Miami-Dade BCC - Comprehensive Development Master Plan & Zoning Hearing

>> quest we're going to get started, sand for the invocation led this morning by our or, director. Going to give our invocation this morning. Please bow your heads and you can get started. >> thank you GOD for our blessings, family and friends and help us to the best decisions for miami-dade county, thank you very much. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under GOD indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >>chair: all right, and thank you for that brief prayer. >> caught him offguard. >>chair: got to stay on your toes here. Is it proper at this time to set the agenda? Or MADAM Attorney, there's two of you, don't know how you're going to respond. Have a motion to set the agenda? Moved by commissioner lopez, second by cohen higgins, all in favor signify by saying aye. All opposed, nay. MR. Attorney can we have the zoning director read his opening statement and swear in. >> in accordance with the code of miami-dade county all items to be heard have been legally advertised in the newspaper notice mailed on properties posted. Additional copies are available in the chambers. Items to be called up by agenda number and name of applicant, board action on any item MAY be reconsidered and additional action MAY be taken at the same meeting. Applicants MAY wish to govern themselves accordingly. The record and file for each application will include documents from the public agencies erected on resources appeals board and we also have attorneys for those hearings. All documents are present available to all interested parties and available to members of the board of county commissioners MAY examine these items from the record. This along with the fact all witnesses have been sworn in shall be included in any transcript of these proceedings and there is an additional translator present for those individuals requiring assistance. Will the clerk please swear in the witnesses. >> stand and raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear the testimony you are about to give is the truth will truth and nothing but the truth so help you GOD. You MAY be seated, interpreters. Do you swear or affirm you will make a true interpretation of questions asked and testimony given? Thank you. >>chair: all right, so MR. Director it's my understanding that applicant is requesting deferral on 3a, transports 3a supplement and 3a1, do you want to be recognized. >> can the applicant please approach? >>chair: you are recognized for an ad bend flowing queue and day. >> good morning chairand honorable commissioners, louis louis rowen, applicant for the project presented by residence grove and citinet aventura, I request a deferral so we can amend the proposal to better address concerns raised by neighboring residents. I believe it is more responsible to applause listing and improve the project now rather than move forward with a plan that does not reflect meaningful community input and concerns. This request reflects our commitment to collaboration, good planning, bringing back a stronger application that this board and the community can have greater confidence in. This deferral will enable us to take into consideration the request of commission, commissioner cohen higgins to amend this project to address our neighbors concerns. You for your time and consideration. >> thank you for reading that statement, you previously worked under contract with a developer, correct? You are currently out of contract with that proposed developer? >> since yesterday. >>commissioner cohen higgins: how long were you under contract? >> a year and and a half. >>commissioner cohen higgins: how many deferrals have you had previous to the deferral you are requesting this aternoon? >> two that were requested by lennar. >>commissioner cohen higgins: the last two time applications came before this board my directive to the applicant the developer was the density needed to be decreased substantially on this application so you are here before us requesting one third deferral but with no definitive indication the density has been decreased which is the request I have sent not once, not twice but several different times I am not inclined to grant another deferral today. You have a year and and a half to work with a developer. You had to previous deferrals on this application and I am not inclined to grant another deferral today. I appreciate your comments working with the neighbors but that process has taken place. You've worked with the neighbors, had meetings with the neighbors. It seems as though you have reached an impasse at this point. >> the reason for the request of the deferral is besides the reduction in the density which we are going to do, we want to do other changes in order to better serve the neighbors because besides the density they were requesting other changes and that is the reason why we need the deferral. >>commissioner cohen higgins: okay, but you currently don't have a developer. Construction company and our company is going to be the developer. >>commissioner cohen higgins: to the attorneys, if the application is deferred, I kow we have a rule regarding the number of deferrals on cdmp and zoning applications, does that apply to this application? >> no commissioner that does not apply to the situation. So he can have under our rules as many deferrals as he would like? >> yes commissioner. And if the application were denied today what would be his opportunity should he find a developer, come back with a lower density, what would be his opportunity should the body decide to deny the application today? >> with respect to cdmp my understanding is he would have to refile but there's not awaiting period, without prejudice denial would result in a six-month waiting period, with prejudice is 18 months but if they return and it's less intense there is no waiting period, the awaiting period is waived. >>commissioner cohen higgins: if you find the developer, lower the density which is what I have I have requested there is no waiting period for you to come back. What it sounds like is you ae starting over with the process after being under contract a year and and a half with a particular developer. I am not inclined to defer this indefinitely which is what I understand you are requesting. >> we don't want to start from scratch. And we simply want to do several changes so we can accommodate the request of the neighbors. We won't be able to accommodate all but we have already determined in what areas we can do some changes that will mke the neighbors happier with this development. >>commissioner cohen higgins: okay, under that representation I am inclined to defer one additional meeting, I will not be inclined to defer if you come back a month from now and ask for one fourth deferral, is that crystal-clear? Have between now, when is our next cdmp and zoning meeting? >> FEBRUARY 19. >>commissioner cohen higgins: you have between now and FEBRUARY 19 and the deferral is based on your representation of the record you are working with the neighbors and you feel confident between now and then you will be able to strike some sort of a proposal or project the neighbors and the community is amenable to so FEBRUARY 19 the expectation from my perspective is you will be here with application with a developer and with community support. Are you clear on that as well? >> yes. >>commissioner cohen higgins: I moved to defer to our