City Council - Regular Meeting

Thank you.

Thank you again for your patience. We took another little recess, so now we're going to start the official Hialeah City Council meeting of September 8th, and I will call this meeting to order at 7.53 p.m. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Mr. Zogby? Here.

Ms. De La Vega? Present. Mr. Gonzalez? Mr. Marrero? Present.

Present.

Ms. G. Perez? Ms. M. Perez? Present. Mr. Rodriguez? Present. Mr. President, you have a full council.

We're going to go directly, since we had an invocation and a pledge of allegiance, we'll go directly to the meeting guidelines. Madam Clerk, please.

The following guidelines have been established by the City Council. All lobbyists must register with the City Clerk. As a courtesy to others, please refrain from using cellular telephones or other similar electronic devices in the Council Chamber. A maximum of three speakers in favor and three speakers in opposition will be allowed to address the Council on any one item. Each speaker's comments will be limited to three minutes. No signs or placards in support of or in opposition to an item or speaker shall be permitted within the council chamber. Any person interested in making comments or posing questions on matters of public concern or on any item on the agenda may do so during the meeting. Members of the public may address the City Council on any item pertaining to City business during the comments and questions portion of the meeting. A member of the public is limited to one appearance before the City Council and the speaker's comments will be limited to three minutes. Individuals should be respectful of the elected officials and staff and make every effort to speak with a moderate tone using appropriate language and avoiding personal attacks. Members of the public in the audience shall refrain from shouting or making remarks. from their seats to the mayor, council members, or staff sitting on the dais. The public can view public meetings on the city's YouTube page.

Thank you. Item 6A is a presentation for, well, I'll let you, Councilwoman Janine Perez, take over.

It is with great pleasure that we recognize Feeding South Florida today and proclaim the month of September as Hunger Action Month in the city of Hialeah. Feeding South Florida does incredible work providing food and essential resources to children, seniors, and families throughout our community. Thank you, Feeding South Florida, for your continued commitment to our community and it's truly an honor to recognize you today. If you can come up. Mayor, you want to say anything?

Well, we all know. Thank you, first of all, Councilwoman Perez, for your leadership on this. We all know Feeding South Florida and the mark that they really have on our community. And so we do have a little something for you guys, but I'll let you speak and then we can go down and address that.

Good evening. Name and address. Thank you.

Good evening, everyone. My name is Cosmo Kumani, and I'm the Director of Strategic Gifts for Feeding South Florida in Miami-Dade County. On behalf of our team, I want to thank the City of Hialeah, Mayor Brian Calvo, and the City Commissioners for recognizing September as Hunger Action Month. Feeding South Florida is the leading hunger relief organization serving Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties. We serve over 1.7 million individuals annually. Locally here in Miami-Dade, we provide nutritious food and critical resources for over 553,000 households annually throughout our network of direct programs and partner agencies. Our work goes beyond food distribution. Through community food pantries and mobile pantries, we ensure families have access to fresh, nutritious groceries. Our school pantry program and summer meals for kids make sure children don't go hungry in or out of the classroom. For older adults, we provide home-delivered meals, while our benefits outreach help families access programs like SNAP, stretch their budgets. We also invest in long-term stability with workforce training programs that prepare individuals for careers in culinary arts, warehousing, and logistics. Together, these programs reflect our commitment not just to feeding families today, but also to building stronger, hunger-free South Florida tomorrow. We are deeply grateful for the City of Hialeah for this recognition and for your ongoing partnership in raising awareness, inspiring action, and helping us move closer to a community where no one has to wonder where their next meal will come from. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

You want to go down? You want to go down? Okay. Come on up to the stage here. We're going to go meet you, if that's okay.

Everybody down.

So it says, whereas in 1981, Feeding South Florida has worked to address hunger and food insecurity in the city of Hialeah by providing our community with immediate access to nutritious food and other vital resources. And whereas hunger does not discriminate, no race, no religion, no age in South Florida, approximately one million individuals face hunger. And no member of the city of Hialeah should have to choose between food or a basic necessity. And whereas feeding South Florida leads hunger and poverty advocacy efforts throughout our region, while transforming the lives through innovative programming, education, and outreach, which promotes economic stability and overall well-being. We are committed to supporting Feeding South Florida and working together so that we have a community that achieves a hunger-free South Florida. So therefore, I, Brian Calvo, Mayor of the City of Hialeah, and on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim this month as Hunger Action Month in the City of Hialeah, Hunger Action Month. Congratulations.

So we'll transition to the next presentation.

And this is for diapers.

Diapers, Miami Diaper Bank. Do you want to come up?

Please tell us a little bit about your organization.

Awesome. Well, first of all, good afternoon, good evening. Thank you so much for having us and thank you so much to the commission members for allowing us to talk a little bit about Miami Diaper Bank. Miami Diaper Bank is the only diaper bank in Miami-Dade providing diaper assistance for children under the age of three. Not only are the families in Hialeah coming to us for distributions for a monthly service, we're also providing other baby essentials like backpacks, diaper rash creams, formula, and other items that any child should already have. We are fortunate enough that we have a great support system like you guys to be able to provide the services, and we invite you all to come and check out our diaper hub located in the city of Hialeah, where we distribute more than 1.5 million diapers every single year, serving more than 33,000 children throughout South Florida, including Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward, and Palm Beach County. Because there is no government programs that cover diapers, families do resource to us, and in Miami-Dade alone, there's about 68,000 children that are in need of our support. Of course, as the only diaper bank in Miami-Dade, we are trying to close the gap in service as much as possible, so we encourage all of you guys to please participate in Diaper Need Awareness Week, which is all month of September, by not only donating diapers, dollars, but also by volunteering your time. We were started through a volunteer service project and so your volunteer time also makes our diaper bank run and allows us to serve more children. Thank you so much.

Wow, thank you. So it says it right here, whereas diapers are essential, obviously, to the health, hygiene, and well-being of babies and young children and are necessary for families to participate fully in their childcare and early learning programs. And whereas that insecurity affects many families across the United States, including in our city. And we estimate in Miami-Dade County alone up to 68,000 children under the age of three experience diaper insecurity. And because of Miami Diaper Bank's work, you address a lot of that gap. So we are recognizing the National Diaper Need Awareness Week, which is observed between September 14 and September 28 in 2026, providing the opportunity to raise awareness, obviously, not only for your group, but in general, the necessity that exists in our community and things that we can do in order to partner together and bring help in this field. So therefore, I, as mayor, and on behalf of the city council, we recognize, again, National Diaper Need Awareness Week in the city of Hialeah.

There's the phone. One. Okay.

Next item is comments and questions. Let me just make an announcement, please.

Let me just make an announcement for the next portion, comments and questions.

Comments and questions in a general sense. If you are here for a zoning item, and I'm telling you early enough so that you'll know. If you're here for a zoning item that happens to be on first reading. We want you not to talk about it in comments and questions. And obviously you can't talk about it during the item itself. So please, if anybody has comments or questions, but not related to any zoning items that we won't be able to hear public comments today. Okay. Anyone listed, registered to speak? No, sir. Comments and questions? I love them sandals. You want to speak, Eric? I do, if you don't mind.

Okay, yeah, go ahead. Eric Johnson, Hialeah Firefighters Local, 1102. Two-fold purpose. Today is September 8th, and three days from now, 25 years ago, America suffered one of its biggest losses in history. Hijackers hijacked planes and flew them into the World Trade Center. At 846 a.m., the first plane hit the North Tower. At 902, the second plane hit the South Tower. At 937 a.m., the Pentagon was struck. And at 1003 a.m., Flight 93, the passengers on the plane, the true heroes in all of this, learned by text message and phone calls that that their plane was probably hijacked, and they overran the cockpit with the hijackers and forced the plane down, ultimately committing suicide but saving thousands of lives. That day, 343 firemen rushed into a building that was collapsing, and they died. That day, 23 New York Police Department officers rushed in that same building, evacuating lives, and they all died. That same day, 37 brave Port Authority police officers rushed in those buildings, and they died. Let this be a tribute to every first responder throughout not just the city, this country, and the world. We will die and give our lives for you, never knowing a damn thing about you. Not your family, not your daughters, Not your pet's name. Nothing. It's what we do. We give so others may live. God bless all those on September 11th. And if we may have 10 seconds, a moment of silence, please. Thank you. This leads me in to the scare and the threat of Amendment 3 in the state of Florida. A lot of politicians won't stand up against Amendment 3. I'm here to let everybody know Amendment 3 should scare the crap out of everybody in this room. Not just from a financial sense, but the truth of the matter states this. There is no clear-cut plan to fund the fire service or the police service or disasters or aid in the state of Florida if Amendment 3 passes. We are all homeowners and we all pay our taxes. And honestly, we have to find a way where it exists and coexists for most. In the end, if Amendment 3 passes, we're going to have fees on everything. Fees to go to the park. Fees to utilize the road. Fees to call 911. Fees, God forbid, if you want police service. It's unrealistic expectation. The problem is in the city of Hialeah, Council President, would you entertain me for a short brief second? The problem is in Hialeah, we don't have an MSTU. We don't have a separate millage for fire service. We run lean in this city. We are leaner than any other city around here. We do more for less and we do with less, and we always have. Poor people like Zogby and Lewis have been hearing this from me for over 20 years. We do more for less and we do it with less, but that's our reality. It's how we roll. But the truth of the matter, if this Amendment 3 passes, there is no way in hell this council, this city, will be able to maintain, to operate its police force. It will not be able to maintain and operate its fire department and, of course, everything else that goes around it. We may get by for a very small amount of time, but Amendment 3 is not good for the state of Florida until we have a guaranteed source of funding for police and fire throughout the entire state of Florida. And this does incorporate the response to natural disasters, such as hurricanes. Last time I checked, this is Florida. My two cents, please keep those things in your mind, and God bless all those first responders across the world.

