The newsletter provides an update on the Urban Environment League of Greater Miami (UEL) as it celebrates its 10-year anniversary. In compiling UEL's history, the author relied on past board agendas, core values, and newsletters. UEL was an early advocate for open space, good urban planning, smart growth, and respect for natural resources. Over the past decade, UEL has held numerous events and engaged in advocacy on issues like the urban development boundary and protecting parkland. As UEL looks back on its record of activism, it questions whether slow government response to issues is due to lethargy or a lack of long-term vision for Miami-Dade County's growth.

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The Urban Forum
NOTICE:
The UEL accepts articles/letters
from its members and members
of the public. These articles/
letters do not always reflect the
Newsletter of The Urban Environment League
views of the Members of the Website: www.uel.org
UEL, or its Board, or the views Issue No. 17 Email: uelmiami@bellsouth.net March 2006
UEL Advisors.
To submit articles/letters, con-
tact: nancy88@ bellsouth.net
Lethargy or Lack of Vision?
UEL was founded ten years ago. To celebrate, we Forum was Honey Rand, author of Water Wars.
are updating our history of activism. It is enlightening Additionally, UEL sponsored workshops and
URBAN ENVIRONMENT LEAGUE OF GREATER MIAMI MEMBERSHIP & RENEWAL APPLICATION
to examine the League’s glowing record. UEL was on forums to enlighten the community about urban
NAME________________________________________________________________________________________________ the early cusp, creating awareness on issues that planning, zoning, growth management, affordable
ADDRESS____________________________________CITY___________________ST.______ZIP______________________
continue to be major community concerns. Most housing and successful urban infill. We have spon-
astounding is that some of the most troublesome issues sored educational tours showing the fragile Everglades
DAY PHONE____________________EVE. PHONE__________________________FAX_____________________________ of UEL’s past agendas are just beginning to surface in and rural areas of South Dade and
E-MAIL___________________________ OCCUP._________________INTEREST__________________________________ government as critical the importance of the agricultural
matters. We question industry in Redland. We did this
Signature__________________________________Date______________ (All fees are tax deductible.) whether this is indicative of to advocate for “Hold the Line”.
prevailing lethargy in We suggested that the County
Membership $35 Preferred Mem. $50 Board Members and Sponsors of UEL $100 Donations: Students: $15 government leadership, or Commission create a masterplan
just a lack of grand vision for for successful urban infill designs,
Miami Dade County.
Urban Environment In compiling UEL’s
acceptable to the diverse neigh-
borhoods in each municipality.
League of history, I relied on past In April, the County Commis-
Greater Miami UEL Annual Meeting & board agendas, the UEL sion will vote whether or not to
Awards Presentation Core Values, and UEL’s A UEL Dinner at the Miami River Inn move the line. Victory is still far
award-winning newsletter, from reach despite the public
945 Pennsylvania Avenue Monday, May 22nd - 6pm The Urban Forum. I ask you to judge for yourself outcry to “Hold the Line” from thousands of Miami
Suite 100 whether progress has been made in this county or Dade citizens, Mayor Carlos Alvarez and Governor Jeb
Miami Beach, FL 33139 Agriculture Bus Tour where we need change. Bush. The County Commission also received stern
Friday, March 24 UEL began ten years ago advocating for open space, warnings about out of control water consumption
good urban planning, smart growth, waterfront access from the heads of the South Florida Water Manage-
Phone: 305 532-7227 Grow Denser...Better and respect for parkland and its use. Throughout those ment District and the State Department of Commu-
Fax: 305 532-8727 Forum: Monday, April 3rd
years, we held forums, marches, dinners and tours. We nity Affairs (DCA). The DCA did not approve any of
uelmiami@bellsouth.net have written to our public and appointed leaders about the UDB changes that the County Commission sent
a myriad of troublesome issues. We have appeared at to Tallahassee for review.
