By Coral Gables Gazette staff
The Coral Gables Commission is set to vote Tuesday, August 26 on whether to remove Sue Kawalerski from the city’s Planning and Zoning Board, a step that has already drawn scrutiny for its timing and motivation. Kawalerski was first appointed in 2023 by Commissioner Melissa Castro and reappointed this May to a new two-year term. Removing her without Castro’s consent would mark a rare break from commission tradition, in which board members typically serve at the pleasure of the nominating commissioner.
The city charter permits commissioners to remove board members by a majority vote at any time. Yet historically, that authority has been exercised with the agreement of the commissioner who made the appointment. Kawalerski’s case may test those boundaries.
Iglesias asked for resignation before removal request
Both Kawalerski and Castro confirmed to the Gazette that City Manager Peter Iglesias privately asked her to resign before the agenda was amended to include her removal. Iglesias later added the item to a revised “final” agenda that was posted after the original had already been published.
The revised agenda also featured an 18-minute compilation video of Kawalerski’s remarks at board meetings, including a tense exchange last month with Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado over a proposed development in the Rapid Transit Zone (RTZ) across U.S. 1 from the University of Miami Metrorail station. The city acknowledged that its Coral Gables Television unit produced the video from existing public footage but did not say who directed the production.
Competing explanations for removal
For her part, Kawalerski framed the move as retaliation for her opposition to large-scale development proposals.
“This isn’t just about me,” she said in an interview. “They didn’t want me on that board because they knew I wouldn’t be a yes-person. They don’t want anyone who questions what’s going on with these developments.”
She tied the effort directly to financial stakes. “There are billions of dollars at stake,” she said. “You don’t think they would do anything they could possibly do to hold on to that?”
Iglesias, however, described the matter differently. “While I don’t discuss my meetings with commissioners, board members, or residents, it is important to stress that the resolution is not about silencing a voice or punishing a vote,” he said. “It is about upholding the standards and integrity of the Planning and Zoning Board, a quasi-judicial body whose decisions must be fair, impartial, and defensible.”
He added that board members are expected to ask difficult questions but must also conduct themselves with professionalism. “When conduct falls short of these standards, it jeopardizes the city’s credibility, undermines residents’ ability to challenge incompatible projects, and ultimately harms the community we serve.”
A dispute shaped by development battles
The conflict has its roots in the city’s long-running debates over development density, particularly in areas governed by Miami-Dade County’s Rapid Transit Zone rules. In the July meeting, Kawalerski pressed Regalado on whether the county’s proposals across from the UM Metrorail station would bypass city review.
The revised removal agenda also includes a document comparing earlier city proposals with county plans for the same parcels. Kawalerski interprets its inclusion as an attempt to cast her as responsible for stalled negotiations. “They are going to try and peg it on me — that I screwed up the deal,” she said. “If that’s their line, then they’re saying I’m somehow more powerful than the elected officials, the boards, and the city administration. It’s absurd.”
Disputed treatment of Regalado
Some of Kawalerski’s critics point to her treatment of Regalado as evidence of unprofessional conduct. Iglesias and several colleagues have argued that the exchange showed a lack of respect for the county commissioner.
Kawalerski rejected that interpretation. “Raquel is a tough cookie. You don’t think she knows how to face tough opposition?” she said. “Elected officials can expect to be challenged. There is a role for her and a role for us — we are meant to challenge, and they are meant to respond. For them to say she is going to wither away like a shrinking violet — I don’t buy it.”
The Gazette requested comment from Regalado’s office. As of press time, the commissioner had not responded.
Kawalerski vows to remain vocal
Despite the looming vote, Kawalerski said she is not retreating. “They think by firing me, they’re killing off opposition. But all they’ve done is give me the freedom to be even more vocal,” she said. “Don’t look at it as the end — it’s possibly a better beginning.”
She added: “One way or another, we’re not going away. It’s our duty to challenge them — that’s what civic engagement is all about.”
This Post Has 15 Comments
Sue is one voice on a board of seven. Her antics are hers, and one person does not kill a development deal. This feels personal, and I can understand why. She’s not particularly likable and she certainly is not currently supporting the current majority’s agenda.
That said, Sue has behaved this way for as long as I’ve been part of this community, more than thirteen years. Which raises a rhetorical question: why do Peter Iglesias and the Commission care now?
Over the years, reasonable members of this community have repeatedly reported her behavior to both the Commission and the City Manager’s Office. Yet she continued to be appointed to boards. They knew exactly how she conducted herself and how she treated people, including employees, but allowed it because it served their purposes.
The means to an end matter. For those who appointed her and enabled this behavior because it was convenient, it’s time to look inward. Appointments should be made thoughtfully, weighing not just usefulness but also character and values.
What troubles me about this action is that Sue is appointed by an elected official. Ideally, she represents that official, not the Commission as a whole. From experience, I know elected officials don’t always communicate with their appointees, but if there’s an issue, the conversation should start with the person who appointed her and the decision to keep Sue and her behavior should lay with the appointing official.
Otherwise, what’s next? The current majority appoints whoever they want in her place? That would be inconsistent with the city code, but unfortunately, very consistent with how this Commission has operated for the past three to four years.
