Will City Commission Snub Citizens Tuesday?
The Citizens are furious.
It was quite a rare effort that included nearly 100 of Fort Lauderdale's leading Citizens. They had come together to propose changes to the City's Development Code. The Code is the set of rules that decides everything about buildings. How big can they be. How much set-back must they have. Even how many and how big the shade trees must be.
They were fed up watching townhouse after townhouse built with sheer three story walls towering over the little house next door, with only 10 foot between them. They wanted the Code to allow neighborhood friendly- front porches built further into the front yard. They were aghast at new townhouse strips that had a row of garage doors, little grass and puny trees. They got together, worked for months, and crafted a proposal.
There were anti-development activists as well as developers. There were the new "Green" architects and the established well known architects. Add in neighborhood Presidents, a smattering of lawyers, some Commission candidates, and you have a brew that you'd expect the City Commission would pay heed to.
So far you'd be wrong.
The irony is that the two Commissioners that have been branded as development fans are the only two that have gone along with the Citizens' plan to restrict the Code. They are Commissioners Carlton Moore and Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson.
The other three, Naugle, Rodstrom, and Teel, who have consistently rattled their sabers and declared that they would change the Code to be more neighborhood friendly, have stopped the effort in it's tracks.
This Tuesday, Commissioner Teel has agreed to revisit the issue, and the Citizens are watching closely. Teel might switch over and side with Moore and Hutchinson, and the effort will move forward again.
The redevelopment of the neighborhoods has stalled this year due to an ailing housing market, and little damage is currently being done, but things won't stay down long.
And this being an election year, many hope that might be enough to encourage at least three of them to do the right thing.
It was quite a rare effort that included nearly 100 of Fort Lauderdale's leading Citizens. They had come together to propose changes to the City's Development Code. The Code is the set of rules that decides everything about buildings. How big can they be. How much set-back must they have. Even how many and how big the shade trees must be.
They were fed up watching townhouse after townhouse built with sheer three story walls towering over the little house next door, with only 10 foot between them. They wanted the Code to allow neighborhood friendly- front porches built further into the front yard. They were aghast at new townhouse strips that had a row of garage doors, little grass and puny trees. They got together, worked for months, and crafted a proposal.
There were anti-development activists as well as developers. There were the new "Green" architects and the established well known architects. Add in neighborhood Presidents, a smattering of lawyers, some Commission candidates, and you have a brew that you'd expect the City Commission would pay heed to.
So far you'd be wrong.
The irony is that the two Commissioners that have been branded as development fans are the only two that have gone along with the Citizens' plan to restrict the Code. They are Commissioners Carlton Moore and Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson.
The other three, Naugle, Rodstrom, and Teel, who have consistently rattled their sabers and declared that they would change the Code to be more neighborhood friendly, have stopped the effort in it's tracks.
This Tuesday, Commissioner Teel has agreed to revisit the issue, and the Citizens are watching closely. Teel might switch over and side with Moore and Hutchinson, and the effort will move forward again.
The redevelopment of the neighborhoods has stalled this year due to an ailing housing market, and little damage is currently being done, but things won't stay down long.
And this being an election year, many hope that might be enough to encourage at least three of them to do the right thing.
Outstanding observations Mr. Smith...I wouldn't want to be a Commissioner interested in returning to office and stub my toe on this one! The city residents did the work, they brought the issue to the commission, the commission sent it forward to be done - and included P&Z and the planning department comments as well.....a balanced mixture of long overdue items that could be remedied quickly and protect the neighborhood character.
The prevailing 3 need to recognize - these are the very folks that vote and participate in the city....it would not be wise to change your mind or throw a wrench in the system at this point.
The public has well and truly spoken on this issue - you better be listening.
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LOL! The 3 remaining huh? Well, let's see Rodstrom will have to see what hubby dear (John) thinks, not sure about Teel (but I know an area in her district that is very disappointed in her for the same reason stated in this blog) Naugle, well forget him to vote the right way. (when has he ever?) As far as I can see "our wonderful" commission the (3 left behind) should start listen to what the citizens want & join the band wagon with Moore & Hutchinson! Thank you Carlton & Cindi for doing the right thing! Everyone is entitled to an opinion & this one is mine.
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I am counting that we get one or more vote's maybe two, and it passes 4-1. If it is the cost I can understand that and maybe reduce the scope but not doing something is crazy.
The present code is allowing loss of tree canopy and allows some very bad looking buildings that do not function, with balconys that look good from the outside but you can not stand out on them and no guest parking so the guests park next store on the neighbor's swale and kill the grass.
And trash cans that have no proper placement location most of the time they are left out in front of building of the multi developments, and look like soiders standing guard and all the garge doors pointing to the street. Some of the muiti developments look more like storage centers then residential units. All of this could be improved if this passes . I hope we get something .This plan is good for long term for residents and developers.
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They are also ignoring resident's concerns about the allegations that Chief Roberts made about Gretsas.
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I have yet to see Teel do anything for my district. She has taken positions that can only be characterized as anti-greenspace and pro-development. I do not believe that Fort Lauderdale can afford to have Teel on the Commission - she is damaging our city.
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Anyone else here Hutchinson is dropping out of the Mayor's race and Trentalis is going to run. I hear it could happen this week
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I CAN UNDERSTAND Hutchinson dropping out but Trentallis was not very impressive as a Commissioner I would not Vote for him.
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Tim ........I am hooked on your Great Blog .. It has been so quiet the last two day's. I think I am going thru withdrawal, so is there nothing happening ? Please Post.
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In reading the above article, I noted one misuse of words....Tim has referred to the citizen's "restricting" the code with their proposed changes when in fact the recommendations was to provide equal alternatives to the existing code to encourge better building on existing properties. While it may seem small in nature, it was never the desire of the participants to restrict or limit property rights or imagination - it was to provide reasonable and creative alternatives to better fit into existing communities. I only want to be sure that people understand the level of effort by the residential community neighborhoods, planners, developers, architects and lawyers in to crafing a document that improves the quality of life in our city ... it is not political and they commission should stop using it as a platform to enhance their political runs for office. The public has spoken....listen to what they asked you to do.
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