Council approves rezoning to industrial for 1.8-acre parcel to unify split zoning

The Doral City Council voted on Aug. 13 to approve, on first reading, an ordinance to rezone roughly 1.8 acres at 7775–7785 Northwest 40th Street from industrial-commercial (IC) to industrial (I).

Michelle Lopez of Planning and Zoning told the council that the parcel is split zoned; rezoning the western portion would make zoning consistent across the property and better accommodate a planned warehouse development that includes an entrance driveway, overflow parking and connection to Northwest 70th Avenue. "The request to rezone the West parcel from industrial commercial to industrial district is consistent with your comprehensive plan industrial future land use," Lopez said.

Tracy Slavens, representing the applicant BP Terrell 826 FL LLC, said the rezoning is a straightforward request needed to allow the driveway connection and minor parking area for the larger warehouse project. "The area in the site plan, which you will see next month, is essentially the entrance driveway and some overflow parking, and that's it," Slavens said.

A motion to approve first reading was made by Councilwoman Nina Cabral and seconded by Vice Mayor Morin Porras. The council recorded unanimous first-reading approval (yes votes from Cabral, Pinedo, Reynoso, Porras and Mayor Kristy Fraga). The staff report said permitted uses under industrial zoning include warehouses, showrooms and certain manufacturing uses and that the rezoning is compatible with surrounding industrial and commercial uses.

The ordinance will return to council for second reading, at which point a concurrent site plan will also be presented.