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Planning and Zoning Board recommends approval for Riviera Country Club tennis facility upgrade
Summary
The board voted Feb. 12 to recommend approval of a site‑plan amendment allowing the Riviera Country Club to replace and enlarge eight tennis courts and build a two‑story tennis center at 1155 Blue Road, subject to conditions in the governing ordinance.
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The Coral Gables Planning and Zoning Board on Feb. 12 recommended approval of a major site‑plan amendment for the Riviera Country Club to replace eight undersized courts, reconfigure the parking lot, and construct a new two‑story tennis facility at 1155 Blue Road.
Staff recommended approval with the conditions attached to the existing ordinance that governs the club’s site plan, and the board voted to forward the amendment to the City Commission with a positive recommendation.
The applicant’s architect, Nelson De Leon of Locust Architecture, described the new building as “designed so that the Second Floor of it acts as a mezzanine veranda to overlook the tennis court play below.” He said the project replaces undersized courts with United States Tennis Association‑standard court dimensions, relocates landscape and parking islands to meet current code, and adds bicycle parking and improved pedestrian access along Blue Road. De Leon said the design palette intentionally mirrors the main club across the street so the new tennis center is compatible with the existing Riviera Country Club aesthetic.
Planning staff (Craig Southern) told the board the site meets applicable site development standards, is well below floor‑area ratio limits, satisfies setbacks and stormwater/flooding standards, and is consistent with future land‑use designations. The staff report notes the project underwent Development Review Committee review, the Board of Architects review, and a neighborhood participation meeting in late January; staff recommended approval with conditions already contained in Ordinance No. 2016‑34.
Board members asked questions about staging and impacts during construction; the applicant said the work would be phased to avoid blocking Blue Road and described internal staging that would allow the club to convert a portion of the site into a work area while building other courts. Board members said the design and landscaping improved both the club property and pedestrian connections along Blue Road.
A motion to accept the staff recommendation carried on a roll call vote (Yes: Javier Salman; Julio Gabriel; Sue Kovalinski; Felix Pardo; Robert Behar). The board’s recommendation of approval will be transmitted to the City Commission for final action.
Why it matters: The upgrade brings the tennis courts up to regulation size and adds a modest two‑story structure intended for club use; staff and neighbors described the work as consistent with the club’s long‑term site improvements.
Next steps: The board’s approval is a recommendation; the City Commission will consider the ordinance to amend the site plan for the Riviera Country Club at a later meeting.
