Results

Public Official: Commissioner Katy Sorenson
October 2002 Session

Final Report

Description of Project
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.

Design Institute Recommendations
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,
• 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.

Results
Commissioner Sorenson writes: "We are dubbing the project "Palm Glade," and I brought together our planning and zoning department, parks, library, school board, developers and their attorneys to create a cohesive community. Zoning applications are moving forward and progress is being made. You were tremendously helpful!"

Additionally, FAU's Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions is working with Miami-Dade County as a convener of a Technical Review Committee for the South Miami Dade Watershed Project.

January 2005

Commissioner Sorenson is seeking to promote a number of “smart growth” plans for South Miami-Dade County and has sponsored many community planning initiatives called Charrettes. Community plans for Cutler Ridge, Old Cutler, Princeton, Naranja, and Leisure City have been developed and recently Naranja's plan was enacted into law as the "Naranja Community Urban Center Zoning District" setting the stage for a traditional town center for that community.

naranja

goulds

Additional Contacts

Commissioner Sorenson District8@miamidade.gov

Sylvia Farina, Chief of Staff (305) 375-5218

Miami-Dade County Planning & Zoning

(305) 375-2800   dpnz@miamidade.gov