[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6230985,"mediaKeyId","3441386-5e136341bb656dbc815a416983fcd8b1","parentId",3441386,"title","Miami Lakes council approves first reading to rezone 10 lots from 'general use' to single-family RU‑1 despite resident pushback","audioSeconds",5785,"startMs",12031000,"endMs",17816000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3441386-5e136341bb656dbc815a416983fcd8b1&start=12031&end=17816","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3441386-5e136341bb656dbc815a416983fcd8b1/thumbnail_12031000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6230985/Miami-Lakes/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Miami-Lakes-council-approves-first-reading-to-rezone-10-lots-from-general-use-to-single-family-RU1-despite-resident-pushback","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230985-add10b5c5316991ba0f489d51c789e44/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148059&Signature=EjK7RSqts4bwggECQoeb5vl-LbPmuVwKIFkHGILC4UPD~3~n~~5guksr6MTLviERTEnde065RceygMNjUSSq~89J2g72ba~gzB7FjeaS7N0scZlfDTlQkJqM-b3zMsUvAj7qUHSgA5dZxY2serBIuy11C2XnMEvz0MuZxxXRrwby6nXXG90X32s2zndPYHi3HFil4kIxiDcMAa50~5dIGQEEnjg8718zFo5cbPTn9~SEqfpNE5xAbfwuGC-c7rkyl-wBD6vsxwpCnFYQH1~dsWBSMuZzm1ozuDKs9ddBjIEkGi1GvSw~WQgiOUcJCc0Nr65n5nsMQX2GkfLArNNgXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Miami Lakes, FL","date","2025-05-22T06:15:33.483Z","article","The Miami Lakes Town Council voted on first reading on May 20 to rezone about 7.7 acres and 10 parcels on the east side of Northwest 70th Avenue — between NW 140th Street and NW 140th Fifth Street — from a general‑use (GU) classification to RU‑1 single‑family residential.

The vote was 6‑1 in favor on first reading after about an hour of public comment from owners and neighbors. Supporters said the change will align local zoning with the town’s comprehensive plan and give owners a clear, consistent set of rules for rebuilding or developing. Opponents — several of whom said their families have lived on the properties for decades — said the GU status had protected their large‑lot, semi‑rural character and warned rezoning could encourage future subdivision and more traffic.

The property at the center of the debate includes 10 lots of differing sizes and development status; some are vacant, some contain older homes. Planning staff and the town manager described the rezoning as a “cleanup” to reflect the comprehensive plan’s designation for low‑density residential uses and to replace a patchwork of interim approvals that has left some owners unable to obtain building permits. Planner Susanna told the council the RU‑1 designation is the town’s lowest‑density residential zoning and would give property owners clear setback, height and permitting rules.

Opponents repeatedly asked the council to keep the GU zoning or to create a narrowly tailored overlay that would guarantee large lot sizes and preserve the area’s character. Several residents said they feared future lot splits. Multiple speakers, including longtime residents and owners who said they bought lots decades ago, asked the council to preserve what they described as one of the last “old Miami Lakes” neighborhoods.

Supporters, including a lawyer representing one recent buyer, said the buyer has been unable to obtain a building permit under the GU designation and that the rezoning would allow that owner to build a single‑family house and to move forward after a long delay. A resident who said he owns a large 1.6‑acre parcel told the council he intends to keep the property single‑family but wanted clarity so he could rebuild in the future.

Council discussion focused on balancing those concerns. Several members said rezoning to RU‑1 would in practice limit future intensity compared with the current interim GU rules and would create a clearer, legally consistent framework for property owners. Vice Mayor Brian Moreira and Council Member J.C. Fernández urged that the item move forward so staff and the council could refine protections — for example, by considering an overlay or minimum lot‑size adjustments — before second reading.

The council approved the ordinance on first reading and directed staff to return with any refinements before second reading. The rezoning ordinance will return at a later meeting for a final vote.

