Palmetto Bay is located in an area of South Miami-Dade which has included many cultures inhabiting the land for over 10,000 years. Paleo-Indians, Tequestas, Seminoles, Afro-Bahamians, and Anglo-Americans have at different times lived here; each new group literally following in the footsteps of the preceding one. The evidence left behind recounts the evolution of human housing along the Miami Rock Ridge, from stone cave dwellings to Mediterranean Revival style mansions.
It all started back in 1992, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Andrew. Many were left without power and water for days while the county attended to other areas. It was then when residents decided that they wanted to have full control over their public services, and in 1995, the Alliance of Palmetto South Homeowners Association petitioned the County to incorporate the area into its own city.
The group worked tirelessly for 5 long years. Finally in May of 2000, the Board of County Commissioners established the Palmetto Bay Municipal Advisory Committee, which was charged with the primary responsibility of gathering support for incorporation. Over the course of many public meetings and hearings, the committee developed a set of goals and values that served as the foundation for the incorporation movement and that still hold true to this day;
- improve safety
- better parks and recreation services
- improve public areas
- improve other basic services
- easier process to develop regulations
- enhanced public participation in local government
The next significant event came on November 6, 1995, the Alliance of Palmetto South Homeowners Association petitioned Miami-Dade County to incorporate Palmetto Bay. In 1996, after the Boundaries Commission recommended denial of incorporation, the County’s Planning Advisory Board voted for approval.
The Board of County Com-missioners (BCC) deferred the petition at its September 1996 meeting. Area residents and volunteer attorneys filed a lawsuit in March 1998 compelling the County to allow citizens within the proposed municipal boundaries the right to vote on incorporation.
It was not until April 1999 that the incorporation issue was heard by the BCC. On May 20, 2000, the BCC approved creation of the Palmetto Bay Municipal Advisory Committee to review issues and concerns relating to incorporation.
On February 5, 2002, Village voters overwhelmingly voted in favor of incorporation.
Voters approved the municipal charter and the name on September 10, 2002. The Village of Palmetto Bay became Miami-Dade’s 33rd municipality!
