The hearing was a critical hearing as Smith argued that the Village is depriving the property owner of all reasonable economic use (a takings?) in rejecting a building permit application for a large home planned on part of the property classified as wetlands. According to the property owner’s testimony, the Monroe County Land Authority offered to purchase the environmentally sensitive tract for $4.8 million for conservation purposes, considered under market value by the owner. The Village Planning staff recommended denial of the property owner’s appeal. Council agreed.

Alicia Gonzalez, from Weiss Serota, representing the Village, has an impressive background: George Washington University Law School, 2009. B.S. in Communications, University of Miami, 2006. Ms. Gonzalez started her career with the Florida Department of Transportation office of the general counsel in 2009. She has worked in the field of eminent domain. Listed in Best Lawyers in America (2025), Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star.