Thank you, sir. Duly noted. And with that, to remind us, what time is the 9-11 this Friday? Ceremony is at, somebody help me. 10 a.m. 10 a.m., the fire station just to the east of us, right? 10 a.m., we're going to have this Friday, September 11th, a memorial, as we do every year, At the fire station, fire station one, just east of this building, the corner of West 5 and 1st. All are invited, 10 a.m. Friday. All right, thank you. Any other comments and questions? Any, Madam Clerk, any announcement or amendments, corrections to the agenda? No, sir. Thank you. No board appointments, right? Nothing's been added?

No, sir.

Nine. Okay. So we're moving to the consent agenda. Is there anybody in the audience or no one online, I see, or on the dais that would like to pull any of the items of consent agenda? Otherwise, pleasure of the council on the entire consent agenda? Yes, sir? Item C. Councilman Gonzalez would like to pull item C of the consent agenda. Anything else, sir? Otherwise, motion. Motion for the remainder of the consent from Councilman William Marrero. Second from Councilwoman Jaylene Perez. Please call the roll.

Ms. G. Perez. Yes. Ms. Dela Vega. Yes. Ms. M. Perez. Yes. Mr. Rodriguez.

Yes.

Mr. Zogby.

Yes.

Mr. Marrero. Yes.

Yes.

Mr. Gonzalez.

Yes.

Motion carries, the consent agenda has passed except item C. Please read item see into the record madam clerk request permission to enter into an agreement with information consultants incorporated for the migration from an on premise version to a more updated cloud version and issue a purchase order to this vendor for payment of the annual maintenance of the city's electronic document management system in a total community of expense amount not to exceed $59,850 the approval of this item requires the weighting of the small purchase threshold.

Sir, you have the floor.

So motion for this one? Okay. We have a motion for item C from Councilman Gonzalez. We have a second for item C from Councilwoman Jaylene Perez. Please call the roll.

Ms. De La Vega? Ms. M. Perez? Yes. Mr. Rodriguez? Yes. Mr. Zogby?

Yes.

Mr. Marrero?

Yes.

Mr. Gonzalez? Yes. Ms. G. Perez? Yes. Motion carries. The item is approved.

Thank you. I guess we're ready to move on to admin, administrative items, right? And please, Madam Clerk, read item 11.8.

SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER TWO ENTITLED ADMINISTRATION ARTICLE TWO ENTITLED DEPARTMENTS, OFFICES, AND DIVISIONS. DIVISION 21 ENTITLED INFRASTRUCTURE AND ASSET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF HIALEAH SPECIFICALLY BY RENAMING THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND ASSET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND RENAMING THE CHIEF OF INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE CHIEF OF PUBLIC WORKS. Providing for a severability clause, repealing all ordinances in conflict herewith, providing penalties for a violation hereof, providing for inclusion in the code, and providing for an effective deed.

Very good. Item 11A is on second reading, open for public discussion, if any. Otherwise, pleasure of the council. 11A. Second.

Second.

Was the first from? Okay. Councilman Luis Gonzalez motioned for 11A, and we have second from Councilwoman Jaylene Perez. Please call the roll.

Ms. M. Perez? Yes. Mr. Rodriguez? Yes. Mr. Zogby?

Yes.

Mr. Marrero?

Yes.

Mr. Gonzalez? Yes. Ms. G. Perez? Yes. Ms. De La Vega? Yes. Motion carries. The item is approved.

Very good. Item 11B, Madam Clerk.

First reading of proposed ordinance amending section 98-1606 entitled RH3M, Multiple Family District of Division 29 entitled Hialeah Heights. Chapter 98 entitled Zoning of the Court of Ordinances of the City of Hialeah to address townhouse uses in the RH3M Multiple Family District, and hereby amending the enumeration of its sections as set forth herein, repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith, providing for a survivability clause, and providing for an effective deed.

Okay, 11, administrative item 11B is on first reading, not open for public discussion. We do have the lobbyist here with us in case anyone has any questions. Otherwise, pleasure of the council.

If I may do the chair.

Yes, ma'am.

Marcella, can you help me? They went away. Is this, I can't open it, but is this, is this what we heard from the town hall mayor that they wanted an amendment of the territory?

Oh, no. This is, I mean, I don't want to speak for them. They can eloquently, they can pay a lot of money to do it, but. Too much. Too much money. Actually, I'll have them do it. I can't. Sorry.

Is it there?

Good evening, Alejandro Adias, 701 Brickle Avenue. This relates to the security estates project that was approved last year in 2025. And really what it is, is a cleanup item to the RH3M code sections that... Approval had the azurite density and all of those elements. But as we went through the site planning concurrency process, we realized that there wasn't enough specification or clarification in the RH3M. So this really serves to provide that additional detail and also a pattern book to go along with any developments within the RH3M that deal with townhomes. So it's really just a process that provides clarity with those regulations as they apply to townhomes in that district.

With like the setbacks specifically?

The setbacks with minimum floor areas and more particularly fee simple ownership structures, which if you recall, these were 178 rear loaded fee simple townhomes that were approved.

But one of the issues that we heard from the town hall mayor was the issue with the terrace and what they're allowed to have in their green space in their backyard. Is that something we could amend to include in this to that specific area?

Yeah, no, we definitely could. I'm not sure that it would be part of this ordinance. But Claudia, do you have an update of where we are on that? What we heard at that town hall regarding the pergolas and the aluminum roofs and those things in the rear?

Claudia Hasbun, planning and zoning official. I have met with the association presidents and representatives from them. They're working on it. They're providing all the information that is necessary to provide for any changes if necessary. However, just to clarify, in order to amend anything, the pattern book, it will have to be amended, not specifically a section of the code. So... To answer those comments from the community, we'll have to address pattern book by pattern book.

But is there a pattern book that's attached to this ordinance?

Not specific to this ordinance, but it will be for the project.

For the project. So none of the bylaws or the bylines that are here pertain to outdoor structures? Correct. Is there anything here? Because I see like front yard, side streets, rear parking, but I don't see anything that has to do with...

So one of the section basically states that... And develop with... Where is the language for... The above setbacks may be modified for townhouses development approved pursuant to an approved pattern book. So everything relates to those specific items. It will be in the pattern book.

But we are working on that then to be submitted. Yes. Okay. All right. Thank you. Motion.

We have a motion from Councilwoman Monica Perez.

Through the chair.

Oh, go ahead. Yes, ma'am.

Hi, Alec. Can you walk me through, it says here, sidewalks and crosswalks development will modify existing signals at the intersection. What exactly is going to be changed?

So these were project approvals from 2025 as part of the conditions related to that site plan. There was the construction of sidewalks along the west side of Northwest 97 that are part of this. Okay. There will be a crosswalk connecting across West 92nd. And then there's also, based on the traffic counts, once this is developed, we'll also modify the signal. So the timing on the traffic signal will be changed depending on the traffic that's generated from the project once it's developed.

And then if you can also kind of walk me through the off-street parking. I know there's 453 spaces.

Correct.

This is off street. So does each town, these are townhouses, right?

Yeah, these are reloaded townhomes. The requirement is 392 spaces and we're providing 453 spaces, not just for the townhomes, but there's also ample visitor parking spaces as well.

Okay.

Thank you.

Second. We have a motion. And Peretz and Rodriguez.

Oh, you did?

Okay. I thought you had done the first motion, right?

No, no, it was Monaco.

Who motioned first?

And Peretz.

That's right. So we have a second from? Rodriguez. You want to take this one over? Second from Councilman Louis Rodriguez. Why are you confusing me? I'm an old man here. Okay, please call the roll.

Mr. Rodriguez. Yes. Mr. Zogby.

Yes.

Mr. Marrero.

Yes.

Mr. Gonzalez.

Yes.

Ms. G. Perez. Yes. Ms. De La Vega. Yes. Ms. M. Perez. Yes. Motion carries. The item is approved. Second reading and public hearing is scheduled for September 22nd, 2026 at 7 p.m.

Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Item C. Madam Clerk, please.

First reading of proposed ordinance amending Chapter 98 entitled Zoning of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Hialeah. Article 6 entitled Supplementary District Regulations Division 10 entitled Parking Section 98-2200 entitled Parking Commercial Vehicles, Recreational Vehicles, Boats or Vessels on Property Zoned Residential. To provide for an administrative waiver process for certain residential property owners and tenants who owned a boat prior to the effective date of ordinance number 2024-013, passed and adopted on January 29, 2024, and amending Section 98-8 entitled Planning and Zoning Division Fee Schedule. To amend the Planning and Zoning Division Fee Schedule attached here to and incorporated herein as Exhibit A, to add an application fee for the waiver, repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith, providing penalties for violation hereof, providing for inclusion in code, providing for a separate bidding clause, and providing for an effective deed.

Item 11C is on first reading, not open for public discussion, but did you have any questions, Councilman Gonzalez, for the attorney, perhaps?

Yeah. So with grandfather in, I guess... Those that legally, based on the law that passed in 2024, they would have to, I guess, file an application coming from the city. Are we also limiting boat owners to have one boat per household? Madam Attorney? Mm-hmm.

So basically, in 2024, when the ordinance passed, it did, in fact, limit one vote per per residence. That's not something that was discussed during the workshop. But this would essentially grandfather in anybody who owned the boat and the boat was, in fact, registered under their name and they're a lawful tenant and owner or owner of the residence. Where the bolt is being stored.

But we are grandfathering somebody who's lawful in the first place. Is that what we're doing?

Yeah, where we ended up last time is at the workshop was that. So basically, if your boat was legal prior to 2024, then you can basically apply for this waiver. It's 150 bucks. If you show us that you lived in the house prior to when the ordinance was enacted in 2024 and you own the boat prior to when it was enacted, then you would be grandfathered in. So it's a limited grandfathering in of the people that were legal prior to the change done in 2024 that would be able to keep it moving forward.

But they were illegal in the first place. Is that the only... cost or application that they would have to incur. Last time we discussed here, we were talking about even... No, no, no.

So the way we're doing this is it's $150 fee. That's it. One time, $150 fee. And it's basically just to process the paperwork of the registration and the certificate of title of the home. Once we have those two things, we can grandfather you in. And that grandfathering only applies to the person that lives in the home, if that home is sold, then obviously that is lost. It's not going to stay with the property.

