Board approves rezoning to legalize secondary dwelling at 574 East 21st Street

HIALEAH — The Planning and Zoning Board voted May 13 to rezone 574 East 21st Street from R1 (single‑family) to R2 (two‑family) and to grant variances needed to legalize an existing detached secondary dwelling built without permits.

Staff told the board the property is a pre‑existing nonconforming lot with 50 feet of frontage and about 6,750 square feet of area; R2 zoning requires 75 feet of frontage and 7,500 square feet. The rear secondary unit was built without permit (code case BWOP‑004714‑2025) and has a floor area of approximately 848 square feet, under the 1,000‑square‑foot minimum. Staff recommended approval with conditions including a declaration of restrictions, landscape improvements per the submitted plan, and obtaining site plan and concurrency approval within six months.

Board members pressed staff and the applicant to confirm the rear unit is an existing structure being legalized rather than a fresh build; the applicant and staff clarified the unit was already built and the approval would legalize and require bringing it up to code. Board members also asked about parking; staff said four parking spaces are proposed to satisfy requirements and that the applicant reported the boat previously on site had been removed.

After discussion the board voted to approve the rezoning and variances with conditions. The approval requires the applicant to finalize required permits, comply with the site plan and concurrency timetable, and record the agreed declaration of restrictions.

Next steps: the boards recommendation will be forwarded to City Council; construction or further work is contingent on the applicant securing required permits and inspections to rectify the existing code violation.