Mayor Karyn Cunningham addressed the Miami-Dade County Council of Policy during a public hearing to consider Miami-Dade County's Rapid Transit Zone (RTZ) Ordinance, as proposed. A revised version of the county ordinance passed on first reading by the County Commission on June 1, 2022. The RTZ that was being considered today by the county's Council of Policy, creates certain zoning requirements, standards and procedures for RTZ Urban Centers and areas 1/4 mile and 1/2 from smart corridors.
The RTZ has been amended several times and, while the last draft addresses many of the concerns of the Village and other municipalities, two main concerns remain for Palmetto Bay:
- Impact fees may not be duplicated with the county, which will fiscally affect the Village
- The significant development that could potentially come to the west side of US-1, which will impact the character of the community and deplete resources due to the anticipated population increase
During the Village's Regular Council Meeting in June, the Mayor & Council adopted a Resolution NOT to support the county's RTZ zoning code. During today's county hearing, Mayor Cunningham addressed the county's Council of Policy, reiterating that Palmetto Bay has been actively reviewing and revising its zoning code over the past 10 years to allow for transit-oriented development along the US 1 corridor that still retains the residential character of the village. "I am confident that our existing code and intensity requirements, through design and form, meet the intent of the RTZ and at the same time reflects the character of Palmetto Bay.", said Mayor Cunningham noting that the Floor-Area ratio contemplated in the county ordinance is still too intense and citing the impact fee and density issues for the Village.
In her comments, Mayor Cunningham also informed the committee that she will formally request a carve-out for Palmetto Bay at the upcoming Special Council Meeting. This essentially means that the Village would be exempt from the requirements of the county ordinance and all zoning decisions will remain within the Village's jurisdiction, as it is today.
Mayor Cunningham thanked the county's staff for incorporating some of the requests made by the Village's staff and also thanked County Commissioner Cohen Higgins for voting against the county ordinance. Palmetto Bay continues to oppose the ordinance as currently written. Councilmember Marsha Matson and Palmetto Bay resident and Chair of the Village's Neighborhood Protection Committee, Joe Bier also addressed the County's Council of Policy to reiterate the Council's opposition to the item.
At the conclusion of public comments, the County's Council of Policy moved the item to the Board of County Commission meeting on September 1st without a recommendation due to the fact that the county's sponsor of the item was not in attendance.
As previously indicated, the Village Council will be discussing the RTZ at the Special Council Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 19, 2022 starting at 6 pm.
