ACCOMPLISHMENTS & GOALS

Public Safety

Added 15 Police Officers and 15 Firefighters to decrease response times and increase public safety and supported the funding and construction of a fourth fire station on Sunset Drive to decrease the response times for residents in the South Gables.  Additionally, supported competitive wage increases for the Police and Fire Department to ensure that we can retain existing officers and firefighters and attract applicants to fill vacancies.  Public safety from crime, speeding traffic and pedestrian safety, and maintaining the exceptional response times from Police and Fire are a top priority.

IMPROVED ACCESS AND NOTICE REGARDING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS:

  • Required notice to residents of Board of Architects meetings for projects over 20,000 square feet and enhance ability of residents to follow projects by adding a means to sign up for electronic notice at the first developer meeting with residents. To sign up, click here.

  • Expanded notice to all residents and businesses of proposed development projects and zoning modifications. Previously, only property owners were notified.

  • Added “DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS” button to city website to provide on-line access to view commercial and residential development projects requiring Commission approval. See here.

  • Added the right for residents to submit written or electronic comments to the Development Review Committee and the Board of Architects. See e-comment access here.

CURBED OVER-DEVELOPMENT:

  • Increased Side Setbacks of townhomes built next to existing buildings.

  • Limited Building Lengths to 300 feet in the North Ponce Residential Infill District.

  • Increased Tree Canopy and Green Space & Reduced Building Density. Required reductions of density and significant increases in shaded green space to make our city streets more walkable and beautiful.  Adjacent residents strongly welcomed the projects.  When these projects are completed, close to two (2) acres of green space will be added in and next to the Central Business and Design and Innovation Districts that otherwise would have been covered with concrete or asphalt parking lots.  Encouraged developers to save healthy, non-invasive specimen trees. 

    To view a listing of the projects, click here.

    To view State legislation Rhonda has proposed, click here.

Restricted Mediterranean Bonuses and Increased Architectural Requirements:

Rhonda sponsored two sets of amendments restricting the availability of bonuses to only high-quality Mediterranean Design.  The first phase removed the ability of “other styles of architecture” from receiving bonuses and added a pre-submission conceptual review process to discourage submission of inadequate designs.   The second phase, which passed on first reading, will become effective if passed on second reading in early 2025.  The key impacts of the second phase will:

  • Require high quality Mediterranean Revival style architecture and removed items from “check list” to qualify for the bonus that are required for all commercial projects (i.e., bike racks, LEED certification).

  • Require Conceptual Review drawings for all projects seeking a bonus so the Board of Architects can inform applicants when proposals fail to meet the Code’s high standards before a full set of preliminary drawings are submitted.  Residents must be noticed in writing and may submit comments to the Board.  Early resident input assists the Board to assess compatibility of projects to the surrounding neighborhood.  

  • Require proposed increases in Zoning seeking a bonus to be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board before the Board of Architects reviews and approves Mediterranean bonuses.  Residents must be noticed and can provide comments regarding the compatibility of the proposed zoning change to the neighborhood.

    To learn more about purpose and history of the Mediterranean bonus, click here. 

TRAFFIC CALMING & PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS:

  • State Roads:  Engaged FDOT to make pedestrian and traffic safety improvements at all intersections on FDOT roads in Coral Gables, lower speed limits and install a sidewalk on the South Side of Bird Road from the High School to Red Road.  See all requested changes here. 

  • County Roads:  Engaged County Commissioners to improve timing of traffic lights, improve pedestrian crosswalks, repave roads and fill potholes on County roads, such as Coral Way, Old Cutler, Maynada, Blue Road, Kendall Drive and LeJeune south of US 1).  Coral Way is currently being repaved and traffic circle on Coral Way and Anderson will improve safety and traffic flow.  In the summer of 2025, the Cocoplum bridge is scheduled for replacement.  

  • City Roads: 

    • The city has completed close to half of the planned traffic calming devices and temporary speed tables are being installed for approved areas awaiting construction: 

      • 58 speed tables/cushions and raised intersections have been installed in Zones 1 & 2.

      • Zones 3 & 4 Traffic Calming planning and design will commence in 2025.  To view a map of recommended locations for speed tables all zones, click here.  To request traffic calming in an area not identified on the maps, click here. 

      • Amended the County’s rules for Coral Gables to allow the City to install Speed Detection signs in areas where speed tables are not allowed or desired and smaller speed tables for streets with insufficient space between driveways for standard speed tables. 

  • Handicap Access:  Required all ADA remediation (i.e., installation of curb cuts) to be added to the Capital Improvement Budget and included a funding request in State appropriations requests.  

  • Repaving:  The city has $1.78 million budgeted from grants and revenues for resurfacing city streets. In 2025, intersection improvements and repaving will occur on Ponce de Leon, and at the complex Granada Boulevard DeSoto fountain intersection, Coral Way and Anderson Road, Coral Way and Granada.  Additional roads will be repaved in conjunction traffic calming with sewer main replacements throughout the city.  

