HomeMy Public PortalAboutLTC 143-2020 Election Notice MH
OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE MANAGER LETTER TO COUNCIL
NO. 143-2020
TO: Mayor Gabriel Groisman and Members of the Village Council
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manager
DATE: October 16, 2020
SUBJECT: Notice of Election
The purpose of this LTC is to share with you a copy of the election notice which has been
mailed to all registered voters in Bal Harbour Village. This notice provides a copy of the
official sample ballot, as well as, a summary and explanation of the charter question.
This notice is also being shared with our residents via all of our social media platforms and
electronic methods of communication.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me.
JMG/RI/MH
BA L H A R B O U R
- V I L L A G E -
Bal Harbour Village Hall
655 96th Street
Bal Harbour, Florida 33154
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S.POSTAGE PAID
MIAMI, FL
PERMIT NO.
2783
NOTICE OF ELECTION NOVEMBER 3, 2020
- NOTICE OF ELECTION -
AS PART OF THE GENERAL NOVEMBER 3, 2020 ELECTION, THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE RESIDENTS OF BAL HARBOUR.
THE PROPOSED CHARTER QUESTION WILL ASK RESIDENTS TO VOTE ‘YES’ OR ‘NO’ TO ALLOW THE HEIGHT OF SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS TO BE MEASURED FROM THE BASE FLOOD ELEVATION.
THE COMPLETE SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF THE QUESTION AND
THE WORDING OF THE ACTUAL BALLOT ARE INSIDE THIS CARD.
- NOTICE OF ELECTION -
SUMMARY AND EXPLANATION OF THE CHARTER QUESTION
MEASURE HEIGHT OF SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS FROM MINIMUM BASE FLOOD ELEVATION
For decades, the Village Code has defined building height in the single-family districts to be measured from the average highest
point of the “streets” adjacent to a property up to the roof of that property. The maximum building height for waterfront single-family
dwellings (R-1) is two stories and 35 ft in height, and the maximum building height for non-water lot single-family dwellings (R-2)
is two stories and 30 ft in height. In 2006, Bal Harbour Village voters approved an amendment to the Village Charter that froze
this height measurement, so it can only be changed by another vote of Village residents.
The current height does not take into account changing State or Federal requirements for Base Flood Elevation (BFE) of buildings.
The current BFE for Bal Harbour is 8 ft above mean sea level, with the Florida Building Code currently requiring that the first
habitable floor of a structure be built at least one foot above BFE in order to mitigate the effects of climate change and rising sea
levels. So, structures in Bal Harbour Village must now be at least 9 ft above mean sea level. This requirement makes homes more
resilient to flooding, but at the expense of overall available height to the homeowner of single-family homes.
The proposed question on the November 3, 2020 General Election ballot would allow a homeowner to build their available height
without being impacted by the base flood requirements, now, or in the future should they be changed. This proposed change
would only apply to single family homes in the Village.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO THE VILLAGE WEBSITE:
www.balharbourfl.gov
OFFICIAL SAMPLE BALLOT
NOTE THAT THIS SAMPLE BALLOT IS ONLY FOR THE BAL HARBOUR CHARTER QUESTION
THE BALLOT YOU WILL RECEIVE AT POLLING PLACES AND FOR MAIL-IN-VOTING WILL INCLUDE THE ENTIRE BALLOT
THE BAL HARBOUR CHARTER QUESTION IS LOCATED IN THE BACK OF THE GENERAL BALLOT
OFFICIAL SAMPLE BALLOT
Special ElectionNovember 3, 2020 Bal Harbour, Florida
• Instructions: To vote, fill in the oval completely next to your choice.
Use only a black or blue pen.
• If you make a mistake, ask for a new ballot. Do not cross out or your vote
may not count.
Bal Harbour Referendum
Measure Height of Single Family Dwellings from Base Flood Elevation
Currently, the Village Charter does not take into account the state or federal base
flood elevation when measuring maximum building height; it measures from the street.
When the base flood elevation increases, the effective height of single family dwellings
decreases. Shall the Charter be amended to allow the height of single family dwellings
to be measured from the highest minimum elevation required by state or federal law?
YES 218
NO 2190
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