Brickell's St. Jude Church Declared Historic

[straight shooter]

I don't know if this applies everywhere but in the City of Miami air rights can be transfered. Lets say the church's property is zoned for 30 stories and an adjacent property is also zoned for 30 stories. If the property adjacent to the church gets the church's air right they could build a 60 story building instead of a 30 story building. The problem is that no developer or property owner is willing to give up their air rights. So the adjacent developers came up with the bright idea of sending someone close to them to become a member of the parish and convince the fellow parishioners to petition the preservation board to place the church property under historic designation, guaranteeing that the churches air rights can't be used on the church's property. A really sly move and a way to build an even taller building next to the church. It is all about money and greed, it has nothing to do with preserving a church or its sentimental attachment.

I am all in favor of preserving our history. In fact not enough of it has been done in Miami but I am not in favor of it being abused of to increase development.

[MiamiRob30]

^Ok thanks for clearing that up. I wasn't aware air rights were transferable from one property to another in the city of Miami.

[straight shooter]

I also wasn't aware of this until recently. I am sure that it only applies to certain areas like Brickell and Downtown. I doubt that it would apply to low density single family residential areas.

Another thing to note is that even if the air rights are transfered to allow a taller building the FAA would still have to approve it. I haven't heard of the FAA causing too much trouble with the approval of high rise building in Brickell or Downtown. Most if not all proposed projects have been approved.

[MiamiRob30]

Originally Posted by straight shooter

I also wasn't aware of this until recently. I am sure that it only applies to certain areas like Brickell and Downtown. I doubt that it would apply to low density single family residential areas.

Another thing to note is that even if the air rights are transfered to allow a taller building the FAA would still have to approve it. I haven't heard of the FAA causing too much trouble with the approval of high rise building in Brickell or Downtown. Most if not all proposed projects have been approved.

I beg to differ!

FAA warns developers that planned Miami towers pose hazard to MIA flights - South Florida Business Journal

[straight shooter]

Yes, I know I just read an article today similar to the one that you posted. That is a major game changer because up until now the FAA didn't pose much of a hurdle to developers.