The Times

THE TIMES Coral Gables South Miami the local community newspaper for all South Dade

Coral Gables South Miami the local community newspaper for all South Dade Vol. 35 No. 50 Second Class Postage Paid at Miami, Fla. Thursday, January 26, 1961 Published Weekly at 308 Aragon, Coral Gables, Fla. Price 10c

Gables Will. Vote On High Risers Issue To Be Placed On April 11 Ballot

By MAURICE LABELLE The question of high rise apartment buildings in Coral Gables appears to be heading for a referendum in the April 11 municipal election. Commissioners agreed Tuesday to put the highly controversial question to the people after Commissioner Joe Murphy said he intended to introduce a resolution to that affect next week. Legal Form City Attorney Ted Semple was instructed to get together with attorney Franklin Parson to put the referendum question in legal form to present to the people. Parson was active in combating a recent high rise proposal. Murphy proposes to amend the City Charter if the people decide to limit or block future high rise apartment structures. The referendum questions, as proposed by Murphy, would ask the voters to indicate: No high rise apartment structures under any circumstances. Permitting unrestricted construction of high rise apartments in all existing areas zoned for apartments. Permitting high rise apartments in areas zoned for apartments only under the following limitations: After a public hearing on the proposal. Notification to neighboring property owners living within a 750 to 1000-foot radius. Upon a four-fifths vote of the City Commission if between 10 and 20 percent of property owners object. On two reading of an ordinance with a 30-day period before it goes into effect. And subject to present and future zoning ordinances governing setbacks, architecture, landscaping. Mayor John M. Montgomery and Commissioner Robert Searle, who recently backed construction of a high rise apartment building at 720 Biltmore Way, went along with Murphy on his referendum proposal. "It would clear the air," said Montgomery. Not An Issue "It should not be a campaign issue," he said, adding that he would not be a candidate for re-election. Commissioner Searle, who has not revealed his political plans, said he had "no objections" to Murphy's proposal. Commissioner Frank Kerdyk, who voted with Murphy and Commissioner James Hess to revoke the "skyscraper" apartment resolution permitting A. H. Sakolsky to build, was absent from the meeting. Murphy Tuesday also brought up the permit issued to Sakolsky for construction of the controversial building's foundation. City Attorney Ted Semple told the Commission that the previous action revoking permission to build also nullified the permit. Meanwhile, a new organization, still without a name, was created at the Youth Center Friday when approximately 100 residents met to discuss the high rise problem and zoning restrictions. They named a 17-man board of directors but put off electing a leader until a future meeting. They also called for a referendum on the high rise question. The group met under the auspices of the Committee for the Preservation of Present Zoning Ordinances, active in the fight against the Biltmore high riser. Miss Lila Dickerson, president of the Committee, indicated that the new group will be active in the coming municipal election. Among speakers invited to address the group Friday were Murphy, Parson and attorney John Wynn.

Coral Gables 'Equalizes' Golf Fees

Golf fees at the Granada and Biltmore Golf Courses were "equalized" by the Coral Gables City Commission Tuesday. Henceforth, all residents, whether members of the Coral Gables Country Club or not, will pay the same fees. A disparity will still exist, however, between non-resident members of the Country Club and other non-residents. Commissioner Joe Murphy moved the legislation last week after a group of golfers, led by attorney Bernard Weksler, sued the city, charging that fees at the two municipally operated links were discriminatory. Commissioners agreed that the fee structure should be reviewed at the next budget session to determine if any changes should be made. The change will result in a minor loss in revenue to the city between now and the end of the fiscal year. Meanwhile, City Attorney Ted Semple filed a motion in Circuit Court to have the suit dismissed.

Two Pedestrians Struck By Gables Buses

Two men were struck and hospitalized by buses emerging from the Coral Gables bus terminal within two days. Clifton R. Bottorff, 56, of 3721 SW LeJeune Rd., struck on Aragon Saturday, is reported in "fair" condition at Doctors' Hospital. He had been "critical". Giralda Exit Samuel Randall, 72, of 713 Minorca, was struck at the Giralda exit Monday afternoon. He is listed in "good" condition at Doctors'. Bottorff suffered head, hand and leg injuries. Randall suffered severe lacerations of the head and other lacerations of the knees and hands. The younger victim was struck or walked into the side of the emerging bus shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday. Not Charged Driver of the bus was identified as William Austin Leverington, 42, of 10340 SW 35th Ter. He was not charged with the accident. Randall was hit at approximately the same time Monday by a bus driven by William Weight, 38, of 6120 SW 28th St. The bus was emerging from the Giralda end of the terminal. The driver said he stopped the bus at the exit and that the elderly man walked in front of the bus and was hit as the bus started up again.

