Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs) and more
By Commissioner Lewis Thaler

I would like to take this opportunity to explain the reason for the vote on the Alamo property. Letters and calls continue to come in concerning this issue, and in many cases the person making the inquiry does not understand the TDRs or the reason why the "eminent domain" process was put on hold.

In eminent domain, the courts could have given us the property or could have ruled against us. But assuming we get the property that is only the beginning of what could have been a long drawn out challenge to the value put on the land. Getting the property (Alamo) through the use of TDRs should take about a year or two. The value of the TDRs depends on what the market will bear; the out of pocket for the City is nothing except some legal fees.

The Commission must approve the use of any of the TDRs. TDRs, whether public or private, can be transferred to an appropriate receiver site in the City. In this case it would be a private transaction with the City receiving a useful piece of land to provide future municipal services.

Committees are being formed and we need your help. There is one to build a much needed school for our children, as well as one to work on traffic. We are also forming a Tourism and Development Committee and a Safety and Welfare Committee to address various issues related to improving the city of Sunny Isles Beach.

The bathrooms at 192nd Street are finally opened and the beach access at 193rd Street has been named the "The Ellen Wynne Beach Access". Our first new bus is now in use throughout Sunny Isles Beach. Two more buses have been ordered and delivery is expected in early fall.

If you have any question, call City Hall at 305-947-0606 extension 232, or stop in and visit your commissioner.

 

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