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Coral Gables board backs water‑quality review for Mahi Canal docks, urges commission to consider manatee protections
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Board unanimously recommended a text amendment requiring water‑quality analyses for new or modified docks, mooring piles and similar over‑water structures in multifamily and mixed‑use districts along the Mahi Canal; the board added a comment asking the City Commission to consider manatee protections and limits on additional slips.
The Coral Gables Planning & Zoning Board unanimously recommended an ordinance on Nov. 19 that would require water‑quality analyses for new or modified docks, mooring piles, boat lifts and similar over‑water structures in MF and MX zoning districts lining the Mahi Canal.
Craig Southern of the Planning & Zoning Division told the board the amendment “simply requires applicants to provide a water quality analysis” and that findings must be reviewed by the Waterways Advisory Board and the City Commission. The change does not alter allowed uses or existing entitlements, he said, but adds an ecological check to protect circulation, flushing, benthic habitat and navigation.
Board members pressed staff on technical details: who pays for studies (the applicant), what a water‑quality analysis entails (a benthic habitat and shading assessment), and whether the rule would affect single‑family properties. Staff said the requirement applies only to multifamily and mixed‑use zones and that state regulators (Florida DEP, chapter 62‑302) will continue to apply their own standards.
Members raised navigation and capacity concerns after differing staff estimates of existing slips in the canal (staff variously referenced 22–26 slips versus discussion citing 28–30). Board member Gonzalo Sanabria urged attention to boat beam and navigation, saying larger catamarans could “impair navigation.” Others said those issues are beyond the narrow water‑quality amendment and should be addressed separately.
The board accepted a friendly amendment to add explicit recognition of the Mahi Canal as a manatee zone and to recommend that the City Commission consider thresholds for additional slips. Alex Bussello moved to approve staff’s recommendation; the motion passed on a voice roll call with all seven board members voting yes.
The board’s recommendation will go to the City Commission for consideration. Staff and board members noted that applicants continue to be subject to state and county review and permitting as required.
