The Paradox of Priorities: Why a Pool Trumps a Mango Tree

Dear Editor:

On January 14, I was present at a gathering at Miami’s City Hall where conversations regarding modifications to Miami’s Tree Ordinance occurred, with only one out of our five commissioners considering this matter significant enough to attend.

This situation, by itself, should raise concern for anyone residing in Miami. However, we have become so desensitized to the deceit of our elected leaders that we hardly notice a convicted criminal is currently our President and a man who infringed upon the rights of the proprietors of one of the most iconic bars in Miami because they opted to support a rival candidate (ultimately costing Miami taxpayers approximately $12 million) remains seated on our City Commission.

Indeed, Joe Carollo, the commissioner in question, was absent from the tree ordinance meeting. Damian Pardo of District 2 presided over the event and did his utmost to prevent the frustrated residents from overtaking the capitol, figuratively speaking.

And what incited the residents’ frustration? Frank Castaneda, the chief of staff for Commissioner Gabela, indicated in his introductory comments that a homeowner wishing to construct a pool confronted a significant obstacle if a mango tree obstructed their plans. Similarly, a homeowner with a tree that was undermining their house’s foundation also faced a considerable issue.

For those curious about Castaneda’s perspective on trees and their significance to our city and our planet, that was your response.

These introductory remarks were just the beginning of the absurdity, as our city officials hastily went through the new tree ordinance, failing to elucidate any potential consequences and leaving most residents uninformed; a situation we witness less and less of as property after property in Coconut Grove is sold to developers, resulting in almost every tree that isn’t an Oak being removed. We are left to observe just how much concrete is required to construct a 5,000-square-foot structure that will demand endless amounts of energy to keep its inhabitants cool in a world that is now experiencing the hottest temperatures in recorded history.

As one resident after another rose to express their dissatisfaction with an ordinance that will render our community less habitable, I couldn’t help but ponder that this is how we fell into this environmental calamity initially—by consistently choosing financial gain over the preservation of nature.

Isn’t this truly what it all comes down to? A swimming pool versus a mango tree? I still find the analogy fascinating. Firstly, because a mango tree in Miami lacks any protection under our existing ordinance, and secondly, what advantage does a swimming pool offer to our community or the larger world?

In many instances, swimming pools in Coconut Grove are constructed to enhance the financial worth of a developing property. Once more, it’s profit over nature. And after these pools are built, how many are actually utilized in a locale recognized for its dense tree coverage, resulting in continual leaf debris in the pool and a persistent mosquito presence?

The core issue, and the unaddressed truth in Miami, is not merely that the chief of staff for one of our absent commissioners fails to recognize that a mango tree is not safeguarded under the current tree ordinance; it’s about zoning.

Currently, about 30% of a residential property is designated for planting, but that hasn’t deterred developers from placing synthetic grass or pool decks, rendering this 30% even less significant.

It’s hard not to observe all of this and ponder just how misguided, uninformed, and, in some instances, corrupt our commissioners are. May divine intervention aid us.

Michael Langlois