On one of Miami Beach’s wealthiest streets, a heated dispute has erupted among neighbors over a superyacht dock. This story involves $20 million homes, a superyacht, marijuana edibles, fraud allegations, and even Shakira. It all began with 78-year-old Louise Attkiss, who, after consuming a medically prescribed weed gummy, found herself struggling to operate her pool lights. Her Mediterranean-style home, overlooking Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline, is situated on an exclusive stretch of North Bay Road, dubbed 'Miami's richest road' by the Wall Street Journal. During a night last fall, Attkiss's new neighbors knocked on her door and requested her signature on a document allowing them to construct a larger dock next door. She agreed and signed the documents, bidding the couple farewell. However, Attkiss soon realized she had signed the contract while impaired and promptly sent a text revoking her consent. Despite her efforts, the legal battle escalated, with lawyers alleging 'audacious and continuing fraud' and safety concerns for boaters. The homeowners' lawyer, Robert Zarco, defended their actions, warning that the legal fight could set a precedent and negatively impact home values on the street. The homeowners aim to build a home for their 88-foot superyacht, an Azimut 88, which requires special permission from Miami-Dade to construct a mooring slip extending into the bay. The permit application included signed and notarized letters of consent from Attkiss and international pop icon Shakira. After obtaining the permit, the homeowners began construction, but a new neighbor, Randy Gelber, moved in and discovered the dock. Gelber and his family were unaware of the dock's existence and were concerned about its impact on their view and safety. Attkiss, upon learning about the dock, revoked her consent and expressed her frustration, accusing the neighbors of taking advantage of her impaired state. A closer examination of county records revealed that Attkiss's consent letter was notarized by a professional notary and submitted to the county after Gelber closed on the house, three months after she signed and revoked it. The notary admitted to notarizing the document on February 13, despite Attkiss signing it in November, which is a violation of notary laws. Gelber's lawyer, former Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, accused the homeowners of fraud, while Zarco denied any wrongdoing. As a result, Miami-Dade suspended the permit, causing financial strain on the homeowners. The dispute also sparked a safety debate, with boating safety consultants and the Leatherman family expressing concerns about the larger dock's potential hazards for boaters, jet skiers, and paddleboarders. Despite these concerns, Miami-Dade waived them off, citing the area as a 'no wake zone' where boaters must slow down, theoretically preventing accidents. The final decision on the permit's fate rests with the county's Department of Environmental Resources Management, who will decide whether to approve or deny the project after a six-month review period.
