Memo 024-2013 Planning Department Deputy Director C
m MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
MEMORANDUM
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TO: Mayor Matti }Herrera Bower and mbers oft e City Commission o C
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager ; Ln
DATE: October 15, 2013
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SUBJECT: Planning Department Deputy Dir for .
As you know, I am recommending to you the appointment of Richard Lorber as the Planning
Director. Richard, ACM Joe Jimenez and I have been discussing the administrative
problems that have plagued the Planning Department, including those raised by the Crowe
Horwath Performance and Operational Audit. In an effort to address those concerns, the
Planning Department will be restructured. As part of that, it is my pleasure to announce that
Carmen Sanchez will be joining the City of Miami Beach Planning Department as Deputy
Director.
Ms. Sanchez has been the Assistant Planning and Zoning Director for the City of Miami for
almost a decade. She brings a level of much needed administrative experience instrumental
in addressing the pressing issues of the Planning Department. Ms. Sanchez has
tremendous experience with major projects, having shepherded some of the City of Miami's
largest developments through the design and construction phases. Her past
accomplishments include the planning and development of Midtown Miami which included
the creation of a Community Development District, a Community Redevelopment Agency, a
Regional Activity Center and the development and implementation of the Midtown Master
Plan. Also, Ms. Sanchez spearheaded the City's oversight of the new Brickell City Center,
which has over six million square feet of floor area over five city block, six hundred and fifty
thousand square feet of parking and thirty thousand square feet of Civic space.
Of particular relevance to her new position with the City of Miami Beach is Ms. Sanchez's
experience in her regulation of historic preservation. The City of Miami has innumerable
historic buildings and districts all strictly regulated before further development may occur.
Ms. Sanchez's oversight of these areas will undoubtedly serve the City of Miami Beach's
Historic Preservation goals well. I have personally spoken with some of Miami's leading
preservationists and they universally sing Carmen's praises.
Finally, Ms. Sanchez was vital in the City of Miami's drafting and implementation of the
Miami 21 Zoning Code. That code is a form based code guided by tenets of New Urbanism
and Smart Growth principles. As we enter into a new age in the City of Miami Beach, it will
be important to have long term planning goals. Ms. Sanchez's experience in this area will be
invaluable to the City Commission and the.Administration.
It is for all these reasons that I am pleased to announce the addition of Ms. Carmen
Sanchez as the new Deputy Director of the Planning Department of the City of Miami Beach.
JLM /JMJ
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