Miramar City Commission Meeting - October 16, 2024: Proclamations, Affordable Housing Denial, and Multiple Approvals
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Miramar City Commission Meeting - October 16, 2024
Meeting called to order at 4:30 PM. The Miramar City Commission convened on October 16, 2024, to address a full agenda including proclamations, advisory board updates, consent agenda items, a homeless camping ordinance, salary adjustments, land development code amendments, and several quasi-judicial items. Notable actions included the unanimous denial of a proposed 84-unit affordable housing development on Foxcroft Road after strong resident opposition, the approval of a dual-brand hotel and a Raising Cane's restaurant, and the celebration of outgoing Vice Mayor Alexandra P. Davis's service.
Proclamations & Presentations
- Chamber Day, October 16, 2024: A proclamation was presented to recognize the Miramar Pembroke Pines Regional Chamber of Commerce for its contributions to economic prosperity and community partnerships. The city’s first-year chamber fee subsidy program has helped grow membership, with Miramar small businesses now outnumbering Pembroke Pines members.
- Alexandra P. Davis Day: The commission declared October 16, 2024 as Alexandra P. Davis Day, honoring her decade of service on the commission and upcoming transition to Broward County Commission District 7. Vice Mayor Davis was awarded a key to the city and praised for her leadership in public safety, infrastructure, and cultural events.
- Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Update: Board Chair Dr. Yelena Revere and Vice Chair Lear Hall presented highlights of 2024 activities, including partnerships for dental and vision care, food drives, and toy distributions. Upcoming initiatives include a November 9 scholarship workshop, a December 21 Junkanoo toy drive, and a March 1 college fair featuring 560 institutions. Commissioners commended the board’s revitalized engagement.
Consent Calendar
- Item 7 – Flock Safety License Plate Readers: Pulled for discussion. The police department presented plans to purchase 66 additional cameras using a $245,900 UASI grant. Cameras will be installed on poles with solar panels and cover from State Road 7 to US 27. Data is stored for 30 days and shared with other agencies. The item was approved unanimously.
- Items 8-11 – Employee Benefits: Approved without objection: health insurance renewal with Aetna (not to exceed $18.458 million), dental/vision premiums with Delta Dental and Humana ($652,009 and $70,486), group life and disability insurance with Standard ($930,000), and on-site health clinic renewal with CareATC ($1.23 million first year). Commissioner Colburn requested better productivity tracking for the clinic.
Discussion Items
- Item 12 – Unauthorized Public Camping or Sleeping Ordinance (First Reading): Major Shaw presented the ordinance aligning with House Bill 1365. The city’s approach emphasizes compassionate outreach via social workers, a homeless task force, partnerships with Tunnel to Towers and Modern Towers, and use of a dedicated pickup truck for dignified transport. Commissioner Chambers raised concerns about criminalizing homelessness; staff confirmed training to avoid issuing tickets without valid addresses. The ordinance was approved 5-0; second reading set for November 20, 2024.
- Item 13 – Compensation for Elected Officials (3% COLA): Salaries increase to $46,948 for mayor and $36,961 for commissioners. Passed 3-2, with Mayor Masson and Commissioner Barnes voting no.
- Item 14 – Live Local Act and Private Schools Code Amendments (Second Reading): The amendment aligns city code with state preemption, allowing administrative approval for mixed-use affordable housing developments that provide at least 40% affordable units. Commissioner Chambers voted no, arguing residents have no recourse. Approved 4-1.
- Item 20 – Foxcroft Road Affordable Housing Development (Residences at Palm Cove): A proposed 84-unit mid-rise (60% AMI average) on 2.13 acres. After being tabled in September, developer New Rock Companies presented updates: commitment to repave Foxcroft Road, enhanced buffering, security measures including cameras and fencing, and a marketing plan for Miramar locals. The HOA president and multiple residents testified strongly against the project, citing misrepresentation of meeting attempts, concerns about density, crime, property values, and poor developer reviews. Vice Mayor Davis and others criticized the developer’s lack of meaningful negotiation. The commission voted unanimously to deny the plat, site plan, and community appearance board applications (5-0 each).
