Miami Lakes council directs staff to record covenants and pursue a public‑art code amendment

The Miami Lakes Town Council voted to make the town responsible for recording required covenants going forward, with the applicant to cover recording costs, and directed staff to return with a formal resolution implementing that policy. The measure was prompted by repeated public concern — during the same meeting — that a covenant related to a prior 2017/2019 development was never executed or recorded and that that lack of recorded documentation contributed to confusion about promises made to the community.

Separately, council members supported directing planning staff to draft land‑development code language to require public art in certain developments. The council asked staff to return with ordinance text for first and second readings. Council discussion emphasized that a public‑art requirement would need to be developed through the formal ordinance process, including legal review and a public hearing schedule.

Both items were approved by voice vote with a directive for staff to prepare formal documents for future council action. The council also explicitly requested language that would create an "affirmative duty" on staff to track and record covenants to avoid future gaps that prompted residents' complaints during the meeting.