A new lawsuit demands that Miami-Dade let voters decide whether a developer can build a marina at the site of the old Miami Seaquarium theme park, arguing a referendum is required under the county charter’s protections for public lands.
The Circuit Court suit comes from two Miami-Dade lawyers with a background in environmental advocacy. The aim is to halt a looming county approval of developer David Martin’s $100 million plan to transform the abandoned waterfront theme park into a marina and entertainment spot, including a public baywalk and new piers with slips for 325 boats.
In the suit, plaintiffs Gregory Frankel and Aaron Stauber — who were both previously on the board of the Miami Waterkeepers environmental advocacy organization — cite a series of county rules they claim require voter approval for Martin’s proposal…