2013-1017 Regular City Commission Meeting

Home Browse Search

Summary Minutes: Regular City Commission Meeting October 17. 2013 City of sunny Isles Beach, Florida maneuvering off from Collins Avenue and will not interfere with traffic as the truck can drive up to the fire lane and then back into the loading zone of the building. A lot of these things that had started early on and presented to the Commission are the same, nothing has changed. Of course they have tweaked structures, a lot of little things to make the building better but at the same concept, it has been proven by the consultant and the people that have seen it with a much more critical eye that it works. It is definitely a good product for leasing offices, and that is why everything is the same in that respect. In comparison to the rest of the project, this height is not a substantial difference. Architecturally speaking we see this project as kind of like the crowning jewel moment out of this whole project. In all of the design aspects they have maintained a certain vision that has really focused on the quality of the architecture and design. This project is definitely going to be the crowning jewel to that and we feel that this corner deserves to have a really interesting beautiful Class "A" building that will finalize the vision. This is a very similar concept that we have had for the pedestal with the architecture wrapping around, the icon type of corner situation which will be fantastic for banks and that type of business, the glass jewel type building on top. The quality of the towers are very clean, very modern and elegant. All of the detailing is carrying the same character. Architect Castineira said it has a different flavor to it because it has more modern patterns that links it to the Gateway Park ideas, and he showed a rendering of Gateway Park. The interesting thing about the architecture that is going to be happening on both sides of the street is it has a flavor of continuity, character, and it sends a story. It is inspired by a lot of these patterns that have to do with trees, mangroves, elements that architects have to pull from the air to inspire us. At the end of the day it sort of all comes into play into all these different structures. It is important for the Commission to understand what they are asking for in the context of everything else that is being done, have been done, and is in the process of being done right now with Gateway Park as we are close to getting permits, breaking ground, and moving forward. Mayor Edelcup opened the public hearing. Loretta Mufson said for clarification she wanted to review a couple of numbers, they had requested an increase in the FAR and the Commission had approved that, and now they want more, the office building was going to be 8 stories and now it is going to be 13 stories. Also she noticed that one of the pedestals to the tower front. they had requested 20 -feet variance vs. 25, and you had approved that, and now they want 17 feet 7 inches. She was a little confused with the TDRs that added up to over 100,000, and it mentioned that there is a resolution to approve, and so is that the same 100,000 or is there an additional? Also, the Commission had approved over 94,000 square feet TDRs. All of the growth that has occurred in Sunny Isles Beach in the last 15 years is staggering, she realizes that many of the previous structures were old and in need of repair or replacement. Many of the buildings that have replaced them are beautiful but at the same time frightening. The number of people and cars coming and going throughout the City is often overwhelming, and she feels the quality of life on Sunny Isles Beach has suffered. Many times she has walked or rides her bike through the City but she feels she is taking a risk because of the cars, buses, trucks that zoom by her. Is it realistic to ask you to explain to those of us that do not know how and when it is determined that a City has been built out to capacity? Are only numbers and equations used? Are development friendly concepts such as TDRs which she knows can bring a lot of revenue to the City and air rights only figured in?