This is GreenerMiami’s Semi-Live blogging of the UDB final hearings in Miami-Dade County. Why Semi-Live? Delayed may be a better word. This is currently being blogged from the Main Library downtown, close to the hearing location. This post will be updated until it contains all content for April 18.

Today decisions were made for all non-UDB items (1, 2, 3, 4, 15, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27). Some general comments on the UDB were also heard on the record. UDB applications will be discussed tomorrow, April 19th, beginning at 9:30am in the Stephen P Clark center. The public is encouraged to attend (and wear green).

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Today I attended the Hold the Line campaign press conference at Tina Hill Pavilion, Bayfront Park. Speakers included Mayor Alvarez of Miami-Dade County, Executive Director David Anderson of Audubon of Florida, Rep. Brutus of the Florida House of Representatives, Allison Austin - President of Lincoln Heights (Liberty City) and CEO of Belafonte Tacolcy, Executive Director Daniella Levine of Human Services Coalition, and Councilwoman Millie Herrera.

Each speaker discussed briefly why they are against moving the UDB. Reasons focused on two areas: 1) take care of the people and existing parts of the county first, and 2) save the environment.

Now, something I really wanted to understand before leaving this event was exactly what the current details are so that I can do my homework before the meeting tomorrow. There have been many revisions to the original, but here is the real deal:

Applications 5, 6, 7, 11, 23, and 24 will still be considered, and this is what the focus of the meeting starting tomorrow is all about. To read the 153-page document from the Planning Board, click on the text near the top of this Hold the Line page.

A quick rundown of the locations: #5 - Hialeah (apparently there was some potential discussion of putting the Marlins here, which has some fans upset with us), #6 - Doral, #7 West Dade, #11 - West Kendall (this one includes housing, others are mainly office, business, and industrial requests), #23 & #24 - South Dade.

Catch some sound bites from today’s press conference on the news tonight. Check out these stations that attended. CBS 4, NBC 6, Univision 23.

Don’t Forget: If you want to support the Denial of these applications to move the UDB line, come out in your GREEN shirt tomorrow, April 18, around 9:00 am. Stephen P. Clark center (Government Center metrorail/mover. Ground floor. Go through security gate for visitors and to the 2nd floor meeting room.) Meeting starts at 9:30am. If you can’t make it on-time, still come…I’m sure we’ll be there all day!

Update: See recent articles on the topic: Now isn’t the time, Moving beyond talk, If you go, Battle nears end.

Also, see the agenda for the meeting. Non-UDB items will be heard first (1, 2, 3, 4, 15, 20, 21, 22). (Please understand that this might take a little while…I have no idea how long. If you can, I’m sure the HTL campaign would still appreciate everyone arriving from the beginning of the meeting. But again, better late than never.)

If you can not go, you can watch the proceedings live on Miami-Dade TV or try viewing it on your computer with the county’s live webcast.

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The Hold the Line campaign WANTS YOU! "Protect the Future of Miami and stop the mad dash of development to the edge of the Everglades in Miami/Dade."

Yesterday I spoke with Nate Geisler, the South Florida Community Organizer for Clean Water Action/Clean Water Fund…basically he’s the guy doing a lot of work for the UDB (Urban Development Boundary) Hold the Line campaign. Here’s the deal:

How you can help HOLD THE LINE:

1. Be at the public hearing on Tuesday, April 18 at 9:00am in the Stephen P. Clark center (Metrorail: Government Center)
2. Wear a GREEN shirt.
3. If you go, let me know. I’ll be there, trying my hardest to live-blog it.
4. That’s it! Sounds easy, but it will help a lot to have community members in front of the commissioners while they are deliberating.

The Hold the Line campaign has had successes even before the vote. Yesterday some controversial plans were withdrawn.

Got more time on your hands? Come to the Hold the Line press conference on Monday, April 17 at 1pm. It will be located in the Tina Hills Pavilion (south of fountain) in Bayfront Park. (But if you have to choose, please go to the meeting on Tuesday!)

Can’t go to either? Find your county commissioner, and send an email with your thoughts.

Why is this important? (Source: Hold the Line flier)

• Miami-Dade is the only county in South Florida that has an Urban Development Boundary. Developers say moving the line will make houses cheaper for people to attain the “American Dream”. However, Broward County is already built to the edge of the Everglades and homes in Broward are as expensive or more than in Miami!
• Our roads, sewers, and parks are all lacking, schools are overcrowded, yet big developers want to move the UDB and cause taxpayers to keep paying millions to foot the bill for sprawl.
• We are losing more and more of our remaining farmland. Agriculture is the County’s third largest industry but it is under threat with expansion of the Boundary.
• Moving the “UDB” will add more traffic through our communities. Current proposals alone, at different stages of review, could add 100,000 people or more outside of the UDB and COUNTY EXPERT STAFF HAVE SAID THERE IS ENOUGH LAND SUPPLY IN THE UDB FOR 15 YEARS OR MORE!

If you would like any more information, you can contact the Hold the Line offices: 305-485-5949.

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Florida’s Department of Community Affairs (DCA) recommends to Miami-Dade County Commissioners to hold the line on all counts. Check out yesterday’s Herald article on the UDB.

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