Coral Gables Commission April 2026: Key Updates

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At its April meeting, the City Commission voted:

To Keep Control for the City

Voted 4-1 to amend a zoning overlay of the RTZ – the Rapid Transit Zone – opposite the University Metrorail station on U.S. 1. The amendment allows higher density in the so-called Riveria Waterway section but keeps the height and scale at a lower density than would take place under the county, which by state law now controls the zoning near the station. Had the city not voted to approve the new overlay, the developers could have gone to the county for approval of a 150-foot-high project with no setbacks and no city control. As City Manager Peter Iglesias put it, the project would have been “a box from property line to property line.”

With the new overlay, the city keeps the height at 125 feet and sets the project back 20 feet from U.S. 1 and 50 feet from adjacent single-family homes. The city can also ensure Mediterranean style design, control signage, and collect millions of dollars in impact fees that would have gone to the county. The four commissioners voting yes agreed there was no alternative. “Our hands are tied and we are trying to find the best deal for the city,” said Commissioner Ariel Fernandez. Mayor Vince Lago bemoaned the fact that he had to vote yes on what amounted to an upzoning from the city’s code, but said, “the moment you vote no they [the developers] go to the county,” with terrible consequences.

The only no vote came from Commissioner Melissa Castro, who said the city should still fight the county RTZ, even though it is state law. The other commissioners – two of whom are lawyers – agreed there was zero chance the city would prevail with such an expensive lawsuit. “You can’t win under these circumstances,” said Commissioner Richard Lara, who pleaded with Casto to “show that we stand together.” Commissioner Castro voted no, even though her own appointee on the Planning & Zoning Board had joined a unanimous vote to approve the deal.

To Build with the Promise of a Park

Voted 5-0 to grant the Regency Parc project (on Salzedo Street between Almeria and Valencia Avenues) a temporary certificate of occupancy prior to the completion of a public park on the corner of Salzedo and Almeria. The 10,000 square foot park was promised to the city in exchange for additional 14 feet of height in the building. The park’s value is estimated at $4 million, including $622,000 spent on landscaping and design. “This will be a jewel,” said Mayor Lago, who has spearheaded the effort for additional downtown green space. “This is the mark of a worldclass city, a town with plazas and open spaces in the middle of your downtown.”

To Set Rules for Robots

Voted 5-0 to set rules for delivery robots now traversing the downtown. At issue is what happens when a sidewalk is blocked by one of the bots. “I don’t know what to do if there’s a showdown between me a WALL-E,” said Commissioner Richard Lara, referring to the robot in the Disney/Pixar movie. Among the rules are that no delivery bot can be stationary for more than 30 minutes on sidewalks or swales, and must provide access on the sidewalk, and not block ADA ramps, fire hydrants, transit stops or public infrastructure. (Sponsored by Vice Mayor Anderson)

To Set Aside Insurance Savings

Voted 5-0 to pay $2,877,089 for the city’s annual property and casualty insurance. Since this amount is $350,000 less than last year, the commission endorsed Mayor Lago’s suggestion that this amount be set aside for improvements to historic structures.

To Advance Recycling

Listened to several presentations by Matt Anderson, the city’s Assistant Director of Mobility and Sustainability, on the state of recycling in Coral Gables. Anderson pointed out things that could not be recycled, mainly anything made from Styrofoam – along with batteries, loose plastic bags, and food. For the recycling of food, “We’re now going where the city has never gone before,” noted Vice Mayor Anderson, referring to the inauguration of composting collection bins outside of the library building on University Drive. The bins went into operation April 20.

To Accept New Publix Designs

Voted 5-0 to accept changes to the design of the new Publix on Valencia, between Salzedo Street
and LeJeune Road. The building needs to be constructed on a 10-foot elevation, because it is in
one of the few flood zones in the Gables. That means the roof goes from 36 to 42 feet, and the
top “elements” from 61 to 67 feet. Stairs and ADA ramps will be added to accommodate the new
height. Also voted to accept a last-minute deal by Mayor Lago to use $1.4 million in transferred
development rights for the purpose of historic preservation.

To Delay Golf Course Changes

Voted 3-2 to delay final approval of the city’s ordinance to increase fees for the Granada Golf Course, which is currently losing $600,000 a year and is desperately in need of repair and maintenance. Commissioner Castro wanted the delay because she would not accept data on the average rounds played by the 86 members of the course but wanted data on the play time of each single member. Commissioner Anderson wanted the delay to “memorialize” the special arrangements the course has had with the Granada Golf Association and the Women’s Club.

To Discuss Key Issues

Unanimously agreed to request reports from city staff on how to keep the downtown cleaner; on how to create tags for golf carts so they could be ticketed for not paying parking fees; on how to prevent illegal surveys from being sent to residents, which are then used to track personal information and/or direct them to anti-city blogs; on guidelines for residents who want to landscape city roundabouts; and on policy for how to control the growing infestation of peacocks.