Summer ‘Summary’
By Bari Auerbach

In case you missed the last Sunny Isles Beach City Commission meeting or didn’t have a chance to read your Sunny Isles Beach Sun Community Newspaper, this “summer summary” should help you catch up on important zoning decisions affecting future development, as well as good news about proactive initiatives designed to enhance quality of life.

Public school ‘makes the grade’
At the July 14 City Commission meeting, a resolution passed tendering $8.5 million to the Miami-Dade School Board for acquisition of 2.1 acres of land at 182nd Drive and Atlantic Boulevard for the purpose of building a K-8 public school.

“The city is in need of the property to house an educational facility for city residents,” said City Manager Christopher Russo. “Statistics have shown a tremendous growth in our school age population…over 1,500 K-8 students at present. Our elementary students are currently being taught at three different schools all outside the city.

“The acquisition of this property will provide space necessary for a new [public] school and allow the school to utilize the facilities and amenities of the proposed and soon to be awarded contract for construction of the new active park site.”

Bob Welsh, chair of the Schools and Education committee of the Mayor’s Advisory Council noted, “If we wanted to build a charter school we’d still have to acquire the land and build the school…footing the entire bill, that could be over $30 million…So [by voting in favor of the public school], the Sunny Isles Beach Commission [in essence] saved the city $22 million…In September of ’07 or ’08 there will be a school here housing 1,600 students for just over $8.5 million.”

During discussions regarding the school, the desire for a cultural center was also addressed. Henry Kay, president of the Sunny Isles Beach Citizens’ Coalition noted, “In the process of building the school, there should be space for a very substantial cultural activity…Developers with the wisdom to build billions of dollars worth of condos should also have the wisdom to contribute money to the city to develop a cultural center which will make it easier for them to sell their properties.”

Herb Abramson, chair of the city’s Civic, Cultural and Beautification Trust added, “One of the things our Trust advocated was the development of a school and we have also been advocating a cultural center for civic and community affairs. This is the perfect way to do it – I think that the city should have the school; and should designate $8.5 million or more if necessary in order to acquire this piece of property that will enhance our lifestyle.”

School Board member Dr. Martin Karp addressed the Commission, noting, “In this beautiful city of Sunny Isles Beach, I’ve had the pleasure of working with the Mayor, Commissioners, City Manager and City Attorney in several meetings. These are individuals who truly care about the future of Sunny Isles Beach.

“When I leave those meetings, I’m encouraged and I know that we can make this a school that will be a model for all other schools in the Miami-Dade County School District - and in fact, perhaps a model for other schools nationwide…This will be a community school for everyone in Sunny Isles Beach.”

City passes ‘sexual predator’ ordinance
The Sunny Isles Beach City Commission recently passed an ordinance on first reading prohibiting sexual offenders convicted of crimes under certain Florida statutes from living within 2,500 feet of specified locations within the city.

“There have been numerous and recent occurrences in our state and elsewhere where convicted sex offenders have been released from custody and repeat the unlawful acts for which they’ve been originally convicted of,” explained Commissioner Danny Iglesias. “Sunny Isles Beach is becoming an increasingly attractive place for residents of younger families with small children. This ordinance is design to strengthen restrictions of where sex offenders can live. The ordinance prevents offenders from living within 2,500 feet from any school, designated public bus stop, day care center, park, playground or other places where children regularly congregate.

“State law already requires 1,000 feet distance for these offenders. The law would also prevent the wave of sexual predators and offenders from moving to Sunny Isles Beach after other South Florida cities including Aventura, North Miami and Miami Beach have adopted such an ordinance earlier this year. Sexual predators and offenders already living in the city could not be affected by the law as long as they stay within their current address.”

At the July 14 City Commission meeting, attorney Ronald L. Book shared why he has been urging municipalities to adopt the sexual offenders and sexual predators ordinance.

“I’m trying to ‘put a face’ on this issue,” Book said. “It’s no secret that I am the parent of a daughter who was the subject of a long series of sexual predator attacks between the ages of 12 and a half and 16 and a half…The individual that perpetrated these heinous assaults on my daughter is serving a 25 year prison sentence in the state penitentiary.

“I’ve spent the last four years of my life trying to change the situation for other people and trying to bring some good out of the horrible tragedy that occurred to my family. We’ve changed over a dozen laws in Tallahassee and I’ve spent the last several months traveling city by city - not only getting this ordinance adopted in multiple municipalities but working on a number of other resolutions that will further protect our children and others from the sexual deviant behavior of these horrible criminals.

“The record supports adoption of an ordinance of this type that affects people’s constitutional rights…These people have a right to live somewhere - they just don’t have a right to live within 2,500 of our schools, daycare centers, playgrounds and public school bus stops…We don’t allow adult entertainment establishments within 2,500 feet of schools. When it gets challenged in the courts, this issue will be about whether or not the Constitutions protects the criminal element of society – or if it was written for the constituents of the community. The Constitution assures all of us of domestic tranquility.

“This [ordinance] will take away the immediate attraction of [predators] looking at children every day. [As Commissioners], you’re asked to pledge to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare – all the time you’re here on the commission you’ll pass many ordinances and resolutions…There are very few you’ll pass that will have greater impact on the public’s health, safety and welfare of your community.

“In the future, when people get convicted they’ll have to wear a bracelet in Florida and if an individual doesn’t register and they get caught they can get slapped with a bracelet even if they were convicted years ago…The goal is accountability and awareness. The Legislature will adopt this issue drafting a bill with two sponsors in the House.

