[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6125191,"mediaKeyId","2677622-ca3afc0a637c69a63101c9fca41b370c","parentId",2677622,"title","Miami Beach committee asks attorneys to study criminal penalties, orders historic‑replication rule after Deauville concerns","audioSeconds",1233,"startMs",9235000,"endMs",10468000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677622-ca3afc0a637c69a63101c9fca41b370c&start=9235&end=10468","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677622-ca3afc0a637c69a63101c9fca41b370c/thumbnail_9235000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6125191/Miami-Beach/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Miami-Beach-committee-asks-attorneys-to-study-criminal-penalties-orders-historicreplication-rule-after-Deauville-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125191-dffb9c2471a3edd1d7ec47062cbe7762/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171850&Signature=e0XWjCwcZkpJNUmcvOq98pFmWrBW2lwCombcGVaZvVSPImmfAqcrfTBcT1b2~CC4Ek~ahR-HPXvyqC4IRDqUD9tET4wsSJpud5YEuTSU87yZGrMYspbzvmDxHDDHUmPtccp7sgepRXGSok3W6MiGO84Y-sbl4e8QI0e8-IZJMDPx9Nt-WLagQlVDPmBYCh3gj73Pc5EMkrEvmtZX2Ib-CL4PLMs5OnoA3M6-9v5Yv22kIEbJLvLaT6MjQyYaahehcWLpx7BvHB1c7WP2T4g9sygRc0uVwVOetrc2dBXh4VfZ6mOz5-6KRHKfh5dvCKQiCb3rrCyaYdtJpu46BNmhHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Miami Beach, FL","date","2025-03-18T16:46:23Z","article","The committee on March 4 began two linked actions aimed at stronger enforcement against demolition‑by‑neglect of historic properties: staff will study whether criminal penalties or other enforcement tools are available, and the committee forwarded a draft ordinance that creates a rebuttable presumption requiring replication of contributing buildings destroyed without an approved Certificate of Appropriateness.

Background: Commissioners raised the Deauville property as a prompt for both initiative and review of existing enforcement tools. The draft ordinance strengthens the existing code presumption by adding clearer standards and tying any required replication review to the Secretary of the Interior’s standards to make the requirement more legally defensible on appeal.

Legal and policy work requested: committee members asked the city attorney and administration to prepare options on whether municipal criminal sanctions (up to the state statutory limits) or other civil/debarment remedies can be applied in willful neglect cases; they also asked staff to detail how such penalties would work against entities that are LLCs or other ownership structures. The committee asked that legal exposure and due‑process protections be identified and that staff return with draft language and legal analysis in May.

What the ordinance would do: the draft forwarded by staff would make replication the starting presumption where a contributing historic building was demolished without a required Certificate of Appropriateness or allowed to decay to the point of demolition. The Historic Preservation Board (HPB) could overturn the presumption only if specific criteria are met; staff said the Secretary of the Interior standards would be used to evaluate proposed replication and strengthen the city’s position on appeal.

Committee action: members approved sending the draft preservation ordinance to the commission as a C‑4 referral to initiate Planning Board review and asked the city attorney’s office to report on criminal penalties and other enforcement options; the item was set for further committee review in May.

Quotes: “People’s lives depend on the way that they maintain their property,” Commissioner Fernandez said, summarizing the safety rationale behind stronger enforcement. Staff noted the existing building‑official authorities for immediate life‑safety enforcement and the need to coordinate code enforcement with preservation policy.

Ending: The committee will receive a legal memorandum on potential criminal and civil enforcement mechanisms and broader policy options on demolition‑by‑neglect, and staff will carry the preservation draft forward to the Planning Board for review per the committee’s referral.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Land Use and Sustainability Committee Meeting March 4, 2022","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members asked the city attorney to research criminal penalties and other enforcement paths for buildings allowed to decay, and the committee favored a draft ordinance that would create a presumption requiring replication of contributing historic buildings demolished without prior approval.","taxTitle","Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County, Florida","taxId",2893,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6125196,"Committee asks staff to return with details on federal funding for private home elevation",1650,9900000,11550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677622-ca3afc0a637c69a63101c9fca41b370c&start=9900&end=11550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677622-ca3afc0a637c69a63101c9fca41b370c/thumbnail_9900000.jpg","/articles/6125196/Miami-Beach/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Committee-asks-staff-to-return-with-details-on-federal-funding-for-private-home-elevation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125196-d639d0fa1e0288ffbb5a825b922ee108/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171851&Signature=V2OuKF99vU0qei6325dr9sEwQI3amaKy-nzBzg3vS4a-5vkQmgl0o5j5N5pQUpnKmG-zt0S-BwvaaqKynngup32pFFM9jNSyWnwCmsKZ6xxUW6pXPbauK9RAXZk6vflbRW9rbgGSvF6B7TinHq4w3W0jHyEc8-EGND3EkBTgn06dhZ7Dco42~kV9ietRi9iSwSS9f4TfEWhhZqFhYCl~ALdOv2ZzEiXN7nZ63yyKR1em--4y5TpMTaQ7KIlwY6Q7A3YU7fRsfpXTBTurkG04zqmBAwMVXqMs-QKyaCjt7pEka0E2ZbHpjo2lgpWsndYp9ZqkdxtOpolxkQGa02zKuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Miami Beach staff told the committee on March 4 that private home elevation can be supported using federal mitigation programs and city‑run assistance, and the committee asked administration to return with details on local cost exposure and program mechanics.

