HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1988-01-28 MinutesOF
mi MI
* INCORY ATE
1 18 96 _
OF NEI INN MW ON JANUARY 28, 1988
(PLANNING & ZONING)
PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OOF,� E CITY CLERK
NAIL
MATTY HIRAI
City Clerk
+� t
aI.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
INDEX
!MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
JANUARY 28, 1988
PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL PRESENTED
ITEMS. 1/28/88
GRANT REQUEST BY LAW FIRM OF GREENBERG M 88-91
TRAURIG ASKEW HOFFMAN LIPOFF ROSEN & 1/28/88
QUENTEL, P.A., TO SERVE AS COUNSEL TO
THE BUYER OF THE CENTRUST TOWER
BUILDING.
ACCEPT PLAT: PELICAN HARBOR PARK. R 68-92
URGE VOTERS TO APPROVE SCHOOL BOND
REFERENDUM TO ACCEPT G.O. BOND PROCEEDS
FOR CONSTRUCTION OF AND IMPROVEMENTS TO
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES.
DECLARE ONE SURPLUS CITY VEHICLE AS
SURPLUS STOCK AND DONATE SAME TO UNITED
TENANT COUNCIL FOR CRIME PREVENTION
PURPOSES.
APPOINT RICHARD DUNN, PAT SKUBISH AND
MANUEL ALONSO-POCH TO THE CITY OF MIAMI
ZONING BOARD.
APPOINT WILFREDO GORT TO THE CITY OF
MIAMI PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD.
ALLOCATE $50,000 IN SUPPORT OF THE 18TH
ANNUAL BUDWEISER UNLIMITED HYDROPLANE
REGATTA.
(DISCUSSION CONTINUED) CLAUGHTON ISLAND
PROPOSED HOUSING PROJECT NEAR VIZCAYA
METRORAIL STATION. (See label 7-end)
GRANT APPEAL BY DEIDRE'S GROVE, INC.
FOR REVIEW OF ZONING BOARD'S DENIAL OF
VARIANCE TO PERMIT CONSTRUCTION OF
OFFICE BUILDING AT 3250 SOUTH DIXIE
HIGHWAY AND 3271-3291 WEST TRADE
AVENUE.
BRIEF DISCUSSION AND TEMPORARY DEFERRAL
OF APPEAL BY APPLICANT (ABRAHAM H.
SHUKAT) FOR REVIEW OF ZONING BOARD'S
DENIAL OF APPEAL OF A CLASS "C" SPECIAL
PERMIT WITH CONDITIONS FOR A CHANGE OF
NONCONFORMING USE (SEE LABEL 14).
SECOND READING ORDINANCE: AMENDMENT TO
MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN -
CHANGE PLAN DESIGNATION OF PROPERTY AT
2951-2999 S.W. 22ND TERRACE FROM LOW
MODERATE DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TO
COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL. (APPLICANT:
CHALLENGER INVESTMENTS.) (SEE LABEL
13.)
1/28/88
R 86-93
1/28/68
R 88-94
1/28/88
R 88-95
1/26/88
R 88-96
1/28/88
M 88-97
1/28/68
DISCUSSION
1/28/88
R 88-98
1/28/88
DISCUSSION
1/28/88
ORDINANCE
10373
1/28/88
1
1-3
3-4
4-5
5-6
F
7-8
8-9
9-19
19-24
24-26
26-31
f f
13. SECOND READING ORDINANCE: AMEND ZONING ORDINANCE
ATLAS FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2951-2999 10374
S.W. 22ND TERRACE FROM RG-1/3 TO CR- 1/28/88
2/7.
14. (CONTINUED DISCUSSION) A) DENY APPEAL M 88-99
OF ABRAHAM H. SHUKAT OF ZONING BOARD'S R 88-100
DENIAL TO WITHDRAW CONDITIONS ATTACHED 1/28/88
TO A CLASS "C" SPECIAL PERMIT AT 1649
N.W. 27TH AVENUE (SEE LABEL 11).
B) INSTRUCT PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO
ENSURE THAT IN ALL FUTURE APPLICATIONS
FOR CLASS "C" OR ANY OTHER CITY
PERMITS, THERE MUST BE FULL DISCLOSURE
OF OWNERSHIP.
15.
CONTINUE PROPOSED SECOND READING
M 88-101
ORDINANCE FOR: A) AMENDMENT TO MIAMI
1/28/88
COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN BY
CHANGING PLAN DESIGNATION AT 3616-3638
N.W. 23RD AVENUE, AND B) AMENDMENT TO
ZONING ATLAS AT 3616-3638 N.W. 23RD
AVENUE — FOR FURTHER REVIEW BY CITY
ATTORNEY. (NOTE: THESE TWO ITEMS WERE
ULTIMATELY PASSED, THIS SAME MEETING,
AS ORDINANCES 10380 AND 10381 — SEE
LABELS 31 AND 32.)
16.
SECOND READING ORDINANCE: AMEND ZONING
ORDINANCE
ATLAS BY APPLYING HC-1 AREA REZONING
10375
TO: (NORTH) N.E. 48TH AND 49TH STREETS;
1/28/88
(SOUTH) N.E. 41ST AND 42ND STREETS ;
(WEST) NORTH MIAMI AVENUE; (EAST) N.E.
2ND AVENUE.
17.
SECOND READING ORDINANCE: AMEND ZONING
ORDINANCE
TEXT — ARTICLE 20 ("GENERAL AND
10376
SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS"); ADD NEW
1/28/88
SUBSECTION ON GARAGE AND YARD SALES;
SPECIAL PERMITS; DEFINITION OF GARAGE
SALE, ETC. — PROVIDE THAT GARAGE AND
YARD SALES BE PERMISSIBLE ONLY BY
SPECIAL PERMIT.
18.
SECOND READING ORDINANCE: AMEND ZONING
ORDINANCE
TEXT — ARTICLE 20 ("ACCESSORY USES AND
10377
STRUCTURES'); TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENTS;
1/28/88
SPECIAL PERMITS — DELETE CERTAIN
SUBSECTIONS BUT SUBSTITUTE LIMITATIONS
AS TO SPECIFIED PUBLIC FACILITIES AND
THEIR PARKING LOTS; NUMBER OF ANNUAL
EVENTS; NOTIFICATION TO PROPERTY
OWNERS.
19.
SECOND READING ORDINANCE: AMEND ZONING
ORDINANCE
TEXT — ARTICLE 20 ("ACCESSORY USES AND
10378
STRUCTURES"); CONVENIENCE
1/26/88
ESTABLISHMENTS AS ACCESSORY TO
RESIDENTIAL OR OFFICE USES; VARIANCES
PROHIBITED; COMMUNITY BASED RESIDENTIAL
FACILITIES; ADULT DAY CARE CENTERS;
CHILD DAY CARE CENTERS; ADULT
ENTERTAINMENT, ETC. PROHIBIT ZONING
BOARD FROM RELAXING SPECIFIC CONDITIONS
OF USE UNDER PRINCIPAL USES AND
STRUCTURES, ACCESSORY AND TRANSITIONAL
USES.
31-32
33-38
38-40
41
42
43-44
"20.
A) FIRST READING ORDINANCE: AMEND
ORDINANCE
44-57
MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN -
FIRST READING
CHANGE PLAN DESIGNATION OF PROPERTY
M 88-102
LOCATED AT 2600 N.W. 14TH STREET. B)
1/28/88
DIRECT ADMINISTRATION TO STUDY ENTIRE
PORTION OF PROPERTY AT 2600 N.W. 14TH
STREET FOR PURPOSES OF MAKING THE BLOCK
ZONING UNIFORM. (APPLICANTS: MR. 6
MRS. M. ESCLOFER.) (SEE LABEL 21.
21.
FIRST READING ORDINANCE: AMEND ZONING
ORDINANCE
57
ATLAS AT APPROXIMATELY 2600 NW 14TH
FIRST READING
STREET. (APPLICANTS: MR. 6 MRS. M.
1/28/88
ESCLOFER.) (See label 20.)
22.
AMEND MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD
ORDINANCE
56-59
PLAN - CHANGE PLAN DESIGNATION OF
FIRST READING
PROPERTY AT 23-47 NW 32ND PLACE AND 34
1/26/88
NW 32ND COURT. (APPLICANTS: MR. & MRS.
M. OJEDA AND R. MAESTREY.) (See label
23.)
23.
FIRST READING ORDINANCE: AMEND ZONING
ORDINANCE
59-61
ATLAS AT 23-47 NW 32ND PLACE AND 34 NW
FIRST READING
32ND COURT. (APPLICANTS: MR. & MRS. M.
1/28/88
OJEDA AND R. MAESTREY.) (See label 25.)
24.
A) RESCHEDULE FIRST COMMISSION MEETING
R 88-103
61-63
IN FEBRUARY. B) SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING
1/28/88
ON PROPOSED ISSUANCE OF MASTER
DEVELOPMENT ORDER AND INCREMENT ONE
DEVELOPMENT ORDER FOR THE OVERTOWN/PARK
WEST REDEVELOPMENT AREA.
25.
DIRECT ADMINISTRATION TO PLACE SECOND
M 88-104
63-64
READING OF AGENDA ITEM PZ-145 (ATLAS
1/28/88
CHANGE OF PROPERTY AT 23-47 NW 32ND
PLACE) ON AGENDA FOR FEBRUARY 18, 1988.
(See label 23.)
"26.
CONTINUE AGENDA ITEM PZ-15 (PROPOSED
M 88-105
64-78
ZONING ATLAS AMENDMENT OF PROPERTY AT
1/28/88
2785-2855 TIGERTAIL AVENUE AND 3241-
3299 MARY STREET), AND PZ-16 (APPEAL
ZONING BOARD'S DENIAL OF VARIANCE AT
2815 TIGERTAIL AVENUE) PENDING WORKSHOP
TO BE HELD CONCERNING POSSIBLE
COMPROMISE.
27.
GRANT REQUEST FOR AMENDMENT TO
R 88-106
79-84
DECLARATION OF RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS TO
1/28/88
PERMIT A SURFACE PARKING LOT AT 2230-
2240 S.W. 16TH STREET. (APPLICANT:
GREENBERG, TRAURIG, ET AL.)
28.
DISCUSSION AND CONTINUANCE OF
DISCUSSION
84-86
PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS AND
1/28/86
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COCONUT GROVE
TRAFFIC STUDY TO THE AGENDA OF FEBRUARY
25. 1988.
^29.
GRANT APPEAL FOR REVIEW OF ZONING
R 88-107
87-114
BOARD'S DENIAL OF VARIANCE TO PERMIT
1/28/88
EXISTING DOCK AND CATWALKS AT 3590
CRYSTAL VIEW COURT - WITH CERTAIN
PROVISOS (APPLICANT: JEFFREY
TARDIFF.)
30
A) EMERGENCY ORDINANCE: ESTABLISH
ORDINANCE
114-116
PROJECT 'GOLDEN ARMS ACQUISITION". B)
10379
AUTHORIZE ACQUISITION IN LIEU OF
R 88-108
CONDEMNATION OF GOLDEN ARMS PROPERTY.
1/28/88
31.
(CONTINUED DISCUSSION) AMEND MIAMI
ORDINANCE
117-118
COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN -
10280
CHANGE PLAN DESIGNATION OF PROPERTY AT
1/28/88
3616-3638 NW 23RD AVENUE. (APPLICANT:
CONSIGNMENT AUTO SALES, INC.) (NOTE:
THIS ITEM HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY CONTINUED
BY MOTION 88-101) (See labels 15 and
32.)
32.
SECOND READING ORDINANCE: AMEND ZONING
ORDINANCE
118-119
ATLAS AT 3616-36238 NW 23RD AVENUE.
10381
(APPLICANT: CONSIGNMENT AUTO SALES,
1/28/88
INC.) (NOTE: THIS ITEM HAD BEEN
PREVIOUSLY CONTINUED BY MOTION 88-101.)
See labels 15 and 31.)
33.
EMERGENCY ORDINANCE: EXTEND MORATORIUM
ORDINANCE
119-120
ON COLLECTION OF IMPACT FEES.
10382
1/28/88
34.
DISCUSSION AND CONTINUANCE OF APPEAL BY
DISCUSSION
120-124
EXXON CORPORATION OF ZONING BOARD'S
1/28/88
DENIAL OF SPECIAL EXCEPTION TO PERMIT
REDUCTION OF TRANSITIONAL AREA REQUIRED
TO RECONSTRUCT A GAS STATION.
35.
CONTINUE ALL AGENDA ITEMS NOT TAKEN UP
M 88-109
124-125
THIS DATE TO FEBRUARY 25, 1988 AGENDA.
1/28/88
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
On the 28th day of January, 1988, the City Commission of Miami, Florida,
met at its regular meeting place in the City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive,
Miami, Florida in regular session.
The meeting was called to order at 4:34 p.m. by Mayor Xavier Suarez with
the following members of the Commission found to be present:
ALSO PRESENT:
Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
Cesar Odio, City Manager
Lucia Allen Dougherty, City Attorney
Matty Hirai, City Clerk
Walter J. Foeman, Assistant City Clerk
An invocation was delivered by Mayor Suarez. Vice Mayor Kennedy then
led those present in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
NOTE FOR THE RECORD: AT THE REQUEST OF MAYOR SUAREZ, THE
COMMISSION AND THE AUDIENCE REMAINED STANDING FOR ONE MINUTE OF
SILENCE IN MEMORY OF THE LATE MR. ELISEO ARGUELLES, THE FATHER OF
VICE MAYOR KENNEDY.
1. PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL ITEMS
I. Special recognition to Ms. Mailika Roberts for her achievements as an
artist and her efforts in advancing the fine arts in the school systems.
2. Proclamation to Ada Linares for her accomplishments as a Spanish Flamenco
dancer.
3. Proclamation presented to Dr. Juan Alberta, of the American Heart
Association, proclaiming the month of February 1988, as Heart Month.
4. A brief ceremony commemorating the birthday anniversary of the late Cuban
patriot, Jose Marti, was conducted. Several of his famous quotations
were read by the Mayor, Commissioners and staff. Miss Teresa Hernandez
sang the United States and Cuban national anthems.
2. GRANT REQUEST BY LAW FIRM OF GREENBERG TRAURIG ASKEW HOFFMAN LIPOFF
ROSEN & QUENTEL, P.A., TO SERVE AS COUNSEL TO THE BUYER OF THE CENTRUST
TOWER BUILDING.
---------- --------------------- ----- ----------------------- ------
Mayor Suarez: Madam City Attorney, you wanted us to take up a procedural item
on a conflict?
Mrs. Dougherty: Yes, air, Greenberg Traurig has asked the City Commission to
consent to their representation to be local counsel to a proposed buyer of the
CenTrust Tower Building. The reason they're asking for our consent is they
serve as bond counsel to the City and the City would also have to consent to
this acquisition so they're asking your permission to serve as local counsel.
And we recommend it. We don't think there'd be any adverse impact to the
City.
1 January 28, 1966
Mayor Suarez: We need a motion to that effect?
Mrs. Dougherty: Yes, air, yes, sir.
Mrs. Kennedy: I move it.
Mayor Suarez: !loved.
Mrs. Dougherty: They're going to serve as local counsel to a proposed buyer
of the CenTrust Tower Building.
Mayor Suarez: What do you have, a provision on anyone who is representing the
City in any matter or just or for bond counsel that they're not supposed to be
acting on behalf of any other clients?
Mrs. Dougherty: No, it's simply because as bond counsel they are also serving
as the City's bond counsel in connection with the refunding of the Convention
Center and also the City would have to consent to the sale to their client.
Those are the two reasons.
Mr. Plummer: Well, but as City Attorney, you're recommending and you see no
conflict.
Mrs. Dougherty: That's right.
Mr. Plummer: Fine.
Mrs. Kennedy: You'll second?
Mr. Plummer: Yes.
Mayor Suarez: Moved and seconded. Are they, in any way, involved in the
evaluation or bond opinions related to the CenTrust Tower at all?
Mrs. Dougherty: Yes, they will be. They will have to opine that the...
Mayor Suarez: Wouldn't it make more sense...
Mrs. Dougherty: ... acquisition would not be adverse to the bonds.
Mayor Suarez: Wouldn't it make more sense for one of our other bond
counsel...
Mrs. Dougherty: They've already been doing it for a long time. I would
assume that...
Mayor Suarez: I see.
Mrs. Dougherty: ... they would prefer not to be counsel to the acquisition
than not bond counsel.
Mayor Suarez: And you're satisfied, I think Commissioner Plummer asked if
you're satisfied that there won't create a conflict from our perspective.
Mrs. Dougherty: I am satisfied.
Mayor Suarez: We think we're properly advised regardless, even if we pass
this motion?
Mrs. Dougherty: Yes, sir.
Mayor Suarez: I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Call the roll.
2 January 28, 1986
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Kennedy, who moved
its adoption:
MOTION NO. 88-91
A MOTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION ACCEPTING THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY TO GRANT REQUEST
MADE BY THE LAW FIRM OF GREENBERG TRAURIG ASKEW
HOFFMAN LIPOFF ROSEN & QUENTEL, P.A. TO SERVE AS
COUNSEL TO THE PROPOSED BUYER OF THE CENTRUST TOWER
BUILDING.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Plummer, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
3. ACCEPT PLAT: PELICAN HARBOR PARK.
Mayor Suarez: Planning and zoning item one.
Mr. Dawkins: I have a...
Mr. Plummer: Excuse me, what about the Consent?
Mayor Suarez: I didn't even know we had a Consent Agenda. What are the items
comprised in the Consent Agenda?
Mrs. Kennedy: I think it's only one or two.
Mayor Suarez: Items one through six?
Mr. Plummer: No, Consent in only one in...
Mayor Suarez: Comprised...
Mr. Dawkins: One and two.
Mayor Suarez: One and two, comprise the Consent Agenda.
Mr. Plummer: But two has been withdrawn so it's only one item.
Mayor Suarez: We've got a Consent Agenda comprised of one item.
Mr. Plummer: I move it. I move it.
Mrs. Kennedy: I second.
Mayor Suarez: Moved and seconded. Accepting the plat. Any discussion? Call
the roll on item one.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner
Plummer who moved his adoption:
3 January 28. Igoe
RESOLUTION NO. 88-92
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE PLAT ENTITLED PELICAN
HARBOR PARK, A SUBDIVISION IN THE CITY OF MIAMI;
ACCEPTING THE DEDICATIONS SHOWN ON SAID PLAT; AND
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY
CLERK TO EXECUTE THE PLAT AND PROVIDING FOR THE
RECORDATION OF SAID PLAT IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF
DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and
on file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Vice Mayor Kennedy, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
4. URGE VOTERS TO APPROVE SCHOOL BOND REFERENDUM TO ACCEPT G.O. BOND
PROCEEDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF AND IMPROVEMENTS TO EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES.
Mr. Dawkins: Before we get to three, I have a pocket item I'd like to...
Mayor Suarez: Commissioner Dawkins.
Mr. Dawkins: I would like for this Commission to approve a resolution that I
have asked the City Attorney to draw on and you have the resolution in front
of you and I would like to read it to see if I could get it passed here and it
said, a resolution endorsing and urging that the voters support and approve,
with provisions, the School Board referendum for expenditures of general
obligation bond proceeds for the construction of new education facilities and
improvement to existing educational facilities. Further, directing the City
Clerk to transmit a copy of this resolution to the herein designated officials
and part of the provisions are number one, that out of the $780,000,000, that
the School Board meet the City of Miami's hiring goals and that we use local
contractors and local suppliers and local everything for this bond issue or we
will not support it. The other one that I am strongly in favor of is that the
School Board must promise that the School Board will graduate students from
high school who can read, write and count. If they do not agree to those
things, then I'm not in favor of supporting the bond issue and Commissioner De
Turre has some things that he would like to negotiate with the School Board,
but if we pass this resolution then, I think, it's an order that any of us who
have anything of concerns could go to the School Board and negotiate them.
Mayor Suarez: Do you have any problem, Commissioner, if we consider this
resolution in case we want to add additional things that would be necessary
for...
Mr. Dawkins: By all means, I would hope that we all would come up with some
things that they would have to meet in order to get us to support the bond
Issue.
Mayor Suarez: Because those I agree with that...
Mrs. Kennedy: I second your motion.
Mayor Suarez: So moved and seconded with that understanding.
Mr. De Yurre: I think that, Mr. Mayor, that certainly the spirit of this
resolution has to be delivered to the School Board and that is that we have
many contractors, many employees, many people that want work in this community
and time and time again, we see people from outside of our local area getting
4 January 28, 1988
9 9
these big jobs and the big contracts and I think it's about time that, you
know, we take a stand on this issue and we know it means a lot to our kids,
but let's not only worry about our children, let's also worry about the adults
that need the jobs to feed the children that are going to be going to school.
Mayor Suarez: Any further discussion on the motion and a second? Call the
roll.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Dawkins, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 88-93
A RESOLUTION ENDORSING AND URGING THAT THE VOTERS
SUPPORT AND APPROVE, WITH PROVISIONS, THE SCHOOL BOND
REFERENDUM FOR EXPENDITURES OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND
PROCEEDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW EDUCATIONAL
FACILITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING EDUCATIONAL
FACILITIES; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
= TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE HEREIN
DESIGNATED OFFICIALS.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote:
- AYES: Commissioner Victor De Turre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
5. DECLARE ONE SURPLUS CITY VEHICLE AS SURPLUS STOCK AND DONATE SAME TO
UNITED TENANT COUNCIL FOR CRIME PREVENTION PURPOSES.
Mayor Suarez: I just want to mention this resolution. We've been asked by
the United Tenant Council, a non profit organization, to resolve or to give
them and to grant them the use of a surplus vehicle that will be used in
efforts to assist their own membership and to deter crime and I have a
resolution to that effect which reads very quickly. "Whereas the United
Tenant Council, Inc. is a non profit organization that is engaged in efforts
towards deterring crime in the City, particularly crimes against the frail and
elderly. Whereas United Tenant Council, Inc., is in need of a vehicle to be
used in its efforts towards deterring and preventing crime. Whereas as the
City Commission recognizes the need to render assistance to citizen groups who
are engaged in efforts to deter crime. Whereas the City has a surplus
vehicle, vehicle no. 402, that could be used to fulfill this public purpose.
—
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Commission of the City of Miami,
Florida, the City Manager or his designee is hereby authorized to declare one
surplus City vehicle as category A surplus stock as provided in section IS-
51.4 of the City Code, two said category A surplus City vehicles shall then be
_
donated to the United Tenant Council, Inc. in its effort toward deterring and
preventing crime in the City of Miami particularly those crimes against the
frail and elderly." And I would entertain a motion to that effect.
Mr. Dawkins: So move.
Mayor Suarez: I see Dr. Vega getting ready to give us a thirty minute...
Mr. Dawkins: No, no, no, no. If you speak, you lose my vote.
Mayor Suarez: He's getting ready...
5 January 28, 1988
Mr. Dawkins: I move it. If you speak, I don't move it.
Mayor Suarez: He's getting ready to give us a thirty minute dissertation that
I'm sure we want to avoid, so...
Mr. De Yurre: I'll second that.
Mayor Suarez: We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Call the roll.
Mr. Plummer: Under discussion, Mr. Mayor...
Mayor Suarez: Yes, Commissioner Plummer.
Mr. Plummer: It is understood, I assume, even though it's not written into
the resolution, that it completely absolves the City from any responsibility
or financial obligation.
Mayor Suarez: That's correct. Madam City Attorney, on any gift of a surplus
vehicle of this sort, it's understood that we have no liability. We're not
indemnifying or whatever?
Mrs. Dougherty: That's correct.
Mayor Suarez: Any further discussion? Call the roll.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Dawkins, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 88-94
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS
DESIGNEE, TO DECLARE ONE (1) SURPLUS CITY VEHICLE AS
CATEGORY "A" SURPLUS STOCK, AND DONATING THE SAME TO
THE UNITED TENANT COUNCIL, INC., A NONPROFIT
CORPORATION, SAID VEHICLE TO BE USED BY THE
ORGANIZATION IN ITS EFFORTS TOWARD DETERRING AND
PREVENTING CRIME IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, PARTICULARLY
THOSE CRIMES AGAINST THE FRAIL AND ELDERLY.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner De Yurre, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
Mayor Suarez: Delivers comments in Spanish to Dr. Vega to explain that the
vehicle was granted.
6 January 28, 1988
-�.._�-------------------- ------ - - - - - -- - -- ---- --- - --
6. APPOINT RICHARD DUNN, PAT SKUBISH AND MANUEL ALONSO-POCH TO THE CITY OF
MIAMI ZONING BOARD.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mayor Suarez: We have appointments, item 3, Zoning Board. We have one
appointment from Commissioner Dawkins who stepped out, Commissioner De Yurre
and Commissioner Kennedy.
Mr. Dawkins (OFF MIKE): I nominate Dick Dunn.
Mrs. Kennedy: I nominate Pat Skubish.
Mayor Suarez: Richard Dunn.
Mr. Dawkins (OFF MIKE): Richard Dunn.
Mayor Suarez: Reverend Richard Dunn. Pat Skubish. Commissioner De Yurre.
Mr. De Turre: Manuel Alonso-Poch.
Mayor Suarez: Manuel Alonso. We have those three nominations in the form of
a motion and a second.
Mr. Plummer: Second.
Mayor Suarez: Call the roll.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Dawkins, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 88-95
- A RESOLUTION APPOINTING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE
- AS MEMBERS ON THE ZONING BOARD OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, EACH TO SERVE A TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31,
1990.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Plummer, the resolution vas passed
and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
7. APPOINT WILFREDO GORT TO THE CITY OF MIAMI PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD.
Mayor Suarez: On item 4, Planning Advisory Board, we have a nomination from
Commissioner De Yurre and one from Commissioner Plummer.
Mr. De Yurre: I'm going to hold off on my nomination at this point in time
till neat meeting.
Mr. Plummer: I nominate Mr. Willy Gort.
Mayor Suarez: That's in the form of a motion. Do we have a second?
7 January 28, 1988
Mrs. Kennedy: Second.
Mayor Suarez: Seconded. Any discussion? Call the roll.
The following resolution vas introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 88-96
A RESOLUTION APPOINTING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE AS
MEMBERS ON THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, EACH TO SERVE A TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31,
1990.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here
and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Turre
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
NOTE FOR THE RECORD: COMMISSIONER DAWKINS WAS ABSENT DURING ROLL
CALL, BUT LATER REQUESTED HE BE SHOWN AS VOTING YES.
Mayor Suarez: I guess, Sergio, we've got one left in zoning and one in
planning. Item S.
Mr. Plummer: Since this is Commissioner Dawkins', I assume, eh?
Mr. Odio: Is Mr. Traurig here?
Mayor Suarez: Are we going to get a status...
Mr. Odio: After the last meeting, Mr. Mayor and Commissioners, we met with
the two groups and I also spoke to Mr. Traurig and asked him if we could get
an extension from Swire on this project. And I want him to give you the
answer on his own words so that...
Mrs. Kennedy: Mr. Mayor, excuse me, Bob, shouldn't Commissioner Dawkins be
here since he put this item on the agenda on the first time?
8. ALLOCATE $50,000 IN SUPPORT OF THE 18TH ANNUAL BUDWEISER UNLIMITED
HYDROPLANE REGATTA.
Mayor Suarers Let's take up very quickly item six while Commissioner Dawkins
gets back.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, item six is mine in reference the Unlimited Boat Race
as we have for 19 years, I come before the Commission, I'm not asking for any
additional funds and we haven't had in the past, I would ask that the split of
It be different and that we get $50,000 in hard cash and we get the remaining
balance of the account in -kind services and I ask and so move.
Mrs. Kennedy: Second.
Mayor Suarez: Fifty... Moved and seconded. Where does this money come from
every year?
Mr. Odio: It's in the budget.
8 January 28, 1988
Mr. Plummer: It's in the budget, it's a line item.
Mayor Suarez: Budgeted as what, as a City of Miami function?
Mr. Plummer: In the Marine Stadium, yes.
Mayor Suarez: We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Call the roll.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved
its adoption:
MOTION NO. 88-97
A MOTION ALLOCATING AN AMOUNT OF $50,000 FROM THE
TY188 ENTERPRISE FUND BUDGET (FOR MARINE STADIUM) IN
SUPPORT OF THE 18TH ANNUAL BUDWEISER UNLIMITED
HYDROPLANE REGATTA; FURTHER STIPULATING THAT THE
REMAINING PORTION OF THE MONIES BUDGETED FOR MARINE
STADIUM IN CONNECTION WITH SAID EVENT BE USED FOR IN -
KIND SERVICES.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
9. (DISCUSSION CONTINUED) CLAUGHTON ISLAND PROPOSED HOUSING PROJECT NEAR
VIZCAYA METRORAIL STATION. (See label 7-end)
Mayor Suarez: Item five.
-- Bob Traurig, Esq.: Mr. Mayor, in response to the request by your Manager that
I appear and address you, I'm happy to do that. My name is Robert H. Traurig.
I'm an attorney with offices at 1401 Brickell Avenue and I represent Swire
Biscayne, Inc. which is the owner and developer of most of what is generally
called Claughton Island, sometimes called Brickell Key. The question which
the Manager asked me was whether or not we would again extend the time for
performance under the contract. To give you background, the contract, as you
have been advised by the City Attorney's office, has expired. We have
® performed under our commitment to the City with regard to the 3.2 million
■ dollars and an agreement to purchase and market those units that would have
been created at the Vizcatran site had they been created by the time they were
supposed to be delivered. That isn't by way of an answer to the question of
the Manager, but some background. In the interim, we have been approached by
a group of people who are prepared to create a low income housing project on
that site. We have been asked whether or not we would make a substantial cash
contribution for the purchase of the property. The answer that had originally
been given and was confirmed in a letter to you, Mr. Mayor, was that we would
contribute $300,000. We have subsequently changed that 6300,000 to $350,000
and I here tell you that in addition, we would lend to those prospective
developers an additional $150,000 which would be due and payable at the time
of the issuance of any certificate of occupancy on that property; thereby,
making a total of $500,000 available to them to purchase the site and to
create these units and that's in addition to the $100,000 which has already
been given to the original proposed developers and an additional obligation
that was assumed in connection with that contract. So, consequently, we are
suggesting to you that in lieu of our extension of the time for the creation
of a building which Mr. Carrillo has advised us cannot be built for the price
that we have agreed to pay, we are offering to make $500,000 available to
other developers who will create the units on that site and we urge you to
consider that.
9 January 28, 1988
Mr. Plummer (Off mike): Cesar, the money is going to go to the developer?
Mayor Suarez: Why Mould that money not go to the City?
Mr. Odio: That goes to the developer, is that what he said?
Mr. Traurig: No, I, we, we, we...
Mayor Suarez: Who do you consider your commitment to be with?
Mr. Traurig: Well, let me back up a little bit.
Mr. Odio: OK, can I any something, Mr. Traurig, please?
Mr. Traurig: Yes, sir. We don't care who the money goes to.
Mr. Odio: before you give the answer. My only problem is that the idea
behind this monies from Swire was to build apartments. And I think that
you're holding on to a technicality of a time period and, therefore, the
agreement has not been met by either side, OK.
Mr. Traurig: Well, Yet me, let me re...
Mr. Odio: And I think there is more than a contract here but that there is a
moral obligation, from Swire's part, to have these apartments built.
_ Mr. Plummer (Off mike): See, there was no contribution to the developer in
the first one.
Mr. Traurig: May I review then, for the benefit of the record and for those
who aren't totally familiar with it. Swire, when it purchased Claughton
Island, had an obligation to create 200 housing units on Claughton Island. As
a result of a study done by the Urban League, it was concluded that that
_ wouldn't be an appropriate place to create those units. Ultimately, we went
to the City and the City said we should build 225 units off the island. We
went back to the City at a later time and the City said, we would like you to
contribute the 3.2 million dollars for the creation of what ultimately became
two projects with 232 units...
