The City of Hialeah Planning & Zoning Board on Oct. 29 approved rezoning two parcels near East Sixth Avenue and East 20th/27th Street from R-1 and C-2 to P (Parking District) so the sites can be converted into a paved parking lot to serve Hialeah Hospital.

Staff said the two parcels total about 0.343 acres (approximately 19,142 square feet) and noted one parcel currently has a commercial zoning designation while the other is conforming residential. Harvey Vasquez, the applicant's attorney, said the parking lot will be paved, include drainage, lighting and landscaping and will be made ADA-compliant as part of site-plan review. Vasquez said the lot is intended to serve hospital patients, staff and visitors while an existing hospital parking garage is demolished and that the property will be restricted by a recorded declaration of use so the lot is not open to the general public.

"The parking lot will serve the Hialeah Hospital parking needs since the hospital will be demolishing the existing parking garage in the near future," Harvey Vasquez said.

Staff referenced code sections that restrict commercial parking lots and said the applicant will record a unity of title and declaration of restrictions per section 98-1618 to limit use to the hospital. The staff report also said the applicant's site plan meets code requirements for paving, drainage, lighting and landscaping and that final details will be set during the site-plan and concurrency process.

Board members asked whether the lot is permanent and how access would operate; Vasquez said the lot is a permanent paved parking area and that access is expected from 20th Street initially, with future coordination to vacate the 12-foot alley and connect access to Hialeah Hospital. The board moved and seconded approval "with conditions" as recommended by staff; the motion passed unanimously.

The board's approval is a recommendation to the City Council; staff said the council will hear the final decision at its Nov. 18, 2025 meeting and that a recorded declaration of restrictions and site-plan approvals are required before building permits are issued.

The staff report and the applicant's letter of intent referenced City of Hialeah code sections 98-1616 and 98-1618 related to parking-lot restrictions and the required declaration of use.

(Approved action: rezoning to P parking district; staff and applicant to complete required declaration of restrictions and site-plan/concurrency process.)