| GALT
MILE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Median
Permit Sets "A Dangerous Precedent"
OCTOBER
2003 ARTICLE ON BALLOT QUESTION: Although the Ballot Question
amendment would enable a City Commissioner to slam the front door
on an unsupportable loss of “Public Trust” park land,
this [SE 13th Street median] incident outlines an elephant-size
loophole that effectively subverts the amendment’s intention.
There is no need to change the zoning designation of a
park when anyone can apply for (and receive) a permit to legally
construct self-serving projects on city-owned park property. Using
the permit process as a fast track to “back-door”
the loss of green space sets a dangerous precedent.
Genia
Ellis, president of the Council of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations,
explained, “It tells you that any area in a neighborhood
can basically be acquired for private use through a permitting
process; the public isn’t even queried on it.”
What
use is providing Commissioners with de facto veto power over zoning
indiscretions if a permit will provide the applicant with permission
to build a parking lot, or anything else, on park land?
Again,
the Mayor is correct in supporting this amendment. It’s
a laudable first step. However, city officials would do
well to consider plugging this permit loophole before they come
to City Hall one day and find construction of a toxic waste dump
underway in Stranahan Park! |
