Center With New Publix Gets Approval

By Patricia Mazzei, The Miami Herald

Oct. 18–A new Publix is coming to Cutler Bay, along with five other buildings for office and commercial space, after the town council approved the final site plan for the Vista del Lago Town Center Wednesday night.

The council also deferred a vote on the town’s first growth management plan after residents raised concerns that building height and density allowances were too high.

The Vista del Lago Town Center will be located on about 18 acres already zoned for business use south of Southwest 216th Street and north of Southwest 224th Street, between Southwest 87th and 97th avenues in Lakes by the Bay. Developers said they hope construction, which will last 18 months, will begin in January 2008.

Residents and council members praised the project for bringing another much-needed grocery store to the area, as well as for designing the center with different architectural styles so that it doesn’t look like a token strip mall.

Although some residents still had questions about traffic flow to and inside of the center, most thanked the developers for meeting with Lakes by the Bay neighbors and making changes to the project after hearing their input.

“This group has been very responsive to Lakes by the Bay,” said resident Jaime Reyes, who said he preferred no more commercial development but understood the need for another shopping center. “I like what I’m seeing.”

The council deferred approval for the growth management plan, which outlines goals for the next 20 years in areas such as transportation, housing and infrastructure, until its next meeting, scheduled for Nov. 14. Before that meeting, the council will take comments from the public and consider making changes to the plan.

Municipalities must adopt growth management plans within three years of incorporation. Cutler Bay was incorporated in 2005.

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