next cdmp and zoning which is FEBRUARY 18, thank you MR. Chair. >>chair: moved by commissioner cohen higgins, second by orbis, all in favor say aye. All opposed, nay. Show the item deferred. It is my understanding the part is requesting deferral on 3b and 8c2. >> for clarity I wanted to make sure there is 3a deferred to FEBRUARY 19. >>chair: correct. The are the ones I just read are being requested deferral by the department, does the district commissioners, there are two different district commissioners need to put anything on the record or can we entertain a deferral on these items, commissioner regalado would you move to defer them all? >>commissioner regalado: is a notice issue, I will defer them all till the next meeting. >>vice chair mcghee: I am in the same position. >>chair: seconded by vice chair, all in favor signify by saying aye. You need me to rectify something? >> want to announce 8c1 and 8c2, both of those for deferral. As opposed to 3b and 3b supplement indefinitely because I read all of these together. So to the next zoning meeting. All right, MR. Attorney let's take item 8a2 if the application needs to read into the record. >> garden place develop it application z20225000 33 which had no protests and no waivers. >>chair: I'm going to open up public hearing but I have no speakers signed up so I will go ahead and close public hearing at this time and I will recognize prior to the applicant I will recognize the district commissioner to say what her leisure is on the presentation or not, commissioner on district for. >>commissioner cohen higgins: yes, the applicant can come up. This is an interesting unique situation where there was a covenant proffered years ago. Without that covenant they could go to eight stories so all they're asking for is one story to have four stories which all the from what I understand speaking to the zoning director all the properties to the east are all at that height. The question I have for you, one thing we don't have clarity on is how many units are you looking to build because the units, I want to make sure we count them, right now you can go to how many units? >> without any restriction you can go to 47 units in 14 stories. >>commissioner cohen higgins: right, but the covenant proffered is for 4 units, four worries rather, how many units on what you looking for? >> the covenant doesn't place a limit on units but what you can accommodate with what the covenant does include which is a four-story height limitation and a prohibition on taking advantage of any parking waivers and you get up to a 40% parking waiver. Prohibitions included in the covenant the maximum you could get is about 29 units thereabouts. >>commissioner cohen higgins: zoning director can you speak in terms of the new covenant and what is being proffered. >> the covenant limits the height of the building 24 stories and does not allow the applicant to seek parking reductions, you can get up to 40% and we know the building next door that's how it got in so many units and we've had complaints about the building next door because of the parking reductions so this applicant has proffered that. >>commissioner cohen higgins: I appreciate the proffer and and now I know staff is recommending that, you're telling me the maximum number of units will be 29 units. >> we don't have a specific site plan but you're limited in what you can do because of the height and prohibition on any parking reductions, by the way the building next door your director is talking about is an eight story building immediately next to this property. >>commissioner cohen higgins: I know and I will be moving this per staff recommendation. I just wanted to put on the record we encourage you to look at the number of units and try to keep it less dense for the area but I do think given the area, given the eight stories next door and all the other ones are four stories in your proffering this to keep it at four and to also comply with our parking requirements, that is my motion. >> if I MAY through the chair to put my name and address on the record because I didn't get an opportunity. Thank you MR. CHAIRMAN and thank you commissioner. 600 brickell avenue miami florida and I don't want to throw the board off because MR. Hugo is dressed with a gray suit as well. that's for yur benefit MR. CHAIRMAN. I am miguel diaz de la portillo but thank you for indulging. >>commissioner hardemon: usually we identify ourselves and where we reside but that seemed much more like an advertisement so I don't know we should allow that anymore. >>chair: on that note all in favor signify by saying aye, do we need a roll call? All the rules. >>commissioner bermudez: >>commissioner cohen higgins: >>senator garcia: >>commissioner gonzalez: for. >>commissioner hardemon: >>commissioner lopez: for. >>commissioner milian orbis: >>commissioner regalado: for. >>commissioner steinberg: >>vice chair mcghee: yes. >>chair: I vote yes. >> motion passes unanimously. >> thank you commissioners. >>chair: we will take item 8a3. >> application 20250074 we've had no protests and no waivers of support. >>chair: I will open up public hearing and I have no one registered to speak so I will close public hearing at this time. I imagine you are the applicant. Standby. Commissioner of district 9 see if you'd like to hear a presentation or make a motion. >>vice chair mcghee: thank you to the applicant, at this time I will move this item. >> second by commissioner lopez, clerk please call the role. We are about to approve, you need to add something? yes you are recognized, say your name and address. >> clara garcia, miami florida 33132. >>chair: you need to say something, go ahead. >> I was willing to explain. >>chair: [Speaking spanish] Please call the role. >>commissioner cohen higgins: for. >>senator garcia: >>commissioner gonzalez: >>commissioner hardemon: >>commissioner lopez: >>commissioner milian orbis: >>commissioner regalado: for. >>commissioner steinberg: >>vice chair mcghee: >>chair: >> motion passes unanimously. >>chair: all right. MR. Attorney let's take item 7b. >> I will read. >>chair: or MADAM Attorney. >> the remaining cdmp items are standard applications for public hearing and final adoption and for each I will read ordinance title, 7b providing disposition of application cdmp 2020 40020 filed by department of regulatory and economic resources to amend the future all natural resources of the land use element and policy cm one a of the coastal management element of the counties comprehensive development master plan, providing severability eclusion from the code and an effective date. >>chair: public hearing is hereby open, I have no public speakers signed up so I will close public hearing at this time and I understand this is a department item, does the director need to read anything into the record or not? >> I'll be glad to present if you'd like. >> would you like to entertain a motion at this time? Second by commissioner gonzalez, please call the rule. >>senator garcia: >>commissioner gonzalez: >>commissioner lopez: >>commissioner milian orbis: >>commissioner regalado: >>commissioner steinberg: >>commissioner bermudez: >>commissioner cohen higgins: >>vice chair mcghee: >>chair: I vote yes. >> motion passes unanimously. >>chair: congratulations, MADAM Attorney or whoever is going to respond let's take item 7c. >> 7c is an ordinance related to miami-dade comprehensive development master plan providing disposition of application