[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6367185,"mediaKeyId","2159013-f1a0c6ff4676ebba78148758d4d20432","parentId",2159013,"title","Council approves zoning and permitting items; brownfield work and multiple first readings advance","audioSeconds",426,"startMs",3178000,"endMs",3604000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159013-f1a0c6ff4676ebba78148758d4d20432&start=3178&end=3604","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159013-f1a0c6ff4676ebba78148758d4d20432/thumbnail_3178000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6367185/Hialeah/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Council-approves-zoning-and-permitting-items-brownfield-work-and-multiple-first-readings-advance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367185-030ec2c258fc47c1522c087e1d52d883/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181484&Signature=OXYaO90Lxj0Db1WmU44EjIoix0Dl3uQRnPFlcZg927~8zuY8CXY8QSF8KRGKyWqbNMZlGoiEwERTm83IXACk5vZhDD9VwN28r-Eq-YaKGMY2Sg8aHmWzdC6jwSWXM~igMWdqV8KJ3HKHbxw-Xgl5n09mdilWpflu4yPZVPcUEQcBr9vboQJfbQ7PfTRV74Cu~2lSf34FvcMyQhqr9Mbh7O6XdQupHq1z7uXuACKfIDqxM0pPe3ujA4sx2YnIrG-3zfV1mVpWta-6ehYxR7otp4UdzsR57ZijxcU0KKk6TwFCcDXTH2CNaJpisKp3bgKpp9qNfvAQzlu0sflkAKB5nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Hialeah, FL","date","2025-01-29T04:37:33.213Z","article","The City Council voted on a package of zoning, land-use and administrative items during its meeting, approving a mix of second-reading ordinances, first-reading rezonings and conditional-use approvals and a Brownfield legal-services resolution.

Key outcomes at a glance:
- Consent agenda: Passed by roll call (motion by Councilmember Zogby; second by Councilmember Junco). The council recorded unanimous affirmative votes of members present; the consent agenda was approved.
- Ordinance (neighborhood business district overlay amendments): Second reading approved. The ordinance amends Hialeah Code Chapter 98 sections governing the neighborhood business overlay to clarify permitted uses, development standards and building-design requirements; the motion carried on roll call after a public second-reading hearing.
- Ordinance (parking standards update): Second reading approved to revise off-street parking requirements in the neighborhood business district (motion and second recorded; roll call carried the item).
- Repeal/rescind ordinance 2024-072 (mixed-use permit related to properties at 805 Palm Ave and 22 East 8th St): Second reading approved (motion carried by roll call).
- Special use/variance for mixed-use development at 805 Palm Ave / 11 East 8th St: Second reading approved following public hearing (motion carried).
- Alley closure/vacation (East 27th–28th Street corridor): First reading approved; second reading and public hearing set for Feb. 11, 2025.
- Brownfield designation services and remediation agreements: Council authorized the mayor, designee and city clerk to enter a professional-services agreement with Goldstein Environmental Law Firm, to prepare green reuse area and Brownfield site rehabilitation applications for city-owned parcels (two sites identified) and authorized up to $60,000 in expenditures; motion carried unanimously.
- Land-use amendment (4955 East 8th Ave) to change future land use to medium-density residential and enable a workforce housing project: Approved on second reading; motion carried.
- Conditional-use permit for Cohia Career and Collegiate Academy (2590 West 76th St): Approved on second reading to allow an enrollment increase of 250 students; motion carried (see separate coverage of the school expansion).
- Rezoning and first reading for the Lennar proposal in Hialeah Heights (rezoning to RH-3M with private streets and subsequent variances): Approved on first reading; second reading scheduled for Feb. 11, 2025.
- First reading approvals: a 12-bed expansion at Susana Wesley/Las Palmas senior living facility (conditional use/parking variances), an 11-story parking garage variance (first reading), and a special-use/parking variance to allow a food-truck court at The Yards at Amelia with a reduced number of parking spaces — each advanced on first reading with council motions carrying the items to second-reading where applicable.