- Item 18 – Fairfield Inn & TownePlace Suites Dual Hotel: A 160-room dual-brand hotel on 3.3 acres near the Turnpike. Discussion centered on hotel quality and the need for conference space. Vice Mayor Davis urged raising the bar; Commissioner Chambers argued Miramar can support higher-end hotels. The applicant noted limited service brands and 75-80% occupancy at existing properties. Commissioner Barnes cautioned against unrealistic expectations. The project was approved 4-1 (Commissioner Chambers dissenting).
- Item 19 – Raising Cane’s Restaurant: A standalone drive-thru restaurant at 17195 Miramar Parkway, replacing a former bank. Variance for setback (92 ft instead of 50 ft max) due to utility easements and landscaping buffers. Conditions include a 12 AM curfew for outdoor dining (Sunday-Thursday) to address noise. Unanimously approved.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Foxcroft Development (Item 20): Residents overwhelmingly opposed the 84-unit development. Roland Sherizard (HOA president) disputed the developer’s claim of meeting attempts, reading an email requesting contact via attorneys. Other speakers voiced concerns about increased crime, decreased property values, construction disruption, and low ratings of the developer’s other properties. The commission acknowledged their testimony and voted to deny.
Key Outcomes
- Denied all applications for Foxcroft affordable housing development (Item 20): Plat, site plan, and community appearance board denied 5-0 each.
- Approved hotel (Item 18) and restaurant (Item 19): Hotel approved 4-1; restaurant approved unanimously.
- Continued Park at Miramar (Items 15-17): Continued to November 6, 2024, as requested by staff.
- Adopted homelessness ordinance on first reading (Item 12): Second reading scheduled for November 20, 2024.
- Set executive session for November 6, 2024, at 6:45 PM regarding pending litigation (Anderson v. City of Miramar).
- Meeting extended to 12:00 AM to complete the agenda.
Meeting Transcript
So now that you're expanded from the historic side to the rest of the city of Miramar. In historic Miramar. That is correct. So and you had some sort of a study and you kind of went through. Good evening. The meeting of the Mirmar City Commission is now called to order. An opportunity was given to the public to register to participate for or email the city clerk 24 hours prior to the commission meeting with any questions, comments, concerns on items we will hear on this evening's agenda. Any person may be heard by the city commission through the chair and upon registering pursuant to the published notice for not more than three minutes on any proposition before the city commission unless modified by the chair. This meeting is being streamed live at Miramar FL.gov and on and being televised on Comcast Channel 78 and Channel 99 for ATT Uverse subscribers. As of October 16th, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. No members from the public have registered to participate virtually in this meeting. If someone has registered later than this time and would like to speak virtually online, they can raise their hand and at the appropriate time. Please be sure to mention your name and address for the record prior to addressing the commission. All comments submitted will be included as part of the record for this meeting and will be considered by the city commission prior to any action being taken. At this time, Madam Clerk, please record attendance and call the roll. Mayor Masson. Here. Commissioner Barnes. Here. Commissioner Chambers. Here. Commissioner Colburn. Here. Vice Mayor Davis. City Manager Dr. Virgin. Here. City Attorney Powell. Here. City Attorney Gary. Here. Let us rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic, which is standard. One nation under God. And we recognize Holly Hicks from the Parks and Recreation Department who lost her father. So join me and the commission as we have a moment of silence for our bereaved colleague, as well as any other condolences we are extending to the broader community. Let's have a moment of silence. Please note that items related to the park at Miramar project public hearing item number 15, quasi judicial items 16 and 17 are being continued to the 1106 or the November 6th, 24, 2024 Commission meeting. Because these were advertised at the appropriate time, the city attorney will read the title for the record, and the commission will vote on a continuance on the item. So just in case if there are any members from the public here in the commission chambers are viewing virtually for items 15 through 17, that item has been or will be continued for on the November 6th commission meeting and will be voted on and when we reach it at that time of the agenda. Also of note, um, the public participation sign in sheet has several residents that have signed in to speak on resolution number R 8172. Um you will have an opportunity to speak on that item during the appropriate agenda time and will um the opportunity to speak will not be during public participation time certain at 7:30 because you will have an opportunity to speak when that item is heard. This proclamation was requested by Vice Mayor Alexandra P. Davis, and we invite Chamber President part uh Patty Archer, she's present. She's in the chambers. We saw her last night. She's in yet. Okay. Well, we can have Anita come, Anita Taylor, Fain Taylor, if we'll receive it in her honor, our director of economic development and housing. Always be ready.
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