October 2002 Design Institute
South Dade, Miami-Dade County
[See also the Results page]
The South Dade area, comprised of Goulds and Naranja and nearby
unincorporated areas, is the last development frontier within Miami-Dade
County. Approximate boundaries of the area are from its northern
limit at SW 216th Street to it southern limit at SW 336th Street;
its eastern limit is the urban growth boundary while US-1 is the
western edge.
The area lacks adequate roads and schools and suffers from an insufficient
economic base. A smart growth strategy is needed to produce compact
development and reduce sprawl while providing measures to boost its
economy by providing jobs and a sufficient tax base. The Florida
Public Officials Design Institute at Abacoa identified key components
necessary for a strategic action plan for the area.
Components of the plan addressed the critical timing and urgency
of development pressures, creating a vision or master plan both with
short-term and long-term goals. The need to communicate with developers
to create consensus was emphasized.
The recommendations for the Miami-Dade study area include:
• involving the Water Management District to devise an area plan considering
both development and watershed planning,
• implementing development incentives with desired design protocols,
• reviewing zoning codes,
• establishing road networks,
• creating a conceptual master plan,
• addressing the issue of creating charter schools,
• identifying the need for and location of parks, and
• identifying possible new or key industries for the area.
A task force or board comprised of informed local citizens, commissioners,
and developers should be formed and charged with the responsibilities
of garnering support for the action plan. This should include the
creation of design guidelines as well as incentives that will encourage
compact and desirable growth patterns. |
