All in all, it was a long but I believe good day for the environment and Miami-Dade County. Today the Miami-Dade County Commission heard all applications for the outside UDB applications: 5, 6, 7, 11, & 24.

In some somewhat surprising decisions, applications 6, 7, 11, and 24 did not pass. Application 5, by the City of Hialeah, did pass, and was filed as a separate ordinance.

Here is the Herald’s take on it. How they voted.

May 8 update: All notes now posted.

Also, please note that every effort has been made to be accurate, but there could be some errors. If any are found, please notify.

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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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