By Coral Gables Gazette staff

The Coral Gables City Commission will face a wide-ranging agenda at its Tuesday, Jan. 27 meeting, with decisions that span long-term land use policy, the structure of local elections, and neighborhood-level quality-of-life issues. The meeting in City Hall includes several items with lasting implications for how the city grows, governs and engages residents.

At the top of the agenda are second readings on a major zoning overhaul near a transit corridor and a resolution that would place a proposed charter amendment eliminating runoff elections before voters this spring. Commissioners will also consider a directive related to a proposed dog park, debate a resolution tied to international sanctions, and receive updates on City Hall space planning and mobility-related ordinances.

University Station zoning reaches final approval stage

The most consequential item before the commission is a pair of second-reading ordinances creating the University Station Rapid Transit District Overlay. The overlay establishes a new zoning framework along South Dixie Highway intended to concentrate development near transit infrastructure.

The ordinances would permit significantly higher density, with allowable floor area ratios reaching up to 3.5 in designated areas. They also expand the use of transfer of development rights and introduce a land-use regime that allows taller, more intense commercial development than previously permitted.

Because the ordinances are on second reading, the Jan. 27 vote represents the final opportunity for the commission to adopt or reject the overlay. Approval would lock in a long-term planning vision that prioritizes density near transit while reshaping development expectations along one of the city’s most prominent corridors.

Charter amendment would eliminate runoff elections

Also high on the agenda is a resolution setting a special election to ask voters whether to eliminate runoff elections for mayoral and commission races. Under the proposed charter amendment, candidates would be elected by plurality vote rather than requiring a runoff if no candidate receives a majority.

If approved by the commission, the question would appear on the April 21 ballot.

The proposal would represent a structural change to Coral Gables’ electoral system, affecting how campaigns are conducted and how winners are determined in multi-candidate races. Commissioners are expected to focus on whether the change promotes efficiency and clarity or alters long-standing expectations around majority support.

Dog park proposal advances to community meeting

One of the most locally focused and likely contentious items on the agenda directs city staff to hold a community meeting regarding a proposed dog park at 520 University Drive.

While the item does not approve construction or funding, it initiates a formal public engagement process around a specific location. Dog park proposals have historically generated strong neighborhood interest, particularly around issues of noise, traffic, parking, and compatibility with surrounding uses.

By directing staff to convene a community meeting, the commission signals that public input will shape whether and how the proposal moves forward.

Resolution urges action on Cuba sanctions

The commission will also consider a resolution sponsored by Mayor Vince Lago urging enhanced enforcement of existing Cuba sanctions and calling for related state legislative action to be included in the city’s 2026 legislative priorities.

While largely symbolic in effect, the resolution places Coral Gables into a broader policy discussion that extends beyond strictly municipal concerns. Adoption would formally position the city as an advocate on an issue typically handled at the federal and state levels, adding it to the city’s list of legislative priorities.

Mobility and safety ordinances continue to advance

Several mobility-related items appear on the agenda in various stages of consideration.

An ordinance regulating electric bicycles would receive first reading. The proposal defines electric bicycles in city code and would prohibit their use on sidewalks, reflecting ongoing efforts to balance alternative transportation options with pedestrian safety.

A previously discussed golf cart ordinance, which would allow golf carts on certain city streets under defined conditions, has been deferred to a future meeting, signaling unresolved concerns or the need for additional review.

City Hall floor plan update outlines post-restoration layout

Commissioners will receive an informational update on revised floor plans for City Hall, reflecting the reorganization of office space following years of restoration and disruption.

The presentation by City Manager Peter Igelais outlines how offices for the City Commission, City Manager, City Clerk, City Attorney, and support departments would be allocated across multiple floors. While no vote is scheduled, the update provides insight into how City Hall operations and public access will function going forward.

Advisory and environmental items round out agenda

Additional items include an advisory resolution from the Disability Affairs Advisory Board urging prioritization of audible pedestrian signals along Miracle Mile, as well as updates related to an Oasis Waterway decontamination pilot program.

Both items advance through discussion and direction rather than immediate action, offering context on accessibility and environmental initiatives underway in the city.

The Jan. 27 meeting brings together issues with vastly different timelines and impacts, from zoning decisions that will shape development for decades to neighborhood discussions that affect daily quality of life. Together, they reflect a commission balancing long-term planning, structural governance changes, and community-level concerns as Coral Gables continues to navigate growth and change.