Amy Knowles, the city’s chief resilience officer, said the Private Property Adaptation program will include an assessment and technical assistance component to help homeowners determine whether they qualify for federal Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grants. Knowles said some repetitive‑loss properties in Miami Beach could be eligible, and that the program’s consultant would prepare benefit–cost analyses and federal applications for qualified owners.

Why it matters: more than 90% of Miami Beach lies in FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Area, and staff noted that elevating privately owned homes could reduce repeated flood damage and is a complement to the city’s public infrastructure resilience efforts. Committee members asked whether a local match would be required and whether the city would be obligated to provide that match; Knowles said match levels vary by program and property and that staff will provide specific guidance.

Committee action: members asked staff to return to the committee next month with clarifying details about program rules, the likely local match exposure, and any protections the city could require to prevent dollars from paying for improvements that would then be immediately demolished. Committee voted to send the item to finance for possible local matching funds and asked that staff present a timeline for federal application cycles.

Quotes: “This could be part of our Private Property Adaptation Program,” Amy Knowles said, noting the city will assist homeowners with cumbersome federal application steps. \"The funding is actually quadrupled, from what it used to be with the new federal funding coming down, so it's great timing.\"

Ending: Staff will return with a packet describing the FMA program steps, estimated local match exposure, administrative steps for the Private Property Adaptation Program and recommendations for whether the city should set aside local matching dollars as part of this year’s budget cycle.","Committee heard staff explain how Miami Beach can help homeowners pursue FEMA-funded elevation under the city’s Private Property Adaptation program and asked for analysis of local match obligations before committing city funds.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6125201,"Committee endorses referral to planning board for 80‑foot office height on Washington Avenue",900,5400000,6300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677622-ca3afc0a637c69a63101c9fca41b370c&start=5400&end=6300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677622-ca3afc0a637c69a63101c9fca41b370c/thumbnail_5400000.jpg","/articles/6125201/Miami-Beach/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Committee-endorses-referral-to-planning-board-for-80foot-office-height-on-Washington-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125201-d5280ca3bec60c0467295302a725fbb9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171851&Signature=ccRyW3pExk-RNcaJ85OKBcXX2Ob8gYWF39dowwm-H06xO1eodrR6G0HFwFN4k6tkXxBRQ-tHYYyBAYOzNF1Zc1toJD7q3P91lU73evJIsOWRfjUP525MVjy2JBIL6h1R99Mm9blmPoGRES5NT4PKO7iBQQ3YnkkwuCXkC83hTRcpnLmSQXhm0zkanz7TYZZo2PTo31bpXedE86yugOH2WSjsTEfBE-IwyXTeB5iGdw1sunXhMkepx6ERwoPSbQQvIfHwO2T8GDOC3k8~KiXbHswppFdv0asrHqOv6OmCCvO2z7Iq1I66R1MgM1pxSpc2Pdh2i5T8nCuG0myJYIiOAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Land Use and Sustainability Committee on March 4 recommended a favorable stance on a proposed text amendment that would allow up to 80 feet of building height where the code currently limits most development to 50 feet — but only if the increased height is used for office space.

Developer representatives asked the committee to support a zoning text change for two parcels at 1655 and 1685 Washington Avenue, saying the sites are occupied by a legal nonconforming structure and an adjacent vacant lot and that Class A office space is in demand in the area. Alfred Gonzalez, counsel for the applicant, told the committee the project team would demolish an existing building then build an office building and intended to go through historic‑preservation review for the design.

Why it matters: staff told the committee the proposal would be consistent with the block’s surrounding development and would be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Board (HPB) during entitlement. Planning staff said a March 22 Planning Board hearing is scheduled and recommended the Land Use Committee endorse a favorable referral.

Committee action: the committee moved and seconded a favorable recommendation and authorized the item to go forward to the Planning Board and then to the full commission (first reading). The applicant asked to have HPB review as an advisory item between first and second reading so the project team can get early feedback; staff confirmed that sequencing is possible.

Quotes: “This is a good project,” a commissioner supporting the item said. Alfred Gonzalez said the design team had engaged noted architect Peter Marino and that the developer intended to pursue Class A office space in Miami Beach.

