Dear Neighbor:
Miami Beach is in a zoning crisis not seen since the 1970s. The Florida Legislature has taken away one of our most powerful safeguards — the residents’ right to vote on major development increases. Until Tallahassee stepped in, any significant zoning change beyond current limits required voter approval. Now that protection is gone, and neither the City of Miami Beach nor key civic groups have challenged this loss in court.
The result? A floodgate has opened. Developers are lining up with proposals that would never have been considered under our old rules — let alone approved by voters.
One project would place a 31-story, 404-foot tower at 824 Alton Road, where the current maximum allowed height is 75 feet (about six stories). The plan includes 72 market-rate units and 48 so-called “workforce” units. The workforce units are all designated as studios. Under the recently passed “Live Local” state law, a building like this could potentially be approved without so much as a public hearing.
And there are at least ten similar proposals spread throughout our city at the moment.
This is not just about aesthetics or nostalgia. It’s about infrastructure, safety, and the future resilience of our community. Miami Beach is a small, historic barrier island. Our roads, water systems, and emergency services already operate under strain. Overbuilding without voter oversight will push them beyond capacity, increase congestion, and make flooding worse – raising the risk of future tragedies we must prevent.
A recent City of Miami Beach resident survey makes it clear: 75% of residents are dissatisfied with how the city regulates development. That’s three out of four neighbors saying “enough is enough.” This frustration underscores the urgency of restoring our right to vote on major development and putting residents back in control of our city’s future.
The unprecedented challenge we now face is part of a larger pattern over recent years: well-funded special interests going to Tallahassee to sidestep the will of Miami Beach voters. Whether it’s short-term rentals, preservation laws, or zoning limits, they’ve found ways to get legislators to do their bidding – and harm our residents’ quality of life. This is not democracy – it’s a hostile takeover of local government – and it needs to stop.
I am running for City Commission to give residents their voice back. I will explore every legal avenue to challenge Tallahassee’s overreach and reinstate our City Charter protections, and stand firm against zoning giveaways and last-minute changes that gut public input.
Our campaign is built on five priorities residents say matter most:
- Overdevelopment – stopping unchecked growth, preserving scale, and protecting neighborhood character.
- Traffic & Mobility – expanding transit, walkability, and bike safety.
- Flooding & Resilience – delivering infrastructure that can handle storms and rising seas.
- Housing Affordability – protecting affordable units from demolition and displacement.
- Public Safety – supporting police, cracking down on illegal rentals, and keeping neighborhood safe.
Standing Up for What’s Right
I’ve spent years standing up for Miami Beach — from preserving our Art Deco heritage to advocating for local control. I know the players, the process, and how to fight for our community.
But I cannot do it alone. This is a fight for all of us, and it will take all of us to win. Here’s how you can help:
Spread the Word – Talk to your neighbors about what’s at stake. Share this message on social media, in your building’s group chat, and in conversations with friends.
Join the Campaign – Sign up to volunteer. Whether you can knock on doors, make calls, or host a small gathering, your involvement makes a difference.
Support Financially – Every dollar we raise helps us reach more voters with the truth about what’s happening and how we can stop it. Donate here.
Vote in November – The most powerful message we can send is at the ballot box. Let’s make sure every Miami Beach voter understands the urgency of restoring our rights.
This election is not just about who sits on the City Commission. It’s about whether Miami Beach controls its own destiny — or whether that power remains in the hands of a few in Tallahassee who will never have to live with the consequences of their decisions.
We live here. We know what makes our city special. And we know that once we lose it, we can’t get it back. Let’s stand together to protect Miami Beach — for our families, our future, and generations yet to come.
Join me. Let’s take back our right to decide.
Daniel Ciraldo
Candidate for Miami Beach Commission Group 1
Below, a proposed 200′ tower would overshadow the historic Clevelander Hotel on Ocean Drive:
