 Pinecrest Referendum 1 This referendum is about changing the rules for how long someone can serve as Mayor or Councilmember in the village. Right now, the rule says that a person can only serve in either role for up to two terms in a row, or a total of eight years in a row. The proposed change would allow someone to serve as Mayor for two terms and also serve as a Councilmember for two terms, meaning they could serve a total of four terms in a row (which could be up to 16 years). In simple terms, the change would let someone serve for a longer period by being both Mayor and Councilmember in separate terms, instead of combining the time limits for both roles. I, Ralph Sanchez, will vote NO. Pinecrest Referendum 2 This referendum is about whether a short term in office should count towards the limit on how long someone can serve as Mayor or Councilmember. Right now, it's not clear if serving part of a term (less than a full term) counts toward the maximum number of terms a person can serve in a row. The proposed change says that if someone serves for less than two years in a term, it wouldn’t count as a full term. In other words, if someone takes over part of a term (like filling in for someone else), and it's less than two years, that time wouldn't count toward the limit on how many terms they can serve consecutively. I, Ralph Sanchez, will vote NO. Pinecrest Referendum 3 This referendum is about what counts as a "break" in someone’s time as Mayor or Councilmember when calculating consecutive term limits. Right now, the rules don't say how long someone needs to take a break from being in office before their previous time no longer counts toward the term limit. The proposed change says that if a person takes a break of at least six months (180 days), the time they served before that break wouldn’t count toward the limit on how many terms they can serve in a row. In simple terms, if someone steps away from being Mayor or Councilmember for at least six months, the time they served before the break wouldn’t count toward the total limit of consecutive terms they can serve. I, Ralph Sanchez, will vote NO. Pinecrest Referendum 4 This referendum is about how the village handles the situation if the Mayor or all Council members leave their positions before their terms are up. Right now, if the Mayor's position becomes vacant, there has to be a special election within 90 days to fill it. Also, if all Council members leave, there would be a special election that wouldn’t keep the staggered timing of Council member terms (meaning some members are elected at different times to maintain balance). The proposed change would make it so that if the Mayor’s position becomes vacant, it would be filled during the next regular election instead of having a special election within 90 days. And if all Council members leave, there would be a special election to fill each open Council position, but the remaining terms would be preserved, keeping the staggered election timing for balance. In other words, if the Mayor's position becomes vacant, waiting for the next regular election to fill it could leave the village without a Mayor for an extended period of time. This would create leadership gaps and delay important decisions or actions that require a Mayor's input. Additionally, in the case of the entire Council becoming vacant, while the staggered terms would be preserved, holding a special election for each position’s remaining term will be complicated and confusing for voters. It will also lead to increased costs due to multiple special elections, rather than filling all positions more quickly in a single election. These factors will slow down the process of getting the local government fully functioning again. I, Ralph Sanchez, will vote NO. Pinecrest Referendum 5 This referendum is about updating the village's election rules to match current Florida state laws. Right now, the village's Charter (a document that outlines how the village is governed) has some old rules about election timelines that no longer apply because state laws have changed. The proposed change would update the Charter to make sure it clearly says that all election timelines must follow Florida state law and can work with the schedule of the Supervisor of Elections, who oversees elections. By strictly aligning with Florida state laws and the Supervisor of Elections' schedule, the village will lose flexibility in how it runs its local elections. For example, if the state laws or the Supervisor’s schedule don't perfectly match the needs or preferences of the village, it will limit the village’s ability to make adjustments that might better suit the community. Additionally, since the changes are described as "non-substantive technical updates," this creates a lack of clarity for voters on exactly what is changing. The community has not been truly informed on how these changes will impact our local elections. I, Ralph Sanchez, will vote NO. - Ralph Sanchez, 9/26/2024 What is Residential Density? Residential density refers to the number of people or homes in a specific area of land, like a neighborhood or city block. It's usually measured in terms of the number of housing units (like houses or apartments) per acre or square mile. Higher residential density means more people or homes are packed into a smaller space, like Coral Gables. Lower residential density means fewer people live over a larger area, like in suburbs where homes are more spread out. This affects things like traffic, public services, and the overall feel of a place.
In December of 2022, the Village Council increased the maximum residential density from 12 units per acre to 35 units per acre. Increasing residential density from 12 units per acre to 35 units per acre means fitting more homes into the same amount of land. At 12 units per acre, the area might have houses with yards or small apartment buildings. When the density rises to 35 units per acre, the space becomes more crowded, often filled with apartment buildings, townhouses, or condos that are packed closely together. While this allows more people to live in the same area, it also leads to increased traffic congestion, noise, and a lack of privacy. The busier environment strains public services like schools, parks, and transportation, making them less accessible or enjoyable for everyone. Additionally, the reduced green space and crowded conditions make the surrounding neighborhoods feel less open and relaxing. What can we do? To decrease the maximum residential density in the Village of Pinecrest from 35 units per acre, the Village Council needs to vote to roll back residential density to the original maximum of 12 units per acre. This will help preserve Pinecrest’s spacious, peaceful environment, with ample green space, larger yards, and uncrowded neighborhoods. By maintaining fewer apartment buildings or condos, we can ensure that residents continue to enjoy the quiet, less hectic atmosphere that makes Pinecrest ideal for families and those who value privacy and a close-knit community. Keeping lower density will help minimize traffic and reduce the strain on public services, safeguarding the high quality of life that current residents cherish and expect. - Ralph Sanchez, 9/14/2024  In the heart of Pinecrest, our community has always been more than just a collection of homes and businesses—it’s a tapestry woven with shared values, history, and a deep sense of belonging. As we navigate the future of our Village, it’s crucial that we honor and preserve the qualities that have long made Pinecrest unique. This is why I am steadfast in my commitment to restoring Pinecrest to its original building heights and required density. Pinecrest has a rich history that is reflected in its thoughtfully planned landscape and architectural harmony. When our Village was first developed, it was with a vision of balance and scale that suited the needs and aspirations of our residents. Unfortunately, recent changes to building regulations and density requirements have disrupted this equilibrium, impacting the very essence of what makes Pinecrest special. My commitment is to address this issue head-on. By restoring the original building heights and density requirements, we can ensure that Pinecrest remains true to its founding principles. This isn’t just about preserving aesthetics—though that is certainly important—but also about maintaining the quality of life for our residents. Lower building heights and appropriate density levels help protect our community’s charm, reduce congestion, and ensure that new developments complement rather than overwhelm the existing character of our Village. Moreover, adhering to these original standards will foster a more cohesive and sustainable growth model. It will allow us to manage new developments in a way that respects the historical and environmental context of Pinecrest. This approach not only benefits current residents but also sets a precedent for future developments that align with our shared vision for the Village. Restoring Pinecrest to its original building height and density requirements is a commitment to the future while honoring our past. It’s about preserving the beauty and character of our community for generations to come. I am dedicated to working with all stakeholders—residents, Council Members, and planning experts—to achieve this goal. Together, we can ensure that Pinecrest remains a place where history and harmony are cherished, and where every new addition enhances rather than detracts from our community’s unique identity. Let’s work together to restore and preserve the essence of Pinecrest. Our commitment to maintaining the original building heights and density will help safeguard the Village’s character and ensure that it continues to be a wonderful place to call home. Ralph Sanchez, 9/4/2024 |
Ralph SanchezRalph Sanchez is committed to safeguarding Pinecrest’s future by balancing progress with preserving the community’s unique character and safety. ArchivesCategories |
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