A major issue surrounding the building of new homes in the Mangowood area involves drainage and storm water run off.  This issue can be seen best in areas where older homes have been replaced with new homes and where the older homes have not been replaced yet.  The elevation of the lots of the older homes is significantly different from the new ones.  This can create a drainage problem with the potential for property damage and safety issues.

Currently, the Village has a drainage project being built in Mangowood that will affect the basin 10 area.  This will work to improve the storm water drainage in that area.  The basin 9 area includes the area of 81 Ave. between 144 St. and 148 Dr.  This is the area that will be addressed in the near future in the Storm water Master Plan.  While this and future projects are a potential cure to the current drainage problems the real solution lays in the zoning code that was recently passed by the Council.  The new Village code replaces the Miami Dade County Code.  Going forward, the Village Code now requires that new construction must retain its own water run off on the site. It also applies to construction permits issued on existing homes whose cost of construction exceeds 50% of the home’s value.  This is a positive change on this issue as the former Miami Dade County Code did not include this rule and did not provide for a way to require it. The Palmetto Bay Building and Zoning Department will provide consistency in enforcement of this rule to mitigate the water run off problems as well as the Public Works Department will continue its progress on drainage programs.

The area of storm water run off is one of the areas where incorporation has really shown its value.  As a Village we are able to set our priorities and invest our efforts where our residents tell us is a priority and where the positive impact can really be felt.  As a small town government and as its Mayor, we are able to listen to and react to our residents needs.  Palmetto Bay has heard its residents on the issue of storm water and will continue on a proactive basis to aggressively manage storm water run off and seek the funding to continue our successful drainage programs.

The question of new home construction across our Village also speaks to density and zoning.  Palmetto Bay is an older community that is basically built out with a wealth of large home sites.  The development or building of new homes would be in areas of in-fill or re-development where lots are combined or land banked to create new developments areas.

I have always supported maintaining our Village make-up of single family homes and lot sizes while deterring the intrusion of increased density into our residential areas.  I have spoken publicly about the need to address density issues reflected in our Future Land Use Map handed down to us from Miami Dade County so that our Village maintains its identity.  The new zoning code and in particular the variance ordinance the Council recently enacted helps to protect Palmetto Bay against changes that would affect the density in the residential areas of our Village.  Our quality of life would be deeply affected by sharp increases in density in our residential areas i.e., traffic would be increased.   New homes can be built without dramatic increases in density so that the quality of life in Palmetto Bay is protected.  As Mayor I would move to preserve our current residential identity and ensure that new development in our residential areas mirrors the surrounding areas.  Incorporation brought us the authority over our zoning process, and I will continue to use it to protect our neighborhoods, our quiet enjoyment of our homes and our overall quality of life.

Public Safety is one of the most mentioned concerns of residents and one of the most important reasons we incorporated.  Incorporation put us in control of our contracted Miami Dade County Police Services.  Since incorporation we have seen the quality of our Police Services continually rise and our overall crime rate fall.  Our response time is one of the best in the County.  Our officers provide quality services to our community such as the Dare Program, Officer Friendly, and Crime Watch community programs.  Our Police Commander, Lt. Truitt works in relationship with our Village Manager to provide Palmetto Bay with Police Services that is responsive to Palmetto Bay’s overall needs as well as to our residents on a more personal level. Our on-line reporting of Crime and Incident Reports keeps our residents informed of trends; i.e., what they should pay attention to.  Public Safety issues evolve however and maintaining an open dialogue and providing the support and tools to our Police Department by the Council to ensure the continued positive direction of our public safety is paramount.  Budgetary support can provide for additional officers and or equipment.  Support can also be in the form of legislative support for local issues or broader issues that affect our community.  Our quality of life is directly tied to the quality of public safety our residents experience.  As Mayor I would ensure the continuing open dialogue with our Police Services as supplied by Miami Dade County; adequate budgetary support to meet our community’s spoken desire for continuing quality public safety as well as providing the identified and needed support to our Police Department. 

The foreclosure issues in our community impact property values as well as public safety and overall neighborhood well-being.  The foreclosures over time have attracted break-ins, house stripping, gathering places for teens or vagrants and become general eyesores. The Council responded to this by passing the Mow and Go Program that provides for minimal upkeep and securing of the property.  This program has been successful in maintaining the grounds of the homes with basic services and safety measures.  The code compliance staff continues to survey the Village for homes to be included in the program and to monitor those known homes for upkeep issues.  They are also responsive to residents who report homes that qualify for the program and have been missed or need a follow-up. As Mayor I would continue the aggressive use of the Mow and Go program to promote neighborhood well-being and community appearance.  Additionally I would seek a legislative cure to act on the house stripping problem which basically renders a house un-saleable.   A home stripped of all its appliances, plumbing, etc. continues to be an eyesore and prolongs the issues of vagrant and teen hangouts, and negatively impacts the surrounding neighborhoods etc. long after it may have been sold by the bank.   

The economic development of Palmetto Bay is an issue that affects all of us in terms of Village appearance, tax base, services available within our boundaries and the ability to attract new services and businesses to Palmetto Bay.  Eventually it will positively affect property values across the Village.  In the recent past there has been much discussion about the new era or next level of development for Palmetto Bay.  Economic development is a major part of that development.  We currently have two new buildings ready to open that were built within the FT&I area.  Several others were built in the recent past.  Another new project will start shortly.  And of course Village Hall is being built on US1 at the site of the old Neighbors store.

These projects have replaced obsolete buildings or businesses and brought us into a new millennium for Palmetto Bay.  It has been said in planning philosophy that “The financing of a public facility can be a major determinate in the shaping of the direction and type of growth and re-development that an area will experience” (Patrick Dugan).  We the Village have begun that process. Investment is coming our way and must be encouraged, sought and driven in a most aggressive way.  Our long awaited infrastructure improvements pave the way to attract commercial investment.  As Mayor I will see that economic development will be a major priority for our Village’s next level of development.  Palmetto Bay has been a very frugal and conservative financial planner and I will see that it continues in that direction.  Our tax base has been stable because we are a built out community.  The economic and commercial development of the US1 corridor and the FT&I area will provide for growth in our tax base, improvement in the appearance of Palmetto Bay, and the increase in retail and business services available in the Village.

Thank you for allowing me to respond to your questions.  If you would like to discuss additional issues, please contact me.

Shelley Stanczyk

Councilwoman

Palmetto Bay

305-389-3425