Miami commissioners will soon vote on a proposal that would allow developers to double the density of their projects in certain neighborhoods, beginning with Edgewater. The measure was approved by the city’s Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board in October and is scheduled for a first reading before the commission on Thursday. A second reading will be required for final approval.
If enacted, the plan would use the city’s Resilience Trust Fund to finance flood control and climate adaptation projects. According to Coconut Grove Spotlight, only two areas have been identified so far for increased density, both located in Edgewater from the Julia Tuttle Causeway south to Northeast Eighth Street. Watson Island is also included in the proposal, where new developments are being planned.
Commissioner Damian Pardo is sponsoring the legislation. The Resilience Trust Fund would be used for projects such as raising streets, replacing seawalls, and installing pump stations. Funds collected must generally remain within the same area where they were raised. Any development costing more than $100,000 would require commission approval.
Some critics argue that increasing density could place additional pressure on infrastructure and accelerate gentrification in these neighborhoods.
Edgewater has faced frequent flooding during rainstorms, leading to damage to vehicles and homes. The neighborhood is also seeing significant new development activity. Last month, Miami’s Urban Development Review Board approved plans for a 47-story mixed-use tower with nearly 500 apartments at 3350 Biscayne Boulevard. Black Salmon, Boschetti Group, and Constellation Group recently announced a partnership with Sam Nazarian to develop a branded condo tower at 422 Northeast 29th Street.
Aaron DeMayo, chair of the city’s Climate Resilience Committee, expressed support for the proposal but noted concerns about its implications: “somewhat ironic that we’re incentivizing additional development capacity in an area that obviously is already flooding significantly.”
