On November 1st, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) will meet for the fifth time to vote on the South Dade Logistics and Technology Center. For more than a year, Hold The Line Coalition members and concerned citizens have sent thousands of letters summarizing the specific harms and the speculative benefits of approving this project. We oppose this project on both substantive and procedural grounds. On the substance, this project:

• Does not meet the county requirement for “demonstrated need” to expand the Urban Development Boundary

• Consumes scarce agricultural land under consideration for Everglades and Biscayne Bay restoration projects

• Changes rules to allow building in a Coastal High Hazard area vulnerable to storms and flooding

• Relies on inflated job projections generated with an outdated economic model

• Threatens adjacent neighborhoods with flooding and creates risks to life and property

• Has failed to gain approval from any reviewing agency, from the local to federal level

We have made these points repeatedly, and this project should absolutely be rejected for its lack of merit, and would weaken county smart growth policies.

On the procedural side, this application has revealed a broken land-use review process that favors developers and lobbyists by allowing endless deferrals. What was originally an “out-of-cycle application”, supposedly reserved for projects in need of urgent approval, has dragged on for more than a year. At the Chair's discretion, the public has been forbidden to comment on sweeping changes to the project at the 3 hearings that have occurred since comment was allowed in May. At every opportunity, the applicant has submitted incomplete or vague documentation, often at the last minute, precluding review by Commissioners, staff, and the public prior to scheduled votes. This abuse of the process culminated in the applicants' surprise land offer at the 10/22 hearing, catching the entire BCC and county lawyers by surprise and forcing an additional deferral.

Commissioner Danielle Cohen-Higgins, representing the location in District 8 , was justifiably frustrated that the offer was not raised in a meeting between her and the applicants only a day before. This lack of candor is clear evidence of bad-faith negotiations, and shows incredible contempt for a Commissioner and the public. Normally, the BCC gives deference to Commissioners regarding items originating in home districts. This 11th-hour bait and switch shows disrespect for a sitting Commissioner and the general public. It would set a disturbing precedent if this duplicitous behavior, lack of preparation, and hostility to transparency is rewarded with an approving vote.

Tell the Commissioners to vote NO. Protect our land, water, and stand for open, transparent county government.

Need more information, supporting documentation or background? Email info@holdthelinecoalition.org