Home Ransacked

A burglar broke into the home of Albert Herrera, 1224 Medina, Saturday night, ransacked the home, but apparently left without taking anything, Coral Gables police reported.

A SPECIAL LUNCHEON was held recently to present prizes to winners in the Christmas Home Lighting Contest, sponsored by THE TIMES and Coral Gables Board of Realtors. Seated are, clockwise, Mrs. R. J. Hart, 617 University Dr., second place, "Most Beautiful"; Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Schaefer, 1535 Trevino Ave., first place, "Most Original"; Omer Renuart, 6640 SW 122nd St., third place, "Most Beautiful"; Lyn Smith, associate director of the Board of Realtors; and Mrs. William Brady, 921 Alava Ave., second place, "Most Original." The first place "Most Beautiful", winner Mrs. W. S. Harrington Jr., 6600 SW 127th St., was not available for the picture.

LUNCHING are Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Bivins Jr., third place winners in the "Most Original" division of the Christmas Home Lighting Contest. The co-sponsors, THE TIMES and the Coral Gables Board of Realtors presented the Bivins and other winners with silver plates. The Bivins live at 7030 Almansa St.

20 Acres On Highway Studied For Development

A new plan for development of the so-called "Burdine's tract" off South Dixie Hwy. is under study by the Coral Gables Zoning Board. The board deferred making a decision on the proposal pending further study when J. Allen Brown, agent for the owners, presented a revised plan for re-platting of the controversial piece of land bordered by Maynada and Hardee Rd. Arthur B. and Edward J. McBride own a portion of the approximately 20-acre tract, the Brovay Corp. owns another part and Burdine's interests, which once had planned to erect a large store there, own a small section. Attorney C. Wesley Gustafson, who represents the Riviera section homeowners concerned with the proposed change, told the Zoning Board at its Jan. 9 meeting that 80 percent of the affected property owners favor the proposal presented by Brown. Approximately a half-dozen others, however, object to the plan. The proposed re-plat and rezoning plan would create a series of buffers ranging from single-family residences to commercial near South Dixie Hwy. When Brown appeared before the City Commission several months ago to get their ideas on some of the proposed uses, a group of residents, but especially some downtown merchants, feared that Burdine's was planning another move to erect a large department store in the area. Burdine's officials at the time, however, said that they had no plans to push through another store and were seeking another way to dispose of their share of the property. The company recently completed plans to build another store in the Southwest section in Arthur Vining Davis' Dadeland. Officials indicated that it would be foolish to build another store so close by. The city was sued in 1955 by Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Austin, whose contention that the City Commission acted illegally in rezoning the tract for a prospective buyer, Burdine's, was upheld by the Florida Supreme Court in 1956.

New Coral Gables Chamber Manager Named

A man who left the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce 10 years ago to become manager of the Bartow Chamber will return Feb. 1 to take over the local post. He is Lee Smith, of Delray Beach, former assistant manager here and present manager of the Delray Beach Chamber. Smith's appointment was announced today by Bernie Blanck, Chamber president. Smith replaces Ed Baumel, who resigned recently to accept a position with the Columbia, S. C., Chamber of Commerce. The Board of Directors met Jan. 19 to make the appointment from several applicants after a long delay in making a selection. Appointment of Smith will fill a month-long vacancy left by Baumel's resignation. Smith, who built Chamber membership in Bartow from less than 50 to more than 300 during his tenure there, will have his work cut out for him in building up sagging membership in the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. The new Chamber manager left Bartow after four years to assume leadership of the Delray Beach Chamber.

Not Candidate, Mayor Declares

"I'm not a candidate . . ." Mayor John M. Montgomery said emphatically Tuesday. The mayor had made similar pronouncements at other recent meetings, but had always left the door open in subsequent remarks. But Tuesday the mayor said he wanted to be understood that he would not be a candidate for re-election and that he was returning to private life and business.

What Impact On Shopping?

Unusual interest is being shown in the dinner meeting to be held this evening at the Elk's Lodge by the Retail Merchants Division of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Al Friedman, Division president, extends an invitation to the general public to attend. Speakers will be R. C. Cunningham of First Research Corporation and Robert Hurwitz of Robert S. Hurwitz Advertising Agency. They will discuss the threat posed by shopping center inroads into the Coral Gables retail trading area and some of the steps which can be taken to combat these inroads. Dinner is at 7 p.m. Cocktail, tax and tip are included in the $2.50 charge. Call HI 6-1657 for reservations.

Drugs Are Stolen

Four types of drugs, valued at $10, were reported stolen in a break at the office of Dr. Merrick D. Thomas Jr., M.D., 2342 Douglas Rr., Saturday.