Miami-Dade County PAB Meeting: Proposed Annexation to Florida City

When: On Monday June 3rd 2013 at 3:30PM 
Where:  111 NW 1st Street 
               Miami FL 33128 
County Commission Chambers 

This notification is located in the Neighbors Section of the Miami Herald Page 19SW on Sunday May 26th 2013.

"An application to annex the area depicted below in the City of Florida City has been filed.  As required by Section 20-7 of the Miami-Dade Code, this letter is to notify you that a public hearing on a boundary change application filed by the city of Florida City is scheduled for June 3rd 2013, 3:30PM in front of the Miami-Dade county Planning Advisory Board (PAB) at the address shown above.  The Code requires notification to all property owners within the boundaries of the proposed annexation and 600 feet thereof.  you are welcome to attend and participate in the public hearing.  This area is approximately bounded on the North by SW 352nd Street, on the South by SW 384 Street on the west by SW 192nd Avenue and on the east by SW 180th Ave.  In general, the municipal type services currently provided by the County are local police, public works, code enforcement, and building services.  If annexation is approved, the City of Florida City will provide these services.

Municipal millage rate for the proposed annexation area is the FY 2012-13 unincorporated millage rate of 1.9283.  If the area were part of the City of Florida City the FY 2012-13 millage rate of 7.75 would be applied, and increase of 5.8217 mills, the average property owner would pay an additional $233 in municipal taxes."

HIH POV:

We believe this notification should have been made available online and not in an obscure section of the Miami Herald tucked away where no one reads it.  There is a significant impact to the residents in this area and they need to be notified directly and publicly with the widest dissemination possible.  A newspaper is not sufficient with advances in technology.  It would have cost less money to place the add online unless of course the motive was to not inform the residents. Then the objective may have been achieved if not for citizen volunteers that offer this information to this blog.

You may direct inquiries to:
@pzdirector@floridacityfl.com
@mayor@floridacityfl.com

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Jackpot! East Side Annexation Area Includes FPL's Turkey Point

On Wednesday May 15th the City Council voted to conduct a study to possibly annex the Unincorporated Municipal Services Area (UMSA) east of the city up to Biscayne Bay using Biscayne Dr (SW 288th ST) and SW 352nd ST as the north and south boundaries respectively.  It appears from the map below that part of Florida Power & Light's Turkey Point land and it's northern surrounding property falls within the Homestead Annexation Study area. The facility itself appears to fall south of theoretical SW 352nd ST. If this is the case the tax boon will not be as lucrative but it's not chump change by any means. FPL also owns other large parcel of lands further north near the Homestead Air Force Base (AFB).  Essentially, FPL would be the largest land owner in the new annexed area and with this ownership comes the biggest tax bill.  One may suppose this is the primary  purpose for annexation never mind the reasons given about incorporating Homestead Bayfront Park. The money is in the millage rate charged for the land owned by FPL plain and simple.

There is a method to the madness down at City Hall because it didn't really make sense to annex an area outside the Urban Development Boundary (UDB) unless there was an immediate return on investment (ROI) for the effort.  Especially, since the city is running through reserves like a sailor on shore leave.  Surely, one could suggest the City Council is exhibiting foresight to incorporate areas for future growth, but historically that hasn't been the case.  Shotgun Houses, Baseball Stadium, Seminole Theatre, are but a few examples of the lack of this scarce skill set down at City Hall.  

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Move Homestead City Hall to the East Side

A new City Hall for Homestead is the battle cry of those believing it will breathe life into Downtown Homestead's Historic District.  Mind you there is not one shred of evidence to this assertion.  A government building's primary function is to provide its citizens with the services they need.   The current proposed location on Washington Avenue has limited parking shoe horned on a parcel that's not easily accessible by the residents on the East Side of town.  One could venture to assume the purpose of this location was to limit access to the building by the residents instead of increasing it.  

The East Side of Homestead is where most of its citizens will reside in the future so why not move the permanent site there?  The temporary site is already on the East Side, a good move, since the old site on N. Homestead Blvd and Campbell Dr. has been evacuated due to mold.  The citizens of Homestead need the City Council to seriously consider where the demographics of the city will be by 2020.  With the recent approval by the City Council of an annexation study east of the city, it's obvious that the city will be growing in that direction.  If the annexation comes to fruition the city may nearly double in size. Notwithstanding areas that will not be built, like Homestead Air Force Base (AFB) and Biscayne National Park.

The city's geographic center has already shifted and more so if the city annexes the study area. Downtown Homestead has the potential to become a tourist destination be it by its historic significance, antique corridor, or art and music festivals.  However, this government building will not be the catalyst that will spur redevelopment.  Regrettably this idea has raised expectations unrealistically.  An idea conjured up with conjecture and emotion with little data to back it up.  It's time for the City Council to make wise investment decisions for the future of our city by deciding on an East Side parcel to build the new City Hall.


