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Commission rejects appeal, upholds administrative approval for 4‑story Najeeb Gardens West development
Summary
After a quasi‑judicial hearing and public testimony from nearby residents, the commission voted to reject a resident appeal against a 4‑story, 18‑unit multifamily development in historic Miramar, effectively affirming DRC administrative approval.
The Miramar City Commission heard a quasi‑judicial appeal of administrative approvals for Najeeb Gardens West, a proposed four‑story, 18‑unit multifamily project at 6340 Southwest 25th Street in historic Miramar, and voted to reject the appeal, thereby affirming the Development Review Committee’s approval.
Damon Rodriguez, senior planner, told the commission the applications (site plan 2308530 and height deviation 2503845) were reviewed under the Transit Oriented Corridor standards and found consistent with code and the city’s comprehensive plan. He said the 4th story is primarily a small gym area of about 1,296 square feet and represents roughly a four‑foot height difference compared with adjacent single‑family properties. The applicant’s attorney, Dwayne Dickerson, said the DRC process spanned months and that the applicant “satisfied all the criteria in your code” and submitted petitions of nearby support.
Nearby homeowners testified in opposition, citing historic character, anticipated parking overflow, and potential future precedent for additional height. Leslie Rayburn, whose property is adjacent to the site, urged the commission to “go back to the 36‑foot, 3‑story limit” and said she feared further upzoning would erode the single‑family character. Commissioners asked whether the gym could have been accommodated within three stories and whether public works and water‑management concerns had been addressed; staff said all DRC disciplines had reviewed and resolved outstanding issues, including water management.
A motion to reject the appeal — which would allow the administrative approvals to stand — was made and seconded; the clerk recorded roll‑call votes in favor and the motion carried. The commission noted residents’ concerns but emphasized that the DRC record contained the technical reviews the code requires and that any future change in unit count or use would require a separate application and review.