Website: www.uel.org countless public hearings and a vast number of public Parkland
To receive information forums. Below, I am highlighting the results of some
Five years ago, the League advocated that parkland
on upcoming UEL events of those issues.
was not surplus land for schools and other public
such as dinners, forums The Urban Development Boundary buildings. UEL was instrumental in stopping both a
and conferences send your The League’s Urban Forum warned about the water school from being built in Haulover Park, and horses
email address to: crisis in 2003 in Got Water, an article by Alan Farago. from being moved into Sewell Park. However, we were
UELmiami@bellsouth.net In November, 2003, a guest speaker at the Tug of War unable to stop the egregious plan to put police horses

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in historic Lummus Park. New concrete stalls now Preserving Public Amenities Bus Tour / Mobile Workshop March 24th
blight a once beautiful open-space historic park.
To our dismay, the city of Miami recently signed off
Five years ago, the UEL’s Urban Forum ran articles South Miami-Dade Agricultural Community
about neighborhood gentrification; Virginia Key’s The Urban Environment League is the Line Bus Tour in order to more substan-
on an agreement with the Miami Dade School Board master plan; the Trust for Public Land’s study for
to “agree in concept to create schools in parks”, most conducting its third Bus Tour / Mobile tially overview the quality and character of
additional waterfront access; and the Miami River Workshop which will feature the agricul- urban, suburban, rural agricultural and
notably, Bicentennial Park: An adjunct to the museum. Commission’s River Plan. Progress has been slow on tural community, history and economy of natural lands from downtown, to
Bicentennial Park all fronts on the Government’s side, despite the non- Redland, Florida - the South Miami-Dade Kendall, along Krome Avenue, into
profit private sector’s planning process. Each of the Agricultural Community. This is the Redland, and on to Florida City and
When the League threatened to not support Ballot
plans have hit bumps in the road. The Virginia Key third annual UEL Bus Tour / Mobile Homestead.
Question 8 of the 2004 County Bond Issue, a great
plan was suppose to be HOLISTIC of the entire Workshop conceived as a vehicle to At our upcoming March 24th
compromise was made among the City of Miami,
island. However, it was almost upstaged when the City discuss and visually present the complicated and tour, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez will be a
County and bond supporters. UEL signed a pact that
of Miami Commission - in a piecemeal approach to complex issues that underlie our support for the Hold featured highlight for the day, joining us at Motes
provided a seat at the table for the Bicentennial Park
planning - almost approved an expansion for the Rusty the Line Campaign and now expanded to highlight the Orchids for remarks and reflections.
Oversight Committee and the promise of public
Pelican complete with a piano bar floating in the bay. important economic, social, historic and environmen- A grand team of resource interpreters will be
oversight for the park’s planning phase. To date, there
The Miami River Plan is being upstaged by the City of tal aspects of South Florida’s rural agricultural commu- assuring that we have a relevant, interesting and
have been 3 “closed door” meetings, the last one
Miami’s attempt to replace the River’s water depen- nity. important day’s journey: Rod Jude, Chair of Miami
October, 2005. Where is the “open public planning
dent, commercial entities with high-rise condomini- In the fall of 2004, UEL joined with the South Sierra Club; Paul Mulhern, historic Grove Inn; Dr. Pat
process”? Is this happening behind closed doors, or is
ums. The Trust for Public Land’s study for waterfront Florida National Parks Trust in hosting a trip out to the and John Wade, our chief planning facilitator; Mary
the general lack of progress on the part of the consult-
access appears to be overshadowed by endless high-rise Everglades. We traveled 15 miles into the vastness of and Dr. Martin Motes of Motes Orchids; Steve
ants? The public is entitled to see the plan as it
developments on Miami’s only remaining waterfront the Everglades on the Shark Valley tram tour narrated Garrison, Almond Tree Nursery; Idena Burr, Burr’s
progresses.
