Planning board backs rezoning of four lots on Anastasia Avenue, residents urge design safeguards

The Coral Gables Planning and Zoning Board on Sept. 17 recommended that the City Commission approve a future land use map amendment and zoning map amendment for four lots at 627 and 635 Anastasia Avenue, changing the designation from religious/institutional and special use back to multifamily low density and MF‑3 zoning.

The applicant, Joe Jimenez of JMC Group, told the board the request is intended to restore a long‑standing multifamily designation and to create eight fee‑simple townhomes across the two 10,000‑square‑foot lots. “What we are here for today is to revert the zoning… to multifamily 3, which is consistent with the rest of the block,” Jimenez said during the meeting. Planning staff recommended approval, saying the proposals are consistent with the comprehensive plan, compatible with surrounding uses and supportive of housing diversity.

Neighbors who live near the site spoke at the hearing and asked the board to require stronger design safeguards at later site‑plan reviews. Pamela Pierce (resident) said the proposed buildings’ facades could appear “looming” to…