Mr. Dawkins: Wait a minute, I think there's an error there. The City did not
suggest, you came and negotiated down to 3.2 million dollars. Let the records
reflect that the City did not ask for 3.2, that it was negotiated down to 3.2
and this Commission, by a majority of votes, with some dissent, allowed the
3.2 to be negotiated.
Mayor Suarez: And we also estimated that the total loss for this particular
project and I think those were your figures, was going to be about $800,000
for a total net subsidy of about $4,000,000 and that was of course, the figure
that we were going by.
Mr. Traurig: At one time we said we anticipated that there could be a doss of
$800,000. If you recall, Commissioner Plummer suggested that we temporarily
suspend the item and go outside and discuss it. During which time, the
developers, who were going to convey this property to us upon completion,
reduced their price by $200,000 so that our ultimate exposure would have
perhaps been $600,000, but it had been suggested to us by this Commission that
we sight even make a profit on it. As a result, we came back to the
Commission and we agreed to contribute 3.2 million dollars and, in addition,
to purchase that project if it were completed by a certain period of time. It
vas very clearly understood by us...
Mayor Suarez: Was it if or when it was completed within 12 months?
Mr. Traurig: It was...
Mayor Suarez: I got the impression at the time that it was when it was
completed.
Mr. Traurig: When it was completed which was due to be last June, June of
1987. Market conditions change, as you know, there are going to be perhaps as
many as 2,000 housing units in this price range for this basic market that
10 January 28, 1988
will become available within the close in and the areas near downtown which
would include units to be built in Park/West and in Overtown; units to be
built on Brickell Key, units to be built near the river, units that are
presently under construction on the vest side of Brickell, etc. If may very
well be that if these units that are now proposed to be constructed were
ultimately delivered to Swire a year and a half from now, that the market
conditions for marketing those units will be entirely different than the
market conditions that were contemplated when Swire agreed to buy those units
which they anticipated as a result of the contract would be in June, 1987.
Rather than to do that then, and so that the City would have the benefit of a
similar number of housing units, we make available this total of $500,000
which we are told will be the catalyst for the creation of those units. It
can't be ignored by the City that 3.2 million dollars contributed by Swire
which resulted in 160 units in Bast Little Havana and 160 units at the Shell
City site did not have a major benefit to the population of the City of Miami.
We are...
Mr. Dawkins: Let the records reflect that Swire did not donate 3.2 million
dollars, that it was a penalty Swire paid for not having built 200 units on
Claughton Island. Let the records reflect that.
Mr. Traurig: At any rate...
Mayor Suarez: And if the figures bother me, let me just correct one thing.
Did you say 160 units in Little Havana and 116 Lib...
Mr. Traurig: Excuse me, 116 units in East Little Havana, 116 units on the
Shell City site or a total of 232 units have been built as a result of the 3.2
million dollar contribution. We're suggesting to this Commission that it will
achieve an equal benefit by the contribution which we presently have offered
to make on the same site. The developers are here, they have urged us to
negotiate that. We are prepared to make that contribution and, once again, I
would suggest that you consider that the initial obligation was 200 units, it
Increased to 225, you already have 232 and we're now making available another,
roughly, 106 to 108 units.
Mr. Dawkins: Let the records reflect that they did not do us a favor because
the 200 units should have been on Claughton Island and on Claughton Island 200
units of housing is, I don't know how much money, so do not get the idea that
Swire did the City of Miami a favor. The City of Miami did Swire a favor by
letting them off the hook. Let the records reflect that.
Mr. Traurig: That's in response to your question, Mr. Manager.
Mr. Odio: I'd like to go back to my original request one more time that the
simpler way to do this is extend your deadline so that we can get the units
built and comply with the commitment that Swire has with the City of building
the units.
Mr. Traurig: Respectfully, Swire cannot do that. Thank you.
Mr. Odio: Mr. Mayor, at this time it's up to the Commission. I have to
recommend that we hold the line and try to hold them to their commitment
and...
Mayor Suarez: Do you understand that we are able, legally, to hold them to
this commitment?
Mr. Odio: I'm not a lawyer, but...
Mayor Suarez: I sure hope we can because that...
Mr. Odio: But, sometimes it's worth something going to court and prove a
point.
Mayor Suarez: OK, and secondly, do you understand that their commitment, Mr.
Manager, is to the City or to the land owner? I never understood how the
landowner got involved in all of this.
Mr. Odio: That's the question I don't know what...
11 January 26, 1988
Mayor Suarez: It seemed to me that their commitment was to the City in that
particular site.
Mr. Odic: It is to the City.
Mr. Traurig: May I supplement that answer?
Mayor Suarez: And I mean the City generally, the citizens...
Mr. Traurig: We had an obligation in addition to the contribution of the 3.2
million to give to the City a contract executed by the owner and developer of
that site as the seller and Swire as the purchaser, which obligated Swire to
buy from that developer, at 5.7 million dollars, I believe, that site when
completed. It was not an agreement with the City, it was the agreement to
purchase those units and to market those units so that those units would
become available to ultimate occupants near the Vizcaya site.
Mrs. Kennedy: But you see, Bob, I understand the legal opinion, but the
public perception out there is that you're reneging on the contract to build
affordable housing.
Mr. Traurig: The public perception is incorrect, Commissioner, because the
affordable housing will be created as a result of this contribution. It will
be a product which will be more affordable than the product that was going to
be created which we negotiated to purchase. We have always been ready...
Mayor Suarez: How's that, how's that, Bob? How will it be more affordable as
envisioned now?
Mr. Traurig: Because it will be - let me call on the prospective developer to
talk about what their units will be. It will be a different unit than what
had bee proposed initially by Mr. Carrillo and his associates. They were
suggesting a moderate housing unit. My understanding is, and they couldn't
create that unit because at the price that they had negotiated to sell it for
they discovered that as a result of modifications that they had to make in
their plans as a result of the City of Miami zoning process, that they could
not deliver those units at the price we had agreed to pay for them. So,
therefore, they have come to you and Mr. Carrillo advised you that he can't
create those units. The Manager is saying to us that not withstanding that,
somebody else will create those units and we ought to buy them two years
later. And we're saying to you that that's not an appropriate bargain because
we had bargained to purchase them at a time that we thought that they market
could accept those units at the prices we would have to sell them for.
Mr. Odic: It is not...
Mr. Traurig: But the units that are about to be created, if this contribution
Is made, will be a smaller unit which will be more affordable by the general
public of the City.
Mr. Odic: It won't take two years to build the units, it will be fourteen
months. So...
Mr. Traurig: It would be fourteen months but we originally negotiated...
Mr. Odic: The inflation rate, infla...
Mr. Traurig: ... to buy those units in June 1987.
Mr. Odic: But the inflation rate is running 3 percent, Bob. You know the
numbers better than I do, come on. I think that Swire has a commitment and it
should live up to it.
Mr. Traurig: Mr. Manager, I am giving you the answer that the Swire
executives...
Mr. Odic: You're talking about a 3...
Mr. Traurig: ... have been able to get from their associates in Asia and I am
passing that on to this Commission.
Mr. Odic: OK.
12 January 28, 1986
Joe Portuondo, Esq.: May I please be heard, Mr. Mayor. My name is Joe
Portuondo and I represent Mr. Juan Delgado who is the owner of the land. Now
I only have much to add here today other than to clear the air about perhaps
something Mr. Traurig has said here. I think he's left the impression here
that somehow his contribution which he is now suggesting the City should
accept or resolve the problem that's far from over. We do not agree with that
and neither do the new developers. What he's offering to this Commission
today is nothing more than a buy out of the obligation. Now, if you, in fact,
have confidence that he no longer has any obligation to this City, that he
should just walk away from this deal and that's what this City Commission
should accept. But, evidently, he doesn't feel too confident in that opinion,
you know, especially what he's doing here, he's coming here to this Commission
and offering some compensation to sort of soften the blow as to what he's
really doing. Nov, I don't have any personal conflict with Mr. Traurig at the
moment regarding whether or not he builds or the new developer builds it.
But, as it stands right now, if Mr. Traurig gives this contribution, that
doesn't mean that that building is going to go up because no agreement has
been reached and, in fact, I feel a little bit like I've been sandbagged this
morning. When I had a meeting this morning with the prospective developers
and Mr. Barry Craig who represents them vas going to be in communication with
Mr. Traurig, I understood that what was going to be happening this afternoon
was, that Mr. Traurig was going to came here and explain that we were in
negotiation and that if we had time, we could arrive at some sort of workable
figure. Instead, that's not what I see has happened here. Instead, I see Mr.
Traurig caning before this Commission and creating an atmosphere in which he's
saying, look, we can't build it, we've done our best but here's our
contribution and that will get you the housing, that is far from the truth.
Mayor Suarez: I also remember the last time you were here, you gave the
impression that your client stood on very firm legal ground and you were going
to begin legal proceedings to enforce that. Have you done that or are you
contemplating that or what status - are there any legal proceedings at all at
this point?
Mr. Portuondo: No lawsuit has been filed as of yet, Mayor.
Mr. Traurig: I think it's very important to know that we never had an
obligation to create the units, merely to buy the units when created. That
was what the City had, through its good auspices, suggested be done and we
vent back to the City, to this platform, to this podium...
Mr. Dawkins: Bob, please don't continue to say the City asked you to do this.
This is what you negotiated down to and I cannot sit here, having been the one
who voted against it, and let you pretend that I asked you to do this, Bob. I
didn't ask you to do this. This Commission didn't ask you to do this and I
agree with you in one thing, that you have no obligation. Because we, the
Commission, let you off the hook. Now, why is it that all of a sudden in 1981
we're worried about what the houses will cost and what our loss will be, but
you promised 200 units of housing to the City in 1975 and then when you got
ready to deliver them in 1985, instead of costing them out at what it would
cost in 1985, you negotiated down to give 3.2 million dollars to get off the
hook. But now, all of a sudden, you're concerned that the housing will cost X
number of dollars and you, your poor client will suffer a tremendous loss
because it has tried to help who ever out here is trying to provide affordable
housing and your company is so gracious and so generous and that we are
beating up on it and trying to take advantage of it. That is the wrong
Impression.
Mr. Traurig: I just want to call your attention to two resolutions of the
City of Miami. In July, 1984, the City changed the obligation from 200 units
on the island to 225 units off the island. In January...
Mr. Dawkins: At first that went... see, if you're going to tell it, let's
tell it like it is.
Mr. Traurig: I just did.
Mr. Dawkins: All right, no, you didn't. I sat here and asked you that if we
.— could not build 200 units of housing on Claughton Island, let's put 50 units
Of housing in Wynwood, let's put 50 units of housing in Coconut Grove, let's
Put 50 units of housing in Little Havana and let's put 50 units of housing in
13 January 28, 1989
Liberty City. And you, sir, that's where I made my greatest mistake, I
allowed you to ensure me that that was too expensive and that I should try to
meet you half way and that's where I said, fine, you're right, to put up SO
units is very costly so I'm going to be a good fella, God loving and God
fearing person, and we would let you put 200 units of housing some place and
from there you got momentum and kept me going downhill and I've never been
able to turn around and come back.
Mr. Traurig: After the City of Miami resolution in July of 1984, we were back
hare before this Commission in January of 1985 and the agreement at that time
was that we would contribute the 3.2 million which the City Commission by
resolution approved and in addition to that, we had an obligation to buy these
other units. They have not been created so we're saying to you, the City
doesn't have the units, we are prepared as good citizens to offer an
opportunity for the creation of other units to replace the units that the
original developer did not create. And we're saying to you, that, not
withstanding the fact that we have made the contribution of 3.2 million, that
we're prepared to make an additional contribution which will equal $500,000.
Mayor Suarez: Let we just say that, again, not to correct an impression
because I'm not an expert in this field, but intuitively, I have got to
disagree with what you've stated before that a commitment that was made, and I
believe it was madeto the City in 1985, I guess it was, somehow has become
more expensive by either the passage of time, and I have a tough time
accepting that one because I don't think the market has deteriorated in that
sense or improved in that sense, or which ever way it has to go, but more
importantly, you said that the situation that the commitment is more difficult
to fulfill now because of the City's rezoning action and so on. Now...
Mr. Traurig: That was... I'm quoting...
Mayor Suarez: ... that I just can't accept.
Mr. Traurig: I'm quoting Mr. Carrillo who said...
Mayor Suarez: Right, but...
Mr. Traurig: ... who said to us that because of the changes...
Mr. Plummer: No, that is true, Xavier.
Mayor Suarez: No, no, there's no possible way I'm going to accept that that's
true. Let we finish my statement, all of you, including Counselor and anyone
on the Commission.
Mr. Traurig: Well, OK.
Mayor Suarez: You can correct it if you want and you can all give your own
Impressions, but I'm going to finish my statement. My statement and my
opinion is, and I suffered through it, Bob, because I suffered through that
rezoning here, which I personally did not want to vote in favor of, but it
seemed like it was necessary to be able to build the units in question. Now,
how, by allowing many more units than what the zoning code called for at that
particular moment, it would somehow become more expensive to build those units
now instead of less expensive which is intuitively what I feel we were doing,
Is beyond me. And I'm not going to accept that. You guys can argue all you
want about it; anybody on the Commission disagrees, that's fine, that's my
particular opinion and I'm not an expert in the market, but to me that - we
did that with the understanding that it would make viable your project. And
that's - if anything should have made your cost less and I, by the way,
believe that the market is better now than it was then. That's just my
particular feeling, but I'm not an expert on the market.
Mr. Plummer: Just for the record, Mr...
Mr. Traurig: Mr. Mayor, it wasn't our cost, it was the developer's costs.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, just for the record, let me, I think, try to
understand for both of you. The reason the cost has gone up is because of the
zoning regulations which made the building go...
Mrs. Kennedy: Higher.
14 January 28, 1988
_ Mr. Plummer: ... from an eight story building to, I think, a 13 story
building and that was due to the enforcement of zoning that said you had to
comply with certain setbacks, with certain regulations and because of that,
the only way they would issue a permit is if the building was 5 stories higher
_ which put in high speed elevators, which put in other things that were not
required at the lover 8 floors. So I think that the statement that says that
the price today is higher is a true statement based on the fact that they were
forced to go to these other provisions which did not exist at the time of
granting.
Mayor Suarez: OK, let me just say, it may not be the first time in history
that a building that was supposed to be at 8 floors and then allowed to go to
13, somehow made the units more expensive by that, but it's certainly the
first time since I've been sitting here that anybody makes that proposition.
I suppose if you make it narrow enough it could have that effect, but I don't
remember that being the argument, of that being the proposition at the time.
Mr. Portuondo: Mayor, if I could...
Mrs. Kennedy: Bob.
Mayor Suarez: Madam Vice Mayor.
Mrs. Kennedy: This new proposal that you're talking about. Is it going to be
for the same amount of money?
Mr. Traurig: For the same amount of...
Mrs. Kennedy: Is it going to cost the City any money? Are they going to
build it for the same money?
Mr. Traurig: Well, I would call on the prospective developer who...
Mrs. Kennedy: Yes, I want to hear it.
Mr. Traurig: ... has said to us that if we make $500,000 available to them,
they will create these units. The City will get these units; not the units
that had been originally described, but a new design and they will get these
units and it won't cost the City anything and the units will be available at
that site. May I...
Mr. Portuondo: Mr. Mayor, if I can address one point here, you know we're...
Mayor Suarez: And I'm not sure we ought to hear from the prospective
developers on something that's already as complicated as this is.
Mr. Portuondo: And I don't think the prospective developer has anything to
's offer at this time given that they have no contract with the landowner or any
kind of deal with anybody else. And, quite frankly, all they're going to do
Is muddle up the works right now. When I came here today and I had a firm
commitment from Barry Craig who told me he spoke to Bob Traurig directly, he
said he vas going to come here to this Commission and tell the Commission that
we were in serious negotiations to arrive at a figure which everyone could
live with and the City would be happy. And instead what I find when I come
here today is Mr. Traurig's proposal to get out of this deal with $350,000
which is what he offered a long time ago and a $150,000 loan which he now
calls it a commitment to this project. If you'll look in the contract, Mr.
Mayor...
Mayor Suarez: Are you saying that it doesn't make sense for us today to allow
additional time for negotiations and give an extension as proposed by the
Manager or what are you proposing that we do?
Mr. Portuondo: Mayor, I suggest that we go back to the table. That was our
understanding before we came here today, before this...
Mayor Suarez: To go back to what?
Mr. Portuondo: Go back to the table with Mr. Traurig and the new developers,
— try to reach some figure. I think it's precipitous at this stage to try let
Swire Corporation off the hook, so to speak, without there being something
15 January 28, 1988
else firmly in place. And there isn't anything. And 1, quite frankly, I look
at the figures and I don't see how they're going to fly with this proposed...
Mr. Odio: Before this other question that Commissioner Kennedy asked goes
away, it is not the case that it won't cost the City anything. There is some
hidden costs here, of guarantees that the City has to put up under this other
proposal and I think you should bring them out now...
Mr. Traurig: Well, nobody has...
Mr. Odio: No, I mean him.
Mr. Traurig: Nobody has said to me anything except that they wanted our
money.
Mr. Odlo: I know, Bob, I'■ not talking to you. Ten, I know, but they want
our money too or guarantees from us and that should be brought out.
Mayor Suarez: Who wanted our money?
Mr. Odio: They do, our guarantee.
Mr. Portuondo: Thelnew developer wants the City to contribute money to this
project or guarantee certain rents.
Mayor Suarez: The one thing the City, for my vote, is not going to do is make
any commitment of any monies to try to get units that were pledged to us at no
expense to us whatsoever, no involvement in any of the deals, who was buy from
whom or who was - the only involvement for us was a very painful one of
rezoning this property. I forget exactly what the rezoning change was but I
know that it was not something that I would usually vote for but I did because
of this...
Mr. Portuondo: Mayor, there's another impression that has to be cleared here
and that is that somehow that building has changed. That building has not
changed. We're dealing with the same original...
Mayor Suarez: Well, there's no building, it couldn't have changed.
Mr. Portuondo: I'm talking about the plans, Mayor. I mean, Mr. Traurig has
_ come here today and talking about higher costs and all of that, we've made it
very clear that we can build that building at the construction cost which
we've given which is well within the contract figure.
Mr. Plummer: At the eight floors?
Mr. Portuondo: Tea, at the existing contract.
Mr. Dawkins: I hear Mr. Traurig saying the City will get the units. What
does that man? Somebody tell me.
Mr. Portuondo: I can't answer that, Mr. Commissioner, because we haven't
reached any agreement yet.
Mr. Dawkins: No, no, no, no. What do you man by, the City will get the
units? Tou will give them to us to rent, we will buy them from you, they will
be made available? Now I don't want the citizens of the City of Miami will
get the units, not the City.
Mayor Suarez: Ten.
Mr. Dawkins: Which is, Mr. Maxwell? What does that mean?
Mr. Portuondo: Mr. Mayor, I think, Mr. Mayor, I think it's not going to be
very productive to sit here and try to hash this out without further
discussion among the parties involved.
Mr. Odio: May I do this...
Mayor Suarez: Mr. Manager.
16 January 28, 1968
0
Mr. Odic: May I just ask, why don't you two parties get together and come
_ back two weeks from now with a solution to this problem? Would you be willing
to do...
Mrs. Kennedy: I think that's the best idea.
Mr. Traurig: I think it's a great idea but I think two weeks might be too
soon. Maybe it should be four weeks because two weeks goes by and, you know,
you don't have a resolution.
Mr. Odio: Provided you add the four weeks to the deadline, eh?
Mr. Traurig: We'll take the two weeks.
Mayor Suarez: Well, in lieu of any other action be taken by the Commission,
that's where we are and unless the Manager's recommending something else,
anything else from the Commission?
Mr. De Yurre: Well, Mr. Mayor, I think that...
Mayor Suarez: Commissioner De Yurre.
Mr. De Yurre: I think it's time we quit pussyfooting around also. You know,
how long has this been going on?
Mr. Dawkins: Since 1975, Commissioner.
Mr. De Yurre: I think it's time that, you know, we get the job done or we go
to court and let the judge solve this matter and take it from there. We got a
lot of things we got to be concerned with and certainly discussing this kind
of thing right now and not getting anywhere, you know, I'm not about to put up
with this, and what I suggest is that if by the next zoning meeting, which is
the 25th of February, if this hasn't been resolved favorably one way or
another to our satisfaction, that we just let the courts decide and take it
from there.
Mr. Portuondo: Well, I like the idea of a deadline.
Mayor Suarez: Are you suggesting the initiation of legal action by the City
if or, because I guess part of our hope last time around was that they would
sort of sue each other and we wouldn't have to get involved in it.
Mrs. Kennedy: I know the urgency but...
Mayor Suarez: Madam Vice Mayor.
Mrs. Kennedy: ... before we take that step, I'd like to see them both
negotiate...
Mr. De Yurre: Well, that's what I'm talking about, giving them another 30
days to negotiate and, you know, we're going - whether they sue each other,
we're going to end up in it too.
Mayor Suarez: Do you want to report back in 15 days then instead of 30 days?
Do you want to make that...
Mr. De Yurre: Get a report and, hopefully, you know, we won't have a show
down 30 days from now.
Mayor Suarez: Commissioners, is that acceptable? I guess we're going to want
to hear back on this matter at the first meeting in February.
Mr. Traurig: Sure.
Mr. Portuondo: llth, OK.
Mayor Suarez: And a pretty clear message is being sent, I think that the
Commission's going to want some resolution of this, otherwise we're going to
seek legal recourse ourselves. Anyone else on this matter, hopefully not.
Yes, sir, who do you rep... either one of you.
Robert Smythe, Esq.: My name's Robert Smythe, I'm with...
17 January 28, 1980
Mayor Suarez: Oh. Bob Smythe again.
Mr. Smythe: That's right. Let me put this up a little higher. I'm with the
the law firm of Mershon 6 Sawyer in the Southeast Financial Center downtown.
I represent the other potential developer of this project, Victory Development
Joint Venture and I just have a very few comments to make. One is to Mr.
Portuondo and that is that there was no attempt to sandbag him today. I'm a
partner of Barry Craig in that office.
Mayor Suarez: If this was a court of law, the first logical question, Bob,
would be standing do you have to tell us anything, I mean...
Mr. Smythe: At all, yes, that's right. Well, we had understood that Swire
had some difficulty in its position to be able to develop this project. We
have since talked to Swire, we've talked to Mr. Portuondo, the developer, and
we thought this morning that we had some agreement in principle so that we may
get the units built. We don't have the standing right now but we thought we
had an agreement in principle that could be worked out. Mr. Traurig detailed
Swire's financial position, we still have not finalized any agreement with Mr.
Portuondo.
Mayor Suarez: But we're not a court of law so standing is not really an
Issue. We hear from many citizens, but we do sort of care about relevancy,
what...
Mr. Portuondo: We're going to negotiate, Mayor. I think we're going to be
something productive.
Mayor Suarez: And your clarification, I think, is noted for the record.
Mr. Smythe: Thank you.
Mr. Jay Smith: My name is Jay Smith and I live at 100 S.W. 29th Road. I
represent the Miami Roads Neighborhood Civic Association and also the many
people in Miami who earn a living through tourism. What are we going to do if
we make this housing which was planned for around the Vizcaya Metrorail
Station, what if it goes from tacky to tackier? They're talking about more
affordable housing. Do we want people to get on the Metrorail Station at
Dadeland to go to Vizcaya and get off at Vizcaya at really substandard, low
standard housing? We have to be mindful of the fact that that is also
Vizcaya.
Mr. Dawkins: You also have to be mindful that we have citizens got to move
all over the damn City and if the area gets so tacky, then I would suggest you
move to a non tacky area.
Mr. Smith: Fine, but...
Mr. Dawkins: OK, then, all right.
Mr. Smith: ... Vizcaya is one of our biggest assets and we have to protect
that too.
Mr. Dawkins: Yes, but we also have to provide affordable housing for the
total City.
Mr. Smith: That's true, but do we want to ruin what...
Mr. Dawkins: But, you can...
Mr. Smith: ... do we want to ruin our...
Mr. Dawkins: What given you the right to stand there and say that the housing
we re going to put there is going to ruin your area?
Mr. Smith: OK, but what about the Metropolitan Museum in New York? Are they
going to allow sub standard housing on the other side of Fifth Avenue in New
York?
Mayor Suarez: Wait, Jay, this could probably be resolved. Last time that we
allowed the rezoning and I forget technically what it was that we allowed,
18 January 28, 1989
Sergio, I for... I know it was more intensity, I know it was more density and
more units than the property in question really would have called for. I
guarantee you, for my vote, and I have a feeling all of us here, we're not
going to allow, in any way, either more density or less quality or whatever
else we allowed last time. That was painful enough and you guys opposed it
last time and I think you were right. We were hoping that this whole deal
would work out and we could get these three projects built and we have to
allow, what from my perspective, it really made no sense. But I guarantee you
I would not vote to allow it to be in any way more intrusive into that
neighborhood than it already was.
Mr. Smith: This man In talking about more affordable, smaller. It's still
Vizcaya.
Mr. Dawkins: I hear you and when we give - everybody comes in here, air, and
apply for variances, right? And this Commission give them to them. You, as a
citizen, should come in here too and say, we need a variance, we don't want it
to go above S stories and you all give variances to big developers, we, the
homeowners don't want it to go above 5 stories.
Mr. Smith: We're talking about tourism too. We're talking about museums.
You don't put substandard housing across the street from a museum. You just
don't do it. There are other places in town, go a little farther.
Mr. Dawkins: Well, that's why you should be giving Swire hell because they
didn't want substandard housing on Claughton Island and that's how they got
out of this.
Mr. Smith: My point is this, they're trying to go lower now than what they
originally backed down and agreed to do. It's the lower and lower and lowest
that's too much.
Mr. Dawkins: OK, I agree with you.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you.
10. GRANT APPEAL BY DEIDRE'S GROVE, INC. FOR REVIEW OF ZONING BOARD'S DENIAL
- OF VARIANCE TO PERMIT CONSTRUCTION OF OFFICE BUILDING AT 3250 SOUTH
DIXIE HIGHWAY AND 3271-3291 WEST TRADE AVENUE.
Mayor Suarez: OK, planning and zoning item one.
Mr. Guillermo Olmedillo: Good evening, PZ-1 is an appeal to the Zoning
Board's decision to deny a variance for the height and for the loading spaces
and for parking. Commissioner Plummer, the last time that this item was
before you, requested from the applicant to come back to the City and present
an alternative. They have done so and since it's an appeal, I would like the
applicant to speak first so that we can respond to them.
Mr. Plummer: Before you start, you know, I think that others up here have
complained about this and I'm going to complain about it again. Mr. Manager,
we, the Commission, can only go on what we read. That which we read on this
agenda is not what I understand is going to be before us. That there have
been compromises worked out, those compromises are not reflected in this
agenda item. I come here with formulated opinions based on what I read. Now,
why aren't these things changed before they go to an agenda? I am told in
this thing that they had voluntarily gone down ten feet or one floor, which
eliminated the need for a loading zone - you know, and the parking, instead of
six parking spaces shy, is three parking spaces shy. I'm saying that if, in
fact, these things are done - first of all, Madam City Attorney, are they
substantial changes even though they're reductions to force it back before the
Zoning Board or second of all, how can we, the Commission, formulate our
opinions and read this material as we try to do, when, in fact, it is not what
Is what we're going to be hearing? I just think its misleading to the
Commission, it In unfair to the Commission, it should be an agenda item as
It's going to be presented before this Commission. I've said this before, I'm
going to say it again. Can somebody answer that?
19 January 28, 1988
Mrs. Dougherty: The answer, it does not have to go back. This is a
resolution, it is a lesser - from what you're stating, it is a lesser degree
and this appli... I mean the resolution or, excuse me, the agenda reflects
what it was in the original application.
Mr. Plummer: But you see, that's not what this Commission is considering this
evening. And it's unfair to the public, it is unfair to this Commission,
these compromises have already been worked out and I think this agenda item
should read exactly what we're going to consider because, in effect, it might
be that the Planning Department, instead of being a denial, would recommend.
I'm not saying that that's this particular case. But what I'm looking at as a
Commissioner, from what I understand is not what we're going to be considering
this evening. And I think it's unfair to us.
Mrs. Dougherty: You always have a right to defer it back to the Zoning Board
for reconsideration.
Mr. Plummer: That's not what I'm trying to accomplish. I'm trying to
accomplish that when we, the Commission, receive these agendas these
compromises have already been reached. To us and to the public who come here
to voice their opinions, we should have an agenda item exactly that's going to
be presented so that we can act on that. Not what was denied, not what was
before, but what is light now. What are we going to work on.
Mr. Sergio Rodriguez: If I may, Commissioner Plummer, the application that
they submit is the one that we have to reflect on the agenda. We have to...
Mr. Plummer: That is before the Zoning Board.
Mr. Rodriguez: They haven't changed the application.
Mr. Plummer: That is not the appeal.
Mr. Rodriguez: But they haven't changed the application, the application's
the same. Unless they resubmit again with a new application, with different
numbers, this is what we have before you today.
Mr. Plummer: Did they not work out compromises and give covenants prior to
this meeting?
Mr. Rodriguez: They have.
Mr. Plummer: Did they not reduce the building by a floor?
Mr. Rodriguez: They have a proposal to reduce the building by a floor. The
proposal is not part of the new application because they haven't reapplied
again.
Mayor Suarez: Well, it's not part of the new application, technically you're
right, but couldn't it be made part of our package? That's all he's asking.
Mr. Plummer: That's, you know...
Mayor Suarez: You know, if it's something you expect us to act on today...
Mr. Rodriguez: To make it part of your package, it has to be received on time
by us to put in the package. We didn't get it, we don't put it.
Mr. Dawkins: Well, then pull it, all J.L. is saying, pull it off the agenda.
Mrs. Dougherty: That's fine.
Mr. Dawkins: Withdraw it because you have additional information that you
didn't give us.
Mr. Rodriguez: We can continue this if you want to.
Mr. Plummer: All I'm saying is, put it on the agenda of what we're going to
act on so the public knows and we know.
Mr. Dawkins: I move that it be withdrawn because I don't know what J.L. is
talking about, I haven't seen it and if you have made concessions that I need
20 January 28. 1988
_ to know about because i may vote like J.L. said, with the Planning and the
Zoning Department to deny and the Planning and the Zoning Department have set
down and accepted compromises and now they agree.
Mr. Rodriguez: We haven't accepted any compromises. We continue with our
position of denial. The applicant is submitting to you some compromises.
Mr. Dawkins: Well, if the gentleman made enough concessions, I might be
compelled to go along with him and then vote with him.
Mr. Rodriguez: That's OK.
Mrs. Kennedy: Well, I think that what...
Mr. Dawkins: I mean, but I don't know what to do because I don't know what
you got.
Mrs. Kennedy: I think that what Sergio is saying In it could be a soft denial
instead of a strong denial.
Mayor Suarez: I think we ought to hear from the applicant. Go ahead.
Mr. Plummer (Off mike): Well, it's got to be a softer denial, it's...
Mr. Howard Horowitz: Thank you, Mayor. Howard Horowitz, 2701 S.W. LeJeune
Road, Coral Gables, Florida. Just to explain and refresh your memories what
had happened, this had come before the Commission before on several different
occasions and I think Commissioner Plummer at one time suggested that perhaps
you could raise the building and come back the next time, I mean, additional
floor of parking if you can fit, the cars can turn around and we could not do
that. Engineering wouldn't permit it because this piece of property is an
acute triangle on 3250 So. Dixie Highway. We tried to do that. We came back
and explained that to the Commission that we could not do that. Then one of
the members of the Commission and Commissioner Dawkins, it might have been
you, but I'm not sure, said, see what you... Commissioner Plummer, I think was
there also, said, see what you can work out with Planning and Zoning, then
come back to the Commission with that and that's - we're here today and as
what we did was pursuant to the suggestions of the Commission and that's
exactly what we did. We did what we were asked to do and to see what we could
work out for this piece of property and I hope that clarifies why we're here
today.
