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Council approves rezoning for 119‑lot Lennar subdivision; remaining approvals deferred for redesign
Summary
Homestead City Council on April 22 approved second‑reading rezoning for a 62.35‑acre Lennar project to half‑acre estate lots (A‑2) but deferred the site plan, tentative plat and a lot‑size variance to May after council asked the developer to submit a front‑setback amendment and other concessions.
Homestead City Council on April 22 voted to approve the second reading of a rezoning that clears the way for a 119‑lot residential subdivision on a 62.35‑acre parcel in south Homestead.
The rezoning to an A‑2 (one‑half‑acre estate) designation passed by roll call 5–2. Councilmembers Avila and Konski voted no. The developer, represented by Hugo Arza, said the plan stays within the city’s existing master‑plan density (about 1.98 dwelling units per acre where the comp plan allows up to 2.5) and that most lots exceed 17,000 square feet.
Arza told the council the project is intended to match the pattern of a recently approved neighboring subdivision and that it would not increase master‑plan density. He said the proposal includes design elements intended to preserve privacy and landscaping — a 10‑foot planting buffer with trees that will mature to roughly six feet, hedges that are expected to grow to six feet, and a mailbox/flag parcel and mailbox kiosk centrally located on 300 Street.
Councilmembers pressed the applicant on lot depths, usable backyard space for pools and accessory buildings, and whether homes could be moved forward to enlarge rear yards. Council members also sought design concessions such as larger porches, planting choices that reflect Homestead’s agricultural character, and modest community benefits. The applicant offered to return with a short front‑setback variance (moving homes forward) and other illustrations to show how backyards would increase; the council agreed to defer the site plan, tentative plat and lot‑size variance (Tabs 16–18) to the May meeting so staff and the applicant can refine those elements.
Action and next steps: the rezoning (Tab 15) was adopted; council deferred action on the related site plan, tentative plat and variance to allow the developer to refile for a front‑setback variance and show revised plans. If the variance fails at the later hearing, the deferred items could require new applications or resubmission under the city’s variance rules.
• Applicant: Hugo Arza, representing Lennar/homebuilder team. • Council vote on rezoning: 5 yes (Fletcher, Roth, Cannonball, Bailey, Lawson), 2 no (Avila, Konski). • Timeline: applicant will work with staff to submit an amended variance and revised site plan ahead of the May council meeting; council asked staff to advertise and evaluate the change.
