State lawmakers clear path for Fontainebleau Miami Beach pool upgrades

Billionaire Jeffrey Soffer’s controversial plan to upgrade the pool deck of his Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort is barreling ahead.  Florida lawmakers approved land use legislation Friday that includes a provision allowing Soffer’s Aventura-based Fontainebleau Development to bypass approval by the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board after fierce opposition from city activists, elected officials and residents, the Miami Herald reported.  ​The measure, drafted by Doral State Rep. David Borrero, with assistance from a Fontainebleau Development lobbyist, forces cities to administratively approve variances and special exceptions that apply to 20 percent of land occupied by “large destination resorts.”  Such properties are defined […]This article originally appeared on The Real Deal. Click here to read the full story.