A four-story cap for Malaga Avenue's 300 block clears a first vote
Also: Havana Harry's is serving again, the Underline asks the city for upkeep help, and Morocco Days comes to Ponce Circle.
On Aug. 13, the Board of Architects gave final approval to a project on the 300 block of Malaga Avenue. Two months later, commissioners took a first vote on a height cap that the project's owner argues should not reach it.
A 2021 code oversight left the block potentially open to buildings as tall as 77 feet, nearly eight stories, right beside single-family homes. That year the city rezoned the block from single-family to multifamily. The new limit was three stories or 45 feet, whichever came out lower. The oversight left room to stack the Mediterranean architectural bonus on top.
On Oct. 13, commissioners advanced an ordinance on first reading to close that gap. It would hold buildings on the 300 block to four stories and 45 feet. No extra height from the bonus would be allowed. The cap is not law yet, and a second reading is still ahead.
The owner, Malaga 300 LLC, objects. Its attorneys argue the owner relied on the city's rules and approvals as they stood. They say $3.7 million has already gone into developing the project. In their view, the Board of Architects' final approval on Aug. 13 gave the project vested rights.
Before the second vote, commissioners and the owner will likely sit down to look for a resolution. For neighbors on the block, the open question is whether the cap reaches a project the Board of Architects has already approved.
Havana Harry's reopens on LeJeune Road after more than a year
For now the restaurant at 4612 South LeJeune Road serves lunch and dinner every day, and breakfast comes back Dec. 1. Tostones, croquetas, Cuban sandwiches, ropa vieja and arroz con pollo have all returned. Its signature dish, Chicken Vaca Frita, is shredded chicken cooked until crispy with onions, garlic and a house seasoning blend. Through Oct. 26, anyone who spends at least $10 can pick one free item: a mojito, a Cuban-style tamal, dulce de leche flan or a cafe Cubano. The number is (305) 661-2622.
Gables wants an Underline board seat in return for upkeep money
Keeping up the Underline park system will cost $1 million per mile each year. The park asked Coral Gables, where three of its miles run, to help pay one third of the cost of maintaining the Underline park system. Commissioners voted 5-0 to require a seat on the Underline's board in exchange for any maintenance funding.
The request surprised them. "We were told before that there were no maintenance fees," Commissioner Ariel Fernandez said, adding that the county would pay all of it. At the budget meeting right after, commissioners voted to fund $500,000 next year. Mayor Lago, an early supporter, said he would not abandon the park. He wants an audit of its finances and vendor agreements to see whether upkeep can come in under $1 million per mile each year.
Mayor Lago teaches a noncredit City Hall course at FIU
Two students surprised Mayor Vince Lago at the Oct. 13 commission meeting by showing up to watch him work. One is an economics student in his class. The other is his cousin, who attends the University of Miami. Lago is teaching the course this fall at FIU, his alma mater, as a Senior Leadership Fellow with the Adam Smith Center. About 30 students study city finances, pensions, bond ratings, negotiations and corruption. Every session pairs the material with a case study drawn from current Coral Gables issues.
Morocco Days sets up a souk at Ponce Circle Park
- When
- Oct. 23 and Oct. 24 · Oct. 23, 4 to 11 p.m.; Oct. 24, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Where
- Ponce Circle Park
- Address
- 2810 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
The festival splits into three areas: Souk Origins, Made in Morocco, and Industry & Future. The plans include Moroccan dishes and mint tea. Hours run Oct. 23 from 4 to 11 p.m. and Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The park sits at 2810 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Admission is free. Anyone interested can register at moroccodaysmiami.com. Signing up, though, does not guarantee or hold a spot.
Employers can learn about inclusive hiring at Employment Pathways Collab
- When
- Oct. 23 · 9 a.m. to noon
Job coaching, paid training and ongoing help for businesses are the topics on Oct. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon. The Employment Pathways Collab pairs employers with groups that help adults with autism and people with disabilities find work. Easterseals South Florida, Goodwill Industries of South Florida, UM-NSU CARD, FIU Embrace, the de Moya Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters are taking part, during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.