During a recent Miami-Dade County Planning Advisory Board meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding a proposed development project that threatens the health of Biscayne Bay. The executive coordinator of Friends of Biscayne Bay, a local nonprofit, urged board members to deny the application, emphasizing the potential environmental damage it could cause.

The proposed site, spanning 247 acres, is located within the Urban Development Boundary (UDB). The coordinator highlighted that over 800 acres of vacant land are available within the UDB that could be utilized for development without harming vital wetlands. The construction of this site is projected to destroy over 160 acres of wetlands, which play a crucial role in filtering water and preventing flooding. The coordinator stressed that wetlands cannot be easily replicated, and their loss would lead to increased flooding and deteriorating water quality in Biscayne Bay.

The UDB is designed to prevent urban sprawl and ensure that development is sustainable and economically viable. The coordinator argued that allowing this project would strain county resources and divert funds from improving existing infrastructure. They called for the board to recommend denying the application to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), stating that further analysis would be a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Following public comments, board members engaged in discussions about the project's compliance with stormwater management requirements. Staff indicated that a conceptual stormwater master plan had been prepared, but further refinements would be necessary during the environmental permitting and site plan review process.

The outcome of this meeting could have lasting implications for the preservation of Biscayne Bay and the management of development in Miami-Dade County. As the board prepares to make its recommendations, the community remains watchful of the decisions that will shape the future of their environment.