sites. As for a solution for neighborhood gentrification by park rangers. As we traveled from Miami, we saw Berry Farm; Wayne Worthley, Worthley Grove and
Parcel B and incentives for affordable housing, the County the burgeoning subdivisions, marked the current Redland agricultural teacher; Lonna Hord, Homestead
The hard-fought battle to stop a high-rise from Commission is beginning to hold workshops on the development boundary, and gained a greater under- resident and community activist; Lloyd Miller,
being placed on Parcel B was successful. UEL then subject. standing of the interrelationship of the existing built resident of Redland and founder of Biscayne National
urged that Parcel B be included in the comprehensive Good Urban Planning Strategies environment and the surrounding natural environ- Park; the Park Rangers at Biscayne National Park; and
downtown waterfront park plan. In October, 2004, ment. the Miami-Dade Transit Authority. We thank them all
Perhaps Miami 21 will get there. Miami 21 is billed
UEL held a very successful Downtown Waterfront Then in the Spring of 2005, UEL hosted the Hold in Advance for their help. -Denis Russ
as a true vision for the city’ of Miami’s future where
Park Forum. The good news is that Parcel B owner,
historic preservation, zoning and design guidelines will
the County, has agreed to place Parcel B into the City
become the tools for revitalizing existing neighbor- UEL Annual Meeting & Awards Presentation
of Miami’s Bicentennial Park planning strategy. UEL
will continue to bring that plan to the public.
hoods. UEL’s April 3rd Urban Infill Forum at the Monday, May 22nd - 6pm
University of Miami will highlight important concepts Join us at the Miami Beach Golf Club, For Cocktails (cash bar) and Hors d’oeuvres
Engaging The Public of good infill projects. Miami 21’s progress appears to Alton Road and 26th Street, Miami Beach
Throughout its ten year history, UEL has advocated have stalled while new highly-insensitive mega-condos
that all local branches of government need to provide a continue to overshadow historic neighborhoods, clog At the Annual Meeting the UEL membership will 3. Cite for its innovative infill concept developed on
transparent process. The public needs to be able to the roadways and irritate the neighbors. elect and install new board members and officers. If Biscayne Boulevard and 20th Street.
follow and participate in issues. We have encouraged UEL will continue its mission to stop sprawl into you are not a member, become one on May 22nd, 4. Commissioner Katy Sorenson for her valiant
citizens to attend public forums and to speak out on the Western and Southern environs of Miami Dade we will be signing up members on that day! effort on behalf of growth management and urban
issues at public meetings. This is an awesome fete for County. Perhaps one day, developers will stop mas- The League will also present its annual development issues in Miami Dade County .
grassroots groups to organize. We all remember the querading as affordable housing builders beyond the Orchids and Onions Awards. 5. Pat and John Wade, Dewey and Lee Steele
three minute gag order on the public during the UDB UDB and work with the citizens through Miami 21 The following seven Orchids will be and the Redland Community Association for
hearings. Recently, the County approved an onerous and other master planning efforts in urban cities to presented: their staunch support in preserving the rural
ordinance to “correct” the spoken word of citizens if redesign the urban core. 1. The City of Miami Historic Preservation farmlands in South Dade.
their words are considered “incorrect”. Applause to This is where we were 10 years ago, and these are Board and the Urban Arts Group for their 6. Mayor Carlos Alvarez for his strong
Mayor Carlos Alvarez who vetoed such an egregious the mountains we must continue to climb to create a efforts to designate the Miami MiMo historic support of the Urban Development Boundary.
assault on the public’s right to speak. We also applaud healthy and prosperous future for our community. district on Biscayne Boulevard. 7. The Miami Woman’s Club Members who
the county commissioners who voted against the 2. The Miami Beach Development Corporation for saved the historic club from development and are
- Nancy Liebman - President, UEL
ordinance to begin with. their work in creating affordable housing. working diligently to restore it to its former glory.

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The Urban Environment League Presents Urban Environment League Presents An Urban Design Infill Forum:
Its Third Bus Tour / Mobile Workshop Grow Denser...Better
The Agricultural Community, Monday, April 3rd
History and Economy of Redland 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The South Miami-Dade Agricultural Community Jorge M. Perez Architecture Center, Glasgow Hall
Friday, March 24 - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm University of Miami School of Architecture
Leaving from Trinity Cathedral, 1215 Dickinson Drive, Coral Gables
N. Bayshore Drive at Northeast 16th Street Limited Seating - Reservations: 305-532-7227 or uelmiami@bellsouth.net
(Parking is available at the Omni garage or Cathedral) This forum explores best practices for meeting the challenge of continued growth
Cost: $30.00 per person/UEL members $25.00 in our metropolitan area by focusing density in urban centers and along mass trans-
Includes a delicious lunch! portation corridors in a manner that enhances the quality of city life.