Well, I'm not entirely happy about it, even the law on 24, living in one boat per household, because some people have the space.

These are townhouses we're talking about. We're not discussing the limits on residential boats.

It's not, I know. No. But that was what was passed in 24.

In 24, they made it clear that you can only have one boat. That was a change in 24 that we're not touching that right now.

So we're only going to grandfather those. The one boat, yeah. And that it's in townhomes or multifamilies, duplexes?

So multifamilies and duplexes were never allowed ever before 24 or after 24. Whether it was enforced or not is a different story, but it was never allowed. The only places it was allowed was single family and in townhomes. And that's basically what we are doing now. It's allowed single families and in townhomes only. Single family? Single family, it's allowed. Absolutely. You have one boat. You can have one boat. You can put it on the side or in the back of the property as long as it's 33 feet or less. If you don't have the space on the side or in the rear, then you can put it in the front, but the boat has to be a maximum of 24 feet. In the front, on the side, or in the back? If it's in the front, it's 24 feet. If it's on the side or in the back, it could be up to 33. Right.

Yeah, that doesn't change. I'm not happy about the one vote that was passed in 24. But if we're going to grandfather some people in here, it's going to help them right now. But I'm not okay with that 24 ordinance that was passed back then. But I guess I'll support this based on that.

Is that a motion?

I'll make a motion for it.

Motion from Luis Gonzalez for... Ordinance 11C, second from William Marrero for 11C. Please call the roll.

Marrero or Rodriguez?

I'm sorry. It was Marrero, right? Yeah.

And through the count.

Yes, ma'am.

Through the chair.

Yes, ma'am.

Just to make sure this, what we're voting on is that this will allow a grandfathering for anyone who purchased a boat. I'm sorry. Who lived in a townhouse. prior to us passing, right? And they have to have purchased the boat and their name has to be attached to the house.

Yeah, so it's just a few requirements. This is prior to January 29, 2024, which is when the ordinance was changed. You just have to show that you either own the house or were renting the house, either or is good prior to that date. So you were living there prior to that date. And you also have to show that you own the boat, right? The boat in question prior to that date. So you show us those two things. That's all we need and 150 bucks. And then we give you the waiver.

And the boat has to meet certain requirements, right?

The boat has to, again, the length has to be, if you're going to park it in the front of the house, 24 feet or less. If it's on the side, it could be up to 33. If you have it in the rear, up to 33.

Sorry, this is only townhomes.

No, this applies also to single family because there's a couple people that they have single families, but now they're unable to do it based on the changes that were made.

So this would also grandfather them into single families and townhomes. So everybody with a single family would have to pay $150 to have a house?

No, no, not everybody. It's only the people that are in violation. If you're not in violation, you're not in violation. You just keep going. It's only the people that were found to be in violation. There was a couple people. Okay, I get it. So they don't have to pay the violation anymore, right? They will just pay the $150,000. Okay.

Through the chair? Yes, ma'am. So I just want to address, is this also for single family? I thought it was only townhomes.

It's just that under the 2024 ordinance, there were different setbacks that were put into effect and that would apply to single families. So if in fact your boat was a 33 footer or less, you would be able to park it on the rear or on the side of the house. However, there has to be a setback of three feet. So those that in fact had a boat And where the lawful owner or tenant at that property prior to this change coming into effect as to that setback requirement, you can now go through the waiver process. Okay.

In other words, if you were legal before the change, you'll be good now. But I believe those setbacks were the same before. They might have been.

I think the only change was one boat per household or the townhomes, multifamily or duplexes was the change in 24, if I remember looking it up correctly. The setbacks were there already.

Multifamily and condos were not in that. They were always prohibited. We made no changes there. The only change we made prohibiting it was in the townhouses. Basically, the home we did is limited to one boat.

But you said the only change was in the townhomes, that you approved it was in the townhomes. You just said that.

We created a prohibition on January 29th of 24 for townhomes, which didn't exist before.

But I just said the setbacks, I believe, were the same before.

Yeah, in the single family, yes. Yeah, that didn't change. All right. So all we're doing today is redressing those people who lost a privilege they had before January 29th of 2024. We're restoring them in any townhouse.

But the setbacks in a townhome even before that were three feet even before the sidewalk as well.

I'm sure it was like that in any.

The setback was still the same in townhouse before.

They're going to park theirs... Most of them would park in the front of the property.

Well, depending on the size, 23 or less, you could have had it in the front with a setback of three feet before the sidewalk. And what happened in 24, you guys said, nope. Some of you guys, not all of you guys.

Okay. All right. So this is only for the townhomes, okay? What would the people who would feel the difference now? And okay, so we have two motions. Can we call the roll on it?

Mr. Zogby?

Yes.

Mr. Marrero? Yes. Mr. Gonzalez?

Yes.

Ms. G. Perez?

No.

Ms. De La Vega? Yes. Ms. M. Perez?

No.

Mr. Rodriguez?

Yes.

Motion carries. The item is approved. Second reading and public hearing is scheduled for September 22, 2026 at 7 p.m. Hoy es una victoria.

Hoy pasaron ya la primera lectura. Okay. Okay. Gracias, gracias. A las cinco y media, el 22. Perdón, tenemos que atrasar los 22 por lo mismo. A las siete de la noche comienza la reunión de consejo. El 22, el martes 22. A ustedes, gracias por su paciencia. Gracias, gracias, caballero. Cuídate.

All right, we're moving on to item 11D.

First reading of proposed ordinance amending chapter 30 entitled elected officials of the court of ordinances of the city of Hialeah article two entitled public meeting section 30 dash 32 entitled time and dates of regular city council meetings to provide authority to the city clerk to designate alternative alternative locations within. Excuse me. Within the city to conduct regular city council meetings when needed. Repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith. Providing penalties for violation hereof. Providing for inclusion in code. Providing for a severability clause and providing for an effective date.

Thank you. Item 11D is on first reading, not open for public discussion, but certainly open for our discussion or our pleasure. Motion. 11D.

Motion.

We have a motion from Councilman Luis Rodriguez on 11D and a second from Councilman William Marrero. Please call the roll.

Mr. Marrero? Yes. Mr. Gonzalez?

Yes.

Ms. G. Perez? Yes. Ms. Della Vega? Yes. Ms. M. Perez? Yes. Mr. Rodriguez?

Yes.

Mr. Zoghbi? Yes.

Yes.

Motion carries. The item is approved. Second reading and public hearing is scheduled for September 22nd, 2026 at 7 p.m.

Thank you. Item E, Madam Clerk.

First reading of proposed ordinance amending chapter two entitled administration of the court of ordinances of the city of Hialeah. Article three entitled boards, commissions and committees. Division one entitled generally. Section 2-583 entitled removal of board members to provide authority to the city clerk to designate alternative locations within the city to conduct planning and zoning meetings. Repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith. Providing penalties for violation hereof. Providing for inclusion in code. Providing for a severability clause. And providing for an effective deed.

Item 11E is on first reading. Open only to our discussion on the dais. Any questions? Otherwise, pleasure of the council on 11E. Motion from Councilman Jalene Perez.

Second.

Second from Councilman Luis Rodriguez. Please call the roll.

Ms. G. Perez. Yes. Ms. De La Vega. Yes. Ms. M. Perez.

Yes.

Mr. Rodriguez.

Yes.

Mr. Zogby. Yes. Mr. Marrero. Yes. Mr. Gonzalez.

Yes.

Motion carries. The item is approved. Second reading and public hearing is scheduled for September 22nd, 2026 at 7 p.m.

Thank you. Item 12, unfinished business. Unfinished business. New business, item 13. No business. Okay. Yeah. Okay. We're going to move to zoning, but before we move on to zoning, let's take another break, but this time it's solid. So it's going to be, it's 834, six minute break, 840, just to call it even. So we are taking a break at 834 PM to... Call to order again at 840. a 2026 back to order at 840pm. Thank you. Okay, so we're at zoning. So Madam Clerk,

Will all those persons who will be testifying on an item please stand and raise your right hand?

Do you swear or affirm that the evidence you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? So help you God, if so, say I do.

Let the record reflect that all have responded in the affirmative.

Thank you all. Okay, moving on to zoning 15A, Madam Clerk, final resolution, final decision.

Proposed resolution affirming final decision number FD000251-2026. of the Planning and Zoning Board authorizing an interior west side setback of 3.8 feet or 6.9 feet is required for the legalization of an existing accessory building of approximately 137 square feet and a distance separation of three feet between the existing accessory building and proposed aluminum roof terrace where 10 feet is required, and a second existing accessory building of approximately 120 square feet to maintain a three-foot distance separation from the proposed aluminum roof terrace, where 10 feet is required for the property located at 110 West 53rd Terrace, Hialeah, zoned R11 Family District, providing for conditions, providing for enforcement of conditions, and providing for an effective date.

Thank you.

and start my video. Sorry, I was having technical difficulty. All right, 17, I'm sorry, 15A is a final decision, resolution. Questions from the council? Motion from Councilman Luis Gonzalez. Second, did you say? Yes, second. Okay, second from Councilman Luis Rodriguez. Please call the roll.

Ms. De La Vega? Yes. Ms. M. Perez?

Yes.

Mr. Rodriguez? Yes. Mr. Zoghbi?

Yes.

Mr. Marrero? Yes. Mr. Gonzalez? Yes. Ms. G. Perez? Yes. Motion carries. The item is approved.

Thank you. Claudia, was this a self-reported violation that they're correcting? Okay. No, but they're correcting it. That's good. All right. Thank you. All right, 16A.

Second reading and public hearing of proposed ordinance amending the future land use map of the city of Hialeah comprehensive plan pursuant to section 163.3187 Florida statutes, small scale development amendment to change the land use designation from low density residential to commercial for the property located at 652 Southeast Fifth Avenue, Hialeah, currently zoned R1 legally described herein. Repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith, providing penalties for violation hereof, providing for a severability clause, and providing for an effective deed.

