Around 90 acres of farmland have been approved for development into a community of 700 homes by the Miami-Dade Commission. Zoning changes and the reservation of homes for the low-income group were discussed in the meeting, and unanimous approval was received for the project. This project at the southeast corner of Krome Avenue and southwest 272nd Street will add a significant amount of inventory to the county.
Highlights
- Bluenest Development is set to develop 700 townhomes at Redland, an agricultural area in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
- The project will aid in adding inventory to the area so that the home prices and rental rates stay in control.
- The community has controversial opinions about the project, as some support it while others are concerned about its repercussions.
Approval of Bluenest at Krome: A Shift in Zoning
Bluenest Development is a real estate development based in Miami. The company is eyeing building different projects in Southwest Dade. One of their largest projects will be Bluenest at Krome, where 700 townhomes are being planned on approximately 90 acres of land, of which the company already owns 29 acres.
The Southeast corner of Krome Avenue and Southwest 272nd Street will be the location of the largest housing inventory in the area. This is mostly farmland in the Redland area. Zoning changes have also been made for the site from “estate density residential” to “low-medium density.” This project will constitute next-generation housing and offer convenience for workforce housing issues in the area.
Affordability Considerations of the Project
As the project is quite controversial and claims to resolve housing constraints in the area, keeping some of the housing units for the affordable section has become necessary for the developer.
As per the current plan, 20% of the housing units will go to families making 140% of the median income in Miami-Dade County. The remaining 80% of units will be sold for maximum profits. For low-income families and university students, it might be a little difficult to get a home in this new project. This division and concern for other amenities elicited controversy around the project, bringing in different opinions.
However, the county needs mixed-use development, as suggested by a member, Pedro Gassant, of the Bluenest team during the meeting. Gassant also highlighted the issues of the housing crisis in the area and how it has led to high home prices and rents and persuaded the commission that this project would add to the housing inventory and accelerate the development of the county.
The mixed-use nature of the project will turn the location into an entire community. Food and retail shops, along with housing units, are planned. Gassant also assured that there would be no traffic issues as the infrastructure would be planned accordingly.
Community Response: Divided Perspectives on Development
As discussions proceeded, the council members also pointed out their expectations for the project during the zoning and approval meeting. Development in the rural area and concerns about density were the major points that brought opposition.
A Redland resident said that the agricultural community is upset about the high population from the new homes. It will also put a strain on necessities like education, healthcare, landfills, water supply, and other services.
There is opposition to the project, but those in favor are in high numbers. Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins saw the community’s support for the project. She felt the company had connected with them about it. Higgins put forth a request for more than 20% units for affordable housing but did not get any commitment from the developer. Nevertheless, she was happy with the decision and agreed that this project is imperative to tackle the housing crisis.
Other Commissioners talked about key amenities and infrastructure improvements. They focused on the regional pump station, traffic concerns, and how homes look. All these points are important to make sure the project fits well into the neighborhood.
According to the Chief Commissioner, projects like these are rare in the area. The strong support shows that everyone sees potential in it. This mixed-use project will be a great addition to the county. Bluenest Development has planned two more community projects in Southwest Dade. They aim to provide affordable housing for workers and transform the Miami-Dade landscape.