number cdmp 20250002 located south of southwest 352 street between card sound road and southwest 147 avenue in florida city filed by atlantic civil incorporated providing severability inclusion in the code and an effective date, this is a public hearing item. >> laura reynolds, come on down. You've got 2 minutes to speak, say your name and address. >> thank you commissioners, laura reynolds representing the hold the line coalition. I signed up for information on this item only, we are happy to see this is being proposed as a mitigation bank in a critical area and not as a construction dump. This is a better use. the only thing we caution is there is restoration in the area so we want to make sure the mitigation bank agrees to hydrology changes depending on what cert might need or not need an area. There have been issues with other mitigation banks with this issue and we want to make sure the applicant proffers that if they need to change the hydrology here they would so comply. Some people think that should take place at the permitting stage however we have no guarantee that will happen and we want restoration to be successful so I would ask you to ask the applicant to proffer they would work with the one management district and army corps to support cerp in this location, thank you. >>chair: thank you MS. Reynolds, is the applicant here? Standby MR. Applicant, I'm going to officially close public hearing at this time and recognized the vice chair, you can recognizing what you will need to introduce himself. >>vice chair mcghee: please recognize herself for the record. >> I'm PRESIDENT Of eas engineering, registered agent. >>chair: I do support the application, let me ask you one of the comments you previously heard, how do you feel about that and what's your position? >> it is impossible for us to make adjustments after the site has been constructed. The reality of the situation is any fluctuation in hydrology that will occur as a result of cerp won't be beneficial but we can't physically adjust our application. We feel confident any changes in hydrology will be beneficial and accommodated by the bank. >>vice chair mcghee: as relates to staff do you have any concerns for this application. >> our recommendation is to adopt as transmitted and as far as changes we do not have any. >>vice chair mcghee: anything else you would like to proffer at this moment. >> we like to suggest in support of the community activities up within your district we are prepared to proffer, to create an endowment to the florida memorial university of $100,000 for educational opportunities in district 9. >>vice chair mcghee: I will move the item. >>chair: second by commissioner gonzalez, seeing no further discussion clerk please call the role. >>commissioner gonzalez: >>commissioner hardemon: >>commissioner lopez: >>commissioner milian orbis: >>commissioner regalado: >>commissioner steinberg: >>commissioner bermudez: >>commissioner cohen higgins: >>senator garcia: >>vice chair mcghee: yes. >>chair: I vote yes. >> thank you very much. >>chair: congratulations. MADAM Attorney, let's take the fun one. Item 7a collects ordinance related to county development master plan providing disposition of cdmp 20230013 located west of northwest 137 avenue and state road 836 interchange filed by kelly tractor company in the MAY 2023 cycled to amend the counties cdmp providing severability exclusion from the code and an effective date, this is a public hearing item. >>chair: I will go into public hearing and opening at this time I have quite a few speakers registered, more than anticipated perhaps so I will call your name and come up, state your name and address and you will have one minute to speak given the amount of speakers we have. Please be cordial with the other speakers. And for them the same opportunity of time by being respectful of their time and sticking to your one minute. Having said this, having had to say this in the meeting but when I say thank you that's my polite way of saying your time is up. Then I will say thank you one more time and your microphone will be cut off. All right. [Reading names] You can start lining up on each side of the aisles and the first two names can approach the two podiums. Pretty sure I didn't say that right but you know you are. [Reading names] That's the first batch, we still have more. And serve either one of you can get started. >> my name is samuel, longtime miami resident and basically the main reason. >>chair: your address please. >> 15535 here garden park and the main reason I'm speaking is to push for developing land outside the utv, this pushed not only exacerbates issues that wildlife is facing but the fact that normal procedure is being circumvented is not appreciated by the community. Building outside the you db is restricted to low density uses, there ae 700 acres of vacant land and kelly tractor's headquarters that wouldn't contribute to 160 acres of biodiversity. Planning has stated there are acres of land at kelly tractor's current site and the company provided no explanation on why they can't expand it 63 of these acres are protected by perpetual covenants meaning they are legally binding agreements protecting the sanctity of this wild space and this proposition would ignore this fact. The fact that kelly tractor expects our tax dollars to go to road upgrades is a result of laughing in our face as this proposal explain not only from beautiful wetlands and thank you. >>chair: thank you for staying on time. >> 91 s. 54th street cooper city florida, I'm born and raised in south florida and I traveled from cooper city to be here really kelly tractor's proposal puts in place to prohibit the type of development proposed today kelly tractor fails to prove any such. Operating successfully for 90 years on 260,000 feetb2 of buildings this would expand their footprint to 2,600,000 feetb2 over a 10 fold increase and between the location along 25 anchors remain unused providing a lack of reasoning as to why wetland outside the udb providing a habitat for the endangered would snort and so is essential to business this would inundate our aquifers we are dependent on drinking water by taking away more land our aquifer relies on and why we should encourage the growth of local businesses engaged during our ecosystem is not the way to go about it. I asked you disapprove of this proposal and vote in the favor of the health and prosperity of the environment. >>chair: right on time. We do this here in the chamber, not this. >> I'm jessica diaz, my address is 21013 northwest. 14th place miami gardens. So I would first like to thank you providing a space to listen to the public. Over the last three years I've cultivated a relationship to voice my opposition and employ you to prioritize and protect the everglades. I'm originally from spain but lived in miami most of my life and it wasn't until I went to college and I finally recognized the beauty of florida's nature and found myself humbled by the natural resources, it's not a secret the everglades is a wonder. It's one-of-a-kind work of natural resources and makes up the largest subtropical wellness and it's a blessing to have that gem. Considering the kind of ecosystem will sustain our lives, acting as mother nature's kidneys wetlands filter pollutants and acts as a shield against many things flooding coastal erosion and offers a critical habitat for the fish and wildlife unique to florida that brings tourists from all corners of the world. >>chair: what was your name again? >> jessica diaz. >> my name is dj, I'm here representing tropical audubon society to address 5530 sunset drive, 33143. