Commissioners approve Downtown Kendall Trail Connector subdistrict to create multiuse path and spur development

Miami-Dade County commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance creating the Downtown Kendall Urban Center Trail Connector Subdistrict (item 1G2), a zoning change that applies to narrow parcels on the west side of Southwest 70th Avenue between 80th Street and the Snapper Creek Canal and requires affected properties to provide a multiuse path to use the subdistrict regulations.

"I'm here in support of agenda item 1G2," said Jeff Berghau, who described the affected remnant FEC parcels and said the subdistrict is intended to facilitate development while providing a path to connect the Loveland Trail and the Underline. "The properties within the sub zone will have to provide the path in order to utilize the sub district regulations," he said.

The presiding member, whose district includes the area, described the corridor behind Dadeland as "very dark, very dingy" with homelessness and trash and said the item is a "tremendous opportunity" to activate the site, provide housing and create the connector. The commissioner said the proposal followed work with county staff, the district commissioner's office and developers, including a land swap involving property previously owned by MDX and another owner (transcript referenced "MDX and then GMX").

The public hearing was closed and the commission moved the item for approval. The clerk recorded the roll-call votes; Commissioners Bastian, Senator Garcia and Vice Chairwoman Regalado voted yes and the ordinance passed unanimously.

The ordinance summary read during the hearing includes development standards for parcels in the subdistrict and a requirement that parcels provide the multiuse path; the detailed zoning text and any related development agreements were not read into the record at the meeting.