The Miami Springs City Council discussed plans that were circulating at Miami-Dade County to develop three parcels of Miami Springs land currently owned by Miami-Dade County Aviation. According to an article by Theo Karantsalis and published in The Miami Herald, those plans include three (3) 10-story towers with 1,426 apartment units.
I’m sure you’ve noticed some of these parcels for years and wondered who owns it?
Well, these three parcels of land are currently owned by the Miami-Dade County Aviation Department.
The parcels include a 167,140 sq ft lot located on South Royal Poinciana Blvd and LaBaron Drive on the north side, Sheridan on the east, Oakwood on the south, and Ragan Drive on the west. The property is valued by the county at $1.3 million.
The next property is located diagonally to the southwest on Oakwood Drive in between Lee Drive and Ragan Drive. It features 88,581 sq ft of land valued by the county at $6.3 million.
The third property is also located on Oakwood Drive in between Kenmore and Sheridan, just south of Miami Regional University and west of the new Miami Realtors Association building. The property features 109,988 sq ft and is valued by the county at $7.1 million.
Does Miami Springs zoning allow for this zoning?
No. But.
The State of Florida passed the LIVE LOCAL ACT. That act can allow Miami-Dade County to preempt our local municipal governance.
- Preempts local governments’ requirements regarding zoning, density, and height to allow for streamlined development of affordable multifamily rental housing in commercial, industrial, and mixed-use zoned areas under certain circumstances.
- Removes a local government’s ability to approve affordable housing on residential parcels by bypassing state and local laws that may otherwise preclude such development, while retaining such right for commercial and industrial parcels.
- Removes provision in current law allowing local governments to impose rent control under certain emergency circumstances, preempting rent control ordinances entirely.
- Requires counties and cities to update and electronically publish the inventory of publicly owned properties which may be appropriate for affordable housing development.
- Authorizes the FHFC, through contract with the Florida Housing Coalition, to provide technical assistance to local governments to facilitate the use or lease of county or municipal property for affordable housing purposes.
- Requires local governments to maintain a public written policy outlining procedures for expediting building permits and development orders for affordable housing projects.
In other words, protections Miami Springs has in place to prevent such dense development can easily be superseded by the County.
Miami Springs Councilman Walter Fajet discussed the matter and stated, “If you’re not on the table, then you’re probably on the menu…It’s important we have a seat on the table.”
Mayor Mitchell and City Manager Jimenez shared that they were working with the County Mayor and Commissioner Cabrera in order to have a seat on the table.
According to the article written by Theo Karantsalis, the proposal calls for a total of 1,426 apartment units “including studios and 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units.”
28% Increase in Miami Springs Population
Let’s do some math:
- 1,426 proposed apartment units
- 2.77 residents per household (US Census Data)
That’s as many as 3,950 new residents in Miami Springs. That would blow up our density from 13,859 residents (according to the U.S. Census Data) to somewhere near 17,809 residents or a 28% increase in the Miami Springs population.
That would also be a 28% increase in demand for our schools, parks, police, etc. Can our city handle a 28% increase in demand for city services?
Councilman Walter Fajet expressed that this was a very fluid situation and that the plans are not final.
Nevertheless, it’s important for residents to get involved and learn more as this situation develops.
Developer wants to build 3 apartment towers in Miami Springs, which isn’t happy about it https://t.co/2N9utrHgQw
— Miami Herald (@MiamiHerald) October 15, 2024
Part of this complex sits directly across from single family homes on Ragan Drive. I’m sure the residents along Ragan aren’t crazy to hear about a possible 10 story apartment complex towering directly across from their homes.
History Lesson
Did you know 47 years ago this same property was considered for the development of a 300 room, 11 story hotel. However, then Mayor Chet Fields was adamantly opposed to the project and as you can see, it was never built. Watch the interview with Mayor Fields below:
Your Opinion Matters
It’s election season and your opinion matters. What do you think of the proposed 10 story, multi-tower apartment complex with 1,426 units on the east side of Springs?
If not an apartment complex, what would bring the best value to the Miami Springs Community? I don’t think there’s an appetite for more hotels and the amount of police calls they generate.
Should the City of Miami Springs try to bid to purchase the land should the property go on sale? If so, what should the city do with the land?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or via social media.