On the Commission agenda
Recap of June 17 City Commission meeting

'Artistic' Condominium Set to Rise
At the June 17 City Commission, Sunny Isles Development Company, LLC received approval to build a 45-story oceanfront condominium with 236 units at 16901 Collins Avenue based on a request to utilize yet to be obtained TDR's (transfer of development rights).

TDR's can be defined as "the process by which development rights are transferred from one lot, parcel, or area of land in a sending district (usually where land conservation is sought) to another lot, parcel, or area of land in one or more receiving districts (where property is desired and can be serviced properly)."

Further explanation of TDR's by Commissioner Danny Iglesias has provided insight such as, "If a developer has a piece of land and doesn't have any interest in building on that site - he has the option of picking up the TDR's on that property and transferring them over to another site upon approval of the City Commission."

Main TDR "receiver sites" in the city are the east side of Collins Avenue and the town center district on the west side of Collins Avenue from 172nd Street to and inclusive of Sunny Isles Boulevard.

Jorge Vera, the city's zoning administrator, recommended approval of the project with conditions including traffic flow requirements. He reiterated the site plan for the building includes the acquisition of TDR's (without TDR's taken into consideration, the height of the building would be nine stories lower with 50 less units.)
Vera also explained that prior to issuance of a building permit, the developer will have to show evidence to the city of the possession - or rights to possession of TDR's equivalent to 50 units and 126,737 square feet. "The development meets all the objectives of the city's comprehensive plan; and the project is similar in size and intensity to other approved condominiums on Collins Avenue in the MUR district," Vera said.

Mayor Norman Edelcup has previously pointed out, " If [the developer] does not obtain the TDR's, they would have to come back for a whole other site plan review.This is the risk [the developer] knows he's taking when he comes in here.We've made it clear he doesn't get the [final] approval without having the TDR's - and he can't pull a [building] permit because all he has is a 'conditional approval.' We still have to go through another process because when he does have a potential seller of TDR's, the city has to accept that parcel in order for the TDR's to be created."
Addressing the Commission, Charles Seiger of the Seiger Suarez Architectural Partnership explained, "This [development] is the culmination of over a year's worth of work with owners and city staff.We've oriented the building so the majority of the views face southeast; and we think we've produced another unique building for the city's landscape.

"The front [of the building] is kind of unique.it has a banded façade with an art mural.We also think 'taller is better' and that the building is much more elegant with the extra [nine] floors.We've worked hard with city staff to review all the criteria added over the last year and we have met all those conditions."

Seiger also pointed out the development has a beach access requirement on the north side which will attach to a 10,000 square foot public beach park.

Aesthetic Sales Trailer by Arlen House
At the June 17 City Commission meeting, Dezer Properties, owner of the parcel at 15800 Collins Avenue in front of the Arlen House, received site plan approval to permit a temporary, aesthetically pleasing trailer to be used as a sales office for the proposed development set to rise across the street on the property known as "Fountainhead Playa I, Playa II and the former Days Inn site."

Commissioner Roslyn Brezin, an Arlen House resident, proceeded to ask the developer for a 15 foot easement (150 feet) in order to create a bus bay. In response, Gil Dezer, president of Dezer Companies, explained that ultimately his intent is to donate the parcel of land to the city after the sales trailer is no longer needed - and at that juncture, the city can do what it pleases with the site (including pursuing the goal to obtain the easement).

"Everyone who lives [at Arlen House] understands the importance of [this bus bay]," Brezin said. "When the bus is approaching from north to south before it reaches the Arlen properties on that corner - they make a stop.Sadly enough, we have several drivers, who because of this 'stop and go situation' will go around it. I don't commend it - it's a terrible situation."

Brezin went on to say, "It would mean a great deal to the people not only at that particular location but the people who are traveling from north to south to be able to have a free flow of traffic. We're going to have approximately 900 units added to what we already have which would mean that we would have that much more traffic.It has been called to my attention that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has to look at this."

Commissioner Danny Igelsias, an FDOT engineer said, "FDOT owns this state right-of- way and they'll determine if [the bus bay] is feasible or not. Many years ago, it was 'fashionable' to use bus bays - but now, for the bus getting in, it's creating a tremendous amount of accidents. FDOT looks at this on a site by site basis but I need to remind you that it's FDOT that makes the determination.Hopefully, [the city will get this parcel of land donated by the developer] and it will be a [public] park.then we can put access for the bus lane if FDOT determines it's feasible."

Mayor Norman Edelcup added, "This is something we want to look at from a city staff point of view.We [currently] have a similar situation by Ocean One where we have [a bus bay] and want to get rid of it.We want to make sure our City Manager reviews this so we can have a consistent policy and we're not doing something that later conflicts with city policy."

City Manager Christopher Russo also noted, "The state has to study this and tell us their recommendation."

Dezer later reiterated, "Right now, we'll be using the site for our sales [trailer] and then we'll be [donating the property to the city perhaps in return for TDR's] so it can be used as a city park or you can do with it whatever you'd like."

Addressing Brezin, Dezer said, "You're jumping the gun [by requesting that a condition of approving the sales trailer be the granting of the easement for the bus bay]. You have to assume the plan will go through and I'm going to give you the entire site. Basically we're saying the property will belong to the city and the city can do with it what you'd like."

In response, Brezin observed, "In the event [the property is not donated to the city] you're not granting us the [easement] but you'd be coming to us for site plan approval. And in the event we have a traffic problem, we would then have to address the [easement] and you better believe you'll hear from Commissioner Brezin."