Mayor Suarez: Was that all reduced to writing as a covenant or other
agreement?
Mr. Horowitz: That was done in the open session here as I am today, Mayor
Suarez.
Mayor Suarez: No, I mean the meetings that you had subsequently.
Mr. Horowitz: You mean with the Commission?
Mayor Suarez: With Planning.
Mr. Horowitz: Well, it's not in writing but the Commission said, see what you
can work out with Planning and Zoning and then come back before the Commission
and we presented their plans to them. We reduced, as Commissioner Plummer
said, we reduced it ten and a half feet, a floor, we reduced it by 2000 feet,
we've eliminated certain requirements and that's exactly what we did. We
worked out and they said, come before the Commission when you do that and
that's why we're here today.
Mr. Plummer: Well, according...
Mr. Horowitz: We did exactly what... I'm sorry, Commissioner.
Mr. Plummer: According to what I'm reading here, 22 days ago, you submitted
this revised plan and I'm wondering how long it takes to get a revised plan
for an agenda. That's 22 days prior to today.
Mr. Rodriguez: May we have the staff to respond to that, please?
21 January 28, 1988
Mr. Plummer: I'm reading from your paper.
Mr. Olmedillo: Yes, if I may, Mr. Mayor and Commissioner Plummer, the role
that the Planning Department is playing with the developer is sitting down
with them to see if we can work out something that would fit the ordinance,
the requirements of the ordinance. The applicant, in working out the new
plan, or the architect representing them claim that he could not put the
number of parking spaces needed to accommodate the new building even though
they cut off one floor. In that sense, the Planning Department does not
negotiate with the applicant. We just sit down with them to see if we can
work out a May in which we can meet the ordinance and the easiest way to
meeting the ordinance, of course, is to reduce the building to the point that
they provide the parking that In needed for that particular square footage of
building. Now, the applicant for other reasons may feel that they cannot meet
the requirements because of financial reason, economic reasons which are
strange to the zoning and planning issues that we are addressing. Now, we do
not negotiate with them, we can understand the plans and we can sit down with
them and see if the plans work or not in this particular instance, although
they have reduced the building by one floor, they still intrude in the plane
three and the light plane, the height plane which is 40 feet. They still need
three parking spaces, they were successful in not needing the loading space.
Therefore, on that issue we have no problem, but two issues remain standing.
The one with the height and the one with the parking spaces.
Mr. Plummer: Sir, 22 days ago you were, according to your paper, were handed
a revised plan. That is not what is shown on this agenda.
Mr. Rodriguez: Mr. Commissioner, in the future we will submit any revised
plans and put in the package.
Mr. Plummer: Please do. Thank you.
Mr. Rodriguez: If they're submitted on time.
Mayor Suarez: OK, as the application now stands, do you recommend it and, if
not, why not and what other observations would you make before we let the
applicant speak again.
Mr. Olmedillo: Still we recommend denial on the variance for the height
because the SPI-3 was devised for a height of 40 feet which is a uniform
height, covers areas of the Grove which are on West Trade Avenue, used to go
down lath Avenue, that was changed, but it's...
Mayor Suarez: Did they reduce the height at all from the initial plan?
Mr. Olmedillo: Yes, air. Yes, sir.
Mr. Plummer: Yes.
Mayor Suarez: From what to what?
Mr. Olmedillo: From fifty...
_ Mayor Suarez: 2.32?
Mr. Olmedillo: From 52.32 to 41.5 is the new height.
Mayor Suarez: They went down to 41.5.
Mr. Olmedillo: That is correct, sir.
Mayor Suarez: The code calls for 40.
Mr. Rodriguez: Right.
Mr. Olmedillo: Right.
Mayor Suarez: Couldn't you have just told us all of that very simply,
Guillermo? I mean, they came in...
Mr. Olmedillo: As soon as they had finished, we were going to make a
presentation, sir.
22 January 28, 1988
1
Mayor Suarez: What other things did they initially seek, what other things
were initially provided by our code and what modifications or concessions have
they made?
Mr. Olmedillo: Originally, they needed 29 parking spaces and they provided
21. Now, they are only 3 spaces short.
Mayor Suarez: Nov they're up to 26?
Mr. Rodriguez: No, they're up to 21.
Mr. Olmedillo: They are 21, but they only need 24.
Mrs. Kennedy: But they only need 24.
Mayor Suarez: Because now you need less parking spaces.
Mr. Olmedillo: Because they reduced the square footage.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you.
Mr. Olmedillo: And the loading space which was required before, they did not
hit the threshold because they reduced the building.
Mayor Suarez: OK, initially they require one loading space, now they don't
require any.
Mr. Olmedillo: Right, now they don't require any.
Mayor Suarez: They don't provide any but they don't require any.
Mr. Olmedillo: Right.
Mayor Suarez: So, they're a heck of a lot closer to complying with the code.
Mr. Olmedillo: They are closer, but still like I said, it's a variance.
Mayor Suarez: We know that.
Mrs. Kennedy: But you're still saying that there's no hardship to justify the
variance.
Mr. Olmedillo: That is correct. West Trade is a difficult area for parking.
Mayor Suarez: It's about as strange a shape as there ever has been in the
history of... Is there anyone from the general public that wishes to heard
against or for this application? This appeal actually. Let the record
reflect that no one has stepped forward. Applicant.
Mr. Plummer: Do you want to go through all of that? I'm ready to recommend
it.
Mrs. Kennedy: No.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Just to refresh the...
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I move item PZ-1, as revised.
Mr. Dawkins: Second
Mr. Horowitz: As revised.
Mayor Suarez: So saved and seconded, as revised in the application which, in
the future, our Planning Director or Assistant City Manager, future Manager,
Mayor and everything else will give to us in advance. Anything else from the
Commission? Call the roll on that motion.
23 January 28, 1988
;t
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 88-98
A RESOLUTION GRANTING A VARIANCE FROM ORDINANCE 9500,
AS AMENDED, ARTICLE 20, SECTION 2023, SUBSECTION
2023.4, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, AND
THE SCHEDULE OF DISTRICT REGULATIONS, PAGE 3 OR 6, RO-
2.1 RESIDENTIAL OFFICE, MAXIMUM HEIGHT AND TABLE 3
STANDARD RATIOS BY LAND USE INTENSITY SECTORS, PARKING
RATION TO PERMIT CONSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICE BUILDING TO
BE LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 3250 SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY
AND APPROXIMATELY 3271-91 WEST TRADE AVENUE, MIAMI,
FLORIDA, (MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN), AS PER
REVISED PLANS ON FILE DATED JANUARY 27, 1988, WITH A
MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT OF APPROXIMATELY 41.5 FEET (40
FEET MAXIMUM ALLOWED); AND PROVIDING 21 OF 24 REQUIRED
OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES; ZONED RO-2.1/4 (RESIDENTIAL
OFFICE).
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Dawkins, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
Mr. Horowitz: Thank you.
11. BRIEF DISCUSSION AND TEMPORARY DEFERRAL OF APPEAL BY APPLICANT (ABRAHAM
H. SHUKAT) FOR REVIEW OF ZONING BOARD'S DENIAL OF APPEAL OF A CLASS "C"
SPECIAL PERMIT WITH CONDITIONS FOR A CHANGE OF NONCONFORMING USE (SEE
LABEL 14).
Mayor Suarez: PZ-2, companion. No?
Mr. Olmedillo: No, this is another appeal.
Mayor Suarez: PZ-2, PZ-2.
Mr. Plummer: Well, OK, just for the record.
recommendations if certain condition are met.
Mr. Olmedillo: If I may...
Mr. Rodriguez: If you let him finish.
Mr. Olmedillo: ... Commissioner Plummer.
They have now changed their
Mr. Plummer: Excuse me, recommendations of the Planning Department. Approval
with conditions.
Mr. Olmedillo: That is correct, if I may explain.
Mr. Plummer: Now, but you see, here's exactly the point more in question that
I made before. You read this thing on this agenda, it was denied, 9-0.
Mr. Rodriguez: The Zoning Board.
24 January 28, 1988
Mr. Plummer: That... exactly. That is what the public is reading, that this
Commission is sitting here now going to consider an item that was denied 9-0
and the Planning Department recommended against. Nowhere on here, no where on
here does it may that if certain conditions are implied, that you'll recommend
it. So, I'm saying to you that this agenda is misleading to not only me, as a
Commissioner, but to the general public.
Mr. Rodriguez: If I may, Commissioner, if you read under the petition it
says, review the Zoning Board decision of October 19th to deny the appeal by
so and so of the Class C permit approved by the Planning Director with
conditions. On the agenda.
Mr. Plummer: Right here.
Mr. Rodriguez: It's on the agenda. If you want to, we might make it clearer.
Mrs. Kennedy: On our back information, yes, but not on the agenda.
Mr. Rodriguez: It's on the agenda.
Mr. Dawkins: Which agenda, I don't have...
Mr. Rodriguez: It's on the agenda under item PZ-2 under petition.
Mr. Dawkins: It say part B, it doesn't...
Mr. Rodriguez: PZ-2, if I might read for the record, review of the Zoning
Board's decision of October 19th to deny the appeal by Mr. Shukat of the Class
C special permit approved by the Planning Director with conditions on so and
so and so.
Mr. Plummer: So you're saying, then I stand corrected?
Mr. Rodriguez: Right.
Mr. Plummer: You are then saying that these conditions were not acceptable to
them.
Mr. Rodriguez: To them.
Mr. Plummer: And they're appealing here based on wanting to have it without
those conditions.
Mr. Rodriguez: Right.
Mr. Plummer: Buena suerte.
Mr. Olmadillo: If you'll allow the applicant to go ahead and then we can
state our case.
Mr. Plummer: Sure, why not?
Abraham H. Shukat, Esq.: Please the Commission. My name is Abraham H.
Shukat, my office is at 420 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, Florida. I'm an
attorney. I've made the application and I also represent the owner in making
the application.
Mr. Plumsser: Sir, are you registered with the Clerk?
Mr. Dawkins (Off mike): He is the owner, I think.
Mayor Suarez: He is the ap...
Mr. Shukat: I'm making the application.
Mayor Suarez: He is the applicant, I think.
Mr. Plummer: He said he was the attorney representing the owner.
Mr. Shukat: I represent him in a lot of things.
25 January 28, 1988
i
is
Mr. Plummer: Are you the owner of the property?
Mr. Shukat: No, sir.
Mayor Suarez: Oh, you have to register.
Mrs. Kennedy: Are you getting paid for coming here before us?
Mayor Suarez: If you're compensated for your appearance, you have to fill out
a form. We'll take your item in a couple of minutes. it's not problem, go
ahead and do that, it's for your own protection.
12. SECOND READING ORDINANCE: AMENDMENT TO MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD
PLAN - CHANGE PLAN DESIGNATION OF PROPERTY AT 2951-2999 S.W. 22ND
TERRACE FROM LOW MODERATE DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TO COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL.
(APPLICANT: CHALLENGER INVESTMENTS.) (SEE LABEL 13.)
Mayor Suarez: Item PZ-3.
Mr. Olmedillo: PZ-3 and 4 are companion items and this is the second reading.
It was an application on 22nd Terrace. The change of zoning application was
from RG-1/3 to CR-2/7. There is a covenant accompanying this application.
The last time that we were here, you had requested from the applicant to meet
with the neighbors and to reconsider some items in the covenant. The draft
covenant that we received in my office includes, and if you'll bear with me I
will read from the covenant itself. it says: "Building height limitation for
the first 50 feet of the southern portion of the property, the height will be
35 feet or 2 stories." There's a landscape buffer and wall which is to be
approved by the Planning Department and we have reviewed the plan and the
applicant has brought the copy of the plan. There's no vehicular access on
22nd Terrace, there's a site plan which accompanies the application which is
to be complied with. Parking, there is a 110 percent parking proffered by the
applicant and there's a child care contribution of $5,000 to the Park
Improvement Trust Fund.
Mayor Suarez: It's a 110 percent parking, you mean 110 percent more than what
is required?
Mr. Olmedillo: Well, 10 percent more than what is required.
Mayor Suarez: I'm sorry, 110 percent of what is required.
Mr. Olmedillo: Yes, sir.
Mayor Suarez: Ten percent more than what is required. Get my mathematics
straight here.
Mr. Olmedillo: The Planning Department, regardless of the covenants, is
concerned about the impact on the neighborhood, the neighborhood attrition.
It is somewhat similar to other changes that were allowed on 22nd Terrace
between 32nd and 37th, but we feel that the area between 27th and 32nd is
quite different from the one that had the changes made before and the impact,
we feel, is a negative impact. Therefore, we were recommending for denial.
Mayor Suarez: Hear from the applicant.
Sheila Wolfson, Esq.: Yes, my name is Sheila Wolfson, I'm an attorney with
offices at 1401 Brickell Avenue. We're here tonight for the second reading as
Mr...
Mayor Suarez: You're not with Greenberg Traurig, are you? I see Al Cardenas
sort of hanging around there.
Ms. Wolfson: Yes, I am.
Mayor Suarez: How big are you guys now?
Ms. Wolfson: Well, there are ten of us in our department, about 110 over all.
26 January 28, 1988
Mayor Suarez: i know he's desperate to go to a dinner Lui,ight, go ahead.
Ms. Wolfson: As i said, we're back here for second reading tonight. At the
first reading, you approved the application subject to our submitting a site
plan for the property to Planning Department for their review and approval
which we have done and subject, also, to amending the proffered covenant to
Include parking in 110 percent of the requirements, we have done that. And
also a child care contribution is incorporated into the covenant in the amount
of $5,000. The Planning Department, as they indicated, had reviewed and
approved these submittals and we ask for your approval tonight.
Mayor Suarez: Second reading?
Ms. Wolfson: Yes.
Mayor Suarez: Anyone from the general public that wishes to be heard on
planning and zoning item 37
Mr. John Gregalot: John...
Mayor Suarez: Is this the only - let me just ask, is this the only person on
this item? Anyone else that is going to be wanting to be heard? You may, if
there's other people with you who agree with you, point them out and make sure
that we understand that they agree with you and so on.
Mr. John Gregalot: John Gregalot, 2962 S.W. 22nd Terrace. I've come home
from Costa Rica this afternoon to approach this situation because I do not
think that the applicant has lived up to their part of what they said they
wanted to do. I don't think this Commission knows whether they want the
zoning changed so they could sell the property, so they could build on the
property, when they will build on the property, if they will build on the
property. We tried to compromise and be agreeable in order that they could
utilize the most value of their land to complement their property on Coral
Way. But, at the present time, I don't think anybody knows exactly what their
plans are. I don't believe you Commissioners have received a plan of what
— they're going to do. I feel strongly like Commissioner Plummer, that if you
don't have it in writing, if you don't know what this is about, what are we
really voting on, what are we...
Mayor Suarez: Let's ask about that. How assured can a neighbor be that what
nice renditions you have here - nice renderings you have here will actually be
what will take place there?
_ Al Cardenas, Esq.: Mr. Mayor, for the record, my name is Al Cardenas with
offices also at 1401 Brickell. If I recall, at the conclusion of last
meting, you asked us - we agreed to do two things. One, we agreed to reduce
to writing those covenants which we proffered voluntarily orally at the
previous meeting and that we've done. Of course, those covenants reduced to
NONE writing now control the development of the property from a substantial number
■ of perspectives and let me review with the Commission what those are.
Mayor Suarez: And those get recorded and they're a part of the - what do you
call that - public records, so that any buyer would have to abide by them and
so on, I mean, that maybe clarifies a little bit of your question.
= Mr. Cardenas: That's right. And, as you know, not only the City Commission,
but the neighboring owners can bring any action if we don't comply with it.
And the new covenants have provided a building height limitation, the
landscape buffer and wall, vehicular access limitation prohibiting vehicular
access in and from 22nd Terrace. And, it also has provided for the
contributions that you have requested of us. The $5,000 which we've agreed to
contribute to the child care facility and, in addition to that, we've
submitted a site plan which has been reviewed by staff prior to this meeting
which was your mandate. We reviewed it with staff, we submitted it to staff,
the architect, Mr. Santos, is here and that site plan is tied in to the
covenants which we proffered to you today so we must develop the property in
conjunction with that site plan and that site plan sets forth the areas that
we discussed and are covered in the covenant. For example, the site plan
which is submitted on the top part of the layout here fully sets forth the
buffer areas, the building line where the building must commence to be built
In the rear area, the two story limitation there, it sets forth the buffer
27 January 28, 1988
zone, the sidewalks, the landscaping. it sets forth the wall and an elevation
showing the buffer area as mandated. Also, an elevated buffer area which was
also suggested. So, from our perspective, we feel that we've complied with
the mandate of this Commission at the last meeting and, you know, we've - as
you way recall, the Planning Advisory Board and toning Boards both strongly
recommended approval but not subject to those conditions. We have had your
recommendation for approval on a 4-1 vote adding a number of additional items
which had not been previously added and we're here this evening, hopefully,
with what you asked us to provide you with and what we agreed to proffer at
this second reading. I don't really know what the gentleman's referring to at
this point.
Mr. Plummer: When do you plan on commencing construction?
Mr. Cardenas: Well, the architect's here with us. He has been retained to
_ design the building and this building is to be used by Radio Mambi for their
headquarters and...
Mr. Plummer: But I mean, are you talking about this year, next year, five
years?
Mr. Cardenas: well, we can make, if you want to, in order to avoid
speculation, we can looks this zoning request acceptable contingent on pulling
an acceptable building permit pursuant to this site plan within a period of 12
months. I think that would be certainly an expression of good faith, Mr.
Plummer.
Mayor Suarez: I think we're headed in that direction with a general ordinance
that you proposed...
Mr. Plummer: Yes.
Mayor Suarez: ... Commissioner Plummer, aren't we?
Mr. Plummer: Yes. It's my understanding, Mr. Cardenas, that we can impose a
regulation that says, that if you don't pull that permit within one year, that
we would automatically revisit, not revisit, what was the wording? That we
would...
Mrs. Dougherty: Direct the planning staff to reconsider it.
Mr. Rodriguez: To review...
Mr. Plummer: we would reconsider to initiate an automatic change back to the
original zoning.
Mr. Cardenas: That's correct.
Mrs. Kennedy: Al, I remember that you had already at the last meeting,
volunteered a covenant of - I'm trying to think, an amount, 45,000, was it for
child care?
Mr. Plummer: Ton, he mentioned that.
Mr. Cardenas: Yes, yes. That's part of the covenant we've submitted.
Mrs. Kennedy: All right, because I stepped out of the room and I didn't know
If you had brought it up or not.
Mr. Cardenas: Yes, that's part of the new covenant we submitted to include
that contribution.
Mr. Rodriguez: If I may, did the copy of the covenant that you have in your
packet, doesn't it reflect that because this was submitted yesterday, the new
covenant that they have now.
Mayor Suarez: Because what, I'm sorry?
Mr. Rodriguez: They submitted the new covenant yesterday, so it's not
reflected in the packet that you have now.
Mayor Suarez: Sir.
28 January 28, 1988
Mr. Gregalot: Veil, hooray, for the kiddies. I believe that they should get
everything they can. All the help and financial but we're talking about black
and white like you mentioned in the case before.
Mr. Plummer: Veil, sir, you heard what they're now volunteering that they
will add, that they will pull a permit within one year.
Mr. Gregalot: I appreciate that part but we know, and yourself, sir, it's an
insult to intelligence. You don't know any more. You have asked many of
these same questions throughout the last five meetings we had and we get a lot
of sweet talk but nothing in black and white. They may never build. That
property may be sold three times based upon the change of zoning before
intent.
Mr. Plummer: But wait a minute, wait a minute, this covenant runs with the
land. If they sell that property, the new owner assumes these covenants as
they did.
Mr. Gregalot: OK, I agree with this. But we're asking for a change of zoning
on four lots and we keep talking about two. Two lots already - one of those
lots has a house on it. Vhen will the wall be put up there to make it a part
of a plot? The...
Mr. Plummer: That would be all part of the building permit, sir.
Mr. Gregalot: Right, but in the meantime, it is still the same existing
problem that it has ever been. The people who were parking in the area that
was supposed to be maintained as a park appearing piece of property, just
moved their cars to the other two lots on their property. They just shifted
two lots to the side and this is what they now use for their parking. If they
had good intentions of doing what they say they're doing, great, it sounds
great, but this hasn't happened. They have not preferred to us their plans as
they said they would at least ten days before this meeting. As I say, I came
from Costa Rica this morning in order to attend this meeting because I thought
It was serious enough and we keep getting a lot of sweet talk and nothing...
Mr. Plummer: Veil, sir, what do you want? Do you want the wall up now?
Mr. Gregalot: Yes, I mean to be point blank.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Cardenas.
Mr. Cardenas: If I may, these plans - we had agreed to submit these plans to
staff a number of days...
Mr. Gregalot: No, sir, I disagree.
Mr. Cardenas: ... a number of days prior to this hearing. That was done.
This gentleman was not here until now but we submitted these plans to staff a
long time ago. Now, the gentleman In...
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Cardenas. Mr. Cardenas, you've agreed to put up a wall.
Mr. Cardenas: Yes.
Mr. Plummer: The question is now, according to this gentleman, which seems
reasonable, will you pull a permit to put up the wall within 30 days and do
it?
Mr. Cardenas: Well, we will make this commitment that within 90 days we will
pull the permit and build the wall. In other words, the wall will be
completed within 90 days.
Mr. Plummer: That's fair.
Mr. Cardenas: OR.
Mr. Plummer: Then he knows for sure. OK, that's on the record.
Mr. Cardenas: That's on the record.
Z9 January 28, 1988
Mr. Plummer: All right. What? He says, well he went even further, he says
it will be completed in 90 days. That's fine.
Mr. Gregalot: Right. That's what we want to hear. Let's do something.
Mr. Plummer: You got it.
Mr. Cardenas: Yes, sir, you got it.
Mr. Plummer: Your trip back was worthwhile.
Mr. Gregalot: Very good.
Mr. Plummer: To come back to the cold weather. Now, get on a plane and go
back to Costa Rica.
Mr. Gregalot: I wish, I wish.
Mr. Plummer: And save me a seat alongside of you. I move item PZ-3.
Mr. Gregalot: Vhat happens if they do not?
Mrs. Kennedy: Second.
Mr. Plummer: Then they're in trouble.
Mayor Suarez: Moved and seconded.
Mr. Plummer: You come back and tell us on the 91st day.
Mr. Dawkins: No, I'll go out there and see it on the 89th day and if it's not
done, then I'll be with you.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Cardenas is becoming an expert on building walls.
Mr. Cardenas: Yes, sir.
Mayor Suarez: Any further discussion on this?
Mr. De Yurre: Yes, Mr. Mayor...
Mayor Suarez: Commissioner De Yurre.
Mr. De Yurre: ... I just want to make sure. Mr. Cardenas, you're talking
about pulling a permit within 90 days or having it building within 90 days?
Mr. Plummers Completed.
Mr. Cardenas: No, doing both within 90 days. Pulling the permit and
completing the wall.
Mr. De Yurre: OK, fine.
Mr. Plummer: I moved item PZ-3.
Mrs. Kennedy: Second.
Mayor Suarez: Read the ordinance.
Mr. Plummer: As revised.
Mr. Rodriguez: If I may...
Mr. Plummer: Excepting all of the conditions.
Mayor Suarez: Guillermo, do you have to...
Mr. Olmedillo: PZ-3 is the planned amendment, the...
Mr. Plummer: I'm sorry, PZ-4.
30 January 28, 1989
Mr. Olmedillo: PZ-3 is the planned amendment and PZ-4 will be the one with
the covenant.
Mr. Plummer: I move PZ-3 first.
Mrs. Kennedy: I second PZ-3.
Mayor Suarez: Moved and seconded, PZ-3. Read the ordinance. Call the roll.
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE
NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AND ADDENDA (SEPTEMBER 1985); FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 2951-2999 SOUTHWEST
22ND TERRACE (MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN) BY
CHANGING DESIGNATION OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY FROM LOW
MODERATE DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TO
COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
REPEALER PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
Passed on its first reading by title at the meeting of December 2, 1987, was
taken up for its second and final reading by title and adoption. On motion of
Commissioner Plummer, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, the Ordinance was
thereupon given its second and final reading by title and passed and adopted
by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
NOES: Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
ABSENT: None.
THE ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO. 10373.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Commission and
to the public.
NOTE FOR THE RECORD: During roll call, Mayor Suarez voted with the motion.
He later (See beginning of label 13) clarified on the record he meant to vote
no.
13. SECOND READING
ORDINANCE:
AMEND ZONING
ATLAS FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT
2951-2999 S.W.
22ND TERRACE
FROM RG-1/3
TO CR-2/7.
Mayor Suarez: PZ-3.
Mr. Plummer: Move PZ-4.
Mrs. Kennedy: Second.
Mayor Suarez: PZ-4 rather. Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Call the
roll on that resolution. I'm sorry, Madam City Clerk, reflect that I voted
against PZ-3. I still have a problem with the fact that for the first time
we're allowing four parcels on the south and there instead of Just two as
we've done in the past. I don't think that we ought to go to that change in
the precedent. PZ-4.
Mr. Cardenas (Off mike): They want the covenant with the new items tomorrow
so even if it's not signed ..... and then tell them the cover letter went
out...
Mrs. Dougherty: PZ-4?
Mr. Plummer: PZ-4.
31 January 28, 1986
Mrs. Dougherty: That's it.
Mr. John Gregalot: I have a point of clarification.
Mayor Suarez: Point of clarification. Why don't you come up to the mike or
else ask the Planning Department, is it on PZ-4?
Mr. John Gregalot: We are speaking of four lots and I presume that the record
will show that this wall will be constructed on the four lots.
Mr. Cardenas: For your information, it's the same wall that's designated in
the site plan that...
Mr. Dawkins: Tell the gentleman yes or no.
Mr. Cardenas: Yes, yes.
Mr. Dawkins: Yes, sir.
Mr. Gregalot: Thank you.
Mayor Suarez: Call the roll on PZ-4.
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
NO. 9500, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF
APPROXIMATELY 2951-2999 SOUTHWEST 22ND TERRACE, MIAMI,
FLORIDA, (MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN) FROM RG-
1/3 GENERAL RESIDENTIAL (ONE AND TWO FAMILY) TO CR-2/7
COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL (COMMUNITY) BY MAKING FINDINGS;
AND BY MAKING ALL THE NECESSARY CHANGES ON PAGE NO. 42
OF SAID ZONING ATLAS MADE A PART OF ORDINANCE NO. 9500
BY REFERENCE AND DESCRIPTION IN ARTICLE 3, SECTION
300, THEREOF; CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
Passed on its first reading by title at the meeting of December 2, 1987, was
taken up for its second and final reading by title and adoption. On motion of
Commissioner Plummer, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, the Ordinance was
thereupon given its second and final reading by title and passed and adopted
by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
NOES: Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
ABSENT: None.
THE ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO. 10374.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Commission and
to the public.
NOTE FOR THE RECORD: Mayor Suarez noted, by show of hands,
persons wishing to be heard on item PZ-24. All were objectors.
32 January 28, 1988
--------------------------------------------------------- --------- ----------
14. (CONTINUED DISCUSSION) A) DENY APPEAL OF ABRAHAM H. SHUKAT OF ZONING
BOARD'S DENIAL TO WITHDRAW CONDITIONS ATTACHED TO A CLASS "C" SPECIAL
PERMIT AT 1649 N.W. 27TH AVENUE (SEE LABEL 11).
B) INSTRUCT PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THAT IN ALL FUTURE
APPLICATIONS FOR CLASS "C" OR ANY OTHER CITY PERMITS, THERE MUST BE FULL
DISCLOSURE OF OWNERSHIP.
Mayor Suarez: I'm sorry, you were registering with the City as a lobbyist so
that we could consider your item which is PZ.....
Mr. Plummer: Two.
Mrs. Kennedy: Two.
Mr. Olmedillo: Two.
Mayor Suarez: PZ-2.
Abraham H. Shukat, Esq.: My name is Abraham H. Shukat. I'm an attorney, my
offices are at 420 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach and I represent the owner of a
piece of property at 1649 N.W. 27th Avenue. I've made the application on
behalf of the owner. Now, under the zoning ordinances, we're entitled to a
Class C permit for that property. We're grandfathered in the new zoning laws
and the property was originally used as a gas station. It's a relatively
small plot. The dimensions are approximately 90 x 90. Now, the change
requested vas from that of a mechanics place, which degenerated into for use
as a used car lot which seemed to be the best possible use for it at this time
because next door to it, contiguous to that place, is another used car lot
that's been there for quite a while and this would be upgrading the premises.
As a matter of fact, the director in his findings, has indicated and has said
It has been determined that a change from auto repair to used car sales with
conditions and safeguards, as indicated above, would result in substantial
public advantage. OK, now we've been granted the Class C permit with a list
of conditions, but when I look over the conditions and compare them with what
the ordinances require, I find out that though the ordinances require that the
conditions be reasonable, reasonably feasible, or reasonably necessary. This
language appears in various parts of the code. Now, my objections, of course,
is that it's my belief that most of these items, these conditions which have
been imposed, are unreasonable.
Mrs. Kennedy: Sir, let me just state into the record the number of
conditions. One is a one year review to determine if a negative impact has
been created as a result of the proposed use and to determine if the size of
the subject property is adequate for the number of used cars. Two is seven
new mahogany or oak trees twelve feet minimum height keeping the two existing
trees on the side. Third, is a proposed chain link fence to be located at
N.W. 27th Avenue and N.W. 16th Road should be a maximum of four feet in height
NONE with a new 30 inch cherry hedge planted 30 inches. Fourth, a heavy ficus
hedge four to six feet in height planted 12 inches along the east property
line, subject to the vision clearance requirement and that's it. Now which of
these do you find unreasonable?
Mr. Shukat: All of them in certain respects, not completely. Now, the
objection of the conditions which Madam Commissioner you have read appear on
your zoning fact sheet. Now let me argue my objections to each one of those
conditions 0 First of all, with respect to number one, a
requirement of a one year review to determine if a negative impact has been
created as a result of the proposed use and two, and to determine if the size
of the subject property is adequate for the number of used cars. Now, what
this amounts to is that the director has reserved to himself the right to
Impose additional conditions at the end of the year after the issuance of this
Class C permit. Because who is to know what the size of the subject property,
or if it is adequate for the number of used cars. Now this is a determination
that should be made before the issuance of the permit. At the end of the
year, is he going to arbitrarily determine whether or not this plot can use a
certain number of cars. What happens then is that we can't lease this
property for any period of years because a person wishing to do business at
33 January 28, 1988
that location would not know whether or not there are any restrictions with
respect to the number of cars that he can have on the property. At the end of
the year, what the director intends is to review this thing and issue a new
permit depending upon what he finds. Not upon what the condition was
originally because if originally a certain number of cars were only permitted,
or that he would only permit a certain number of cars, he would have so
stated. But he hasn't stated that. So we're at the mercy of the issuance -
what we're getting really is a permit with a condition on a condition. The
condition in itself has a condition so that we don't know how we stand. We
cannot lease the property to a used car dealer for a period beyond one year
because at the end of one year he doesn't know whether or not this permit will
be canceled or extended and that's my...
Mayor Suarez: That's true of all of those that we approve in that fashion,
you know that we don't know what would happen, nobody can predict what will
happen at the end of one year.
