Some elected officials fear that some of South Florida’s most historic buildings could be endangered by a pending bill in Tallahassee. While the state senate majority says it’s to protect the safety of residents and visitors.
The bill was approved by the state senate by a vote of 36 to 6. As the governor of Miami Beach studies how to limit the impact the new law would have on the city.
Miami Beach has some 2,600 historic buildings along its shores. Commissioner Alex Fernández highlights the vital importance for the city.
“This law is a threat to the identity of our city, the economic engine of our region, and it is also a threat to the buildings where the most affordable housing in our city is located,” Fernández said.
You are concerned about the “Safe and Sound Structures Bill” passed today by the Florida State Senate. The proposal would not allow municipal governments to prohibit property owners from demolishing certain buildings.
Senator Bryan Avila, Republican of Hialeah and sponsor of the bill, says:
“Not all of these structures have historical significance, and with coastal erosion and natural disasters, they become a hazard”
He says it’s a safety issue.
“We have local local regulations that require an unsafe structure to be repaired and our city is aggressive enough to ensure that if a structure is in an unsafe condition, it must be fixed or if not, there are penalties,” Fernandez said. .
To fall under the law, buildings must be located in flood-prone coastal areas, fail to meet FEMA standards for new construction, and be classified as an unsafe structure.
Senator Ana María Rodríguez, Republican of South Miami Dade, assures that “we do not want to demolish or destroy these historic buildings in any way”.
An amendment passed by the Senate leaves out special designated areas, such as Key West and St. Augustine.
The bill also prohibits local governments from imposing conditions such as limiting the height or size of the structure that will replace the demolished building. Approval from the House of Representatives is still pending.