Ending: The item will proceed to the Planning Board; if the Planning Board recommends approval, the ordinance will return for commission readings. The committee asked the applicant and staff to coordinate early HPB feedback during the entitlement process.","The committee recommended sending a text amendment to the planning board to allow up to 80 feet for office space on two properties on Washington Avenue between Lincoln Road and 17th Street, with additional historic‑board input planned.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6125206,"Committee backs longer study, finance referral for Monument Island cleanup and safety measures",1221,3529000,4750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677622-ca3afc0a637c69a63101c9fca41b370c&start=3529&end=4750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677622-ca3afc0a637c69a63101c9fca41b370c/thumbnail_3529000.jpg","/articles/6125206/Miami-Beach/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Committee-backs-longer-study-finance-referral-for-Monument-Island-cleanup-and-safety-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125206-2ec60d3ef274c681a6535ce225f38613/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171851&Signature=TyNqvZVovknJrmbdrWflXT7Bcc1aXRCRZ8RqsZ0wOJZLhLZQM0kXYsAycWT~1lQkQLFJAGt0QAkGSd7F8y1aGfNA-zpk1yqqGNmrHXJyEuR-o39nMfF-VOQYZfd3rP90fC62KLfQlxFe3s9MHu-ecFu~N2SaYN-goA0-MEwLreRUlcVfn1rkvGNAbecIFaMgFzeIYAS6mN7FZzpHyxV4iCbVt1OpWr74l~hiXnDLr-e73eEHMww8ArKntjgDimGUFJqMqBdHXq1owIPocwnlmqAKhLMPYVZtaIwUIYlQte3pYIHvcO9XGDF4VKkn0DcK9ziJ3AF~MEct0yRdZj-XHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Land Use and Sustainability Committee on March 4 directed staff to develop a short‑ and long‑term plan for Monument Island that would combine ecosystem restoration and public‑safety measures and to send a finance referral while staff pursues county approvals.

Amy Knowles, chief resilience officer, said the item responds to a $25,000 donation that had not been spent and to recommendations from the Sustainability Committee. Staff showed a landscape plan prepared several years ago and reported a conceptual cost estimate for an integrated fix — riprap along vulnerable shorelines, mooring buoys to keep boats out of shallow seagrass, designated swim‑only zones and restoration planting — of roughly $250,000 at a high level. Knowles said environmental permitting and design would be required and that the project likely exceeds the $25,000 donation.

Marine Patrol told the committee the island creates ongoing enforcement and safety problems during busy weekends: repeated violations, illegal jet‑ski rentals and beaching of boats, trash accumulation and fights that stress Marine Patrol resources. An officer testified that two boats are commonly dedicated to the island on busy days and described multiple arrests for illegal commercial operations in recent months. The officer said cameras alone would not solve the problem and urged riprap and mooring‑buoy measures to discourage boaters from beaching on the island.

Why it matters: Monument Island is publicly accessible and attracts large informal gatherings that Marine Patrol said create recurring enforcement incidents, trash, fire risk and risks to seagrass. Several commissioners said the repairs and safety measures would both reduce hazards and free Marine Patrol resources for other waterways.

Committee action: the committee asked administration staff to draft a short list of “quick wins” that could be funded near term, to pursue county approval for any closure or shore protection work that requires a change in county authorization, and to return with a more detailed cost and permitting plan in May. The committee also asked staff to route a finance referral for capital funding options. Members agreed to continue the item to the May 13 committee meeting to allow time for cost estimates and intergovernmental coordination.

Quotes: “It’s a bear to patrol,” the Marine Patrol officer said, describing weekend crowds, illegal rentals and trash build‑up. Amy Knowles said the $25,000 donation could advance habitat planting but that a comprehensive fix would require capital funding and permitting.

