R9B-Authorize Scope Of Services Washington Ave Vision-Master Plan Analysis - PhMIAMIBEACH
City of Miomi Beoch, 1 700 Convention Center Drive, Miomi Beoch, Florido 331 39, www.miomibeochfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO:Mayor Philip Levine and Members of
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: September30,2014
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION OF SCOPE OF FOR ZYSCOVICH, ING.
WASHINGTON AVENUE VISION AND MASTER PLAN ANALYSIS . PHASE II
BACKGROUND
On May 21, 2014, the City Commission referred a discussion item to the Land Use and
Development Committee (ltem C4B), regarding the creation of an FAR Overlay District for
Washington Avenue, in order to encourage and promote appropriate and well planned
development. On July 9, 2014lhe Land Use Committee discussed the proposal, and continued
the item to September 3,2014 for a progress report.
On July 23, 2014, the City Commission directed the Administration to retain a professional
architect from the rotating list of professionals. Zyscovich was retained and has begun work on
the initial (Phase l) massing studies for Washington Avenue. On August 20, 2014, the Land
Use Committee received an update from the Administration on the progress of the massing
studies for Washington Avenue, and recommended that the Administration begin negotiations
with Zyscovich for a 2nd phase for Washington Avenue, involving a more detailed block and
vision analysis.
The Mayors Blue Ribbon Panel for Washington Avenue has been formed. The first meeting of
the panel took place on September 8, 2014, at the Miami Beach Golf Course. The second
meeting is scheduled for October 16, 2014.
ANALYSIS
The Planning Department has been studying ways to encourage and promote appropriate,
context sensitive redevelopment along Washington Avenue.
The goal for Washington Avenue is to incentivize uses and redevelopment that allow for a more
active street during all hours of the day. Currently certain portions of Washington Avenue are
only activated during night time hours (11:00 pm until 5.00 am), as they are dominated by night
time entertainment uses. Additionally, a number of existing buildings are underdeveloped from a
floor area stand point, and modest increases in floor area could be easily accommodated along
the east side of Washington Avenue between 6th Street and Lincoln Road, as it is a very wide
thoroughfare.
As indicated previously, two options for overlay districts have been analyzed in order to address
the concerns for Washington Avenue from 6th Street to Lincoln Road. The overlays include:
Agenda ltem , R4 iDate Q-io-l?286
Commission Memorandum
September 30,2014
Washington Avenue Analysis - Phase ll
Page 2 of 2
1) An overlay district that allows for a unilateral increase in the maximum Floor Area Ratio
(FAR) for properties along the east side of Washington Avenue.
2) A Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program where 'contributing' sites on the west
side of Washington Avenue could transfer surplus development rights to properties on
the east side of Washington Avenue.
ln accordance with the City Charter, either FAR option noted above would require a ballot
referendum. Should the public approve of the program, implementing legislation would have to
be adopted. Additionally, as part of either scenario, use regulations would have to be
established for development availing themselves of any floor area benefits in order to prevent
the nuisance uses that currently line the corridor.
SUMMARY
Attached, dated September 15, 2014, is the proposed expanded scope of services for
Washington Avenue, prepared by Zyscovich, lnc.
GONCLUSION
The Administration recommends that the City Commission discuss the item further. lf there is
consensus on the revised scope of services for Phase l! of the Washington Avenue Analysis, as
prepared by Zyscovich, lnc., the Administration recommends that the item be authorized for
fundino^ -ifr,ll
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T:\AGENDA\2014\SeptembeASeptember 30\Washington Avenue Analysis - Zyscovich Phase ll MEMO.docx
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