There will be discussion of urban design principles to guide infill development
Reservations: REQUIRED 305-532-7227 using increased density as means for creating livable urban neighborhoods.
We will hear from those who are developing such best practice models.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
8:30 a.m. - Park in the Omni garage or in the Cathedral lot if that is available, register and board the bus. 8:00 A.M. Coffee Reception — Registration
9:00 a.m. PROMPTLY — Leave Trinity Cathedral 464 NE 16th Street, Miami. Bus speakers: Rod Jude, 8:30 A.M. Welcome And Program Overview
Chair Sierra Club Miami Group, Paul Mulhern, owner historic Grove Inn, Nancy Liebman, URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE INFILL DEVELOPMENT
UEL President, Ernie Martin, UEL Vice President and Denis Russ, UEL Tour Chair. Charles C. Bohl Director Knight Program in Community Building, Research
10:00 a.m. — Visit Burrs Berry Farm located on the edge of the Urban Boundary. Meet owner and Associate Professor, University of Miami School of Architecture
founder Idena Burr who will talk about the history of the farm Dr. Pat Wade, chair of the Redland Subrata Basu Assistant Director for Planning, Miami-Dade Department of Planning and Zoning
Community Council will moderate the tour through Redland. Benefits of Density Locations Favoring Density
10:30 a.m. — Travel on historic Redland Road through the heart of the original Redland Village to the Characteristics of Good Urbanism Attributes of Livable Communities
Almond Tree Nursery. Owner Steve Garrison will conduct the tour. Public Spaces, Meeting Places Pedestrian Friendly Environment
Promoting Vibrant Economy Affordability and Diversity
11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. — Travel through the agricultural district to the historic Grove Inn. Lunch Arts, Culture and Entertainment Historic Preservation
hosted by owner, Paul Mulhern and learn about the myriad of Redland’s agricultural products.
BEST PRACTICES:
1:00 to 2:00 p.m. — Visit world-famous Motes Orchids.
Mayor Carlos Alvarez will join us for remarks at the Motes’ home.
INTERESTING CONCEPTS OF URBAN INFILL DEVELOPMENT
The Art Deco District: Denis Russ, Miami Beach CDC
2:15 p.m. — Redland Middle School agriculture teacher Wayne Worthley will board the bus at his young
Biscayne Shores Village: Steve Nostrand, Project Director, Codina Realty Services
avocado grove and speak about the challenges and importance of agriculture in today’s world.
Redevelopment of Downtown Hialeah: Honorable Raul Martinez/Jaime Correa
2:30 p.m. — The tour will visit one of the new developments in East Homestead. Resident, Lonna Hord, Cite Condo: Sandy Peaceman, Cohen Freedman & Encinosa, Architect
will provide commentary about the myths of affordable housing in today’s construction boon. Downtown Kendall: Paul Vrooman, Project Committee Coordinator
2:45m to 3:15 p.m. — Travel to Biscayne National Park while Lloyd Miller tells the story of the birth of Miami 21: Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Duany, Plater-Zyberk & Company
the Park and his role in its development. Park Rangers will continue the story once at the park.
4:00 p.m. — Arrive back at Trinity Cathedral. Sponsors: Tropical Audubon, Sierra Club Miami Group,
Reservations: 305-532-7227 – uelmiami@bellsouth.net University of Miami School of Architecture

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plaints into action. We need you to have helped elevate three words to a
help load the Chamber in April and level of universal recognition in the UEL Dates to
to keep letters to the editor and emails Miami-Dade vernacular:
Everyone in Miami-Dade County must play a Role in Preventing the Urban flowing to the Commissioners. The “Hold the Line”. Remember:
Development Boundary from Being Rolled Over in 2006… That Includes You! TENTATIVE dates for the Master It’s time to put familiar words
Plan and UDB amendments are cur- into steadfast involvement. Call
By Nate Geisler South Florida Proposals at the County Commis- bers from appearing or commenting rently April 18, 19, and 20. These County Commissioners. Write
Dinner
Community Organizer sion Chambers have ranged from at- before the Commission on planning dates are subject to change but as of Letters to the Editor, get others up Miami River Inn
Clean Water Fund tempts to erase from public record and zoning matters. And the good the date of this publication’s drafting, to speed on the UDB and most March 21
Over the past year there has been any “misleading” statements from the proposals, such as a move by Com- they “hold”. April 18 will be the day important: Show up this April!