Reference Link:
South Dade News Leader

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Not So Fast! No Forced MACs, Annexations, or Incorporations

Commissioner Lynda Bell, representing District 8, on the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners (BCC) stood on principle not to support the creation of three Municipal Advisory Committees (MAC) for West Kendall unless each MAC garnered signatures of 20% of the residents affected prior to its creation.  Commissioner Juan C. Zapata, representing District 11, wants to create three MACs in West Kendall splitting the district somewhat evenly along transportation corridors.  Currently there are no municipalities in District 11 so annexation is not a consideration.

Commissioner Zapata would like to have the ordinance requiring 20% of the signatures waived for his proposed MACs.  Commissioner Zapata provided a justification akin to "a previous MAC didn't need to meet the threshold" but Commissioner Bell did not budge.  Commissioner Jordan also voiced some reservations and asked counsel to provide more information as to the threshold and its particulars.  She motioned to deffer the item to the next meeting and Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz, who chairs the Land Use and Development Committee second the motion.

At first one may think this is an altruistic proposal by Commissioner Zapata whereby citizens will get together and decide on the future of the proposed areas.  Everyone will have their say and then decide cordially to incorporate or not to incorporate.  However, history has shown that these committees take a life of their own and suddenly incorporation will not be a choice but a forgone conclusion.  Fact is creating new municipalities is an arduous task and all the ordinace requires is a 20% commitment by the residents affected.

Commissioner Zapata needs to garner 20% commitment from the residents in each of the three areas proposed to create the MACs. Incorporation will be moot if not successful since there is an even greater commitment of 25% of the residents affected to achieve an incorporation vote. This may be a case of a solution looking for a problem; however if Commissioner Zapata can garner the signatures then surely Commissioner Bell may readily sign on to his proposal. 

See video below specifically Lynda Bell's explanation starting at 16:55.

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IT'S ON! Miami-Dade County Annexation Bug is in Full Swing

Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Doral, Florida City, Homestead, Medley, Miami-Springs, and Miami Shores are on the path to annex areas now part of Unincorporated Municipal Services Area (UMSA).  Furthermore, new cities now being considered in Kendall,  East and West that will essentially do away with UMSA as we know it.  The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meetings seem to be on and off to discuss the annexations and incorporation drives but the direction is clear:  Annexation or Incorporation is the way forward.

The obvious question for those in South Dade:   When will the Redland and Redland Edge incorporation drives spin up again? It appears area residents "just want to be left alone" as some have said at the two Homestead Annexation Workshops this month.  However, "left alone" is a luxury we can ill afford in a county ran by construction and developer interests.  Being proactive is a better approach as it will assert a desire to determine the areas' future.  If "agri-dential" is the latest Urban Dictionary term then so be it, but the Redland and Redland Edge areas will have to fight for it.  Homestead residents have a bias for our agricultural communities for many aspire to moving out west of Krome away from zero lot lines and Homeowners Associations (HOAs).  The city and these soon to be towns have shared interests and common goals.  Together we can impress upon the BCC the need for a common sense approach to incorporation in South Miami-Dade that will allow for the residents to preserve their way of life in an agricultural setting.

Redland Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC) Maps.

Reference Links:
County to vote on annexation of land near Miami International Airport - Doral - MiamiHerald.com

Annexation hearing for West Miami-Dade cities is canceled
 
 http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/fl/miami/redland/

 http://www.miamidade.gov/managementandbudget/library/reports/Report_on_Interest_of_Municipalities_to_Annex_Neighboring_MAC_areas_December_11_2007.pdf

Farmers fighting to save a lifestyle

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Homestead Annexation Area Study Heads to East Side

The Homestead City Council decided it was not worth battling the residents' opposition to conduct a feasibility study on the West, North, and Northwest annexation areas. A study will be conducted on the East side annexation area only. This area mostly outside the Urban Development Boundary (UDB) bounded by the eastern city boundary to the west, Homestead Air Force Base to the North, Turkey Point to the South and Biscayne Bay to the East in mostly unpopulated.

Reference Links:
http://southdadenewsleader.com/issue/south-dade-news-leader/article/homestead-approves-annexation-study-for-east-side-only

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/16/3401157/homestead-drops-talk-of-annexing.html

Urban Development Boundary Map.

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Miami-Dade County to UMSA: Incorporation or Annexation

With the election of State Representative Juan C. Zapata to the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners (BCC) there will be a new drive to incorporate new cities and have existing cities annex areas adjacent to them.  Commissioner Zapata believes State Senators and Representatives can better represent municipalities directly versus going through county government.  Another reason:  Miami-Dade is in the process of spinning off the Unincorporated Municipal Services Area (UMSA).  The county will then be left to run the Airport, Seaport, County Fire and Police Departments, Water and Sewer Department just to name a few.

