We hear that a new program for Palmetto Bay seniors, entitled, “Resources for Seniors and their Caregivers,” is slated for Feb. 8, from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. It’s a Parks & Recreation program that is presented by Baptist Health South Florida.

Takes place in the Edward and Arlene Feller Community Room, Second floor, Ludovici Park, 17641 Old Cutler Road, Palmetto Bay. Kathy Sarmiento, SHINE Counselor, is speaking. For more info call Village Hall at 305-259-1234.

On another a rt note… The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum is presenting five new exhibitions opening during Target Wednesday After Hours on January 26, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The museum is located at 10975 SW 17th Street. Miami, FL 33199, and admission is free. For more info call 305-348-2890.

Long-time Continental Park resident, Albert Harum-Alvarez, hosts a radio talk show each week on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. Listeners can “telephone in” live at 305-541-2350 to join Albert and guests in discussions of current issues at Listen305 on 880AM radio. Recent broadcast highlighted our veteran columnist R. Kenneth Bluh of Community Newspapers on the topic: “Is Our County Commission Haunted?”

Newly-installed Commission Chair Joe A. Martinez celebrates a “topping out” ceremony of the Cuban Memorial, providing a permanent home to a monument that has been part of Miami-Dade for almost a decade. Supporters of the memorial’s construction can witness the final assembly of the obelisk’s summit, signifying a milestone in the structure’s completion. The event takes place at Florida International University near the campus’ stadium on SW 114 Avenue, at 6 p.m., Friday, January 28.

Cutler Bay Founders’ Day is less than a month away

That’s right, folks, the 5th annual Cutler Bay Founders’ Day picnic/celebration is coming up soon, on Saturday, February 19. It runs from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the usual location, Cutler Ridge Park (10100 SW 200 St.), and whether you’re a long time resident or new in town, you don’t want to miss it. And there is also the famous (or is it infamous?) Food Fight at the event, near the end of the day. And of course there’s all the usual entertainment, rides, food (for eating!), games, face-painting and what-not that everyone has come to expect over the years, so mark it on your calendars. It’s always a great fun event for the entire family. For additional info call the Parks & Rec office at 305-238-4166.

Another item for your calendar… don’t forget there’s a Zoning Workshop on Wednesday, February 2, at 7:00 p.m. It will be held at Cutler Ridge Park, 10100 SW 200 Street. Could be some good info here, so if you’re interested, drop on by. If you have any questions about the meeting, call Town Hall at 305-234-4262.

More voting down the road. Just when you thought you were done with all that, there is an election regarding the recall of County Mayor Carlos Alvarez scheduled for March 15, and since that’s the next county-wide election, we’re assuming that means that new Vice-Mayor Ernie Sochin and new Seat 2 council member Sue Ellen Loyzelle, both of whom were recently appointed to fill vacant seats on the Town Council, will be up for re-election as well, facing any other announced candidates who may wish to vie for those seats.

Into the arts? If so, don’t forget that SoBay Festival of the Arts, the Deering Estate’s 5th annual two-week series celebrating the literary, performing and visual arts begins on February 4. It’s a great group of events that showcase the arts and artists within the South Biscayne Bay community. For more information please call 305-235- 1668 or visit www.deeringestate.com/ and click on “Featured Events.”

On another art note… The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum is presenting five new exhibitions opening during Target Wednesday After Hours on January 26, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The museum is located at 10975 SW 17th Street. Miami, FL 33199, and admission is free. For more info call 305-348-2890.

Long-time Continental Park resident, Albert Harum-Alvarez, hosts a radio talk show each week on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. Listeners can “telephone in” live at 305-541-2350 to join Albert and guests in discussions of current issues at Listen305 on 880AM radio. Recent broadcast highlighted our veteran columnist R. Kenneth Bluh of Community Newspapers on the topic: “Is Our County Commission Haunted?”

Newly-installed Commission Chair Joe A. Martinez celebrates a “topping out” ceremony of the Cuban Memorial, providing a permanent home to a monument that has been part of Miami-Dade for almost a decade. Supporters of the memorial’s construction can witness the final assembly of the obelisk’s summit, signifying a milestone in the structure’s completion. The event takes place at Florida International University near the campus’ stadium on SW 114 Avenue, at 6 p.m., Friday, January 28.

Thought for the Day:

It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It’s what we do consistently.

— Anthony Robbins

Gary Alan Ruse and Richard Yager contributed to this column.

Got any tips? Contact me at 305-669-7355, ext. 249, or send emails to michael@communitynewspapers.com.


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