2014-1218 Regular City Commission Meeting

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Summary Minutes:Regular City Commission Meeting December 18,2014 City of Sunny Isles Beach,Florida 2. Pursuant to Section 265-15 of the City of Sunny Isles Beach Land Development Regulations, the Applicant is requesting a variance to permit a tower from pedestal front setback to be 22'- 6", where a minimum of 25'-0" is required in accordance with Section 265-38 (Summary Chart B) of the Land Development Regulations. 3. Pursuant to Section 265-15 of the City of Sunny Isles Beach Land Development Regulations, the Applicant is requesting a height variance to permit a tower height of 325 feet where 290 feet is allowed pursuant to Section 265-37(F)(9)(a)[1]of the Land Development Regulations. (Deferred from 11/20/14) Protests 1 Waivers 0 Ex Parte 3 Action: Mayor Scholl gave opening remarks on zoning procedures/decorum. City Clerk Hines read a disclaimer for the Zoning hearing,and administered the oath to witnesses noting that a Protest Letter was received from Joel M.Eastman. Mayor Scholl said he has a conflict of interest on this item as he personally has some business with one of the developers. He noted that he filed the appropriate paperwork with the City Clerk,and he passed the gavel to Vice Mayor Aelion. Vice Mayor Aelion asked if there were any Ex Parte declarations, and Commissioner Levin,Commissioner Gatto,and Vice Mayor Aelion had each met with Rabbi Kaller to discuss the Application. City Planner Claudia Hasbun reported the Applicant is requesting approval of a modification to a site plan for the previously approved Sunny Isles Beach Jewish Community Center to add a 28-story condominium tower with 22 residential units on a unified site located at 488 and 500 Sunny Isles Blvd. The Applicant is also seeking approval of a height variance to permit 325 feet where 290 feet is allowed, and a front setback variance of 22 feet 6 inches where 25 feet is required. The property located at 488 Sunny Isles Boulevard received a development order to permit a Community Center under Resolution No. 12-Z-131, and Resolution No. 2014-2298. The property located at 500 Sunny Isles Boulevard is a City- owned property and is currently under a purchase and sale contract with the developer of 488 Sunny Isles Boulevard and is proposing to unify both properties and proposed a condominium tower at the 500 Sunny Isles Boulevard location. The Application is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Regulations except for the variances being requested. Public Speakers: Rabbi Alexander Kaller;Marissa Amuial,Esq.;Jaime Schapiro,Architect; Gloria Taft; Regina Gilreller; Audra Jane Rabbi Alexander Kaller introduced their Attorney Marissa Amuial with Akerman LLP, representing Chabad Lubavitch Russian Center, Inc. Ms. Amuial described the project and presented renderings of the property which is uniquely situated on the corner of the south edge of Sunny Isles Boulevard resulting in a very small odd shaped lot. It is bound on the north by State Road 826,on the west and the south by water,and to the east is the adjacent Community Center. The proximity to this elevated State Road greatly impacts the properties. The State Road is elevated approximately 35 feet, and impacts visibility to the north, and generally impacts the property in the use, design, noise levels, and experience of the property. This space was designed by Architect Jaime Schapiro who has worked very hard to create a 4