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. I respectfully urge you direct object the kelly tractor application. The application possesses several inconsistencies with cdmp policies which is one of the recent staff recommended its denial. Within the site are 63 acres of wetlands already protected under wetland preservation covenants, these wetlands designated as wetlands of regional significance are high functioning hydrologic systems that play a role in recharging the aquifer where we get our drinking water as well as storing water to reduce the impacts on flooding. The loss of these impacts are not guaranteed to be mitigated on the applicant who has no clear plan read the current tier area stated to justify the destruction of such wetlands are not met by this application, this would not result in public benefit in the destruction of public benefits. Follow your expert staff advice and deny this application. >> my address is 1424 ne. Miami place in miami. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak today. I've recently moved here from hawaii and I was deeply saddened to come from such a pristine environment to a place where there's so much overdevelopment. I was saddened to hear they wanted to build this 162 acre parking lot in a protected environment. Disregarding the biodiversity around it or the water that 8 million residents of florida are drinking, I just feel like the developers around here see something with a lot of $'s and it's easy to put a stamp of approval on it and not think about the impacts around. I just think it's irresponsible and I disapprove this whenever they want to, sorry, I'm getting nervous. I disapprove this project. >> my name is kylie gill and I'm educator for the tropical audubon society at 5530 sunset drive miami 33143 and I'd like to echo the comments by previous acre daniel and stressed the importance of looking at our natural spaces in their entirety. With each application are wetlands increasingly disappear. These decisions are often made on an individual basis not accounting for the cumulative impacts of multiple developments over time. The biscayne bay watershed management advisory board directs the cunties to conduct a wetland study to understand how many wetlands remain but the study was never carried out and with no knowledge of the quantity of wetlands remaining we cannot afford such reckless destruction. We urge you to act in the best interests of miami-dade's long-term environmental resilience by rejecting the kelly tractor application. Our county should be prioritizing the poduction of remaining wetlands not converting them into industrial development that would degrade the health of our natural ecosystems. Time and consideration. >> hi everyone, hope you're having a good morning. I am from 14270 alethea. I would like to urge you guys to please vote against this parking garage. It's sad because we are urged when connecting to you guys trying to advocate our point to speak economics and that's something we urge you guys, coming from a social work background I think it's extremely disheartening because just the humanity is lost and I feel like we are desensitized and coming into this building the pitiful orchards of the everglades and of the fact that we're passing by this, this would be destroyed so I just urge you guys to open your hearts for the people and not for corporations because that's what we voted you in for and that's what people were coming together and we are being more active and voting so I urge you to hear out the people and not corporations so thank you for your time. >>chair: MISS Reynolds. >> laura reynolds representing the whole blind coalition, 33143. We are a coalition of professionals businesses community leaders, nonprofits and by the way we are 22 years old and the reason we were formed originally was to ensure we had enough tax dollars to invest in our infrastructure and this is putting a burden on the taxpayer, not only would we have to fix the roadway connie currency but we would not get potentially the flood mitigation benefits these wetlands are providing in addition to water quality benefits for biscayne bay. This could happen in palm beach, we have no idea. Why should we have a udb and comprehensive master plan if you're going to give away your power and allow a text amendment with no concrete zoning to be approved here? We ask you to deny this application and require the applicant to follow the rules like everybody else. This should be a map amendment with your full control over the site. Require zoning, thank you, please deny this application as is. >> I am from pembroke pines. And I want to ask you when you have power you must not abuse it so I ask you do you want a legacy of destruction or a legacy of preserving florida's wildlife? Resident of florida my entire life and seeing how many projects are getting approved is leaving florida with less and less wildlife. In 2024 alone the state of florida had over 96,000 and 300 acres of deforestation. I want to ask you what is going to happen to our state if we keep voting yes to all these projects? Kelly tractor company has been in business since 1933, that's over 93 years as a company not one of those years did they need to destroy 162 acres of wetland. You have an opportunity to stop this, stop this because this is also going to help with florida tourism. >>chair: thank you so much. All right. >> my name is joseph, I live in west kendall and I am a tour guide in everglades national park. I'd like to say hi to all the commissioners, it is a pleasure to see you guys again but unfortunately not all what I'm talking about. I'd like to take you down to 137 and eight street near the site being proposed, so many fires go down all the time and passing to work I see them. You guys talk about being cost-effective or at least I hope you are considering being cost-effective. These wetlands provide not only flooding support but also buffers against these fires they have economic value you might not recognize right away and what I'm urging you guys to do is to not buy into this moneymaking right-of-way. Look past your currency, look at the PRESIDENT You're sitting or the people not only coming ahead of you but the people watching, your children seeing this happen and seeing you guys make decisions, make sure you stand on the right side, that is all I ask. >> my name is bernice, 29th street miami florida. I am requesting the commission denied kelly tractor's application. The purpose of the urban development is to protect the people and we have an area we can develop and outside of that starts to affect how everyone else lives and I don't want to talk about the everglades and how that affects our water because I don't think this commission cares. I was also here talking about the incinerator and someone made a comment how the everglades provides our drinking water and commissioner bermudez said put it out with that bull ship. The issue I have with this application is from the taxpayers having to foot the infrastructure. In what world does it make sense for the taxpayers to do something for a private company when they're not going to benefit in any way. As a parking lot for tractors and I'm not saying if it's in the build we can do it, that's not how taxpayers