Okay, 17, I'm sorry, 16A, land use amendment, is on second reading, open for public discussion. Stand by, Hugo. I know you've got two other items related to this after that, and if I have no objections, we'll do them right afterwards. So...

Sir, I know we have the three in favor and three against, but I do have a letter. I believe it's Ms. Acevedo's daughter, Estela Oliva. Oh, okay. She resides in Maryland, and she's asked that her letter in opposition to the item be read into the records.

Okay. You want to wait till the second? This is, oh, okay. Okay. The second item for tonight, 17 C. Okay. All right. Does anybody want to speak on this one? The land use amendment on.

Oh, hi Bill. Good question. Yeah.

Yeah. I have,

the pleasure of uh representing uh the the objector this evening give me your name just william riley uh with offices located at 16343 southwest 256th street homestead florida and i just wanted to make sure the housekeeping item uh that uh Mr. Arza doesn't want to make a case in chief before we go ahead and make our legal objections. They have layman objections. I'm happy to proceed however you would like me to proceed right after them or after Mr. Arza takes his presentation. Just wanted to raise that to the council. Do you want to listen to Mr. Riley first and then rebut, or you want to present?

Yeah, I think since you all heard from me at first reading, let's extend the time. I'd be happy to do that. Hugo R. is a sub in One Brickle Avenue. I would like to just clarify one point. So you are going to have three public hearings, Madam Attorney, or you're going to have one public hearing now and then take three votes? Because I know there was a comment.

Seven seats. Is that the pleasure of the council? Obviously.

Individually.

First, we're moving on to the zoning. Yeah. But again, it's set. Yeah.

If nobody objects, we'll listen to the three related items.

With one comment. So one opportunity for everyone.

You don't want to do it that way. Okay. We'll let you. Yeah. Yeah. So we don't.

I have to agree with what the applicant suggested. So thank you. Former president.

Do you want to, Bill, do you want to, so who do we hear from first? Are you specifically about the land use, right, Bill, is what you're going to talk about now?

Yes, sir. If it's okay with the pleasure of the council, I'd like to have the homeowner speak just for one moment. We have two other speakers. Yes, sir. That would like to take three minutes each, and then I'll like to conclude.

Yes, sir.

Okay, thank you.

You're welcome. Do we need a, yeah, we're going to need a translator here.

Mi nombre es Maria Acevedo.

Un momentico, señora Acevedo. Gracias. Perdona. Are we going to need to translate for zoning? I'm going to read a statement. Yeah, we still have to. If she's going to speak in Spanish, we have to for the record. She's not? I'm going to read this. Because she just said, she just introduced herself. Okay.

You're going to speak?

Yes.

Okay, this is Maria Acevedo, her statement. 642 Southeast Fifth Avenue. I'm 90 years old, retired widow, and I'm the owner of 652 Southeast Fifth Avenue, where I live alone. The 652 Southeast Fifth Avenue lot, located adjacent to my home, has been used for decades by a variety of businesses, including Air Catering International for heavy commercial aircraft truck traffic that occurs at all hours of the day, including weekends and holidays. This is much more than a parking issue. This lot is also used to repair and maintain heavy equipment trucks on a regular basis. This repair work has over decades created a very heavy invisible stains from oil and other vehicles, fluids and areas adjacent to my home. 652 Southeast Fifth Avenue is an R1 residential lot and has been zoned this way since 1928. There are two open complaints related to the illegal truck activity and vehicle repair at 652 Southeast Fifth Avenue. City of Hialeah Code Compliance Complaint, case number BERM685-2026. Miami-Dade Department of Environmental Resources Management, case number COM105813. These complaints are open and unresolved. Madam Clerk, may I play a video to illustrate these points, please? Apologize for my voice. Yes. Yes, it is. Should be a two minute video.

This video is going to go over your three minutes, so we may have to yield some time. I'm sorry. Madam Attorney?

Was the video submitted prior to today's hearing?

Yes. Yeah, it's a two minute video. Well, then we gotta yield some time from somebody else, because we got 33 seconds left. Bill, your client isn't helping himself, okay? I mean, you know, thank you. Go ahead. Oh, well, what's happening now?

Gabby, maybe you can play it without the audio.

Just give some narrative, if everybody can hear me.

What you're seeing here is the adjacent property to Ms. Acevedo's home, the one that I mentioned is zoned for single-family homes.

But this is going to go away if this project happens.

Understood.

This is going to go away. Yeah, okay.

We understand the time's up. I think the commission gets the point. I would like to have him introduce his name for the record. We're going to take his time to recapture from the time that we went over for the two minutes.

Marcos Acevedo, 1530 Northeast 191 Street.

Thank you, sir. We have another speaker on behalf of that. Go ahead, sir. Name and address for the record. You have three minutes.

Elio Lima, 11 Eaton Overlook. I would like to show Madam Clerk the diagram that I provided in advance. It's a diagram, it's a map. Okay, I would like to, this map represents clearly the situation that's happening here with 652 Southeast Fifth Avenue. There's been a lot of statements in the prior meetings, a lot of misrepresentations, quite frankly, and half-truths, and this is the current situation. I'm showing this so everyone can see. The red triangle is the 652 Southeast Fifth Avenue residential lot. The house adjacent to it In blue is Maria Antonia's house. That little star there in blue is Maria Antonia's bedroom. All the truck activity that you saw in the earlier video and the video that I'm gonna show here, which is 30 seconds, is in that red triangle. Air Catering International is highlighted in yellow. You see their facility there, and they're located at 455 East Okeechobee Road, in yellow, highlighted in yellow. Adjacent to that property, there is a truck entrance on Okeechobee Road and a truck yard. They can easily use that truck entrance and truck yard for their commercial truck activity. Instead, they choose to use the red triangle. They've been using the red triangle, was residentially zoned for 20 years. This is not a parking issue. This is a matter of constant traffic at all hours of the day, two, three in the morning, seven days a week, parking, maintenance, oil changes on a residential lot. Clearly designated as such, okay? So I'd like to show my 30-second video, which I've submitted as well in advance. Oh, one thing before we switch. I'm sorry. Before we switch to that. That green line that runs diagonally, that is the public alley that has been discussed in previous meetings. You can see that green line goes from Southeast Fifth Avenue to Seventh Street. It is a public access alley that's been in place for many years. That alley was also illegally closed by the applicant on the hypotenuse of the red triangle, on the points of the hypotenuse, that alley has been illegally closed. I'd like to show my video, please. And that can be verified by just going in the field and seeing it. There's no mystery. This happens seven days a week at all times of the day and night. That's three in the morning, 8 p.m., 9 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, holidays. That is the residential lot. I know that Mr. Arce showed a video, some sort of staged picture in his previous statements about parking. This is what's happening on a regular basis on this residential lot. Parking, movement, loading, unloading. They can use the Okeechobee Street address. They can use the Okeechobee Street truck access and yard.

Thank you, sir. Okay. Thank you.

Bill, did you want to add something to it?

Yeah, very quickly. I'm going to limit my comments to the current application, the land use application. Again, for the record, my name is Bill Riley with offices located at 16343 Southwest 256th Street, Homestead, Florida. I may speak a little bit fast because I want to get a lot of things into the record. First and foremost, I've never been here representing... a neighborhood opponent, somebody that's opposing development. In my entire career, 25 years I've been doing this, this is the third time I've represented an applicant that's opposing a development project. I generally don't do that because I think development is progress, and I'm for progress within South Florida in general. But when I met Ms. Acevedo, she told me a story that I thought I could be helpful clarifying. So I thought her story had some misunderstandings. And when I looked into it a little bit more, I talked to her about it, and to my surprise, I found things that I thought were real concerns. You know, not every project is a good project, and we don't think that this is a good project. For instance, on your future land use element, which is your constitution for these types of applications, you have to determine whether or not the application is consistent with those items. Goal number one of your future land use element says that the goal is the quality of life, and it reads specifically to effectively manage the land use pattern in the city and enhance the quality of life for its citizens, promote economic viability, and accommodate population and development growth. I'll go really quickly for two more minutes. Objective 1.5, which is right below that, says that Future development must be consistent with the adopted future land use map and existing incompatible uses shall not be allowed to expand and shall be eliminated. Mr. Chairman, you spoke about that in a moment, a moment ago, that this would be eliminated. Lastly, inconsistencies with regard to proposed land use amendments. policy 1.5.1 states that the proposed land use amendments which are inconsistent with the character of the community or inconsistent with the future land use map shall not be approved this is inconsistent i'm going to tell you why very quickly your comprehensive plan says two things about future residential and commercial uses. One, for residential uses on page 14 of your future land use map, it says that the city of Hialeah is underdeveloped and has a shortfall for future residential development of 9,668 single-family homes and over 8,750 for multifamily homes. There is a need for future residential homes. Future commercial needs. Your comprehensive plan did a huge study on this and determined that there is no need for infill development of your comprehensive plan because you have downtown mixed use and mixed use land development classifications. You have enough land use information. Mr. Chairman, I'm just going to make one last comment. I'm sorry I'm going over really quickly. Those are the legal arguments of why this should not be approved. But in addition, and I need to put this on the record, you have a statutory requirement for noticing the application. The application in your code, which I provide a copy of it, specifically says that the applicant has to post the property notices 165 feet apart. Those were deficient in this application from day one. I've been on the case for about almost two weeks now. This is an applicant's responsibility. This is defective as a matter of law. And because of that, I don't think the application is properly before the board. I'm sorry I went a little bit over. I really appreciate your time and consideration. Thank you, sir.

That is it for the speakers in opposition. Mr. Arza, what say you, sir?