Why it matters: The votes move multiple zoning and redevelopment efforts forward, including a Brownfield cleanup pathway for city-owned parcels and several development proposals that will require follow-up permitting, environmental remediation where applicable and off-site improvements. Several items require second-reading or further negotiation; the council scheduled additional hearings where required.

Meeting procedure notes: Nearly all motions were approved by roll call. Where first readings were granted, staff and applicants will pursue required traffic, environmental and permitting steps before second readings and building permits.

What’s next: Items scheduled for second reading and public hearing will return to council on Feb. 11, 2025. Projects that passed first reading must complete environmental and permitting work (for example, DERM approvals on sites with prior uses) and finalize any off-site mitigation agreements before construction begins.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 1-28-25","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council voted on a package of zoning, land-use and administrative items during its meeting, approving a mix of second-reading ordinances, first-reading rezonings and conditional-use approvals and a Brownfield legal-services resolution.","taxTitle","Hialeah, Miami-Dade County, Florida","taxId",2891,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6367193,"City Council approves expansion of COHIA campus at Slade Park after debate over green space and public access",4601,4051000,8652000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159013-f1a0c6ff4676ebba78148758d4d20432&start=4051&end=8652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159013-f1a0c6ff4676ebba78148758d4d20432/thumbnail_4051000.jpg","/articles/6367193/Hialeah/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/City-Council-approves-expansion-of-COHIA-campus-at-Slade-Park-after-debate-over-green-space-and-public-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367193-906a599abec176562ec7aebd5297eeed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181484&Signature=ZWObSPCDUg4xM9ncO6ekjVfoOHzBEjCZc0KwLEvQmB0ff6NFp0X9Y1pbqmbiE1H9sNz1ABhDG49ntHp1zSkp7vuh-qF5sXuQ~QS9k2wfYLR6Mz8MaWZVJBporJePRhNE0nLZ9b5Nt357uXoHd86O18iF3cVG0CVztdGqPgqgZfVEhm4ss6BLq2w-L7R1Ud46B51rzUidJJmE1DG35hcE8kRKrUtuzCuHklHBygST-Ox5OY-zD8H~8b2vyDN~6EvXqcesd00H30OqCkvA11QHNez8uWYYwn9u7VAm96cXqxmC~WR04liuVfDduomrMvTeFZSvYxzm9AZzfoSKPT5Law__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cohia Career and Collegiate Academy secured City Council approval to expand its campus at Slade Park, adding about 250 students and several new buildings after council members voted in favor on second reading.

The vote comes after months of public hearings and revisions to the school’s plan intended to preserve park space and expand recreational amenities for Hialeah residents. “We are here for a conditional use permit for the student enrollment increase of 250 students,” Jose Cueto, attorney for the applicant, told the council at the meeting’s public hearing.

Why it matters: Cohia’s campus sits inside Slade Park, and prior versions of the proposal would have removed both softball fields. The revised plan keeps the northern softball field, relocates and upgrades the southern field, and adds a gym the school will build that the city can program for public use two evenings a week plus weekends and holiday breaks. Supporters say the changes protect public recreation while allowing the school to expand; some neighbors urged delay for more outreach and environmental testing.

What supporters said: Carlos Alvarez, founding principal of Cohia Career and Collegiate Academy, told the council the school is “a true community partner” that enrolls roughly 76% Hialeah residents and had revised plans after hearing public concerns. Student speaker Nicole Solkandos, a senior at Cohia, said, “Approving this expansion means investing in a better equipped environment for us to learn, grow, and prepare to give back to the city that gave us so much.”

Park access and program commitments: The school’s representatives and Parks Department staff described specific access commitments. Deputy Parks Director Michael Festa said the project will deliver dedicated pickleball courts, restore tennis courts, expand summer programming by returning a rec center classroom to Parks use, and create a new turf multipurpose field that the city can program for open play. Architect Rolando Yanes said environmental borings and soil testing done to date do not show contamination in the west-side build area; he added that any future building permits will require further testing and remediation if needed.

