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Planning agency recommends RM-30 zoning designation to give council a mid-tier multifamily option
Summary
The Miami Lakes Local Planning Agency voted unanimously to forward an ordinance creating a new RM-30 (medium-low density residential) zoning classification — an intermediate option between existing RM-23 and RM-36 districts — and noted a correction to the draft height limit to five stories, 65 feet.
The Miami Lakes Local Planning Agency voted unanimously to recommend that the town council advance an ordinance creating a new RM-30 medium-low density residential district (a new Division 6 in Article 4) and to forward the ordinance to the council on second reading as drafted.
Planning Department staffer Susana Alonso presented the ordinance and told the agency the draft adds an intermediary multifamily zoning category between existing RM-23 and RM-36 districts. Alonso said the change is intended to provide the council and applicants with a negotiating option that allows moderate density (the code’s tiered approach lists step densities including 23, 30, 36, and 50 units per acre) while limiting building height relative to higher-density options. The presentation included a correction to the ordinance text: the height limit stated on page 30 should read not to exceed five stories and 65 feet.
Agency discussion focused on where the new designation could be applied and how it would be used. Alonso emphasized that the ordinance, as drafted, simply creates the designation; it is not tied to any parcel and would only be applied to specific properties through future comprehensive-plan amendments and rezoning procedures. Commissioners noted potential future candidate areas such as Commerce Way and other larger parcels, and one commissioner warned about the Bert Harris property-rights statute and the town’s prior experience negotiating with developers when zoning options were limited.
Several members said RM-30 gives the town a mid-range option that could be used to avoid very tall or very dense projects and to facilitate negotiation during site-specific rezoning discussions. One commissioner described the measure as a tool to ‘‘create middle ground’’ so the town can avoid forcing developers either to accept a much lower density or to propose substantially taller buildings.
Vice Chair Rodriguez moved, and Chair Senra seconded, a motion to forward the ordinance as presented. The roll call was unanimous in favor: Board member De La Sierra, Board member Cruz, Board member Leoncio, Vice Chair Rodriguez and Chair Senra all voted yes. The agency’s recommendation will be transmitted to the town council; staff said the council will consider the ordinance on second reading the following week.
Next steps: If the town council adopts the RM-30 designation, any application to apply RM-30 to a specific property would require the standard comprehensive-plan amendment and rezoning process and additional public hearings.
