At the February 1, 2023 City Commission meeting, Miami-Dade County made a presentation of a proposed Metromover extension from Miami along the MacArthur Causeway to the City of Miami Beach (the “Baylink Project”).

There are many concerns that need to be addressed if the City is going to endorse the proposed Baylink Project, including with respect to potential adverse traffic impacts, public safety impacts, environmental and other concerns.

Significantly, one of the issues that has not been addressed to date – and which needs to be a part of the discussion of any City Commission endorsement of the Baylink Project -- is the Miami-Dade County law on Rapid Transit Zones, and the potential for this County zoning ordinance to preempt City zoning and allow for higher intensity development near mass transit corridors. 

I understand from staff that the County law contains certain exemptions for historic districts and therefore may have a limited impact on 5^th Street and Washington Avenue (both of which traverse historic districts). Moreover, any proposed extension via a non-historic district needs to be studied carefully for potential F.A.R. and development impacts, such as the Alton Road corridor. 

I am concerned that the application of the County law for Rapid Transit Zones could irreversibly change the character of development in our City.  The County law leaves many questions unanswered in terms of how the minimum F.A.R. requirements along mass transit corridors would be implemented, particularly given that our City Charter requires voter referendum approval prior to increasing F.A.R. 

I would like to direct the City Administration and City Attorney’s Office to research this issue further, so that the City Commission could better understand the potential implications of the Baylink Project on development.