CRA-2. - Expand Cra Residential Improvement Program

North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (NBCRA) 2

CRA-2. A RESOLUTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NORTH BEACH CRA) AMENDING THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO EXPAND THE CURRENT BOUNDARIES OF THE PROGRAM TO MAKE ALL RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES LOCATED WITHIN THE NORTH BEACH CRA ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE, SUBJECT TO OTHER PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. Applicable Area:

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

The Administration recommends that the Chairperson and Board of the North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (“North Beach CRA”) accept the recommendation of North Beach CRA staff and authorize amendment of the Residential Property Improvement Program (“Program”) to expand eligibility to all qualifying residential properties located within the North Beach CRA.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

The adopted North Beach CRA Redevelopment Plan encourages programs that improve the visual appeal, functionality, and resilience of properties within the North Beach CRA:

• •

Redevelopment Goal 1: Provide Economic Development Opportunities promotes rehabilitation and beautification grants to assist property owners in making interior and exterior improvements to their properties (Section 8.3) Redevelopment Goal 4: Protect and Enhance Neighborhood Character recommends façade improvement programs that incorporate resilient design as a form of building adaptation.

• •

In alignment with these goals, the CRA Board established the Residential Property Improvement Program in 2023 via Resolution No. 010-2023. The Program complements the CRA’s commercial façade program and was adopted following a December 14, 2022 City Commission referral to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC), with subsequent support from the North Beach CRA Advisory Committee (LTC 176-2023) and FERC (May 24, 2023).

CURRENT PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Program Area • Currently limited to income-eligible residential buildings near Normandy Fountain/Vendome Plaza neighborhood. • The initial geographic scope was intentionally narrow to allow for targeted impact and operational refinement. • See Exhibit A – Original Residential Program Boundary Map

Grant Award • Reimbursable matching grant of up to $20,000 per property, covering up to 70% of eligible project costs.

• •

All awards require CRA Board approval prior to execution of a Program agreement.

Eligible Property Types • Qualifying residential properties within the Program area, including: o Street-facing multifamily dwellings, townhomes, legal accessory dwelling units, and duplexes o Mixed-use buildings where the principal or majority use is residential. o Owner-occupied, renter-occupied, or vacant buildings. o All uses and activities must comply with underlying zoning regulations.

Income Eligibility Requirements • Eligible households must earn at or below 140% Area Median Income (AMI) for Miami- Dade County, adjusted for family size, as defined annually by HUD and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC). • A majority (50% plus 1) of housing units must be occupied by income-eligible households at the time of application or within 90 days of project completion. • Rent increases for eligible units are capped at 3% annually for three years post-award, and rents must remain within FHFC affordability limits. • Rental leases are required for eligibility verification.

Nonsubstantial Program Changes • The Program Guidelines, adopted via CRA Resolution No. 010-2023, authorize the CRA Executive Director (City Manager) to approve minor adjustments: • Under this authority, the Executive Director or designee may implement nonsubstantial changes, such as clarifying language, removing administrative barriers, and modifying procedural elements (e.g., grant cycle timing or disbursement milestones)

This flexibility allows for timely, responsive updates that reflect evolving community needs. All grant awards and any programmatic changes with material or fiscal implications will continue to require CRA Board approval.

ANALYSIS

Expansion of Geographic Area

The Redevelopment Plan (Section 9.1.2) recommends targeting incentive programs to priority areas. As supported by the FERC and North Beach CRA Advisory Committee, the Program initially focused on the residential area surrounding Normandy Fountain, which was highlighted in Plan NoBe (2016) and the Redevelopment Plan (2021) as a community hub primed for focused revitalization efforts.

The Program has been actively promoted through multiple channels including neighborhood canvassing, digital outreach, traditional media, public events, and community partnerships. The most effective outreach has been direct, consistent engagement with the community.

However, due to limited applicant volume to date, CRA staff recommends expanding the Program to include the entire North Beach CRA district.

Exhibit B – Proposed Geographic Expansion Area (CRA District Boundary)

This expansion is anticipated to:

• • •

Increase participation and utilization of available funds Advance the Redevelopment Plan’s beautification and revitalization goals Promote equitable access to CRA resources for all eligible residential properties within the district.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

The combined FY 2026 budget for the CRA’s commercial and residential property improvement programs is $301,000. The Program is structured as a reimbursable matching grant, with the CRA covering up to 70% of eligible project costs, not to exceed $20,000 per award. All awards are subject to CRA Board approval.

The proposed expansion will broaden access to programming that fosters public-private partnerships, incentivizes private reinvestment, and empowers residents and property owners to drive revitalization in North Beach.

