Miami-Dade County commissioners have given the green light for developer GL Homes to build 524 single-family homes on the site of the former Calusa Golf Course in West Kendall. The decision follows years of legal battles and community opposition, primarily focused on environmental concerns regarding a bird rookery on the property.
Key Takeaways
- Miami-Dade County Commission approved a zoning change for 524 homes on the 168-acre Calusa Golf Course site.
- The approval came after a settlement between developer GL Homes and the Tropical Audubon Society, which included an expanded buffer zone around a bird nesting site.
- Save Calusa Inc., a nonprofit advocating for stricter environmental protections, expressed disappointment with the outcome.
- The project has faced significant delays since initial proposals nearly a decade ago, including a lawsuit that forced a restart of the zoning process.
A Decade-Long Development Saga
The Miami-Dade County Commission voted 8-5 to approve the zoning change, allowing GL Homes to proceed with its development plans on the 168-acre property located off Southwest 127th Avenue near Killian Parkway. The Calusa Golf Course has been closed since 2011, and over the years, a lake on the property has become a nesting ground for rare birds.
Environmental Concerns and Compromises
Activists, led by Amanda Prieto of the nonprofit Save Calusa Inc., have long fought for greater protections for the bird rookery and a reduction in the scale of the proposed development. Initially, GL Homes sought to build 1,300 homes. After years of back-and-forth, including a lawsuit that reached the Florida Supreme Court, a settlement was reached between GL Homes and the Tropical Audubon Society. This agreement widened the buffer zone around the nesting site from 100 feet to 330 feet and included plans for lake expansion and landscaping to protect the rookery. Save Calusa Inc. did not join this settlement, with Prieto citing ongoing concerns about development density and potential traffic increases.
Developer’s Perspective and Future Plans
Richard Norwalk, a senior executive at GL Homes, expressed satisfaction with the commission’s decision, stating, "We are happy. We’ve been at this for a long time, and we think that it’s good for the county to find some more housing here." GL Homes also agreed to delay the construction of 37 homes near the rookery until two years after the rookery improvements are completed, allowing surrounding vegetation to mature. The developer plans to begin the permitting process immediately, though Norwalk cautioned against predicting completion timelines due to the project’s history.
Community Reaction and Ongoing Opposition
While the Tropical Audubon Society reached a compromise, Save Calusa Inc. remains critical. Prieto described the outcome as a "tremendous loss for the community." The attorney for Save Calusa Inc. has not yet decided whether to pursue further legal action or appeals. The development is expected to bring new housing to the area, with prices anticipated to be higher than existing homes surrounding the former golf course.
Sources
- GL Homes cleared to build in West Kendall after zoning vote, Miami Herald.
- Miami-Dade commission stalls Calusa golf course development, Miami Herald.