South Beach gets extension on Ocean Drive traffic changes

Catch up quick: The Clevelander South Beach Hotel, which sued in 2021 to overturn the policy, successfully argued that the city no longer has an active county permit to restrict vehicular access to one lane on Ocean Drive.

• Miami-Dade Judge Beatrice Butchko Sanchez sided with the Clevelander in a Jan. 8 order, demanding that the city reopen Ocean Drive to two-way traffic between Fifth and 15th streets and remove the gated pedestrian zone at 13th Street.
• Butchko Sanchez said in her ruling that the road closure harmed the Clevelander's business, hindered emergency vehicle access and lacked proper county approval.

The latest: Mayor Steven Meiner said in an X post Wednesday evening that the city would appeal the ruling.

• "It's the law and common sense that cities determine traffic patterns and pedestrian plazas for the safety and enjoyment of their residents, not the courts," Meiner wrote.

• Butchko Sanchez, who originally gave Miami Beach until Wednesday to reopen Ocean Drive, extended the deadline to Jan. 31.
• Otniel Rodriguez, the city's assistant director of transportation and mobility, said in an emergency motion that the original deadline would be "impossible" to meet given the time needed to hire contractors, apply for permits and carry out the estimated $900,000 of work.

The Clevelander did not respond to a request for comment.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with comment from Mayor Meiner.