Julian H. Perez

Perez, who has lived and worked in South Florida for the past 35 years, recently worked for the City of South Miami in the Planning Department, and is an urban planner and senior program manager. He has extensive experience in managing and implementing projects related to land use and water resources planning, development of regional impacts (Application for Development Approval), environmental planning, aviation planning, and soil and hazardous waste management studies.

Perez said that he feels great about joining the village team.

“I think it was an excellent opportunity to come here to work with an excellent group of professionals,” Perez said in an exclusive interview last week. “I’m glad to be back where I really belong, working for local government, although I spent many years working in the private sector. There are a lot of real good initiatives here and I look forward to being part of the village’s future.”

Perez said that he hopes to use his training in government and business to benefit Palmetto Bay.

“I would like to bring some of my experience working in other communities as a director or as a consultant to the village,” Perez said. “The other thing I would like to focus on is the Franjo Triangle and US1 Commercial Island. I think certain parts of that area need help, and we’re going to be working very hard to make sure that vision comes to fruition.”

Perez stated that the county water project there and the planned Village Hall site on the old Neighbors Supermarket property will serve as the catalyst for the rest of the redevelopment of the area.

“It’s a very interesting project and I’m very enthusiastic about it because it’s going to create a place not only for the civic center but also for other businesses to come into the area — restaurants and retail, and so forth, and become the urban center for this community,” Perez said.

“It’s been a bedroom community thus far with people living here and working and playing elsewhere, and we want to assure that as we develop, people can not only live here, they can also work in their community, play in their community and have all the amenities around them.”

Perez earned bachelor of science degrees in Economics and Policy Science in 1980 from Florida State University, a master’s in International Affairs/ Economic Development from that school in 1983 and a MPS in Urban and Regional Planning at FSU in 1985.

Perez said that one of his other main goals is to protect local property values in areas with foreclosed homes, not only as a matter of good business but also so that the mortgage holders show proper respect for the homeowners in the area.

“We need to pay special attention to our neighborhoods,” Perez said. “We want to be sure they’re well-kept and that’s one of the things I’m going to be emphasizing through code enforcement.

We don’t want the unfortunate situation that’s going on through many foreclosures with all its negative impacts to flourish. That’s why we’re going to be very vigilant and keep an eye on those properties and make sure they don’t deteriorate.”

Perez said that he looks forward to meeting with local organizations within the village as well as individual residents, and that he’s accessible and flexible. “I just would like to say that my office is open,” Perez said. “I believe in three important things. One is communication. Second is an open door policy.

Third is that we’re going to be doing our best to make sure the Comprehensive Plan is adhered to, as well as the Plan Developing Code and our zoning requirements, our responsibility with code compliance and so forth. If we ever make a mistake — we’re human — we’ll correct ourselves.