Concerns and requests for more outreach: Several residents and community members urged the council to slow the process, ask for clearer written commitments about public access and programming, and provide additional notifications. Resident speakers raised questions about prior notifications and requested a town hall and written agreements specifying when and how city residents could use the new facilities. One speaker urged the council to “table the matter and have a town hall” to give residents more opportunity to review the details.

How the council acted: A motion to approve the conditional use permit was moved and seconded during the meeting’s second-reading session. Council roll call recorded a majority of “yes” votes (motion moved by Councilmember Rodriguez; second by Councilmember Zogby), and the council announced the motion carried and the item was approved on second reading.

What remains: The council approved the expansion with the project team’s commitments to construction and park programming. Council members and staff said specific operational and scheduling details — including the city’s formal agreement to program the gym two weeknights, weekends and holidays — will be finalized through the city’s internal agreements with the school and through future permitting. Architect Rolando Yanes and Parks leadership said additional soil testing and required environmental approvals will be completed during permitting; city and applicant representatives said they will continue to meet with neighbors before construction begins.

Ending: With the approval, Cohia will proceed to final permitting and design for the expanded campus. The council noted the project’s altered design preserves at least one existing softball field and adds new amenities the Parks Department can program for residents, a key point in the debate that preceded the vote.","The City Council voted to approve a conditional use permit allowing Cohia Career and Collegiate Academy to add 250 students and new campus buildings at Slade Park. Council members and residents debated loss and preservation of park space, public gym access and contamination testing before the motion passed on second reading.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6367175,"Council recognizes Hialeah police officers for life-saving response at November apartment fire",398,2292000,2690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159013-f1a0c6ff4676ebba78148758d4d20432&start=2292&end=2690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159013-f1a0c6ff4676ebba78148758d4d20432/thumbnail_2292000.jpg","/articles/6367175/Hialeah/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Council-recognizes-Hialeah-police-officers-for-life-saving-response-at-November-apartment-fire","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367175-19dcee2b5de96b2c3e1da059cba43e2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181484&Signature=a9PGTKdN2s9xIF9zLlSMWnA05nXzbEOwhC3u9rJSc~XDMoVh7AzE0G8pbnHIvJrRRrDkECGhsk3nUqKh621jfsSkl513e9rAlCaxFkta2Z6d4wAdT8VowbcW63osLusGNNDmoo1VNkmePP2kBx6Kt6dtITDrpgChgucMFCz9kp48jDutYEad1mPoN0E0bBDCsy0V3FokcJwveF7T6S4xv9YJEi1~0jAZx~eRJx5E9ALIpTmTo1Uo39Axgi4Og7sbwxM8uYyu~jn5vmFM7F~I~KXlBGmpqQHqXLebnxDGMwMugDG-FS~2p1hzN-xwVW4VX6KK~OT0LB9ikJqs0fNbkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council and mayor publicly recognized members of the Hialeah Police Department for actions during a November 2024 apartment fire that council leaders said saved an elderly man’s life.

The officers named in the recognition were Reynaldo Alvarez, Jonathan Hernandez, Christopher Tejala, Jonathan Lopez and Kevin Hidalgo. Chief George Fuentes (referenced in later remarks) and council members praised the officers for entering a smoke-filled, third-floor apartment, evacuating residents and carrying an unresponsive elderly male down three flights of stairs while performing CPR before handing the patient to the fire department.

“On this day, they responded to a call for service of a fire off of East Fourth Avenue and 23rd Street,” a presenter said in introducing the recognition and described the scene as chaotic. “They went into harm’s way. You said, ‘This is not my job. I’m not a fire guy.’ But you didn’t do that,” Mayor-level remarks at the dais said, praising the officers’ willingness to enter the apartment and provide life-saving aid.

Council reaction and context: Council members and the chief thanked the officers and their colleagues. Firefighters’ union representatives later referenced the department’s work during a separate public-comment item, praising coordinated response and procession organization. No formal council action or funding decisions were associated with the recognition; it was ceremonial acknowledgment of the officers’ response and interagency cooperation with Hialeah Fire Rescue.

