300 Grove Bay Residences - Approval Controversy

Approval Controversy

The city of Miami approved the construction of 300 Grove Bay Residences in September 2007. This approval was controversial, as opponents of the project argued that the city did not provide them with due legal process to contest the planned development and had thus committed procedural violations. In late 2007, various parties, including the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and individual Coconut Grove residents, sued the city to block the development's construction. The Vizcaya Museum argued that the approved development would block scenic oceanfront views from the Villa Vizcaya, while local residents felt that the large, high-rise development would be out-of-place in the more suburban Coconut Grove region of Miami.

In May 2008, the Miami-Dade Circuit Court appellate panel nullified the city of Miami's previous approval of the project, citing both procedural violations and noting the "spot zoning" of the three skyscrapers as out of character with the neighborhood. Despite this setback, Ocean Land Investments continues to label the project as an "active proposal." Due to the court's nullification on grounds of spot zoning, the project would likely need to be downsized significantly before seeking re-approval from the city.