The City of Miami Beach Land Use and Sustainability Committee voted Oct. 16 to forward recommendations to the City Commission aimed at improving the design and upkeep of retail storefronts along primary corridors such as Lincoln Road, Washington Avenue and Ocean Drive.

Staff from the Economic Development and Planning departments briefed the committee on existing programs, including a city-provided storefront-cover program and corridor-specific design guides. Heather Shaw, economic assistant director for economic development, said the city maintains a set of approved storefront-cover designs and works with Planning and Code to educate property owners and tenants about requirements.

The committee endorsed a multi-pronged approach: conduct regular visual audits of storefronts, expand education and design toolkits for small businesses, tighten or clarify timelines for compliance on low-cost maintenance items, and create a recognition program to reward improvement and encourage voluntary compliance. “We believe the recommendation is really about more communication and more collaboration,” Shaw said.

Members stressed that many storefront issues stem from lack of awareness rather than willful disregard. Commissioner Bach and others proposed an audit schedule and a phased compliance approach with follow-up education, while Commissioner Bond suggested using existing public-art banners (the “Forever Proud” banners) as inspiration for storefront coverings and adding awards and promotion through city and business-improvement channels.

Code and Economic Development staff described coordinated enforcement and assistance. Lindsay Pratt, deputy resilience officer and assistant director of environment sustainability, and code staff said inspectors try to educate property owners first; where violations persist, the city can issue notices and pursue magistrate action. Staff also described a business-concierge approach to help struggling businesses navigate permitting and improvement plans.

The committee approved moving the staff recommendations and additions — including an audit program, an educational outreach plan, partnerships with business improvement districts and chambers, a recognition program for compliant businesses, and consideration of more flexible timelines for low-cost compliance items — to the full City Commission for consideration.

The committee tasked staff to return with more detail on vacancy tracking for storefronts, recommended audit frequency and an implementation schedule. No ordinance was adopted at the meeting.