MIAMI — Thunderous applause broke out at Miami City Hall Thursday when Commissioner Miguel Gabela withdrew his measure that would change the city’s tree ordinance.
“I should have worn my green T-shirt today,” Chairwoman Christine King said after residents clapped and cheered.
The plan, which Gabela said was a measure to “streamline the permitting system,” has faced months of opposition from residents ― and months of deferrals on the dais. Fellow Commissioner Joe Carollo called the plan “outrageous” on Wednesday.
Residents had been worried that the plan would reduce the city’s tree canopy.
Environmentalists echoed those fears.
They argued that commissioners should focus directly on the permitting process instead.
Gabela told Local 10 News Anchor and Environmental Advocate Louis Aguirre in January that he would withdraw the ordinance change if it would do more harm than good.
“I would,” Gabela said. “I’ve got no problem. We’ll go ahead and defer it. I’ve already said that I’m going to defer it because I want to give everybody a chance to voice their concerns and to arrive at a conclusion.”
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