Miami-Dade County Commissioners have approved a zoning change allowing GL Homes to build 524 single-family homes on the site of the former Calusa Golf Course in West Kendall. This decision marks the end of a nearly ten-year battle over the property, which has been closed since 2011. The approved development is a significantly scaled-down version of the developer’s initial proposal.
Key Takeaways
- The project was reduced from an initial proposal of 1,300 homes to 524.
- A settlement with the Tropical Audubon Society expanded the buffer zone around a rare bird nesting site.
- The nonprofit Save Calusa Inc. did not agree to the settlement and expressed disappointment.
- Legal challenges, including one that reached the Florida Supreme Court, previously forced the developer to restart the zoning process.
- Home prices are anticipated to be higher than existing properties in the surrounding area.
A Long Road to Approval
The path to approving the development of the 168-acre Calusa Golf Course has been fraught with challenges. GL Homes first presented plans for 1,300 homes nearly a decade ago. However, the presence of rare bird nesting sites on the property led to significant opposition from environmental groups and local residents.
Settlement and Reduced Scale
A crucial turning point in the dispute was a settlement reached between GL Homes and the Tropical Audubon Society. This agreement led to an expansion of the buffer zone around a sensitive bird rookery from 100 feet to 330 feet. This concession, along with other measures such as agreeing to wait to build homes near the rookery to allow vegetation to grow, reduced the number of planned homes from 540 to 524.
Continued Opposition
Despite the settlement, Save Calusa Inc., a nonprofit organization that has been at the forefront of the opposition, did not sign onto the agreement. Amanda Prieto, the leader of Save Calusa Inc., voiced her disappointment, calling the decision "a tremendous loss for the community." Her attorney has indicated that further legal action, such as a lawsuit or appeal, is still being considered.
What Lies Ahead
GL Homes is now set to begin the permitting process for the 524-home development. Richard Norwalk, a senior executive at GL Homes, expressed cautious optimism, noting the project’s lengthy and contentious history. While the exact timeline for construction completion and home pricing remains undisclosed, it is expected that the new homes will command prices higher than those in the existing neighborhood surrounding the former golf course.
Sources
- Takeaways: Miami-Dade approves 524 homes on golf course, Miami Herald.
- GL Homes cleared to build in West Kendall after zoning vote, Miami Herald.
- Miami-Dade commission stalls Calusa golf course development, Miami Herald.