South Dade will  not be spared hence why the Homestead City Council held a Workshop to discuss the feasibility of annexing surrounding areas of UMSA, specifically Reland Edge and Leisure City. These areas have few options due to a limited tax base making incorporation a challenge. Even the tax base of Redland Edge and Leisure City combined isn't sufficient to support incorporation so that leaves the only viable option:  Annexation. In the near future these areas will get absorbed by newly created cities or annexed by Homestead because the status quo is unsustainable. The county has determined that it's simply too expensive to continue providing municipal services to these areas. With a $50M deficit this year alone the county will be putting the incorporation and annexation efforts in overdrive.  So unless Redland and Princeton incorporate soon and are willing to respectively accept Redland Edge and Leisure City, these areas may not have any other alternative than to allow annexation by the City of Homestead. The residents of these areas can choose one path or the other but they may not stay in UMSA forever.

Reference Links:

Miami-Dade lifts ban on new cities
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/04/03/miami-dade-commission-to-consider-lifting-ban-on-new-cities/

A case for incorporation

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/18/2851787/the-case-for-incorporation-in.html

Commissioner Jean Monestime supports increasing property taxes for UMSA
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/09/06/2988431/jean-monestime-proposed-county.html

Commissioner Juan Zapata supports incorporation of new cities (2 Links)

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/04/23/3360701/task-force-considers-creating.html

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2013/04/group-tackles-creation-of-new-miami-dade-cities.html

Commissioner Juan Zapata supports creating new city:  West Kendall
http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/blog/morning-edition/2013/05/could-there-soon-be-a-city-of-west.html

Miami-Dade Current Annexation Proposals

Miami-Dade County - Management and Budget - Annexations

The Politics of Municipal Incorporation in South Florida
http://www.law.fsu.edu/journals/landuse/vol122/lazega.pdf

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Miami Herald Letters: South Dade (Redland Edge) Neighbors don’t want to join Homestead

Some Redland Edge residents don't want the City of Homestead to consider annexing their area.  On May 7th about 80 to 100 people showed up to an Annexation Workshop held by the City Council.  The unexpected visitors were adamant about having their concerns heard by the Workshop participants, but the rules disallowed it.    The visitors eventually left frustrated and disappointed but they turned to the Miami Herald to voice their side of the story.  Below is the link to letters submitted to the newspaper.

Letters: Neighbors don’t want to join Homestead - Homestead / South Dade - MiamiHerald.com

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Line of Demarcation: Homestead considers annexing nearby lands in South Dade

The line of Demarcation is Biscayne Drive otherwise known as SW 288th ST .  All properties south up to the Florida City Limits are being considered for annexation by the City of Homestead.  Communities affected:  Redland Edge, Leisure City, and Homestead Air Force Base area properties south of 288th ST up to the coast.

The City is of Homestead is wise in performing an annexation feasibility study for the areas described above.  A study does not mean it's a done deal.  On the contrary, the study will allow for a facts based analysis to determine if the annexation of these areas is of mutual benefit to both parties. Without data all we have is conjecture and diatribe.  The citizens of these areas are in a great position to benefit from this study in that it will provide them with valuable information regarding their properties and the immediate surroundings.  If in fact the areas are beneficial to Homestead, they may be beneficial to other cities for annexation purposes.

The move to full incorporation is underway in all of Miami-Dade county and even more so as the budget for the Unincorporated Municipal Services Area (UMSA) shrinks.  The shrinking is due in part to the many years of county government subsidizing the UMSA budget to low ball the millage rate thereby discouraging incorporation and annexation.  However, it has come to an end due to the Great Recession of 2007-2009 and ongoing economic malaise in the county.  No longer can the county afford the level of services provided to UMSA at bargain millage rates.  With the upcoming county budget shortfall of $50M, the problem only becomes more acute and UMSA's budget will suffer as a result.

The City of Homestead has a lot to offer.  Homestead has its own Police Department with better response rates than Miami-Dade County Cutler Ridge Police Sub-Station.  A City Council in near proximity whereby residents can air their grievances as shown during the Annexation Workshop.  Local zoning and planing that is in-tune with the rural makeup of southwestern Miami-Dade and its growing commercial and residential areas on the east side. Local utilities department providing responsive and courteous service at competitive rates.  These are only some of the benefits of living in Homestead proper and it behooves the areas considered for annexation to honestly evaluate and compare them with the services provided by UMSA or other cities that may come along desiring to annex their areas.

A meeting to further discuss the Annexation Study will be held at the William F. "Bill" Dickinson Community Center located at 1601 N. Krome Avenue on Wednesday, May 15th at 6:00PM proceeding a City Council meeting, which commences at 5:00PM.


Reference Miami Herald Article Below:
Homestead considers annexing nearby lands - Homestead / South Dade - MiamiHerald.com
Reference South Dade News Leader Article Below:
http://southdadenewsleader.com/issue/south-dade-news-leader/article/homestead-to-discuss-annexation-study-wednesday

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