Commission approves Bluenest at Chrome workforce-housing project with conditions after large public turnout

The Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to transmit and forward for state review the Bluenest at Chrome application, a 90-acre mixed residential project in southern Miami‑Dade that the developer says will include up to 700 homes and a neighborhood retail node.

The commission approved the item after extensive public comment and a presentation from the applicant. The board added three conditions: cap all townhomes at the project’s workforce-housing sales price; keep 20% of units restricted to workforce income limits; and require the applicant to construct a pump station sized to serve the basin rather than a private pump station. The board also requested use of green‑infrastructure landscaping to help manage stormwater runoff.

Why it matters: Commissioners and residents framed the vote as a test of regional housing policy, land-use compatibility in the Redlands agricultural fringe and infrastructure planning for an area currently served by septic systems. Supporters said the project will deliver homeownership opportunities for local workers; opponents said the density and design are out of character with surrounding agricultural and single-family areas.

What the board approved and why Pedro Gaston, speaking for Bluenest Development, said the proposal “is about providing workforce housing homeownership.” He told the commission the developer will offer a sales product the applicant described as attainable for many buyers, saying, “with a $4,500 deposit and $2,600 per month, you can own a home.” The applicant also committed to 20% of the units meeting workforce income limits and said the maximum sales price for workforce units would be capped at about $451,000.

Commissioner Cohen Higgins (district designation stated on the record) moved the application “consistent with staff’s recommendation”; Commissioner Gilbert seconded the motion. Commissioners across the dais praised the developer’s outreach, the project’s mix of housing types, and the applicant’s commitment to sewer connections and neighborhood retail. Vice Chairman McGee and Chairman Rodriguez joined a unanimous roll call.

Public response and concerns More than 50 people signed up to speak. Speakers were sharply divided. Supporters — including teachers, young workers, veterans and first‑time homebuyers — said the project offers scarce ownership opportunities at price points they said are otherwise unavailable in Miami‑Dade.

Opponents in the room characterized the project as incompatible with the Redlands’ agricultural character and raised infrastructure concerns. Natalie Grant, a lifelong South Miami‑Dade resident, said she feared the scale of the development would “completely transform for the negative the area that surrounds us,” and criticized the developer’s community engagement. Mary Waters, a Redlands resident, urged denial and said the area is known for agriculture, not townhomes.

Several commissioners pressed the applicant on infrastructure. Commissioner Regalado asked whether the pump station and stormwater plans would be sized for the wider basin rather than only the site; the applicant and staff said the project will provide a public pump station and has discussed drainage plans with county drainage staff. At the board’s request the applicant agreed to additional landscaping that emphasizes trees and green infrastructure to reduce runoff.

Key commitments from the applicant - 700-unit maximum overall…