Civil Municipal - May 2024

Mayor Joseph M. Corradino explains the city’s unique foundation: “Pinecrest incorporated as part of the second wave of incorporations in Miami-Dade County.This was a response to the fast-paced growth and the county’s increasing difficulty in providing neighborhood-specific services like local governance, land use, zoning, and police services.” He elaborates on the city’s commitment to maintaining a high standard of living, saying,“Our focus has always been on enhancing the character of the community and improving its quality of life.” One of the defining features of Pinecrest is its commitment to personalized service, often likened to a ‘concierge-level’ of attentiveness. This approach ensures that residents have their needs met and feel genuinely supported by their local government.“We offer a very high individual level of service,” Mayor Corradino adds. “Our staff and elected officials have the bandwidth to communicate almost immediately, one-on-one, with any resident to address their concerns and help them find solutions.” STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Pinecrest is a hub of natural beauty and residential tranquility and a center of thoughtful urban planning and community development. Village Manager Yocelyn Galiano provides insight into the Pinecrest Parkway Master Plan, one of the key development projects shaping the future of Pinecrest. “We recently completed the vision plan for the project, a significant community engagement effort. We gathered input through surveys and numerous town hall meetings,” she shares. This participatory approach led to a revamped vision for the parkway, particularly affecting the US-1 corridor, a crucial commercial stretch that borders the west side of Pinecrest. Galiano highlights,“The exercise called for changes to our zoning code, including overlay districts that allow for mixed-use development, particularly in areas near our transit services like the Metrorail and the South Dade Busway.” The changes aim to accommodate and foster transit- oriented developments, reflecting a broader trend 161 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 05 PINECREST, FL