Why it matters: The change affects property rights, future development options and the character of a small but long‑standing neighborhood. Residents emphasized that the parcels predate much of the town’s modern infrastructure and raised concerns about roads, utilities and emergency access. Council members said the rezoning would align local zoning with the town’s comprehensive plan while preserving the ability to add protections before final adoption.

What’s next: Staff will prepare any additional language or overlay proposals requested by council members and return the ordinance for a second reading; residents were invited to provide contact information to staff for follow‑up meetings and clarifications.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Council Meeting | May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Miami Lakes Town Council voted on first reading on May 20 to rezone about 7.7 acres and 10 parcels on the east side of Northwest 70th Avenue from a general‑use designation to RU‑1 single‑family residential.","taxTitle","Miami Lakes, Miami-Dade County, Florida","taxId",55516,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6230975,"Residents press council over guard gates and special taxing districts; council narrows ID‑check hours and authorizes vehicle negotiations",1500,9585000,11085000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3441386-5e136341bb656dbc815a416983fcd8b1&start=9585&end=11085","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3441386-5e136341bb656dbc815a416983fcd8b1/thumbnail_9585000.jpg","/articles/6230975/Miami-Lakes/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Residents-press-council-over-guard-gates-and-special-taxing-districts-council-narrows-IDcheck-hours-and-authorizes-vehicle-negotiations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230975-2b4c05662133f23f6dd0922f0cfbc53d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148059&Signature=HCJk3EKOpvphy2vlwDDKmRckt~8DGnR8zmJWLFi9sa-FxJjOPhrk1BIWA069OueMXM4XQsJIR4ZfMqIVZ0tJgLQPl6UOosJWgvOXgy2rQuk7vjOt6HGQoUZa10mE1i0zQhKrt5xOwH8VeUAoV98rkgpkI0Xc2BzgZ~Z0g7~B0vTZqkQLoAwhuhOx6SMuuVVwrx8EwvMKTH5oJFe1kIVEE1KoRUAT5t12FgYHetr1cZpTTvX2qyjh7yihJ9KFsgOszSEzaSzNBI5Jf79lhi69X56V5FvwnUHPh4j2pAHUz9~mDRXA3pvYtCfbGGkHXDPup7msomwtvSj6pNSAsBeyhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public comment dominated discussion of special taxing districts, guard‑gate services and neighborhood security at the Town of Miami Lakes council meeting on May 20. Dozens of residents from Loch Lomond, Royal Oaks and neighboring homeowner associations told the council they wanted to preserve guarded entrances, maintain service levels and avoid higher special‑district costs.

Residents urged the town to respect the specific ordinances governing each special district and to avoid one‑size‑fits‑all standardization. Several speakers told the council that their gated communities were designed and approved with distinct services and budgets and that municipal action should honor those prior voter‑approved referenda.

After public comment and council discussion, the council voted to amend an ID‑check protocol for Royal Oaks Section 1 and Royal Oaks East so that staffed ID checks would run from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (the staff proposal had extended through 7 a.m.). Council members said the change aimed to balance security and morning traffic and left open additional refinement at the special taxing district budget hearings.

On the consent‑pulled items the council also approved first reading of an ordinance to adopt non‑ad valorem assessment rates for the town’s special taxing districts (security guard and multipurpose maintenance districts). The ordinance item will return for final reading.

Separately, the council authorized the town manager to negotiate fleet replacement options with Miami Lakes Automall and to include electric vehicle (EV) options for the vehicles being considered. Council members asked staff to return with total cost‑of‑ownership comparisons — including 10‑year maintenance, fuel/energy and resale scenarios — and to present lease vs. purchase analyses at a future meeting.

Why it matters: The votes and the public comments reflect strong neighborhood interest in gate‑arm reliability, guard staffing levels and how the town budgets and charges for security services through special taxing districts. The fleet negotiation decision signals interest in electric vehicles as a long‑term budget and emissions strategy, but councilors asked for detailed cost comparisons before buying in.

