From City Hall: St. Theresa Trail, Gondola Building, and More
At its second meeting in September, the Coral Gables City Commission:
A Nod to St. Theresa
Voted 5-0 to co-designate Indian Mound Trail as “St. Theresa’s Little Way” in honor of the centennial of the Church of the Little Flower and St. Theresa Catholic School.
Fate of the Gondola Building
Voted 5–0 to reconstruct the historic Gondola Building at a new location on the Biltmore Hotel’s golf course. In 2019, the City of Coral Gables received a grant from the State of Florida to reconstruct an exact replica of the building, which collapsed after it was hit by a tractor years ago. Plans were reviewed by the Historic Preservation Board and unanimously passed in December 2024 for reconstruction at the original site. Because that location is far from public view, the city wanted to move it closer to the Tennis Center, where it could be more visible and used for activities, but the State of Florida wants it near a waterway to honor its original use. Mayor Vince Lago suggested the Commission write a letter to the State advocating for the new site, possibly to include a commemorative water feature as proposed by Commissioner Ariel Fernandez.
Paid Biltmore Parking
Voted 4-1 to allow the Biltmore Hotel to implement a paid parking system at its west parking lot for $4 per hour, with a maximum of $30 per day. The rates will rise subject to city manager approval, while Biltmore members, golfers, and office tenants will be exempt from paying. Funds will go toward improvements to the parking lot and hotel. Only Commissioner Fernandez voted no.
Pool Concert Update
Listened to an update on the city’s Centennial Concert, which will be held on December 7 from 6 to 10 pm at the Venetian Pool and include a cocktail reception. Maestro Eduardo Marturet, a Venezuelan conductor and composer who performed at the city’s 90th anniversary concert, has been tapped to lead the orchestra again. Tickets will be available on Eventbrite.
Help for Seniors
Voted 5-0 to increase relief grant funds for seniors and veterans with disabilities from $100 to $150, which would impact some 288 residents at a cost of approximately $43,000 to the city. Miami-Dade County recently eliminated its programs, so the City of Coral Gables is attempting to make up some of the difference.
Agenda for the State
Voted 5-0 to approve the City’s 2026 Legislative Priorities, which include the preservation of home rule, support for education, environmental protections, and property tax relief, amongst other issues. The city will also ask the State of Florida for $3.15 million dollars in appropriations to fund projects relating to sanitary sewer pipe rehabilitation, traffic calming, drainage and flood mitigation, generators for emergency response, and the environmental remediation of a debris management and trash reclamation site.
At its first meeting in October, the Coral Gables City Commission:
Selling Air Space
Voted 5-0 to establish a program to transfer development rights (TDRs) for the purpose of conservation. Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, who sponsored the item and helped write the legislation, created the program as a way for the city to acquire properties it hopes to preserve, such as a piece of rocky pine land near San Amaro Drive. TDRs allow landowners to sell their development rights to developers, while the developers can use the rights to build at a higher density in areas designated for growth. The system provides compensation for landowners who preserve open space.
Honoring Israel
Voted 5-0 to hold an interfaith event at City Hall on Oct 27 at 5:30 pm, now to celebrate the end of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The issue initially arose when Mayor Vince Lago suggested raising the Israel flag at City Hall to memorialize victims of the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack of two years ago. Previous discussions over the last two meetings ended in stalemates, with no agreement on a best course of action. During the most recent discussion, Lago and Commissioner Melissa Castro exchanged accusations of politicizing the issue, which eventually led to Lago calling an impromptu 15-minute break. The mayor also revealed that at least three members of the Commission were against lighting City Hall blue and white for the Israeli flag. The building will instead be lit in red, white, and blue for the event.
Fighting State Overreach
Voted 5-0 to join other Florida cities and counties in a suit against the State of Florida over Senate Bill 180’s statewide prohibition on the exercise of home rule authority over land use and zoning regulations. The City of Coral Gables, amongst others, will argue that the state’s prohibition is unconstitutional. S.B. 180, according to City Attorney Cristina Suarez, is “a massive intrusion into our home rule authority.” Specifically, it restricts the city from enacting certain land use regulations, a province usually falling under individual cities’ governances, due to the wide variation in city’s sizes, populations, etc. The lawsuit has already been filed.
Yes to the Strategic Priorities
Voted 5-0 to adopt Mayor Lago’s 2025-27 Strategic Priorities Plan, with one amendment suggested by Commissioner Ariel Fernandez to make cutting down (or removing entirely) garbage fees for residents a priority as well. The priorities include: increasing government transparency and accountability, improving customer services, engaging residents through more outreach, enhancing quality of life for residents, protecting the environment, maintaining the city’s historic integrity, fostering safety, health, and a culture of innovation.