Zoning board clears eight variances for Ken Griffin’s Star Island estate after reconsideration of flood‑elevation request

The Miami Beach Zoning Board of Adjustment on March 7 approved eight variances sought by financier Ken Griffin’s team to assemble four Star Island lots and build a large two‑story family residence, including height exceptions and a driveway width increase. The board’s final action included a contentious vote on a preemptive variance tied to future FEMA base‑flood elevation changes; that item first failed and was later approved 5‑2 on a motion to reconsider.

The application proposes to aggregate four contiguous lots on Star Island into one assemblage of roughly 280,000 square feet (about 6.43 acres) with a 700‑foot lot width, then construct a new two‑story home with two accessory structures and extensive landscape and resilience features. Planning staff recommended approval of the package subject to conditions in the draft order.

Staff planner Rogelio Madden and the applicant’s counsel Michael Larkin walked the board through eight variances the team requested: (1) elimination of the 3‑lot aggregation limit so four lots may be combined; (2) a reduced sum‑of‑side‑yards calculation because accessory structures adjacent to the main…