What’s next: Staff will present refined special‑taxing‑district budgets and the 10‑year vehicle ownership/lease comparisons at upcoming meetings. Residents were encouraged to participate in the special‑district budget meetings and to provide contact information to staff for follow‑up.","Residents from gated neighborhoods pressed the Miami Lakes Town Council on May 20 to preserve guard‑gate services and limit costs. The council narrowed an ID‑check window to 10 p.m.–6 a.m., approved first reading of special‑taxing‑district assessment rates and authorized the manager to negotiate vehicle leases that include electric‑vehicle options.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6230980,"Miami Lakes council rejects consultant contract, directs staff to run internal compensation study",1153,8109000,9262000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3441386-5e136341bb656dbc815a416983fcd8b1&start=8109&end=9262","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3441386-5e136341bb656dbc815a416983fcd8b1/thumbnail_8109000.jpg","/articles/6230980/Miami-Lakes/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Miami-Lakes-council-rejects-consultant-contract-directs-staff-to-run-internal-compensation-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230980-f96c4bf89927ef9b4857a9f474cca221/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148059&Signature=FHdYklmzxhfD90KhLQXyafrGhpTeKa32LBubxGtS15Mny5F8xxVhbzziYcU6E3apS5S9t8NGY1sA3TDJX1B0ZDY5ovVDYQcyX61lNN2oYySsE-y00-~VgxqTca6B1aUpbLMeSQkc06QAQnml-UJDDSYo8S~TBtjv0kfmZCs71~5MG-hEquqjRghXoOhYCfFz0QBfECVUpy7gIEID7suEnLc1YfDmEtPcfF~gBHu0JAheRRFwqBrJ6NXwW1nUy2lUIpYuGIO3t6QvpUIgwfH~c-xAOuIIHbmAolxhz0Ez8o48RZYKplQ5TaPYDvAH9p2xgRD5SP7jAg~7pA~OnQJzpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Miami Lakes Town Council on May 20 voted to withhold awarding a $23,500 contract for an external employee compensation study and instead directed staff to conduct an in‑house review and bring results back to the council.

Council debate focused on tradeoffs between hiring an experienced consultant and using limited staff capacity. Manager and supporters argued a professional firm (Evergreen Solutions, the top scorer in the RFP) would produce a comprehensive comparability and total‑compensation analysis and save staff time; opponents and several residents argued staff can gather the same benchmarking information at lower cost and that the town should direct funds to immediate compensation increases or bonuses.

Council Member Ray Garcia offered and won an amendment directing the town’s human resources and manager’s office to perform the study internally, returning recommendations to the council for further action. The council recorded the vote to proceed with the internal approach rather than awarding the consultant contract.

Key details: The originally proposed outside contract was roughly $23,500; councilors cited a broader $65,000 carry‑forward package that had combined several spending requests earlier in the budget process. Several public commenters urged that limited dollars be used directly for pay increases or benefits rather than on consultants.

Next steps: Staff will assemble job descriptions, comparable municipal salary data and a draft report for council review; the town manager said staff capacity is limited and that an internal study will require reassigned work but can produce actionable recommendations.

Why it matters: Compensation studies inform retention and recruiting decisions for municipal staff. Council members said retaining skilled employees is a priority, but the final path chosen favors an internally produced analysis intended to lower immediate consultant spending while producing a baseline for possible future pay adjustments.","The council voted to decline awarding a $23,500 external compensation study and instead directed town staff to prepare an in‑house compensation review and return findings to the council.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Miami Lakes council approves first reading to rezone 10 lots from 'general use' to single-family RU‑1 despite resident pushback

Residents press council over guard gates and special taxing districts; council narrows ID‑check hours and authorizes vehicle negotiations

Miami Lakes council rejects consultant contract, directs staff to run internal compensation study