MIAMI — In a 4-1 vote on Thursday, Miami city commissioners rejected a zoning proposal that would allow land owned by “civic institutions” ― including churches, schools and hospitals ― to be developed into housing.

District 4 Commissioner Ralph Rosado said he introduced the zoning plan, which would have included affordability requirements, in an effort to stem the area’s housing cost crisis by opening up underutilized land for housing. It tracks similar efforts by state lawmakers.

His office told Local 10 News that the proposal would implement affordability measures outlined in the Miami 21 plan.

The Coconut Grove Spotlight reported that under the change, properties under the city’s “civic institution” zoning “would be permitted to develop residential housing without a rezoning or a separate policy vote on land use — a process that typically involves public hearings and the ability of neighbors to formally challenge or appeal decisions."

During Thursday’s commission meeting, District 5 Commissioner Christine King raised concerns that local pastors and others had not been consulted before officials took up the plan.

“The silence of not having one pastor here says more than I can say,” she said.

She said she feared that representatives of local churches and other organizations may not have the expertise or resources to know whether they’re getting a fair deal for their land.

Despite Thursday’s rejection, Rosado said in a statement that he “look(s) forward to continuing this discussion” with fellow commissioners, city staff members and residents.

“We believe that allowing affordable housing as-of-right on educational, religious and government properties is a step in the right direction toward addressing the housing challenges in one of the most expensive cities in America,” he said.

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