Mr. Shukat: I know, but that's true...
Mayor Suarez: And I'm sure that creates some kind of an economic uncertainty
or hardship to the owner.
Mr. Shukat: That's true, Mr. Mayor, but the point that I'm trying to make
Is...
Mayor Suarez: But not as much as denying totally the applications though.
Mr. Shukat: Well, but we're entitled to the permit. You cannot deny it
totally. You can only impose conditions. So one of the conditions is that...
Mr. Rodriguez:(Off !like) No, you're right.
Mayor Suarez: Wait, let me clarify that, Counselor from our perspective.
Mr. Olmedillo: If I may, Mr. !Mayor, the present situation of the property is
that they have a legal nonconforming use. The planning director has the
ability to issue a Class C to have a use which is comparable or less
objectionable but that is a privilege which is...
Mayor Suarez: Why do they have a legal non conforming use, what's the history
of it?
Mr. Olmedillo: Well, when you have down zonings or let's say when you change
ordinances.
Mayor Suarez: It was a grandfather situation?
Mr. Olmedillo: Yes, sir.
Mayor Suarez: Not something we previously did, specifically for this...
Mr. Olmedillo: No, sir, that was from 168, 171 to 9500 who had changes in the
City.
Mr. Rodriguez: But it's permissible, it's not permitted.
Mr. Shukat: May I proceed now to my second item?
Mayor Suarez: Tan, please.
Mr. Shukat: Objection, second item is seven new mahogany or oak trees, 12
feet minimum height keeping the two existing trees on the site. Now, on this
small plot, they want us to keep nine trees. There aren't nine trees on the
whole block, but apart from that, what would happen is this. He's got trees
In the front on the side both, two sides, facing the street. What happens is,
If we put trees on there, we're going to obscure the lot. We're going to
screen it off in the front. The main value of this plot is that it fronts
N.Y. 27th Avenue which is a very busy thoroughfare. If you're going to screen
us off, he's cutting off most of the value of this property and I submit to
the Commission that we ought not to be required to put the trees in the front
and that nine trees is much too much on a small plot that's 90 x 90. Now, we
don't have any objection, of course, to the landscaping. There's a provision
34 January 28, 1988
here that requires landscaping by hedges on three sides, the front side on
lbth Street Road and we don't have any objections to that, but to put the
trees there, is to deprive us of major value of our property.
Mayor Suarez: OK, you understand that these are conditions that the Planning
Department is imposing in order to be able to recommend the application, the
permit, and if you don't agree with those conditions, you may not fare too
well with this Commission because that's the only thing that even gets you a
positive recommendation.
Mr. Shukat: Mr. Mayor, what we're doing is challenging those conditions
because the ordinance requires that they be reasonably necessary and
reasonable. We're not saying that they don't have any power to impose
conditions, sure...
Mayor Suarez: I'm not sure the Commission would vote for this even if you met
all those conditions and you're trying to remove them but, you know, it's up
to you.
Mrs. Kennedy: But you have a much better chance.
Mayor Suarez: You probably have a better chance if you retain those.
Mr. Shukats Well, of course, what we have - furthermore, they have required
us, in number three, we had proposed a chain link fence of six feet. We have
chain link fence on two sides, the south side and east side. Now we wanted to
erect a chain link fence six feet high so that to protect the inventory of
cars on the lot. He's reduced the size of that link fence on the two sides to
four feet. To reduce it to four feet destroys the value of the fence. Might
as well not have any.
Mayor Suarez: What is the - just out of curiosity, what is the purpose in
reducing the size?
Mr. Olmedillo: The idea was not to have a chain link fence fronting on 27th
Avenue but if you reduce it in height and you have a cherry hedge, it will be
covered and that way, you know, you can argue that you can see the chain link
fence from 27th Avenue. The other thing being that a car is not an easy thing
to carry over a four foot fence anyway, so...
Mayor Suarez: So four feet or six feet or eight feet is not going to make it
any easier to get the car across.
Mr. Olmedillo: I don't think so, sir.
Mayor Suarez: Those, I suppose, to deter...
Mr. Plummer: Sir, for the record, who is the owner of the property?
Mr. Shukat: The owner of the property is Jean E. Garlick.
Mr. Plummer: Jean?
Mr. Shukat: Jean E. Garlick, G - A - R - L - I - C - K. She's the owner of
record.
Mayor Suarez: Why does that not appear? Let me ask, Counselor, why does that
not appear on our application?
Mr. Shukat: I don't know.
Mr. Olmedillo: Why isn't that in it?
Mayor Suarez: Or am I missing something?
Mr. Plummer: No, it's not here. I looked all through the backup.
Mayor Suarez: It seems like he is the applicant.
Mr. Olmedillo: If you'll bear with me, I'll check with Zoning Boards.
35 January 28, 1988
Mayor Suarez: We've been confused on this since we weren't too sure that he
had registered. We didn't know if he was representing somebody.
Mr. Olmedillo: Excuse me, the Class C permit, which is the initial request,
does not require the applicant to submit the name of the owner.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that at this time, that the Planning
Department be instructed in all future applications, regardless of Class C or
whatever application, that the owners must be fully disclosed. I so move.
Mrs. Kennedy: Second.
Mayor Suarez: Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Call the roll.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved
Its adoption:
MOTION NO. 88-99
A MOTION DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO INSTRUCT THE
PLANNING DEPARTMENT THAT IN FUTURE APPLICATIONS FOR
CLASS C PERMITS AND ANY OTHER CITY PERMITS THERE MUST
BE FULL DISCLOSURE AS TO OWNERSHIP.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
ATES: Commissioner Victor De Turre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
Mayor Suarez: Go ahead, Counselor.
Mr. Shukat: That's it, sir.
Mayor Suarez: That's it.
Mr. Olmedillo: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I would go into a brief history of this
application. Originally, they had filed an application as I stated before...
Mayor Suarez: Let me ask a question, Guillermo, if I may before you get too
far. Is there anyone who wishes to be heard on this item for or against other
than the applicant and the City Planning Department? Let the record reflect,
no one has stepped forward. Does the Commission want to hear from Planning?
Mr. De Turre: No.
Mr. P1u:Qaer (Off mike): I move to deny.
Mayor Suarez: Moved to deny.
Mr. De Turre: Second.
Mayor Suarez: Seconded. Any discussion? Call the roll.
36 January 28, 1988
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 88-100
A RESOLUTION UPHOLDING THE ZONING BOARD'S AFFIRMATION
OF THE PLANNING DIRECTOR'S DECISION TO APPROVE,
SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, THE CLASS C SPECIAL PERMIT,
FILE NO. C-87-722, FOR A CHANGE OF NONCONFORMING USE
FROM AUTO REPAIR TO USED CAR SALES LOCATED AT 1649
NORTHWEST 27TH AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA; SUBJECT TO THE
FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 1. A ONE (1) YEAR REVIEW TO
DETERMINE IF A NEGATIVE IMPACT HAS BEEN CREATED AS A
RESULT OF THE PROPOSED USE AND TO DETERMINE IF THE
SIZE OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS ADEQUATE FOR THE
NUMBER OF USED CARS. 2. SEVEN (7) NEW MAHOGANY OR
OAK TREES TWELVE FEET (121) MINIMUM HEIGHT, KEEPING
THE TWO (2) EXISTING TREES ON THE SITE. 3. THE
PROPOSED CHAIN LINK FENCE TO BE LOCATED AT NORTHWEST
27TH AVENUE AND NORTHWEST 16TH ROAD SHOULD BE A
MAXIMUM OF FOUR FEET (41) IN HEIGHT, WITH A NEW 30%
CHERRY HEDGE PLANT 30" O.C. 4. A HEAVY FICUS HEDGE
FOUR TO SIX FEET (4' TO 61) IN HEIGHT PLANTED 12" O.C.
ALONG THE EAST PROPERTY LINE, AND FURTHER SUBJECT TO
THE VISION CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner De Yurre, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
COMMENTS MADE DURING ROLL CALL:
Mrs. Kennedy: I feel that we have to protect the neighbors and, therefore, I
vote yes.
Mayor Suarez: Before I vote, should Sergio or Guillermo, should we put
anything else on the record to protect ourselves here as far as the Planning
Department's posture on this?
Mr. Rodriguez: No, the record is full of Informations.
Mayor Suarez: Complete, record complete. No qualifications or anything. OK,
yes. That's it.
COMMENTS MADE AFTER ROLL CALL:
Mr. Shukat: That stands, therefore, as originally issued without any change?
Mr. Dawkins: Denied, yes, sir.
Mrs. Kennedy: Denied.
Mr. Olmedillo: That is correct, sir.
Mayor Suarez: Yes, the application for the special permit is denied.
Mr. Plummer: No, no, no, no.
Mr. Shukat: No, no, no.
37 January 28, 1988
•
Mr. Plummer: The permit is approved with the conditions.
Mr. Shukat: The changes are denied.
Mr. Olmedillo: Approved with conditions.
Mr. Plummer: He can file for that tomorrow.
Mayor Suarez: Oh, that was the import of your motion is to approve with the
conditions initially...
Mr. Plummer: Well, no, my motion was to deny the appeal to remove the
conditions. He can go tomorrow, as I understand it, and get a Class C permit
If he meets the conditions.
Mr. Olmedillo: Yes, sir.
Mr. Plummer: Correct.
Mayor Suarez: OK, so we're not approving anything regarding that, we're just
denying the appeal.
Mr. Shukat: OK.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you, Counselor.
15. CONTINUE PROPOSED SECOND READING ORDINANCE FOR: A) AMENDMENT TO MIAMI
COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN BY CHANGING PLAN DESIGNATION AT 3616-
3638 N.W. 23RD AVENUE, AND B) AMENDMENT TO ZONING ATLAS AT 3616-3638
N.W. 23RD AVENUE - FOR FURTHER REVIEW BY CITY ATTORNEY. (NOTE: THESE
TWO ITEMS WERE ULTIMATELY PASSED, THIS SAME MEETING, AS ORDINANCES 10380
AND 10381 - SEE LABELS 31 AND 32.)
Mayor Suarez: Item PZ-5.
Mr. Olmedillo: Five and six are companion items again. This is the second
reading. A plan amendment on a zoning change from RG-2/4 to CG-1/7. Before
we had shown you the concern that we have about the neighborhood intrusion.
If you look at the transparency, this is an island of residential use between
J- 36th St. and 112, between 22nd Avenue and 24th Avenue. The land use change
-- and the corresponding zoning change will be an intrusion into that residential
area. You heard from the applicant and from the neighbors the last time that
they were here, they were to work out a covenant which they showed to us and
miss It's included in your packet and I think it's page 12, excuse me, page 15.
Mr. Plummer: Does the covenant have everything we requested?
Mr. Olmedillo: The covenant has an eight foot concrete wall on the
residential prop...
Mr. Plummer: My question was, does the covenant contain all of the things
that this Commission requested?
Mr. Olmedillo: From the best of my memory, yes, sir.
Mr. Plummer: Thank you, sir. Are the neighbors here present? Have they seen
the covenant? You have not seen the covenant?
Mr. Olmedillo: The neighbors...
Mr. Plummer: Where is it?
Mr. Olmedillo: The neighbors and the applicant? The covenant is in page 15
of item 6.
Mr. Plummer: Of item six?
38 January 28, 1988
Mr. Olmedillo: Yes, the covenant is with the zoning change, not with the plan
amendment.
Mr. Plummer: Twelve and 13 1 don't have the covenant - here it is,
declaration, page 15. The Law Department hasn't seen it, how come?
Mr. Rodriguez: Because I understand there is a new covenant amending this
very recently.
Ms. Miriam Maer: (Off Mike) There are many drafts of the covenant. I haven't
seen the latest one.
Mr. Plummer: Well, I asked if the covenant which we were considering
encompasses all the demands that we placed upon and the answer was yes, now
where is that covenant?
Mr. Olmedillo: That is page 15 of your packet and it shows that the owner
will construct an 8 foot concrete wall and it shows no ingress and egress...
Mr. Plummer: Is that the final covenant?
Mr. Olmedillo: I cannot affirm to that, sir. Is the applicant here? Is the
applicant of PZ-5 and PZ-6 here? Or counsel for the applicant?
Mr. Plummer: I move that the item be deferred so the City Attorney has the
right to go over the covenant till the next meeting.
Mrs. Kennedy: Second.
Mr. Plummer: Five and six.
Mrs. Kennedy: Second.
Mayor Suarez: So moved and seconded as to PZ-5 and 6. Is the applicant here?
Mr. Plummer: No.
Mayor Suarez: Any discussion? Call the roll. Let's continue it to a
specific date.
Mr. Plummer: Yes, of February the 25th.
Mayor Suarez: Any discussion? Call the roll.
Mr. Plummer: Both items, five and six.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved
Its adoption:
MOTION NO. 88-101
A MOTION TO CONTINUE AGENDA ITEMS PZ-5 AND PZ-6
(PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO CHANGE PLAN OF ZONING
DESIGNATION AND ATLAS CHANGE REGARDING PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 3616-3638 N.W. 23 AVENUE) FOR FURTHER
REVIEW BY THE CITY ATTORNEY OF COVENANTS PROFFERED BY
APPLICANT; THIS ISSUE TO COME BACK TO THE CITY
COMMISSION AT THE MEETING PRESENTLY SCHEDULED FOR
_ FEBRUARY 25, 1988.
(NOTE: THESE TWO ITEMS WERE LATER PASSED AS ORDINANCE
10380 AND 10381.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
39 January 26, 1988
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plun er, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
----------------------------------------------
16. SECOND READING ORDINANCE: AMEND ZONING ATLAS BY APPLYING HC-1 AREA
REZONING TO: (NORTH) N.E. 46TH AND 49TH STREETS; (SOUTH) N.E. 41ST AND
42ND STREETS ; (VEST) NORTH MIAMI AVENUE; (EAST) N.E. 2ND AVENUE.
--------------------------
Mayor Suarez: PZ-7, Planning Department, Joe.
Mrs. Kennedy: This is second reading. I moved it the first time, I move it
again.
Mr. Dawkins: Second.
Mayor Suarez: Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Read the ordinance. Call
the roll.
AN ORDINANCE -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING ATLAS OF
ORDINANCE 9500, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, PAGE 16, TO APPLY SECTION
1610 HC-l: GENERAL USE HERITAGE CONSERVATION OVERLAY
DISTRICT, PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 16 TO THE "BUENA VISTA
EAST HISTORIC DISTRICT" GENERALLY BOUNDED BY THE REAR
LOT LINES BETWEEN NORTHEAST 46TH STREET AND NORTHEAST
49TH STREET ON THE NORTH; NORTHEAST 2ND AVENUE ON THE
EAST; NORTH MIAMI AVENUE ON THE VEST; AND NORTHEAST
42ND STREET AND THE REAR LOT LINES BETWEEN NORTHEAST
41ST STREET AND NORTHEAST 42ND STREET ON THE SOUTH;
RETAINING THE UNDERLYING ZONING DISTRICTS ADOPTING AND
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE THE HERITAGE CONSERVATION
BOARD FINDINGS THAT THE BUENA VISTA EAST HISTORIC
DISTRICT MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR HISTORIC DISTRICT
DESIGNATION; ADOPTING AND INCORPORATING BY REFERENCE
THE DESIGNATION REPORT; CONTAINING A REPEALER
PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
Passed on its first reading by title at the meeting of December 10,
1987, was taken up for its second and final reading by title and adoption. On
notion of Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Dawkins, the
Ordinance was thereupon given its second and final reading by title and passed
and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Cosinissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
THE ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO. 10375.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Commission and
to the public.
40 January 28, 1999
17. SECOND READING ORDINANCE: AMEND ZONING TEXT - ARTICLE 20 ("GENERAL AND
SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS"); ADD NEW SUBSECTION ON GARAGE AND YARD
SALES; SPECIAL PERMITS; DEFINITION OF GARAGE SALE, ETC. - PROVIDE THAT
GARAGE AND YARD SALES BE PERMISSIBLE ONLY BY SPECIAL PERMIT.
Mayor Suarez: PZ-8.
Mr. Plummer: Move it.
Mayor Suarez: Moved.
Mr. De Turre: Second.
Mayor Suarez: Seconded. Any discussion? Read the ordinance. Cali the roll.
AN ORDINANCE -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 9500, AS AMENDED,
THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAM1, FLORIDA, BY
AMENDING ARTICLE 20, ENTITLED "GENERAL SUPPLEMENTARY
REGULATIONS SECTION 2003, ACCESSORY USES AND
STRUCTURES" BY ADDING A NEW SUBSECTION 2003.10 GARAGE
SALES; SPECIAL PERMITS TO PROVIDE LIMITATIONS AND
REQUIREMENTS FOR GARAGE AND YARD SALES; ARTICLE 36
DEFINITIONS SECTION 3602, TO DEFINE GARAGE SALE; AND
AMENDING PAGE 1 OF 6, OF THE OFFICIAL SCHEDULE OF
DISTRICT REGULATIONS; USES AND STRUCTURES, ACCESSORY
USES AND STRUCTURES, RS-1; RS-2, ONE -FAMILY DETACHED
RESIDENTIAL, USES PERMISSIBLE BY SPECIAL PERMIT TO ADD
A NEW PARAGRAPH 5 TO PROVIDE THAT GARAGE AND YARD
SALES SHALL BE PERMISSIBLE ONLY BY SPECIAL GARAGE AND
YARD SALE PERMIT AND BY AMENDING PAGE 2 OF 6, OF THE
OFFICIAL SCHEDULE OF DISTRICT REGULATIONS; USES AND
STRUCTURES, ACCESSORY USES AND STRUCTURES, RG-2
GENERAL RESIDENTIAL, BY ADDING AN EXCEPTION THAT
GARAGE SALES SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED IN THE DISTRICT OF
THE OFFICIAL SCHEDULE OF DISTRICT REGULATIONS; MAKING
FINDINGS; CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
Passed on its first reading by title at the meeting of December 10,
1987, was taken up for its second and final reading by title and adoption. On
motion of Commissioner Plummer, seconded by Commissioner De Yurre, the
Ordinance was thereupon given its second and final reading by title and passed
and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Turre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
THE ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO. 10376.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Commission and
to the public.
41 January 28, 1988
----------- ----------------------------- ---------------------------- ---
18. SECOND READING ORDINANCE: AMEND ZONING TEXT - ARTICLE 20 ("ACCESSORY
USES AND STRUCTURES'); TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENTS; SPECIAL PERMITS -
DELETE CERTAIN SUBSECTIONS BUT SUBSTITUTE LIMITATIONS AS TO SPECIFIED
PUBLIC FACILITIES AND THEIR PARKING LOTS; NUMBER OF ANNUAL EVENTS;
NOTIFICATION TO PROPERTY OWNERS.
---------------------------
Mr. Plummer: Clove PZ-9.
Mayor Suarez: PZ-91s been moved. Planning Department item.
Mrs. Kennedy (Off mike): Second.
Mayor Suarez: Seconded. Any discussion? Read the ordinance. Call the roll.
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 9500, AS AMENDED,
THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, SECTION
2003.9 TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENTS; SPECIAL PERMITS, BY
REPEALING EXISTING SUBSECTIONS 2003.9.1 THROUGH
2003.9.6 OF SAID SECTION AND SUBSTITUTING THEREFOR
CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS, AS TO SPECIFIED PUBLIC
FACILITIES; ORANGE BOWL, BICENTENNIAL PARK AND BOBBY
MADURO MIAMI BASEBALL STADIUM AND THEIR PARKING LOTS
IN REGARD TO THE NUMBER OF EVENTS ANNUALLY AND
PROVIDING FOR NOTIFICATION TO ADJACENT PROPERTY
OWNERS, CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
Passed on its first reading by title at the meeting of December 10, 1987, was
taken up for its second and final reading by title and adoption. On motion of
Commissioner Plummer, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, the Ordinance was
thereupon given its second and final reading by title and passed and adopted
by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
THE ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO. 10377.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Commission and
to the public.
NOTE FOR THE RECORD: Although the Clerk called Commissioner Plummer's name
during roll call, he was absent at time of voting.
42 January 28, 1986
------ ------
19. SECOND READING ORDINANCE: AMEND ZONING TEXT - ARTICLE 20 ("ACCESSORY
USES AND STRUCTURES"); CONVENIENCE ESTABLISHMENTS AS ACCESSORY TO
RESIDENTIAL OR OFFICE USES; VARIANCES PROHIBITED; COMMUNITY BASED
RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES; ADULT DAY CARE CENTERS; CHILD DAY CARE CENTERS;
ADULT ENTERTAINMENT, ETC. PROHIBIT ZONING BOARD FROM RELAXING SPECIFIC
CONDITIONS OF USE UNDER PRINCIPAL USES AND STRUCTURES, ACCESSORY AND
TRANSITIONAL USES.
Mayor Suarez: PZ-10.
Mrs. Kennedy: Move ten.
Mayor Suarez: Moved.
Mr. De Yurre: Second.
Mayor Suarez: Planning Department, item In it? Yes. Do we have a second?
Mr. De Yurre: Second.
Mayor Suarez: Seconded. Any discussion? Read the ordinance. You're slowing
down. Call the roll. Do we have three?
AN ORDINANCE -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 9500, AS AMENDED,
THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, BY
AMENDING ARTICLE 20, ENTITLED "GENERAL AND
SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS, SECTION 2003 ACCESSORY USES
AND STRUCTURES, SUBSECTION 2003.7 CONVENIENCE
ESTABLISHMENTS AS ACCESSORY TO RESIDENTIAL OR OFFICE
USES: BY ADDING A NEW PARAGRAPH 2O03.7.10 VARIANCES
PROHIBITED; BY AMENDING SECTION 2025 SIGNS, GENERALLY
TO PROVIDE THAT NO VARIANCES ARE PERMITTED; BY
AMENDING SECTION 2034 COMMUNITY BASED RESIDENTIAL
FACILITIES BY ADDING A NEW SUBSECTION 2034.4 VARIANCES
PROHIBITED; BY AMENDING PROPOSED SECTION 2035 ADULT
DAY CARE CENTERS BY ADDING A NEW SUBSECTION 2035.5
VARIANCES PROHIBITED; BY AMENDING SECTION 2036 CHILD
DAY CARE CENTERS BY ADDING A NEW SUBSECTION 2036.6
VARIANCES PROHIBITED; BY AMENDING SECTION 2037 ADULT
ENTERTAINMENT OR ADULT SERVICES BY ADDING A NEW
SUBSECTION 2037.6 VARIANCES PROHIBITED AND BY AMENDING
ARTICLE 31, "APPEALS FOR VARIANCES FROM TERMS OF
ORDINANCE", SECTION 3101 VARIANCE DEFINED;
LIMITATIONS, SUBSECTION 3101.1 USE, AND SPECIFIC
CONDITIONS OF USE, AND FLOOR AREA RATIO VARIANCE
PROHIBITED BY CHANGING THE TITLE TO ADD "SPECIFIC
CONDITIONS OF USE" AND TO PROHIBIT THE ZONING BOARD
FROM RELAXING ANY SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF USE UNDER THE
PRINCIPAL USES AND STRUCTURES, ACCESSORY USES AND
TRANSITIONAL USES COLUMNS ON THE SCHEDULE OF DISTRICT
REGULATIONS AND REPEATING THE AFOREMENTIONED
PROHIBITIONS; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A REPEALER
PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
Passed on its first reading by title at the meeting of December 10,
1987. was taken up for its second and final reading by title and adoption. On
motion of Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner De Yurre, the
Ordinance was thereupon given its second and final reading by title and passed
and adopted by the following vote:
43 January 28, 1988
•
i
ATES: Commissioner Victor De Turre
Commissioner !filler J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
THE ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO. 10378.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Commission and —
to the public. _
COMMENTS MADE DURING ROLL CALL:
Mr. Plummer: Is this on nine?
Ms. Hirai: Teo, sir.
Mr. Plummer: Tea.
Ms. Hirai: No ten, I'm sorry. PZ-10.
Mayor Suarez: Ten. Ten.
Mr. Dawkins: Ten, ten, J.L.
Mr. Plummer: Then, hold up a minute.
Mr. Maxwell: That was 11 I just read.
Mr. Plummer: Ten.
20. A) FIRST READING ORDINANCE: AMEND MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD
PLAN - CHANGE PLAN DESIGNATION OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2600 N.W. 14TH
STREET.
B) DIRECT ADMINISTRATION TO STUDY ENTIRE PORTION OF PROPERTY AT 2600
N.W. 14TH STREET FOR PURPOSES OF MAKING THE BLOCK ZONING UNIFORM.
(APPLICANTS: MR. & MRS. M. ESCLOFER.) (SEE LABEL 21.)
Mayor Suarez: PZ-11.
Mr. Olmedillo: PZ-11 and 12 are companion items again. PZ-11 is the plan
amendment and PZ-12 is the toning change from an RG-1/3 which is a duplex
zoning to an RG-2/5, multi family zoning. This is located on 14th Street and
26th Avenue, N.W..
Mayor Suarez: This is to multi family. How big multi family?
Mr. Olmedillo: From the records, it's a lot which is about 100 and - I mean,
86 feet or out to 90 feet frontage by 120. And they have this, this
application once before you, the applicant was not present in the January
meeting and you had agreed to continue the item for this meeting. We were
concerned about the fact that the east and west homes were in good conditions,
the abutting homes east to west and vest of the property, the...
Mayor Suarez: We've heard quite a bit about this item, haven't taken any
action on it yet. We indicated we'd like to go by and visit the place,
location.
Mr. Olmedillo: Right, the neighbors show that they resisted the change. We,
the Planning Department consider that if an application had been filed for all
the lots, maybe that would constitute a different organization of the land use
in the area, but being only one lot and being isolated between two RG-1/3
lots, that will constitute an intrusion into their present use.
44 January 28, 1988
Mayor Suarez: Do we have the applicant here this time?
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER (OFF MIKE): Yes.
Mr. Olmedillo: The applicant is present and the neighbors are here.
Mayor Suarez: Those that would like to be heard or who are - let me just put
it this way, those who are opposed to this application, please raise your
hand. I gather that's the majority of the group over here? And, are you
_ going to have anyone speaking in favor other than the applicant? Now, we
heard from both sides before, I believe, did we not?
Mr. Olmedillo: Yes, sir, I would just like to enter into the record that...
Mayor Suarez: Yes, I just wanted to sort of start planning this here. I see
so many people standing in the aisles and that... we've heard before from both
sides, extensively.
Mr. Rodriguez: You did.
Mayor Suarez: OK, I remember the arguments on both sides. The typical
arguments on both sides. OK, Guillermo.
Mr. Olmedillo: Yes, I'd just like to enter into the record that the Planning
Advisory Board recommended denial by 6-3 vote and the Zoning Board recommended
denial by an 8-1 vote.
Mayor Suarez: Let's hear from the applicant.
Ms. Nora Nardo: OK, my name is Nora Nardo and I live at 1000 N.W. 40th
Avenue. First, I would like to apologize for not being here on December the
2nd when there was another hearing held. And the reason why we didn't come on
is because there was a letter from the City of Miami stating that a meeting
was going to be held on December the 10th instead. I would like to show it to
you, Mr. Mayor, and the Commissioners so they could see that we have a very
powerful reason why we didn't show up on that date.
Mayor Suarez: That's OK, I think we figured there must have been some
confusion. We knew that you were quite interested.
Ms. Nardo: Yes, it was really very interesting because we were the only ones
who got this notification and the other party didn't get anything. But
anyway, I know that you have heard a lot about what has happened in this area
and why, you know, the people, were are opposed and why we're in favor of it.
But this time I brought something so the people who are not too familiar to
the neighborhood could see, you know, what the area really look.
Mayor Suarez: There's a portable mike that you can take with you there.
Ms. Nardo: You can't tell I'm not familiar with it. In here, and I don't know
If all the Commissioners and you, Mr. Mayor, can see it, is... let me point
it this way...
Mayor Suarez: That's 836?
Ms. Nardo: OK, this is the 22nd Avenue...
Mayor Suarez: But the main expressway is 836, I guess?
Ms. Nardo: Yes, that's right, and this is 27th Avenue, this is the 22nd
Avenue. When they talk about being an isolated case. I want to make everybody
aware, that on this block, we have 11 lots. Out of the it lots, five have
already been changed to RG-5, which means that they are able to have multiple
family units like five, or four apartment buildings there. In fact, this is
In existence now. This one, they are planning on building it now, and it
changed on September, in 185.
Mayor Suarez: I'm sorry, yes. Guillermo, you said that with the change, they
would be able to go... is that a correct estimate of what they would be able
to build on there in terms of the number of units that you just stated?
45 January 28, 1988
_ Mr. Olmedillo: There is a similar lot which went through a zoning change
about a year or a year and one-half ago and they were able to put five units
on that lot, and the lot is very similar to the one that the applicant is
bringing before you today.
Mayor Suarez: Does the FAR change?
Mr. Olmedillo: The FAR is up to .75. The FAR on the RG-1/3 is limited to
only one duplex, but it is a double unit in one lot, regardless of the size of
the lot, that is, a minimum size of 5,000 feet, but then they can only build
two units, a duplex.
Mayor Suarez: Vell, that is an absolute restriction. That is not on terms of
FAR.
Mr. Olmedillo: Right, yes, the FAR does not apply on that particular case.
Mayor Suarez: What is the FAR with this new classification?
Mr. Olmedillo: It will be .75.
Mayor Suarez: That will be .75, and there is no possible way, physically to
put more than how many units per lot?
Mr. Olmedillo: The one that was changed recently, as I stated, has five units
in it. It is rather tight in the lot.
Mayor Suarez: And we are now talking about duplexes.
Mr. Olmedillo: And what it is today is duplex.
Mayor Suarez: I'm sorry, go ahead.
Ms. Nardo: OK, fine, so as you can see here, these are existing and when we
are talking about four or five... of course, I don't know, because I haven't
presented the plans, the floor or anything , so I don't know how many will be
allowed to be built there. Of course, we will go, with whatever, you know, we
are allowed to build. Also, in here, there is a child care center and that
also is an RG-5, which means that if they want, they can build apartment
buildings and you can verify that. In here then we have Fern Isle Park, which
belongs to the City of Miami, so really, we are concentrating on these area of
eleven lots, in which five already have been changed, so we are talking about
this too. This is an existing apartment building, six units. All this are
three blocks of apartment buildings, they're called the Wildwood . In here we
have the Tanglevood, 300 apartment units. All this on this side...
Mayor Suarez: Let me ask a question. That's Tanglevood, right, that she is
talking about?
Mr. Olmedillo: South of it is Tanglevood, yes, sir.
Mr. Plummer: Right in front of it.
Mayor Suarez: Right.
Ms. Nardo: No, Tanglevood In here, Wildvood is here.
Mayor Suarez: Vhat is the other one, the other wood?
Ms. Nardo: Wildvood, W-i-1-d.
Mayor Suarez: Wild... I am not as familiar. Tanglevood, what kind of density
are we talking about there?
Mr. Plummer: Heavy.
Mr. Olmedillo: It is an RG-2/5, and it is around .75 FAR
Mayor Suarez: And you can put that many units under that?
Mr. Olmedillo: Well, it is a large piece of land, and remember that they have
permanent open space and that increases the square footage.
46 January 28, 1988
0
Mayor Suarez: No height limitations, or anything? I mean, now many...
Mr. Olmedillo: A five doesn't have a height limitation, that is correct, sir.
Mayor Suarez: Well, just how many floors does Tanglewood have? Doesn't it
have about four floors?
Mr. Olmedillo: From my memory, it is about four stories.
Mayor Suarez: That's right.
Ms. Nardo: We're not planning on having four. It is two, what we are having
here. Also, then...
Mayor Suarez: I guess you physically would not be able to with the lots we're
talking about.
