Florida lawmakers approved on Mar. 16 land use legislation that allows Fontainebleau Development to move forward with plans to upgrade 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 is significant because it enables large destination resorts, such as the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, to bypass local oversight in certain redevelopment projects. The measure applies to hotels with more than 500 rooms and an average occupancy rate of at least 70 percent over the past three years. This provision was drafted by Doral State Representative David Borrero with input from a lobbyist for Fontainebleau Development.
The new law requires cities to administratively approve variances and special exceptions for up to 20 percent of land occupied by qualifying resorts. While this provision will sunset in five years for applications, it does not affect ongoing construction. An amendment proposed by State Senator Shevrin Jones to remove the Fontainebleau-specific language failed in a close vote.
Fontainebleau Development, led by Jeffrey Soffer, has faced repeated delays from the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board regarding its plan to add cabanas and a steel-and-aluminum waterslide tower at its 1,593-room property on Collins Avenue. Public meetings have drawn strong opposition from residents concerned about overdevelopment and infrastructure strain.
Fabian Basabe, a Republican state representative whose district includes the resort, said: “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.”
At a recent news conference, Mayor Steven Meiner also voiced concerns about removing local review: “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.”
The passage of this legislation marks a shift in how major redevelopment projects may proceed in Miami Beach and could set a precedent for similar developments across Florida.