Coral Gables commission has become controversial, childish and corrupt. Iglesias is part of the problem along with Lago, Who’s a total disgrace! Rude, egotistical, narcissistic a total embarrassment for the City Beautiful. What happened to our government in the past few years is a unacceptable. Vote these clowns 🤡 out. They’re not concerned about the citizens …They’re only in it for themselves.
We the residents need to do something !
We need to come together! Residents, please speak up—this is OUR city!
The ongoing situation with Sue Kawalerski is troubling. Her removal from the Planning and Zoning Board seems more like an attempt to silence dissent rather than a genuine concern for professionalism. We need voices on these boards that represent the community’s interests and aren’t afraid to challenge development proposals that may harm our city. It’s crucial that we stand up for transparency and accountability in our local governance!
Here is a great idea. Get rid of Iglesias. We did not want him back and we had no say in what was being decided at City Hall. He needs to walk out the door holding Lago and Anderson’s hands, straight out into the horizon. You all are really messing up our City and running this City for your own agendas’. It is just disgusting how the residents are not considered in anything, by the most arrogant self-serving Mayor and Commission in our history. It really is time for us to push back and retake our City. And Anderson, don’t even think you are going to force us to spend $55,000 for septic tanks. We will not be railroaded by you anymore. This is OUR City. Anyone legal who would help start a recall for these autocratic leaders?
I believe it’s the local government of Coral Gables that seems to be the issue here. Why is that all of a sudden we now must remove a person who speaks up about over development in the area ?
Seems strange that a lot of people are looking to “silence” someone who looks to offer an opinion on “why” are we doing this or that development.
There is more to it than meets the eye here.
.
Great Idea! She needs to go as she is apparently unwilling to understand rules of the road! She forced an item away from City to County and then she insults Commissioner Regalado who is trying to help City – her District!
She worls for County who should do what City Manager suggests – FIRE her!
If you drive anywhere near downtown Gables you will see that overdevelopment has already pretty much ruined what our city once was. And with all this new development, comes more tax revenue. So why are the homeowners paying onerous property taxes? Residents- look at the financial statements published on the internet and you will see where all that money goes.
Did anybody see little Vinny’s show today? He is amping up his misogynistic treatment of commissioner Castro and continues to pontificate about himself. This is not a mayor. This is a major disappointment. Oh, and Rhonda’s nose is now permanently brown.
I can’t believe how the city government has turned so crooked !!!!! Just because one person, and we all know who that is, is trying to control everything and everyone I am sick of it. I have lived in Coral Gables eighty years and have never seen anything like this . Sad to see power hunger people.
Dear Agnes (and all those above who are expressing disbelief and dissatisfaction with the actions of some at City Hall),
None of us have ever seen anything like this. You are not alone.
This statement made in 1887 continues to hold true today…”Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Yes, it’s sad.
So Peter and 3 commisioners kicked Kawalerski out.
I’m 65 yo, and I see it for what it is.
I interpret this as most others have interpreted it.
Powerful folks throwing their weight around.
What if….?
If Ariel’s nominee to the P&Z board resigns then both Ariel and Melissa can separately nominate Kawalerski to two different position within P&Z.
Then Peter and his people are forced to vote against Kawalerski twice every month for 6 months (lets say 6).
That’s 12 eye catching headline grabbing votes against a popular community activist.
I dont care who wins. But please let transparency prevail.
Cheers!
Agustin
I’m sick to my stomach. So 3 elected officials conspired to eliminate the voice of a deeply caring resident and non “yes person“ bc she doesn’t rubber stamp over-development and asks tough questions on the planning advisory board??
And you 3 commissioners (whom I voted for!) are fine canceling her bc YOU don’t approve of her style?? Are you kidding me?
Meanwhile, as I drive by all the obscene concrete canyons in Coral Gables, MY COMMUTE has literally DOUBLED in just 10 years! So you 3 commissioners couldn’t care less about my quality of life? The sickening increase in gridlock (from over development) that robs quality time with my family, has pushed me to the brink of leaving our City Beautiful.
Commissioners, outside of the RTZ, the time is NOW to FOUNDATIONALLY REVAMP our City Beautiful zoning. From this day forward (obviously past zoning mistakes cannot be rectified) but we can start anew going forward. The time is now!
I find it very hypocritical that the Coral Gables CITY MANAGER, a paid employee, not elected by anyone, had the nerve to ask a resident to resign from her appointed position. He stated that “it’s about upholding the standards and integrity of the Planning and Zoning Board..” Integrity? The City administration and the elected officials met with the County, discussed the project and offered a proposal for it, WITHOUT asking the residents, including the ones closer to the area, what they thought about it? Paid employees contacted the board members a few hours before to explain to them why their proposal was best for “the city”? If that is the way projects, regardless of who is proposing them. should be decided by the “quasi-judicial P & Z Board, why do we need that board? Why don’t we skip that step and just let the Commission decide what should happen?
As to Iglesias’ comment about “lack of respect for the County Commissioner”, has anyone watched the Coral Gables Commission meetings recently to see how the elected officials are treated by the other three? What about how those same three elected officials treat the residents when they address the Commission? When even the people getting recognized do not get the respect of those on the dais who us the phone, walk out, or even fall sleep, is that the new form of the so called “civility”?
They can’t have it both ways. It’s time to start walking the walk, instead of talking the talk!!
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