A proposed residential and hotel development in Surfside, Florida is facing resistance from local officials and residents. The project, planned for 95th Street, would be an 11-story building with 33 units, replacing a single-story post office built in the 1950s. The application was filed by an affiliate of New York-based Postal Realty Trust, led by Andrew Spodek, along with Ocean Walk Surfside LLC.
Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett criticized the proposal. “It’s outrageous that Florida politicians have ‘decided to destroy the fabric and composition of small towns’ via the Live Local Act,” Burkett said. He also called the project a “disaster.”
The Live Local Act became law in 2023 and aims to promote workforce housing for tenants earning up to 120 percent of area median income. The law provides developers with incentives such as increased density and height allowances, reduced parking requirements, and tax benefits. It also limits local governments’ ability to approve or deny qualifying projects if they meet state criteria.
Concerns from opponents include additional congestion on roads, potential overcrowding in schools, and a loss of local control over development decisions. Town staff are currently reviewing the application.
Despite opposition from municipalities like Surfside, lawmakers in Tallahassee appear unlikely to reconsider provisions of the law this session. Senate Bill 1548 has been introduced by Sen. Alexis Calatayud; it proposes expanding eligibility for Live Local projects to properties owned by counties, municipalities or school districts—provided those owners are involved in the application process and that developments remain within their jurisdictional boundaries. The bill would also prevent counties from restricting building heights through other regulations such as setbacks or stepbacks.
Other provisions specify that farms and farm operations are not considered commercial or industrial properties under this legislation.
In related real estate news:
– A mansion at 1460 North Lake Way in Palm Beach sold for $72 million.
– DWS Group sold two office buildings known as Alhambra in Coral Gables for $119.6 million.
– A waterfront estate at 790 South County Road in Palm Beach was listed for $105 million after selling for about $31 million three years ago.
– Google co-founder Larry Page bought two Coconut Grove waterfront properties totaling $173 million; Sergey Brin made an offer on another Miami Beach property.
– In a separate incident reported by the Miami Herald, a Coral Gables man pleaded guilty to careless boating resulting in the death of Ella Adler while she was wakeboarding behind a yacht.
The legislative session begins Monday as lawmakers consider bills affecting real estate development across Florida.
