Planning Department discusses NCD's with public

The Planning Department held its third public meeting to discuss revisions to the Neighborhood Conservation Districts zoning overlays (NCD-2 and NCD-3) in Coconut Grove last Saturday. 

Jeremy Calleros Gauger, the Deputy Director for the Planning Department, presented proposed changes of the NCDs to the 80 attendees. 

Residents gave their recommendations and feedback and various workshops. The goal is to stop over-development and to protect the historic nature of Coconut Grove and also to prevent the destruction of the tree canopy.

The revisions are not increasing any building sizes or changing any uses. The plan is to alter existing rules for current zones. A suggestion is to allow more units in a building, ie, added density. This to me does not solve the problem of over-development. It adds to it.

As for tree canopy and physical character, the proposal is to increase the green space requirement to 50% of the lot. Regarding garages and physical character, a suggestion is that garages may not face the street unless they are set far back.

There is not much talk about historic preservation and saving current structures rather than allowing them to be demolished. 

NCDs are zoning overlays. There are three Neighborhood Conservation Districts within the City of Miami. NCDs 2 and 3 are located within Coconut Grove. NCD 2 occupies the area nearest Douglas Road MetroRail Station, bounded by SW 32 Avenue to the South and Charles Avenue to the East. Much of the remainder of Coconut Grove is located within NCD 3. The NCDs are comprised of several distinct, unofficial neighborhoods.

A summery by the Planning Dept. is here.