Planning board backs land-use change and rezoning for wellness center at East 20 Fourth Street

The City of Hialeah Planning & Zoning Board on May 14 recommended approval of a land-use amendment and companion rezoning for a small property at 841 East 20 Fourth Street, clearing the way for an adaptive reuse of the existing single-family structure as a wellness center connected to an adjacent medical office.

The board’s action follows staff recommendations and the applicant’s presentations that the proposed change — from low-density residential to commercial land use and from R‑1 to C‑1 zoning — would allow the house to function as an ancillary facility to the medical center at 840 East 20 Fifth Street. City planner Claudia (staff) recommended approval “subject to the following conditions” including that the property “function exclusively as an ancillary facility to the existing medical center” and that the applicants obtain a unity of title after vacating the alley between the parcels.

Attorney Cesar Mistry, representing the applicant, told the board the proposed wellness center would not be demolished but retrofitted to offer yoga, meditation and other services serving patients of the adjacent medical practice. He said vehicular access and parking would be handled through the medical center to the north and that the applicant agrees to the required alley vacation and unity of title process.

Board members discussed the alley vacation, clarifying that the segment between the parcels must be vacated to allow a physical connection and shared access; staff confirmed the alley segment east of the site has already been vacated and that the remaining segment will be cleared and later unified through title once vacated. Staff also recommended removing the remaining driveway approach on 20 Fourth Street and installing a raised curb to prevent vehicular access from the street.

The board approved the land-use amendment, rezoning and a variance to allow zero on-site parking (where 11 spaces were required) with conditions including: development per submitted site/architectural plans, exclusive ancillary use to the adjacent medical center, completion of the alley vacation and unity of title prior to issuance of building permits, and no vehicular access on the southern portion of the parcel.

The board’s recommendation will go to the City Council for final action at a later date; staff noted the planning board’s decision will be included in the council packet and that a final resolution and building‑permit coordination will follow council action.