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Planning advisory board backs private wetland mitigation banks in Florida City
Summary
The Miami‑Dade Planning Advisory Board voted unanimously to transmit and adopt a land‑use text amendment to allow private wetland mitigation banks on about 928 acres in Florida City, while the Homestead Air Reserve Base asked to review specific designs later for bird‑strike compatibility.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY — The Planning Advisory Board (PAB), acting as the county's local planning agency, voted unanimously Sept. 15 to transmit and adopt a Comprehensive Development Master Plan (CDMP) text amendment that would allow private wetland mitigation banks on land in Florida City.
Staff presented the application, CDMP20250002 (Atlantic Civil Inc.), and recommended changing the land‑use plan to redesignate roughly 928 acres from agriculture to open land and environmental protection and to add a new open‑land subarea to allow mitigation banks. "Staff's recommendation is to transmit with change and adopt," Planning staff member Jennifer Snell told the board during the presentation.
The applicant, represented by attorney Carrie Varsh, told the board the applicants "have no objection and concur with the approach" staff recommended and that the change advances countywide mitigation needs. Varsh also noted the applicant had a "resolution of support" from the local jurisdiction tied to the property because the area is within incorporated Florida City but subject to an interlocal agreement that retains county jurisdiction.
Homestead Air Reserve Base Representative Larry Ventura said the base does not oppose the application going forward but asked to review detailed wetland designs later so base wildlife biologists and the Air Force Safety Center can assess potential bird‑strike hazards. "We do watch out and have a concern for certain types of birds, large wading birds in this case that would not be digestible to a single F‑sixteen engine," Ventura said, adding the base was comfortable with the proposal at this stage and asked to be provided plans when they become available.
There were no public speaker cards for the item. After discussion among staff, applicant and the base, Board Member McRae moved to "transmit with change and adopt" the staff recommendation; the motion was seconded by Michael Monteil and passed by roll call. The clerk recorded affirmative votes during roll call, and the board chair announced the motion "passes unanimously." The motion record shows yes votes from multiple board members and a final tally recorded as unanimous at the PAB meeting.
Why it matters: The amendment would add a specific CDMP subarea and map figure to allow private mitigation banks in the designated area of Florida City and redesignate about 928 acres from agriculture to open land/environmental protection. County staff and the applicant said the change helps meet local mitigation demand and conforms with review agency recommendations. The board's action transmits the amendment to the state land planning agency and other reviewing agencies and forwards a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for final action.
Next steps: The PAB's recommendation will be transmitted to reviewing agencies; the county will consider the change at subsequent hearings and final action by the Board of County Commissioners. Staff and the applicant said they will share detailed mitigation plans with Homestead Air Reserve Base for review when those designs are prepared.