  • Sidewalks:  Since 2022, over 137,000 linear feet of sidewalks have been replaced and 5,303 linear feet of new sidewalks installed.  Weather permitting, 27,037 linear feet are currently scheduled to be replaced and installed in 2025. Additionally, Rhonda has sought grants to install new sidewalks between Bird Road, US 1, the Underline and the University of Miami to provide safe routes for residents and students.  

SEPTIC TO SEWER PLAN, ENGINEERING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS:

Before Rhonda was elected, she advocated for the city to commence septic to sewer conversion and after she was elected, those efforts continued.  In 2022, Rhonda met with State legislators seeking the appropriations the city received for a Septic to Sewer Conversion basin plan.    

The basin plan has been completed, and in 2025 the city can begin the next steps: 

 (1)  community meetings in each basin to discuss planning and funding options, 

(2)  funding the engineering, design and construction drawings, and 

(3)  when the construction drawings are shovel ready, applying for Federal and State grants to help fund the construction, decreasing the costs for residents.  

For residents whose income is limited, Rhonda established a grant program that can be funded when a basin is ready for construction to begin.  County grants and loan programs have also been established to assist qualified residents.       

FPL UNDERGROUNDING:

 After 7 years of planning between the city and FPL, the FPL Storm Secure program started in Coral Gables in March 2023. This program undergrounds all of the lateral lines behind homes in the North and South Gables at no cost to the city or residents.

You can view updates regarding which areas where undergrounding construction will commence in 2025 by searching for “Undergrounding Project Construction Updates” on the city website or clicking here.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION:

Rhonda sponsored legislation that ensures that residents can timely view and appeal properties denied historic preservation on the city website, and a historic designation study of the North Ponce and Flagler Districts.  Three years ago Rhonda established the Landmark Advisory Board to help preserve our existing monuments and fountains, statues and entrances.  Rhonda also supported legislation and appropriations that provided new funding for historic preservation of City Hall, Venetian Pool, Coral Gables Museum, the Gondola Building and the Alhambra Water Tower.  During the past four years she has prioritized funding of reroofing of City Hall, the Museum and the Coral Gables Country Club, and new windows and repairs at City Hall.  

DOG PARKS:

Before Rhonda was elected, the city did not have any dog parks.  The city now has two dog parks.  The Salvatore Park dog park was constructed after Rhonda met with the adjacent neighbors seeking their opinion on the park and input on the design.   The second dog park opened after she requested a developer to include a dog park in a project close to Phillips Park.     

PICKLEBALL:

The number of residents playing pickleball in Coral Gables has substantially grown in the past two years.   Rhonda sponsored a Resolution for the design of permanent pickleball courts next to the Biltmore Tennis Center and adding a few temporary courts during the design and construction phase.   

UPDATED LIGHTING ORDINANCE:

In response to resident complaints of sleep disturbed from bright LED lights, Rhonda updated the city’s lighting ordinance.  The prior ordinance did not address the new issues LED lighting colors can cause for outdoor lighting.   Residents whose sleep is disturbed by bright lights can now find relief. 

BOARD OF ARCHITECTS APPEALS PROCESS MODIFIED:

To ensure transparency, fairness and impartiality of the Board of Architects appeal process for residents challenging large commercial projects, Rhonda modified the process. 

Now, notice to residents is required, three (3) special masters must review resident’s appeals of proposed commercial projects and the Special Masters may not approve substantial changes that the Board of Architects has not reviewed. 

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES:

  • Carbon Sequestered Cement Required for Large Commercial Projects:  Rhonda sponsored an ordinance requiring use of carbon sequestered cement in all multi-family and commercial projects where technically feasible.  Concrete utilizing carbon sequestered cement is stronger and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.  The first project that has used carbon sequestered cement is the city’s new Fire Station on Sunset Drive, Fire Station 4, which will open in 2025.  

  • Pet Waste Disposal:  Pet waste disposed of in trash pits pollutes waterways and groundwater.  Rhonda sponsored an ordinance requiring all pet waste to be disposed of properly, in dog/pet waste containers or placed in the household garbage collected twice a week.  Clean water is critical for our health, healthy waterways and beaches and our economy. 

  • Increased Canopy:  The city is expanding its tree canopy and replacing unhealthy trees every year.  Rhonda has advocated for the planting of trees on Biltmore Way, Valencia, in the Central Business District and areas lacking canopy.  In addition, she has sponsored and assisted with tree plantings at the Coral Gables High School, Camp Mahachee, the University of Miami and Granada Golf Course perimeter.  She also requires developers to plant trees on both sides of the street, provide parks with shade trees and move healthy, non-invasive trees. 

CITY BUDGET AND BONDS:

Rhonda has advocated for a conservative budget that will ensure that Coral Gables taxes remain low, and service levels and the City’s infrastructure are proactively maintained.  In 2024, Rhonda moved to substantially reduce residential garbage fees; a motion the Mayor seconded and one commissioner voted to pass. 

The City’s Hurricane reserves for restoring services should never be spent nor bonds issued for projects that can be budgeted over time and that are eligible for grant funding, saving residents millions of dollars of future bond interest costs.  The Commission should not, as three commissioners did in 2022, give themselves pay raises or increase their benefits without voter approval.