want to spend their money. >> my name is will larkin, a student and guide at everglades national park and to pay attention because I've seen you get your phones. I don't want to be here either rent there was something allowing the inner incinerator stuff to move forward and you guys are in a unique position where you are deciding what we will do with our precious land here and making that decision for our future generations so wetlands provide a natural filter, all these ecosystem services we do not currently have the technology to replace and if you allow this development to past future generations will pay for that cost if you destroy that wetland. I'd love to see a show of hands, how many of you have waited into the everglades? If you do wade into the everglades you will see how much life is in one parking space, how many trees, bugs and life are in one parking place. We are in a unique article world and 200 species go extinct every day and if you allow this project you are contributing to this mass extinction and taking away the everglades from our future generations. Whether or not to protect that so I hope you make the right decision. >>chair: I went through the list of everyone involved give me a minute, if you're registered to speak you can speak and I will call the next batch of speakers. Michael perez. [Speaking names] Since sir, you can start. >> my name is michael perez, 15330 outhwest 155 court west kendall. Kelly tractor application and asking you to deny it. I am environmental scientists, incorporated I can talk about the everglades or morality but this is a waste of taxpayer money. why should us as the county fund this developers rads? When a developer buys land outside the udb they're getting it cheaper price because there's less roads and infrastructure, these people bought wetland in bad faith and they're asking the county to foot the bill asking them to build this business when there's a lot of land inside the udb. It is more expensive but they're trying to flip the savings on all of us as taxpayers and I don't think that's right. This is also environmentally terrible, why should we be draining our wetlands for such an industrial use when there is land available. It's an irresponsible use of our tax dollars and even though there's empty chairs behind me there's a lot of people watching you guys behind the cameras and people will hear about this so be mindful. >> I am representing friends of biscayne bay 4600 southwest. 16th avenue miami and urge you to deny that the kelly tractor application for consistent with staff recommendations and this proposal moves the county backwards, the wetlands impacted are part of the natural system those nutrients flow stormwater and regulate freshwater flows to the bay and when these wetlands are lost pollution reaches the bay faster. Improving this project undermines restoration efforts, beyond environmental harm this raises serious PRESIDENT Concerns instead of a site-specific map amendment it whole alters plans regulated beyond this property and there is a fiscal and equity aspect, miami-dade adopted a budget with a funding shortfall triggering hard discussions about essential services, approving infrastructure and services for a private industrial project, this is not common outside o the udb ships cost to taxpayers when the county is making trade-offs to balance core services, no taxpayer should be forced to be subsidized in a highly profitable company making hundreds of millions in revenue. >>chair: go ahead. >> my name is sophia meyer from fountain blue boulevard miami boulevard 33172, I've been a florida resident my entire life. It was beautiful to experience florida's wildlife, it's diverse and resilient and everyone should have a chance to experience it but it's easy to forget the last 70 years development has been the leading cause for florida's immense habitat loss, more than half of florida's wildlife has been overdeveloped and there have been almost more than half of it overdeveloped. I wanted to mention wetlands are just essential for florida's wildlife and environment, it helps reduce flooding and mitigate floodwaters so adding more concrete and developing more, it will worsen this issue because rainwater will sit on top of that country and will have nowhere to go. forget that a lot of the times we should be more considerate over our environment and community and I please urge you to vote no on the tractor development, it will threaten more of florida's wild spaces. >> I live at 27504 southwest. One fourth avenue in homestead. As a rsident student in miami-dade county I feel a compulsion to speak out against kelly tractor's development. According to reports of the U.S. Fish and wildlife services the 1800s over half of all wetlands in the lower 48 are gone. Losses have increased by 50% since 2009 rip and if decisions keep being made against the wetlands enough we won't have a wetlands to provide. The invaluable services they give rid of bffering against coastal storms, holding and selling releasing floodwater and multiple other things at commercial and not just that but also recreational importance. Not jst to the residents but the tourist, the industries here as far as freshwater, shellfish, commercial farming destroying and developing 100 acres of wetlands into parking spaces is a gross misappropriation of natural resources. I'd like to remind you this is an election year. Many more residents are keeping up on this development and we will remember your decision. >> my name is eileen bravo and I'm here because of social media. Social media MAY be aware of this issue. of this initiative for kelly tractor's to move there corporate headquarters. Being in corporate for many years I've known these decisions are usually made in a board room with ceos and sweet level people making decisions to either expand or you know, have a nicer place or more secluded place to conduct their business. However this affects floridians. Taxpayers. This affects our flooding, our drinking water. Our children, our families. And I want to be here to actively speak against this initiative. Thank you so much. >> my name is cardinal alfonso, 14229 southwest. 97th terrace. I'm here today in the opposition of the kelly tractor development. Development on this land will not only disturb the surrounding ecosystem and wildlife but lead to even more development on protected lands over the years. Instead of building on the wetlands that are important to the health of our environment and ecosystem we should try looking into renewing properties that are already abandoned or vacant rip we urge you to deny this application, thank you. >> good morning, north miami and I oppose the development of 168 being built on protected wetlands. Strict rules to prevent building outside of the udb except when a clear need exist. Furthermore county staff flag that kelly's proposal would not cover the cost of road upgrades asking miami-dade taxpayers to fill the bill that there's another steppingstone to even more than on beautiful land that would endanger more animals and risk more extension rip I urge you to deny this development for the health of biscayne bay wetlands and well-being of these animals, thank you. >> my address is 312 southwest. 