Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
On May 11 a Miami Beach public hearing was held to discuss a new zoning ordinance that is being finalized. The event was a fresh round of lawmaking intended to redefine construction limits in the two-block neighborhood of Ocean Terrace especially to enable the wealthy investor Sandor Scher to build the high-capacity, high-rise residential and commercial complex he has been planning for some time.
What I observed at the meeting was a textbook case of the power of special interests in our politics. I watched with a sense of confusion and betrayal as one by one the Mayor and Commissioners endorsed the plans of Mr. Scher and literally ignored the sentiments of Miami Beach voters, who spoke strongly and definitively against excessive urban development in the FAR referendums of 2015, 2004, and 1997. Only Commissioner Kristen Gonzalez voted not to promote the ordinance to second reading.
Sandor Scher is an experienced commercial real estate developer with a track record of successful projects in Miami Beach. He has tremendous technical and architectural resources at his disposal, yet he implausibly insists that a 235-foot high luxury condo complex is the only way to renew Ocean Terrace. He is determined to implement his narrow vision of neighborhood revitalization over the objections of Miami Beach residents, and that has created an adversarial situation.
It simply does not have to be that way. The people whose names appear on this letter and many more who voted to reject the FAR increase last November enthusiastically welcome Mr. Scher’s interest in revitalizing Ocean Terrace. We want renovated buildings and landscapes and we are excited by the idea of new businesses and community amenities. At the same time we want to avoid overbuilding our small city. Current zoning laws prevent that.
Commissioners, we are your constituents and we expect to be your first priority. So we ask that on June 8 you abandon the new ordinance, and encourage Mr. Scher to work within existing zoning laws to create an Ocean Terrace that we can all live with.
Gregory Thomas
Miami Beach Voter and Resident
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10 Comments
Commissioners Arriola, Grieco, Alemán, Malakoff and Steinberg: I am hopping MAD that you ignored the clear will of the voters that voted down the badly planned development on Ocean Terrace in November, 2015! If you continue to do so, I will be one of the ones who will help voters remember this. Look, we do want redevelopment of Ocean Terrace. But, we want it to be reasonable, and within existing law. Sorry that it won't make Sandor Scher another $50 million he greedily wants.
The people of Miami Beach voted. Our voices must be heard!
No more high rises
I am writing to state my opposition to the proposed Ocean Terrace ordinance
This was already voted down by the residents. This is crazy we still have to fight for something that we the people voted against. This is the exact kind of thing that the country is sick of from our politicians. They do not hear us. Blatantly disregard what the majority want because of the greed of the selective few who line their pockets.
Commissioners Arriola, Grieco, Alemán, Malakoff and Steinberg and Mayor Levine: it is a disgrace how your kangaroo commission continually ignores the law and the democratic process. This is America, isn't it? or the People's Republic of Miami Beach? The only diamond in the rough is Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez who votes with the people and not just the rich and special interest groups.
My husband & I are long time Miami Beach residents & have voted no & will continue to vote NO to raising building heights especially in our North Beach areas.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
On May 11 a Miami Beach public hearing was held to discuss a new zoning ordinance that is being finalized. The event was a fresh round of lawmaking intended to redefine construction limits in the two-block neighborhood of Ocean Terrace especially to enable the wealthy investor Sandor Scher to build the high-capacity, high-rise residential and commercial complex he has been planning for some time.
What I observed at the meeting was a textbook case of the power of special interests in our politics. I watched with a sense of confusion and betrayal as one by one the Mayor and Commissioners endorsed the plans of Mr. Scher and literally ignored the sentiments of Miami Beach voters, who spoke strongly and definitively against excessive urban development in the FAR referendums of 2015, 2004, and 1997. Only Commissioner Kristen Gonzalez voted not to promote the ordinance to second reading.
Sandor Scher is an experienced commercial real estate developer with a track record of successful projects in Miami Beach. He has tremendous technical and architectural resources at his disposal, yet he implausibly insists that a 235-foot high luxury condo complex is the only way to renew Ocean Terrace. He is determined to implement his narrow vision of neighborhood revitalization over the objections of Miami Beach residents, and that has created an adversarial situation.
It simply does not have to be that way. The people whose names appear on this letter and many more who voted to reject the FAR increase last November enthusiastically welcome Mr. Scher’s interest in revitalizing Ocean Terrace. We want renovated buildings and landscapes and we are excited by the idea of new businesses and community amenities. At the same time we want to avoid overbuilding our small city. Current zoning laws prevent that.
Commissioners, we are your constituents and we expect to be your first priority. So we ask that on June 8 you abandon the new ordinance, and encourage Mr. Scher to work within existing zoning laws to create an Ocean Terrace that we can all live with.
Gregory Thomas
Miami Beach Voter and Resident
10 Comments
This is equivalent to spot zoning. Please keep Ocean terrace as that :oasis" in a city of tall buildings. You can modernize and update buildings without 235 ft. tall luxury condos/hotels.
Commissioners Arriola, Grieco, Alemán, Malakoff and Steinberg: I am hopping MAD that you ignored the clear will of the voters that voted down the badly planned development on Ocean Terrace in November, 2015! If you continue to do so, I will be one of the ones who will help voters remember this. Look, we do want redevelopment of Ocean Terrace. But, we want it to be reasonable, and within existing law. Sorry that it won't make Sandor Scher another $50 million he greedily wants.
The people of Miami Beach voted. Our voices must be heard!
No more high rises
I am writing to state my opposition to the proposed Ocean Terrace ordinance
This was already voted down by the residents. This is crazy we still have to fight for something that we the people voted against. This is the exact kind of thing that the country is sick of from our politicians. They do not hear us. Blatantly disregard what the majority want because of the greed of the selective few who line their pockets.
Commissioners Arriola, Grieco, Alemán, Malakoff and Steinberg and Mayor Levine: it is a disgrace how your kangaroo commission continually ignores the law and the democratic process. This is America, isn't it? or the People's Republic of Miami Beach? The only diamond in the rough is Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez who votes with the people and not just the rich and special interest groups.
My husband & I are long time Miami Beach residents & have voted no & will continue to vote NO to raising building heights especially in our North Beach areas.
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This is equivalent to spot zoning. Please keep Ocean terrace as that :oasis" in a city of tall buildings. You can modernize and update buildings without 235 ft. tall luxury condos/hotels.