Council approves variance for Redwood Legacy mixed‑use project, which will be workforce housing

The Miami Gardens City Council on June 24 approved a package of variances for a mixed-use development proposed by Redwood Legacy TTM LLC on a city‑leased 4.82‑acre parcel off NW 183rd Street and 27th Avenue.

Planning staff described the project as an eight‑story building with 232 residential units and roughly 17,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. Staff recommended approval of a variance to reduce required ground‑floor retail to 6.88% (the code requires 10%) and to waive the 15% office-space requirement, calling the design an improvement over the existing vacant parcel.

Applicant counsel Peter Casson of Holland & Knight told the council the project will be limited to workforce housing, capped at 120% of area median income (AMI). He offered approximate rent ranges (one-bedrooms about $1,700–$1,800, two-bedrooms $2,100–$2,200 and three-bedrooms up to $2,500–$2,600) but said exact caps are tied to Florida Housing Finance Corporation limits that change annually.

A councilmember asked how the shortfall in retail/office space would be used; staff and the applicant said ground-floor areas will be a mix of building lobby, resident multi-purpose space, gym and some residential units, with retail concentrated at the front of the building. The council approved the variances by unanimous roll call.

The action was limited to the non-use variances; any final design, tenant selection, and permitting will occur through subsequent administrative reviews and building-permit processes. The applicant said the project will curate retail to support residents and surrounding businesses.