The Times

THE TIMES the local community newspaper for all South Dade

Coral Gables South Miami Vol. 35 No. 43 Second Class Postage Paid at Miami, Fla. Thursday, December 8, 1960 Published Weekly at 308 Aragon, Coral Gables, Fla. Price 10c

Tempers Rise When High Rise Apartment Gets Gables Approval

IT WAS A FULL HOUSE at Coral Gables City Hall Tuesday when all the cards were laid on the table. Persons favoring construction of a $3 million skyscraper apartment at Biltmore Way and Cardena Ave. and those turning thumbs down on the project packed the City Commission room and overflowed into the halls. The City Commission will now have to decide whether to let construction go ahead or not. Angry Objectors Ponder Injunction, Referendum An injunction and possibly a referendum stand in the way of a 12-story apartment building approved by the Coral Gables City Commission by a 3-2 vote Tuesday. Feelings rose as high as the proposed building's dozen stories as a crowd estimated at approximately 200 persons filed out of the City Commission Room 21⁄2 hours later after split-decision approval for A. H. Sakolsky's $3 million skyscraper on the southwest corner of Biltmore Way and Cardena. Attorney Franklin Parson, a Gables resident and eccent candidate for the Metro Commission, led the opposition and presented a 212-name petition to the Commission. The Coral Gables Woman's Club, the Apartment Owners Association, the Property Home Owners Association and the Jaycees also went on record opposing the high rise building. Supporting the Commission majority were the Retail Merchants Division of the Chamber of Commerce. Makes Speech Former mayor, Fred Hartnett, delivered an eloquent speech in favor, and Sakolsky and his architect, Peter Jefferson, carried the argument in favor of the controversial proposal. It was Commissioner Winston W. Wynne, bound for a seat on the Metro Commission in January, who moved acceptance of the plan. He was supported by Commissioner Robert Searle, who seconded the resolution. Mayor John M. Montgomery, who had opposed a seven-story building at the same spot in 1957, cast the deciding vote. Commissioner Joe Murphy's initial move to cast aside the tall building proposal failed when he received support only from Commissioner Frank Kerdyk. Another possible hitch in the 150-family apartment building may lie with the Fire and Police Departments, which must approve feasibility. "I'll see you," was Parson's parting shot to City Attorney Ted Semple following the close City Commission vote and indication that the action was being taken by resolution and not by ordinance. Second In Height The 12-story building, if built, will be second in height only to the Veterans Hospital building, constructed back in the mid-20's. Contrary to general opinion, it will not establish a precedent. A 13-story apartment was approved earlier this year for Sunrise Harbour without fanfare and several exceptions have been granted for other multiple story commercial buildings of greater than three stories in the downtown area. The three-story limit imposed by ordinance never "prohibited the City Commission from approving buildings of greater height, Semple advised the Commission Tuesday. He explained that anyone may build a three-story building in properly zoned areas, but to go higher requires aproval of the Commission. Parson interpreted the ordinance differently. He indicated that limit of three stories was imposed. "I know of no mandate that has been given to any public official to change the situation," Parson said. "There has been no cry," Parson said, "to build an apartment house to reach to the moon." He charged that "selfish economic interests" were behind the move. He called the building "An architectural monstrosity." His speech was interrupted by loud partisan applause several times as he predicted that a high rise building would bring blight to Coral Gables. "You have opened a Pandora's box if you open up Coral Gables to a space age race . . ." Parson told the Commission. "Keep out your 12-story monsters," said Mrs. Enoch Erickson, of the Property Home Owners Association. "We cannot start too many new units at this time," pleaded Robert L. Brinkman, president of the Apartment Owners Association, who found himself on the same side as the pro-room renting Property Home Owners Association for a change. The Woman's Club went on record opposed to high rise buildings. Al Friedman, president of the Retail Merchants Division, read a resolution passed by the RMD earlier that day in favor of the structure. "I am not a speculator. I am not a promoter," Sokolsky said when he finally got his chance to present his building plans. Coral Gables, he said, is losing many first class citizens because of lack of luxury class facilities. The building, designed for $160 up rentals, will not be in competition with existing facilities, Sokolsky pointed out.

