Justo:
Believe it or not there are residents of Key Biscayne who have no idea where the Garden District is located, let alone the nature of this neighborhood. The Garden District is a very special portion of the Key Biscayne community.
This multi-family zone is a unique part of Key Biscayne. The units are smaller than the large ocean-front condominiums and more affordable to its residents. Most significant is that its residents know one another. They meet while walking their dogs, going to Winn-Dixie and other parts of the community. They look out for one another.
A local developer is planning to purchase the apartment building at 303 Galen Drive intending to demolish its 51 units and construct a new high-rise structure of the same number, but larger individual apartments. To meet his goals, he is petitioning the Village Council to amend the zoning ordinance. This past week his plans were submitted to the Council and several Key Biscayne residents spoke in favor of his application.
All of these residents but one reside in single-family homes on the western side of Key Biscayne.
I find it troubling that notice of the presentation was very limited. 303 Galen is in a different zoning district from the vast majority of properties in the Garden District and thus most of the residents of the District were not aware of the proposal. How did those present at the meeting have notice and those in the District did not?
The reality is that 303 Galen is a part of the Garden District and changes to the 303 Galen property will impact all of the neighborhood.
I have not made a judgment about the application. However, I believe that the community needs to be properly informed and a part of the conversation about its strengths and weaknesses. I fail to see why it is necessary to rush this proposal through the legislative process of a change in the zoning regulations. I foresee this application as the beginning of major changes to the entire Garden District.
Maybe that is inevitable, but the Village Council has a responsibility to all the residents of Key Biscayne to protect their interests in development of real property and establishment and maintenance of zoning districts. We need to have a comprehensive review of zoning for the entire Garden District as well as the proposal for 303 Galen. It may be in the best interest of the applicant, but not necessarily for the community.
Samuel L. Schrager