Miami city commissioners will vote on a proposal that would allow developers to double residential density in certain neighborhoods, beginning with Edgewater. The measure, if passed, would use the city’s Resilience Trust Fund to finance flood control and climate resilience projects.
The Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board approved the proposal in October. The upcoming commission vote is scheduled for Thursday and will be a first reading; a second reading is required for final approval.
Currently, the plan focuses on two high-demand areas within Edgewater, stretching from the Julia Tuttle Causeway south to Northeast Eighth Street. Watson Island is also included as an area where new developments are planned.
Commissioner Damian Pardo is sponsoring the legislation. The proposed fund would pay for initiatives such as raising streets, replacing seawalls, and installing pump stations. Funds collected from developers would generally remain allocated to improvements in the same area where development occurs. Projects exceeding $100,000 in cost would need additional commission approval.
Some critics have raised concerns that increasing density could further strain local infrastructure and accelerate gentrification. Flooding remains a significant problem for Edgewater residents during rainstorms, damaging vehicles and homes. At the same time, development activity has surged: last month, the Miami Urban Development Review Board approved plans for a 47-story mixed-use tower at 3350 Biscayne Boulevard—currently up for sale—and Black Salmon, Boschetti Group, and Constellation Group 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 but noted concerns about the approach: “somewhat ironic that we’re incentivizing additional development capacity in an area that obviously is already flooding significantly.”
