West Miami planning board weighs grasscrete, gravel and shrubs as case-by-case option for swales; no ordinance adopted

The Planning and Zoning Board for the City of West Miami spent its Nov. 12 special meeting discussing whether to allow alternative materials in public right‑of‑way swales where curb and gutter are not present and vehicles routinely park.

City Engineer Frank Francisco Alonso told the board he prepared the item at the manager’s request to show options for treating swale areas that currently erode when cars park on them. "It's basically just a concrete matrix where you can park on it. It can take traffic, but it allows for drainage," Alonso said as he described grass‑filled paver systems often called grasscrete or turf block.

Why it matters: board members said the choices affect drainage, neighborhood appearance and who will be responsible for maintenance and cost. Alonso cautioned that full curb‑and‑gutter is the…