MXE HOTEL UNIT SIZE FOR GROUND FLOOR ADDITIONS

AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, BY AMENDING CHAPTER 142, ENTITLED “ZONING DISTRICTS AND REGULATIONS,” ARTICLE II, ENTITLED “DISTRICT REGULATIONS,” DIVISION 13, ENTITLED “MXE MIXED USE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT,” AT SECTION 142-545, ENTITLED “DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS,” TO MODIFY THE UNIT SIZE REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW HOTEL UNITS IN GROUND FLOOR ADDITIONS TO CONTRIBUTING STRUCTURES IN HISTORIC DISTRICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

PLANNING ANALYSIS
Currently, existing hotel buildings within the MXE district are permitted to have rooms with a minimum unit size of 200 square feet, which is consistent with the layout and interior partitions of historic buildings. On October 30, 2019, the City Commission adopted an ordinance related to common variance requests, which allowed the construction of roof-top additions to existing contributing buildings in the MXE district with a minimum unit size of 200 square feet. However, new construction of hotel units in a ground level addition (whether attached or detached), must still meet the minimum hotel unit size of 300 - 335 square feet.

The minimum hotel unit size regulations for new construction within the MXE zoning district, which were adopted in 1989, mandate a larger unit size that appeals to a certain type of traveler. In today’s evolving travelling platforms, more diversity and flexibility in unit sizes is sought, due to the changing nature of leisure and business travel.

In order to provide more flexibility for infill hotel projects in the MXE district, the attached ordinance amends chapter 142, Article II, division 13 of the LDR’s in a manner that is consistent with what is currently permitted within existing structures in the MXE district. Additionally, the proposal herein, while a reduction in the minimum hotel unit size permitted, would not prevent developments that propose larger hotel room sizes. In this regard, the proposed modification would allow property owners more flexibility regarding the type of hotel unit being provided.

PLANNING BOARD REVIEW
On November 19, 2019, the Planning Board held a public hearing and transmitted the subject ordinance to the City Commission with a favorable recommendation by a vote of seven to zero (7-0).

UPDATE
The subject ordinance came before the City Commission on January 15, 2020 and was deferred to February 12, 2020, due to the length of the agenda.   On February 12, 2020 the City Commission approved the subject ordinance at first reading with no changes.