Hollywood, Florida Applies New Housing Legislation to Oceanfront Development Dispute

The City of Hollywood, Florida, is moving forward with the principles of the Live Local 4.0 housing bill, even before Governor Ron DeSantis officially signs it into law, according to HousingWire. This legislation recently cleared the state legislature with strong bipartisan support. At the heart of the matter is a proposed development by the Related Group on a piece of city-owned property bordering the ocean. Hollywood’s city commissioners have already given their approval to a project featuring three high-rise structures, including a 30-story and a pair of 25-story buildings, encompassing 976 residential units. A significant portion of these — approximately 40% — are designated as affordable housing. However, the county’s position conflicts with the city’s vision. Broward County regulations would cap the development at a maximum of 500 units, considerably fewer than the city’s approved plan. The county’s development review committee has also expressed concerns regarding the proposed building heights and the overall density. Live Local 4.0, a prominent piece of state legislation, aims to bolster affordable housing options across Florida by permitting higher density and building heights in certain areas, particularly near transit hubs and commercial zones. However, the exact interpretation and application of this law are still evolving, particularly concerning coastal properties. Hollywood views this new state directive as a means to move forward with its more extensive development plans, potentially bypassing the restrictive county ordinances. The city attorney’s office in Hollywood has indicated that the provisions of Live Local 4.0 could allow their proposed development to proceed as approved, overriding the county’s current limitations. The Broward County Commission is slated to deliberate on the matter in the coming month. Their decision will be crucial in determining the fate of the Related Group’s project and will also set a precedent for how the Live Local 4.0 legislation is applied in future development disputes across the state, particularly in areas with valuable coastal land. The outcome of this localized conflict could significantly influence housing development trends and inter-governmental relations throughout Florida.