During a recent government meeting, discussions highlighted the increasing trend of innovative development partnerships across various states, including California, Georgia, and Virginia. A key speaker emphasized the necessity for municipalities to adapt their existing policies and zoning maps to accommodate these new types of developments, which are becoming more prevalent in urban areas.

In South Florida, specific examples were cited, such as the high-rise project at 9609 Brickell in Miami, where a church occupies the lower floors of a multi-story building. This model of vertical integration is mirrored in other projects, including Peace Village in West Palm Beach, which combines community spaces with religious institutions.

The speaker noted that while these developments are gaining traction, many local governments currently lack the frameworks needed to support such initiatives. As a result, there is a pressing need for policy modifications to facilitate these innovative partnerships and ensure they can be successfully implemented in various communities. The proposed policy changes are expected to be formally documented and integrated into local codes to streamline the development process.