32nd avenue apartment 313 miami. I am a archival assistant with the florida international university's college of law and I am just a regular citizen but probably the below average exposure to the everglades. I believe many people in the city also are and I am here to just express my concern like everybody else who are concerned about the direction we are heading in just further development in delicate parts in our state. I have nothing more specific to add that has not already been said before but just since the 1960s development has been further endangered and I would ask you to please please vote no for this to protect what we have left, thank you. >> and you are arianna, angelica. Okay. Now angelina. And alberto. Now you can speak. >> I am from homestead. This is my first time public speaking so I don't know exactly, sorry my name is angelina. It doesn't really matter about the name, what matters here is about the environment. >>chair: is really cute but it matters. Your address. >> 26871 southwest. 118th court homestead florida. Don't track me, just kidding. Anyways, I really wanted to speak because there's so much going on in the environment. Especially with the incinerator going on. We really need to do something about this because as you can see there's flooding going on. Why are there flemings? It's due to a lot of building construction with agriculture and all these things so I think we need to start doing something about this, not just pass the agreements with all these construction projects. I think we should think about the future because you have children, you do. What about their grandchildren, do you want them to live in a place like this? With the environment dying? That's not going to be good for anybody so don't think just about your pockets. About the future. That's all I wanted to say, thank you. >>chair: thank you so much, ma'am. >> I am a citizen of sunrise florida in broward county. So if we do go through with this development you're risking the entire future of florida read everglades provides a plethora of benefits from drinking water to recreational activities and we risk extinction of many species, pollution of wetlands and even our hurricane protection rid the everglades are an essential part of florida and to approve this parking lot would be too actively instigate the future devolution of our beautiful sunshine state. Change is inevitable but I wanted to ask will you be the part of cange that saves us from corporation read and endangerment, thank you. >> my name is alberto rosales 7131 southwest. Avenue. Been a lifelong resident in west kendall and I've been going to the everglades for as long as I can remember. I think it's I'd encourage you all to oppose this. I've been going to the everglades as long as I can remember and watching it go slowly. But at a time when we should be protecting our wetlands and mother nature we still have here in florida with all the development going on I've seen this project is very inappropriate and I urge my commissioner and all of you to protect this project. >>chair: that's the last public speaker I have signed up to speak so that is closed. And I think on this application we MAY want to call up the applicant and if the applicant can approach the wll. And for applicants. I'm going to ask you to state your name and address for the record and how much time will you need to present? >> good morning CHAIRMAN, vice CHAIRMAN, my name is alexander with offices at 701 brickell avenue. We previously did a presentation during the JULY meeting and anticipate keeping this a maximum of 10 minutes for the benefit of the board there's some items that we have disagreements with planning staff that I think it would be beneficial maybe perhaps we MAY hear from them and keep this shorter, it is the will of the commission. >>chair: unhappy to recognize the district commissioner and casey has specific things he would like you to address, I was asking my team if there was a change in the site plan because the speaker mentioned a lot about a parking garage. And I was very confused because that's not what the site plan reflects so can you address if there was a change, if you guys are amending it. >> there is no parking lot, this is still the kelly tractor headquarters, there is storage as in the existing site for the tractors but there is no parking. >>chair: do we have a, is there a mixup in the system like online, are we showing a parking garage, is it the same code that represents, I'm trying to understand because it wasn't one speaker, there was speaker after speaker that mentioned parking garages and building on 200 something acres and I know the building is not on 200 something acres, the total lot is hundred acres. >> there is no reference to a parking garage and the use they are requesting is in the mia equipment area so no mention of a parking garage. >>chair: do your presentation, I'm sure you will address other concerns. >> again commissioners this application is before you for final adoption. I anticipate keeping this presentation brief as you are familiar with kelly tractor and its impact to the south florida community and I want to emphasize since transmittal in JULY 2025 the state reviewing agencies do not have any objections to this application and as such have been no substantive changes to the proposed tax amendment since heard by this commission. Kelly tractor as you know I a family-owned supplier of heavy machinery providing essential services to our community since 1933. As the demand for services continues to grow kelly tractor is working to expand its facilities to serve the community and enhanced service and efficiency. Kelly tractor has outgrown its current site and there is no land available in the udb to expand. Kelly is experiencing inefficiencies in its operations and lost opportunities. Application area, 246.07 acres and is generally located north of northwest 6th street and hundred 37th avenue and state road 36. The property has a land use designation of open land sub area three and industrial and office located outside of the northwest and west wellfield protection areas and outside of and abuts the udb shown in green. 3.129 acres are within the udb and another 87 are within the upa, the property allows access to area 36 on the property. Taking a step back I want to walk you through the sub area land use designation area in blue, portions of this are already largely developed and most of the uses that exist in and around open land sub area three are permitted because of their unusual characteristics including limestone mining and associated industries such as concrete production as well as stormwater management ad utility facilities. Similar to and supportive of uses that currently exist within open and sub area three the applicant is requesting the mri appointment and supportive services area in the open land land use category writ this is a text amendment. Most importantly we are not seeking to move the udb. Like the other permitted uses within open land the kelly tractor facility has unusual siting requirements and the purpose of the equipment supported services area is to centralize and the maintenance of heavy construction and specialized equipment medical to building our infrastructure, the rock mining industry housing and meeting the needs of the industrial markets and because of the nature of the operation is not compatible with other land uses inside the urbanized area we had here is a proposed tax change, again no changes since JULY 2025. On the screen most importantly is the scene conceptual master site plan you saw back in JULY. Now as previously mentioned kelly will consolidate and