Bal Harbour Mall Expansion Sparks Controversy Over Affordable Housing

A luxury mall's plan to include affordable housing in its expansion faces backlash from local residents and officials in Bal Harbour, Florida.

Bal Harbour Shops, a luxury mall, plans to build a 20-story hotel and three residential towers, with 240 units designated as affordable housing.
The project leverages the Live Local Act, allowing developers to bypass local zoning rules if their projects include 'workforce housing'.
Local residents and officials oppose the project, fearing it will change the community and strain infrastructure.
The mall's owner sued the village after the council vowed to stop the project, marking a high-profile dispute over the Live Local Act.
The controversy highlights the tension between addressing housing shortages and preserving community character.