HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-26-0101City of Miami
Resolution R-26-0101
Legislation
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 18979 Final Action Date: 2/26/2026
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION EXPRESSING ITS
SUPPORT FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE MIAMI-DADE URBAN
DEVELOPMENT BOUNDARY ("UDB") AS IT CURRENTLY EXISTS TO
PROTECT DOWNSTREAM WATER RESOURCES, INCLUDING THE
BISCAYNE AQUIFER, REGIONAL GROUNDWATER SUPPLIES, AND
CONNECTED COASTAL WATERS, AS WELL AS THE EVERGLADES,
WETLANDS, AND AGRICULTURAL LANDS; ENCOURAGING ADVANCEMENT
OF ATTAINABLE AND WORKFORCE HOUSING WITHIN THE UDB TO
ADDRESS HOUSING AFFORDABILITY WITHOUT EXPANDING
DEVELOPMENT INTO ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS; URGING
THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO
UPHOLD COUNTY MAYOR DANIELLA LEVINE CAVA'S VETO OF THE
PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE COUNTY'S COMPREHENSIVE
DEVELOPMENT MASTER PLAN; FURTHER URGING THE FLORIDA STATE
LEGISLATURE TO OPPOSE ANY LEGISLATION THAT WOULD WEAKEN
THE UDB IN THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY CHARTER; DIRECTING THE CITY
CLERK TO TRANSMIT THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS DESIGNATED
HEREIN; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
SPONSOR(S): Commissioner Damian Pardo
WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") is a coastal municipality whose public health,
economic stability, and long-term resilience are closely tied to the protection of regional
freshwater resources and the integrity of natural systems that reduce flooding and improve
water quality; and
WHEREAS, the Miami -Dade Urban Development Boundary ("UDB") is an established
planning tool intended to concentrate urban growth where public facilities and services can be
efficiently provided, while limiting sprawl into environmentally sensitive and agricultural areas;
and
WHEREAS, wetlands and prairies west of the UDB provide natural storage, filtration,
and recharge functions that reduce pollutant loads and maintain hydrologic connectivity among
inland ecosystems, the Everglades, and downstream coastal waters; and
WHEREAS, expansion of development into rural or wetland areas can impose
substantial public costs over time, including the need for new roads, water and sewer
infrastructure, stormwater facilities, and flood mitigation measures, while also increasing
vulnerability to flooding and environmental degradation; and
WHEREAS, in January 2026, an applicant requested a proposed text amendment to the
County's Comprehensive Development Master Plan to allow a heavy -equipment facility on land
located outside the existing UDB, and such proposal raised concerns regarding impacts to
City of Miami Page 1 of 3 File ID: 18979 (Revision:) Printed On: 3/17/2026
File ID: 18979 Enactment Number: R-26-0101
wetlands, water resources, flood control, and consistency with longstanding growth -
management policy; and
WHEREAS, on February 2, 2026, the Miami -Dade County Mayor vetoed the proposed
text amendment that would allow a heavy -equipment facility outside the existing UDB, citing the
County's obligation to protect environmentally sensitive lands and preserve the integrity of the
UDB; and
WHEREAS, proposals at the state level that would dilute, override, or otherwise weaken
UDB protections threaten the stability of regional planning and could accelerate conversion of
wetlands and agricultural lands, with downstream consequences for water quality, water supply,
and flood resilience; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission recognizes the urgent need to expand attainable and
workforce housing opportunities, and finds that the most responsible and infrastructure -efficient
approaches prioritize infill development, redevelopment, and other housing strategies within the
existing UDB rather than expansion into environmentally sensitive lands; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami, as a major coastal city in Miami -Dade County, relies on
the Biscayne Aquifer, groundwater recharge, and Everglades restoration for our drinking water,
flood protection, and economy; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 2-33(f) of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida,
as amended ("City Code"), the City Commission, by a majority vote, hereby deems this
Resolution to be of an emergency nature;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City Commission hereby expresses its support for the preservation of the
Miami -Dade Urban Development Boundary as it currently exists to protect downstream water
resources, including the Biscayne Aquifer, regional groundwater supplies, and connected
coastal waters, as well as the Everglades, wetlands, and agricultural lands.
Section 3. The City Commission encourages the advancement of attainable and
workforce housing within the UDB to address housing affordability without expanding
development into environmentally sensitive lands.
Section 4. The City Commission urges the Miami -Dade County Board of County
Commissioners to uphold County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava's veto of the proposed text
amendment to the County's Comprehensive Development Master Plan.
Section 5. The City Commission further urges the Florida State Legislature to oppose
any legislation that would weaken the UDB in the Miami -Dade County Charter.
Section 6. The City Commission directs the City Clerk to transmit a copy of this
Resolution to the Miami -Dade County Mayor, each member of the Miami -Dade County Board of
County Commissioners, the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, the President of
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File ID: 18979 Enactment Number: R-26-0101
the Florida Senate, the Miami -Dade State Legislative Delegation, and all other municipalities
within Miami -Dade County.
Section 7. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
g III C y for y 3/10/2026
City of Miami Page 3 of 3 File ID: 18979 (Revision:) Printed on: 3/17/2026