The Future of Coconut Grove is on the Line

Dear Editor:

This week, the future of Coconut Grove as a low-rise neighborhood is on the line as the Miami City Commission will be considering a critical zoning issue that would allow for taller residential developments to be built along our major corridors.

Why should you care? Because if we don’t act now and let our commissioners know that we do not want to further erode the Grove’s pedestrian-friendly charm, more oversized developments like The WELL and The Lincoln will be lining our streets, bringing with them increased traffic and congestion.

Legislation in 2023 that was meant to incentivize residential projects to increase the use of public transportation had a last-minute change without public input, which allowed developers to increase the size of luxury projects in the conservation district of Coconut Grove from a previous cap of five to now eight stories. 

These Projects will do nothing to increase the use of public transportation, and instead bring more vehicular traffic and congestion to our area.

The Commission meeting is this Thursday, April 24, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Miami City Hall. Your voice and presence are important to show our commissioners how important this issue is to us.

There are three ways to show your support: 1) attend the meeting and sign up to speak directly to our commissioners; 2) attend the meeting and show your support for friends and neighbors speaking against these oversized developments; or 3) fill in an online public comment form that explains your opposition to more higher rising development in our neighborhood. A link to the form is here (make sure you mark that your comments are for agenda item PZ.7).

Elissa Margulies

Coconut Grove