Big Names Ready For Gables PGA

The two biggest money winners in the history of golf, Cary Middlecoff and Sam Snead, will be fighting for another crown as the Coral Gables Open gets under way this week at the famed Biltmore Golf Course. Middlecoff, top official PGA money winner in the post-war era, recently notified Biltmore Pro Bill Tinder that he will be a participant in the second annual $25,000 event. Snead, the country's all-time money winner, made an earlier commitment to appear. A field of 150 pros will be battling for the Gables title, presently held by Doug Sanders. Names of 77 players who have signed commitment slips for the Gables tournament have been submitted to Tinder by PGA Field Secretary Jim Gaquin. The roster includes such stars as George Bayer, Doug Ford, Bob Goalby, Paul Harney, Frank Stranahan, Tom Nieporte and Fred Hawkins. Hawkins recently shot a 64 to win the pro-amateur tournament and set a new course record at the Mobile Sertoma Open. Tinder said another list of Gables contestants has been forwarded from Mobile, and that another group of players was confirmed this weekend upon conclusion of the West Palm Beach Open. The Gables Open, which runs Dec. 8-11, is preceded by three days of qualifying rounds, a clinic and the pro-am tourney.

New Respect For The Law

An area man has found a new-found respect for police. Eugene Ernst, 6001 SW 27 St., a 56-year-old construction company owner, saw a police car pull up behind his stalled auto on Red Rd. and 16th St. at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Eve and prepared for the worst. In a phone call to The Times, Ernst said, "I was afraid that I was in trouble, because I ordinarily don't have any use for cops, but this officer was so courteous and considerate that I hope you will put his name in the paper." Referring to officer Charlie Gouveia, a Coral Gables radio car driver, Ernst said the policeman helped get his car off the road then drove him to a gas station. "Officer Gouveia was so courteous and helpful that I had to find some way to thank him," he said.

New Elementary School Set For Southwest Area

Construction of a new South Dade elementary school, to relieve student pressure at two other schools, will begin about Jan. 1, according to Dade County School Board officials. South Palmetto Elementary, slated to cost about $375,000, will be constructed on a nine-acre tract at SW 136th St. and SW 77th Ave. following opening of bids on the job Dec. 21. Relieve Elementaries The building is planned to relieve student pressure at Palmetto and Coral Reef Elementaries. According to Architect John M. Lyell, of Miami, plans for the new school are those formerly used for the construction of Coral Reef Elementary, which is being used for the first time during the current school year. The new plant will include 20 classrooms, a library, cafe-torium, administration facilities and a teachers' lounge. Minor Changes "With a few minor changes," Architect Lyell said, "we are using the Coral Reef Elementary plans. "Since is cost about $360,000 for the Coral Reef job, we are estimating cost of the new school at $375,000," he added. The building is expected completed by July 14 and ready for use by the beginning of school in the fall.

Car Vandal Adds Insult To Injury

A special generator, antenna, and two side mirrors were stolen from a car parked in the rear of the Coliseum Bowling Alley Sunday night. The thief also smashed three windows in the car, owned by John Megill, 3690 SW 14th St.

Walks Into Glass Door

Steve Scharstein, 19, of 1514 Brescia, was treated at Doctors' Hospital early Friday night after he accidentally walked through a plate glass door and cut his knee.

Let The Music Play; Coral Gables Decides

Let the music play, the Coral Gables City Commission decided Tuesday after hearing a few complaints from persons working in the downtown area. Loudspeakers have been set up at downtown intersections for the holiday season.

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Liquor License Flood Expected

Expecting a flood of liquor license applications, South Miami Council Tuesday night did what it could to limit the issuance of such licenses. Council passed on first and second reading an ordinance amending its Code of Ordinances section on liquor licenses by establishing the location of liquor establishments in relation to churches and schools. Expecting at least two new liquor stores or bars in the city due to the 1960 census, the city fathers set a distance of 500 feet that bars or stores must be from schools or churches. City Attorney George B. Hardie Jr. advised Council that the location and the opening and closing times were the only regulations the city had over such licenses. In othe business, Council: HEARD that Councilman George Gibbons had been named a member of the Board of Directors of the Dade County League of Municipalities. He replaces Col. J. C. Edgerton. GRANTED a permit to Troupe Brothers, Inc., for construction of a road from South Dixie Highway to the Huscokamp Rambler used car lot at South Dixie Highway and SW 62nd Ave. SET 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, as the time for an informal discussion between the Council and the city's Planning and Zoning Board on the city's newly acquired master plan.

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