HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal - Samuel Diller - South Florida Community Development Coaltion Letterllip
SOUTH FLORIDA
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
COALITION
MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 25, 2022
TO: Commissioners Christine King, Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Ken Russell
FROM: South Florida Community Development Coalition, Inc.
SUBJECT: PZ.8 Ordinance 11307 Second Hearing for April 28, 2022
Dear Commissioners,
Submitted into theic
rccorq for it,pm(s)
on
On behalf of all members of the South Florida Community Development Coalition (SFCDC), we must
firstly express our deepest appreciation for your thoughtful consideration to address the complex issues
regarding the City of Miami's density, intensity, and parking. Although we understand the intent of this
ordinance is to improve parking accessibility for our growing community, due to its negative impact on
transit oriented development (TOD) and thereby affordable housing, we do not believe that this is the
best resolution moving forward for the long term needs of the City. Therefore, we are writing to urge
you to vote no on Agenda Item PZ 8 scheduled for second hearing on Thursday, April 28th..
SFCDC is a member -led 501(c)(3) nonprofit policy advocacy coalition building collective action to
advance community and economic development for social justice. Our mission is to educate, engage,
and empower the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to champion comprehensive community
development. We envision a South Florida region that is resilient, prosperous, and equitable for all
communities. Since 2007, our coalition organically emerged from the need to organize community
development practitioners and activists to ensure greater capacity, transparency, accountability and
public engagement in policy -making and consequently its implementation through public
administration. Today, we convene and facilitate the collective action and advocacy of over 1,300 local
advocates and allies.
Following the recent Housing Emergency Declaration made by the City of Miami, we recognize the
urgency to meet the dynamic needs of this moment and champion a sustainable path forward. Given the
limitations of space and resources within city limits, TOD holds a unique and significant role in the
discussion of viable and proximate solutions that may alleviate these interconnected issues of housing
and transportation in both the short and long-term. We understand that there is a current urgency to
address density and parking. Nevertheless, it is our intent —one which we hope you share —to ensure that
policy -making is not shortsighted by limiting the infrastructure for our long term community
development needs.
I i 30 =4- AA)
S,An1L4 �� lam, -Siojk - �,
Submitted into the public
record for it m(s)
on Li 13S � ataal City Clerk
This ordinance will inevitably result in more costly development for affordable housing within the city
such as small scale infill development, which is of crucial necessity. As one of our partners rightly
highlighted, "[T]he Ordinance eliminates the ability for small scale infill development to forego
minimum on -site parking facilities by Right if the building is less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet
in floor area, and converts the approval process for seeking common parking reductions in Transit
Corridor/TOD Areas to an Exception, requiring a public hearing." This transition is not only
burdensome but counterproductive to developers seeking to address the housing emergency we currently
face.
In the 126-year history of Miami, far too often, decisions about community development have been
shortsighted and clandestine. It is noteworthy to mention that this Ordinance was also recommended for
denial by an overwhelming majority-9 to 2—of the City's Planning and Zoning Approvals Board
(PZAB). Moreover, the proposed code amendments would counter the City's comprehensive plan and
recent Miami 21 Task Force Recommendations Report, which are both the outcomes of significant
community engagement of local experts, leaders, and concerned citizens and established by the
Commission with the intent to provide recommendations supported by a wealth of subject -matter
expertise and community input. To vote yes despite this input from knowledgeable and goodwill
residents whose objective as community advocates is to promote and sustain deep and abiding local
involvement is to demonstrate that their votes and voices do not matter in the City of Miami's decision -
making. We cannot afford to continue overlooking the concerns of the many to appease the desires of a
few. It is time to prioritize the bigger picture.
In the face of crisis, now is the optimal time to establish significant milestones and set the stage for a
new chapter of Miami's community development norms and practices, ones that champion inclusive,
equitable, and sustainable priorities. This is an opportunity for the Commissioners to look out for the
long term benefit of our community over short term solutions. Let us not miss this opportunity to
demonstrate to all Miamians that their voice is not dispensable, and that their contribution is central to
the fabric of what makes our communities such wonderful places to live, work, and play. Therefore,
please vote no.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at mayfi sfcdcoalition.org. We thank you for
your commitment to serving the best interests of the wonderful residents who call Miami home. SFCDC
stands ready to support your leadership and collaboratively amplify forward progress for the City.
Respectfully,
Maybelyn Rodriguez Laureano
Executive Director
South Florida Community Development Coalition