Miami Beach commissioners could move Wednesday to put two bad ballot questions — that wold allow developers to have more height and density on their projects — on the November ballot.
It’s really unbelievable that this would even be considered. It’s premature at best, giving in to special interest at worst. And it’s not just one but two resolutions on the agenda to increase the floor area ratio for developers.
One of these measures, sponsored by Commissioner Joy Malakoff, would increase the 
FAR for adaptive re-use in historic buildings. The other resolution on the agenda would increase the FAR for buildings along Washington Avenue and Alton Road.
What’s the public interest behind this? And what’s the rush? Cities have until September to put ballot questions on the November ballot.
The Miami Beach United board of activists and engaged citizens can’t find any public interest either and have opposed both measures.
They cite a process that has already begun with the Washington 
Avenue Business Improvement District and a Zyscovich Architects consultant to develop a “comprehensive package” to incentivize office development.
“Until this consultant, hired by the city, has a chance to engage with property owners and with the community, it seems premature and inappropriate to make this significant of a zoning change without understanding if there is even a need for it,” an email from MBU states.
Read related: Ocean Terrace tower makes moves despite 2015 Miami Beach no vote
The move to increase FAR in historic buildings (how? what? huh?), sponsored 
by Commissioner John Elizabeth Aleman, comes with the “adaptive re-use of unused parking spaces” — which seems to be code for allowing even more density — sponsored by Commissioner Ricky Arriola. who also sponsored the giveaway of city owned public parcels in North Beach so the Ocean Terrace developers can increase their FAR.
Besides the fact that these should be two separate questions, MBU members also say the questions have no justification and are “overly broad,” giving the commission too much room when writing the actual ordinance that would enact this new upzoning.
What is going on here? Who is writing these? It almost seems as if there is a developer at City Hall whispering in Arriola’s ear.
Again, like with the proposed ballot question on the mayoral term, don’t be fooled by the “let the people vote” argument. The proponents of these changes know full well that there will be special interests financing a well-funded “yes” campaign and no money on the opposite side.
Putting it on the ballot is a way to increase FAR and not be accountable for it.
Commissioners should reject all these questions as they are premature at best, designed by and for special interests at worst.
Two bad ballot questions would increase density in Miami Beach added by Ladra on
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