Miami follow-up: New urban code finally approved

As was covered by city3BL in August, the city of Miami’s proposed zoning code overhaul — nicknamed Miami 21 — was previously dealt a serious set-back in a deadlocked vote by the city council.  It turns out that the blow wasn’t fatal.  A recent 4-1 council vote has now approved the ambitious form-based code that aims to transform Miami into a new urban vision of mixed uses, friendlier streetscapes, and pedestrian safety.

The Miami Herald referred to the plan as ”the cornerstone of Mayor Manny Diaz’s development plans for Miami,” and added that with the positive vote, according to the mayor, “Miami can look to oneday be compared to cities such as Chicago, New York, even Paris.” 

The newspaper cited “more than four years of debate and literally hundreds of public meetings.”  It was an exhaustive process, and the plan is sure to continue to generate controversy and debate.  But the vote is a large victory for the future of the city, and now we can look forward to watching Miami’s vision get put into action.