Residents in Hollywood, Florida, are livid after city commissioners approved a land-use change that cleared the way for a massive condo tower on public beachfront property. Critics say the decision puts profits over people and threatens one of the area’s last quiet stretches of coast.
The project, known as Portofino Residences Hollywood, would place a 27-story condo tower on land occupied by Harry Berry Park and the Hollywood Beach Culture and Community Center. The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that city leaders previously agreed to lease the land to developer Related Group for 99 years but recently voted 5-2 to rezone the site, despite ongoing opposition from locals.
The approval made the building, designed for a 327-foot tower with 111 units, exempt from height and density rules. Part of the deal included a new community center with an ocean view — something one commissioner explained would be paid for by the condo…