Ms. Nardo: That's right. That's right, here, we know the limitations we have
here. Also, all these are commercial sites, right? So, what the people
object, is because they think this is going to be an isolated case. Is this
going to be an isolated case when you have so many apartment buildings, all
around to the south? We have commercial sites here, and in fact, if you look
to the green spots represents the people, the family that are in favor of the
rezoning, so really an isolated case are these six that haven't been rezoned
already. If what they say is that only one is considered an isolated, I'm sure
that the other owners will also want to do it. In fact, this one, which is Mr.
Gregorio, he wants to do it, so this is not an isolated case. Also, we have
to think that September of 185, when they did the rezoning, they said that it
was going to be against the Miami comprehensive plan, there was no objection
at all, so how come in 1985 to 187, everything changes so drastically. We are
In need of housing, and we know that, because there are violations here. There
are some duplexes there that are used as triplex. We all know that, and they
are being investigated. You know why? Because these people here, they are
willing to pay whatever, or to live wherever, because there is a need of
housing, so why is that opposition for us to have a four or five unit
apartment building there? If we are not going to look at this, because they
are apartment buildings and then the only thing that we have to concentrate is
on this one, and as you can see, only two are opposed and everything else is
in favor. Also, we have to think of something. We have to be prepared. If
they don't want changes, they are in the wrong City, because Miami changes,
Miami has changed and Miami has to change. There is some suggestions for
1988, for three thousand people to come to live in South Florida every week.
Of course, they are not coming to Miami, all of them, but we know that a lot
of them want to live here, so we have to help them. And they are not the old
people that's retired, that want to live in South Beach, we don't have that
any more. We have young people who come here to work, and it is our
responsibility to try to help them as much as we can, and one way of helping
Is providing this kind of housing, so again, I am asking, I am in favor of us
to build those apartment buildings there, because when you think about
Brickell Avenue, 10, 15 years, ago, what was Brickell Avenue?... all houses,
that was it. Now, I take pride when somebody comes from out of the state,
just to drive them along Brickell Avenue... beautiful buildings, beautiful
places to live. What if you hadn't change the rezoning? What would have
happened there? They also say that we are not interested in their property
because we don't live there. Listen, this is my only property, and I am sure
I am going to take care of it. I am not sick and I have been living in the
neighborhood for 25 years, so I know the area.
Mayor Suarez: Well, when you say it is your only property, that means you
live there?
Ms. Nardo: No, I have my house. and this is another property, for investment.
Also, when they talk about they have the objection that we bought it for
Investment, this person, Mr. Guevara, who is so opposed to our building that
there, he has this as an investment. He doesn't live there. He has another
property here, for investment too. He lives on 26th Avenue and this is one of
the persons who is in violation, so why then is he so opposed for us, to let
us do right when he is doing wrong. OK? I think that that explains
everything. I know that you have heard over and over again what the reasons
are, but I think, and I want you to think about what is happening in Miami and
that what we cannot say, you know that we want to leave Miami the way it was,
47 January 28, 1988
and especially when you see that in this area, it is not going to be affecting
any of the properties. It is not going to have more traffic, and even the
planning Department says that they don't want it now. In 1985, they said that
they were not opposed to it, that they would not change the Miami
comprehensive plan. Thank you.
mayor Suarez: Guillermo, why are some of those other ones already are RG-2/5,
as she is pointing out? First, is that the case, as she says, that there are
many others in that same block that already have multifamily residential?
Mr. Olmedillo: if you see the transparency up to four lots to the west, they
have an RG-2/5 designation. The statement that we make on the record and that
we make in the packet that you have today, it is not in conformance with the
comprehensive plan, and that is fact, that is not an appreciation from us. We
have a plan which is colored and has different plan use designations. It
happens that this particular lot falls within the land designation, that it is
a duplex zoning, so that is a fact, that is not our appreciation of what may
be.
Mayor Suarez: God, that is a complicated answer to what I thought was a
simple question. She said that there are many other properties, lots,
presumably, in this same block, that also have received, what I understood, to
be a change of zoning classification to more density, presumably, to the same
as this, to RG-2/5, right?
Mr. Olmedillo: That is correct. From lot 10, towards the east...
Mayor Suarez: How did that happen?... by action of this Commission, or...?
Mr. Olmedillo: By action of this Commission, one lot was rezoned, one. The
others happened before.
Mayor Suarez: Before, what? Before Genesis, before...
Mr. Olmedillo: Before three... probably under 6871.
Mayor Suarez: When there was no zoning?
Mr. Olmedillo: I cannot state the date, because I don't have it at hand,
but...
Mayor Suarez: But, presumably by Commission action also?
Mr. Olmedillo: Yes, sir.
Ms. Nardo: Can I say something? I have here the tapes of the meeting,
the
hearing, of September, 1985, and two lots, number 10 and 11, were rezoned
on
that date, so if you are there....
Mayor Suarez: Are you aware of that?
Mr. Olmedillo: I stand corrected, it is 10 and 11. I was taking it as
one
property.
Mayor Suarez: OK, because she made it sound like it was six, and you
are
saying two, OK.
Ms. Nardo: No, what I am saying In six already with RG-2/5.
Mayor Suarez: Why? That's what I want to know, why are there six?
Ms. Nardo: Look there at the transparency, and you will see them.
Mayor Suarez: I don't want to know that they are RG-2/5, I gather that
you
are saying they are, six of them.
Mr. Olmedillo: Yes, it is Commission action.
Mayor Suarez: Why are six of them RG-2/5?
Mr. Olmedillo: Commission action in the past rezoned this property.
48 January 28, 1988
Mayor Suarez: Not some whole new zoning code, or something that just happened
before we all got here, whatever?
Mr. Olmedlllo: It is Commission action, that is it.
Mayor Suarez: Actually Commission action to change from...
Mr. Olnedillo: Changed from...
Mayor Suarez: ... the prior classification.
Mr. Olsiedillo: ... RG-1/3 to RG-2/5.
Mayor Suarez: Spot zoning.
Mr. Olmedillo: Go ahead, please.
Mr. Rodriguez: I understand that the Commission action was for 10 and 11,
recently, Coinsissioner.
Mayor Suarez: Two of them in one shot.
Mr. Rodriguez: And It is not a spot zoning, because it is adjacent to another
line of RG-2/5. so it was...
Mayor Suarez: Why was that RG-2/5?
Mr. Rodriguez: Before?
Mayor Suarez: Tea.
Mr. Rodriguez: I couldn't tell you, it is before our... your time, my time,
God's time, and...
Mayor Suarez: Way back! That is why I said, it has been around, possibly as
such as J.L., and...
Mrs. Kennedy: Ten City Managers ago.
Mayor Suarez: Ten City Managers ago. Ten Assistant City Managers ago!
Ms. Hardo: Can I say something?
Mayor Suarez: Well, how about if we hear... you are going to have a chance to
rebut, I guess. On the objectors, now. How are we going to organize that? I
see we have a brilliant counselor here now.
Mr. Robert Wayne: My nasee is Robert Wayne with offices at 1225 SW 87th
Avenue. I represent the neighbors who are here.
Mayor Suarez: And you have registered with the City, and so on?
Mr. Wayne: Tes, I have. I would first of all like to present...
Mayor Suarez: Tou understand, counselor, that we have heard from both sides
on an individual basis. Are you going to limit...
Mr. Wayne: Very short. Very short. We have a petition signed by 40 of the
immediate neighbors with their addresses, who live in the area.
Mayor Suarez: OK, that... you want to go ahead and put that on the record
right now?
Mr. Wayne: I certainly do.
Mayor Suarez: OK, proceed.
Mr. Wayne: I would like to show... and everybody always says he would like to
go out to the area... these are the houses, front lawns, trees, single family
and duplex houses. These are the two...
49 January 28, 1998
Is 1b
Mayor Suarez: Which lot, would that, either one of those be that you are
showing us? For example...
Mr. Wayne: This is on one side, this is on the other. My face is the vacant
lot, OK?
Mayor Suarez: I'm sure some have described it that way in the past.
Mr. Wayne: I've been called a lot worse, Mayor Suarez! Going one lot over,
or two lots over, I really forget, we have one of these. What they said is
true, they had a lot rezoned, and they put a five, six unit place on. The
only problem is, it is an old... it is all paved. It is a parking lot. It's
a nice building, don't get me wrong. It is a nice building, they did a very
nice job, but there is no front lawn, there is no trees, and it is all paved.
The average people have lived here about 10 years, and I may that, because
most of the people have lived in this neighborhood IS... one couple has lived
there eight, so we will get it down. This is not an are in transition. These
people are proud of their neighborhood, these people like it this way, they
felt very bad that there had been an intrusion. Now, they are down here...
Mayor Suarez: Let me ask a question about that if I may... right north of NW
16th Street, what do we have back there?
Mr. Plummer: A shopping center.
Mr. Olmedillo: RG-1/3, it is duplex zoning, and it is a stable...
Mayor Suarez: And in fact, that... you almost tell me the classification,
Guillermo, but I also want to know, what is actually there?
Mr. Olmedillo: Duplex, duplex homes.
Mr. Wayne: (OFF MIKE) This is the house that is across the street, Mr.
Mayor.
Mayor Suarez: They are typically duplexes?... zoned duplex and actually
duplexes there?... some single family.
Mr. Wayne: This is a two lane road, OK? These people want to adopt both
- advisory and planning. The proposed change would constitute a grant of a
special privilege, the granting would be deleterious, OK, and impact on the
- adjacent properties. I can't say any more, the City has done everything I
want. These people have been here for four hearings. Each time, and they've
- come down each time, they are very strongly against this, and I have these
pictures if the Commission wants to see them, OK?... these are the houses,
next to and across the street, and I don't think a five unit building in a
vacant lot, right in between these houses belongs there.
Mr. Maxwell: Mr. Mayor, can we please have the attorney representing the
opponents mark these, so they can be admitted into the record?
Mayor Suarez: Why don't you go ahead and mark them yourself, I think that is
the way we need them, with your own handwriting.
Mr. De Yurre: Mr. Mayor, I have a concern here, because some allegations have
been made, and we have seen pictures of the homes on the block, and yet I have
heard some allegations about violations of having triplexes and rental units
that are not supposed to be there, and I would like to follow up on this, and
we can get Code Enforcement to see what is going on in that area. Certainly,
_ I think that if we are talking about a single family home, that's where it is
supposed to be, and I want to make sure that is the case.
Mayor Suarez: Can anybody give us this specific address? Does anybody...
Mr. De Yurre: I want to find out about that right now. You made some
allegations. What the addresses that you believe are in violation? Code
Enforcement, if we can start taking those addresses down and see what is
happening.
Mayor Suarez: Can this be referred directly to Code Enforcement, if we get a
specific address?
50 January 28, 1988
Mr. Olmedillo: Sure.
Ms. Nardo: 2570 NW 14th Street. I know...
Mr. De Yurre: Which one is that?
Unidentified Speaker: You have the picture there that shows three mailboxes I
believe, in the pictures there.
Mr. De Yurre: Which lot is that?
Unidentified Speaker: Lot number...
Mr. Plummer: Is the owner of 2570 - 14th Street present? Are you the owner?
Could you come to the microphone, Ma'am? For the record, your...
INAUDIBLE BACKGROUND COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Mr. Dawkins: That's OK, I... I don't either, I don't speak Spanish, but I got
two fellows, let them go to the mike, they speak Spanish.
Mr. Plummer: Who is.going to the translator? Are they owners of 2570 NW 14th
Street?
Mrs. Kennedy: One says no, the other one says yes.
Mr. Olmedillo: They got the wrong number.
Mayor Suarez: They are no longer living together, that's...
Mr. Wayne: That is 2570, there.
Mr. Plummer: Are they... are the owners 2570 NW 14th Street present?
Mayor Suarez: They are together again.
INAUDIBLE BACKGROUND COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Mr. Olmedillo: 2570... now they got it. They live there.
Mr. Plummer: For the record...
Ms. Nardo: No, they don't live there. They are the owners.
Mayor Suarez: OK, they own it. Oh, are you the owners? (COMMENTS IN
SPANISH)
INAUDIBLE BACKGROUND COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
i
Mr. Plummer: Are they the owners?
'f Mr. Olmedillo: Yes.
I
IUnidentified Speaker: They are the owners?
i
Mr. Olmedillo: Yes.
Unidentified Speaker: They live one block away, the woman, he move out.
= Mayor Suarez: No, no, I mean at that address. You don't live at that
address, but you do own that?
Mr. Plummer: OK, for the record, their names, please? For the record...
Mayor Suarez: Su nombre?
Ms. Teresita Guevara: Teresita Guevara.
Mr. Plummer: All right, would you ask through the translator, would you ask
them what is the present zoning of their property? I would appreciate for the
record, that we use our translator. Mr. Manager, there is an awful lot can be
lost in translation. I would ask through our translator, what is the present
zoning.
51 January 28, 1988
Mr. Rodriguez: Let me put that on the record, please. (COMMENTS IN SPANISH)
Mr. Guevara: They have a duplex.
Mr. Plummer: OK, for the record, do you have four than two families living at
that location?
Mr. Rodriguez: (TRANSLATES QUESTION INTO SPANISH)
Mr. Guevara: (COMMENTS IN SPANISH)
Mr. Plummer: And the answer is....
Mayor Suarez: (ASKS IN SPANISH TO ALLOW THE TRANSALATOR TO SPEAK)
Mr. Rodriguez: (TRANSLATES) He built this for his son that was going to live
there, and he didn't get married, so we are getting to the point, now.
Mr. Plussser: Wait, wait, what is this about getting married? I asked, are
there more than two families living there?
Mr. Rodriguez: (TRANSLATES INTO SPANISH)
Mr. Plummer: Is he aware...
Mr. Rodriguez: (TRANSLATES) He has three families.
Mr. Plummer: Is he aware that that is a violation of the zoning code?
Mr. Rodriguez: (TRANSLATES INTO SPANISH)
Mr. Guevara: (TRANSLATED BY MR. RODRIGUEZ) All that was built originally for
the purposes that they had , but now, who knows, a lot of people have more
families sometimes living in the houses.
Mr. Plummier: Does he realize that he is going to be visited tomorrow morning
by Code Enforcement and told to move one of those families put?
Mr. Rodriguez: (TRANSLATES INTO SPANISH)
Mr. Guevara: (COMMENTS IN SPANISH)
Mayor Suarez: Wait, wait, you are saying that as of this moment, you are
letting them know that that is a violation, so they that they can move out.
The problem is, that they are necessarily here, so you are going to have to
figure out some other way of letting them know.
Mr. Rodriguez: But, he is perfectly agreeable to tell them that they have to
move, because he wants to keep the area, and that is what he has told me.
Mr. Maxwell: Mr. Mayor, may I make a recommendation?
Ms. Guevara: (OFF MIKE) (COMMENTS IN SPANISH)
Mayor Suarez: Wait, wait, we are not going to go on forever on this. Joel?
Mr. Maxwell: Instead of the Commission directing that they move at this
point, I would suggest that you send an inspector out tomorrow and let that...
based on that inspectors findings...
Mayor Suarez: Let us not give the impression, Sergio, tell them, that we are
making any sort of a finding here, or telling them what they should do. We
are just telling them that is what the Code says, and we are interpreting the
Code, and an Inspector will be there.
Mr. Rodriguez: (TRANSLATES INTO SPANISH)
Ms. Guevara: (TRANSLATED BY MR. RODRIGUEZ) The gentlemen sent an inspector...
Mayor Suarez: He doesn't send any inspectors, but he may have asked the City
to send an inspector, which...
52 January 28, 1988
Ms. Guevara: (COMMENTS IN SPANISH)
Mayor Suarez: OK.
Ms. Guevara: (COMMENTS IN SPANISH)
Mayor Suarez: No, no, you are saying that the inspector didn't work and
apparently, it did not work, but apparently, it is going to work this time.
INAUDIBLE BACKGROUND COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Mayor Suarez: Unless the Commission wants to hear on the issue on the issue
of this particular possible violation of the Code, I don't know that...
Mr. Plummer: No, it has already been admitted.
Mayor Suarez: Great, OK. (THANKS SPEAKER IN SPANISH) Any other objectors?
Counselor.
Mr. Wayne: Mr. Mayor, it would be the same.
Mayor Suarez: OK, you are welcome to put into the record their names, if they
are any different from the petitions that we have gotten, or anybody has any
other specific points they want to make, that have not been made, and I am not
trying to elicit any more, I mean God knows, we don't need any more, but...
Mr. De Yurre: Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Suarez: Yes, Commissioner.
Mr. De Yurre: I'd like to know, are there any other violators?
Ms. Nardo: Well, really, I wasn't checking on the violators, but when
somebody really tries to hit you hard, you investigate a little bit.
Mr. De Yurre: Is this individual one of the two red spots up there?
Ms. Nardo: I'm sorry?
Mr. De Yurre: Is this individual one of the two red properties?
Ms. Nardo: Oh, yes. Oh, yes. OK, now, can I say something? I don't know if
I'm...
Mr. De Yurre: I just want to know, see, where we are at now.
Ms. Nardo: Yes.
Mr. De Yurre: So, we have one of the opponents, objectors, like the Mayor
said, who was objecting because of the fact that he wanted a duplex area,
however, he had triplex, but he was objecting to having more than duplex.
Ms. Nardo: Yes.
Mr. De Yurre: I just want to...
Mayor Suarez: Is that the case? Is that one of the two red... ?
Mr. Wayne: Right, it is.
Mr. De Yurre: OK, fine. Go ahead, Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Suarez: OK, anything else from the objectors?
Mr. Wayne: No, we just rest on the City's findings, your Honor, and the
character of what we see of the pictures of the houses, OK?... that we don't
feel that that type of property belongs there.
t
Mayor Suarez: Anything else from the applicant?
53 January 28, 1988
I
[71
Ms. Nardo: I have signatures here, I have 42, in which are about 14 owners,
that they are in favor of it. I would like to present this.
Mayor Suarez: OK, those are ordered into the record.
Mr. Plummer: Are they within the 375 feet radius?
Ms. Nardo: Some of them are, yes. Some of them, because the...
Mr. Plummer: Some of them are. Is that 2 out of 42, 20 out of 42?
Ms. Nardo: Let's say 9 out of 13 or 14. Let's say about 60 percent.
Mr. Plummer: Sixty percent live within the 375 foot radius?
Mayor Suarez: OK, but when you may 42, it is 42...
INAUDIBLE BACKGROUND COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Ms. Nardo: Yes, but he is talking about owners, right? Everybody is within
the 375 feet.
Mayor Suarez: And out of 42, are there 14? How many are there? How many
actual properties?
Mr. Plummer: I don't see 42 pieces of property there.
Ms. Nardo: Well, remember there are apartment buildings too, there.
Mr. Plummer: Ah, the Tanglevood.
Mayor Suarez: So, the petitions might be just individual apartment dwellers,
or owners, or whatever.
Mrs. Nardo: Yes.
Mr. Rodriguez: I assume that they are referring to the map that we have on
the screen, that shows a circle, of 375 feet.
Mayor Suarez: And you are... just to point a clarification, your petitions
are also... like apartment by apartment, or are they actual individuals?
Mr. Wayne: They are actual individuals that live in this area, because all
their addresses are right next to it, and this can be checked. Every one of
them.
Ms. Nardo: Oh, yes, it can be checked. They have addresses and everything.
Mayor Suarez: Well, I don't know that we are going to check either one. I
just sort of wanted to know what each one alleged them to be. I suppose you
could always sake this a test. Anything also from the appellant?
Ms. Nardo: Yes. No, the only thing, my closing statement here is that
besides the changes, that we know that we cannot just leave it the same way
that it was before, in the changes and whatever. If we really look at that,
you will see that the isolated cases are the one, two, three, four, five, six
lots out of eleven that are not being changed, and also, remember, that lot
number four, five, six, also will be asking for a change in zoning, and also
remember, that as they have stated on September, 1985, when they approved the
hearing, Mrs. Teresita Fernandez said that the Planning Department is
recommending approval of the zoning change. "The requested change will not be
at odds with existing uses in the area, as the subject property, is adjacent
to apartment buildings to the south. Such a change would not therefore, be at
odds with Miami comprehensive plan." Also, Mr. Campbell, he says that, "The
Department has no objection, as a matter of fact, it has no objection to the
contention of this particular zoning, and I am sure this request could come up
again for this entire tier of lots, from four to eleven. They would
eventually come up for rezoning, and we have no objection to that." And that
is the Planning Department, and I have the tape here, if you want to hear it.
Thank you.
54 January 28, 1988
Mr. De Turre: Mr. Mayor, I think that historically this block has had
numerous petitions and it has been an area of transition to a great degree,
and we need to consider a number of things. We need to consider Miami's
position, presently with the influx of new residents that are coming in,
residents that are going to be coming in the near future, and somehow, we have
to make room for these individuals to be a viable part of our community. I
look at that area, I personally feel that that whole section should be RG-2/5,
and maybe we should recommend that maybe for the next zoning meeting, that we
have a study made so maybe we can just go ahead and rezone that whole section.
if not, this becomes pretty much like 27th Avenue, that piecemeal gets rezoned
and rezoned, and I think that there should be a format for this, a study made
by the staff, and to go ahead and possibly, you know, rezone that whole, the
remainder of that block. I've read, and I've listened to tapes, and in fact,
I was part of the, when I was on the Zoning Board, a few years ago, I was part
of that board that approved the original zoning change, or recommended to the
Commission the zoning change for the other lot, the other two lots that were
changed, and I know that area well. It is close to the Muse Isle, and where
my wife worked for a number of years, so I'm well aware of what goes on there,
the transition that exists, and I feel comfortable at this point in time to
moving for approval of this item.
Mayor Suarez: So moved. Do we have a second? Once. Do we have a second?
Mrs. Kennedy: This is a tough one, but I am going to second, because it is an
area surrounding by apartment buildings and commercial units, so I second.
Mayor Suarez: Seconded.
Mr. Plummer: Under discussion, Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Suarez: Commissioner Plummer.
Mr. Plummer: I feel as Mr. De Turre felt when he first opened his remarks. I
- have made the statement before that there is no question in my mind, that 14th
Street is a main thoroughfare, even though it is not as vide as it should be.
There is a great deal of traffic. It is going to changs. The only problem
that I have is to do it on a piecemeal basis, and that's my problem. I would
prefer to see the Planning Department go through the study to whether or not
all of the properties should change. We had a change of zoning, and that's
why they can't come in now and get what they want, as far as a zoning change
- is concerned. I don't think there is any question, it is going to change.
It's bound to happen. It is just really a matter do we want to do it in an
orderly fashion, or do we want to do it in an individual fashion, and I think
the answer, most all of the time is to do it in as orderly fashion.
Mayor Suarez: I basically agree with the statements of Commissioner Plummer.
I understand that we are going to have more pressure for more housing. I
typically would be disposed to go along with duplexes where presently, single
® family residents exist, but the amount and density of this use to me sounds
excessive. A study might lead us to conclude that we simply have to do that
S in that area and that the area must change. I don't know that at this point, I
am ready to say even that, after a study, so I can't favor this application.
Anything else from the Commission before we vote?
Mr. Plummer: hell, the only thing I think the applicant better consider, I am
not trying to read the votes up here before this Commission, that's the worst
thing I've ever tried to do, but if you take a denial tonight, it would be one
year before you could come back, correct?
INAUDIBLE COMMENT.
Mr. Plummer: No, not if it was a total planning study, and it was
recommended.
= Mr. Rodriguez: They couldn't apply again.
Mr. Plummer: Well, they wouldn't have to apply if it was recommended.
Mr. Rodriguez: If there was a study done by the Planning Department to be
brought up within the time period that we have to go through the process of
going to the Planning Board, and so on. If you deny, it's 18 months.
55 January 28, 1988
Mr. Plummer: Weil, but if in fact, you came up with a study, and you
recommended the entire block to be the RG-2/5, then they wouldn't even have to
come back here, they would just be a matter of filing an application, so the
time limit really doesn't make a difference.
Mayor Suarez: Anything else from the Commission? Call the roll on the
motion. Read the ordinance, please. Call the roll.
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE
NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AND ADDENDA (SEPTEMBER 1985); FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 2600 NORTHWEST 14TH
STREET (MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN) BY
CHANGING DESIGNATION OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY FROM LOW
MODERATE DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TO MODERATE HIGH DENSITY
RESIDENTIAL; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A REPEALER
PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
_ Was introduced by Commissioner De Yurre and seconded by Commissioner
Kennedy and was passed on its first reading by title by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
NOES: Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
ABSENT: None.
COMMENTS MADE ON ROLL CALL:
Mr. Plummer: On the single application, no.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Commission and
to the public.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I make a motion at this time directing the Planning
Department to study the remaining portion of that block for consideration of
making it uniform.
Mr. De Yurre: Second.
Mr. Plummer: That will come back at a later time to this Commission as to
what happens.
Mayor Suarez: Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Call the roll on that
motion.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved
its adoption:
MOTION NO. 86-102
A MOTION REQUESTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONDUCT A
STUDY OF THE ENTIRE PORTION OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT
2600 NW 14 STREET FOR PURPOSES OF CONSIDERING THE
BLOCK'S ZONING TO BE UNIFORM, NAMELY BY CHANGING THE
PLAN DESIGNATION OF ALL PROPERTIES LOCATED ON THIS
BLOCK FROM LOW MODERATE DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TO
MODERATE HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner De Yurre, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
56 January 28, 1966
s
a
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
21. FIRST READING ORDINANCE: AMEND
ZONING
ATLAS AT
APPROXIMATELY 2600 NW
14TH STREET. (APPLICANTS: MR.
& MRS. M.
ESCLOFER.)
(See label 20.)
Mayor Suarez: PZ-12 is a companion item.
Mr. Olmedillo: Yes, sir, that is the zoning.
Mayor Suarez: I'll entertain a motion on the changing of the zoning atlas.
Mr. De Yurre: Moved.
Mrs. Kennedy: Second.
Mayor Suarez: Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Read the ordinance. Call
the roll.
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
NO. 9500, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF
APPROXIMATELY 2600 NORTHWEST 14TH STREET, MIAMI,
FLORIDA, (MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN) FROM RG-
1/3 ONE AND TWO FAMILY DETACHED RESIDENTIAL TO RG-2/5
GENERAL RESIDENTIAL BY MAKING FINDINGS; AND BY MAKING
ALL THE NECESSARY CHANGES ON PAGE NO. 25 OF SAID
ZONING ATLAS MADE A PART OF ORDINANCE NO. 9500 BY
REFERENCE AND DESCRIPTION IN ARTICLE 3, SECTION 300,
THEREOF; CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
Was introduced by Commissioner De Yurre and seconded by Commissioner
Kennedy and was passed on its first reading by title by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Hiller J. Dawkins
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
NOES: Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
ABSENT: None.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Commission and
to the public.
57 January 28, 1988
- - - - - - - --
------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
22. AMEND MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN - CHANGE PLAN DESIGNATION OF
PROPERTY AT 23-47 NW 32ND PLACE AND 34 NW 32ND COURT. (APPLICANTS: MR. &
MRS. M. OJEDA AND R. MAESTREY.) (See label 23.)
Mayor Suarez: PZ-13.
Mr. Olmedillo: PZ-13 and 14 again are companion items. This is a first
reading for a plan amendment and a zoning change. The zoning goes from RG-1/3
to RG-3/6, which is multifamily. Today there is a nursing home existing in the
facilities. It is called the Floridean, and it's a legal nonconforming use.
The applicant wants to expand... one of the options was to expand up to 25
percent on the nonconforming rule, but that is not sufficient for the
applicant to comply with State regulations. The Planning Department considers
that the zoning change will be an intrusion into the neighborhood. This is
located between 32nd Place and 32nd Court, just north of Flagler Street. The
Intrusion would be constituted by lots that are in the brown color, aqua
color, in the project that you see up on the screen. The Planning Department
did a covenant, which limits an impact and the applicant is ready to present
that covenant for you today. The Zoning Board recommended the approval of this
Item by 8-0 vote and the Planning Advisory Board recommended for approval by a
9-0 vote. Again, the Planning Department is recommending denial on the basis
of an intrusion into the neighborhood.
Mayor Suarez: Is there anyone here that wishes to be heard on item PZ-13,
other than the applicant, presumably against?
Mr. Plummer: Is there anyone here opposed?
Mayor Suarez: In favor? You raised your hands in favor? Let the record
reflect, I guess, no one has stepped forward to be heard against this item.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Korner, you are the attorney of record?
Mr. Robert D. Korner: Yes, Commissioner.
Mr. Plummer: You hereby stipulate that everything herein contained, including
the covenant is correct?
Mr. Korner: Yes, I do, I would like to...
Mr. Plummer: I move item PZ-13.
Mayor Suarez: So moved.
Mr. De Turre: Second.
Mayor Suarez: Seconded, any discussion? Read the ordinance.
THEREUPON, THE CITY ATTORNEY READ THE ORDINANCE INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD, BY
TITLE ONLY
Mr. Plummer: For the record, there is no one here that wishes to speak
against 13, 14 or 15, In that correct? Let the record reflect that no one came
forward.
Mr. Korner: Mr. Commissioner.
Mr. Olmedillo: 15 is another item. 13 and 14 are the items.
Mayor Suarez: 13 and 14. Counselor, is that what you wanted to state?
Mr. Plummer: I'm sorry. 15 is a different Rice.
Mayor Suarez: Call the roll on 13.
58 January 28, 1988
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED-
!N ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE
NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AND ADDENDA (SEPTEMBER 1985); FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 23-47 NORTHWEST 32ND
PLACE AND 34 NORTHWEST 32ND COURT (MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED HEREIN BY CHANGING DESIGNATION OF THE
SUBJECT PROPERTY FROM LOW MODERATE DENSITY RESIDENTIAL
USE; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION
AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
Was introduced by Commissioner Plummer and seconded by Commissioner De
Yurre and was passed on its first reading by title by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Commission and
to the public.
23. FIRST READING ORDINANCE: AMEND ZONING ATLAS AT 23-47 NW 32ND PLACE AND
34 NW 32ND COURT. (APPLICANTS: MR. & MRS. M. OJEDA AND R. MAESTREY.)
(See label 25.)
Mayor Suarez: PZ-14, I entertain a motion on that.
Mr. Plummer: So moved.
Mr. De Yurre: Second.
Mayor Suarez: Moved and seconded. Any...
Mr. Plummer: Let the record also reflect that no one wish to come forward and
speak on PZ-14.
Mayor Suarez: Read the ordinance.
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
NO. 9500, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, BY CHANGING
THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF
APPROXIMATELY 23-47 NORTHWEST 32 PLACE, AND THE
PROPERTY LYING BETWEEN
APPROXIMATELY 20 NORTHWEST 32
COURT AND 50 NORTHWEST
32 COURT, MIAMI, FLORIDA (MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED
HEREIN) FROM RG-1/3 GENERAL
RESIDENTIAL TO RG-3/6
GENERAL RESIDENTIAL BY MAKING
FINDINGS; AND BY MAKING ALL THE NECESSARY CHANGES ON
PAGE NO. 33 OF SAID
ZONING ATLAS MADE A PART OF
ORDINANCE NO. 9500 BY
REFERENCE AND DESCRIPTION IN
ARTICLE 3, SECTION 300.
THEREOF; CONTAINING A REPEALER
PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE.
Was introduced by Commissioner Plummer and seconded by Commissioner De
Yurre and was passed on its first reading by title by the following vote:
59 January 28, 1988
AYES: Commissioner Victor be Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ASSENT: None.
COMMENTS MADE DURING ROLL CALL:
Mr. Plummer: Let the record reflect that Mr. Korner was never as eloquent as
he was here today in his presentation, I vote yes.
