By Coral Gables Gazette staff

The Coral Gables City Commission took action on three high-profile items at its September 25 meeting—approving paid parking at the Biltmore West Lot, confirming a new Planning and Zoning Board member, and deferring a vote on Mayor Vince Lago’s 2025–2027 Strategic Priorities Plan.

In a 4–1 vote, the Commission approved an agreement allowing the Biltmore Hotel to operate a new paid parking system at the West Lot, a city-owned property often used as a long-term drop-off point and plagued by safety concerns.

The resolution authorizes the hotel operator to charge up to $4 per hour, with a $30 daily maximum. Revenue from the parking system will first fund on-site improvements—including ADA compliance, landscaping, and paving—and eventually help restore the historic Biltmore monument nearby.

Mayor Lago cited both transparency and safety in supporting the measure. “I want to make sure I see all the money—where it was spent. If you repaved, I want to see a receipt,” he said. “Residents across the street are concerned about people parking there for weeks at a time. They leave their cars, catch an Uber, and come back. It’s a safety issue.”

Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson echoed those concerns, referencing “tractor trailers parked endlessly” and the need to uphold the same environmental standards applied elsewhere. “We’ve asked our city staff to use electric blowers,” she said. “If we can maintain that standard, it would be appropriate for a city property as well.”

Commissioner Ariel Fernandez cast the lone dissenting vote. “I think very valid changes have been made to this since it first came up,” he said, “but I am not going to be speaking out of both sides of my mouth and vote for this when I’ve been against this for several years.”

The agreement includes exemptions for city officials on municipal business, Biltmore club members, fitness patrons, executive tenants, Garden Club members, and certain VIPs. Future rate increases must be approved by the city manager, who also retains a termination-for-convenience clause.

Alvarez confirmed to Planning Board

As part of the meeting’s consent agenda, attorney Ignacio “Iggy” Alvarez was unanimously confirmed to the Planning and Zoning Board. Alvarez was nominated by Commissioner Melissa Castro, who has reshaped her board appointments in recent weeks following contentious votes.

A former police major, Alvarez led the Special Victims Bureau and supervised more than 135 officers before transitioning into private legal practice, where he now advises corporate clients on litigation, investigations, and regulatory compliance.

Mayor Lago congratulated Alvarez from the dais. “I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with him on multiple occasions over the last few weeks,” he said. “He is a professional attorney and individual who I think is very well respected in his community and I think will do very well on the Planning and Zoning Board.”

The appointment follows Castro’s earlier unsuccessful nomination of former Commissioner Kirk Menendez, which was rejected in a 3–2 vote amid heated allegations and counterclaims. Prior to that, the Commission voted 3–1 to remove Sue Kawalerski, a Castro appointee who had served since 2023.

Alvarez becomes Castro’s second confirmed nominee to the board in as many months.

Mayor’s Strategic Plan deferred for further review

The Commission also deferred a vote on Mayor Lago’s proposed 2025–2027 Strategic Priorities Plan after multiple commissioners requested more time to review the document and suggest additions.

Lago presented the plan as a “living, breathing document” focused on beautification, mobility, environmental stewardship, and civic engagement. “Everything here is positive,” he said, “about maintaining the City Beautiful, about elevating the City Beautiful.”

Vice Mayor Anderson suggested including expanded trolley service through a regional Transportation Management Association in partnership with South Miami and the University of Miami. Commissioner Fernandez supported the deferral, noting he had not yet reviewed the full document but appreciated the mayor’s willingness to incorporate feedback.

The mayor agreed to circulate the plan by email and invited commissioners to submit comments ahead of a future vote.