Last Stand opposes allowing more than two floors for residential structures other than deed-restricted multifamily affordable workforce housing.

We are concerned that allowing a third floor for market-rate housing will result in the development of houses with much greater square footage that will be used for vacation rentals, destination venues, and vacation homes. This means houses with more bedrooms and more bathrooms. The result will be more strain on our electricity, water, and wastewater infrastructure and more vehicles on the Overseas Highway.

This letter follows up on Last Stand's remarks, provides supporting references, and identifies several open issues. We hope the County can address these questions and adopt land development regulations that ensure the enforceability of these protections that we have been promised. 

 We also continue to advocate for a one-year extension of the ITP as the simplest way to accomplish that; it remains a legally available option, and missing the extension deadline does not foreclose it.

We are asking the County to request an extension of the HCP/ITP for at least one year to address the open questions — both practical, legal, and environmental. There are too many open questions, too much uncertainty, and too much at risk.

Last Stand is writing regarding the Big Pine Key and No Name Key Incidental Take Permit and Habitat Conservation Plan (“HCP/ITP”), which is set to expire on June 30, 2026. We appreciate that the County and Last Stand share the goal of maintaining effective protections for habitat and endangered species, and we write in that spirit. The County's recent press release, however, suggests that expiration will not meaningfully affect the rate or nature of development, or the protection of endangered species and their habitat.

The City Commission specifically approved a resolution, contract, and scope of work that deferred the cost of harbor water quality monitoring to a later task order. Last Stand urged the City to include that cost in the original contract to avoid exactly this situation, but the Commission declined. That was the Commission's decision to make. What is incomprehensible is that the structure the Commission chose is now being used to justify not carrying out the monitoring at all.

Monroe County has issued a notice indicating it is prepared to greenlight a proposed heavy-vehicle training facility in endangered species habitat on Big Pine Key by issuing a “Finding of No Significant Impact” (FONSI).

Last Stand formally addressed the City Commission at the January 6, 2026 meeting as they reviewed the proposed scope for the long-awaited return of the City’s water quality monitoring contract – months after the Request for Proposals was issued, and more than a year after the City ended its water testing partnership with the College of the Florida Keys (CFK).

Keys Last Stand is demanding non-negotiable turbidity monitoring requirements in Key West's water quality contract. The advocacy group says the current RFP fails to meet legal mandates, as Florida law defines turbidity as pollution when it exceeds 29 NTUs above background conditions.

In a dramatic reversal, Monroe County commissioners unanimously rejected an amendment that would have allowed FDOT to widen portions of U.S. 1. Just months ago, four out of five commissioners supported the proposal. The turnaround came after Keys Last Stand generated 85 emails and dozens of phone calls, plus coordinated a coalition letter from 24 local organizations opposing the amendment.

Twenty-four Keys organizations representing thousands of residents are urging Monroe County commissioners to reject a Comprehensive Plan amendment that would eliminate the prohibition on widening the Overseas Highway to four lanes. The coalition argues the amendment would surrender local control to FDOT and fuel overdevelopment while failing to solve congestion issues.

Traffic is a symptom of overdevelopment — and adding lanes only fuels more growth, more cars, and more congestion.

We didn’t elect Commissioners to pave paradise. We elected them to protect it.

Tell your Commissioners: Stop siding with developers. It’s time to vote for residents, quality of life, and the environment.

We are aware that many Truman Annex stakeholders want to see an extension of the transient rental licenses. Many others in the community want to see these units return to the permanent housing market.  

As the Commission weighs these competing priorities, Last Stand urges the City to conduct a rigorous and transparent review of the legal, financial, and community implications of any decision on this matter. This should include a thorough analysis by the City’s legal counsel of the relevant statutory and legal considerations.

We’re thrilled to announce a major milestone in our history: the hiring of our first full-time Executive Director. This marks a new era for Last Stand—one defined by greater capacity, stronger coordination, and a deeper commitment to protecting the future of the Florida Keys.

Last Stand of the Florida Keys has written a letter to the Key West City Commission in response to the Grand Jury Report and the Corradino Group’s findings, urging significant reform. The letter calls for transparency, accountability, and fairness in the wake of the report, which exposed systemic failures and misconduct within the City government.

While Last Stand fully supports affordable workforce housing, we believe that allowing more than two floors for market-rate housing could lead to more vacation homes and vacation rentals, increasing traffic and straining local infrastructure. The proliferation of multi-story homes would also negatively impact community character.

A coalition of 15 organizations, representing thousands of Florida Keys residents, strongly opposes Senate Bill 1730, which amends the Florida Live Local Act.

The bill expands state control over affordable housing development, removing local governments’ ability to regulate key factors like location, density, and infrastructure. The bill also eliminates public input by allowing administrative approval of developments, and encourages market-rate housing over affordable workforce housing. These changes could harm the community’s character and infrastructure.

The organizations urge Governor DeSantis to veto SB 1730 and maintain local control over housing decisions.

Last Stand recommends revisions to the City's Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Water Quality Monitoring Program to align with legal obligations under Sections 80-2 and 80-3 of the City’s Ordinances. The revised RFP should include specific monitoring for turbidity, siltation, and suspended particulates from cruise ships, with RES Florida Consulting, LLC recommended as the top choice to lead the program. The organization raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest with other applicants.

Last Stand advocates for the liveaboard residents at Garrison Bight Marina, highlighting the potential impact of proposed rent hikes on affordable housing in Key West. The organization calls for a fair compromise, challenges the flawed market study, and suggests alternative financing options for necessary repairs to the marina, stressing the importance of preserving affordable housing for working-class residents.

Last Stand urges the extension of protections for Big Pine and No Name Keys after the expiration of the Habitat Conservation Plan, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding endangered species and maintaining healthy habitats. The organization calls for balanced growth to preserve these keys' unique environment for future generations.