‘Seasons Meetings’
By Bari Auerbach

While Sunny Isles Beach residents are focused on enjoying the holiday season, elected officials are still working hard to ensure continued progress and an even more prosperous New Year at City Commission meetings as well as meetings held for committees of the Mayor’s Advisory Council.

‘Development Zone’
At the Nov. 16 City Commission meeting, variance requests by Sunny Isles Resort, LLLP, were approved for a new 32-story condominium with 103 units planned for 17475 Collins Avenue (next to the Samson oceanfront park).

“The property has a relatively narrow lot width of just over 100 feet,” explained Assistant City Manager Jorge Vera. “The applicant is requesting a variance from a side setback on the north side of the property; and a maximum tandem parking requirement of 38% where 20% is permitted.

“It is staff’s opinion that the variance setback is not detrimental to adjoining properties; and the proposed increase in tandem spaces will have no negative or detrimental effect on the development or operation of the parking garage...The applicant has reduced units from 170 to 103 - so the amount of parking spaces went down from 163 to 156 spaces.

“The applicant is also requesting a waiver of the beach access easement...it’s mid-block location constitutes potential safety hazards. Staff feels the beach access should be waived because there is a beach access right there at Samson park... People crossing at 174th Street use the light and go right through the park to the beach.”

Mayor Norman S. Edelcup pointed out, “Typically, beach accesses are required with each property - but whenever there is a building adjacent to [an existing] public access or the access presents a safety problem - the requirement is no longer a mandate.”

Architect Kobi Karp noted, “This is one of the only 100 foot [parcels] in the city...it’s a very unique site. Staff wanted us to come up with creative ways to treat our entry – so our lobby opens up immediately to the park, welcoming in light and open space. We’ve also designed a vertical glass image [for the building facade] creating a nice relationship to the street and providing a high-end crystalline look at night. There was also an opportunity to create lush landscaping from the front all the way to the rear.”

Attorney Cliff Schulman added, “In transfers of development rights (TDR’s) the applicant has basically agreed to pay the city $6.8 million and $1.3 million for bonuses...To be a good corporate citizen, we would proffer to the city an additional mitigation payment of $750,000 at the time of building permit for public purposes...This [represents] $8.9 million in TDR’s, bonuses and the additional mitigation payment...We’re think this project is something you’ll all be proud of.”

‘Traffic Zone’
At a Traffic and Safety Committee meting held on Nov. 15, concerned citizens discussed a “No U-Turn” sign no longer present at 164th Street and Collins Avenue. The sign affected southbound traffic and helped prevent motorists from making U-turns by Oceania towers.

According to City Manager John Szerlag, the city of Sunny isles Beach has no jurisdiction over signage on Collins Avenue; and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) controls state roads such as A1A. Carlos Francis of FDOT explained a study being conducted (expected to be complete by December) will determine whether or not the U-Turn sign is needed and should be replaced.

‘Seeing Green’
At the Nov. 16 Commission meeting, the purchase of approximately one acre of land at 500 Sunny Isles Beach Boulevard was approved for the purpose of creating yet another park in the city. According to city staff, appraisals indicate the property is valued above the $3 million purchase price.

Other new parks recently acquired by the city include a 3.8 acre site at 19200 Collins Avenue; the 3.17 acre Town Center park at 172nd Street and Collins Avenue; the .017 acre park at Golden Shores; and the 2.41 acre parcel running from Town Center park parallel to 172nd Street just behind the Salem House. The Commission subsequently voted to amend the city’s Comprehensive Plan to show close to 10 acres of additional parks have been acquired.

‘Bright Ideas’
Massive power outages due to hurricanes may become a thing of the past in Sunny Isles Beach now that the city is in the process of undergrounding utilities for aesthetic and safety reasons. The total cost will exceed over $1 million. At the Nov. 16 Commission meeting, an ordinance passed requiring property owners to hook up with underground utilities so poles with overhead wires can be taken down.

The Commission also voted to install signs designating communities and parks that will be lit at night and decoratively landscaped (budgeted for a total cost of $250,000). On the topic of signage, yet another “bright idea” was proffered by Mayor Edelcup, who encouraged business owners to meet with staff in order to discuss sign regulations established to complement the city’s upscale image.

‘Positive Setbacks’
At the Nov. 16 Commission meeting, amendments were made to the city’s Land Development Regulations regarding building setbacks for properties abutting Collins Avenue. The amendments allow greater setbacks from property lines as building height increases - plus an additional ten foot landscape easement was added along sidewalks to create more pedestrian friendly walkways.

‘Up Against a Wall’
The Porterhouse restaurant (17004 Collins Avenue) may have hit a temporary “wall” when requesting to construct a privacy wall around an outdoor seating area. According to Arnold Shevlin of RK & Associates, the wall could help deter vagrants and pedestrians from disturbing diners. At the Nov. 16 Commission meeting, staff advised the wall is in violation of city code and a permit for the wall was originally issued by the city in error.

“Such a little wall, such a big issue,” noted Commissioner Danny Iglesias. “The bottom line it’s a clear [code] violation.”

Ultimately, the Commission denied the appeal regarding revocation of the permit to construct the wall and suggested the Porterhouse restaurant apply for a variance request.

‘New Business’
*At the Nov. 16 Commission meeting, a resolution was passed to approve a Byrne grant application that could help the Police Department purchase high mega pixel cameras to take pictures of injuries sustained by subjects involved in domestic violence calls.

*A future observation walk path along the mangrove reserve within the Town Center Park was named the “Harvey Baker Graves Mangrove Preserve” in honor of a private investor from Rochester, New York who purchased a 2.26 square mile tract of land in 1920 - including a three quarter of a mile of adjacent ocean frontage and developed that area calling it “Sunny Isles.” He also purchased an additional winding nine miles of Biscayne Bay, Bella Vista and Dumbfoundling Bay water frontage. A plaque will be dedicated on June 16, 2007 at the city’s 10th anniversary celebration.

*A resolution was approved granting Trump Dezer Development’s request to extend construction hours for a limited time two days per week in order to expedite the completion of Trump Royal at 18201 Collins Avenue.

*The Commission discussed establishing a process to request resident input on certain capital improvement projects that may result in an assessment and decided a majority vote should carry opinions.

TOP