Hialeah planning board backs several rezones and variances, advances sign ordinance with EV‑charger language

The City of Hialeah Planning and Zoning Board on Aug. 13 recommended approval of multiple rezoning and variance requests, legalized an existing accessory structure at a single‑family property, approved a parking variance for an MMA/CrossFit gym and voted to forward a proposed ordinance regulating off‑site signs that includes provisions for EV‑charger sites.

The board’s votes send those recommendations to the City Council for final action on dates the board staff noted in the meeting (most items were listed for council hearings on Aug. 26 or Sept. 9, 2025). Several items were presented as part of the Hialeah Transfer Station transit‑oriented development (TOD) master plan footprint and drew public comment about the pace and pattern of development.

Planning staff presented the technical findings on each application and recommended approval with conditions for the TOD rezonings and variances, noting consistency with the city comprehensive plan and the TOD master plan. Manny Rios, the architect for two applicants, described the projects as low‑rise, transit‑adjacent multifamily housing intended to support walkability and transit use.

Public comment focused on design and neighborhood change. One resident who identified himself as John said, “I’m not against your project, but I keep seeing houses getting torn down, and we keep building more and more apartments,” and urged larger, more cohesive projects and more homeownership. Board members and applicants discussed the difficulty of land assembly on small, privately owned lots and the TOD policy intent to concentrate taller buildings nearer transit stations and step down toward single‑family edges.

Votes and key outcomes

- 4661 West Eighth Court (legalize accessory structure): The board recommended approval with two conditions — obtain a building permit for an existing covered terrace and remove an aluminum roof attached to an existing shed. Motion to approve with conditions; motion and second recorded; the board voted unanimously in favor. The applicants on record were Danielle Ladron and Elizabeth Maria Hernandez. Staff noted prior permits (permit no. 2004‑2766; 2011‑2951;…