Judge overturns approval for development past Urban Development Boundary

A judge has ruled Miami-Dade commissioners broke the rules when they approved a controversial project to convert about 380 acres of farmland into an industrial complex north of Homestead, the Miami Herald reports .

Why it matters: The ruling Friday undoes the November 2022 vote that allowed developers to build beyond the Urban Development Boundary (UDB) and is considered a win for environmental groups.

Catch up fast: The commission approved the South Dade Logistics and Technology District — which proposed warehouses, call centers and other commercial uses south of Florida's Turnpike — despite objections from Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, county staff and environmentalists.

• The approval came after four deferrals and months of delays, during which developers behind the project lobbied commissioners to secure the two-thirds majority needed to get it passed and veto-proofed.

Between the lines: The ruling isn't final, as developers can appeal, per the Herald.

• The commission could still vote in favor of the project and expand the UDB, but would need to start the approval process again.

The intrigue: Four of the eight commissioners who voted in favor of the project have since been replaced, suggesting there's no guarantee the project would get a veto-proof majority vote again.

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