Pinecrest taking shape as city; areas to vote on Gables option
Pinecrest’s election, boundaries and charter committee were approved last week by Metro commissioners - after some political arm-twisting.
The county had delayed its approval - and with it, incorporation - until Pinecrest leaders and Coral Gables officials worked out a deal to allow three neighborhoods to decide if they want to join the Gables rather than become part of Pinecrest. The areas are: Pine Bay Estates, Snapper Creek Lakes and Hammocks Lakes.
Two other neighborhoods, Cutler Bay in Pinecrest and Deering Bay in the proposed boundaries of the village of Palmetto Bay, also have expressed an interest in joining Coral Gables.
Originally, Cutler Bay and Deering Bay were petitioned in one swoop, but Metro commissioners decided Tuesday to split them and let each have its say.
Pinecrest leaders said they will write an amendment in their charter allowing for the de-annexation of the three neighborhoods, if voters approve the idea in a special election that will be scheduled in future months.
Cutler Bay’s fate, however, will be discussed at a county planning advisory board meeting before any incorporation or annexation takes place.
“We’re very pleased with the outcome of the Metro-Dade Board of Commissioners,” said Coral Gables Assistant City Manager Sandy Youkilis.
Coral Gables hired Miguel DeGrandy, a former state legislator now working with the law firm of Greenberg-Traurig, to fight the annexation battle with Pinecrest.
Gary Matzner, a member of the Pinecrest charter committee, said Pine Bay Estates residents had said they wanted to join the Gables long before the Pinecrest incorporation movement. But delays in the annexation process occurred and the Pinecrest incorporation vote moved more quickly.
Pine Bay Estates was not included in the Pinecrest feasibility study, so if the neighborhood chooses to leave Pinecrest, the loss of its tax base won’t affect the new city’s financial stability.
Snapper Creek Lakes first asked to join the Gables a week prior to the Pinecrest election, Matzner said.
Hammock Lakes is caught between South Miami and Snapper Creek Lakes. If Snapper Creek decides to join the Gables, Hammock Lakes would be served more easily by the Gables and Pinecrest would round its border at 57th Avenue in the area, Matzner said.
As for Cutler Bay, the issue remains up in the air - and could turn out to be a struggle. Petitions are in to join the Gables, but Cutler Bay may not be allowed to leave Pinecrest because it won’t be in the charter amendment.
Gables Option Sidebar
These three Pinecrest neighborhoods will vote on whether to join the city of Coral Gables at a date as of yet undetermined:
- Pine Bay Estates: 70 homes from Southwest116th to120th streets and from57th to60th avenues.
- Snapper Creek Lakes: 124 homes from Southwest99th Terrace to Snapper Creek Canal and from Old Cutler Road to57th Avenue.
- Hammock Lakes: 130 homes from Southwest88th Street to99th Terrace and from Old Cutler Road to57th Avenue.