1998-0716 Regular City Commission Meeting

Home Browse Search

Mayor Samson reacted to a statement which the Miami Herald had attributed to Amold Shevlin, of the applicant's management staff. The Mayor said the City did not owe the applicant any special favors, since the City had leased a significant amount of vacant retail space in his shopping center and was paying a fair market rate. Mr. Price said the County wanted a unity of title on the property, and the Shoreline Review Committee had recommended protecting the mangroves. He explained that the applicant sought to move North Bay Road three to four feet, and he submitted a letter from DERM for the record. He noted that the applicant had submitted new plans that scaled back the two buildings on the Intracoastal Waterway to 20 stories of residential units on top of three stories of parking, and siting the buildings on an angle to improve the view corridors. A third building would be 15 stories. The project would include a park area for City use along the northern boundary. He also said the only variance being requested was a side setback due to turning the angle of the two taller buildings. Mr. Price submitted four letters of support [waivers] for the record. Kobi Karp, the architect for the proposed project, showed a video of a computer model showing the sight lines from the Winston Towers buildings, and two posters of composite photos. City Building Official Berkman noted that the staff written recommendations in the agenda did not apply to the new proposal which had only been received by the City within the last 24 hours. He explained that the new proposal sought to take all the density from across the street (transfer of development rights) to build the tall buildings. Mr. Berkman noted that neither the County nor the City have a transfer of development rights provision, and to allow the transfer would create a problematic precedent. Mayor Samson asked who had jurisdiction over North Bay Road, and who would own the park. Mr. Price said the City could own the park if it wanted. Martin Eisen read a Resolution prepared by Judge Manuel Ramos, and also presented signed petitions for the record opposing the original request. Mayor Samson said if the development is approved, the developer would be responsible for the sea wall. He also said he would like a foot bridge from the southern end of 174th Street across the canal. Mr. Price offered a commitment to make good faith efforts to obtain the approvals for a foot bridge. Vice Mayor Turetsky moved and Commissioner Morrow seconded a motion to approve the new request as related by Mr. Price with staff conditions and recommendations including that: 1)a site plan be submitted to and meet with the approval of the City Director of Building, Planning and Zoning upon the submittal of an application for a building permit (said plan to include among other things, but not be limited to location of structure,types,sizes, and location of signs, light standards, off street parking areas, exits and entrances, etc.; 2) the approval of the plan be substantially in accordance with those plans that were submitted at this meeting and are on the record; 3) that the use be established and maintained in accordance with those plans; 4)that the applicant Summary Minutes of the July 16, 1998, City Commission Meeting - Page 6 of 20