Thank you. Hugo Arza, 701 Brickell Avenue. I have a presentation. It's virtually the same one. What I want to do is just highlight a couple of issues. I also want to address a couple of the comments. You have the floor, sir. I'm going to start with Mr. Riley's comment first. Mr. Riley has articulated some of your... land use policies and tried to get you to take his side or see it his way. That's argument, right? That's his interpretation of it. I'm not going to ask you to take mine. I'm going to ask you to take your professional planners. She believes that this application is consistent with your master plan. So you don't actually have to hear from me. Concernedly here, and you've heard from Mr. Riley, respect for what he said, but this is not about a lawyer's interpretation. The substantial competent evidence before you is that your planner, your city staff has found that this application is consistent. With respect to the taking of a... very small commercial property and making it commercial and that, you know, possibly not addressing whatever under residential development exists in the city. I think, Mr. President, as you noted the last time we were here for first reading, this is a triangle lot. It'd be virtually impossible to develop it with a single family home. I mean, it happens, right? I mean, over time, properties are Chopped up or whatever the case may be like this. I mean, to say that to change this small 5000 square foot lot from residential to commercial so that it joins nearly an acre of commercial that already exists and has been there for 50 or 70 years is going to be a detriment to the city's desire to have more housing. I mean, it strains a kind of common sense, right? I mean, you're not going to address any housing shortfall with a triangular lot that probably can't be reasonably developed even with one single family home. So I wanted to touch on a couple of those points from a legal standpoint, what Mr. Riley said legally. Look, you saw some videos. We made a commitment to the extent that trucks are kind of coming in and out. Trucks are not parking there. There was an issue previously. Trucks are not parking there anymore. When this application was filed, throughout the pendency of this application, through the Planning and Zoning Board, there were no violations and no issues. Yes, since then, obviously, our neighbor has called in a code enforcement violation and a DERM violation. I understand the DERM has been out there and hasn't shut any business down and hasn't done anything. I mean, we're obviously being forward it out to the authorities, and that's okay. I'm not here to say that there's anything wrong with that. We're doing our part. I want to show, if we can go to the next slide, touch briefly. You know what we're doing here. The triangle is a big part of it, changing it from land use, changing the land use from residential to commercial, rezoning that small portion, ultimately developing. If we can go to the next slide. um this is the request next slide ultimately to develop a self-storage facility i'll reiterate the point that i made the last time the self-storage facility uh we're not asking for a height variance this is something that can go on um uh madam councilwoman m perez um i think there are you'll see a slide there are four um this would be the fourth self-storage unit the nearest one is 1.2 miles away you had a question at the last meeting i promise you i'd get you an answer and You know, we try and do that. So there isn't one half a block away or a block or two blocks away. There's one over a mile away along Okeechobee, sort of as you had northwest in the city. Next slide. Here's the proposed site plan. And again, you saw all of this in the future if this land use change happens. the rezoning, and this project is approved here this evening, then that area will have surface parking, will not have truck parking. We made a commitment at first reading, happy to reiterate it, that once this property is developed, those parking lots that you see there that are adjacent to Mrs. Acevedo's home will not have any kind of staging or truck parking. This will change from being what it is today, legally, a mostly C2, but a portion C3 zoned commercial property with vibrant businesses and employment for the city. And it will morph into a project that's going to have self-storage and then ground floor retail and the like. And obviously, I think that the noises and the sounds. Another point, right now it operates 24 hours because your code permits commercial operations 24 hours. And it can continue to do so if we were to decide that we don't want to do this project. And we can continue to go down that path and continue to operate this 24 hours. We have made a commitment that this project new project would be closed between midnight and 6 a.m. So not only would it not obviously no longer have sort of the large trucks coming in, it wouldn't be operating as a... Is this project gobbling up international catering? It will ultimately. Yes, they will.

It's going to be gone as well. Yeah, this this the source of all those problems.

These addresses will all exactly all of the project covers all of this triangle.

But I mean, the product, not the triangle.

But if we go to the next slide, I'll show you. We've talked about the project location details and benefits. And obviously this this is in your record. It is the presentation from the first reading. Next slide. Really, the area that you see in red on the bottom left, that's existing red, and there's various businesses there. Yes, over time, once the property's redeveloped, then existing businesses will relocate. I was reminded by, I'm joined today by a representative from IMC Equity, the owners of this property. This isn't their only property in the city. They have a lot of properties. They own warehouses on the east side. They own other retail buildings. And in fact, I was informed that Mr. Itzhak, the founder of the company, the owner of the company, started his clothing business in the city of Hialeah some time ago. So this is, even though they've grown, and I was told they have properties now all over the state of Florida, they started here in Hialeah. And this is one of the properties that they had. They were able to acquire one of the final pieces here to be able to do this new development in in 2024 which is why we're before you but um yes i mean the the ultimately the businesses would move and this would become a far quieter we recognize a far quieter business but the noise that's there today there's nothing inappropriate about it it's a lot in your code it's commercial zoning we're not changing that um that noise would travel whether that triangle is on a piece of paper zoned commercial or residential. Noise does not pay attention to the color on paper. It travels. And we could continue to operate this. And I want to keep that in mind because it's sometimes about what's coming versus what's there today and what we're looking to do. Next slide. rezoning i wanted to talk a little bit um you heard this the last time we are actually down zoning that corner piece um and you may say like well that doesn't happen very often again mr riley talked about maybe just a couple of times that he's been on the opposition i've never opposed the project but um but i can tell you that c3 allows among other things a gas station so you you could if if instead of this project we wanted to kind of put a gas station there or do other things with it that's how intense the use in the current In the current C3, if we did now, if we rezone this property for our project, we actually bring it to C2 and we lose that because, of course, we're gaining the ability to build the project. But to defeat this project or to move on from this project could mean that this entire property is revisited. Perhaps the triangle, you know, becomes a different issue. But that core piece on Okeechobee would continue to be commercial and could be even more intense commercial. And sometimes you got to, like, look at it. now what's coming versus what's there today so i wanted to point that out as one of the things that might have been councilwoman de la vega who mentioned the last time like what are some of those c3 uses well gas station is the one that jumped out at me standalone bars things like that are the more intense uses that we would be taking off the table by rezoning to c2 next slide Variance requests, and we talked a little bit about this, a landscape buffer variance in particular, and the non-use parking variance took some time at first reading, and we explained it. We introduced, and you have evidence in your record of a study done that went and looked at a comparable self-storage facility to analyze real parking demand, not parking demand that was just looked at conceptually. But what does a self-storage facility generate? And based on that study, which was introduced and reviewed by your staff, we are able to show that we will have parking in excess of what a similar type of facility would have, although it is below your code. Your code is obviously static. It doesn't speak to different uses. So self-storage is not the kind of storage that gets a lot of use. People don't tend to go to it every day. I'm sure to guess most of us have had a self-sorge facility at one point or another. And we know we go three, four times a year. So you're not getting that daily use. So we showed that and talked a lot more at length. But I want to make sure that the record is clear and you have that study. You've had that report and the city's had that report for several months. Landscape buffer variance, again, not along the side with Miss Alcevedo. We're simply pushing our parking in that triangle area closer to the sidewalk. And so we're not putting the seven foot landscape buffer there. What it means is that it'll be a little closer within our property to the sidewalk without a seven foot buffer, but not next to Miss Acevedo, next to a sidewalk that someone may walk in, but would simply have a car a little closer inside someone's property than they would otherwise. We think it's in order to be able to accommodate some additional surface street, surface parking for the use, we think it's a reasonable compromise. Next slide. We talked about the parking and traffic. Next slide. the c2 uses and we went through this one and then i started talking about c3 but c2 and again if we kept this and didn't do anything the corner c3 would have and the potential for those more intense uses the balance of it could have hospitals could have um schools could have uh you know hotels and motels something i know the city has looked you know and tried really hard to rid itself of within um the uh the the uh the the corridor the the okichobe corridor um Obviously, by approving new project and building something that isn't one of these things, you are ensuring your future and the progress of the city to not have some of these uses that I think over time, the city has tried and hope that they wouldn't go into. Next. Talked about the alley vacation area. Again, we are only vacating those portions on which we are on both sides. And so this limited 12-foot wide alley would be on the two sides where we own it. So on the triangle side and on the, let's call it the commercial side, so that it's one unified site plan. Ms. Acevedo has access to whatever portion of her alley she can access through the rear of her property that is unencumbered. She can go back there and and access it, but it would not impact that. Obviously, the residents there did not, the road there does not serve a function of connectivity. It serves, it's a relic. This council and the city has seen a lot of these alleys closed over the years. The requirement of us for the item before you for the alley is just to ensure that we either relocate or grant easements for any utilities and we've agreed to do so so to the extent that Comcast or Hialeah Water and Sewer or somebody needs to have a pipe running through or anything like that the commitment that we've made one of the conditions for approval would be that we would have to grant that and we've agreed to that previously next slide Again, I started out because Mr. Riley talked a little bit about some of the land use elements and the like. These are the staff recommendation from your professional staff. You know, I like to say they don't they don't you know, they need to call balls and strikes. Right. They need to just look at your code. They need to look at your master plan. Your city attorney looks at it with them and they determine whether something can be done. compatible with the request that's being made, we have their recommendation of approval this evening. And so rather than hearing from me why I think Mr. O'Reilly misread some of those statements, I would just urge you to follow your staff's recommendation where they go into how this project does actually meet your master plan. Next slide. zoning and meeting six to one vote just want to remind everyone this was recommended for approval six to one at planning and zoning similarly many of the same discussions that's when we first met the neighbor but again at that meeting we made the commitment that we would no longer park any trucks and we have not parked any trucks so the videos that you may have seen today may have been trucks traversing but no parks no trucks parked overnight which were the pictures that were shown to us initially at the planning and zoning meeting we've maintained and upheld that And now there's a code enforcement version that is checking on behalf of the city and we welcome it. We had no objection to that. So those are the rezoning variances and conditions that we added in addition to the ones your staff added and we're okay with all of them. Same thing with the alley vacation. I highlighted some of those alley vacation. That one was actually two of the three. The land use change and the alley vacation were unanimous. It was a five to one approval on the other one. So again, near unanimity. recommendation from your planning and zoning board who took the time to listen to this application. Next slide. Here are the pictures that we took after planning and zoning. Again, showing that we're not parking trucks. You've seen videos today of trucks that are coming in and out, and we recognize that a truck may traverse, but we're no longer parking there, which was the issue at hand when we were first before planning and zoning three weeks ago, four weeks ago at this point. Next slide. And I think we have a handout. So we had, I wanted to show the landscaping closest to Ms. Acevedo's house. And so we had our architect prepare just what, again, the seven foot buffer and the landscaping, which we are not touching and we are implementing, will look like you can handle. It's simple. It's just a simple graphic. But again, when you consider the nature of the variance for the landscape buffer, I wanted everyone to understand that it was related to the area closest to the sidewalk, not the area closest to the home. We are maintaining that buffer closest to the home. And obviously, we'll no longer be parking trucks there. And we'll not be operating overnight. All things that are not true today, certainly the operations and the hours. Mr. President, again, we appreciate the opportunity to answer any questions that they have. I mean, if it's a game of gotcha and we're going to show a video of a truck kind of driving through, I mean, listen, that's fine. You all have known me for a long time. The property owner is a property owner who owns a lot of property in the city and has been you know, a corporate citizen here for a long time. What we're looking to do is improve a project on a property on Okeechobee with a use that your staff supports, with a use that is compatible with the area. We are asking for requests that allow us to unify our property and we'll ironically, I think, remove a lot of the concerns and issues in the long run. If the desire is to stop this project, again, the C2 and C3 corridor would remain intact, would continue to be utilized 24 hours a day. That's just what the law says. And so I think that all of you, as you balance what's best for the city moving forward, in this case, what's best for the city moving forward, I think coincides well with what this property owner is intending to do. redevelop their property higher tax value for the city an opportunity to clean up the uses limit the hours of those uses and bring them forward to you so again i thank you for your time i urge you to vote favorably on all three items that you had before you today if there's anybody else i believe that public comment is going to be over but if there's any other public comment i reserve the right for any rebuttal and happy to answer any of your questions and again urge you to follow your staff's recommendation

