HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Developers behind the proposed Portofino Hollywood project sought to reassure residents this week as the controversial redevelopment of city-owned beachfront property nears its final approval stages.
At a community meeting on Thursday, representatives for Related Group said the gathering was intended to address what they described as misinformation surrounding the proposal at 1301 South Ocean Dr.
“You want to come in and you want to build a skyscraper so the rest of us are sitting here and you’re like this,” one concerned Hollywood resident told members of the development team, reflecting ongoing opposition from some community members.
The proposal, approved by city commissioners this spring, would bring a 27-story luxury high-rise to a 3.5-acre site that is currently home to a community center, park and public parking lot. Under the plan, the community center would be rebuilt as part of the redevelopment.
Keith Poliakoff, an attorney representing the developers, said misconceptions about the project have fueled public concern.
“Some people think that the park is being demolished. Some people don’t understand that the community center is being rebuilt. A lot of people don’t understand the city is making $2.7 billion over the course of the 99-year lease for this project,” Poliakoff said.
Residents have spent years opposing the redevelopment, arguing that replacing public beachfront land with a high-rise would permanently alter the character of the area. During public meetings, many urged city officials to reject the proposal.
Poliakoff disputed the notion that the project lacks broad public support.
“I don’t think it’s unpopular,” he said. ”I think that it is again a misconception. There are close to 250,000 voters in the city of Hollywood. Of that you’ll hear from 20-50 at a meeting in opposition. That’s not a tremendous amount of opposition."
The development is moving forward under Florida’s Live Local Act, which limits local governments’ authority over zoning for qualifying housing developments. Under the law, local zoning regulations are preempted as long as 40 percent of the units are reserved for affordable housing.
According to Poliakoff, the project is entering its final stages of local review.
“We’re almost at the end,” he said. “We have a final planning and development board meeting, a final city commission meeting in October, and at that point, we’re starting the construction drawings and we’re ready to begin the project.”
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