Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Miami-Dade commissioners approve faster permitting for seawalls, allow living seawall technology
Summary
The County Commission voted unanimously to approve ordinance item 1 G 1 as amended, creating a short-form permit path for many seawall and bulkhead replacements, adding a 90-day review timeline and provisions to accommodate new "living seawall" products while preserving some public-hearing rights.
Miami-Dade County commissioners on a voice vote approved an amended ordinance (item 1 G 1) to streamline permitting for seawalls and bulkheads, add a 90-day review timeline for certain class 1 permits and create a short-form permitting option intended to speed replacement and adoption of so-called "living seawall" technologies.
The change, moved by Commissioner Higgins and seconded by Commissioner Hardiman, passed unanimously. Commissioners said the measure balances permitting speed with environmental safeguards; public speakers representing builders, marine contractors and environmental groups addressed the commission during the item’s public hearing.
Supporters said long permitting times leave homeowners and shoreline infrastructure at risk and slow adoption of newer, habitat-friendly seawall materials. "This amendment limits public hearing and speeds up permitting applications only for seawalls and bulkheads, which we support," said Scott Polowitz of Friends of Biscayne Bay. Several contractors described multi‑month or multi‑year delays and urged the county to align local requirements with state and federal practice to…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
