Pinecrest takes on McMansions

A mansion in Pinecrest
A mansion in Pinecrest

Council members in Pinecrest are considering rule changes that could limit future construction of McMansions in the village.

The council wants to get input from contractors and Pinecrest residents before approving any new rules, according to the Miami Herald. Several contractors argued against the proposed changes during a meeting held last week. While the average size of homes built in recent months in Pinecrest is 8,500 square feet, numerous residences constructed over the last few years are as large as 16,000-to-20,000 square feet.

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One of the proposed measures is to increase the setback between a single-story home and a property’s side lot line from 25 to 30 feet. Village planners believe this would reduce the scale of Pinecrest houses and also help prevent stormwater runoff onto adjacent properties.

“My family moved here in 1960, when our homes were small ranches on big lots,” Pinecrest Mayor Cindy Lerner said. “That’s the character of Pinecrest. We value green space.” [Miami Herald]Eric Kalis