The City Attornsy read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Commission and
to the public.
Mr. Rodriguez: Commissioner Plummer.
Mr. Plummer: Sir?
Mr. Rodriguez: Commissioner Plummer, I believe you mentioned on the record
there was a covenant. We don't have any records of any covenants being
submitted.
Mr. Plummer: Then I stand corrected. I thought I heard someone say about a
covenant.
Mr. Olmedillo: I did mentioned it because the covenant was discussed with the
Planning Department. The covenant is not in the packet, I just spoke to
applicant, they...
Mr. Plummer: Well, it is subject to the covenant. Of course.
Mr. Korner: Commissioner...
Mr. Plummer: The covenant is acceptable to the owners?
Mr. Olmedillo: From our conversations, yes.
Mr. Korner: Yes, it is.
Mr. Plummer: And you will supply such?
Mr. Korner: Yes, we will, before the next reading. Also, we would appreciate
It if this matter could be heard at the next general Commission meeting,
rather than wait until the next zoning meeting.
Mr. Plummer: You've got an advertising problem.
Mr. Maxwell: I think it is taken care of there.
sMr. Plummer: What? What In the urgency?
Mr. Korner: The urgency is that this project has to be completed by this fall
In order to satisfy the Federal regulations, which means we need to pull a
permit almost immediately.
Mr. Plummer: Can that be done, or not? It is a non -controversial item. He
wants to have it heard at the February llth meeting, for second reading, is
that possible?
Mr. Maxwell: He can do it if he meets the advertising requirements. It's been
taken care of.
Mr. Rodriguez: Can we meet the advertising requirements, Matty?
Mr. Plummer: Can we meet the advertising? She is shaking her head, which
way?
60 January 28, 1988
Ms. Hirai: We need a minimum of two days, sending by hand to the newspaper
and then, 10 days in between.
Mr. Plummer: The answer is no, Counselor.
24. A) RESCHEDULE FIRST COMMISSION MEETING IN FEBRUARY. B) SCHEDULE PUBLIC
HEARING ON PROPOSED ISSUANCE OF MASTER DEVELOPMENT ORDER AND INCREMENT
ONE DEVELOPMENT ORDER FOR THE OVERTOWN/PARK WEST REDEVELOPMENT AREA.
Mr. De Yurre: Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Suarez: Commissioner De Yurre.
Mr. De Turre: To*, sir, now that we are talking about the February llth
meeting, I am going to be heading a group down to Ecuador for the CAMACOL
Hemispheric Conference coming up later on this year in September, and it is
going to be during the week of the 9th, which would put me out of town for the
llth meeting, and I would like at this point in time for the Commission to
consider moving the meeting to the 16th, the following Tuesday.
Mayor Suarez: That might even solve your problem. The 16th?
Mr. De Yurre: That's right.
Mr. Korner: Yes, it would.
Mayor Suarez: Sounds good to me. Commissioners? Why don't you make that in
the form of a motion.
Mr. De Yurre: I'd like to move for that.
Mr. Dawkins: Second.
Mayor Suarez: Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Call the roil.
Mr. Rodriguez: May I say something?
Mayor Suarez: Wait.
Mr. Rodriguez: You have already advertised for a meeting of February llth for
the Southeast Overtown/Park West to conduct a hearing at 3:30.
Mayor Suarez: Ah he.
Mr. Dawkins: We'll do it the 12th.
Mayor Suarez: Does it... what problem... good point, what problem does it
create there?
Mr. Dawkins: For the 17th.
Mayor Suarez: What problem does it create? Does it simply...
Mr. Dawkins: 16th.
Mr. Rodriguez: I believe you have to conduct the hearing.
Mr. Plummer: You have got to readvertise.
Mayor Suarez: It is not an adversarial thing, I mean it's...
Mr. Dawkins: Do it the 16th.
Mr. Rodriguez: Yes, we have a 60 days notice requirement on DRI's and you
have already set up that date for the meeting, of the llth.
Mr. Dawkins: One day before, or one day after, we can have the Commission
meeting.
61 January 28, 1988
Mr. Rodriguez: You have a 60 days notice requirement that we have already
fulfilled, by which we set up that day, and at 3:30 p.m., I believe, was the
agenda item.
Mayor Suarez: it's not minimum of 60 days. It is 60 days to tell them the
exact day in which... do you have any problem, Commissioner De Yurre, if we...
and does the rest of the Commission have any problem if we meet on that
particular date for only that item? I mean, I don't know... to approve, what
Is it, the DRI that is coming before us, or do we have to...
Mr. Rodriguez: For SE Overtown/Park West.
Mayor Suarez: But is it also extensions of disposition agreements and
everything else? Just the DRI?
Mr. Rodriguez: DRI for SE Overtown/Park West.
Mayor Suarez: I'd have no problem meeting just on that item. I wouldn't want
it to be delayed by this, that's for sure. That wouldn't affect you, I don't
think, I mean, unless you want to state on the record that you have a problem
with the DRI, or...
Mr. De Yurre: No, no, we can go ahead with that. Just that...
Mayor Suarez: All items except for that? How long would that presentation
take, that day?
Mr. Rodriguez: If there is no opposition, it should take about one-half hour.
Mayor Suarez: OK, meet at 3:30 that day, and spend an hour?
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, is it possible that... Mr. De Yurre, what about if we
move the meeting to the 18th?
Mr. De Yurre: I have no problem. It is just that...
Mayor Suarez: No, that doesn't solve the problem.
Mr. Plummer: No, not the individual DRI problem, but rather than meeting on a
Tuesday, to meet on the 18th.
Mr. De Yurre: I have no problem with that.
Mayor Suarez: OK, is that better for you? OK, as to all other items, I have
notion to...
Mr. Plummer: So moved.
Mayor Suarez: ... move back that Commission meeting to the 18th, which is
what?
Mr. De Yurre: Thursday.
Mayor Suarez: Thursday? Moved and seconded, any discussion? Call the roll.
62 January 28, 1968
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner De Yurre, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 88-103
A RESOLUTION RESCHEDULING THE FIRST REGULAR CITY
COMMISSION MEETING OF FEBRUARY, 1988 TO TAKE PLACE ON
FEBRUARY 16, 1988 COMMENCING AT 9:00 A.M. ON SAID
DATE; FURTHER STATING THAT THE CITY COMMISSION'S
SCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARING ON ITS CONSIDERATION OF THE
QUESTION OF ISSUANCE OF A MASTER DEVELOPMENT ORDER AND
ISSUANCE OF AN INCREMENT I DEVELOPMENT ORDER FOR
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK BEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AREA SHALL TAKE PLACE AS SCHEDULED ON FEBRUARY 11,
1988 COMMENCING AT 3:30 P.M.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Plummer, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
Mayor Suarez: That might help you even more.
Mr. Korner: Yes, that will be fine. I am sure we can...
25. DIRECT ADMINISTRATION TO PLACE SECOND READING OF AGENDA ITEM PZ-145
(ATLAS CHANGE OF PROPERTY AT 23-47 NW 32ND PLACE) ON AGENDA FOR FEBRUARY
le, 1988. (See label 23.)
Mr. Dawkins: Move the agenda.
Mr. Plummer: I'll move that the second reading be on the 18th of February,
the next sleeting.
Mr. De Turre: Second.
Mayor Suarez: Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Call the roll.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved
Its adoption:
NOTION NO. 88-104
A MOTION DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE AGENDA
OFFICER TO PLACE SECOND READING OF AGENDA ITEM PZ-14
(ZONING ATLAS AMENDMENT TO CHANGE ZONING OF PROPERTY
LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 23-47 NW 3 PLACE) ON THE
AGENDA FOR THE MEETING PRESENTLY SCHEDULED FOR
FEBRUARY 18, 1988.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner De Yurre, the motion was passed and
- adopted by the following vote:
63 January 28, 1988
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Turre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
26. CONTINUE AGENDA ITEM PZ-15 (PROPOSED ZONING ATLAS AMENDMENT OF PROPERTY
AT 2785-2855 TIGERTAIL AVENUE AND 3241-3299 MARY STREET), AND PZ-16
(APPEAL ZONING BOARD'S DENIAL OF VARIANCE AT 2815 TIGERTAIL AVENUE)
PENDING WORKSHOP TO BE HELD CONCERNING POSSIBLE COMPROMISE.
Mayor Suarez: PZ-15.
Mr. Olmedillo: PZ-15 and 16 are companion items. 15 is an application for
zoning change, and let me reflect into the record, that the agenda shows a
Planning Advisory Board recommendation. It In a Zoning Board recommendation,
and that is a zoning change application and then PZ-16 is an application for a
variance in height. What we would like for you to look at is our zoning map.
This property is located on Tigertail, just west of 27th Avenue. This is a
triangular area, which is all zoned RG-2/5 with SPI-3 overlay. That is the
limitation of 40 feet. The application is to take it to a higher intensity.
We feel that any changes on that triangle will create pressure on the rest of
the triangle, and will move vest of Mary Street. As you can see, Mary Street
is just vest of this particular property, so any changes here, will create a
domino effect into the rest of the properties. The Planning Department feels
that the change of zoning is not appropriate. It is out of character with the
area, and it will create pressure for more change, where we don't feel that
there is change needed. As far as the height limitation is concerned, the
hardship question is not answered by the applicant, and as you know, there are
six questions that are asked within the application for a variance, and none
of them are in the affirmative by the applicant. The Planning Department has
recommended denial on both applications, both for the zoning change and the...
Mr. Plummer: What is the height of the building immediately to the east, or
to the north?
Mr. Olmedillo: I'd like the applicant to answer that, because they own...
Mr. Plummer: I'm asking you.
Mr. Olmedillo: If you will bear with us, we are getting some pictures here.
We are getting some assistance by the neighbors. The one right next to it is
shown as three stories high. I would say that is below 40 feet.
Mr. Plummer: And the one on the corner?
Mr. Olmedillo: That is higher, but that was under 6871, which did not have a
cap.
Mr. Plummer: My question is, how many stories?
Mr. Olmedillo: It In above 40 feet, sir. I cannot appreciate it. It might
be five stories higher.
Mr. Plummer: It might be seven, eight, or ten?
INAUDIBLE BACKGROUND COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Mr. Olmedillo: Some of the neighbors say that is four stories high.
Mr. Plummer: Thank you.
Mrs. Kennedy: Let me just ask. I see a lot of proponents here. How many of
you are actual tenants? Can you raise your hands?
64 January 28, 1988
0 0
Mayor Suarez: Don't get technical with your questions.
Mr. Campbell: Mr. Mayor and Commissioners, if I may, George Campbell, for the
record, representing the Department of Public Works. We would agree with the
Planning Department's assessment and recommendations on this rezoning. We
look at this, by the way, on the whole, on the total package, rather than one
or two lots where they want variances for height and so on. This would allow,
for instance, in that area, approximately 60 percent increase in the mass of a
building that would go in there. Those buildings are now about 30 years old,
or close to 30 years old. These is the potential for resale, for
redevelopment, which is a clear and present, if you will pardon the --
expression, danger to this area, and we would echo the Planning Department's
assessment in that this potential increase in density here, could then be
translated across Mary Street, and possibly even northerly, it could go
_ down... well, RO-3/6 is a different zoning, but it could go to the west there,
and cause some real impacts on the infrastructure, particularly on the
roadways, because you are looking at again, 60 percent increase in traffic, _
possibly. Potentially, you are looking at a large increase in the sanitary
flow in there, right now, if you remember from the Commodore Bay studies that
we made, assuming full build -out at the existing zoning level. We are getting
the severs that would be getting really marginal. If this were to continue,
then we are going to end up with a situation where we have to go in and
rebuild the sanitary sewers and it is not just filling in one block, as you
are probably aware. From here, you go out all the way up 27th Avenue, over to
22nd Avenue probably, before you get to the could tie into the intercepter, so
_ that would be an absolutely major project, and those sewers are not really
that old in there, so that we would respectfully recommend denial of this
application.
Mayor Suarez: Your first sentence in your recommendation sort of contradicts
in tone the rest of the recommendation. You might want to put a "however" in
there at some point. You start off by saying: "Proposed change would not be
In conflict with Miami Comprehensive Neighborhood plan and would not require
an amendment to the plan," and you proceed to tell us all the reasons why we
should not approve this, you know.
Mr. Olmedillo: Yes, if I may explain, the comprehensive plan...
Mayor Suarez: You have to lead off by telling us, I guess, that whether it is
In conflict with the comprehensive plan, or not, but...
Mr. Olmedillo: Right. The plan has large categories and then the RG/6 and 5
fit within the same category, therefore there is no change. There is no
amendment to the comprehensive plan.
Mayor Suarez: I just... in reading it, either a separate paragraph, or
however, or something, to know that we are heading in the opposite direction
after the first sentence. Counselor.
Mr. Jack R. Rice: My name is Jack R. Rice, Jr. I am the attorney for the
applicant, James G. Robertson, M.D. My address is 2424 NW 1 Street, and I
have a cold. I have with me today architect, Hernando Acosta. But, let me
tell you how we got here, first of all. On this request on this, was the
change of zoning from RG-2/5 to RO-3/6. Now, the reason was, that you could
do that without any variances and the buildings on three sides of us were in
the height of 60 feet, or in excess of 60 feet.
Mayor Suarez: That's what we did with the whole rezoning in the overlay for
27th Avenue, right?
Mr. Rice: Right, now the reason... after I appeared before the... we appeared
before the Planning...
Mayor Suarez: Against my objections but...
Mr. Rice:... and Zoning, they raised that question, well, why don't we stay
within the RG, because we wouldn't have to change the comprehensive plan, so I
went back and we had a set of plans, drawings drawn up, and submitted a
variance for this particular lot. Now, the only thing we are changing is the
LUI, we are changing it from 5 to 6. Although the LUI in 6 provides for a
1.21 FAR, floor area ratio, our cut off, our breaking point on this one
65 January 28, 1988
building alone, is 1.04, and as you know, on the new 27th Avenue zoning,
the...
Mayor Suarez: What would the FAR be under our old zoning?
Mr. Rice: Much in excess. I don't know exactly, but...
Mayor Suarez: I forget.
Mr. Olmedillo: The five is .75, the six is 1.21.
Mayor Suarez: Under the RO zoning, it would be 1.21?... the same as RG...
Mr. Olmedillo: Tea, it goes with the residential, because the RO, is
considered the residential zoning.
Mayor Suarez: That's is set by the first... that In what you have been trying
to explain to we for such time, haven't you?
Mr. Rice: Anyhow, after we presented it to through the Planning Board, that
was a 3-6 vote, and Mr. Gort said: "Well, this has got to be decided by the
Commission," so he voted against this also. Of course, if we had gotten... we
could have gotten relief in the Planning Board, we wouldn't had to take an
appeal to the variance, and only the zoning, but that would have been
Impractical, so I think that is one of the main reasons that we are here
before the Commission today on the rezoning. The amendment... we have filed
an amendment to the comprehensive plan, but after we filed for our variance,
we withdrew the amendment to the comprehensive plan. Now, it gets
specifically to the engineering department, the Public Works Department
comments as to sewers. If you will notice, this letter to the Commission, it
specifically says, as to the building we are going to construct, the sewers
are adequate. Now, after he raised that argument before the Planning and
Zoning Board, I then spoke to my client and he has agreed and we have given a
copy of it to the Legal Department and the Planning Department, which
_ covenants that we will not change the existing building, and they are all
three story buildings and actually, we could build four stories, if we tore
all the buildings down, but that's just not a practical answer to my client's
dilemma, so with that, we absolutely submit, for a period of 30 years, that
those buildings are going to remain intact, and that there will be no change
In the FAR, or will make no change in the building for that particular term,
so there can be no change in the requirements for the sewage, for that
particular area, because of this covenant running with the land. Now, I am
_ going to get, if you all will pass on this first reading, I will consult with
the City Attorney's office to see that my covenant is in order. I submitted
It. If there are any problems with it, as to the length of the covenant,
things like that, I will take it up. Right now the covenant goes on infinitum.
One of the problems we have with this site, for these old buildings, we built
it under 6871, is that there is not sufficient parking now. Now, at the time
we build the buildings, there was parking sufficient to comply with the code,
but since the code has been amended, we are now short of parking spaces for
the existing building. As you know, one of the big problems in Coconut Grove
Is the off-street parking and when we build this new building, what we are
going to do, is go down two floors underground, plus the ground floor, and
sake that all parking. That will provide us with 76 parking spaces. It only
requires 47 parking spaces for the building, so we will have the excess of
that parking, will be sufficient to sake the existing structures comply with
the present zoning ordinance. In fact, we will have over what is required for
the inside tract. Now, the special conditions that apply to lots 40 and 41,
which are covered in the code, In the size of the lot. One side of the lot is
101 feet, and the other side of the lot In 215 feet, which makes it a diagonal
lot, and it is very difficult to design a building that can fit on that
diagonal lot. Now, they don't have the diagonal lot there. All they are
showing is their entire tract, so we are rezoning the entire tract. George,
do you have the diagonal lot there?
INAUDIBLE BACKGROUND COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Mr. Rice: Yes, 40 and 41. As you notice, that that is a wedge shaped corner.
Now, in order to construct a building on that particular site, we had to make
a building that In 81 foot in depth on one side, 80 foot on the other side,
and one side In 43 foot, so it is not a square building, because we had to
fit that building on that particular diagonal lot. Do you have the lot? Do
66 January 28, 1988
you have a drawing of the lot? By the way, in order that you may follow me...
Hernando, would you pass out one of these to each of the Commissioners? If
you notice, there is a drawing of the lot. There is also a drawing of the
building, schematic of the building, which we will later show you. Now,
talking about the buildings in the area, not only do we have a problem with
the size of the lot and the configuration of the building, but we also had
buildings in the area that were in excess of 60 feet. If you will notice, it
is on one of those pages...
Mayor Suarez: Jack, this is a very nice rendering here, and...
Mr. Rice: We are going to have a rendering on the board there.
Mayor Suarez: ... I am not sure that you answer this question. Certainly, in
a visual sense, but what would it look like if you were to keep the existing
classification?... a little bit smaller than this? Is that...
Mr. Rice: We can't build the building on there that will supply the parking
and be economically feasible to construct it. In addition, we are surrounded
by six story buildings that we should be able to take advantage of. Now,
although Mr. Campbell stated that next to this lot is a three story building,
that is very true. That's part of the overall zoning.
Mayor Suarez: Let me just ask then, if I may interrupt you for a second, what
It look like if it didn't have the RG-2/6, instead, the existing zoning
classification?... just a little smaller than this?
Mr. Olmedillo: the RG-2/5 will be four stories.
Mayor Suarez: And this is...
Mr. Olmedillo: This is 60 feet, and this is a seven story building.
Mayor Suarez: So basically, we are thinking of going four stories to seven
stories.
Mr. Rice: We are thinking of going from 40 feet to 59.99 feet. The stories
really don't really answer the questions.
Mayor Suarez: You are saying that is not economically viable.
Mr. Rice: It is not economically viable, the size of the building, the size
of the lot and the parking problem makes us build a building higher than 40
feet. Now, let me tell you just... Do you have the board or the buildings in
the area?
Mayor Suarez: We had a discussion earlier on in the afternoon about certain
properties that someone had made a commitment to build "X" number of units and
they claimed that because they had to go from eight stories to thirteen now,
It In going to be more expensive and obviously, it usually works the other way
Iaround, but...
Mr. Rice: It is not only the expenses, but you have got to have income in
1 order to support what you are going to build there, and one of our problems is
the off street parking, which we have to provide.
Mayor Suarez: Well, to use your correlation, In the more stories, that
presumably, you have a economy to scale and you can build a little cheaper,
but sometimes, I guess it doesn't. I don't know.
Mr. Rice: Well, not and provide the parking that we need, of 76 parking...
Mayor Suarez: Bob, I'm agreeing with you.
Mr. Rice: Now, the Grove Square, it is located at 2801 Florida Avenue, is 56
foot in height. The Antoniadis Building, which is directly caddy -corner from
the southeast corner of our property, is a six story building. The computer
building across the street is in excess of four stories. The Green apartments
Immediately to the end, the computer building immediately to the south, or it
would be the southeast, known as the Green Apartments, is in excess of 60 feet
in height. The Payne Building, which is located on 27th Avenue, In no longer
an issue, because when you recently changed 27th Avenue, you changed the
67 January 28, 1988
height limits of 40 feet to 50 feet, so anywhere along 27th Avenue is now a 50
foot limitation, and the FAR has been increased 1.0, which is practically what
we are asking for, just a fourth of 100th, of an FAR. in fact, if you take
27th Avenue and say a gateway to Grove it doesn't go down to Sayshore, the
Grove is down Tigertail, so when you actually go into the Grove, you come down
27th Avenue, down Tigertail, and then into the Mayfair, so forth and so on.
The yacht sales building, although it is a small building that is located
_ there, is a RO-2.16. in other words, that's been changed to commercial, so
immediately behind us, is a commercial area. The brick building located at
corner of Mary and Oak is in excess of 60 feet in height. Nov, the former gas
_ station, which is located directly across the street from the Green Building,
on Tigertail and 27th Avenue, has an FAR of 1.36, which was rezoned under a
PDU by the Commission. Nov, I believe the height limitation in that
particular area is seven stories. However, I don't know whether that is still
_ the same zoning, because I have read in the paper that they are going to apply
for a different zoning classification. Nov, the buildings all along South
Bayshore Drive are in excess of 100 feet. Our architect, Mr. Hernando Acosta,
made a site measurement of all these buildings and the sizes as contained on
that exhibit, that 1 have given to the Commissioners, that height is correct.
I'd like to give a copy of this to the City Clerk. I'd like to introduce it
as an exhibit. By changing this to RG-2/6 does not change the neighborhood.
The neighborhood remains the same. One thing it does, in the particular area,
It provides for a much needed apartment complex, that provides for small
apartments, studios, and two bedroom apartments... not studios, but one
bedroom and two bedroom apartments, which is something that this Grove vastly
needs and it is immediately adjacent to the downtown Coconut Grove area. The
scale and character of the area will not be changed with the exception of the
height and it won't be changed as to 27th Avenue, because the height has
— frequently been placed on that area is within the limits that we are asking
for under this zoning. Would you explain, Mr. Hernando, the side lot areas
and just show them the parking space in your drawing. One of the things is
the smaller footprint of this building, because the way we could configure it
and which provide quite a side setback. Here, you'd better take this.
Mayor Suarez: You need to take the mike, Mr. Acosta. Is this going to be a
brief presentation?
Mr. Hernando Acosta: Very brief. We can consolidate the entire buildings
Into one mass, which will block the air completely, so we are staying on 30
feet on one side, 14 foot on the other side, 38 foot five on the rear, and 31
feet on the front.
Mayor Suarez: Do we have any problems with setback?
Mr. Olmedillo: Setbacks? No, the area has certain setbacks but we don't have
any problems with it.
Mayor Suarez: They've met those. Do we have any interests in setbacks?
Mr. Olmedillo: Not beyond the ones that the zoning code requires.
Mayor Suarez: OK.
Mr. Acosta: OK, the only point, is that with the same mass, we could stay
probably on the fourth floor but it will occupy the entire site, so by the
Increasing of height, we allow more air flowing through. That's the basic
point.
Mr. Rice: In other words, if we build a four store building there, it would
go from side to side and it would completely block the rear. Under the
existing building that we propose, or under the building we propose, it would
be 30 and 15 feet, besides that, the footprint will be smaller...
Mayor Suarez: I see what you're saying, if you were to stay within the
existing classification, you would have to get awfully close to all the...
Mr. Rice: And on top of that, when you put the parking on the first floor,
that makes it all open space, because the footprint of the building is much
smaller than it would be if you had a four story building. Dr. Robertson,
would you care to make a statement?
66 January 28, 1988
Dr. James Robertson: I'm Dr. James Robertson, the owner of the property. Mr•
Rice...
Mayor Suarez: Is that mike on, Madam City Clerk? Go ahead, restate your
Dame, please, Doctor.
Dr. Robertson: Mr. Rice and Mr. Acosta both have worked some two years on
this project to try to produce something that could be economically feasible,
yet...
Mayor Suarez: Do we pick up... excuse me, Doctor. Did we pick up that it is
Dr. Robertson speaking, and your address?
Dr. Robertson: I'm Dr. James Robertson, I live in the property on the corner
of Mary Street and Tigertail, 2655 Tigertail Avenue.
Mayor Suarez: You can go ahead and use the regular mike. I just initially
wasn't sure that we were picking up what you were saying.
Dr. Robertson: Is this better? Thank you, sir.
Mayor Suarez: You can move it as close as you want to.
Dr. Robertson: I appreciate your suggestion. Thank you very Brach. During
the time that I've been working on this, by the time... see, we are assessed
per square foot of property, which, if you have a square or rectangular lot,
doesn't present any problem, but by the time you run into 101 feet on one
side, and 215 on the opposite side, it is virtually impossible to put a
building on there that really makes much sense, and come out because you have
to... the setbacks won't fit, so this is one of the reasons for it, and this
Is a... on Tigertail there is a four way stop street. There is two lights on
Tigertail, one at 27th, one at Aviation, and this is not high traffic area.
Nobody has any trouble getting out on the traffic area when they need to. In
other words, we have properties that are exceeding 60 feet, to the right of
us, in front of us, to the side of us, and behind us, and we have other, a
mixed zoning of commercial. We have agreed that this not be, that it be
residential. There is quite a need for studios and two bedrooms here, and
this is all we want to put in there. We are not trying to put any offices
here. This is, I feel is as good a plan as we can get that can be
economically feasible and I would ask that you please give it your very best
discretionary thing on a hardship sort of a case, because the land is not
rectangular, and never will be, and to be able to use this and pay your taxes,
which we are paying the taxes on the vacant land now we would like to get a
little income to pay your taxes. Thank you.
Mr. Rice: I'd like to ask Mr. Hernando... Mr. Hernando, have you made a study
as to the feasibility of this building and if you could build any other
structure other than this, and provide the amenities and the parking?
Mr. Acosta: As far as the it may change. The numbers, yes, we will
would give it careful study and when we got even the advise from Planning
Department, to go, to change the LUI, we are not utilizing the entire
potential that we have. We are only using exactly the amount of FAR needed,
the breaking point of economical 'success. We are not... we could use, you
know, another 15,000 square feet and we will be under the LUI 6, but now we
are using only the exact amount of the square footage needed to make it on the
black rather than on the red. That's all.
Mr. Rice: Can I have some rebuttal, after they're through, or are they going
to say anything.
Mayor Suarez: Rebuttal? You are anticipating rebuttal. Can I ask who all of
Dr. Robertson's followers are, or supporters? This In a vacant lot we have
got here. Why do we have so many people in favor? This gets to be a trend.
We had another item earlier today, we had a lot of supporters too.
Mr. Rice: Well, there is no opposition of any consequence except the
Tigertail Association, the way I understood it.
Mayor Suarez: No, I just find it interesting. I mean, are these people from
the neighborhood? They are not...
69 January 28, 1988
s
=a
Mr. Rice: They live in the neighborhood.
Mayor Suarez: Do they rent from him, or...?
Mr. Rice: I don't know what they do.
Mr. De Yurre: They are not patients, are they?
Mayor Suarez: They have been patient, I guess!
tonight.
Dr. Robertson: They are all part of my family.
We've all been patient here
Mayor Suarez: It seems like you have an extended family. I'll tell you, you
sound like a political force to be reckoned with, if you can get these many
people, just to support.
Mr. Rice: I respectfully request...
Mayor Suarez: You do have time for rebuttal.
Mr. Rice: All right.
Mayor Suarez: OK, we are going to hear from Tigertail?
Mr. Barry Feldman: My name is Barry Feldman, I am here on behalf of
Tigertail, and the Coconut Grove Civic Club tonight. We appeared before the
Planning Advisory Board and the Zoning Board on this matter, and...
Mayor Suarez: Coconut Grove Civic Club? Where is Tucker Gibbs?
Mr. Feldman: He is in the back.
Mayor Suarez: He is waiting?
Mr. Feldman: He must be in the back having dinner, or something.
Mayor Suarez: Abdicating power, is he? Go ahead.
Mr. Feldman: First of all, I'd like to comment, the underlying zoning for
this block, was considered during the SW 27th Avenue study, which was, as you
know, a long drawn out study with a lot of input from the community, and the
study recommended that the zoning for this particular block stay the way it
Is, because of its residential nature. It's also interesting to note that the
application here covers the entire 10 blocks that are shown here, which is
almost half this triangular piece of land, where in fact, the applicant really
wishes to build only on number 40 and 41, as I understand it, which is a small
percentage of this total triangular area. If in fact, the variance is granted
here, what is going to happen is that the adjacent properties will most likely
be able to request the same type of consideration, and you will have an entire
large block of land rezoned for a much higher density, approximately 70
percent more than what we have now. The 70 percent increase in density
concerned us because of the reasons that were stated by Public Works and the
Planning Department, traffic, sanitary sever, water supply, you have heard all
of that before.
Mr. Plummer: It can't be the same reasons, because they use 60 percent, and
you are using 70 percent.
Mr. Feldman: I'm using the number that they gave us at the Planning Advisory
Board meeting and the zoning meeting, so I am not...
Mr. Plummer: Why did you give him 70 percent, and us 60 percent. If we go to
another meeting, will it be 50 percent?... maybe 80.
Mr. Feldman: Anyway, I saw that number 70 written in the files somewhere, no,
that is the one I was using. It may, in fact be different. Os, the public,
what can we do but just read the notes? With the SPI-17 district recently put
in place, we have a 50 foot height limit along 27th Avenue and we feel that
the 60 foot limit would probably be a little bit excessive. However,
Tigertail and the Civic Club are interested in improvements in the Grove, and
70 January 28, 1988
we would like to see this lot turned into a pretty looking structure, such as
the one that was presented on the rendering. However, we feel that there are
various alternatives to the application which will alleviate the parking
problems for the two existing buildings that Dr. Robertson owns, that flank
the two empty lots on either side of these lots. They could request a height
variance without requesting a change in the intensity, or the zoning. This
height variance would allow them to build whatever additional stories they
needed for parking. They claim if they build additional stories for parking,
then it is not economically feasible, so they have got to have more FAR.
Well, perhaps they should request a variance for the amount of FAR they need,
the amount they need for the project, which they claim is not as much as RG-
2/6, which they are requesting, perhaps a 25 percent increase in FAR, which
could be granted by special exception, should be something they could
consider.
Mr. Plummer: But the problem that I heard somewhere, I think from Mr. Rice,
was legally they can't do that. That's what they wanted to do, but legally
they can't apply for it, In that correct?
Mr. Feldman: That was not my understanding.
Mr. Olmedillo: They cannot apply for it because the sector number is 121, but
they can certainly proffer it as a voluntary covenant, to limit...
Mr. Plummer: Yes, but you see, the fear of the residents is, that if we grant
It, that they would go to that extreme.
Mr. Olmedillo: Right. Nov...
Mr. Plummer: Now, what you are saying... what he is saying, is exactly what
Mr. Rice explained to me before - that they didn't want to go to this higher
classification, that they were willing to bind themselves to the 104, asking
for a height, and to the 104, he says that he feels that they would be
agreeable, but there was no legal way that they could do such.
_ Mr. Olmedillo: Yes, the application... not in the application, but certainly,
we have done it in other cases, through voluntary covenants, proffered by the
applicants.
Mr. Rice: We can't get our FAR to 104 and the height, without doing this,
getting to two six.
Mr. Feldman: I still don't understand why it is necessary to rezone it, half
of an entire block, in order to build a small building between two existing
buildings that could use a little better parking.
Mr. Rice: Well that...
Mr. Plummer: Well, let me ask a question of the department. Help me out
here, because I am losing something, and I don't know where I am losing. If
we were to grant...
