Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Governance Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission roundup: zoning process change, school enrollment, centennial score and multiple grants and awards approved
Summary
The Coral Gables City Commission approved multiple ordinances, resolutions and contract awards during its Feb. 25 meeting, including changes to the zoning review process, a school enrollment increase, a centennial music commission and several grant and procurement items.
The Coral Gables City Commission approved multiple ordinances, resolutions and contract awards during its Feb. 25 meeting, taking votes on changes to the city’s zoning review process, school enrollment limits, centennial arts projects and several grant and procurement items.
The commission approved an ordinance requiring a Planning and Zoning Board conceptual review of applications proposing land-use or zoning changes prior to preliminary Board of Architects approval. The measure (E1) also added a modest P&Z review fee (E3). The commission described the review as nonbinding feedback that aims to surface major land-use concerns earlier in a project’s timeline.
Also adopted were the second-reading ordinance increasing permitted student enrollment at St. Teresa Catholic School from 881 to 945, and a resolution authorizing the city to commission an original musical score for the city’s centennial “Gables Go” virtual experience in partnership with the University of Miami and the Frost Symphony Orchestra, led by composer Carlos Rafael Rivera.
On consent and procurement, the commission accepted staff recommendations to award a roster of civil and environmental engineering firms (RFQ 2024-023) and approved an amendment to a Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant extending the Septic-to‑Sewer conversion project expiration date from March 31, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
The commission also approved funding to begin a North Ponce/Flagler historic preservation study (item D4) and authorized several routine consent items.
Votes were unanimous on the recorded items listed below.
Votes at a glance - Motion to name a downtown park in memory of Mark Trowbridge: mover — Commissioner Castro; second — Commissioner Menendez; vote 5–0, outcome approved. The commission asked staff to work with the Trowbridge family and the chamber to select an appropriate park. - Ordinance (E1) to require Planning & Zoning conceptual review for proposed land‑use/zoning changes (nonbinding feedback): motion moved by sponsor; seconded; vote 5–0, approved. - Resolution (E3) establishing a Planning & Zoning conceptual‑review fee: motion moved/seconded; vote 5–0, approved. - Ordinance (E2) at second reading to increase St. Teresa Catholic School enrollment from 881 to 945 and allow a new multipurpose building (conditions remain in effect): motion moved/seconded; vote 5–0, approved. - Resolution (G1) to commission an original centennial musical score and authorize agreements with the University of Miami/Frost School and partners: motion moved/seconded; vote 5–0, approved. - Resolution (G2) accepting Quito, Ecuador as a sister‑city emeritus: vote 5–0, approved. - Resolution (H1) awarding RFQ 2024‑023 for civil & environmental engineering: vote 5–0, approved. - Resolution (H2) accepting amendment #1 to FDEP grant LPA‑0269 to extend Septic‑to‑Sewer project expiration to 06/30/2026 (amount $375,000): vote 5–0, approved. - Item D4 — authorize contracting to begin a historic preservation study for North Ponce/Flagler (scope clarification and Flagler inclusion discussed): motion moved/seconded; vote 5–0, approved. - Item F2 — direction to pursue a Centennial landscaping treatment at City Hall: motion moved/seconded; vote 5–0, approved.
What the votes mean The conceptual‑review ordinance is intended to let the Planning & Zoning Board provide early, nonbinding comments before applicants make large time and design investments with the Board of Architects. The commission said the review is advisory only and will not transform P&Z into a binding board.
The St. Teresa ordinance received public comment focusing on queuing and traffic at school dismissal; commissioners asked staff and police to continue working with the school on traffic management.
The centennial music commission partners the Frost School of Music, composer Carlos Rafael Rivera and the Frost Symphony; the commission expects a live performance in fall 2025 following recording and production.
Details & implementation Staff will return to the commission with follow‑up items: schedule and community meetings for the Granada rain shelters discussion, procurement steps for the preservation study and a timeline for the centennial score production and performance.
Sources: Coral Gables City Commission meeting transcript, Feb. 25, 2025.
