Gunster shareholder James R. Williams Jr. secured unanimous approval from the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners on behalf of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church & School and the Archdiocese of Miami.
The Board's approval of all eight zoning requests advances St. Thomas' long-term vision for a more cohesive, unified campus at 7303 SW 64th Street / Hardee Road. The approved requests include incorporation of additional property to the west, site plan modifications, related use and non-use variances, and approval of a right-of-way dedication waiver for a portion of SW 62nd Street.
This result builds on a separate 2025 Board approval also secured by Williams for the vacation of a 50-foot-wide unimproved right-of-way area along the western boundary of the property, further supporting the campus' long-range development plan.
Williams was supported on the matter by Gunster senior planner Alberto J. Torres and associate Catherine Carbonell, a proud alumna of St. Thomas the Apostle.
Congratulations to Father Alejandro, St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church & School, the Archdiocese of Miami, and the full design and consultant team on this important win for the campus and surrounding community.
James R. Williams Jr. is a Miami real estate attorney who focuses his practice in the areas of governmental advocacy, land use and zoning, and environmental law. He represents international, national and local developers and property owners in securing entitlements and permits for a broad range of developments consisting of, but not limited to, single family and multifamily residential, commercial, office, mixed-use, industrial, religious, educational and medical. He represents clients before all of the counties and many of the municipalities in South Florida such as Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami, City of Doral, City of Homestead and City of South Miami.
Alberto Jose Torres is a senior planner who advises clients on complex land use, zoning, and entitlement matters throughout Miami-Dade County and South Florida. With more than four decades of experience spanning senior roles in both the public and private sectors, Alberto helps developers, property owners, institutional clients, and legal teams navigate regulatory frameworks, secure development approvals, and position projects for long-term success. He operates at the intersection of planning policy and legal strategy, translating regulatory requirements into practical, outcome-driven solutions.
Catherine Carbonell is a real estate attorney focusing on land use and zoning. Catherine guides landowners, developers, and investors seeking to navigate the complexities of land use and zoning in Miami-Dade County and throughout South Florida. With a strong foundation in the public sector, Catherine brings a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory landscape, enabling her clients to efficiently achieve their development goals while minimizing risk and overcoming regulatory hurdles.
