Corner-lot motor courts, a 5-foot generator setback and a 45-foot cap on Block 36 passed 5-0 on first reading Tuesday. Second votes are listed for Oct. 27.

Coral Gables homeowners on corner lots could soon add a motor court for extra parking. Standby generators would get one clear setback rule. The City Commission takes its first vote on both changes Tuesday.

Updated Oct. 15: The commission approved all three zoning ordinances 5-0 on first reading Tuesday, according to the city’s meeting record. The city’s legislative records list the driveway and generator rules and the Block 36 height cap for second reading Oct. 27. The $60,000 bike and pedestrian plan grant passed on a voice vote. Results for each item are under “What happened Tuesday” below.

The commission meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Police and Fire Headquarters, 2151 Salzedo St., in the Community Meeting Room. The final revised agenda was printed Thursday evening. The meeting is open to the public and also runs on Zoom.

Three zoning changes are on the agenda as ordinances on first reading. Each needs a second vote at a later meeting before it takes effect. The Planning and Zoning Board recommended all three on Sept. 16, each by a 5-0 vote.

Driveways, motor courts and generators

Since 2018 the city’s zoning code has required garages on many corner lots to face the side street. Driveways can only lead to a garage, carport or porte-cochere. The city’s staff memo said that left residents with several cars, and their visitors, walking around the house to reach the front door. Staff reviewed the rules after resident feedback.

The proposed ordinance would:

  • allow a motor court, which the memo describes as “a large, paved area for vehicles,” on corner lots as extra access, subject to Board of Architects review of scale, location, materials and fit with the neighborhood
  • set driveways at least 18 inches from side and rear property lines
  • set driveways at least 5 feet from front and corner property lines, except where the driveway meets the curb cut
  • set one minimum 5-foot side or rear setback for mechanical equipment and permanently installed standby generators

Rules on curb cuts, front-yard placement, noise and screening would not change, according to the memo. A standby generator is a common hurricane-season project here, so the setback rule matters to anyone planning one. Permit details are on our building permits and zoning page.

A 45-foot cap on one Crafts Section block

The commission will also vote on a height limit for Block 36 of the Crafts Section. The block is bounded by Malaga Avenue, Salzedo Street, Santander Avenue and LeJeune Road, just south of downtown.

The city set a limit of three stories or 45 feet there in 2021, after a petition from residents of the 300 block of Malaga Avenue. The block was meant as a transition between the mixed-use blocks to the north and homes to the south, including the San Sebastian apartment building.

The staff memo on Block 36 said the current wording “may be interpreted” to allow extra stories through the city’s Mediterranean architecture incentives. The change would set a flat 45-foot maximum and state that those bonus stories do not apply.

A third ordinance would change the height exclusion rules in the Mediterranean design section of the code to include enclosed areas as accessory uses.

Everything else on Tuesday’s agenda

  • Bike and pedestrian plan: an interlocal agreement to accept a $60,000 grant from the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization for a citywide bicycle and pedestrian master plan. The city memo said the plan will find gaps in sidewalks and bike routes and rank safety fixes.
  • Runoff canvassing board: the city clerk asks the commission to appoint the board that would certify a Dec. 1 runoff, if the Nov. 3 city election needs one. Our voting guide lists the candidates and key dates.
  • Tax collector: Miami-Dade Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez is set to give an update on a commission fee waiver and mobile office events at 10 a.m.
  • Feral cats: a discussion of Miami-Dade County help with spaying and neutering feral cats at 11:30 a.m., sponsored by Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson.
  • North Gables and the Mobility Hub: Anderson also put forward discussions of beautification in North Gables, the ground-floor businesses and ramp at the Mobility Hub, and access to overflow parking at 430, 440 and 450 University Drive.
  • August testimony: Commissioner Melissa Castro sponsored an update on “the investigation into alleged false testimony” given at the commission’s Aug. 25 meeting. The agenda gives no further detail.
  • Travel expenses: a discussion sponsored by Castro.
  • Contracts: a no-bid contract with Carivon Construction Co. for interior work at 427 Biltmore Way, estimated at $371,104, and a fire plan review contract with Fire Code Pro Inc.

The agenda also recognizes the Parks and Recreation Department for winning reaccreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies on Sept. 30. It declares October “Disability Acceptance Month” and “National Arts and Humanities Month” in Coral Gables.

What happened Tuesday

The commission voted Tuesday, Oct. 13. All five members voted yes on each roll call below.

  • Motor courts, driveways and generators: approved 5-0 on first reading. Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson moved it and Commissioner Fernandez seconded.
  • Block 36 height cap of 45 feet: approved 5-0 on first reading.
  • Mediterranean height exclusion: approved 5-0 on first reading.
  • Bike and pedestrian plan grant: the $60,000 interlocal agreement passed on a voice vote.
  • Runoff canvassing board: appointed by unanimous vote, ready for a Dec. 1 runoff if one is needed.
  • Contracts: the Carivon Construction contract and the fire plan review contract passed on voice votes.
  • August testimony: the update on the investigation was discussed and filed. The record gives no further detail.
  • Feral cats, North Gables, the Mobility Hub and the University Drive lots: discussed and filed, with no vote.
  • Commissioner Melissa Castro’s appointment to a Florida League of Cities committee was deferred 3-2. Castro and Fernandez voted no.

The draft minutes and vote tallies are on the city’s legislative site, and the meeting video is on CGTV.

What it means for you

  • If you own a corner lot and want more off-street parking, or plan a standby generator, these rules decide where you can put them.
  • You can speak in person or on Zoom at zoom.us/j/3054466800, or by phone at 305-461-6769 (meeting ID 3054466800). Press *9 on the phone to raise your hand.
  • Public comment on any item comes early in the meeting, with three minutes a speaker and one hour in all.
  • To comment in writing, use the city’s e-comment form at coralgables.com/commissionmeetings or email cityclerk@coralgables.com before 9 a.m. Tuesday.
  • Watch live at coralgables.com/cgtv or on Comcast Channel 77.
  • Need a sign language interpreter or other help? The agenda asks you to call the ADA coordinator at 305-722-8686 at least three business days before the meeting.

Who runs which office at City Hall is on our who to call page.