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.

Last Stand of the Florida Keys submitted comments to the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) regarding Agenda Item J6, which discusses imposing a floor limit on residential structures. The two options presented were:

• Option 1: Limit residential structures to two floors, with exceptions for multi-family affordable housing or market-rate workforce housing, approved by the BOCC on a case-by-case basis.

• Option 2: Remove the two-floor limit entirely.

Last Stand supports a modified version of Option 1, proposing that only affordable workforce housing should be allowed more than two floors, preserving the two-floor limit for single-family and market-rate housing.

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.

The proposed rescission of the "harm" definition under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) would weaken critical habitat protections for species dependent on intact ecosystems. The current definition includes habitat destruction that impairs vital behaviors like breeding and feeding, which is crucial for species like the Key deer, sea turtles, and manatees in the Florida Keys. Removing this definition would limit the enforcement of habitat protections, making it harder to address indirect threats from development and pollution. This change contradicts the ESA's broad, preventative purpose and would undermine decades of progress in conservation, risking the survival of species and ecosystems that are already under significant threat.

Last Stand voices strong opposition to Agenda Items 44 and 45 on the April 2025 KWCC agenda concerning the proposed rezoning of 811 and 715 Seminole Street from Historic Residential to Historic Commercial. This application, if approved, would undermine the character and integrity of a peaceful, historic Key West neighborhood and set a troubling precedent for future commercial encroachment into residential areas.

The Florida Keys ROGO Coalition, representing tens of thousands of residents of Florida and the Florida Keys supports HB 995 (and its companion Senate bill, SB 1326, introduced by Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez) as they responsibly allocates not more than 825 new Rate of Growth Ordinance (ROGO) permits over 10 years, ensuring that development remains measured and adaptable to future conditions. Crucially, a substantial number of these permits must be used for workforce housing or affordable housing.

Various Florida Keys organizations, representing thousands of residents in Florida and the Florida Keys, urge your support for HB 995, a responsible approach to managing development in the Keys, and ask that you oppose SB 1326 and SB 1730, which would pave the way for reckless overdevelopment. HB 995 allocates 500 new ROGOs over 10 years, with a focus on workforce and affordable housing, while the Senate bills propose an alarming increase in development that could harm the Keys' environment, infrastructure, and community character. We stand for responsible growth that prioritizes sustainability over profit-driven expansion.

Keys Last Stand has issued a press release strongly supporting HB 995, introduced by Representative Jim Mooney, as a responsible and balanced approach to managing development in the Florida Keys. This bill allocates 500 new Rate of Growth Ordinance (ROGO) permits over 10 years, with the majority designated for workforce and affordable housing. In contrast, SB 1326 and SB 1730 would authorize thousands of new ROGOs without requirements for affordable housing, encouraging unchecked growth and threatening the Keys' infrastructure, environment, and community character. We urge residents to support HB 995 and reject these Senate bills to preserve the Keys’ future.

Last Stand of the Florida Keys is voicing strong opposition to the proposed amendments to Key West’s Land Development Regulations, which would reverse critical workforce housing requirements and introduce provisions that could lead to higher rents and further displacement of local workers. The organization is particularly concerned with the broad definition of "workforce housing" and the proposed changes to income thresholds and rent percentages, which could exacerbate the housing crisis in the Keys. Last Stand is urging the Planning Board to reject these proposals and ensure that affordable housing remains accessible to the workforce that sustains Key West.

Last Stand urges the City of Key West to swiftly address the gap in water-quality monitoring caused by the College of the Florida Keys pausing its partnership, emphasizing the critical need for an unbiased, transparent collaboration to protect the environment and meet legal and ethical obligations.

Last Stand of the Florida Keys has voiced strong opposition to proposed changes to the City of Key West's Land Development Regulations, urging the Planning Board to reject amendments that would prioritize developer interests at the expense of the environment and community well-being. Key concerns include reductions in setback requirements, increased height limits, and the removal of performance standards.

The Florida Keys ROGO Coalition urges County leaders to reject 3,550 additional ROGOs that threaten our fragile islands, public safety, and quality of life. It’s time for a data-driven, transparent process to protect the Keys and ensure responsible development decisions for our future.

Keys Last Stand strongly opposes the proposal to 4-lane the Overseas Highway, citing concerns about increased traffic, environmental impacts, and public safety. Studies reveal that adding lanes induces more demand, leading to congestion, overdevelopment, and further strain on our fragile marine ecosystem. We urge officials to reconsider this approach and prioritize sustainable solutions to preserve the Keys’ unique quality of life.

Watch Last Stand members Ann Olsen, Dottie Moses, and Joyce Newman as they deliver powerful statements to the Monroe Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) during the November 20, 2024, Special Workshop on ROGOs. Hear their compelling discussion on critical issues, including the risks to hurricane evacuation safety, the dangers of overdevelopment, the strain on vital infrastructure, and the legal challenges posed by potential takings cases.

Last Stand of the Florida Keys advocates for sustainable development and preserving the quality of life in Key West. The organization supports the City of Key West’s Planning Department’s proposed amendments to Workforce Housing regulations, including an increase in the Payment-In-Lieu fee and stricter enforcement of affordable housing requirements. They commend the recommendation to establish a working group to guide future improvements, emphasizing collaboration and sustainability.

However, Last Stand opposes incorporating aspects of the Florida Live Local Act into Key West's zoning code. They highlight concerns over reduced setbacks, increased height limits, and diminished public input, warning these changes could harm the environment, neighborhood character, and quality of life. Last Stand urges rejection of these amendments, calling for more public input and careful evaluation of their long-term impact.