R9H-Discuss-Ref- Planning Brd - Maximum Building Heights In RM-2 Zoning DistrictMIAMIBEACH
Cify of Miomi Beoch, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miomi Beoch, Florido 33,l39, www.miomibeochfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
PROPOSED INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHTS !N THE RM.2
ZONING DISTRICT
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Discuss the item and refer an Ordinance Amendment to the Planning Board for consideration and
recommendation.
BACKGROUND
On September 30, 2014, at the request of Commissioner Wolfson, the City Commission referred a
discussion item to the Land Use and Development Committee regarding a proposed amendment
to the maximum building heights permitted in the RM-2 zoning district. On November 5, 2014,hhe
Land Use Committee discussed the item and recommended that the Full Commission refer an
Ordinance Amendment to the Planning Board by a vote of 2-1.
ANALYSIS
On February 12,2014, the City Commission adopted Ordinance No.2014-3839, which increased
the maximum allowable building height in the RM-2 district from 6 stories i 60 feet to 8 stories / 85
feet for the area of the City fronting the west side of Alton Road between Arthur Godfrey Road and
West 34th Street. This amendment was to accommodate and expansion of the Talmudic University
at 4000 Alton Road.
The University has partnered with a new developer, who is now seeking to move in a different
direction in terms of the development of a residential project. ln this regard, the new developer is
now seeking an additional height increase, in order to accommodate a new residential project.
As part of a presentation made to the Land Use Committee on November 5,2014, the developer
proposed a new maximum height of approximately 18 stories / 180 feet. Additionally, the developer
of the project has proposed a substantially slimmer profile and width, as well as staggered heights
for the proposed new residential buildings. At the November 5, 2014 meeting, some members of
the Land Use Committee expressed a concern with the overall height, as well as the need for more
public outreach. ln this regard, the developer was advised to reach out to Mt. Sinai Medical Center,
as well as single family residents along Chase Avenue, North Bay Road, Garden Avenue, Nautilus
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor Philip Levine and Memb"rr
t'f
the CitV
fommission
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manag", J . b
November 19,2014
REFERRAL TO THE PLANNING BOARD -
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Commission Memorandum
Referral to Planning Board - RM2 Height Regulations
November 19, 2014 Paqe 2 of 2
Drive and Alton Road.
Additionally, Planning Staff had expressed some concern with the proposed overall height,
particularly in relation to the more low scale context of buildings that surround the subject property
in all directions. While supportive of the revised massing of the project, and the very high degree
of architectural design, the Administration would suggest that further study is needed in terms of
the impact of the proposed project within the larger context of single family homes and low scale
commercial buildings.
CONCLUSION
ln accordance with the November 5, 2014 recommendation of the Land Use and Development
Committee, the Administration recommends that the Mayor and the City Commission discuss the
proposal further. lf there is consensus on the approach proposed, it is further recommended that
an Ordinance Amendment be referred to the Planning Board for consideration.
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