Mayor Joseph M. Corradino's Message
Published on June 17, 2022
In light of the threading emails to our citizens about zoning, I’d like to address this situation.
Pinecrest is a great place to live. Crime is at an all-time low, taxes are some of the lowest in the county, property values are the highest they have ever been and out pacing other cities, and we have won more money from federal and state agencies in the past 25 months than in the past 25 years combined.
Your investment in Pinecrest is likely the most profitable in your portfolio.
What’s the recipe? We are quick to adapt. Nowhere does that translate to the character and quality of life of our community than when talking about zoning.
Pinecrest created its own zoning code at the time of incorporation and we update it many times each year so that it’s current. We give very few variances. Citizens know what to expect and the rules are applied consistently.
We are strict. Our rigid well thought out zoning preserves our Village as a great place to live. It protects our property values and the character of our neighborhoods. It makes our Village one of the most desirable places to live.
That could all change, if a petition the that is being circulated in the Village receives the proper amount of signatures this summer.
This petition would make any and all zoning code changes - no matter how large or small - go through a referendum and pass with 60 percent of the vote.
People are being misled by a small group of people, many of whom do not live or vote in Pinecrest, pushing the petition.
People are being told that only variances for developers will be subject to this. Not true. According to the petition language they wrote, zero variances will be forced to go to referendum. Additionally, treating people differently from one another is illegal.
People are being told this will limit building height. Not true. According to the petition language they wrote, building height can be changed by variances, which are not subject to this effort.
People are being told this only impacts the US 1 Corridor. Not true. According to the petition language they wrote, this will impact every property in Pinecrest and assures not so much as a definition is modified without a referendum.
What is true is that this petition can lead to a referendum that will give special interests with deep pockets an advantage over the average citizen.
Money would steer zoning and land-use matters, creating a system that is not equitable or conducive to maintaining the Village’s character.
Each zoning and land-use application would cost the applicant or the Village upwards of $35,000 to hold a special election.
This would slow our ability to adapt and be detrimental to our ability to keep Pinecrest what it is – a unique and special place.
Ask yourself why is this group personally and aggressively attacking the Village Council?
Since this issue was put on us a year ago, the Village Council has gotten the county to revise its ordinance so that Pinecrest maintains control of zoning, will not have to conform to county density or height standards, and is able to protect every single-family home. This is a major victory for Pinecrest and the most profound protection of our single-family homes since incorporation.
Ask why this group is so eager to push a petition that would create a referendum that would only benefit those who can mount costly campaigns.
Ask why they will not meet with the mayor.
Ask why they cannot correctly tell you what this petition means.
Before you sign this petition, please research the facts. Visit the Village website at www.pinecrest-fl.gov/petitions to read more information about this petition. Or call, email, or text me and we can discuss this one on one. I am available to meet with anyone at any time. We can talk on the phone or I can come to your neighborhood and talk to your group.
I look forward to hearing from you. My cell phone number is 305.606.2364 and my email address is jcorradino@pinecrest-fl.gov.
Photographed is a letter signed by the Village's three former mayors against the petition.