A Puerto Rico court has dismissed an appeal from community groups challenging the approval of a territorial plan for the municipality of Cayey. The Tribunal de Apelaciones ruled that the appeal was filed too late, affecting local residents who sought to contest the plan's approval. This decision highlights the importance of adhering to legal deadlines in administrative procedures.
The case, Cayey Para El Mundo, La Comuna Cajey, Comunidad Carrasquillo v. Junta De Planificación De Puerto Rico, Municipio Autónomo De Cayey, was filed on May 8, 2026, under docket number TA2026RA00173. The appeal was brought by local community representatives, including Judith Crespo Kleber and Carmen R. Rosado Sánchez, who sought to overturn an executive order approving the First Comprehensive Review of the Territorial Plan of Cayey.
The dispute arose after the Junta de Planificación de Puerto Rico began a public participation process in October 2025, leading to the approval of the territorial plan by Governor Jenniffer A. González Colón on March 11, 2026. The community groups claimed that the approval was flawed, citing several errors in the process, including a lack of substantial evidence and inadequate public consultation.
In their appeal, the community groups argued that the Junta de Planificación made significant mistakes in approving the plan. They claimed that the agency failed to provide sufficient evidence in the administrative record and did not adequately evaluate the plan's impact on the Carrasquillo community. They also alleged violations of due process and a lack of proper citizen participation as mandated by local law.
On May 7, 2026, both the Junta de Planificación and the Municipio Autónomo de Cayey filed oppositions to the appeal, requesting its dismissal. The court, led by Judge Monge Gómez, along with Judges Romero GarcÃa and Prats Palerm, reviewed the case.
The court ruled that the appeal was filed beyond the statutory deadline. According to the court's opinion, "the Recurrentes had until April 10, 2026, to appeal, but they filed their appeal on April 13, 2026, which is outside the jurisdictional period of thirty days provided by the LPAU." This ruling underscores the strict adherence to deadlines in judicial processes.
The court emphasized that jurisdictional deadlines are non-negotiable and must be followed for a court to consider a case. The opinion stated, "the failure to comply with the jurisdictional term deprives the court of authority over the matter." As a result, the court dismissed the appeal due to its late filing.
This ruling has significant implications for community groups and individuals seeking to challenge government decisions in Puerto Rico. It reinforces the necessity for timely action in legal proceedings, particularly in administrative matters. The dismissal means that the territorial plan for Cayey remains in effect, impacting local development and land use.
Moving forward, this decision may deter other community groups from pursuing similar appeals unless they are confident in meeting the required deadlines. It also highlights the importance of understanding the legal framework surrounding administrative decisions and the need for community engagement in such processes.
Details were not available in the court filing regarding any potential appeals or related cases. However, the ruling serves as a reminder of the critical nature of procedural compliance in legal challenges.