centralize the storage of heavy construction. Kelly is not introducing urban uses to the area. If you think of the rock mining industry for instance which is one of kelly's most important customers these uses and functions already exist within open land and as it stands kelly tractor constrained the and the approval will allow it to grow to meet future needs for critical equipment. Also within a strategic area of our county located on the western half of the counties northwest central planning tear in an area where existing proposed uses are supported by the applicant again including the rock mining industry rib moreover due to its distance from residential neighborhoods is an ideal location for very intense uses rent the current headquarters site MAY be available for less intense uses such as residential and commercial. I know I've touched on this throughout the presentation so I'm just going to quickly go through this, the services provided by kelly impacts all miami-dade county, all economic sectors from healthcare to infrastructure and county is dependent on equipment to provide government support services, moreover kelly partners with south florida for large-scale projects and provides apprenticeship training and supports emergency response teams. Last but not least if allowed to relocate kelly will create up to 1000 jobs and support the local economy and is expected you to generate 2.6 million in taxes due miami-dade 13.5 million in impact fees. You're all familiar with the proposed uses within open land sub area free ranging from limestone quarries to commercial retailers. Now on the point of traffic the county commission amended the code to require the dedication of 139th avenue to congestion of 137th rib several projects in the area including the approved truck parking as well as the target will benefit from the opening of 139th avenue to eighth street, kelly's proposal will undergo several reviews including competency at the time of zoning. At that time kelly will enter into a share of integration agreement to provide its share of the cost of improvement in addition to that kelly is agreeing to build northwest 147th avenue, ninth lane and northwest 6th street. In our previous presentation to the commission we showed 142nd avenue in our conceptual site plan because we knew 139th avenue was not an option given the environmental and archaeological areas of the site. I'm going to briefly turn it over to discuss the environmental considerations. >> I'm with eas engineering 55 o'leary avenue. One important aspect of what's been proffered is part of this application is an existing declaration of restrictions. In that declaration we acknowledge the fact there has been passed permitting activity in the past covenants that exist on this property. We are honoring all those covenants and following the criteria that are set out in those criteria. No work on this site until those permits and/or covenants are modified and every, all the site plans you've seen today our conceptual and we ae willing to work to tweak the activity on the site to the benefit of the environment. Existing covenants and has been subject to past permits, what's interesting about the covenant that's on the site that relates to the existing agricultural activities, it anticipates the fact there will be a future land use change and it prescribes how the environmental impact on the site will be addressed. That's exactly what we intend to do. The other portions of the site not covered by that restriction, by that covenant will be evaluated during te environmental permitting process just like any other environmental permit process would allow for. There are two, as I mentioned there's two covenants, one of the covenants set aside portions of the site. There is an existing bay head that's approximately 10 acres and in our application we are proposing to expand that to 18 and on the western portion there is an existing conservation area of 12 acres we are proposing to expand to 15 so given all those constraints the fact that we have a tremendous amount of environmental permitting to deal with in future we believe we have a site plan that can satisfy the goals of kelly tractor and the environmental constraints for the area. >> various reviewing agencies review the application and found no adverse impacts from the application if approved to any state or regional resources and facilities and therefore no reasonable inject objections including dep, dot. Know we've been working with the miccosukee tribe of indians and they are supportive. Just to summarize as it stands today the correct kelly tractor site has severe limitations which result in inadequate storage repairs and maintenance space rib this application is located in a strategic area and consistent with existing and proposed developments of the site is an environmentally appropriate site throughout the application presents an opportunity to further provide good paying jobs and support economic growth through our counties partnerships. Since 1933 kelly tractor has grown while the size of the operation has changed the soul as a family owned business has not permitted we respectfully request you adopt this amendment with the application of restrictions which we will pass out. Our entire team is available for your questions and if necessary I'd like to reserve time for remodel. >>chair: we MAY have questions so thank you for that and with that I will waste no time and go straight into commissioner of district 12 as this lies within your district, you are recognized for questions, comments and of course a motion if necessary. >>commissioner bermudez: I have a couple questions but I will give my comments first because kelly tractor both sites the present site and this proposed site are both within district 12. One and I know this area very well. So let me just point out as has been mentioned before the kelly tractor family but let's start by saying the parking garage has been mentioned a lot. That's not what this is about. This is about moving the facility and growing a facility that's provided a lot to the state of florida and the important thing is and I'll get to it in a second. They're not simply seeking to relocate their headquarters because they're seeking to relocate their headquarters, they're looking for a larger site to better serve the community and improve operational efficiency and support county infrastructure means. There's a lot of limitations on the present site, I think they talked about it already rib but there is an interesting component to this new site to 236 7.07 acres on northwest 6th street and 137th avenue yet if you've been there, you know there are already a bunch of use in the area. In fact, there's parking for the school board and as was mentioned there's potential for parking, target etc. As a matter of fact if you go west and it was interesting to see the south florida water management, immediately to the west obviously has a facility for flooding. Which and they supported this application, didn't make any comments but the important thing if you go further west as we get closer to the miccosukee land is one of the biggest gas stations I've ever seen by shark valley so I've wondered where our people when things are being done by others and it's a question I have and today I respect everybody's comments and certainly interested in some of the things that I've heard and we looked at it before, this has been going on for a while. Kelly