http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/14896191.htm

 

HIALEAH

Marlins stadium suffers setback

 

The state has objected to the site of a proposed Marlins stadium and other zoning changes approved by the County Commission.

 

BY TERE FIGUERAS NEGRETE

tfigueras@MiamiHerald.com

 

The state of Florida has thrown up a hurdle for a proposed Marlins stadium in Hialeah, as well as for a slew of other land-use changes approved by Miami-Dade County this year.

 

The Department of Community Affairs, which reviews major land-use decisions by the county, refused to approve the changes to the county's master plan, which outlines long-term zoning. The county will now have to argue its case for each project before a judge at an administrative hearing.

 

The DCA cited concern over Miami-Dade's lack of potable water to support future growth and the impact on traffic in the area if the Hialeah land just off of Florida's Turnpike is developed for a stadium.

 

Hialeah and the county have promised to build a $45 million reverse osmosis plant to supply drinking water to support new development on the 1,100-acre Hialeah site. Most of the site is owned by developer Armando Codina and is slated for an office and commercial warehouse complex.

 

Codina has indicated he would donate some of the land for a Marlins stadium. The plan has been enthusiastically backed by city leaders as well as several county commissioners -- although no deal has been reached with the ball club or Major League Baseball.

 

The DCA says it needs more assurances that the as-yet unfunded water plant will be built, and that the water it produces will be used primarily to serve the demands of proposed development at the site.

 

Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina said he's confident the city and county can iron out the water issues "in the next four to six weeks.''

 

''This is just a bureaucratic hurdle,'' Robaina said. "But we don't want to have any pending issues out there.''

 

Also affected by the department's decision: Eight other development projects scattered throughout Miami-Dade that were approved by the County Commission in April.

 

''We're surprised,'' said attorney Jeff Bercow, who represents three of the projects affected, including a mixed-use apartment complex in Northeast Miami-Dade. Bercow said the projects are in keeping with good planning ideals and don't affect the Urban Development Boundary, which separates sensitive land from urban sprawl.

 

"These are exactly the kinds of things the DCA has been encouraging -- 'eastward, ho' and urban infill,'' he said. Bercow said his clients will likely file a motion to intervene in the proceedings.

 

If the administrative judge still finds the applications unacceptable, the proposed projects would go back to the DCA, which would in turn forward them to Gov. Jeb Bush and his Cabinet for review.

 

The governor and his Cabinet have final say on the issue -- and without a final order, the projects can't begin, according to DCA spokesman Adam Sohn.

 

The DCA had recommended denial of all of the county's proposed land-use changes earlier this year, roundly criticizing the proposed developments.

 

Its scathing review followed criticism from the state's Department of Environmental Protection and the South Florida Water Management District, which said the county's long-range water plans were woefully shortsighted and threatened the Everglades.

 

Water officials noted Miami-Dade had one of the worst reusage rates in the state. They also said county officials seemed reluctant to seek other water sources.

 

Since then, Miami-Dade leaders have made much of bringing the county in line with the state's requirements.

 

The head of the water department resigned, his successor pledged to overhaul the county's plans and commissioners passed resolutions reaffirming their commitment to new water supplies and conservation.

 

The South Florida Water Management District agreed to issue a temporary permit earlier this year to accommodate development already in the pipeline and gave Miami-Dade until 2007 to come up with an acceptable 20-year plan.

 

But a DCA letter to Commission Chairman Joe Martinez that was sent Thursday said ``the county has not demonstrated that it has available a potable water supply to service the increased demand.''

 

Robaina noted that the DCA review was completed before the county and his city approved construction of the water plant.

 

Sohn said the department believes the issues "are very much resolvable.''

 

Subrata Basu, assistant planning director for Miami-Dade Planning and Zoning, said ironing out the water issue is very complex, a lot of things have to fall in place.''

 

But he said he believes the county will be able to work things out with the state.

 

''This is just a little hiccup,'' he said.

is it possible for south florida to secede from northern florida?

is it possible for south florida to secede from northern florida?

 

 

LOL :lol

is it possible for south florida to secede from northern florida?

 

 

Seriously! I never say I'm from "Florida." It might as well be 2 different planets.

Jeb Bush has the final say so in the end it'll be ok. :thumbup

Jeb Bush has the final say so in the end it'll be ok. :thumbup

 

There is a court to handle these matters, but he does have final say when things are said and done.

In the words of Stewie Griffin, "What the duece!" :blink:

 

First the state gives the marlins the big Yuck Fou, but now there actually going to try and stop the local governments from helping?!?!

I spoke with a buddy of mine who is handling these matters directly just this past Thursday. There is currently brewing a dispute between DCA and Miami-Dade on the proper interpretation of the Capital Improvement Element and Future Land Use Map portions of the Miami-Dade Comprehensive Plan when it comes to water use. That is the crux of the dispute. There is nothing "personal" against Miami-Dade on the part of DCA. This will wind its way, but it's going to take some considerable amount of time.

