City Of Sunny Isles Beach

    Sunny Isles Beach became Miami-Dade County's 30th city on June 16, 1997, when residents overwhelming voted to approve a city charter.

     The snowbird community has many high-rises built along the beach, and a small community of single-family homes including Atlantic Isles and Golden Shores developments.

      The architecture runs from beach cottages to ranches. A strong Spanish and Mediterranean air permeates most private dwellings. Property, too, reflects a great variety in lifestyles. While there are several moderately priced residential areas to raise a family, there are also enormous, fantasy estates, such as the Ringling empire, that can be found.

     The population is mostly elderly and retired. Many hotels cater to tourists and myriad languages are spoken, including French, German, English and Spanish. There is a large Jewish population and the most famous place to eat is the deli-like Rascal House.

     The main issues include beach access for public use and controlling development on the beach. The beachfront is quickly filling with high-rise buildings, an issue at the heart of many long-time Sunny Isles Beach residents. Another issue is slowing down traffic on its main thoroughfare, Collins Avenue, to make it safer for pedestrians and drivers. The city is taking over zoning and building permits, forming its own police force and buying up some beachfront property to be used as a city park.