Florida lawmakers approved on Mar. 16 a land use measure that allows Fontainebleau Development to move forward with upgrades to the pool deck at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort without needing approval from the city’s Historic Preservation Board, according to reporting by the Miami Herald.
The legislation has drawn attention because it bypasses local oversight for large destination resorts, such as the Fontainebleau, which has more than 500 rooms and a high occupancy rate. The provision was drafted by State Representative David Borrero of Doral with input from a lobbyist for Fontainebleau Development. It requires cities to administratively approve variances and special exceptions for up to 20 percent of land occupied by qualifying hotels.
The measure is set to expire in five years for new applications but not for ongoing construction. An amendment proposed by State Senator Shevrin Jones to remove the Fontainebleau-specific provision failed in a close vote.
The legislative action follows delays by the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board, which postponed a third vote on the project at the developer’s request. The planned upgrades include new cabanas and a steel-and-aluminum waterslide tower at the resort located at 4441 Collins Avenue. Recent board meetings saw significant public opposition, with residents expressing concerns about overdevelopment and infrastructure strain.
Fabian Basabe, a Republican representing Miami Beach, criticized the project as an example of development putting pressure on local systems. “What our community is asking for is responsible redevelopment that fixes what we already have before placing even more pressure on traffic, water and stormwater systems,” he told the Miami Herald.
At a recent news conference, Mayor Steven Meiner joined other officials and residents in opposing the state measure. “Local governments are closest to the people they serve and are best positioned to balance economic development with the needs of residents, traffic realities, infrastructure capacity and the protection of our historic landmarks,” Meiner said. “Miami Beach respects the role of the state, however decisions that directly impact our community should continue to include meaningful local review and public input.”
