PAB unanimously backs D.R. Horton plan for 115-home subdivision near Homestead

The Miami-Dade County Planning Advisory Board on Monday recommended that the Board of County Commissioners adopt a Comprehensive Development Master Plan (CDMP) amendment to allow D.R. Horton to develop up to 115 single‑family homes on roughly 22 gross acres at the northeast corner of Southwest 190th Avenue and Southwest 320th Street in the Homestead/Redland area.

Staff said the applicant seeks to redesignate the site from State Density Residential (up to 2.5 dwelling units per acre) to State Density Residential with a one‑density increase (DI‑1), which would allow up to 6 dwelling units per acre if “urban design principles are incorporated.” Rosa Davis, planning section supervisor, told the board the applicant proffered a declaration limiting the development to 115 units and committing to several design and site‑management measures to reduce off‑site impacts.

The DI‑1 designation requires design measures intended to make higher density compatible with surrounding uses. Davis said the covenant also includes commitments to limit light spill and perimeter streetlights where the project abuts agricultural (AU) parcels, provide notice to future residents about nearby agricultural activities and prescribed burns at the adjacent preserve, and to provide proportionate‑share mitigation for impacts to Crome Avenue because it is a hurricane evacuation route. "They are limiting the site to 115 residential units," Davis said. "They are committing to incorporate urban design principles...and they have committed to provide notices that there might be prescribed burning on the preserve which may cause smoking, and, to affect the property." (Rosa Davis, Planning Section Supervisor)

The applicant and its counsel reiterated the commitments. Maritza Haro, representing D.R. Horton, said the project would connect to public water and sewer, that the developer will fund and construct a pump station to service the development, and that the proposal is designed to meet county concurrency and level‑of‑service requirements. "We respectfully request that you recommend approval of this application to allow the development of the property with a tastefully designed 115 single family home community," Haro said.

Members of the public raised infrastructure and character concerns. Mary Waters, a Redland resident, urged denial, citing lot sizes she said are appropriate to the neighborhood and school capacity concerns: "This is an area which is zoned EUM...Based on my math, it looks to me like these lot sizes are gonna be half that, roughly 8,700 square feet...I cannot imagine how any of those streets would benefit from an impact fee to try to rectify the issue..." (Mary Waters, Redland resident). Another nearby resident, Ernie Echauri, said the surrounding area remains largely agricultural and objected to smaller lots.

Board members asked staff and the applicant questions about outreach, impact fees and stormwater. Staff explained that impact fees are managed by district and are not currently structured to require fees to be spent only within the immediate neighborhood; the applicant said it had met with neighbors and held a follow‑up meeting. The applicant and staff also discussed stormwater: the applicant proffered an on‑site stormwater system sized to contain a 25‑year, 3‑day event and said it would work with the county to refine that approach.

After questions and public comment the board voted to recommend adoption with acceptance of the applicant's proffered declaration of restrictions. The motion to adopt with acceptance of the declaration was made by Board Member Horatio Huembez and seconded by Board Member Jay Wil Morris; the roll call reflected unanimous support.

The PAB recommendation goes to the Board of County Commissioners for final action. The applicant still must complete concurrent zoning approvals and final permitting; staff noted remaining technical reviews such as stormwater details and tree permits would continue as the project moves through those processes.