At the SFWMD Meeting In Clewiston-March 12, 2009, there was a resolution to acquire a 100 foot strip of land on the property through eminent domain condemnation. This strip would be used for the construction of a spreader canal for wetlands rehydration. The resolution was deferred until the next governing board meeting on April 9th in St. Cloud.
If the resolution passes in April, an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) could be issued at the following meeting in May. This permit may potentiaaly allow for the filling of over 30 acres of wetlands areas to the west of the strip of land. It is imperitive that the location of the strip be as far west as possible to allow for maximum wetland restoration.
THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF WETLANDS CAN BE RESTORED AND REHYRATED BY MOVING THE LOCATION OF THE CANAL FARTHER TO THE WEST. THIS WILL ALSO MINIMIZE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT ON THIS LAND
click on images for a larger view
Cutler Properties LC purchased the 138 acre parcel of land situated between the Palmetto Bay Village Center (old Burger King HQ) and Cutler Cay, in October 2003. In addition to the 9+ acres of buildable land fronting Old Cutler Rd, asked for an environmental variance to fill and develop an additional 33.12 acres of wetland area. This property is located in the footprint of the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project (BBCW), a plan to rehydrate the coastal wetlands, and is one of the components of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).
At the November 9th, 2006 Environmental Quality Control Board (EQCB) meeting, residents from Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay as well as representatives from the Tropical Audubon Society and Biscayne National Park spoke out in opposition to this variance.
The EQCB granted Cutler Properties LC two additional ontinuances in order for the owner to meet with the community. Concerned residents sent almost 400 emails to the EQCB protesting this development. Just prior to the EQCB meeting on January 11th,2007, Cutler Properties withdrew their application.
SFWMD Workshop March 12, 2009 Full Agenda and relevent pages
Watch a webcast of the SFWMD meeting on March 12, 2009. The part of the meeting dealing with this resolution starts at 1:38:40 and lasts for approximately 50 minutes.
Miami-Dade BCC Resolution R-123-09, which was passed on February 17, 2009. This resolution urges funding for Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands projects.
Cutler Bay Resolution 08-44, passed on July 16, 2008, which in Section 3 states "The Town Council hereby urges the District to continue to maintain the priority of purchasing environmentally sensitive lands within the Town in order to help further preserve and protect Biscayne National Park"
Cutler Bay Resolution, passed on March 18, 2009, "Urging the U.S. Congress and the Florida Legislature to fully fund Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Projects".
Cutler Bay Parks Master Plan, which was adopted on February 18, 2009. On page 62 (8), there is a reference to the land owned by Cutler Properties and the town's desire to acquire the 9 acre uplands area for use as a passive educational park.
Cutler Bay Growth Master Plan, Vol 1- Future Land Use (FLU) Map shows property defined as "conservation" and "residential conservation". Useful for if/when the application comes before the town.
A letter dated January 8th, 2009 from the Everglades Coalition, urging the district to aquire sensitive coastal wetlands, including Cutler Properties
Picture from the October 2006 National Geographic article "National Parks in Crisis". This picture of the Cutler Cay development is adjacent to the land owned by Cutler Properties LC.; the southern tip of the Cutler Properties land is visible at the bottom edge of the picture
Although not the Cutler Properties land, this is an example of a restored Cutler Bay wetland.