They did so without commenting on any of the plans, which did not include the Florida City boundary request.

But on Friday, Mayor Carlos Alvarez vetoed the resolution. The board can get their resolution back on track by a majority vote to override the mayor.

The issue is the first item on the agenda for board's Dec. 6 meeting.

Monroe County officials are watching with interest which way the commission will go, because it will send a signal on how much of a fight they are in for when the Florida City UDB issue surfaces again.

The urban development boundary is the line at which development stops in order to preserve the Everglades, farm land and to stop urban sprawl. The boundary has not been moved since 1993.

While building can occur beyond the boundary, homes are restricted to one per five acres, according to the 1975 legislation that created the line in state and local growth management laws.

Alvarez said his reasons for the veto were not only because he opposes moving the line, but because "commissioners chose to wash their hands of this political 'hot potato,'" he said during a press conference on Friday.

Alvarez's veto message prompted a same day three-page response from Mayor Joe Martinez filled with criticism aimed at Alvarez.

Alvarez stated that the far-reaching implications of moving the boundary have not been fully discussed by elected officials or the public.

But Martinez countered, saying that by sending the requests to the state Department of Community Affairs, the board would get more information from the state.

"On several occasions you have stated that elected leaders should obtain as much information as possible," Martinez stated.

"Now you're saying that it is irresponsible to transmit for additional information."

Alvarez also chided the board for moving forward before the county's watershed plan is complete.

Martinez said that a final vote on the boundaries would not be made until after the study is complete in April 2006.

Alvarez also said that the board was ignoring the impacts on the county's water supply, rural areas, agriculture and hurricane evacuation.

"With no planning, no infrastructure, no services, what we are facing is sprawl for all," he said.

He added that the board has not even participated in UDB workshops to learn more about the implications.

"May I remind you that you did not participate in any of the workshops or the two meetings held in November to convey your specific concerns or even attempt to discuss the issues at hand," Martinez countered.

Martinez also charged that rather than sharing his concerns with the board, he did not attend the council meetings on the subject and instead, issued his veto from the confines of his office.

And he urged Alvarez to attend the next meeting.

Alvarez did not say whether he would attend or not, but urged the commission to accept its responsibility as community leaders "to make the tough decisions."