Despite strong neighborhood opposition and a recent setback, the proposal for a 55-story tower in Edgewater, Miami, remains a possibility. The Urban Development Review Board (UDRB) recommended denying the plan by SB Development and Hazelton Capital Group, but their vote is not final. The decision now lies with the city’s planning director.
The 463-unit project, planned for a 0.3-acre lot at 419 Northeast 19th Street, faced criticism despite revisions. Although developers adjusted the podium’s size and added aesthetic improvements, concerns over the tower’s height and unit count persist. The UDRB vote was unanimous in its recommendation for denial, marking the second time the developers left a UDRB meeting without approval.
Board members expressed disappointment in the revised proposal. “It’s a very elegant, slender building,” noted Francisco Perez-Azua, but the minor changes did not address the core issues. Parking remains a significant concern, with 180 spaces deemed insufficient for the development’s scale.
The project’s attorney, Javier Aviñó, argued that the zoning allows for even taller buildings and higher density in the area, and that views are not legally protected. Despite this, local residents voiced concerns over parking, flooding, and the scale of the development. A Change.org petition against the project garnered 364 signatures.
The developers, who purchased the site in 2022, maintain that the project complies with zoning regulations. While board members acknowledged the potential for development, they emphasized the need for further adjustments. “We want to help them develop,” said board member Gia Zapattini, “not prevent them to develop.”
As the planning director reviews the UDRB’s recommendation, the future of the Edgewater tower remains uncertain.