 

I've said this here repeatedly, the amount of hurdles to cross to get this thing developed are significant. First the UDB was moved. Now there must be a land use change in order to accommodate the stadium. Next will come the actual approvals for the stadium itself and that is going to constitute a DRI (Development of Regional Impact) which will involve review by numerous local, regional, and state agencies.

 

Lastly, as a viewer of the "big picture," I want state government to oversee what local governments are doing. Growth Management in the State of Florida is a big joke! I know most of you here are thinking with your hearts and not your brains, but there must be oversight to prevent uncontrolled sprawl in this state. Just look at the disaster that is Western Broward, Southwestern Miami-Dade, and, in the future, the western portions of Palm Beach County (not to mention Orlando, Southwest Florida, and the Bay Area). Uncontrolled growth is BAD. There must be a controlled plan to accommodate growth in conjunction with the environmental resources out there.

 

Okay, I'm off my soap box now.

we just need to get a stadium soon enough so we can increase revenue and payroll so we can sign our youn guns for long term

Lastly, as a viewer of the "big picture," I want state government to oversee what local governments are doing. Growth Management in the State of Florida is a big joke! I know most of you here are thinking with your hearts and not your brains, but there must be oversight to prevent uncontrolled sprawl in this state. Just look at the disaster that is Western Broward, Southwestern Miami-Dade, and, in the future, the western portions of Palm Beach County (not to mention Orlando, Southwest Florida, and the Bay Area). Uncontrolled growth is BAD. There must be a controlled plan to accommodate growth in conjunction with the environmental resources out there.

 

Okay, I'm off my soap box now.

 

 

So, we must "PREVENT" uncontrolled sprawl in the State. Well, as you point out, the disaster in Western Broward, Southwestern Miami-Dade,...not to mention Orlando, Southwest Florida, and the Bay Area have not been controlled or prevented. Have to step in now and stop that Stadium from being built so we can save Florida. The poster child of saving Florida from uncontrolled growth will be West Hialeah and Marlin (Santeria) Stadium. Sorry about all the previous lack of prevention. Just stop that stadium and the surrounding development and the future will be secure.

 

Oh, by the way, when new developments go up in the hills and woodsy areas in N. Florida without much opposition, what will be the reason for that. There is tremendous activity in previous timberlands in N. Florida now being opened up for development. Guess the tobacco chompin Good Ole Boys in Tallahassee just can't pass up the little perks they will get for that.

Ick!

 

I'm sure everything will get solved.

 

Does this mean news on the Marlins is going to get a large placement in my newspaper again? I was getting sick of those articles BEFORE the "offer" was retracted...

I'm so sick of the Marlins being denied in everyway. The only good thing I can say is when we do finally get this stadium it will be well deserved and somebody on this site better be throwing a celebration party

I spoke with a buddy of mine who is handling these matters directly just this past Thursday. There is currently brewing a dispute between DCA and Miami-Dade on the proper interpretation of the Capital Improvement Element and Future Land Use Map portions of the Miami-Dade Comprehensive Plan when it comes to water use. That is the crux of the dispute. There is nothing "personal" against Miami-Dade on the part of DCA. This will wind its way, but it's going to take some considerable amount of time.

 

I've said this here repeatedly, the amount of hurdles to cross to get this thing developed are significant. First the UDB was moved. Now there must be a land use change in order to accommodate the stadium. Next will come the actual approvals for the stadium itself and that is going to constitute a DRI (Development of Regional Impact) which will involve review by numerous local, regional, and state agencies.

 

Lastly, as a viewer of the "big picture," I want state government to oversee what local governments are doing. Growth Management in the State of Florida is a big joke! I know most of you here are thinking with your hearts and not your brains, but there must be oversight to prevent uncontrolled sprawl in this state. Just look at the disaster that is Western Broward, Southwestern Miami-Dade, and, in the future, the western portions of Palm Beach County (not to mention Orlando, Southwest Florida, and the Bay Area). Uncontrolled growth is BAD. There must be a controlled plan to accommodate growth in conjunction with the environmental resources out there.

 

Okay, I'm off my soap box now.

 

 

 

 

Funny all these hurdles and no mention of the most important detail "MONEY"

I'm so sick of the Marlins being denied in everyway. The only good thing I can say is when we do finally get this stadium it will be well deserved and somebody on this site better be throwing a celebration party

 

 

LOL When ground is broken I will be at the site. After the ceremony I will give an open invitation for a party at my place. If we can make the drive down there game after game to watch our team play then you guys can make the drive up here for a celebratory BBQ with all the trimmings. Heck, if the RSVPs get too formidable then I will rent out a pavillion at one our supurb local parks.

Deal???