Ending: Staff will prepare a two‑track approach — immediate, limited measures where feasible and a more formal environmental/permitting‑backed capital project — and will bring cost estimates and a financing recommendation back to the committee in May.","Committee heard Marine Patrol and resilience staff propose habitat restoration plus riprap, mooring buoys and swim‑only areas to reduce illegal boating, unsafe behavior and ecological damage at Monument Island; members asked for a financing plan and county coordination and continued the item to May 13.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6125211,"Miami Beach committee backs studying $5 million pilot of short-term street‑drain fixes for flood hot spots",3821,79000,3900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677622-ca3afc0a637c69a63101c9fca41b370c&start=79&end=3900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677622-ca3afc0a637c69a63101c9fca41b370c/thumbnail_79000.jpg","/articles/6125211/Miami-Beach/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Miami-Beach-committee-backs-studying-5-million-pilot-of-short-term-streetdrain-fixes-for-flood-hot-spots","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125211-ee0cb822f6107af2873700ca91dc58d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171851&Signature=Fl4zTHuqh4tBSO5HkVWab81mjDDXEm3T5VH5iRTXnjaMnK47ZynA5WzkwNUG3XxxKd3EsDlliw8zuGI9RYfFtbW9Pwv0CCrK0PWE1Th79wW7iu4l6vSRp1N6xmgG6yBQv-NJo0txrwA-2slUE~w9NAHXYjFlqhsNSfEGyHh37FxUnitHKC4ZY5~1EwaajyTJWmY9D8vGQ~bleh3CPEFv6mqCx2LZrdkL-7YlqePQZJ7cmhydc3toRrE4kubkEexSEPW-J9Nehpi0V7IRQ2s58ulwfYdk~JkNO8e6Tv3oShoDY6JJS-sBHFqcwEX3t4uaLqzvTN1zXLnc0hybjhyRdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Miami Beach’s Land Use and Sustainability Committee on March 4 reviewed an administration proposal to install near‑term street drainage and infiltration measures in neighborhoods that flood from rain — but not from high tides — and agreed to send a pilot for further consideration as part of the city’s budget process.

The city’s public‑works team presented two conceptual options for the top 10 “hot‑spot” areas identified by a two‑year review of flooding complaints. Option 1 would rely on additional inlets and conveyance to the existing system. Option 2 — the administration’s recommendation — adds injection wells to increase local capacity slightly and provide water‑quality benefits. Staff said the measures would not address sunny‑day (tidal) flooding or sea‑level rise and would be interim fixes for smaller storm events.

The committee’s discussion focused on Nautilus D and La Gorcee/Lagores A, the two highest‑complaint areas found during staff’s heat‑map analysis. Christina Ortega, the city engineer, said the proposal targets rainfall‑induced standing water at locations where inlets are missing and where short conduit additions plus injection wells could reduce ponding. Joe Gomez, director of public works, told the committee the injections would “also provide added water quality benefits, which we believe is going to be a requirement from the regulators.”

Why it matters: the neighborhood improvement program (NIP) that funds long‑term road‑raising and full drainage projects ranks many of the affected areas low on the multiyear priority list; staff said Nautilus D and Lagores A are currently Nos. 49 and 48 on that list. Committee members said some neighborhoods would likely wait many years for full NIP projects while residents experience regular localized flooding now.

Cost, scope and funding: staff described a six‑year staged plan for the top 10 areas and identified roughly $5 million as a pilot budget to build initial work in the first two areas (Nautilus D and Lagores A). Administration staff said the city has resiliency funds (an additional $10 million that was referenced for seawalls) and that up to $5 million “may be used from resiliency fund” pending CFO coordination. The city’s memo identified an overall $26 million option for more coverage; the pilot was framed as $5 million for two areas.

Debate and constraints: some commissioners supported a pilot and neighborhood outreach to validate effectiveness; others opposed interim “band‑aid” spending that could require later rebuilding when full NIP projects occur. Several speakers repeatedly stressed that the proposed measures would not replace road raising — the long‑term solution for sunny‑day tidal flooding — and that road raising remains a costly and politically difficult step. Committee members and staff repeatedly cautioned residents that the option is “interim” and “localized,” not a neighborhood‑wide nor sea‑level‑rise remediation.

Committee action: members agreed to move the proposal to the full commission for consideration as part of the city’s annual budget cycle and to seek additional financing or grant opportunities. Committee members also requested confirmation from the CFO about using resiliency funds and endorsed additional community outreach if the pilot moves forward.

What’s next: staff will coordinate with the CFO about the resiliency fund availability, pursue potential state grant opportunities, and return the proposal for full commission budget consideration. The administration said it could begin design/assessment work immediately if funding and direction are approved.

Quotes: “We are wholly committed to our neighborhood improvement program,” Joe Gomez said, and clarified the pilot is separate from but complementary to NIP. Christina Ortega said, “The solutions that we're presenting here today are interim in nature. They … will not address tidal flooding, and they will not address sea level rise.”

Ending: The committee did not adopt construction‑level approvals; the item was referred to the full commission and to the budget process so elected members can weigh pilot funding against competing capital priorities.","Committee heard staff plans for two interim options to reduce rainfall flooding in neighborhoods not scheduled for large infrastructure projects and agreed to send a proposal for two pilot projects to the commission as part of the budget process.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Miami Beach committee asks attorneys to study criminal penalties, orders historic‑replication rule after Deauville concerns

Committee asks staff to return with details on federal funding for private home elevation

Committee endorses referral to planning board for 80‑foot office height on Washington Avenue

Committee backs longer study, finance referral for Monument Island cleanup and safety measures

Miami Beach committee backs studying $5 million pilot of short-term street‑drain fixes for flood hot spots