exhortation

the Consortium To Save Hidden Lake Park

12590 SW 128 Street

mia, fl 33186

786 201 1415

Dear Fellow Citizens,

Hear our humble supplication and plea. THIS IS FOREVER! LET'S GET IT RIGHT! If the CC vote is affirmative, let's appeal. Then let's retain an attorney and litigate.

Why can't the CC require Adrian Builders to set aside a couple of acres for foundations to purchase at the price he paid (or the appraised county valuation rate)... for a vita course, doggie park, and jogging path around the lake? This scenario would enhance his campus. Why can't the county provide liability insurance for this purpose?

* As Rep Zapata wrote so conscientiously, the CC has the discretion of reversing the earlier zoning decision, based upon changes that have occured in the immediate area.

* In view of the AWFUL and DREADFUL traffic on two lane 128 St and two lane 127 Av, the office buildings should be scaled down to two story instead of three story edifices.

Cordially,

Richard Freer

CoChair

CSHLP

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/west_kendall/story/254323.html

WEST KENDALL

Decision time on lakefront plan

The West Kendall Community Council is scheduled to again take up Tuesday the contentious application to develop the property surrounding Hidden Lake.

Posted on Sun, Sep. 30, 2007

BY YUDY PINEIRO

ypineiro@MiamiHerald.com

After months of community activists lobbying elected officials and organizations for help in preserving Hidden Lake as a park, the battle over what to do with the lakefront property will come to a head Tuesday at a West Kendall Community Council meeting.

Developer Adrian Builders wants to build office condos, warehouses and stores along the vacant property at Southwest 128th Street and Southwest 127th Avenue that is surrounded by a water-filled rock pit, where families and teenagers have gathered for years.

Nearby commercial property and homeowners who say the history-rich land is fit for a park embarked on a campaign this summer to save at least a slice of it.

The Consortium to Save Hidden Lake Park, as the activists have dubbed their group, has received support from State Rep. Juan C. Zapata, who represents the area, and organizations like the Sierra Club.

But the group has struggled to raise money to buy the property off the developer.

''There's about a 20 percent chance that these foundations and all these people will win, but my troops are out there slugging with all these agencies,'' said Richard Freer, co-chairman of the consortium.

Today the Hidden Lake property sits vacant but for a few patches of grass, surrounded by a residential development, other vacant properties and office condos. It sits in an area flooded with traffic, and what residents say is an unnecessary amount of offices.

But just a few years ago, hundreds of families picnicked and boated there. At night, teenagers parked and lit bonfires there. The lake also had a shadier past -- as an illegal dump site, the scene of sometimes-deadly crimes and a popular drug-peddling spot.

Activists claimed victory in September after council members cast a tied vote on the contentious application, forcing the council to delay the decision until Tuesday. They felt it bought them some time to negotiate with the developer. That has proved fruitless.

Javier Vazquez, an attorney for developer Adrian Builders, remains firm in his stance that his client's plans are better than those approved in 1998, which include a hotel.

He also said they've already compromised by providing a walkway around the lake, granting public access and agreeing to plant native trees and restrict warehouse uses.

The deciding vote could be cast by Vice Chairman Miguel Cervera, who was absent for the 3-3 vote on Sept. 5. The council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Arvida Middle School, 10900 SW 127th Ave.

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Recent Comments

1. Make sure the native trees are specified. A palm tree is a...
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GOOD ARTICLE!P.S. IT'S SO SAD TO DRIVE AROUND KENDALL, WHICH IS...

Re story of Mon, Aug. 27, 2007

W. Kendall residents launch campaign to save Hidden Lake Park ...those who recall the good times at Hidden Lake in West Kendall are trying to stop the memories from getting washed away by concrete.

HEALTH FOUNDATION Of So Fla

Attn.: Shari Gantman

In that we want to negotiate a last ditch compromise re HLP, we are attempting to obtain funding for a VITA COURSE AND JOGGING PATH around HLP, and we feel that a nomination for a $25,000 - 500,000. grant is appropriate for this unmet need. We are asking the MD Parks Dept. to fund the premium cost for liability insurance coverage, additionally.

Hereafter is some background info.

Thank you for your cooperation!

RF

.

If Mr. Adrian will dedicate a chunk of the property (2 acres) surrounding Hidden Lake to a park, and be repaid what he paid for it, it would definitely complement the Preserve across the street. In addition, a walk bike jog path around the perimeter would be in order.

What about the fact that landowners who make gifts of conservation easements or who sell conservation easements are eligible for state-level tax benefit? It is excessive to ask $20.+ psf!

With the Nixon-Smiley Preserve fenced in, it is not accessible to the public. Is it considered one of the 255 “Parks” in the repertoire of Parks in Miami-Dade? It is a preserve for Nature, and, Green Space, which is important.

More traffic, more Industrial, more Office, etc, though, is not in the best interest for preserving anything more than the trees and vegetation behind the fence of this “park”. When was the last time anyone saw what would be considered “wildlife” native to this area in this area?

It is FANTASTIC that they are supporting the effort to turn this area into a Park…hopefully, a public enjoyed park. Hopefully, if we at least manage to get the Council to “defer” approving Adrians plans for the area, that will be Huge for the effort. This could then buy us some time to, hopefully, appropriate all the necessary funds to make a Real offer to Adrian to “purchase” the property???

This beloved spot has been a favorite of South Dade residents for many decades!

The Council was notified that the local residents are in contact with various foundations regarding the purchase of the Hidden Lake and county and state agencies regarding the making of a public park to augment the high pine preserve on the north side of SW 128 St. from 127 Av to 132 Av.