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Miami Beach Planning Board advances FAR rules, ADU changes, EV parking and several neighborhood applications
Summary
At its July 25 meeting the Planning Board voted to transmit proposed rules on future FAR increases, approved ADU changes targeted to Palm View, moved new standards for electric-vehicle readiness, approved two neighborhood restaurants and several land-use items, and continued one lot-split for further neighbor outreach.
The Miami Beach Planning Board met July 25 in City Hall and advanced a package of land-use proposals and neighborhood items, front-loading measures to govern future floor‑area‑ratio (FAR) increases and to add new development controls while approving several neighborhood projects.
The board transmitted an ordinance that would set a multi-step process for any future FAR increase — requiring preliminary planning-board review, a community workshop and a two‑step commission hearing — and recommended the commission add a narrow waiver for de minimis text changes. Planning Department staff and several board members described the ordinance as an effort to replace the voter referendum process that state law (Senate Bill 718) removed this year: "That provision in the city charter which required FAR increases to go to the voters is no longer applicable," one staff presenter said, summarizing the law change. The board also separately recommended an amendment raising the commission vote threshold for FAR increases from five‑sevenths to six‑sevenths; that change was transmitted to the commission as well.
The board voted to transmit two related and frequently discussed code changes aimed at housing and historic districts. One ordinance would allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to be rented in the Palm View Historic District (owner‑occupied primary homes only, minimum tenancy >6 months). The companion item would allow administrative (staff) review of ADUs in single‑family historic districts so long as work does not alter architecturally significant features. Staff said both items are intended to create options for homeowner income and modest attainable housing while preserving design review for sensitive places.
New development standards for electric‑vehicle (EV) parking and charging also moved forward. The ordinance the board transmitted raises the proportion of EV‑ready spaces in new buildings, requires 240‑volt…
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