Two Miami-Dade County residents have sued to require a countywide vote on whether a new marina can be built at the Miami Seaquarium site on Virginia Key. Aaron Stauber and Gregory Frankel filed the suit under the county charter’s citizen enforcement provision, Article 7, arguing that all county residents should have a say in the future of the property.
The Seaquarium itself is exempt from Article 7. The lawsuit contends, however, that the project reaches beyond the current aquarium grounds into Biscayne Bay, where Resilient Aquarium LLC plans more than 300 boat slips that do not exist today.
In a statement, the developer said the plan was designed to fit the property’s allowable use and Article 7 of the charter. The company said it expects to move forward once Miami-Dade County approves its plans.
Frankel said the case is about process and public input. Stauber said the project goes beyond simple modernization of the existing facility.
County Commissioner Raquel Regalado, whose District 7 includes Virginia Key, hosted a webinar with the developer Wednesday evening.
