You Mean Mis-Govern, Don’t You?

Editor’s Note

The Miracle Theatre recently celebrated its 30th anniversary (see story pg. 22), on the opening night of “Man of La Mancha.” Among the civic leaders who addressed the audience was Commissioner Melisa Castro, who said she was happy to represent “the city that I govern.”

Our question is, don’t you mean MIS-govern? Commissioner Castro’s recent actions at City Hall are on the wrong side of common sense, and on the wrong side of what benefits the city. Her commentary and votes defy logic.

Take the RTZ. The county now has the power to control zoning within a quarter-mile of any Metrorail station. The aim is to build dense housing at each hub for workers who will use the line for jobs downtown. Sounds like a good idea, but it allows the county to ignore local zoning. Example: next to the Douglas Road station, they have permitted a 38-story building on the edge of Coral Gables, where buildings are limited to 16 stories.

Now comes University Station, next to the University of Miami. To forestall a similar abuse of Gables zoning, Mayor Vince Lago proposed a compromised zoning overlay, where slightly taller buildings – but not skyscrapers – will be permitted. The county does not have to accept this plan, which would also give the impact fees to the Gables. But they have, apparently. The only person fighting it: Commissioner Castro, who tried to derail the deal pending more input from adjacent residents. One, there is no time for this, and two, the county doesn’t give a hoot about the neighbors. They are moving forward relent-lessly, and rapidly, and the mayor’s plan is a Hail Mary at best. A divided Commission was bad optics.

Or take the Live Local Act. Here again, developers can get zoning variances based on the amount of affordable housing in a project. Affordable housing is a big issue for the Gables, and the act’s formula for affordable apartments is based on the county’s average income levels. What does Commissioner Castro do? She files legislation to replace the average county income with that of affluent Coral Gables, enabling developers to qualify for Live Local exemptions with more expensive housing. Her misbegotten suggestion was nixed by all the other commissioners.

December, when Commissioner Castro voted against a new development at 8th Street and Ponce de Leon Blvd. This development upgrades a sloppy mix of buildings with a low-rise, handsome complex that includes neighborhood amenities. And area residents approved it – an ironic note for a commissioner who constantly brags that she represents the wishes of residents.

At the same Commission meeting, Commissioner Castro angrily attacked the mayor for suggesting that the city should investigate former City Commissioner Kirk Menendez for improprieties at the Youth Center. She wanted to protect her former colleague, who had consistently voted with her and Commissioner Ariel Fernandez for ordinances that hurt and embarrassed the city – including the infamous last minute pay raise of 101 percent that still has legislators in Tallahassee questioning our ability to govern ourselves with fiscal restraint.

The same goes with her attempt to implement a cost-of-living increase for retired city employ-ees, even though it would do serious financial damage to the city. Yes, it might win her a few more votes, but that is not what good governance is about.