Subsequently, Dezer said. "We feel the project we're going to bring forward to you is going to be what's within the guidelines of what Sunny Isles Beach will be looking for.As soon as we get permits we'll start on the [sales] trailer immediately."

City Wins with Casino Park
After granting site plan approval for the Ocean Four condominium on June 3, the City Commission also approved a resolution accepting conveyance of the "Casino" property to the city, which will enable The Related Group to obtain TDR's. The site, located on the west side of Collins Avenue, just north of The Rascal House restaurant at 172nd Street, is now slated for construction of a 3.46 acre public park.

The Related Group had originally proposed a 29-story condo project for the Casino property, which was denied by the City Commission in 2002. Subsequently the city decided to carve out a Town Center zoning district including the area where the parcel for the proposed park is located (17200 Collins Avenue).

In regards to the park, City Attorney Lynn Dannheisser explained, "Many hours of negotiations have taken place on this transaction.The applicant and city have agreed on the following: A bond will be posted in the amount of $800,000 to cover the costs of construction should the city need to complete construction of the park. The applicant has agreed to pull permits, do the construction and remediate the property of any environmental contamination if there is any - provided the city approves a site plan of the park within the next 60 days [from June 3]."

Dannheisser went on to note, "We need to have a closing within 30 days. We're going to resolve any title issues that may now exist and give the applicant an opportunity to cure them or make a decision that we can accept the property with them. We will also be delivered a warranty deed along with an updated survey within 30 days of this approval. When that deed is delivered and recorded, at that time, the development rights [TDR's] will be transferred to a bank for withdrawal.

"In addition, [the city] is going to retain a $5,000 bond or escrow representing the potential cost of environmental remediation or monitoring and an indemnity agreement.The applicant is agreeing to do the construction, remediate any environmental issues and pull all permits that are necessary."

Speaking on behalf of The Related Group, attorney Cliff Schulman noted, "The amount of time, effort and expeditious handling of this by staff has been extraordinary.We pushed hard and felt staff reacted marvelously to get this park into the city's hands as soon as possible.We hope the park will be [completed] within 12 to 18 months."

Bill Thompson, a senior executive with The Related Group, added, "I know everyone's concern is to build a park and that's what we want as well.As soon as the [park] site plan is approved, we'll finish the working drawings and submit for permits. We hope to finish the park a lot sooner than what has been proposed."

At the June 17 City Commission meeting, a schematic design for the park was approved. The design calls for a passive park with a lighted walking or jogging path around the property; lush landscaping; an open-air pavilion; a water fountain; playground with shade cover; exercise/fitness stations; decorative perimeter fencing; and a parking lot with lighting.

City Manager Christopher Russo also noted an unused amount of the space at the site has been targeted for Miami-Dade Fire service for an expansion and complete rebuild of the fire station on 172nd Street.

During public discussion, citizen Arnold Taft said, "I feel a 'thank you' is in order to all who have helped make this [park] possible. In December of 2002, the late Mayor David Samson said, 'I heard the people and will listen to them.I'm working to get buildings no higher than four stories' - but this new park is [even more] wonderful."

Gloria Taft requested park fence height be increased due to concerns about cars that have been vandalized at Winston Towers. Subsequently, Mayor Norman Edelcup said the fence height would be dictated by city code - and would most likely be between six and eight feet.

'X Channel International Exposure'
At the June 17 City Commission meeting, Cultural and Human Services Director Susan Simpson recommended approval of a resolution authorizing a special event planned to bring international exposure to Sunny Isles Beach. She explained that on August 28 and August 29, Trump Grande Ocean Resort & Residences would be the site of a major event launching a new cable television station deemed "X Channel." The event is specifically titled: "X Channel Launches Live on the Beach with 'No Limits - the Ultimate Ramp Jam' and 'Alex Morgan Race of the Stars.'"

"This will be a professional skateboarding/motor-cross event featuring a black tie launch party on the Friday night prior strictly inside Trump Grande," Simpson said. "Lt. Rick Feisthammel [of the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department] and representatives from Miami-Dade County Fire as well as Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation have met with representatives of X Channel who will be launching their brand new TV channel at this event.They're expecting 5,000 people.We've also met with representatives from Haulover Beach about using their parking facilities."

On behalf of the Sunny Isles Beach Resort Association, executive director Bill Lone explained the Resort Association would be providing shuttle bus transportation from designated parking areas to the event on the beach behind the Trump construction site. He also noted X Channel event coordinators would be obtaining permits from Miami-Dade County and that marine patrol and fire rescue personnel would be patrolling to help ensure public safety.

"This [event has been] better thought out than some Pentagon plans," Lone said. He went on to introduce Alex Morgan, an international jet ski star who just returned from a race in Venice.

"One aspect of the event is a 45 minute jet ski race with international star [competitors]," Lone said. "One of the reasons we're supporting this is because cumulatively, Sunny Isles Beach will experience 62 million [potential] exposures internationally."

According to Victoria LaPorta, CEO of The X Channel, "The X Channel will offer extreme sports for everyone. Our focus is offering the best extreme sports programming possible by using the actual participants, athletes and filmmakers who create the content. Our connection with the athletes is the key to this channel, and we have aligned ourselves with the top athletes. Our goal is to reach the multi-billion dollar market of underserved viewers who are passionate about these sports and show them the real extreme sports. Our viewers want to experience the action, and engage their passion."


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