Miami commissioners voted to approve on first reading a proposal that would allow developers to double their density in specific neighborhoods, starting in Edgewater.
Under the proposal, developers would pay $35,000 per unit into a Resilience Trust Fund for the additional density. Those funds would be used to help pay for flood control and climate projects, like raising streets, replacing seawalls and installing pump stations. Areas identified as “high demand” and where the density bonus could apply are Edgewater, Watson Island and the Miami portion of the Venetian Islands.
The city commission on Thursday voted in favor of the proposal, which requires a second reading vote. Commissioner Damian Pardo is sponsoring the legislation.
The current density in Edgewater allows developers to build 150 units per acre, but the city’s comprehensive plan allows developers to build up to 300 units per acre using other loopholes or incentives, such as transferring development rights. Developers also have the option to build under the state’s Live Local Act, which provides density, height, parking and tax incentives to builders that set aside a portion of their units to workforce housing.
“I want people to understand that that density is already there, that density is there, and we’re putting forward a tool, a mechanism by which someone who chooses to develop can access that density,” Pardo said.
The Live Local Act allows developers to build up to 1,000 units per acre in certain areas.
Commission chairwoman Christine King was adamant that her district be excluded from the proposal, which it is, and she was critical of legislation like Live Local that provide even more density.
“We are, someone said earlier today, the strongest, most popular city. We’re neck and neck with New York and Los Angeles. We act like we’re a small little town of 500 people, and we’re not. We need to stand up for our residents,” she said. “Live Local is atrocious for us. RTZ [Rapid Transit Zoning] is atrocious for us. And the city of Miami, the electorate body, should be able to decide what is best for our community, not someone else.”
Commissioners agreed to have the city host a public workshop to clear up misinformation and address residents’ concerns.
Under the Resilience Trust Fund proposal, money collected by the city would generally have to stay in the same area, and any development that costs more than $100,000 would require commission approval. City officials have targeted Edgewater because the neighborhood is facing infrastructure issues due to major flooding and is experiencing a huge increase in development.
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Miami to vote on proposal that would double density in Edgewater
Development
South Florida
Live Local Act scorecard: 3K units completed, another 42K in the pipeline