Hialeah board approves special‑use permit recommendation for clinical research center with patient and operational limits

The City of Hialeah Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval of a special‑use permit to allow a medical research center conducting phase‑2 and phase‑4 clinical trials at 4440 West 16th Avenue, within the existing Las Mercedes medical center. Staff said the use would operate by appointment only, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a maximum of five patients per day and no overnight stays permitted.

Staff recommended approval contingent on a recorded declaration of restrictions prior to second reading of the ordinance limiting the number of daily patients, prohibiting patients from lining up outside the unit, and preventing overnight stays on the premises. "Staff recommends approval of the special use permit with conditions," staff told the board.

Applicant representative Cesar Mestre said the research activities would occur within the existing building and would not require exterior changes; he asked for the board’s recommendation to move the application forward. The board discussed earlier council concerns about the number of testing facilities in the city and whether Hialeah was being more permissive than neighboring jurisdictions; staff and the applicant noted that demographic diversity in the city is a reason FDA‑sponsored clinical trials recruit in the area.

After questions about operations and parking (staff noted shared shopping‑center parking would be available), the board voted to recommend approval with the staff’s conditions. The recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final action.