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONCLUSION

The proposed expansion of the Residential Façade Improvement Program is expected to:

• • •

Expand access to CRA resources for a broader range of residents Advance the CRA’s mission to enhance neighborhood character and economic vitality Promote reinvestment and beautification throughout the North Beach CRA

Accordingly, CRA staff recommends that the North Beach CRA Board approve the proposed program expansion.

Applicable Area

North Beach

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Economic Development

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Approve Amendments to the North Beach CRA Residential Facade Improvement Program. (Bhatt) ED

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)

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Exhibit B

RESOLUTION NO. ------

Proposed Expansion Area North Beach CRA Residential Property Improvement Program (2025)

A RESOLUTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NORTH BEACH CRA) AMENDING THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO EXPAND THE CURRENT BOUNDARIES OF THE PROGRAM TO MAKE ALL RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES LOCATED WITHIN THE NORTH BEACH CRA ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE, SUBJECT TO OTHER PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.

WHEREAS, on September 28, 2022, the Chairperson and Board of Directors of the North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency ("North Beach CRA") adopted Resolution 010-2023 establishing the Residential Property Improvement Program (the "Program"); and

WHEREAS, the North Beach CRA's FY 2026 budget prioritizes six (6) categories of expenditures, with 'beautification' being among the largest; and

WHEREAS, public realm improvements are a common theme for proposed North Beach CRA-funded projects outlined in the North Beach CRA Redevelopment Plan ("Redevelopment Plan"), as attractive streetscapes have a positive impact on the quality of life of our residents and visitors; and

WHEREAS, walkable environments improve the mental and physical health of residents and can increase foot traffic and business sales; and

WHEREAS, the Redevelopment Plan strongly promotes resiliency measures, specifically citing residential, commercial, and business facade improvement programs to assist property owners in adapting to extreme weather and natural events, and encourages the use of incentive- based programs to inspire building owners to invest in infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, Redevelopment Goal 1, titled Economic Development Opportunities for Businesses, Property Owners, and Residents, promotes economic development opportunities through rehabilitation and beautification grants; and

WHEREAS, Redevelopment Goal 4, titled Protect and Enhance Neighborhood Character, encourages facade improvement programs that incorporate resilient design as a form of building adaptation; and

WHEREAS, many North Beach families and local businesses currently occupy aging buildings, and the mature streetscape contributes to the character of the community; and

WHEREAS, the Redevelopment Plan envisions revitalizing the neighborhood with improved, well-designed streetscapes, including storefronts and building facades that enhance the identity of the district; and

WHEREAS, developing incentive programs geared to multifamily residential properties within the North Beach CRA will complement the City's recent Normandy Fountain streetscape improvements, enhancements to North Beach parks, and accelerate the overall beautification of the North Beach area; and

WHEREAS, both the City of Miami Beach Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee and the North Beach CRA Advisory Committee recommended approval of the Program; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the Program is to substantially improve the visible appearance of residential properties and the adjacent streetscape, enhance the functionality and sustainability of surrounding businesses within the North Beach area, and focus upon cultivating an improved visual experience and sense of place through external enhancements to existing residential properties; and

WHEREAS, Program guidelines (including framework, design standards, eligibility criteria, and application process, and evaluation metrics) govern applicant qualifications, eligible and ineligible improvements, program cycles, and grant awards; and

WHEREAS, the North Beach CRA's FY 2026 budget allocates $301,000 for beautification programming, including both the Program and the Commercial Facade Improvement Program; and

WHEREAS, the Program operates as a matching grant, requiring applicants to contribute financially to their improvement projects, thereby increasing the overall scope and allowing for more impactful improvements; and

WHEREAS, the Program serves as a public-private partnership that encourages private residential reinvestment in the North Beach CRA, with the North Beach CRA reimbursing eligible expenses up to 70% of the grantee's costs, not to exceed $20,000 per project; and

WHEREAS, Program eligibility is currently restricted to the residential area surrounding Normandy Fountain; and

WHEREAS, despite active promotion through multiple channels, events, and media, with eligibility restricted to only a portion of the North Beach CRA, the Program has received limited applicant interest to date; and

WHEREAS, following engagement with residents and stakeholders, the North Beach CRA staff has determined that expanding the boundaries of the Program would significantly increase participation and maximize impact of the Program.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE CHAIRPERSON AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, that the Chairperson and Board of Directors of the North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (North Beach CRA) hereby amend the Residential Property Improvement Program to expand the current boundaries of the program to make all residential properties located within the North Beach CRA eligible to participate, subject to other program requirements.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this

day of

ATTEST:

Rafael E. Granado, Secretary

(Sponsored by Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt)

2025.

Steven Meiner, Chairperson

APPROVED AS TO FORM 5 LANGUAGE 5 FOR EXECUTION

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