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

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.