2015-0219 Regular City Commission Meeting

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Summary Minutes:Regular City Commission Meeting February 19,2015 City of Sunny Isles Beach,Florida project for a monetary contribution to the Off-Street Parking Fund. This Parking Buy-Down Program provided a credit of 244 parking spaces for the Trump Tower project. Based on this, the developer built 244 parking spaces less than the minimum required parking. City Planner Hasbun said the Applicant is seeking approval of the following three (3) variances: 1) a building separation variance of 0 feet where 100 feet are required; 2) a building width variance of 800 feet where 250 feet of width are allowed for structures above 20 feet of height, and these two variances are because of the height increase of the existing pedestal which will become above 20 feet extending the garage, consider that piece as the tower instead of the garage. The third variance is 3)a parking space to be 8 feet and 6 inches in width where 9 feet in width are required. The Applicant is generally consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations except for the variances. Public Speakers: Gary Mars, Esq.; Eduardo Castineira, Architect; Jurgen Giesbert; George Lawrence; Roslyn Brezin; William Bates; Lynda Azima; Gene Newman Gary Mars, Esq. representing TDR Towers Master Association, Inc. reported that the Association is proposing a renovation to its existing three-story parking facility. The project consists of three (3) interconnected condominium towers.42 stories in height, with a total of 813 residential units above an existing three-story garage pedestal which currently provides 1050 parking spaces,on approximately 7.9 acres of land along Collins Avenue. The proposed project seeks a design change in building modification with the construction of two(2)parking decks above the existing parking deck between the Towers, in order to increase the total parking count and square footage. The proposed design will increase the total parking count to approximately 1,390 parking spaces(340 new spaces)which includes 144 parking lifts on the 4th floor. All the new parking spaces being proposed will be restricted to valet parking only. Attorney Mars said it has been determined that several variances need to be considered in order for the project to proceed. They are seeking three(3)variances for building separation, building width, and parking space dimensions. The Association seeks the use of the 2005 Code in the City's determination of all proposals. In the alternative, the Association is requesting the City calculating credit into the parking space count,the buy-down spaces which equals 244 parking spaces, and that the City take several factors into consideration of this evaluation. First, it was built between 2008 and 2010,during that period the developer relied upon the City's then Parking Buy-Down Program which eliminated 244 central parking spaces. The project has now been fully sold and occupied, and we quickly realized that the parking facility has failed to allow for adequate and often times safe parking on the property. The Association has inherited this condition and has made every effort to remedy the condition including leasing off-site parking which has had a minimal and only temporary effect on the problem. They have no ability to remedy the serious lack of parking other than considering the proposed plan. The inability to have adequate parking is creating a hardship to the owners and tenants of the property, and their guests. All this could be remedied upon the granting of the variances and the project proposal. They have made great efforts to present a design which is all new with the existing area. It significantly enhances the west and east exposures which will be completely contained within their property with a minimum impact on any surrounding parcel. They have met with representatives of both Arlen House East Condominium Association, and Marina del Mar their two neighbors and closest in proximity to this project, and no objections have been presented by those neighbors as of today. 5