Thank you. You were quick before you. Yes, sir. I lost Michael. Through the chair. Okay. The project, let's say where everything goes through, what's your timeline usually?

A couple of years, what's your... Yeah, I mean, it would take some time to obviously... So systematically, these have been tenants that have been there a long time. In fact, I think one of the tenants is here. Yeah. So one of the tenants is here and longstanding relationship. This isn't going to happen overnight, but it would happen hopefully over the next 12 to 18 months and then obviously bring down the building and then start building again.

And the next question will be the hours of operation for this business.

We will be closed. So it'll be open from 6 a.m. to midnight. There will be no operations at this site with the new project between midnight and 6 a.m. And constructions will be held probably start at 7 o'clock. We'll follow your cities. I haven't looked. I mean, whatever your city's regulations are, I am sure that your city has obviously standard regulations for hours of construction, and we will follow those. We are not asking for relief from those.

Thank you.

Anyone else, any questions for Hugo or Bill?

Just so I understand, and I put everything together, currently there, there's two businesses, right? There's the truck business, which is the gentleman in the back.

It's catering. Yeah, just the one catering business.

So all those trucks are from catering?

For that, yes, for that catering business. Correct. They provide catering to the airlines.

Okay. And they are not the owners of that property, correct? So they will be moving?

They will ultimately be. But they're here today. I mean, I think there's the gentleman you heard from him during public comment the first time when everyone kind of spoke at the beginning of the meeting. I mean, he's obviously... in support of the he will be impacted yes he is in support he is nodding yes i mean i suppose if you wanted to hear from him i didn't have him stand up um you know i think that again this property owner has been in this community for decades and i suspect that they're going to find and help him find a new home somewhere else um which will allow everybody to sort of thrive this property gets a new property and perhaps the the gentleman's family business which i think he stated was a family business move somewhere else That's why in answering Councilman Rodriguez's question, this isn't going to happen. We are not throwing our tenentees in support. We're not throwing our tenant out on the street. The jobs that that comes with, we will work with them.

Understood. And to the family, right? You know, I want to say, first of all, thank you for coming to a council meeting today. We don't get a lot, right? A lot of residents don't know that they can come and voice their opinion. I mean, ultimately, we're up here to represent residents and kind of make the best decisions for our city, right? And so these are some of these tough decisions because I have to say, I am not against development. I am pro-progress, how Bill said. I do. I do have concerns on this project, mainly because I've always kind of been very vocal about keeping local restaurants or businesses right in here. We are putting an I think it's six to eight story project. storage unit um and i know i know i mentioned that in the last one so i i have two questions um claudia the first one is for you professionally and i know that this is tough right but you know we do take your um your advice to us seriously, but do we really feel that this is the best project for that area? And I'm sorry to put you on the spot, but it was clearly put that this is something that you highly approve. I just, I don't see how this is a good project. So I'm just kind of trying to understand.

Understanding. I understand this is about feeling. Unfortunately, feelings are put under the table whenever I have to review an application personally. You go and you evaluate against what the regulations that we have in place are. Currently, of course, the conditions of the property, you have to evaluate that. Certain conditions, you know, that they are, you know, evidence and they are factual. So it's not about much feeling per se. Okay.

Understood. These all checked off, you know, basically they met the requirements and therefore because they meet the requirements, they received an approval.

That's correct.

Understood. And then the other question I have is in regards to what was brought up about the signage. and that the community is aware about this project. Was there flaws in that?

The code requires, actually, our section requires that there are signage placed every 165 feet, both frontage, in each frontage. So we provided the applicant with the four signs, and they have to provide an affidavit. And we received the affidavit that they were placed currently and the proper locations on site. So just that's how we confirm it, an affidavit? An affidavit, yes.

And so I don't know, do we have the opportunity for Bill who brought up the fact, Mr. President, to kind of, since he brought up the fact that we were out of compliance, do we know, can we kind of hear? I'm just curious, were we out of compliance or were we not?

Well, I think your planner is telling you that the city believes that we're in compliance. I mean, you can ask. Mr. Riley's going to tell you we're not, but your planner and your city are telling you that we are.

But, you know, I didn't like to elaborate on the item because just – In case there is an appeal, I always want to make sure that this is clear for the record. So as your staff said, who is a tremendous asset to the city, she's one of the best planners in the South Florida, it's the applicant's responsibility to come to the city, pick up the signage, go to the property, place them every 165 feet. The code says shall, not may or can or anything, wiggle room like that. They signed an affidavit saying, we did this, Eddie. And the city says, okay, we're relying upon you. They said no. that you did what you said you did in the affidavit. The city has no other responsibilities. The city did what they're supposed to do. The issue is in your staff recommendation, your packet of material, and it's just not my picture. This is in your recommendation. The applicant just didn't do that. The applicant took the three signs and put them all right up against each other. and signed the affidavit, and it's incorrect. Now, from a legal standpoint, my opinion, and I'm sure Mr. Arza has a different opinion, and I respect Hugo tremendously as well. He's a friend and a great attorney. I believe that it's fundamentally a fatal flaw in this application.

Thank you. So, Madam Attorney, what do we do in that case?

Just for clarification, I mean, the way that the courts have basically interpreted these type of matters when there's opposition from like neighbors and things like that, they have basically overturned a decision where the council has basically just based their opinion on the fact that they do not like the project or there's just opposition from neighbors. At the end of the day, what you have before you The standard that has to be met is competent, substantial evidence that would amount to this being in compliance with the comp plan amendment. And that's what's being proposed here. Low density to commercial. And as Claudia had explained, everything that's been presented is basically aligned with that. But it can't be based on feelings or just on opposition, because I can say that based on all the research that I've conducted in the past, courts have not looked favorably on that being a reason why not to approve a project. So, okay.

And I understand and listen, I think these, these types of scenarios are great. 1, I, myself, I'm learning, but to our residents who watch these meetings kind of also understand, right? Why we make decisions that we make. So, let me just understand what you're saying is that when a project meets all the guidelines. pretty much like checks off all of our requirements. And if we were to say no to a project and it goes to court that they could favor with, they could favor, you know, with the developer or the development, even though we decided no, because they meet the requirements.

It all depends on the finding of the council. If the council makes a finding that is not compatible, then that's a different.

But if it does meet, then yes. So then the question is, why do we vote on these things if everything meets?

It's a variance they're asking. Okay.

We have to take counsel vice president. I think we have to take everything on a case by case. Okay. Understood. So I wouldn't make a blanket statement, just saying that everything that comes before this council just needs to criteria. It just happens that it goes through a process of planning and zone of going before the planning and zoning board being different types of hearings. And changes happening, I mean, you know, it's very fluid. And what comes before you is just the final result of all that process.

Okay, understood. And then my last question on the, I guess, the legality of notifying the residents. Do the three signs together meet our requirement of the 165 feet?

I haven't taken a look. I would defer to Claudia because I haven't seen the signs.

No, I will not. So that, I mean, I have to say, like, something like that, I know in the past, these type of things, we don't even, they kind of just get deferred because they don't meet the requirements, right? So something like that's coming to us now. Now what do we do? Because now if it's not meeting the requirements and we vote yes... What happens?

I'm sorry. Well, maybe she needs clever. We did meet that. We did comply with the notification. Yes or no.

The picture that it was shown, it was to the three signs altogether pile in one place. Our code requires that the signs are placed every 165 feet. Now, whenever they went to public planning and zoning board meeting, that was the request. I don't know what happened between the posting of the signage and now when that picture was taken. So we'll have to figure it out when they were compiling one location. and if there is a record. Now, what we follow is the affidavit. Once we give the signs to the applicant and we have a signed affidavit before our planning and zoning board meeting, then is when we accept that affidavit. That picture, I don't know the date, I don't know the time, I don't know who took it, so it will have to be confirmed, all those items. But to your question, no, it will not comply.

Let me point out, Madam. Did we get a sign for each of the three items?

You have to, yes.

So these three refer possibly to the three items, the rezoning. You have three items before you. It is entirely possible that there are three duplicates 165 feet away.

That there are duplicates somewhere.

It could be, yes.

I would also note for the record that mailing notices are sent out as part of your... And those are in evidence. And then finally, to your point about restaurants, there is no restaurant today. I remind you, I didn't say it today. We're leaving the ground floor for retail. There actually will be an opportunity for a restaurant, which does not exist today. So I make that I make that point for you. I know you mentioned and I heard you loud and clear the first time and I listen to you. You got kids, I got kids, I get it. You need to find a place to take the kids to eat. We all struggle through that on a daily basis. Not every site is great for that, but this one is actually going to incorporate ground floor. So I think the evidence before you both on the advertisement and all of that is clear.

