The Coral Gables City Commission will vote Tuesday, Sept. 29, on a 30-year development deal with the University of Miami. The agreement would allow roughly 3.7 million additional square feet of campus construction and permit a hospital.

The five ordinances and one conditional-use resolution, set for second reading at 11 a.m., would replace the campus's existing 6.8 million-square-foot development cap with a floor area ratio of 1.0. The city has confirmed that ratio would permit about 10.5 million square feet of total development, the Gables Gazette reported.

The package also would raise the student enrollment threshold from 13,000 to 17,500, allow a hospital of up to 100 beds without a separate hearing and increase permitted retail in the campus Multi-Use Zone from 15% to 20%.

In return, UM would transfer the 5.52-acre Lee Lincoln parcel to the city for use as a public park renamed Centennial Park. The Miami Hurricane reported the land is worth an estimated $50 million. UM's payment to the city would increase 4% each year under the deal.

Commission advanced all five ordinances 4-0 in August

The commission advanced all five ordinances 4-0 on Aug. 25, with Commissioner Ariel Fernandez absent. Mayor Vince Lago, Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson and Commissioners Melissa Castro and Richard Lara each voted yes. The comprehensive plan amendments were then sent to the state for review before returning for a final vote.

Lara called the agreement a "win-win," saying UM gains long-term growth certainty while Coral Gables receives permanent parkland and recurring revenue. Castro said she wanted language governing the Centennial Park parcel made "airtight," with the land kept as a passive park without major structures.

UM lobbyist Jeff Bass was blunt. "You won't see me again for another 30 years once we get through second reading," Bass told commissioners.

Planning board member presses for a traffic study

The Coral Gables Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of each ordinance 6-1 on Aug. 12, with board member Felix Pardo dissenting every time. Pardo's objection centered on traffic.

"The traffic statement from Public Works is very disturbing, (it) goes out of the way to say we don't need a traffic study," Pardo said. "I would like one. We do need a traffic study. If you drive around Coral Gables, you know this."

No new traffic analysis was presented at first reading. Bass told the planning board that UM has no immediate plans to build to the proposed 1.0 floor area ratio, increase enrollment to 17,500 or construct a hospital.

The deal would reclassify three UM-owned parcels on Levante Avenue and Ponce de Leon Boulevard from commercial to university zoning. It amends the original development agreement the city and UM adopted in September 2010.

Sculptures, landscaping and a schools update on agenda

The consent agenda includes three sculpture installations funded by a $90,000 transfer from the Miracle Mile Streetscape project. Julio Larraz's "Mars," approved by the commission in April 2022, would be installed at Parking Garage No. 6 at 60 Merrick Way for an estimated $92,027. Two Agustin Cardenas marble sculptures, "Le Couple" and "Untitled," would go to 427 Biltmore Way for about $53,500.

Commissioners will vote on a joint agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for $60,340 over 12 months to maintain landscaping along South Dixie Highway, Bird Road and Red Road.

Rafael Villalobos, superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, will be introduced, and commissioners will get an update on Referendum 268, a Miami-Dade teacher-pay tax measure.

The meeting begins at 9 a.m. at Police and Fire Headquarters, 2151 Salzedo St. Residents can attend in person, watch on the city's website or Comcast Channel 77, or join via Zoom at zoom.us/j/3054466800.