“We all have a responsibility to protect our most valued assets - our children. I don’t go through a day when I don’t shed tears about my daughter. I’ve got an obligation and my daughter also feels an obligation…She has been traveling city by city to try to do what we can to protect one or two or three…We’ll never know how many children are saved by this ordinance but I know children will be safer and we want to protect them as best we can.”

‘Trump compromise’
The Sunny Isles Beach City Commission recently approved the site plan and request for Transfers of Development Rights made by TRG Sunny Isles, LTD. - developers of the three 42-story Trump towers soon to rise on the east side of Collins Avenue (158th-160th Street).

Following the denial of a variance request on June 9, developers modified the project, eliminating the need for a variance in an attempt to address concerns raised by the Commission and the public.

“The developer is requesting TDR's (transfer of development rights} in the amount of 180 dwelling units and 414,207 square feet together with request for site plan approval for proposed development consisting of three 42 story inter-connecting towers with a total of 813 units above an 825 foot wide parking pedestal,” explained the city’s zoning director Jorge Vera.

“The parking garage has been lowered to comply with regulations; however the design still requires a continuous 825 foot pedestal. In the revised site plan, the applicant has modified the parking arrangement and has removed triple tandem parking that was in the previous submittal. Landscaping together with water features have been added along Collins Avenue to hide from view portions of the parking garage between the buildings. Additionally, the design reflects landscaped courtyards on top of the garage areas between buildings. Staff has reviewed the revised plans and [recommends approval] of the request for TDR’s and proposed site plan.”

Speaking on behalf of TRG, attorney Joseph Goldstein noted, “About a month ago, we heard [the Commission] and members of the community expressing concerns…We’re now back with a plan that has staff’s recommendation of approval subject to conditions we agree to…We now have an ‘as of right’ plan with no variances [needed]. The buildings are 120 feet apart…there are significant distances in between.

“We changed the parking and added an additional level without increasing the overall height of the building; and we’ve increased handicapped [parking] spaces to 30…There are also significant beach access easements on the north and south.”

Regarding beach access, Mayor Norman Edelcup noted, “[The Trump property abuts Turnberry Associates’ property on the south side beach access point – so we’re looking at something that could be a 45 feet wide beach access.” The Mayor proceeded to ask if the developers would be willing to put in bathrooms. Speaking on behalf of TRG, Tom Daly said, “We’d be willing to do that subject to the city and state permitting criteria.”

Discussing the city’s art in public places requirements, Goldstein said, “We now have three statues - one in front of each building - and fountains in between the buildings. There will be ample landscaping in front of the building [creating] a much more pleasant walk along the front of the building…We think we’ve done a very responsive job in trying to resolve issues raised by staff and others.”

Pedestrian safety
To try to curtail jaywalking the Sunny Isles Beach Traffic and Safety Committee is launching an initiatives to educate residents and visitors about the safety hazards associated with jaywalking. In addition to distributing educational pamphlets to condos and hotels, information will be posted on the city’s cable access channel 20 highlighting the fact that the fine for jaywalking is $49.

To enhance pedestrian safety, the city is also considering the relocation of at least one crosswalk from the Pinnacle to the highly-frequented beach access area in front of Government Center at Collins Avenue and 180th Street.

During a discussion at the July 14 City Commission meeting about the timing of lights and how long it takes to cross a street safely, Mayor Norman Edelcup noted there is currently a prototype light at 174th street and Collins Avenue displaying a timed “countdown” helping pedestrians cross more safely. “It is our intent to put these lights throughout the city,” he said.

‘Road warriors’
Sunny Isles Beach Police Chief Maas recently leased the force six new Harley Davidson Road King motorcycles, specially outfitted for the police with improved lights, sirens, radios, loud speakers, laser speed guns and ABS brakes. The city now has a five-officer team of “road warriors” dedicated to traffic enforcement. As of last October, Maas also doubled the number of motorcycles on the road from two to four and as a result, citations for speeding and other traffic infractions have tripled. “We’re now noticing a 50 percent decrease in accidents,” Maas said. Over the past nine months, monthly reported traffic accidents have dropped from approximately 90 to below 50.

‘All that jazz’
The city is contemplating the presentation of a “first class” four-part series jazz festival that would be held every other week on Saturdays at the Samson oceanfront park from
6:30 p.m. to 10: 30 p.m. According to promoter Archie Quintana of Meloquinn Music Production, the musical genres could include jazz, Brazilian jazz, light classical, salsa and reggae. The free musical events may also feature food and non-alcoholic beverages from local restaurants.

Quintana noted the only costs incurred by the city would be for police presence, supplying a stage, and shuttle bus transportation service. Upon further discussions with City Manager Christopher Russo, a formal proposal for the jazz festival will be re-presented to the City Commission for review.

No ‘price gauging’
At the July 14 City Commission meeting, a ordinance passed on first reading prohibiting price gauging during a declared state of emergency. Mayor Norman Edelcup noted, “One of the most unconscionable consequences [of hurricane season] is price gauging. It’s unethical and illegal and we must protect residents from individuals who seek undue profit when there’s a state of emergency.”

Historic site designations
At the July 14 City Commission meeting, a resolution passed on first reading re-designating the following locations as individual historic sites in Sunny Isles Beach: The Atlantic Isles entrance bridge and the Atlantic Isles lake bridge; the water court villa and pergola located at 334 Atlantic Avenue; and the Sunny Isles Beach Pier located at 16701 Collins Avenue.

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