Residents concerned over Miccosukee golf club issue

KENDALL, Fla. (WSVN) -- Residents in one South Florida neighborhood are upset over a controversial golf club plan they say could bring problems to their neighborhood.

Kendall Lakes residents are concerned and worried after the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida were given a designation by the federal government 10 months ago to do whatever it liked with the property of the near by Miccosukee Golf and County Club.

Miles Moss of the Winston Park Homeowner's Association said, "They could change us to whatever they want. The impact is tremendous."

The Tribe, which owns the popular casino on Krome Avenue, bought the golf course and country club back in 2001.  

Last year, the federal government allowed the tribe to place the land in a trust, which legally allows it to do whatever it likes without any control by the Miami-Dade County government, and it can override the 99-year agreement to keep the property as golf course.  

Moss said this worries residents how live nearby in great fear. "Not only would they do a high development in putting casinos and gambling, but if they can do that, they can start purchasing golf and country clubs throughout Dade and Broward County," he said.

About 1,400 signatures have been collected in a petition to make sure no changes occur. "Not only would it impact traffic-wise, drainage-wise, roads, police, this area would be policed by Miccosukee Police," said Moss.

The tribe has not indicated that they would build anything on the property. In a statement to the "Miami Herald" in October, the Tribe Chairman said, "Placing the Miccosukee Golf Course in trust for the tribe will continue to benefit all South Floridians by generating more family style recreations as well as much-needed jobs and other forms of economic development for our community."

Nearby business owner Fadel Karaki said, "I would like to know if it's good for the economy, but I don't know how the residents would feel about it as far as casinos being in a residential area," said Karaki.

The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida has not commented on the issue.

The county is appealing the decision made by the federal government. There is no word on when there will be a decision.

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