KENDALL, Fla. — Miami-Dade commissioners on Thursday decided to defer their vote until the next meeting on March 19 to give the developers more time to work with neighbors on addressing some of their concerns which include having more green space like a preserve.

This came after more than an hour of public comment and commissioners making specific note of how many neighbors are still opposed to the project in Kendall.

Several commissioners pressed the developer to find consensus with these neighbors and reach out and find agreement with them.

A cautiously optimistic Amanda Prieto, founder of Save Calusa, and her pro bono attorney David Winker warmly thanked the commissioners for hearing their concerns.

Prieto told Local 10 News she is advocating for a preserve around the rookery to add green space to the project.

“I’m thrilled that they listened, but again, I think it’s the power of community and that the residents deserve a voice in this process,” Prieto said. “I have always been open to negotiating. I hope that I can make this proposal better for my community, residents, and the wildlife.”

“I hope the developers heard what the commissioners were saying and what the goal here was that there was a better proposal for this community,” she added.

Other commissioners also discussed their concerns about the impact this project will have to area traffic.

The commissioner in support of the developer’s zoning application, Raquel Regalado, told Local 10 News while the developers proposed 540 homes are expected to be priced at $1 million starting — there is a need for housing at that price point in the county.

“With limited land available and demand for single-family homes at an all-time high, Miami-Dade faces a critical housing shortage,” said Dick Norwalk, Executive Vice President for GL Homes. “Our vision will transform a long-shuttered golf course site into a premier community featuring exceptional home design, resort-style amenities, and a host of benefits that will enhance the surrounding neighborhood’s value and appeal.”

According to a news release from GL Homes, benefits derived from the development will include:

• Development of 540 single-family homes that will meet market demand in Kendall.
• Improved vehicular traffic pattern throughout the wider Calusa neighborhood, including a reduction in cut-through trips and privately funded police presence.
• Enhanced habitat and water quality around the property’s tree island where bird nesting takes place.
• Privately funded environmental remediation of the former golf course, including planting approximately 5,000 native trees (six times more than currently on the site), improving water quality, expanding lake acreage, and adding vegetation.
• New, privately funded drainage capacity in flood-prone areas within the community.

Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.