tractor supports multiple sectors and includes construction, infrastructure, etc. They employ over 400 people now. The move would lead to another thousand, probably some will be from broward but mostly miami-dade county residents that will work for kelly tractor which is a large number. We have a lot of acres and the it has become and I will say this for the 19,000 time lower rentals who I respect a lot, laura reynolds and her group, all my colleagues and the mayor, that line was created a long time ago for many other reasons which include economics and I'm not going to get into it because I don't want to argue about that past happenings in dade county but nevertheless it's, there is no other urban development boundary, as a matter of fact I asked staff does broward have an early development boundary? What do you say? >> broward county does not. >> so you know, this is an mia equipment and supportive services area that has distinctly stated through the text amendment, there's already a number of people, I'm not going to reiterate some of the things said by the applicant where they're at and they some area and all that. The uses they have, I want to point out the fact kelly tractor now at this time provides landing pads for the county and other state and local agencies to use during emergencies. And has in many occasions provided space to provide training in the vehicle parking for the county and they would continue to do so on the site. Including hurricane debris management. The site is near transportation corridors, anybody who's been to 237th nose as a matter fact there's going to be a number expressway built that's going to probably impact this site, I will not get into that now because that will be something we will talk about in the future about 137th goes right through that area. It's near the limestone quarry as we talked about that which and most of the residents unfortunately don't know this but state is the one that sits the rules on that rib not us. But it's in a very very good site, it will provide like I said another 1000 jobs, generate 2.6 million annually and local taxes and enhance the opportunity for many residents hopefully dade county residents to get jobs and good paying jobs. But most importantly this site is consistent with the nearby existing uses within open land some area three. As far as category and it's distant from plus we're going to build more housing at some point which I don't think, I think this is preferable to something we need. So it includes some major roadway improvements needed in any case. You saw the presentation and I'm not going to reiterate it but I wnt to point out two things. Like I said there's a lot of stuff around. I am shellshocked that somebody who tours the everglades doesn't see the gas station right like eight street. It's one of the biggest gas stations, 200 buckets for all I know so it's amazing but that doesn't come in front of us. We don't have a say. To me that would be a bigger problem but the neighbors in the area, we've heard from a lot of people and they all have a right to speak because that's what democracy is about, they don't have a right to say it's going to be a parking garage because it's not true. Social media many times. >>vice chair mcghee: one moment, sergeant if we hear any other outbursts quietly escort the persons out, I apologize, continue. >>commissioner bermudez: obviously there's parking but there's not going to be a parking garage. The other thing is the neighbors live right by in their homes, I don't see any of them here. There's only one here and I think he's supportive of the item so I haven't seen anybody that appeared. The other thing I think makes a big difference is for all of us and including for some of the people that have spoken and correct me if I'm wrong either the applicant or any of my colleagues. You still have to get permits from derm and the state. The state has looked at this, so have all the agencies we talked about derm and the state will have to look at this again. There's not going to be environmental concerns being dealt with. I am going to be supportive of it. I think we need jobs in miami-dade county. There's already previously before I got hear their's stuff approved to go in that area. In that area and I know you hate me saying this, and apparently so does laura reynolds. If we are talking about a line and we've had projects year, projects in the middle of stuff where that line goes through, it makes no sense to me to not sit everybody down at the table, the environmentalists, the developers and dos actually and you guys at staff and figure out where this makes sense and where it does not. Nobody including myself is happy when we lose some of these 200 different species that we have lost in the state of forida as one of the speakers stated but we also have to create jobs for this county and we also have to have growth but I have to be sensitive to the everglades and laura reminds me every day and correctly so about what's happening but when I do not appreciate is taking this into something that is not and while I appreciate the zealousness of some of the speakers and again I will always protect their right to say what their opinion is even if we disagree because that's what democracy is about. Good project for miami-dade county. I do not think it will, it can't actually even going west it's not going to change things because we already have an area that's protected. It belongs to the state and its used for emergencies right to the west but things are going to happen anyways. This is the type of project, we have a company that's been in dade county since 1933. You heard the word legacy before and if you don't think the kelly family feels legacy and they bought this land before even the urban development boundary issue, more or less at the time and even before it became and urban development boundary line. I've known the kelly family. They've always been very very conscientious citizens, corporate citizens and I know that now is hip to attack corporations but if there's no corporations there are no jobs. unless the state will give you a free job, wonderful. You can become like the former soviet union or cuba or one of those places where everybody went to leave and come over here. The bottom line in my opinion is this is a good project. It's still is going to have to go through a very, very very very important and maybe sometimes difficult process which is the permitting and I'm going to reserve comment on other things, I've got so much to say but I will leave tat for my book. To me this is one of the projects that does fit and I don't arrive at the decision easily either because I do respect people that spoke today and all the people that spoke today, even the ones not from miami-dade county because they have a right to opine also but that's why I remind people broward, they are trash facilities and want t impose them on us, not on them but see it in miramar, quote unquote but I'm going to support it, make a motion to move it forward and I will be happy to answer any questions from any of you, my colleagues and if I remember any of the residents once asked me questions later I will give my answers and if lourdes wants to ask me questions I am happy to answer to. This is not done, it will still move forward and it has to pass and I'm going to reiterate there are no residents from district 12 by this site here today and actually there are but they suppor