Angry Miami Beach Residents To Demand Beach Access

MIAMI BEACH, FL — A group of Miami Beach residents are promising to "flood " a meeting of the city's Planning Commission on Tuesday. The residents say a proposed 18-story residential high-rise at 5775 Collins Avenue threatens continued public beach access in the area. Moreover, they say it would take an unnecessarily large bite out of the ocean view.

The meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. at Miami Beach City Hall Commission Chambers. The residents plan to wear blue in a show of solidarity.

"Numerous city staff reports recommend creating a public beach access at this entrance, which would give hundreds of residents easier access to the sand, the only lifeguard tower in the area and to the Mid-Beach recreational corridor that is actively under construction with a completion date of July 2018," according to the residents. "Beyond access, city experts also insist the building be rotated 90 degrees to avoid obliterating two important view corridors."

City officials are expected to hear from residents, lifeguards and a lifeguard organization, which also has concerns about the project.

"The days of private beaches are over," declared former Miami Beach Commissioner Nancy Liebman, who lives at 5660 Collins Avenue. "It is time to recognize the fact that a change needs to be made to enhance the ability for people to get to the ocean, our city's greatest public asset."

City staff and residents point to two other projects that voluntarily granted public beach access — the Mei and Bath Club.

Mei resident Mark Bisnow and his wife live about 20 feet from one such access point and have not been disturbed by the public.

"Besides the fact it should be their right as fellow citizens, we see the presence of more people as adding life and vitality to the area," Bisnow explained. "Miami Beach should be proud of its access and stand its ground to protect it. Please don’t let future generations wonder what Miami Beach was thinking."

The United States Lifeguard Association supports efforts to include a public access point in the project since 57 Street has the only lifeguard tower for blocks.

"The odds of drowning on a USLA guarded beach are 1 in 18 million," said James Hamelton, USLA Southeast Region Vice President. "Therefore, any beach access should be at a lifeguard stationed beach."

Residents are also concerned by a proposed underground parking garage for the project. Some city officials support a ban on such parking structures given the threat of rising sea levels.

"The commission chambers are expected to flood with Miami Beach residents opposed to this project, decked out in blue in solidarity," residents added.

Photo of Miami Beach skyline courtesy City of Miami Beach