Board approves rezoning and future‑land‑use change to add parkland west of LoanDepot Park

The Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board unanimously approved a rezone and future‑land‑use amendment to allow three city‑owned parcels to be combined with adjacent lots and create new parkland west of LoanDepot Park (Files 17419 and 17417).

Staff said the parcels at 1628 NW Sixth Street, 16503 NW Fifth Street and 1644 NW Sixth Street (approximately 0.7 acres) are being reclassified from medium‑density restricted commercial and T5‑L transect zoning, respectively, to public parks and CS (Civic Space) zoning so they can be combined with neighboring city parcels. The intent is to vacate a portion of the street between the blocks and form a consolidated park that would expand public open space and help meet park‑access goals, staff said.

Staff said the proposed future‑land‑use change aligns with the comprehensive plan tests for park land, including providing active and passive recreation and contributing to the city’s objective to provide parks within a 10‑minute walk of most residents. The board asked basic questions about timing and why the parcels were not rezoned earlier; staff replied the city acquired the lots after the surrounding block had been rezoned to CS.

With no public opposition at the hearing, a motion to recommend the FLUM change and the rezoning was made and seconded; both recommendations passed 8–0 on roll calls. Staff said the FLUM and rezoning recommendations will be transmitted to City Commission for final action. The board recorded that the park is planned to include both active and passive elements and will be consolidated with the rest of the block to create a park spanning multiple lots.