The Coral Gables Times

Liquor Permits Should Be Issued Motels of 100 Rooms, Says Chamber

(Continued from page 1) son, is pledged to to take a stand on controversial issues, not only those which affect business directly but also the community at large. The entry into stands on controversial topics was not without controversy itself. Vice Mayor Fred Evans was sitting with the board for his first meeting as the City Commission's ex officio member to the Chamber directorate. Evans, who abstained on the liquor vote, objected that the matter had not first been screened through a Chamber committee. President Jacobson said that on most issues this would be done, that time prevented it in this instance. Al Singer, owner of University Inn on South Dixie Highway, appeared before the board to ask its backing in obtaining a beverage license for his place of business. A competitor is building on the adjacent corner and will conform to the architectural requirements which will permit him to obtain a liquor permit. Chamber directors argued that the law was an old one (1937) written in a day when motels were neither plentiful nor generally in good repute. It makes no sense, they argued, to grant a liquor license on the technical question of whether a building does or does not meet a legal definition of a "hotel," as the ordinance now limits licenses. After Singer came attorney Ed Russo, who pleaded the case for approval of The Seven Gables Hotel. The Chamber agreed to urge its approval by a vote of 14 to 1, with one abstention. Dr. Evans and Singer engaged in a mild dispute about the license matter, Dr. Evans said he was surprised to see Singer there. "I thought we'd aired this thing before the City Commission." The Commission suggested the matter be put to a referendum of the City's voters, an action which Singer doesn't want to take. Dr. Evans said he disagreed with owner-operator Singer that a lack of a liquor permit would handicap him competitively. He also alluded to the "monopoly" Singer has had here. Singer began with 40 units about 10 years ago and has expanded now into more than 160 rooms.

Boy Here Loses Leg To Outboard

Seven-year-old Ralph Clifton Clark is reported still in "fair" condition at Doctors' Hospital following a boat accident Sunday in which he lost part of his right leg. Young Clark was riding on the bow of a boat being piloted by his father, Reginald G. Clark, 2610 Tigertail Ave., in the canal at 4601 University Dr. He was cut by the boat's propeller as the boat turned. The boy was given emergency treatment by Fireman Robert Dymond and Robert Boutelle and taken to Doctors' Hospital nearby. Gables police say Clark, a Coast Guard officer, told them he had never let anyone ride the bow before.

Hotel Never Gets Off Boards

(Continued from page 1) lives at 918 South Greenway Dr. But the nays had it. They cited, among other things, their opposition to issuance of a liquor license. The 102 rooms would qualify the hotel for one. Parking, they said, would not be adequate. And there would be noise. Utilities would be taxed. And who needs a hotel there anyway? Thornton Fincher, a nearby apartment owner, said he did not come to the Gables to entertain transients. "How would you like this structure two blocks from your home?" asked Mrs. Gerome Wood, 1001 Coral Way. Mrs. Glen Heller, 665 North Greenway Dr., said the hotel would be fine—in another location. "It won't appeal to tourists," said Miss Lula McLendon, local civic leader. The nearby First Methodist Church came out strongly against the hotel through Frederick Simon who got lectured by Mayor Robert L. Searle on the church chain of command. Searle, a member of the church, said Simon had not been authorized by the church board to make the presentation. When interviewed later by The Times, Simon said he is business manager for the church. How about officially representing the church? "I was only following instructions given me by Mr. Moon." Who is Mr. Moon? "Mr. Charles Moon, an attorney, chairman of our Board of Trustees." Wouldn't Mayor Searle, a member of that church, know you as a staff member? "I've only been here a month and haven't had the pleasure of meeting Mayor Searle. I am simply trying to do my job as the various boards inform me about it." "The first thing you'd know you'd have a house of prostitution," said Mrs. George Christophel, 525 Palermo Ave. When Russo pointed out that only two of the opponents live within the legally prescribed area, Commissioner Evans jumped in to ask how many proponents did. "Mr. Sullivan," replied Russo. When Murphy was questioned about his abstention, he told of his law connection with Russo and with former mayor Thomas C. Mayes. Voting would amount to a conflict of interest, he said. Evans admonished the opponents for attributing sinister or ulterior motives to various proposals put to the commission.

THE SEVEN GABLES HOTEL The Proposed Hotel For Coral Way

Rader Report Stirs Protests; Gables Families Speak Out Loudly

(Continued from page 1) adhere to this plan? Think of what Coral Gables has ... "I think what the answer is, is the enforcement of what zoning laws we have." Mayor Robert Searle told the audience it must remember this Report carries only suggestions. That some, or perhaps, none, of these recommendations will be followed. After the two future public hearings, the Rader Report will go before the City Commission (all Commissioners were present Monday night) and it will decide which suggestions, if any, to follow. Mrs. George Christophel, 525 Palermo Ave., rose and looked at the Commissioners and Mayor sitting together. "I think we elected our Mayor and Commissioners in their campaign promises against high rise building in Coral Gables. "Some of us are getting kind of disgusted. Two or three times a year having to protect what we hired these men to do. "Not us! We shouldn't have to back them up." Commissioner George Wilson rose quickly to his feet. "We have kept our campaign promises," he said. "I don't want you to sit here tonight and think this Report has already been accepted . . . We haven't accepted nine-story buildings. "These men," Wilson said, speaking of Rader, "have given us something to think about for the future." Eckhoff, before outlining the Rader proposals, told his audience that: 1. If the Gables is to continue to have a prosperous business district, we must be able to compete with the shopping centers, such as Dadeland, that are sprouting up. 2. There is a high per capita income in the Gables. 3. There is a growing demand for more office space. After this, Eckhoff then outlined Rader's suggestions. Eckhoff said nine-story office buildings would be allowed in a "core" business area bounded by Le Jeune Road, Minorca Avenue, Douglas Road and Giralda Avenue. When Ed Waldron, 4101 Palmarito Ave., asked why a building of such height was recommended, Eckhoff replied that the main reason was to use more efficiently what available land we have left. Another major proposal for the downtown area is to close part of Biltmore Way in front of City Hall and to extend Merrick Park across the closed street. Eckhoff talked about "fringe" areas. These are: Along SW 8th St. — proposed two and three story apartments. Along Red Road, from SW 8th to Coral Way — two-story and four-story apartments, with the former on Red Road and the latter between Red and Country Club Prado. Two vacant corners at Red Road and Bird Road — allow professional office buildings. Along Ponce de Leon Boulevard from Le Jeune Road along railroad track to Miller Road — office buildings. Eckhoff suggested the industrial area remain as it is, with many buildings already used for industry and warehouses. When discussing Sunrise Harbour, Eckhoff said Rader proposes this exclusive residential neighborhood remain unchanged. But for the downtown area of the Gables, he suggested six-story apartments. The area proposed for these apartments is shaped like a letter "T" with Douglas Road as the base, Almeria and Giralda Avenues as the sides and Le Jeune Road and Hernando Street as the top of the "T". Eckhoff stressed throughout the evening that the Rader Report, compiled over the last nine months and costing the City $12,000, is made up of recommendations. All, some or even none of these recommendations may be carried out, he said. It will depend on what the City Commission decides to do in the months to come. Jerome Milana, 445 Minorca Ave., was the sole person speaking in favor of the report. Some 85 people attended the Youth Center session. MR. ECKHOFF . . . one man's view

WHAT? First public hearing of the Rader study for future Gables land use. | WHERE? At the Youth Center. | WHEN? Monday night. | WHO? Townspeople and the City Commissioners. | WHY? To take soundings.