Mayor Suarez: We are all wondering about that)
Mr. Dawkins: You lost it yesterday.
Mr. Plummer: I want to remind you of November 3rd last year. I did not lose,
I was the only one that won in the primary by 65 percent. Now, if that is a
loser, that is the kind I always want to bel If we were to rezone to the
RO... is that what they are requesting?
Mr. Olmedillo: No, they are requesting RG, which is residential.
Mr. Plummer: RG-2/67
Mr. Olmedillo: Six, right.
Mr. Plummer: OK. Am I understanding that if we were to grant that with a
covenant from them, of 1.04, and the height variance, that everybody would be
in accord, is that what we are talking about?
71 January 28, 1988
Mr. Olmedillo: You may do so through the covenant. You may limit him to the
covenant.
Mr. Plummer: But, representing Tigertail, is that what you are saying? Am I
understanding correctly?
Mr. Feldman: We are very concerned about this corner eventually becoming a
very large burden on this corner of 27th and Tigertail.
Mr. Plummer: Wait, but you are getting around what I am trying to
accomplish... maybe trying to accomplish.
Mr. Feldman: Let me finish the sentence.
Mr. Plummer: All right.
Mr. Feldman: And we, although, would be happy with the covenant which
restricts the use, the height, and the intensity and whatever else he wants, I
don't think that he would be willing to give us a covenant that the building
could never be torn down, some kind of irrevocable covenant.
Mr. Plummer: Well, he said he would for 30 years.
Mr. Rice: I'm going to do that.
Mr. Plummer: Well, but the question I am asking, he is requesting a 1.04 and
59 feet, is that correct?
Mr. Rice: No, no.
Mr. Plummer: Now, are you saying on behalf of the Tigertail Association, if
he could be legally bound by a voluntary covenant to the 59 feet, 1.04, and
guaranteed that none of the buildings would be torn down for 30 years, that
you would be in accord?
Mr. Feldman: I personally would not be able to. I can't speak to that right
now, because I would have to go back and discuss it with the board of those
organizations. However, we are opposed to the height of 59 feet. We feel the
50 foot height, which is the new zoning on 27th Avenue is sufficient. We feel
that if he wants to provide extra parking, he should do so, but he doesn't
need to increase his FAR in order to do it, he is going to give his existing
properties increased value, which In good, and alleviate a parking situation,
but just because the zoning regulations and building regulations, were such at
the time that those Banyon I and II were built, it didn't require enough
parking, and that's no reason why you shouldn't have provided it back then.
Mr. Plummer: So, then, what I am understanding you, correct me if I
misunderstood, you - the area of discrepancy between what they want to do and
what you feel is fair, is 9 feet, is that... am I in... that's not correct.
Mr. Feldman: No, what I am... the area of discrepancy which concerns
Tigertail and Civic Club very such, is the fact that we will have half of an
entire block rezoned for RG-2/6, which is 60 or 70 percent, take your pick,
Increase in intensity, whether it is used or not, sets a precedent for other
landowners coming in and requesting the same type of consideration,
Independent of voluntarily proffered covenants, and this domino affect is
something that Tigartail and Civic Club are very much concerned about, and the
ruin reason for opposition and it is why if there is any possible legal way
for his to request height variance and intensity variance, without changing
the underlying zoning would be the direction that we would like to see done.
Mr. Plummer: And the City Attorney is saying that that is not legally
possible. What sayth the City Attorney?... the very learned counsel in high
price?
Mrs. Dougherty: Thank you. You can always get height variance and you can
get an FAR variance.
Mr. Plummer: On the present zoning?
Mr. Rodriguez: You can get a height variance. You cannot get a FAR variance.
An FAR variance In a change of zoning. A height variance you can get.
72 January 28, 1988
Mr. Plummer: Are we not by our ovn code, defeating the purpose of what we are
trying to accomplish?
Mr. Rodriguez: What do you mean?
Mr. Plummer: Don't we pay...
Mayor Suarez: What are you trying to accomplish?
Mr. Rodriguez: Right, I don't know!
Mr. Plummer: No, what is trying to be accomplished, you have heard the
comments.
Mrs. Dougherty: Not to have a precedent.
Mr. Plummer: The question I guess I am really asking, does the ordinance need
changing?
Mr. Rodriguez: I don't think so.
Mrs. Kennedy: OK, but if I can say something. There concern, the way I see
It is that by granting the RG-2/6 zoning, you establish a precedent and
eventually the whole triangle In going to be changed.
Mr. Plummer: I fully understand that, Rosario. The problem that I am seeing
Is that they really don't want an RG-2/6... boy, I'll be glad when they change
that 95001
Mayor Suarez: They could have come and just ask for a height variance, or
they could have come and just asked for a change to the zoning, such as..
Mr. Plummer: No, they are saying...
Mayor Suarez: ..o to obtain a different FAR, but they have asked for those
two things, plus a couple of other things.
Mr. Rice: You can't get a variance to both of those.
Mr. Plummer: That's the problem.
Mr. Rodriguez: Right, you can get a change of zoning, you can get a variance
for height, or for setbacks, or whatever. The problem over here is that they
have asked for a change of zoning for a whole number of lots. They are asking
for a height variance of two lots only.
Mr. Plummer: Well, what happens if we don't give them, on the other lots,
where the present apartments are?... that if we only change the two lots in
question, with a covenant volunteered, no more than 1.04, and the 59, or 50
feet? Is that possible?
Mayor Suarez: Just for the two lots.
Mr. Plummer: Just for the two lots.
Mr. Rodriguez: You could do that.
Mr. Plummmer: Well, wait a minute now, don't laugh when you say that. Give me
your explanation why that is.
Mr. Rodriguez: They could do it.
Mr. Plummer: OK, then, I guess I want to ask Mr. Rice why their application
Is not in that form..
Mr. Rice: The two lots will not give us the FAR.
Mr. Plummer: But you can get a variance on FAR.
Mr. Rodriguez: No, you cannot get a variance on FAR. Let me try again.
73 January 28, 1988
Mr. Plummer: Oh, I see. Wait a minute, wait a minute.
Mayor Suarez: Can they get an RG-2/6, with those limitations the Commissioner
Is proposing?
Mr. Rodriguez: Sure, those two lots, they could apply for it.
Mr. Plummer: OK, if you got just the RG-2/6, on those two lots, then it is
said that you can give a covenant, that they will not exceed the 1.04, or the
59, or SO feet.
Mr. Rice: I don't think they can give us a... I'll, you know, go with what he
says, but I don't think they can give us the 1.04 on just the two lots,
because of the FAR, but maybe Guillermo could answer that.
Mr. Rodriguez: Ve will recommend against it, anyhow, but they could proffer a
Covenant by which they voluntarily limit themselves to 1.04 on those two lots,
and you can go against the recommendation or change the zoning for the rest of
the lots.
Mr. Rice: I am giving a covenant for just what you are asking for.
Mr. Plummer: Vell, I... here again as I see it, we are getting back to 9
feet.
Mr. Feldman: Well, I think there is also another factor which I was not aware
of until I just saw this rendering. The footprints of this new building is
very small, and I think that perhaps if they were working on another
footprint, which is not limited by the setbacks the way it is now, that they
night be able to scale down by a few feet on this.
Mr. Rice: Ve need the parking. Coconut Grove is in dire need of parking, I
man, there is no parking in Coconut Grove.
Mr. Feldman: I don't understand the connection, though, between a larger
footprint and less parking.
Mr. Plummer: Vell, he is talking about, I guess... he is talking, you mean,
undercover, and not undercover is what he is saying.
Mr. Feldman: If he has got two or three floors of parking now, and it is
making the building 59 feet, and it is only using the small footprint, if he
makes the footprint bigger, maybe he could get away with two floors of
parking. You know, some creative architecture might...
Mr. Plummer: You know, I just don't see you all that far apart. I really
don't.
Mr. Feldman: I don't think we are that far apart.
Mr. Plummer: Now, it is just a matter, what is the proper vehicle to travel
under, to accomplish where we are.
Mr. Feldman: Tigertall and Civic Club feel that a change in the underlying
M• zoning is not the proper vehicle. We certainly are open to exploring other
alternatives and would like to see the lots developed with an attractive
residential use.
Mr. Plummer: Sergio, how do we go about it?
Mr. Rodriguez: Well, it depends on whether you want to agree to a change of
zoning. If you want to agree to a change of zoning, on this property, and you
only want to agree to the vacant parcel, the application is for the whole...
all these parcels.
Mr. Plummer: That's out.
Mr. Rodriguez: And you can decide that instead of granting the whole
application, to grant only the zoning for the two lots. In my opinion, you
might have to get legal counsel here. That would be... the application would
be correct, because they included the whole area, so it is a large area, and
then, if they further themselves define that in the covenant, that they are
74 January 28, 1988
m
going to reduce the FAR to a smaller amount, whatever that might be, that
would take care of the toning itself. Nov, that, if they leave an area around
the property of one foot, or whatever it is, so that there will be no domino
effect on the rest of the properties... only for the two lots, the two lots in
question, are lots number 40 and 41 of that block. In addition to that, they
have another application. The other application is for height variance. It's
another issue over there, whether you want to allow that high a building or
not. You can decide on that issue by itself, which is the next item, item 16.
Mayor Suarez: If it helps you any, to try to determine what the consensus
might be, so you don't try to propose anything too complex, I could tell you
that these are the nicest people I am going to vote against today, regardless
of how they propose it. I mean, I just don't see why you are going through
all these gyrations. You might want to check to see if you have three votes
here for...
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I was only trying to see if there was a vehicle
that... I sensed an area of compromise, OK?... and that's sure...
Mayor Suarez: But, I just don't see why they don't build what they can build
within the existing zoning envelope, and... for my vote.
Ms. Georgene Wall: Well, I own property... my name is Georgene Well.
Commissioners, good evening. I own property at 3226 Mary Street. First of
all, many of the property owners within the 375 radius did not receive any
notice of this hearing. I have the names of several, and I might...
Mayor Suarez: That's another reason for throwing this back to the staff and
so on, in case there is a possibility of this...
Mrs. Kennedy: Sergio, what's the answer to that?
Mr. Rodriguez: Let me get Mrs. Fox.
Ms. Wall: Yes, we did not... I have the names of four or five people that did
not. I received the notice, but did not receive a comment card, so that's why
I came down myself, and then...
Mayor Suarez: Are we to understand that you are basically going to be
opposing this?
Ms. Wall: Yes, the Zoning Board, of course as you know, voted for denial, and
zoning for the sole benefit of one owner, regardless of how much he owns,
conceptually, I have to consider it spot zoning, and spot zoning is not
supposed to be permitted. If Dr. Robertson gets his zoning changed, I want my
zoning changed.
Mayor Suarez: Even if he is a nice man.
Ms. Wall: Yes. He is a very nice person. He has a we think a great
deal of him, we get along very well. Dr. Robertson is...
Mayor Suarez: And has many followers.
Ms. Wall: He is presently operating within the same framework, and under the
same hard...
Mrs. Kennedy: But you are a nice person too, right?
Ms. Wall: He is presently operating under the same framework and under the
= same hardships and handicaps that all of us in the immediate area must adhere
to. To give relief to one is unfair. To conduct an adequate study of the
area and grant relief where necessary and approvable, I applaud your efforts.
May I also suggest that any studies be interrelated with the current studies
under way for solving traffic problems and congestion in the Grove, because
the subject property's ingress and egress would be just about on the corner of
Mary and Tigertall.
Mayor Suarez: Let's see if following your initial point, we can get a
solution here, because you are really heading us in a direction of maybe for
procedural reasons, revisiting this at some later point, assuming that there
is a Commission's consensus that this could ever pass.
75 January 28, 1988
Mr. De Yurre: Mr. Mayor, if I may, because we have a lot of items and I am
not ready to vote on this. I think that there is an air, like J.L. was
mentioning, of maybe working something out. Maybe the technicalities have to
be worked out...
Ms. Wall: All right, well here...
Mr. De Yurre: ... and I would like, at this point in time, I'd like to have
this item deferred so that both parties can get together with staff and see
how we can work it out so that everybody can walk away happy, or you know, in
a way that everybody can live with this situation, I'd like to move on that.
Ms. Wall: I just wanted to make one more suggestion, is that I have worked
with several triangular pieces of property within the City of Miami, and I
have made a reasonable profit on these. I have worked, I have had the proper
architects and I have come up with really, some tremendous designs, which I
would be happy to share with him.
Mr. De Yurre: Well, maybe you will buy the property from them.
Ms. Wall: I am perfectly willing to.
Mayor Suarez: For free, right, you'd share all that wealth of information.
Ms. Wall: No, I can develop it for a reasonable profit, not for tremendous
height and take in some partners. Yes, I could do it feasibly, and you are
really charged, as Commissioners, you are charged with the obligation of
acting in the best interest of the good and welfare of the community at large,
_ and we are all working under these handicaps. If you grant him zoning, we
should all be rezoned. Thank you.
Mayor Suarez: That is a nice philosophical statement, but we are trying to
solve this procedurally here.
Mrs. Kennedy: If that is in the form of a motion, I am going to second
because there is no way that I can vote for this, even though I like Mr.
Acosta's work, this is right smack in the middle of a residential area. It
would only inject more traffic into the area, so if there is a solution that
can be worked out, so be it.
Mayor Suarez: We have a motion and a second. Any discussion?
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Suarez: Yes, Commissioner Plummer.
Mr. Plummer: I will vote of course, with the motion, but I would like to see
that the Planning Department calls a meeting of all parties concerned, prior
to the next zoning hearing on February 25th, to see if there is a possible
area of compromise.
Mayor Suarez: That's an interesting way to do it. Why not, Sergio?
Mr. Rodriguez: If I may, let us do it now that we have the involved parties
over here, establish a date certain so that we don't have to send out
notification.
Mr. Plummer: You set a date, you're the one that's going to have the meeting.
You.
Mayor Suarez: Guiller...
Mr. Olmedillo: Flow about February the loth?
Mr. Plummer: What time?
Mr. Rodriguez: It's a Wednesday...
Ms. Wall: I won't be here, I'll be out of town.
Mr. Plummer: Try another date.
76 January 28, 1988
Mr. Rodriguez: You have a problem with that?
Mr. Plummer: Yes, this lady can't make it, she'll be out of town.
Ms. Vail: Yes, I'll be out of town. I'll be out of town till the... I'll be
back on the lSth.
Mr. Rodriguez: February...
Mr. Plummer: Vhat about before?
Ms. Vail: Pardon me?
Mr. Plummer: Vhat about prior to?
Ms. Vail: Prior to - I'll be here until the 6th of February. Prior time.
Mr. Plummer: Vhy don't you hold it next Thursday night? You have nothing
here.
Mr. Rodriguez: February the 4th.
Mr. Rice: Mr. Commissioner, I have to be in Tallahassee the evening of
February 4th for the legislative committee meeting.
Mr. Dawkins: Vell, what's convenient for you then?
Mr. Plummer: I'll be there with you, Jack.
Mr. Dawkins: If it's not cold, I'll be there. If it's cold, I won't be
there.
Mr. Rice: I don't blame you.
Mr. Plummer: All right...
Mr. Dawkins: Vell, what's convenient to you, Jack?
Mr. Plummer: Vhen will you be back?
Mr. Rice I'm on the committee.
Ms. Vail: I'll be back on the 15th.
Mr. Plummer: So...
Mr. Dawkins: I mean, what was convenient for you for the meeting, I'm saying.
Mr. Rice: Oh, anytime but those...
Mayor Suarez: Ve are going to move to defer this item and leave you to work
out the data. We're not going to spend all night here trying to work out a
date.
Mr. Dawkins (OFF MIKE): Veil, let's get it settled up.
Mr. Rodriguez: Volvo going to have a workshop on the 16th at 7:00 p.m. here,
City Hall.
Mr. Dawkins: OK, that's good.
Mr. Plummer: There you go.
Mayor Suarez: OK. It's the best we can do.
Mr. Plummer: A man of decision.
Mr. Rice: OK, that's good.
Ms. Vail (OFF MIKE): 16th and the 17th?
77 January 28, 1988
Mayor Suarez: So moved and seconded. Any discussion? Call the roll.
Mr. Rice: That's Saturday?
Mr. Rodriguez: No.
Mr. Plummer: No, Tuesday.
Mr. Rice: Oh, oh.
Mayor Suarez: Call the roll.
Mr. Plummer: Tuesday, the 16th of February.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner De Yurre, who moved Its adoption:
MOTION NO. 88-105
A MOTION TO CONTINUE AGENDA ITEMS PZ-15 AND PZ-16
(PROPOSED FIRST READING ORDINANCE ON ZONING ATLAS
AMENDMENT OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 2785-
2855 TIGERTAIL AVENUE AND 3241-3299 MARY STREET AND
PROPOSED FIRST READING ORDINANCE APPEAL ZONING BOARD
DENIAL OF VARIANCE AT 2815 TIGERTAIL AVENUE) IN ORDER
THAT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT MAY CALL A WORKSHOP ON
FEBRUARY 16, 1988 AT 7:00 P.M. AT CITY HALL OF ALL
PARTIES CONCERNED TO SEE WHETHER THEY CAN FIND AN AREA
OF POSSIBLE COMPROMISE; FURTHER REQUESTING THE CITY
MANAGER TO COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
Mr. Plummer: That's 15 and 16, right?
Mrs. Kennedy: What?
Mayor Suarez: We're skipping the Planning Department items for a few minutes
later...
Mr. Rodriguez: Excuse me.
Mayor Suarez: ... to item 21 and we're quickly getting to 24.
Mr. Rodriguez: Fifteen and 16 were continued to the 25th.
Mayor Suarez: You got it.
78 January 28, 1988
27. GRANT REQUEST FOR AMENDMENT TO DECLARATION OF RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS TO
PERMIT A SURFACE PARKING LOT AT 2230-2240 S.W. 16TH STREET. (APPLICANT:
GREENBERG, TRAURIG, ET AL.)
Mayor Suarez: Twenty-one.
Mr. Olmedillo: Twenty-one is an application to amend a covenant existing on
property which is located - bear with me for a second - on 22nd Avenue, S.W.
22nd Avenue and 16th Street. In page 12 of the packet, you will find a memo
sent by the Planning Department expressing the opinion and I, for the record,
will read it. The Planning Department recommends denial of the application by
Jamajo Corporation to amend the existing restrictive covenant filed in 1984 in
conjunction with the Commission's consideration of rezoning their property, to
potentially permit a commercial parking lot in a residential district because
It would intrude into a stable neighborhood which will then be forced to
struggle against a pressure for change. Originally, this applicant had filed
an application to rezone two lots fronting on 22nd Avenue, plus three lots
fronting on 16th. And, through conversations, the agreement was reached and
that's the reason for the covenant that the two lots into the neighborhood,
the farthest from 22nd Avenue, were to remain of residential use. Now, the
application as it is today before you is to amend that covenant, that
restrictive covenant to use those two lots for commercial parking. That is
parking for commercial activity which is fronting on 22nd Avenue. The
Planning Department has recommended denial of this amendment.
Al Cardenas, Esq.: Thank you. Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission, my name
Is Al Cardenas, I'm here, 1401 Brickell Avenue. I'm here on behalf of Jemajo
Corporation and its owners who are here with me this evening. Also here, are
a number of neighbors and let, may I add, that unfortunately eight or ten of
the neighbors who were here earlier left because of a time limitation but we
still have six or seven of them here this evening. Let me, if I can, refresh
your recollection as to what transpired at the last hearing. At the last
hearing and why we're here - we're not here seeking a special exception or a
review of a Zoning Board decision relative to a special exception. We're here
requesting that you permit us to add a sentence to the restrictions,
especially item G of the restrictions which states the following: "That the
use of lots four and five shall be for residential purposes only. We wish for
that to remain and we wish for the following sentence to be added to it, that
the use of lots four and five shall be limited to those transitional uses
permitted by special exception pursuant to the City of Miami's zoning code.
What that really we're seeking from you is a clarification that it's allowable
to do what's allowed in every other residentially zoned piece of property and
that is to go on the merits of the case to the Zoning Board for a special
exception. Nov, the Zoning Board could either deny it, they could approve it,
we could come back to you on the merits of the case on an appeal of it. At
any rate, we were here last time and Commissioner Dawkins expressed rather
strongly his reservations on it because he stated that when this whole thing
was negotiated, it was negotiated as a binding deal really and justifiably so
with the neighbors in the area. And why should we change something that the
neighborhood had agreed upon and we agreed to live up to at the time that we
had the zoning change. And because of that, he strongly felt that we should
not touch this covenant. What I did at that time was request this Commission
to provide us the opportunity to not make a decision at that time, but to come
back to the neighborhood since apparently it was those neighbors that these
restrictions were really bargained with and for. We did that at your
suggestion and request, we had a meeting this past Monday that was attended by
approximately 17 of the neighbors.
Mayor Suarez: Are they here? Are they here, Al?
Mr. Cardenas: Quite a few of them are. At that meeting...
Mayor Suarez: Could you raise your hand if you're here on item 21? Are these
people in favor?
Mr. Cardenas: Yes, sir.
79 January 28, 1988
Mayor Suarez: Do we have anyone who is here against the granting of the
application of PZ-21?
Mr. Cardenas: Tea, sir, there's one gentleman. We met with about seven.
Mayor Suarez: Were you involved in the meetings and so on?
Mr. Robert Poller (OFF MIKE): No, I wasn't notified.
Mr. Cardenas: No, the - his mother, I believe, was at the meeting. He does
not live in the neighborhood but I think he came here on behalf of his mother.
His mother, apparently it's not convenient for her to travel here, although
she was at the meeting and she expressed that she still opposed the plan and I
believe the gentleman is going to come here to restate his mother's position.
However, ninety - whatever formula applies to it - 95 percent of the neighbors
present at the meting are in favor of the plan. They're neighbors who live
In the immediate neighborhood and, therefore, we feel that since this was done
for the neighbors, the neighbors have actually come up with a position. And
that position is, that there's additional parking needed for the shopping
center. They agree with the owner. It gets too crowded, there's not enough
parking, we don't want cars parked off the street and people crossing the
street to come to the center which has become a popular center and, therefore,
we feel that it's appropriate to have, not a rezoning, but to have the
opportunity to go to the Zoning Board on the merits of a request for a special
exception and this is the first stop in order to do that. We feel that the
special exception, when taken through the process, will provide for a better
planned center with additional parking for safety and public welfare of the
neighborhood and, frankly, 95 percent of the neighbors or more, there's only
one objector that I know of, think it's also a good idea. And I'd for you to
hear from a couple of them if you might.
Mayor Suarez: I can tell you for myself, one time I parked my car out there
and, sure enough, it was hit. The parking situation there has been bad for
many, many years.
Mr. Cardenas: If I can, I'd like to call on Mr. Luis Cardet to... yes, Mr.
Cardet.
Mayor Suarez (OFF AND ON MIKE): No, no, I'm ready to vote. Do you want to
hear from the objector? May not need to hear from the applicant, instead we
may want to reserve him for rebuttal just in case and hear from the objector.
Al?
Mr. Cardenas: OK.
Mayor Suarez: My suggestion. Sir. I'm hearing that the Commissioner is
ready to vote and I'm ready to vote on this too, but we want to hear from the
objector.
Mr. De Yurre: Mr. Mayor, first before we move on...
Mayor Suarez: Yes, Commissioner.
Mr. De Yurre: ... I think there are a lot of residents here that may be here
because of the study in Coconut Grove, the MacDonald Street. Is that twenty -
no, I think 24 In - Exxon is 24.
Mr. Dawkins (OFF MIKE): Twenty-four or 26. Twenty-six, twenty-six.
Mr. De Yurre: If we're going to wrap up at 9:00 o'clock, we may never get to
that with Exxon coming.
Mr. Dawkins: Oh, no, we're going to get to that.
Mr. Plummer: I have to leave at 9:00.
Mr. De Yurre: We're going to go to that?
Mr. Dawkins: Yes.
Mr. De Yurre: I just want to make sure that...
80 January 28, 1988
Mr. Dawkins: See, we got 24 and 26 next.....
Mayor Suarez: Yes, we should be able to get through 24 and 26 if we finish
this one quickly. Go ahead.
Mr. Dawkins (OFF MIKE): That's what I'm saying, I'm ready to vote.
Mr. Robert Poller: Did I hear you say that you're ready to vote on it? On
this?
Mr. Dawkins: Go right ahead.
Mayor Suarez: Yes, but we have to hear. For myself, I'm ready to vote and
since I'm ready to vote in favor, I want to make sure I hear from the
objector.
Mr. Poller: My name is Bob Poller. My mother lives in the house at 2260 S.W.
16th Street. I own it with my sister. The lady that was at the meeting was
Mrs. 8uckberger who is the lady next door to the house. I feel that I do not,
In any way, feel that the City Commission here should permit a special
exception or what I can't understand is this clarification. What I understand
is that house is going to be turned - will be pulled down, torn down and a
parking lot is going to be made there and I've listened to you ladies and
gentlemen all evening talk about spot toning and turning things like Mr. De
Yurre said, into the process of dominos in an orderly fashion. I think you
have to do one thing here. I think you have to stop it where it is right now.
I think the City Commission made a mistake in the past and to continue the
mistake with a group of people here who feel that house is not going to be
turned down, is a mistake. I talked to the lady who was at the meeting and
she walked out of the meeting because they were telling her that house was not
going to be pulled down and that there was just going to be some areas out
there for parking. I think there's misunderstanding and confusion and I have
that in my notes before even hearing it from Mr. Cardenas. So, if you vote
for it, I think you're perpetuating a problem that started even before you
started putting your machinery on that lot many years ago. Thank you.
Mr. Plummer: That was not your statements at the last meeting as I recall.
Mr. Cardenas: That's right.
Mr. Plummer: Your concern, at the last meeting was for the protection of your
mother's property and, of course, we all appreciate those points. I very much
recall you say you didn't know whether you were in favor or in objection at
the last meeting.
Mr. Poller: I see a path here that's being taken that I don't feel very good
about, Mr. sixty-five percent.
Mr. Plummer: Thank you.
Mr. Poller: What's going to happen here is...
Mr. Plummer: I've always done better in the past, but I'll settle for 65.
Mr. Poller: What's going to happen here is what happened on N.W. 14th Street
and I mentioned this before the first time, Mr. Perez owns the property at the
other end of the street. I'm not blind, I see what's happening. Either
rezone the whole block or stop it right where it is before. My last position
Is, you know, let them go, build a barrier, he's had a lot of practice
building walls, here's another opportunity and I've turned a little stronger
right now because that whole block is going to become something else. And you
have no plans for it, there is no way to protect my mother, there's no way to
protect the people that want to live in houses there as a residential area and
I think by voting for it, Mr. Mayor, what you're doing is preventing a lot of
things happening that there's no plans for right now.
Mr. Plummer: Question, sir.
Mr. Poller: Yes, sir.
Mr. Plummer: As you know, on the initial application, I voted against it.
81 January 28, 1986
Mr. Poller: It's...
Mr. Plummer: You will recall that. OK? That is not the question before us
today. Would you say that there is, because, in fact it is there, over my
vote, a parking problem?
Mr. Poller: The Mayor said that his car was hit there.
Mr. Plummer: Yes, but he doesn't know how to drive...
Mr. Poller: I know, it's...
Mr. Plummer: ... that's beside the point.
Mayor Suarez: It was parked.
Mr. Poller: The parking problem has only come about since that center's been
In there.
Mr. Plummer: That's not my question. My question, in reality, it's there.
Is there a parking problem?
_ Mr. Poller: I deny that because 16th Street, there are 24 or 25 spaces in
that lot. I went out and counted - in that shopping center. I went out and
counted them. If you tell the owners of the store or renters of the stores
"Hey, guys, park down the street so customers can park in here," you're going
to have lots of room. What you have is everyone who owns their Mercedes and
owns a store wants to look at it. That whole street is empty. Every house
there has a driveway in it. Go down it, you're there all the time. They use
the driveway. There's a street empty...
Mr. Plummer: So, you're saying, for the record that to the best of your
knowledge, there is no parking problem.
Mr. Poller: Absolutely.
Mayor Suarez: There's no Mercedes parking problem, I'll tell you that. I
haven't seen one there since I've been living in that area for 13 years.
Mr. Cardenas: Mr. Mayor, if I could, there are a couple of neighbors here who
were at the meeting, they saw the site plan, they realized the homes are not
going to be there, rather be provided for parking and they also have a
different perspective on the parking situation and I'd like for them on the
record, sir.
Mayor Suarez: At your own risk.
Mr. Cardenas: Well, OK. I don't think that - just want to mention it, Mr.
Cardet, Mr. Gonzalez and the others are here and they're willing to say
something.
Mr. Plummer: It's not that important. You'd better save it for the dog
track.
Mr. De Turre: Too.
Mr. Cardenas: OK.
Mayor Suarez: I'll entertain a motion on PZ-21.
Mr. De Yurre: I move, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Plummer: Let me understand correctly. What we're actually doing today...
Mayor Suarez: Let me just second it for the record.
Mr. Plummer: Excuse me?
Mayor Suarez: I'll second it just so we have a motion and a second.
Mr. Plummer: What we're doing, in fact, today is nothing more than allow them
to go through a process of hearings to establish yes or no.
82 January 28, 1988
Mr. Rodriguez: Right.
Mr. Plummer: OK, thank you.
Mr. Poller: What is the clarification? I've heard Al use that two or three
times. He's saying, I do not want...
Mr. Plummer: What he's basically doing is asking us today to lift the
covenant to allow them to have a hearing. OK? The hearing would be the
normal procedure for the parking situation for a transitional use. We are not
approving anything other than that today. I'm going to vote for that...
Mr. Poller: OK, Mr. Plum...
Mr. Plummer: ... because that has to go through public hearings and back to
this Commission.
Mr. Poller: May I request that before you vote to do so that you tie in that
other part of the covenant, it's a restrictive covenant that prevents Mr.
Perez from building a wall. Then I want that also lifted.
Mr. Plummer: That's not appropriate today.
Mrs. Kennedy: Not at this point.
Mayor Suarez: Yes, why don't we leave that for the...
Mr. Plummer: You will do that at the public hearings.
Mr. Poller: Because that's my second line of defense.
Mr. Plummer: OK, that will be about - assuming that this is going to pass to
allow them to go to the hearings that they're requesting, that is when that
will be addressed.
Mr. Poller: OK, could you find out if at that meeting, the people were told
those houses are going to stand up or going to be leveled.
Mr. Plummer: They will definitely be told that at those hearings if this vote
passes today.
Mayor Suarez: We have another set of hearings on this whole issue.
Mr. Rodriguez: To clarify something on your question, Commissioner Plummer,
it will only come to you if it were to be a special exception and if it were
to be appealed to you.
Mr. Plummer: And there's one other way. And that is a part of the motion
that if it does pass, that it automatically comes to this Commissioner as
requested by a Commissioner.
Mrs. Kennedy: OK, we have a motion and a second.
Mr. Plummer: And I so request.
Mrs. Dougherty: What? Say that again.
Mrs. Kennedy: Is the motion fully understood? Is there any further
discussion?
Mrs. Dougherty: Say it again.
Mrs. Kennedy: Call the roll, please.
83 January 28, 198$
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner De Yurre, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 88-106
A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE DECLARATION
OF RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS RUNNING WITH THE LAND DATED
JANUARY 24, 1985, AND RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS
BOOK 12400, PAGE 240, PUBLIC RECORDS OF DADE COUNTY,
FLORIDA, FOR THE PROPERTY OWNED BY FELIX PEREZ (JEMAJO
CORPORATION) AND LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 2230-2240
SOUTHWEST 16TH STREET, (MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED
HEREIN) TO PERMIT A SURFACE PARKING LOT IN CONJUNCTION
WITH THE ADJOINING SHOPPING CENTER, SUBJECT TO RECEIPT
BY CITY OF A RECORDABLE INSTRUMENT IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Qp.+n being seconded by Mayor Suarez, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre -
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
Mr. Cardenas: Thank you.
