Spotlight 201-260421

Good morning. What we’re covering in today’s Spotlight:

A Design Plan for Kirk Munroe Park
An Event Waiver for The Hangar
The Mayor’s Proposed Zoning Change
Pardo’s Wish List for Park Funding

Design Plans for Kirk Munroe Park Near Finish Line

The design team at work planning proposed improvements to Kirk Munroe Park and Fuller Street in Coconut Grove presented its latest plans for both public spaces last week during a community meeting at Miami City Hall.

By Jenny Jacoby

After a year of community meetings, the proposed redesign of Kirk Munroe Park in Center Grove has arrived at a fully visualized plan – one that bears little resemblance to today’s park with its patchy grass and outdated recreation equipment.

“I think we’re getting really close to saying this is your park,” said Rafael Portuondo, the president of Portuondo Perotti Architects, one of the design firms hired to work with local stakeholders to craft a final plan for proposed park improvements.

The park plan presented by Portuondo and others on Thursday at Miami City Hall was well received by the passionate though smaller-than-usual crowd that attended the third of four planned public meetings.

Commission to Consider New Waiver for Events at The Hangar

The City of Miami will consider lifting the annual 10-event cap at The Hangar through the end of 2026, a year after commissioners approved a similar exemption for the privately-operated Dinner Key venue.

By David Villano

The Miami City Commission on Thursday will consider whether to again waive limits on special events at The Hangar, the privately-operated Dinner Key venue that has become a flashpoint over noise, traffic and the private use of public waterfront land.

A resolution sponsored by District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo would suspend the city’s 10-event annual limit for the publicly-owned property, just north of Miami City Hall, from April 23 — the day of the vote — through the end of 2026.

The legislation confirms the property has already reached its limit for the year.

City to Consider Reducing High-Density Setbacks Near Single-Family Homes

A proposal aimed at making it easier to build on smaller, irregular infill lots includes a provision to eliminate an extra buffer between taller buildings and neighboring single-family homes.

By David Villano

The Miami City Commission will consider a zoning change on Thursday that would eliminate an extra setback requirement designed to create space between single-family homes and nearby larger-scale development.

The proposed ordinance, sponsored by Mayor Eileen Higgins, would remove a rule requiring additional side and rear setbacks when mid- and high-rise projects — typically five stories or more — are built next to single-family homes.

If approved, those projects would instead follow standard setback requirements, eliminating the extra buffer and allowing buildings to be constructed closer to neighboring properties.

Pardo Seeks Funding for Park Improvements in Coconut Grove

Miami District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo will try again this week to secure $15 million in “public benefit” money from a city trust fund for park improvements and affordable housing projects in Coconut Grove and other parts of his district. Pardo’s request for $10 million in park funding and $5 million for affordable housing was derailed on April 9 when Commission Chairwoman Christine King objected, saying the process for allocating the trust funding among five commission district was not fair. Pardo’s request is back on the agenda for Thursday’s commission meeting, with a list of projects to be funded, if approved. Pardo’s wish list includes $1.95 million for playgrounds at three Coconut Grove parks — Armbrister Park, Merrie Christmas Park, and Alice Wainwright Park – an additional $500,000 for enhancements to Kennedy Park, and $650,000 for improvements at Regatta Park.