Governor and Cabinet Uphold Urban Development Boundary in Miami-Dade County
August 3, 2009

In a major victory for smart growth, on July 28 the Governor and Cabinet issued a final order preventing Miami-Dade County from expanding its Urban Development Boundary (UDB) westward into sensitive wetlands adjacent to Everglades National Park.  The expansion was requested to accommodate a 52-acre development by the home improvement giant, Lowes.    

1000 Friends of Florida and the National Parks Conservation Association joined the Florida Department of Community Affairs in a lawsuit to challenge the proposed expansion.  “We applaud Governor Crist and the Cabinet for upholding the principles of smart growth in Florida,” says 1000 Friends President Charles Pattison.  “Through this order, they have demonstrated the importance of maintaining a community’s urban development boundary in order to protect sensitive rural and natural lands.”  This also sends the clear message that the plain language of comprehensive plan policies are meant to be enforced, and not changed for political convenience or special interest, Pattison notes. 

1000 Friends currently is participating in similar legal challenges to protect from unwarrented expansions the urban service boundaries in Palm Beach and Martin Counties.  “The Governor and Cabinet have set an important precedent with Miami-Dade County,” Pattison continues.  

Miami-Dade County had approved the expansion despite the protests of many citizens, including thousands of members of Hold the Line, an active local smart growth advocacy group.  In their suit, 1000 Friends and partners contended that the expansion was unnecessary given that there were sufficient available lands within the UDB to accommodate new development.  The three groups also noted the expansion would threaten sensitive natural resources, adversely impact the Everglades, and lead to the costly extension of additional urban services to the area, in turn stimulating further growth in the area.