Miami’s Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board (PZAB) unanimously approved a controversial zoning proposal Wednesday that would allow developers to build taller and larger projects near bike and pedestrian paths and other so-called greenways.
The proposed Greenway Public Benefits Program would permit bonus building height and floor-area ratio in exchange for public benefits such as trail construction, mobility improvements or cash contributions to the city’s Parks and Open Space Trust Fund.
The version approved by PZAB is significantly broader than the proposal first introduced earlier this year. It doubles the eligibility radius from a quarter-mile to a half-mile from designated greenways and gives city officials greater flexibility to designate additional qualifying corridors in the future.
In Neighborhood Conservation Districts, including Coconut Grove, only properties zoned above five stories would qualify. Elsewhere in Miami, the program would apply to properties zoned for five stories and above.
Although the program would apply only to areas zoned for five-story development and above, city planning staff indicated during Wednesday’s hearing that they may return in the near future with legislation expanding the program to include lower-density T4 zoning districts.
The proposal now heads to the City Commission for final consideration.
Read more: Greenway Bonus Proposal Returns in Expanded Form