much coverage about the heated de- public, stemming from the impas- missioner Carlos Gimenez to prevent of focused pressure so mark your cal- Call (305) 485-5949 if you can do
bate over the Urban Development sioned pleas of people at last year’s municipalities from being able to endar! more and remember to check Ag. Bus Tour
Boundary (let’s say it together: “The UDB hearings who were concerned lobby to move the UDB, were shot UEL and campaign partners www.udbline.com for the latest. Special Guest
U-D-B”). Not just developers, but about Everglades encroachment (ap- down as fast as you can say “annex-
County Commissioners as well have parently a “dangerous exaggeration” ation.” Mayor
The Urban Environment League
employed a dizzying array of tactics worth whipping away from poster- But let’s stop griping over the Carlos Alvarez
to discredit and silence the vast ma- ity). Thank goodness Mayor Alvarez’s County Commission’s lack of resolve Dine & Discuss Dinners
jority of residents who realize the ex- veto was recently sustained on that or outright viciousness toward pub- Are held at: March 24
treme folly of allowing the Boundary one. There was also the attempt to lic dissent and concern over the The Historic Miami River Inn
to be moved. prevent Community Council mem- UDB. Let’s transform our com- 118 SW South River Drive Grow Denser
6:00 PM – Wine Reception Better Forum
Urban Environment League 6:45 PM – Dinner April 3rd
2005 Officers, Board Members, and Advisors Followed by Program
Limited Seating, RSVP a must:
Officers: Dinner, April 18
Miami River Inn:
President Nancy Liebman 305-325-0045
Vice-President Ernie Martin
E-mail: Miamihotel@aol.com Hold The Line
Treasurer Kay Hancock Apfel
Secretary Richard Korman County Commis-
Past President Gregory Bush Come and get to know UEL Members and make new friends in the sion Meetings
Board of Directors: Board of Advisors: Community. The meals are delicious and the wine reception is a great
April 18, 19, 20
Kay Hancock-Apfel Gregory Bush, Chair networking opportunity. Dinners are held the third Tuesday of the month.
Ernest Martin
Alan Bisno Robert McCabe Amy Paige Condon
March 21, 2006 - An evening with Washington Post Reporter and
(Tentative)
Gregory Bush Dan McCrea Sallye Jude
Dorothy Jenkins-Fields author of THE SWAMP, Michael Grunwald.
Michael Cox Arsenio Milian
John DeLeon Jimmy Morales Dr. Paul George April 18, 2006 - In conjunction with Dade Heritage Days, the topic Dinner, May 16
Richard Donovan Enid Pinkney Joe Kohl will be: “The Miami River: Historical river or a condo canyon?”
Robert Flanders Alberto Ruder Dan Paul
Albert Harum-Alvarez Denis Russ Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk May 16, 2006 (Tentative) - An Update on the County Bond Issue that
Annual Meeting
Sage Hoffman Paul Schwiep Brenda McClymonds was approved a little more than a year ago. and Awards
Arva Moore Parks McCabe
Maria Ines Castro Howard Slotnick
Gene Tinnie Admission $25 for UEL Members, $30 Non-Members May 22
Ruth Jacobs Fortuna Smukler
James Jude Max Strang M. Athalie Range Program only: Free 7:30
Richard Korman David Turner Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Seating is Limited: You must Reserve! Renew Your
Nancy Liebman Jason Uyeda George Knox
Susan Luck John Van Leer
Note: Tentative dinner schedule (At times, things come up and speakers
that have confirmed cancel and at other times, the UEL itself is confronted
Membership
with a more pressing issue and has to change things around). When you Today!
RSVP we can confirm the speakers. Cut Me Out!