As Miami Beach residents, we strongly urge the Commission to vote NO on the Terra/Meruelo development plan for the former site of the Deauville Hotel. It does not reflect the desire of the North Beach community or more broadly the Miami Beach electorate. Our objections are detailed below.

First, the Terra/Meruelo plan demands double the height (400 feet) and nearly double the density (FAR) of what’s currently allowed.  If this plan is approved, a dangerous precedent will be set and the floodgates will open to other 400 feet tall buildings that jeopardize the city’s scale and character. 

Second, approval of this plan establishes a dangerous precedent of rewarding neglect by property owners with up zoning. We believe the Meruelos shouldn’t have been allowed to submit a proposal before settling their fines, to date almost $8 million, and shouldn’t be rewarded with special zoning regulations for their shameless abandonment and gross neglect of their property.

Third, the public benefit of the proposed project is grossly inadequate in light of the profits. A hotel is not a benefit for Miami Beach residents. It is a benefit for the Meruelos. Similarly, the creation of a fictional Deauville facade/partial replica does not justify the proposed overdevelopment. 

Lastly, we are aware that a concerted effort has been made by various appointed and elected officials to create a perception of unified support for the Terra/Meruelo plan. For this reason, we feel it is important to make the Commission aware of our strong opposition. 

In sum, we believe that if this plan is approved, we’re opening the floodgates to the approval of more excessively tall buildings, overdevelopment, and setting a dangerous precedent of rewarding neglect by property owners. We therefore urge you to vote NO.