Editor’s note: This letter was sent to Mayor Joe Rasco and the Village Council and shared with Islander News for publication.
Dear Mayor Rasco and Members of the Key Biscayne Village Council,
I strongly urge the Council to reject the proposed rezoning and 14-story development at 303 Galen Drive.
This project is a dramatic departure from the scale of the Garden District and could establish a permanent precedent for future development throughout Key Biscayne. A decision of this magnitude should not be rushed.
Residents must be given sufficient time and information to evaluate the impact on traffic, infrastructure, parking, neighborhood character and future development. A three-minute public comment at a single meeting does not constitute meaningful community participation.
Please reject the rezoning or, at minimum, defer the vote until the proposal has undergone thorough public review. Once this precedent is established, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to reverse.
If this project is truly appropriate for Key Biscayne, it should withstand careful scrutiny and an informed public process.
Thank you for your service and consideration.
Sincerely,
Bea Rocha