DIRECTING CDMP AMENDMENT RE VERTICAL FARMING

Recreation, Tourism, and Resiliency Committee · 2026-07-14 · resolution

A resolution directing the County Mayor or designee to consider recommendations in the Agriculture Report and file an application to amend the Comprehensive Development Master Plan (CDMP) to provide for or encourage greater allowances inside urbanized areas for high-intensity, closed agricultural production systems such as vertical farming. The resolution was introduced on 6/23/2026, forwarded to the BCC with a favorable recommendation by the Recreation, Tourism, and Resiliency Committee on 7/14/2026, and is scheduled for the BCC agenda on 9/1/2026 as item 11A3. The report referenced is the October 10, 2023 'Evaluation of Agricultural Land Use Trends and Outlook in Miami-Dade County, Florida,' accepted by the Board on December 12, 2023 under Legistar No. 232254. The resolution cites that a minimum of 64,800 acres will be needed for agricultural use by 2030, decreasing to 56,300 acres by 2050, and that 93 percent of the County's farms are under 50 acres, with 73 percent under 10 acres. Over 70 stakeholders interviewed for the report expressed frustration with overlapping regulations and a lack of County support for agriculture, with many citing the need for more flexible policies such as those enabling vertical agriculture in urbanized zones. The resolution was sponsored by Roberto J. Gonzalez.