Ending: The council presented a public recognition to the named officers and thanked police and fire personnel for their response and cooperation during the incident.","The City Council publicly recognized five police officers whose actions during a November 2024 apartment fire helped rescue an elderly resident. City leaders praised the officers for entering a burning building, evacuating residents and performing CPR until firefighters arrived.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6367181,"Hospital staff urge council to help preserve Palmetto General maternity and anesthesia services",197,2946000,3143000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159013-f1a0c6ff4676ebba78148758d4d20432&start=2946&end=3143","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159013-f1a0c6ff4676ebba78148758d4d20432/thumbnail_2946000.jpg","/articles/6367181/Hialeah/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Hospital-staff-urge-council-to-help-preserve-Palmetto-General-maternity-and-anesthesia-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367181-f584d1a85dd9f66ca3f2b62c11bff991/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181484&Signature=FZtZmlSxf5o5qxIvQUJfX-NzqLGQiiFRIhcMy4FjootKOfH~NQ9fkSzCIqBsZWoh04pEdPTIAbcxLfFU2oAp3QwhhHOOz-attYGgce1OwmjfK64sOkNmw0rh4SvJessdDhLY0wyG71xsm7DVQSMFxshHMFJ35-Q9cN04XYVXPkZAgy1PoOaqSNPCZvArT-BjiKqiFCSFcTQlg9KqixeTYbCTo7D0muvcpxWlRZeih2tKay53Ktm3DTHsaXzmsq~1YZ-dpDdVkUM0YlX5w5b-7QNcRmsJmCjS9dyQmIikzs31I-i-MmcF7fGdeBfo7~YPfd~QQ~ZijZNdEe2fA0j5rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nurses and physicians from Palmetto General Hospital urged the City Council to consider how the community would be affected if the hospital’s maternity services were curtailed or anesthesia staffing were disrupted.

What hospital staff reported: Victoria Valdez, speaking on behalf of unionized staff, said the hospital’s former owner, Steward, declared bankruptcy and the facility’s current operator, HCA/HSA (referred to in testimony), appears to be “struggling financially.” Valdez told the council Palmetto General provides maternity care, stroke care and other services to roughly 130,000 patients annually and delivered more than 1,400 babies in 2024. “If we were to close our maternity services, which seems imminent, there will be many patients such as myself that will not have a hospital to deliver in due to the fact that my obstetrician only has privileges to deliver here,” Valdez said.

Physician perspective: A doctor who identified himself as a Palmetto physician said he has served the community for 36 years and described the prospect of closure or service reductions as “very sad,” asking the council to become more involved to prevent loss of services. OBGYN Andrea Faraci also described staffing concerns, and physicians urged the council to consider how reduced local maternity capacity would force patients to travel farther for deliveries.

Why it matters: Staff warned that recent closures of maternity units at neighboring hospitals have increased Palmetto’s birth volume and that loss of services at Palmetto would create a care gap in the Hialeah area. Hospital speakers stressed the importance of anesthesia services and continuity of providers to keep surgical and maternity services operating.

Council response and action: Council members thanked staff for their testimony; no formal action was recorded at the meeting. Staff asked the council to consider whether and how the city might support hospital continuity of services; hospital representatives suggested the city and council could explore options.

Ending: Hospital staff asked the council to stay engaged as discussions about ownership, staffing contracts and service lines continue. No closing measures or emergency funding decisions were made at the meeting.","Nurses, physicians and hospital staff told the council their employer has financial concerns after prior ownership declared bankruptcy and warned that maternity and anesthesia services at Palmetto General Hospital are at risk, asking the city for help to preserve local care.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves zoning and permitting items; brownfield work and multiple first readings advance

City Council approves expansion of COHIA campus at Slade Park after debate over green space and public access

Council recognizes Hialeah police officers for life-saving response at November apartment fire

Hospital staff urge council to help preserve Palmetto General maternity and anesthesia services