2016-0421 Regular City Commission Meeting

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Summary Minutes:Regular City Commission Meeting March 17.2016 City of Sunny Isles Beach,Florida of the west tower setbacks from 58 feet and 5 inches to 59 feet and 2 inches, and a minimal increase of the Floor Area Ratio from 126,887 to 127,383 square feet, with an improved design of the west tower elevation. In addition, the Applicant is seeking a waiver to place a temporary construction fence along the Collins Avenue property line. Staff and Consultants have reviewed the modified site plan, and based on the review the Application is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Regulations. Staff notes that the proposed modifications are considered minimal, however, since the modifications includes changes to setbacks,a slight FAR increase,and exterior design element, staff could not have evaluated the proposal as a minor Administrative modification. Staff does not have any objection to the construction fence waiver request. Public Speakers: Ethan B. Wasserman, Esq. Ethan B. Wasserman, Esq. representing 17550 Collins Avenue,said this project was approved in July 2015 by this Commission and since that time they have been working on their construction documents with the intent of submitting for a building permit in a few months. During that process of preparing their Construction Documents,they became aware of certain structural and architectural inefficiencies that they are attempting to correct tonight. They are asking for two (2) things: first they are asking for a routine waiver to allow a temporary construction fence on the Collins Avenue property line. This will allow for better internal configuration and circulation of their trucks,machinery,and equipment during construction of the project. The second request is a very minor modification of the plans, it is actually easier to say what they are not doing. They are not changing density, height, lot coverage, parking, or open space. What they are doing is reducing the width of the building on the north side by five (5) feet, and so there will be a more open view corridor for the King David on their east elevation facing the water. They are also increasing the minimum, maximum, and average tower separation and are going further away from the King David. Essentially the building almost looks identical however they are adding two(2) minor architectural treatments which is an improvement. They had blank stucco walls on the west and a little bit on the north elevation, they are now adding eye brows and some punched openings for windows to let natural light enter the vertical circulation into the stairwells. He is happy to report that they reached out to the King David Condo Association and to Rabbi Baron who is here tonight and both parties reaffirmed that they have no objections to the project as modified. Mayor Scholl said in the old days this would not have had to happen because it would have been a minor modification and staff would have had the authority to revise it but we changed the Code sometime back where there is relatively type parameters once we get an approval the staff can approve as an administrative change. In this case we looked at it very carefully and he felt bad for the Applicant because they had to come back and go through another hearing but we are sticking with our Code and we have very tight parameters with the staff and that is why we are here tonight. He would say this is an improvement over the original plan, good for the neighbors, building and view corridor. Commissioner Levin said everything sounds like an improvement to her, it is smaller, more space in between the buildings, and enhancements, and she is fine with it. Commissioner Goldman said she feels the same way, it has more functionality. Commissioner Aelion said the setback has increased, has there been any movement in the front of setback towards Collins Avenue, and Mr. Wasserman said there is no change in the front. Vice Mayor Gatto 4