The DAC approved the DMPU (Downtown Master Plan Update) 3–1, with Kim Do dissenting. Bear in mind that the DAC already approved it back in May, with the recommendation that the city drop its desire for a 25% reduction in the minimum parking spaces required for new buildings.This recommendation was reiterated on September 9, with DAC member Michael Bakst specifically emphasizing that the mayor and commissioners should examine the NPN’s recommendations before the all-important October 26 commission meeting, where the DMPU receives a first reading. See the next section for an explanation of the NPN.

City Commission Meeting — September 14

Not much noteworthy happened here, aside from Commissioner Fox asking the mayor for clarification on the schedule and deadline of the Neighborhood Partnership Network, which he sought and hand-picked in May.To clarify: the NPN is a four-person volunteer committee of neighborhood leaders — Sitima Fowler, Jessica Swift, James Waldron, and myself — tasked by the mayor with researching the 200+ page Downtown Master Plan Update and then submitting a list of recommendations. The purpose is to bring more resident input to the DMPU and garner more support from commissioners to approve it.Commissioners were supposed to give a final vote on the DMPU in late summer, but that was postponed by the mayor in order to give the NPN time to do its job. At some point in August, the schedule for voting on the DMPU changed to its present form: commissioners will vote on the DMPU on October 26 and, finally, January 25, 2027. This took us NPN members by surprise, giving us a dramatically shorter deadline than initially promised to deliver our recommendations.So, we redoubled our efforts to deliver what the mayor asked of us: a list of intelligent, practical, written DMPU recommendations that he and commissioners are unlikely to see from other sources. Back in May, the mayor agreed that he would give the NPN written comments on our recommendations, so that it will all be a matter of public record. We look forward to his comments.This project entails many hours of meetings and note-taking with city experts who have been working hard alongside us — and we heartily thank them all for their extra hours.

Planning Board Meeting — September 15

The Planning Board voted unanimously to approve Related/Ross’ request to install a “vertistop” atop the Hibiscus Garage. The vertistop will have three parking spots for electronic vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) that will eventually provide on-demand, Uber-like flights between CityPlace and various points south to Miami.Each eVTOL carries a pilot and three passengers, with a cruising speed of around 125 mph. The craft and routes are in late-stage FAA approval, so no firm or target starting date was announced. Residents were assured, however, that the vertistop will not accommodate gas-powered helicopters, avoiding an “Apocalypse Now” atmosphere downtown. That is the appeal of eVTOLs: they do a helicopter’s job without the noise.Next came a lengthy presentation of the DMPU by city staff and designer Bernard Zyscovich. Five-story building heights along Flagler will be preserved between the middle bridge and Banyan, rising to eight stories between Banyan and the north bridge.^* The rector of Trinity Episcopal Church objected, upset about the five-story height limit interfering with his development plans.Then came controversial news: despite the DAC declaring its objections at both its May and September meetings, the DMPU still advocates a 25% reduction in the minimum parking spaces required for new residential and commercial buildings in the downtown core.This prompted impassioned debate among Planning Board members. Sam Fisch approved of the city’s “new urbanism” attempts to “create friction” for car commuters, while Will Corrente deeply objected to the idea of government artificially making life difficult for cars.Personal observation: In the many meetings I have attended regarding the DMPU, the city and its downtown residents have mostly found common ground. But the main unresolved difference of opinion between City Hall and the majority of downtown residents is their attitude toward cars. The city is spending millions of dollars trying to discourage car commuting downtown, while most residents want the city to preserve the primacy of cars. Both sides view the other as short-sighted.One thing is certain: developers will be thrilled at any reduction in parking spaces they can secure.^*15 stories with workforce-housing incentives.This double-overtime meeting, which went well past 10 p.m., concluded with the Planning Board unanimously approving the Jaguar dealership property at the southwest corner of Dixie and Okeechobee for admission into the Downtown Master Plan. This means the property will be eligible for zoning up to 25 stories.One factor that greatly helped approval was the promised installation of a 40-foot-wide, one-way public roadway around the west and south borders of the property, somewhat relieving traffic congestion at Dixie and Okeechobee for southbound drivers.

Commission Meeting — September 28

Item 7.8, establishing the city’s salary plan for 2026–27, was contentious and narrowly passed 3–2 because Commissioners Peduzzi and Ward thought that commission aides were being short-changed.Item 9.3, approving the latest list of CRA-owned properties for potential sale to private developers, passed unanimously. I had an opportunity to request that city-owned lots at 620 and 644 Evernia be removed from that list and instead preserved as a public park of some sort.There are several reasons for this:

• Downtown residents have made it clear that they want more trees and public parkland so that the Downtown Master Plan Update does not turn the downtown core into a concrete jungle.
• To honor that request, the current draft of the DMPU clearly calls for the creation of “pocket parks” in the 300, 400, 500, and 600 blocks of the downtown core (page CRC 10).
• 620 and 644 Evernia Street are clearly within that zone and are the only city-owned lots available and suitable for pocket parks.
• Despite those lots being owned by the residents of this city, Related/Ross informed me months ago, in no uncertain terms, that they expect to buy them from the city for their 375 Rosemary project — with no provision to preserve them as public greenspace.

Fortunately, Commissioner Ward commented to me afterward: “I’m sure we can work something out with Related/Ross.” We at the DNA hope she is right.