I have one more question. So our signs, and perfect point, right? Because those signs could be on different projects. Because they all have the same address, right?

They have the same address, but you have three applications. You're voting three applications. One is the land use amendment. The second one is the rezoning. And the third one is the alley vacation. So you have three requests in front of you. Okay.

So my question is the signage that we provide to the applicant, does it not show a difference on what they are...

the content of each signage is different.

Okay, but we would know based off the picture, right? If it was, if they're all the same or they're different. Okay, so that's simple.

If you zoom in, You can read it. I mean, you can just tell that all three of them have different amounts of text. They're not three of the same sign. You have three applications before you. This is a picture of this location. This is valid in your code. I don't need to put for this. These are all different signs. These don't have to be 165 feet from each other. But anyway, I think we've kind of hit that point.

Motion.

We have a motion from, unless, okay. Motion from Councilman William Marrero on 16A and a second from Councilman Luis Gonzalez. Please call the roll.

Ms. M. Perez? No. I'm sorry, I didn't hear. No. Mr. Rodriguez?

Yes.

Mr. Zogby?

Yes.

Mr. Marrero?

Yes.

Mr. Gonzalez?

Yes.

Ms. G. Perez? Yes. Ms. De La Vega? No. Motion carries. The item is approved.

If nobody has any objection, we'll move on to 17C. Madam Clerk, could you read that into the record, please? Thank you.

Second reading and public hearing of proposed ordinance rezoning properties from C3 Extended Liberal Commercial District to C2 Liberal Retail Commercial District for the properties located at 489, 491, 493, and 499 East Okeechobee Road, Hialeah, and from R1 One Family District to C2 Liberal Retail Commercial District for the property located at 652 Southeast Fifth Avenue, Hialeah, And granting variances to allow 51 parking spaces where 68 parking spaces are required. One loading parking space where three loading parking spaces are required. And zero foot landscape buffer adjacent to three proposed parking spaces where a minimum seven foot landscape buffer is required. All contracts the City of Hialeah Code of Ordinances Section 98-2189, 98-2202. And the City of Hialeah Landscape Manual updated June of 2026. Section D, for the properties located at 455-475 East Okeechobee Road, Hialeah, and folio numbers 0431-200-005-1280 and 0431-200-005-1290, currently zoned as C2, 489, 491, 493, and 499 East Okeechobee Road, Hialeah, currently zoned C3 and 652 Southeast Fifth Avenue, Hialeah, currently zoned R1. Repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith, providing penalties for violation hereof, providing for a severability clause, and providing for an effective date.

Thank you. Item 17C is on second reading. We've heard from... Public comment in opposition. Motion to approve. And we have a motion to approve on 17C from Luis Gonzalez.

Second.

Second from Councilman William Marrero. Please call the roll.

Mr. Rodriguez. Yes. Mr. Zogby.

Yes.

Mr. Marrero. Yes. Mr. Gonzalez. Yes. Ms. G. Perez. Yes. Ms. De La Vega. No. Ms. M. Perez. No. Motion carries. The item is approved.

Thank you. We're moving to 17E. Madam Clerk.

Second reading and public hearing of proposed ordinance approving the closure, vacation, and abandonment of the existing 12-foot alley located in East Hialeah to the west of Southeast Fifth Avenue, extending northwesterly approximately 193.30 feet between lots 18, and 25 block 7 of the East Hialeah plot and track 7 of the revised plot of block 7 of the subdivision of East Hialeah containing approximately 2,053.78 square feet as depicted on the plan attached here too and made a part hereof as exhibited and legally described therein, repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith, providing penalties for violation hereof, providing for a severability clause and providing for an effective deed.

Second reading, but public comments have been heard. Pleasure of the council on 17E. Motion from Councilman Luis Gonzalez. Second from Councilman William Marrero. Please call the roll. Mr. Zogby? Yes.

Mr. Marrero?

Yes.

Mr. Gonzalez?

Yes.

Ms. G. Perez? Yes. Ms. De La Vega? No. Ms. M. Perez? No. Mr. Rodriguez?

Yes.

Motion carries. The item is approved.

Thank you all. Have a good evening. Have a good night. Have a good night, Bill. Thank you all.

I just want to say one thing really quickly. I have to. My job. I don't believe that the applicants got an opportunity to speak at the last hearing. I just want to put them on the record. But I thank you all for hearing me tonight.

Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. Madam Clerk, item 17B, please.

First, reading of proposed ordinance amending the future land use map of the City of Hialeah Comprehensive Plan pursuant to Section 163.3187 of the Florida Statute Small Scale Development Amendment to change the land use designation from kennel to industrial for the property located at 251 West 27th Street, Hialeah, currently zoned M1, legally described herein. repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith, providing penalties for violation hereof, providing for a severability clause, and providing for an effective deed.

Item 17B is on second reading, open for public discussion. First reading. 17B? Yes. Second reading.

16B. We're back to line. Oh. Sorry.

Yes, we are. Oh, that's right. I was wondering why you got up. You're the lobbyist on this one, Frank. Did you know that? I have it. First reading. Sir, go ahead. Anybody have any questions for Frank? Go ahead.

Frank de la Paz, 11,000 Southwest 104th Street, Mahama, Florida, on behalf of the property owner. Yes, sir. 251 West 27th Street. I mean, there's nothing to say about this except that I'm looking forward to approval. If anybody has any questions, what is it that we're doing?

Well said, Frank. We have a motion from Councilman Gonzalez. We have a second from William Marrero. Please call the roll.

Mr. Marrero?

Yes. I'm sorry. Are you open for public hearing? No, not. This is on first reading. Yeah, yeah. Okay. Thank you.

Mr. Gonzalez?

Yes.

Ms. G. Perez? Yes. Ms. De La Vega? Ms. M. Perez? Mr. Rodriguez? Yes. Mr. Zogby?

Yes.

Motion carries. The item is approved. Second reading and public hearing is scheduled for September 22nd, 2026 at 7 p.m. What's going to be left of our dog town in a few years, Frank?

There is one property next to it that is still a kennel. You're kidding. Okay, great. Thank you, Frankie. Okay, now we can go to 17B, right? Yes? Yes. I think we're done with, yes. Okay, 17B.

Second reading and public hearing of proposed ordinance granting variances to allow front setback of zero feet or 10 feet is required. Street side setback of 6.75 feet or 10 feet is required. 53.35% lock coverage where 45% is the maximum lock coverage allowed. parking within the required front setback where parking in the front setback is not allowed, parking stalls and parking lanes to cover 57% of the total lot size, where parking stalls and parking lanes shall cover no more than 55% of the total lot size, and two-way driveway width of 17.66 feet, where 20 feet is the minimum required. All contracts to City of Hialeah Code of Ordinances Section 98-641, 98-642, and 98-2188 for the property located at 215 East 8th Street, Hialeah Zoned R3D Multifamily District, legally described herein. Providing for conditions, repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith, providing penalties for violation hereof, providing for a severability clause, and providing for an effective deed.

Hmm. Mr. Gombardi? Good evening. Good evening, sir. Did you want to... This is on second reading. We can take public comments, too. Do we have any? Does anyone have any questions? No? Okay. We have a motion for 17B from... Luis Rodriguez. And we have a second from Councilman Luis Gonzalez. Please call the roll.

Ms. G. Perez. Yes. Ms. De La Vega. Yes. Ms. M. Perez. Mr. Rodriguez. Yes. Mr. Zogby. Yes. Mr. Marrero.

Yes.

Mr. Gonzalez. Yes. Motion carries. The item is approved.

Have a good night, sir. Great. Thank you. I just want to add one thing. You have a great zoning staff. I'm sorry? I just want to add that your zoning staff is great.

Thank you.

It's an easy process, so I commend you guys for having such a wonderful staff.

We know that. Thank you, sir. Thank you for reminding us. Thank you. Okay. I think we're moving on to 17D, right? That's right. Okay.

Second reading and public hearing of proposed ordinance granting a variance to allow business and professional services on the ground floor where business and professional services are not allowed on the ground floor. Contra to City of Hialeah Code of Ordinance Section 98-1543, Subsection B-2 for the property located at 1033 East 25th Street, Hialeah, zoned TOD, transit-oriented development, legally described herein, providing for conditions, revealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith, providing penalties for violation hereof, providing for a severability clause, and providing for an effective deed.

Through the chair.

Yes, sir. On item D? On item D, yes. So I motion to table the item to the next scheduled meeting. September 22nd? Correct. I motion.

Can we open for public participation?

Yes. I'm sorry. Wait a minute. Public participation, nobody. Go ahead.

Maritza Haro-Salgado, Office of 200 South Biscayne Boulevard, here on behalf of the applicant. I just, I'd ask, like, why the item is being tabled, and I also wanted to update the council.

I don't know if he needs to, does he need to do that? No. No, let's not, let's not get into that at this point. Yeah. Okay.

to the day if the standard parliamentary procedure is as if there's a motion on the table before the item is voted on, there has to be a vote on the motion.

So we have a, thank you. We have a motion to table from Councilman William Marrero.

Until when, sir?

22nd. Right?

Yeah.

We have a motion to table.

Second.

We have a second from Councilman Luis Rodriguez to table the item till September 22nd.

Ms. Zala-Vega? No. Ms. M. Perez? No. Mr. Rodriguez? Yes. Mr. Zogby?

Yes.

Mr. Marrero?

Yes.

Mr. Gonzalez?

No.

Ms. G. Perez? No. Motion fails at the pleasure of the council.

Okay, so pleasure of the council on this?

If I may, I'd like to update the council.

Yes, yes.

