Tensions reached a boiling point during last week’s Miami Beach commission meeting as the fate of significant upzoning proposals was deliberated.
Unlike the public, it was the elected officials who tossed around the term “hypocrite” amidst heated debates.
The commission’s marathon session commenced Wednesday morning and stretched until nearly 8 p.m., primarily centered on two contentious development proposals.
The first major decision was the approval, on first reading, of settlement and development agreements for the controversial Meruelo family and developer David Martin.
Their plans involve constructing much taller structures on the site of the former Deauville Beach Resort, a once 185-foot tall building, with new proposals soaring up to 380 feet.
The discussion regarding the Deauville project consumed approximately three and a half hours of the meeting.
Following this, the commission approved amendments to land development regulations that would permit Michael Stern’s JDS Development Group and Gianluca Vacchi’s GV Development to build a taller tower at 1250 West Avenue in South Beach.
The height of the new tower could rise to 330 feet, compared to the existing 150-foot building currently on the property.
Both of these projects include public benefits packages and will need to come before the commission again for final votes.
During the discussions, Commissioner David Suarez urged for the city to hire an economic real estate consultant.
Suarez emphasized the need for a precise evaluation of the value associated with the floor area ratio (FAR) increases and additional bonuses that the developers would receive.
He expressed his discontent with the idea that the commission seemed to be in the business of “selling FAR and height to developers,” stating, “I’m totally against it.”
He further questioned whether it was wise to proceed without fully understanding the best possible deal.
Another commissioner, Alex Fernandez, put forth a recommendation for a moratorium on new private applications from developers looking for FAR increases.
However, Suarez advised against imposing a blanket ban without making allowances for affordable housing projects, though the two projects voted on would be excluded from this recommendation.
As the debate progressed, tensions escalated, eventually culminating in a screaming match among the commissioners.
During the discussions, Suarez confronted Commissioner Tanya Bhatt, accusing her of inconsistency.
He pointed out that she had previously opposed a version of the Deauville project three years ago but was now inclined to support this latest plan.
Suarez argued it was hypocritical to endorse height increases for the current projects while having rejected the earlier proposal.
“I got elected on accountability, and no one is immune to accountability,” he asserted.
He criticized his fellow commissioners for being “weak-kneed” on the matter, particularly regarding precedents set by prior decisions.
In response, Bhatt interjected, calling Suarez the “biggest hypocrite on the dais.”
The confrontation was indicative of the deep divisions among the commissioners over development issues in Miami Beach.
Now with the Deauville proposal scheduled for final approvals on May 21, Suarez hinted at revealing further pointed criticisms during that meeting.
In real estate news, Tiffany Cloutier sold her property at 240 North Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach for $26.7 million, though it was initially listed at $39 million.
In the commercial sector, Blackstone and Link Logistics completed the sale of three industrial sites in Dania Beach and Miramar for a total of $120.5 million to Ares Management.
The largest transaction involved a $69.4 million acquisition of the Miramar Distribution Center, a sprawling 14.5-acre facility.
In other listings, entrepreneur Maurice Pinsonnault has put his six-bedroom estate in North Palm Beach on the market for $60 million, which is already under contract.
This 1.4-acre property features oceanfront, a six-car garage, and a pool with a gazebo, among other luxurious amenities.
Lastly, we’ve learned that approximately 20 percent of all condominiums in the U.S. can be found in Florida, revealing the state’s significant market share.
As the condo crisis continues to escalate across Florida, residents are encouraged to share their stories and experiences.
image source from：https://therealdeal.com/miami/2025/04/27/miami-beach-commissioners-debate-height-increases/
