It does not take long to figure out that in Islamorada there are two clearly defined entities. These two sides are on a collision course.

This week’s concern:

“They paved paradise to put up a parking lot”

Common good:The very heart of the legal concept of the common good isn't a single law, but an idea woven into government regulations, constantly asking the question: “What is best for the community as a whole?”

It is apparent the “common good” policy is not working properly in Islamorada and some in the community get special favors.

A year ago, property owners at Anglers Reef Condos on Windley Key asked the Village to provide overflow parking spaces on Village owned right of way in front of their 52-unit condo.

Over 75% of the units have vacation rental licenses, which certainly adds to their parking problems… that they want the Village to fix. 

There are numerous parking problems in Islamorada. The scenic Village is not so scenic anymore with continual overflow parking everywhere.  Why has the Council singled out Anglers Reef to provide special help? 

At a recent meeting, the Village Council, declared fixing Angler Reef parking as the “top priority” for the Planning Department. It is now ahead of the Comp Plan and a list of other, now forgotten “priorities.”

Publicly spinning the priority “wheel” doesn’t solve a single problem.

Jennifer DeBoisbriand, Village Planning Director, told council from a planning perspective, parking throughout the Village should be addressed together as part of the Comp Plan review. We think this is logical. That review should be top priority.

The property owners at Anglers Reef, through their HOA attorney, Ty Harris, offered to pay, an estimated $500,000 for the parking project. Village Attorney, John Quick, warned that this could create legal complications because of the tax-free status of the Village. And that the parking couldn’t be restricted to “Anglers Reef Only.”

The Council members responded - who else would use the proposed parking?  How about the mobile home park adjoining Anglers Reef with 48 homes squeezed onto a property about 1/3 the size of Anglers Reef. Aren’t they equally entitled?

Furthermore, this creates a precedent that will be tested and eventually abused.

At the June 2025 Council Meeting, former Village Engineer, Robert Mather, presented recommendations based on legal requirements and safety issues. He indicated parallel parking is the safest parking design and follows legal requirements. He explained requirements as to clear sight triangles, no backing onto a road, etc. 

DeBoisbriand added that while many local businesses back onto roads, those are existing conditions that can’t be changed. For a new project, all requirements like the no backing requirement must be enforced to minimize future hazards.

Recommendations and warnings from Mather and DeBoisbriand were ignored. The Council directed Mather to change the plan to angled parking. And voted to eliminate the “no backing” safety restriction in Village regulations.

Next: Once the sketch with the angled parking was completed, a Town Hall meeting was to be scheduled to present the plan to the community. None yet, 9 months later?

Special treatment: Is Anglers Reef getting other special concessions?    

According to “Cityview“ on the Village website, on Jan 16, the Building Department received a permit application for 11 parking spaces in the right of way with the Village as property owner. Who filed the permit?

On Feb 12, the Village Planning Department received a site plan for the Village owned Right of Way, from the homeowners, listing Anglers Reef as owner. 

From the site plan review by Planning: “Parking plan pursuant to License & Use Agreement between Village of Islamorada and Anglers Reef POA.”  What license agreement?  This appears headed for the Hall of Bad decisions. File it next to the Founders Park baseball field fiasco.

Also noted in the review for Anglers Reef  “Application fees and deposit waived per Village Manager.”  Why?  What entitles them to reduced costs? 

 

People ask why is there division in the Village?Look at the decisions made by Village authorities, often demonstrating blatant favoritism.

Are Village taxpayers on the hook for the costly improvements and staff time?

Will this application face the same scrutiny other applicants face? I wouldn’t bet on it. And will we ever know why Anglers Reef is treated a bit better than many applicants facing the Village.  This whole project stinks to high heaven.

Explain Village officials! You work for us. You can try to heal the division with transparency and answers to our questions. Ball is in your court.

 

Tom Raffanello