Thank you. Since the last reading, we've been working with staff to essentially understand that the city is looking for support with the High Align initiative. In order to create a win-win situation in light of the very minimal impacts, in fact, this project, as I mentioned in my presentation during the last, during first reading, will allow us to get this TOD district started and bring in that foot traffic that is so critical for the commercial uses in the area. In an effort to support the higher line, our client is committed because I saw that in the agenda. This was not properly reflected. I would ask that the we've my client has committed to a declaration of restrictions, which I'd like to share with the council and three specific conditions, which. So the staff recommendation was updated to reflect three specific conditions. One is that the ground floor plan being consistent with the plan that was submitted on April 13th, 2026. And our client is willing to make a $30,000 contribution to the city's Highline initiative prior to issuance of a certificate of use for the ground floor office use. And then lastly, that the business and professional office spaces be permitted on the ground level under the management of a single entity, such as a shared office concept similar to Regis or any similar business model. And the ground level is not to be permitted to function as independent offices unless a separate proposal is submitted to the Planning and Zoning Division. We'd ask that these conditions and the proffered declaration be included into the record and replace the prior staff report. And we would just ask the council to reconsider and approve this project. It's good for the district. It does exactly what the city has been looking to do in this area since 2016. It's gonna bring that foot traffic and support. The building next door has commercial ground floor space. for potential coffee, restaurants, et cetera. So we'd ask the council to reconsider and vote consistent with the first readings vote for approval.

Thank you.

If I may, through the chair?

Yes, ma'am.

Can you tell me a little bit about this company that's coming? What's the name?

Regis? Regis, yes. Can you tell me a little bit about them? Absolutely. I have a full presentation that I gave at first reading, and I don't know if staff is able to pull it out.

Oh, either one. So just give me some of the background information.

They're a multinational corporation. They've been around for over 37 years with over 6,000 locations worldwide. They provide serviced offices, co-working spaces, virtual offices, and meeting rooms on flexible terms. So essentially, Regus provides individuals, freelancers, entrepreneurs, small businesses... the opportunity to work anywhere in the world without a burden of long-term commercial leases. This provides flexibility for Hialeah's entrepreneurs. Specifically, you can think of, you can go online if you're a member of Regis, you can book, let's say you're traveling to Miami, you can book an office space in this location. This is not only going to bring regular foot traffic, but also the attention travelers, those from out of town, which is exactly the kind of visibility we want for the city as this district takes off.

And some of the retail space, it's going to be around the little pockets. They're going to have like a little cafe, you said, right?

So we've currently structured the site plan so that there's a small, there's the cafe snack area is located along 25th Street. And the... Essentially, the current proposal and what we've discussed with staff is that the entire ground floor would be utilized by Regis. We had previously mentioned that we could limit the East 25th facade to service type uses. Think of somebody that does nails or a barber. under our prior discussions with staff that we figured that it was better to provide a contribution towards the Highline initiative instead of limiting those uses. And, you know, Regis would have to then sort of create these units but that they don't necessarily have uh tenants lined up for so they could potentially be vacant so the current um under the current the latest staff recommendation and the covenant is essentially to provide regions allow regions to operate the ground floor um with that coffee snack bar along 25th there's also a separate from this permit but already existing a grab-and-go market which provides again that same foot traffic that the city's looking for. Perfect.

Thank you. Claudia, can I ask you a question? The contribution that the applicant wants to make to the High Line, do we have like a designated nonprofit account that's meant for these kind of funds that we could just put away until we have collected suffice money from those participants that are through that mile of the High Line to then eventually develop that project?

We do have a specific account under the capital improvement projects, I believe. We don't have a nonprofit account, but we do have it under the budget, under the CIP section of the budget. There is a line for the Highline.

For the Highline. Currently, I don't know if you would, but I'm going to ask either way. Do we currently have a balanced number of how much is in that account for the Highline currently?

We have budgeted under the current budget. We have monies allocated. And for the future that you tonight, your modern first reading, there's also monies allocated because we didn't spend as much money during this fiscal year.

But you don't know off the top of your head, like what's the balance previously?

I think it was $100,000 for the next fiscal year, if I remember correctly.

But we achieved that by us transferring our money, our general fund money into that for capital projects? It came from impact fees. From impact fees.

Yes.

Okay. So what's like an average that we got? Do you know?

No, impact fees basically are from projects, but we designated just for the higher line. Please don't take me on this one. I think it's $100,000 for next fiscal year.

Okay, but no applicant has ever really donated to this at all?

They have offered other projects, but what happened is those monies, they come whenever the project comes for a building permit application. Whenever they finish the process, the review and everything, they're ready to come for the building permit to pay. Then it's when they paid also that contribution. So all that time since at the moment that you approve a project, right? And then it goes to design and complete construction documents and everything. It will take up a while. So there are a couple of projects that they have proffered, but they haven't been yet.

They haven't paid yet.

Correct.

Okay. I would be interested in seeing who those players are, who those applicants are, if you don't mind sending me a list of those. And just because we're asking for... They're asking for a variance due to our code, the way it was written, right? Because we are the mistake. We had written office slash retail. So therefore, the word office is an assumption to the lease that was given.

That was... Yes, that was the mistake, but the code is very clear. The code says that no offices are in the ground level. Unfortunately, the mistake was whenever they submitted for the building permit, it was that connotation on office retail.

Right.

But our code is very clear. That's why they have to request a variance if they want to, you know, provide that flexibility from the code.

All right. Thank you, Claudia. I appreciate it. I motion to approve.

We have a motion to approve on D. Second. We have a second to approve on D. Please call the roll.

Ms. M. Perez? Yes. Mr. Rodriguez?

Yes.

Mr. Zogby?

No.

Mr. Marrero?

No.

Mr. Gonzalez? Yes. Ms. G. Perez? Yes. Ms. De La Vega? Yes. Motion carries. The item is approved. Thank you. Good evening.

Good evening. We have item 17F.

First reading of proposed ordinance rezoning properties from C1 Restricted Retail Commercial District to R2 One and Two Family Residential District for the property located at 521 West 24th Street, Hialeah and folio number 0430120101060 and granting variances to allow Total lot width of 40 feet or a minimum lot width of 75 feet is required. A total lot area of 3,520 square feet or a minimum of 7,500 square feet is required. An interior east side setback of 6 feet or 7.5 feet is required. An interior west side setback of 6.58 feet or 7.5 feet is required. A rear setback of 5.16 feet or a minimum of 25 feet is required. and a lot coverage of 32% for the principal residential structure, where 30% is the maximum lot coverage allowed, all contra to Hialeah Code of Ordinances section 98-544, 98-546, 98-547, and 98-2056, subsection B2. For the properties located at 521 West 24th Street, Hialeah, identified by Miami-Dade County Police, Property appraiser folio numbers 0430120101050 and 04301201060. Currently zoned as C1. Repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith. Providing penalties for violation hereof. Providing for a severability clause and providing for an effective deed.

Thank you. This is on first reading, not open for public discussion. But certainly, OK. Is it one house? What's the size of this lot? We want to put a duplex on a 3,500 square foot lot?

The lots are approximately, let's see.

Oh, these are two folios. Yeah, it's two lots. OK, got you. Uh, okay.

It's 3,520. Um, and then the other one is, you know, the applicant's question. So you're a lot area. Yes. Of 3,3,520 where 7,500 square feet are required. Okay.

We have a motion from, thank you. Oh, go ahead.

Sorry. Through the chair. So the two lots are which ones? 5, 2, 1. And your next each and one.

You're next to each other on West 24th Street.

It's lot 11 and 10. Okay, thank you.

If I may through the chair? Yes, ma'am. But there's no other duplex within the radius? They're all single family homes or the church, right?

There's one on the corner.

This is facing the park? Yes. It is.

It's Seminola.

Yeah. Okay. So this is... Where's the rec room here? No.

The what? I'm sorry?

Our rec room is in the... Isn't like the virtual, isn't the virtual rec room there? I thought it was there where this, where the duplex is. No, I guess it's here. Am I 545 Seminola? Is that it?

That's a four place.

That's a four place. Oh, okay. Okay.

Go across the street. It's a duplex. It's a duplex. And then you keep going and then there's a single family. Okay.

All right.

That's where I want to do the other duplex.

Got it. Got it. I understand. Thank you.

Thank you.

There is already a motion, isn't there?

Yes. Okay. From Councilman Luis Gonzalez. Second from Councilman Luis Rodriguez. Please call the roll.

Mr. Rodriguez. Yes. Mr. Zoghbi.

Yes.

Mr. Marrero. Mr. Gonzalez.

Yes.

Ms. G. Perez. Yes. Ms. De La Vega. Yes. Ms. M. Perez. Yes. Motion carries. The item is approved. Second reading and public hearing is scheduled for September 22nd, 2026 at 7 p.m.

Thank you. Thank you, Chair. Item 17G, Madam Clerk, please.

First, reading of proposed ordinance granting a variance to allow the expansion of a legal non-conforming single-family residence, including an existing addition with an interior west side setback of 5.7 feet, where 7.5 feet are required, contract to Hialeah Court of Ordinances, section 98-501, for the property located at 750 East 31st Street, Hialeah, zoned R1, one family district legally described herein, providing for conditions repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith, providing penalties for violation hereof, providing for a severability clause, and providing for an effective deed.

Item G is on first reading, 17G, not open for public discussion, but certainly open for questions from the dais. um claudia question that's the only uh variants they want the uh setback the site west side site setback that's correct okay and then they're legalizing an addition yeah okay and that but that's the only thing they need to legalize and i just that's correct Yeah, okay. Like two feet. All right. Motion to... Anybody have any questions? We have a motion from Councilman Gonzalez. Luis Gonzalez, we have a second from Councilman Luis Rodriguez. Please call the roll.

Mr. Zogby?

Yes.

Mr. Marrero? Yes. Mr. Gonzalez? Yes. Ms. G. Perez? Yes. Ms. De La Vega? Yes. Ms. M. Perez?

Yes.

Mr. Rodriguez? Yes. Motion carries. The item is approved. Second reading and public hearing is scheduled for September 22nd, 2026 at 7 p.m. Have a good night.

Thank you. If no one else has any comments, I will adjourn the meeting, the council meeting of September 8th, 2026 at 9.57 p.m.