28. DISCUSSION AND CONTINUANCE OF PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COCONUT GROVE TRAFFIC STUDY TO THE AGENDA OF _
FEBRUARY 25, 1988.
Mayor Suarez: Let me - before we get to either 23 or 24, ask a question about
PZ-26. How many people here on PZ-26? Now what possible - thank you. What —
possible thing could happen, for lack of a better word, could happen here
tonight that would entice any member of this Commission and I really should
only be speaking for myself, to vote in favor of the closing of that street?
Mr. Plummer: Of what street are you talking about?
Mrs. Kennedy: Of what street?
Mayor Suarez: PZ-26.
Mr. Rodriguez: There are many things in PZ-26. That is only one item of the
many items you have in that discussion.
Mr. Dawkins: Well, all right, I'm going to vote that that street not be
closed and...
Mayor Suarez: That's not before us tonight?
Mr. Dawkins: I'm going to vote that that street does not be closed. That we
take your recommendation, that in anything else you want to discuss in, I mean
that that street does not be closed, open - what? What now?
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER (OFF MIKE): What street?
Mr. Dawkins: We're talking about Douglas. MacDonald. MacDonald.
Mayor Suarez: MacDonald, MacDonald.
84 January 28, 1988
Mr. Davkins: All right, that MacDonald does not be closed...
Mayor Suarez: We've been reading all the street in the Herald for the last
three days.
Mr. Dawkins: MacDonald does not be closed.
Mayor Suarez: Nobody's interested in closing any streets.
Mr. Dawkins: And anything remain like it is and if anything else in that
consultant report that you want to discuss, bring it back at the next meeting.
Mrs. Kennedy: OK, let me just say for the record, also, that the Planning
Department has come up with two recommendations. The first is, the Department
does not support closure of this intersection of Main Highway, MacFarlane
Road, Grand Avenue which would create the extension of MacDonald Street from
Grand Avenue which In the first part of what you just said.
Mr. Dawkins: I want it to remain closed, that's what we're saying.
Mrs. Kennedy: I agree 100 percent. I think that this would be a way to
divide the neighborhood...
Mr. Dawkins: Yes, Ma'am, at the extent of losing my vote, because I'm trying
to get out of here and go home.
Mrs. Edna Mae Armbrister: I know that, but there's so much that...
Mr. Dawkins: No, Ma'am, we said we're not going to open...
Mrs. Kennedy: OK, believe me, there's no need for that.
Mayor Suarez: Yes, I just wanted to see what the procedural issue was going
to be here and how it could possibly be controversial if what I've been
reading is what is being proposed tonight, but maybe it's not going to be as
simple as I thought.
Mr. Rodriguez: If I might remind you, this is only a discussion item tonight.
There is no action that was requested from you tonight.
Mr. Dawkins: Yes, but I'm making it an action and let the people know that
whatever the consultant recommended, we not going with it.
Mr. Plummer: Relation to that part.
Mrs. Kennedy: In that part.
Mr. Dawkins: With that part. And the rest of it, if you want to discuss
that, which I got a lot to say about, we can do it at the next Commission
meting.
Mayor Suarez: Yes and if it's a discussion item, and if this Commission is
not predisposed to even consider this proposal, then there's nothing to
discuss. I mean, you know, we can discuss it some other time. We got items
23 and 24 that people are waiting to be heard on. In any event, it's OK.
Mayor Suarez: PZ-23, let's go through this one as quickly as possible.
Mr. Dawkins: It remains as is.
Mr. Rodriguez: Mr. Mayor, so I understand your motion, item 26...
Mayor Suarez: There is no motion at this point. Please.
Mr. Dawkins: No more. Go ahead.
Mrs. Kennedy: We haven't done it.
Mayor Suarez: We got tons of people on 23 and 24. Let's see if we can go
through 23 and 24 tonight, please. Which is yours, PZ-22?
85 January 28, 1988
Mrs. Kennedy: Twenty-two.
Mr. Dawkins: There's no vote. There's no vote. It's all set, no vote on it.
Mr. Olmedillo: PZ-23, it's an appeal of a denial of a variance to extend
piers and setbacks. Since it's an appeal, and the procedure is to allow the
applicant to present his case, therefore...
_ Mr. Rodriguez: Mr. Mayor... Mr. Mayor, there is some confusion as to what
happened by some of the people asking us now. The item 26 will be continued,
maybe...
_ Mayor Suarez: Yes, item 26 will be fully discussed at a later time but I
think, for myself, and the Commissioner Dawkins and maybe all of us who have
expressed ourselves, we're not going to do anything that people in that area
are holding against us I happened to read in the Miami Herald. I don't what
other posture we were involved - you know, we're going to be faced with
tonight on that issue but I can't imagine why you'd even contemplate that. I
don't care what the consultants say. But, most of the time, I don't care what
the consultants may. This is no exception.
_ Mr. Rodriguez: So the discussion of this item will be continued on February
25th.
Mayor Suarez: Right.
Mr. Rodriguez: At 7:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.?
Mr. Plummer: Six.
Mayor Suarez: Right.
Mr. Rodriguez: Six p.m. on February 25th.
Mr. Dawkins: No.
Mayor Suarez: Six p.m. on February 26th.
Mr. Dawkins: All right, this item will be heard at 6:00 o'clock at the
meeting and whatever we're doing at 6:00 o'clock, this is the next item and
whatever it is we will take it up then.
Mayor Suarez: Yes, we'll be a time certain. By the way, not very intelligent
scheduling to have this particular item on tonight along with some of these
other controversial ones. I don't even know why it was on tonight, but go
ahead, Guillermo, 23. PZ-23.
Mr. Plummer: The question is why did we ■met at 4:30? We should have started
earlier.
Mayor Suarez: That's another issue. This one could have been heard at any
time.
Mr. Rodriguez: We were instructed by you all when you approved 27th Avenue
that to bring this on January after 5:00 o'clock.
Mayor Suarez: Why are you pointing at him?
Mr. Dawkins: Wait a minute.
86 January 28, 1988
29. GRANT APPEAL FOR REVIEW OF ZONING BOARD'S DENIAL OF VARIANCE TO PERMIT
EXISTING DOCK AND CATWALKS AT 3590 CRYSTAL VIEW COURT - WITH CERTAIN
PROVISOS. (APPLICANT: JEFFREY TARDIFF.)
Mayor Suarez: Guillermo, PZ-23.
Mr. Olmedillo: PZ-23 again is an appeal of the denial of a variance to extend
piers and setbacks in a residential property and the applicant please to
present his case so that we can respond to it.
Mayor Suarez: Planning and Zoning. OK, let's have it all quiet in the
chambers. We're doing the best we can to get to the items for which people
are here.
Mr. Plummer: This is going to be the last item.
Mayor Suarez: Twenty-three and then 24, Exxon.
Mr. Plummer: You'll never get to it.
Mayor Suarez: Well, I'll be here. OK, this probably is one of those items
where I know for myself I have been briefed more on this, I have received more
letters, more phone calls, than any other single house type item, you know, I
man, maybe some bigger projects just like the entire rezoning of 27th Avenue
or something, maybe I got more inquiries. I even got calls from someone in
Boston and they called my law office. Jeez. Is he here? That fellow from
Boston that called my office? How the Olympic Team was going to not win or
how it was going to win, L'Hermitage was going to fall under, fall apart,
Jeez. What are you doing here on this? Tell us something. Are we going to
hear from staff or are we going to hear from counsel, Guillermo, or are you
just kind of running around trying to figure out what to do yourself?
Mr. Olmedillo: It's an appeal so...
Mayor Suarez: Go ahead, Stan.
Mr. Olmedillo: ... we defer to the applicant.
Stanley Price, Esq.: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission, my name is Stanley
Price, my address is One CenTrust Financial Center, Miami, Florida. I'm here
representing Dr. Tardiff on an appeal from the Zoning Board where Dr. Tardiff
has requested two variances. One, a variance as to the length of the dock,
from 25 to 35 feet, the other variance is a setback variance from the base
building line along what is known as Crystal View Court. I will say initially
and I will emphasize to the Commission, because it's been thrown at me at each
and every hearing that I've appeared in front of. The docks that you see in
this aerial photograph were constructed without the requisite permits from the
City of Miami. We admit that, we do not contest that. Fortunately, the City
Code does not preclude someone who has built in violation from exhausting
their administrative remedies and filing an appropriate application to try to
correct that wrong.
Mayor Suarez: What happens if we happen, at the end of all these proceedings,
to tell him that he cannot do what he has done. Can you go out there with an
electric saw and you start...
Mr. Price: He's under a code enforcement board order that it has to be
removed and he will remove it. And I will raise that...
Mayor Suarez: OK, what are the two items, then, that are variances, Stan?
Mr. Price: OK, if I may.
Mayor Suarez: One is the length that it projects out onto the water, right?
Mr. Price (Off and on mike): ......permitted. The variance in regard to the
setback, this is Crystal View Court, Crystal View Court narrows to 30 feet in
this location. We have placed our pier one and a half feet from the setback
line rather than 10 feet as required by the code.
87 January 28, 1988
Mayor Suarez: The setback line or from the boundary?
Mr. Price: From the base building line. The base building line is
interpreted by your Public Works Department and I say most respectfully,
Incorrectly, as a line that the City, if they want to anytime they wish, can
extend Crystal View Court and build the roadway into the water.
Mayor Suarez: What is there now at the end? Is it just sort of a...
Mr. Price: It is deadended, there is a barrier in this location.
Mayor Suarez: There seems to be a few feet between the end and the barrier, I
guess.
Mr. Prices Right. It narrows to 30 feet in this location. The City has
given us a permit to construct an 8 foot wall, also within the base building
line, as well as giving us a permit to construct a special sidewalk as you see
In the Coconut Grove area, it's a brick paver sidewalk in that area and the
street narrows down. As you will note further, the property to the immediate
north of this site is a vacant tract of land. L'Hermitage is our neighbor to
the south.
Mayor Suarez: It's not the one that's being built on it now, is it?
Mr. Plummer: No, it's on the other side of that.
Mayor Suarez: The vacant tract?
Mr. Price: No, that property has been vacant and there is no construction on
the way because of the configuration of the property, it's going to be very
difficult to construct a home in that area. Mr. Mayor and members of the
board, under your zoning code, we have an extremely difficult burden to
overcome in regard to a question of use variance. We have to demonstrate to
you a unique and unusual hardship which is attributable to our property, not
one shared in common with other properties in the area and where there is no
special benefit derived from my client. We believe that we can demonstrate
that to you this evening by a list of expert witnesses. Initially, I'd like
to point out to the Commission because of the construction along the coast
line, all of the properties along Biscayne Bay are recessed by a couple of
feet from property to property. As you can see from this photograph, our sea
wall is constructed approximately 3 feet further out than the sea wall at the
L'Hermitage and the property immediately to south of L'Hermitage is probably
several feet curved in in that location. In the city code, when you measure
the footage that is permitted, you measure it from the sea wall no, therefore,
a 35 foot pier on our property would be the equivalent of a 38 foot pier on
L'Hermitage because we are out 3 feet further than they are. I'd like to
submit to the Commission a picture of the L'Hermitage docks which are
immediately south of our property. All of the sixteen individual boat docks
at the L'Hermitage are 35 feet or greater. Nov, at the time of the approval
for L'Hermitage, L'Hermitage was not required to go through a variance
procedure. It vas a special exception because they built under the PUD
ordinance.
Mayor Suarez: You're not really talking about the docks, you're talking about
the pilings at the and, right?
Mr. Price: That is correct. Your code defines what a dock In and a dock
Includes the moorings all the way into the water. It could be either a cat
walk or any structure. It's measured from the furthest point from the sea
wall. I would also respectfully submit to you that our neighbors,
L'Hermitage, also received approval after the fact that they put the pilings
in.
Mayor Suarez: Why?
Mr. Price: Because they put the pilings in without the requisite approvals
from the City of Miami and came to the City of Miami and got the approvals
after the fact, similar to what we are requesting of this board today.
Mayor Suarez: Is that Sherwin Ross that pulled that stunt?
88 January 26, 1988
Mr. Price% I don't know who the owner of the property was at the time....
Mrs. Kennedy: Except that L'Hermitage is a PUD and this is a family
residence, that's...
Mr. Price: That is correct, but as the owner of shore line property, and
because of the length of our property, we have a right, as a matter of law, to
have two boats at our property; two boats in the water. We also can place the
boats, whatever size we wish to, so long as the boats do not infringe into the
setback area no, therefore, we can place boats within the internal 65 feet of
our property and not be in violation of any City code of ordinances.
Mayor Suarez: As long as it's in the back yard?
Hr. Price: As long as it's on the water. And regard... I'm talking about...
Mayor Suarez: No, no, I was talking about the other issue of having boats all
over that very nice tennis court that you have there.
Mr. Price: I have reviewed the code and I stand to be corrected and I've had
this discussion with Mr. Rodriguez on several occasions. I see nothing in
your code of ordinances that preclude anyone from putting as many dry boats on
their property so long as they observe the setback requirements of putting it
on the side setback and the rear setback of the property. Dr. TardiffIs
waterfront property is not the front of his home, it's the side of his home.
The front of his home faces Crystal View Court and I will show to you, Mr.
Mayor, that is really not the issue here this evening. I know...
Mayor Suarez: Well, that's where the tennis court faces actually.
Mr. Price: Tennis court faces the front of his home also and also is the rear
of the property. His property's in the north south direction.
Mayor Suarez: I thought you just said it was the front. I guess it depends
where you look at it from.
Mr. Price (Off and on mike): No, any storage of the boats ..... (INAUDIBLE)
this photograph is taken at a point of time when there are 18 boats on this
property. The reason that you don't see the 18 boats is that they're under
the cover underneath this tennis court.
Mayor Suarez: That...
Mr. Price: Which is not a violation of your zoning code.
Mayor Suarez: I have no reason to believe - I mean not to believe what you're
saying, and if that's the case, then that sort of answers what I was thinking
about because you can barely see them at all in that picture. Either that or
you've got a marvelous photographer, one of the two.
Mr. Price: Well, we have both. Mr. Mayor, we have to demonstrate to you
several criteria and I believe by the witnesses that we have here tonight,
we're going to demonstrate that we do have a unique and unusual hardship and
all we are asking for in terms of the 35 feet, In to be afforded the same
rights as our immediate neighbors. The issue which is, I think, In the main
concern of staff is the question of our setback variance from Crystal View
Court; the one and a half fast. And I suggest to this Commission, and I
respectfully submit to this Commission, that my client has a right to put
three piers at 25 feet on this property and I will show you by photographs in
A little while, while the construction of those three piers would have a far
more deleterious affect upon our neighbors to the south than what we are
proposing.
Mayor Suarez: What do you mean by in a little while?
Mr. Price: Within two seconds.
Mayor Suarez: How about right now?
Mr. Price: OK, I'd like to call Mr. Rick White. Mr. White, if you may, just
give your name and address and please give the Commission your background in
boating.
89 January 28, 198E
Mr. Rick White: OK. My name is Captain Rick White and I'm from Key Largo.
I'm a V.S. Coast Guard Captain and masters 500 ton tow and freight and also 50
ton auxiliary sail. I've got 30,000 hours - miles logged in small boats and
large boats, so, basically, I would hope I'm qualified as a Captain...
Mr. Price: If I might ask Mr. White just to give you a short demonstration of
why the existing provisions of your code make a 25 foot dock or no docks at
all a hardship situation based upon L'Nermitage's situation. If you may just
use that scale drawing.
Mr. White: I've been told this is a scale drawing and, as I understand, this
Is the north side of the lot, the south side of the lot and this is the - no,
this is the property line here and there's the 10 foot - OK, with a 25 foot
pier or a post or dolphin if they go out of here and docking on this procedure
here, he would have no way, actually, to getting out of here unless it was
absolutely ideal situation. If we had a breeze off shore, then the chances
are he might get past that 37 foot of the neighbors. I guess this is 37 feet
out here, the dolphin they have so he would have a tremendous amount of
trouble and this is a single screw boat with - it's hard to talk with this
thing like that - can I clip this on somehow?
Mayor Suarez: What you're trying to say is that if you had pilings out there,
it would be difficult to maneuver that sailboat...
Mr. White: No, no, the piling...
Mayor Suarez: Is that what you're saying?
Mr. White: The piling is already here, that's his neighbors. Where his boat
is now, he would have to miss his piling...
Mayor Suarez: Right.
Mr. White: ... swing around and as you can see right here, he's already just
about hit here and to hit here and then continue on and miss this one besides.
So, the only other opportunity is for him to back up and get out some way this
way. But, of course, he'll have another boat down here. Another way to do it
is kick his stern out and back out but the problem with this situation is and
just from my experience I know, I do a lot of sailing in the Bahamas, we have
about 75-80 percent of our wind is out of the eastern quadrant and this In an
on shore breeze at all times and make it very difficult. I believe the other
alternative was to have another piling here and have the boat dock this way.
But, as you can see, we're low of space for surge here, he would have to tie
these pilings here and which stick out considerably further past the pilings.
Nov, the only way you could tie this part of the boat would be with a what
they call breast line. A breast line is one that goes straight out from the
boat and holds it from going sideways. As you can see, the line would have to
be very short. A very short line with the tide going down would hang the boat
up or pull the boat down as the tide goes up.
Mr. Plummer: What's the beam on the boat?
Dr. Jeffrey Tardiff: Sixteen feet, four inches.
Mr. Plummer (Off mike): What have you got - you got four and a half feet on
each side.
Mr. White: No, I know, but this is a cabin here. You can't run lines over a
cabin.
Mr. Plummer: Use a spring line.
Mr. White: OK, spring line go forward and would be the possibility, but now
you'd have too much sway in this direction. Now, the way to correct that
too...
Mr. Plummer: Is to cross at the stern.
Mr. White: No, we can't, there's a cabin here.
Mr. Plummer: Cross at the stern, at the sea wall.
90 January 28, Igoe
Hr. White: Crossing at the stern will not correct the bow.
Mr. Plummer: Sure, it will.
Mr. White: Oh, I'll be darned.
Mr. Plummer: Tou know, you're the expert. I just go out on the boat.
Mr. White: Very good. It will correct the stern but it will not correct the
bow and there's no way to... the line here to here, you see, you would have a
spring line and that would control the boat - the only thing that would
control would be the boat from going forward. It wouldn't have any...
Mr. Plummer: That's correct. That's what I'm saying.
Mr. White: Nov, the other way you can handle that is to put an anchor line
out and I understand the water is about 13 foot depth off his bow. He could
set a mooring out there with an anchor or an anchor, whatever, and the
standard procedure in normal conditions would be seven times the depth of the
water, but I would recommend ten times the depth of the water because if you
have any high seas or big surge, you're going to need a lot more out there
holding it. So you bould need to have an anchor line running out towards the
bay of 130 feet in this case, ten times the depth of 13 feet so that would be
a problem, not only a hazard to navigation here but this is not going to be a
very safe tying up situation. OK, and as, like I say, then the other situation
is just going to be hard - it's very, very difficult. It would be possible,
but it would be very, very difficult to get in and out of this slip.
Mr. Price: Mr. White, is your testimony based upon the existing pier which is
on the L'Hermitage property, proximity to Dr. Tardiff's property? In this
example you've shown the Commission that is based upon the existing dock on
the L'Hermitage property immediately to the south.
Mr. White: Existing over here, right; leave the 37 foot out.
Mr. Tardiff: Right.
Mr. Price: Dr. Tardiff's dock with 35 feet as the L'Hermltage was in that
location.
INAUDIBLE COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Mr. White: Dock this way?
Mr. Price: That's correct.
Mr. White (Off and on mike): ... situation if the pilings were out the same
distance, then you would simply do your cross spring - it wouldn't be a
spring, it would still be a breast but the breast line would be clear across
the boat and that would keep any movement going from this way so you wouldn't
have any damage to the sides of his boat and, of course, obviously that's the
way you do tie up, that's perfectly right.
!Mayor Suarez: I thought you were going to have the boats out there.
Mr. White: Pardon?
!Mayor Suarez: I thought you were going to have the boats just sitting there
In the water, I thought they'd be brought...
Mr. Tardiff: These are my boats the Tornado catamaran never sits in the water
overnight, it's always taken out of the water and it would go back on the
tennis court and under the carport.
Mr. White: Tea, it's a bigger boat.
!Mayor Suarez: So what's all the concern about it tying it up and all of that?
Mr. Tardiff: The concern is about my large cruising catamaran which you'll
see in a Kodachrome coming. The Tornados, of course, would never be in the
water here.
91 January 28, 1988
Mr. White: Oh, right here, your pictures right here. you got two pictures
right behind you.
Mr. Tardiff: The picture right behind us, these are my two cruising boats.
You can't see it, but the Tornado catamaran is in the background. What is
this this Tornado look like? This is the Tornado catamaran.
Mayor Suarez: you've got a marina there, you know that?
Mr. Tardiff (Off mike): The Tornado catamaran and it would never sit in the
water. I'm entitled to these two slips here and they would....
Mayor Suarez: Doctor, you have to get one of those mikes. The one he's got.
Mr. Tardiff: My name is Jeff Tardiff, I live at 3590 Crystal view Court. The
two cruising catamarans that you see here, they're cruising catamarans because
there's a channel out here and at low tide it's only two and a half feet. I
can't bring a monohaul in like a J-30, it's five feet so I have to have
something that takes only two and a half feet and, of course, catamarans have
that advantage and you'll see them in Kodachromes to come. These two boats
are where you see them right now. This boat's 37 feet long, this is 33 feet -
long. The Tornado .'catamaran in this picture - this is the current world
champion, Robert White of England, he's in the boat. This boat is 20 feet
long, 10 feet wide when assembled, but the trampoline in the middle is just
canvas and when you take it apart in this picture you can see one little mast
right here. I feel it would be better - I have a pretty loud voice, can I put
this down and bring it up to you so you can see it?
Mr. Dawkins: No, it has to go to the record.
Ms. Hirai: No, I'm sorry, we need it for the public record.
Mayor Suarez: It won't be picked up by the recording.
Mr. Tardiff: In this picture, there are, I'm not sure, 17 or 18 Tornado
catamarans but they're all disassembled. They're all underneath that carport
with that blue top. When you disassemble the boat, it's 19 inches wide, 22
Inches high and, of course, it's very easy under my 40 foot long carport which
is 23 feet deep to line those Tornados up and no one can see them at all.
Mayor Suarez: We've been through that.
Mr. Tardiff: Yes.
Mayor Suarez: If they're all in there and you can barely see them, I guess
you've solved that problem.
Mr. Tardiff: Ten.
Mr. Price: Mr. Mayor, I want to sake it clear, we're not predicating our
application on the fact that he has had 18 boats on the property and, in fact,
we're willing to abide by reasonable conditions. We're here today on the fact
that he has two boats in the water and those are what the variances relate to.
And I respectfully suggest and...
Mayor Suarez: Well, you know what happened on that In that the initial
contact that we had, you were dealing a lot with all of these other racing
boats that were supposedly an integral part of the U.S. Olympic Team or
something. Now, it turns out that what he needs is to have his own large
boats, whatever they're called, the catamarans, I guess, out there, you know,
and...
Mr. Plummer: (Off mike): Excuse me.
Mayor Suarez: Ten, I know.
Mr. Plummer (Off mike): One of your problems, this photo is speaking against
It because both of these catamarans are stern to the sea wall which the
Captain says couldn't be done.
Mr. Tardiff: Mr. Plummer, these boats are double ended, they are canoes.
92 January 28, 1988
Mr. Price: All right, Commission...
Mr. Plummer (Off mike): I'm saying, both of these are just as I've got
Mr. Tardiff: But, Mr. Plummer...
Mr. Price: Commissioner Plummer, we were under the premise that if we removed
the northernmost dock which is what staff is asking us to do and we placed the
- northernmost dock on the southern portion of the property at the setback line,
that would make it impossible for that boat to get out.
Mayor Suarez (Off mike): That's the way they have it, but they can't keep it
that way.
Mr. Plummer (Off mike): Yes, well their problem is in here, that's where the
real problem is.
Mr. Price (Off mike): This is the setback line that we were discussing. The
example that was given to you...
Mr. Plummer (Off mike): Give him a mike.
Mr. Price: I'm sorry. The example that was given to you is if we put in the
pier which your staff and we have a letter from Public Works, has indicated we
can do up to 25 feet and I recognize that we have other hearings that we have
to go to before that is approved, that's the example we gave you. We're
suggesting to you that this is a far better alternative. It does not impact
anyone, there's a vacant piece of property here. But even if that property is
built upon, there's a 30 feet of setback because of the roadway plus the
setback of what the home is going to be located, versus putting a boat ten
feet from L'Hermitage which will be elevated 11 feet, thereby blocking the
_ view I respectfully submit of Mr. Bernstein who is the closest property owner
to the wall.
Mr. Plummer (Off mike): Well, as I understand, you're asking for two
variances. One is allow you to go out to 35 feet instead of 25.
Mr. Price: That is correct.
Mr. Plummer: OK. Then your second variance is in relation to the street and
the setback of the northern dock from the setback line.
Mr. Price: That is correct, base building line.
Mr. Plummer: What is the dedication on that street?
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER (OFF MIKE): Ten feet and a quarter.
Mr. Plummer: Dedication of the total right of way.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER (OFF MIKE): Fifty.
Mr. Campbell: The existing right of way at that point was pointed out was 30
feet. The base building line is set at 50 feet, 25 feet from the center lines
so there is a 10 toot differential between the existing property line and the
base building line along Dr. Tardiff's property at that point.
Mr. Plummer: In reality, what you're saying is from the center of the street
at 35 feet.
Mr. Campbell: Twenty-five, twenty-five.
Mr. Plummer: Twenty-five plus ten or twenty-five total?
Mr. Campbell: Twenty-five total.
Mr. Plummer: And that dock that exists there now is how far from the center
of the street?
Mr. Campbell: About 15 feet, Sixteen and a half.
93 January 28. 1988
Mr. Plummer: So it approaches 10 feet...
Mr. Price: Tes, air.
Mr. Plummer: ... into the right of way.
Mr. Price: Yes, air.
Mr. Campbell: The designated right of way, yes.
Mr. Price: But I would also respectfully point out, Mr. Plummer, that this
City has given Dr. Tardiff permission to build an 6 foot coral rock wall
within that base building line. We have the permit here today that that wall
has been in existence and also to dedicate an additional footage for the
purpose of some theoretical street that may go into the bay is sure folly. If
I may, I would like to call, very quickly, a couple of people who are
proponents of the application. I've asked them to limit their presentation to
approximately a minute and a half each. If I may?
Mayor Suarez: Please.
Mr. Price: Andrew. '
UMIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Andrew McCl...
Mr. Rodriguez: Mr. Mayor, can we get Mr. Campbell to identify himself since
he put something on the record?
Mr. Campbell: I'm sorry, for the record I didn't identify myself before,
George Campbell representing the Department of Public Works.
Mr. Frederick Whitmore: Mayor Suarez, Vice Mayor Kennedy, ladies and
gentlemen of the Commission, thank you for the opportunity to address this
assembly. My name is Frederick Whitmore. I come to you tonight to talk to
you about the issue of Dr. Tardiff's dock as it relates to the Olympic sailing
effort concerning Tornado class sailboats in this area. I represent the
Florida Tornado Olympic effort on behalf of Mr. Larry Baker who is the
president of that association presently. He is unable to attend tonight as he
Is out of town. I have held several positions in yachting classes here in
Miami for the past fifteen years. I have dealt with virtually every sailing
yacht club and facility which operates in Dade County and I am completely -
familiar with the facilities and resources each can offer.
Mayor Suarez: If you were - if Dr. Tardiff was required to build the docks
the way the City wants him to build them, how would that affect yours and your
organizations ability to use his property for your training and so on?
Mr. Whitmore: Presently, the sailing center which has been our salvation for
the Olympic sailing effort down here and is a real good idea, is finding that
It has an extremely crowded facility and a booked itinerary.
Mayor Suarez: Right, so why would you not be able to continue using Dr.
Tardiff's if he built the docks in accordance with what the code requirements
are?
Mr. Whitmore: Because, Dr. Tardiff has constructed on his docks, a series of
lifts, in other words, what he's built is a movable ramp that goes from the
top of his sea wall down into the water. What it effectively is is a ramp
like down the street at the Coast Guard Center.
Mayor Suarez: Right, I remember you made that demonstration at a presentation
you made.
Mr. Whitmore: Right, we can wheel those boats up from the length of the 35
feet that the doctor has built it on. If that were to be reduced to a 25 foot
length, the steep, the angle of ascent would be impossible to pull the boats.
That's our problem. I personally, I acknowledge that there's a hardship of
him getting in the dock as he's presented here a few minutes ago. That's not
my concern. My concern is strictly how this relates to the Olympic effort.
Dr. Tardiff, over the last several years, has been a great benefactor to the
Tornado class. He has supported regattas on numerous occasions at financial
94 January 28, 1988
detriment to himself. He has used his house and facilities to promote Olympic
sailing in this area and we need him. We need his facility. If the
Commission here can dedicate some property to us for this purpose that will
accommodate our boats, we'll love it and so will Dr. Tardiff. He doesn't need
to put up with us. We're a thorn, essentially, to Dr. Tardiff. However,
he's...
Mr. Dawkins: Well, here's one vote, you've been designated all the land
you're going to be designated. You've already taken half of my park with your
Olympic sailings and you will not get any more out of this vote, sir.
Mr. Whitmore: Commissioner Dawkins, let me address you.
Mayor Suarez: No, really, the relevancy of his interest in sailing and all of
that, it's just not that relevant to what we're trying to decide on and that's
what I asked if he had to build these docks in accordance with the City
requirement, how would that prevent you Then the only reason you were able to
give me was just the technical - what would end up being the slope and I
just...
Mr. Whitmore: Right, how it would prevent it is we physically would not be
able to roll the boats up. The boats rolls up on wheels that you place
underneath the the holes. We would not be able to remove the boats from the
water at Dr. TardifffIs property if he is to be restricted at a 25 foot dock.
If he has the 35 feet, the angle of ascent is satisfactory, the boats can be
wheeled up onto his lawn.
Mayor Suarez: That's because of the tension or because of...
Mr. Whitmore: No, because of the angle. Now, these boats weight about 400
pounds a piece dry. Now, to pull them up a steep angle is extremely
difficult. It would be impossible.
Mr. Dawkins: Oh, I'm with Dr. Tardiff, but I'm not with you because, see, you
just keep compounding the problem. I mean, the people in the neighborhood, if
they'll tolerate Dr. Tardiff, I know they don't want to tolerate 35 or 40
boats being pulled up. You know, I mean, so if I voted for this, I would vote
with a restriction on it that we don't pull no boats up in there because the
neighborhood is tired of it.
Mr. Whitmore: Well, I think that the neighbors and I think that we can bring
neighbors up here that, in fact, do not object to the operation of the Olympic
sailing effort and regattas here and the training of the committee, Mr.
Dawkins. I will further state that I would certainly like to see this
Commission to be remembered as those who supported the Olympic sailing effort
rather than swung the sword to knock it down.
Mr. Dawkins: I would hope that you would remember, sir, that we voted to give
YOU the land that you got and if we were not in a supportive manner, you would
not be here. Remember that, OK?
Mr. Whitmore: I understand that, Mr....
Mr. Dawkins: And go out and tell the press that we supported you and because
we supported you, you got half of a park and you've got land and water to sail
on because we believe in you and we want you to believe in us, sir.
Mr. Whitmore: I understand and I certainly do, Mr. Dawkins and we, as
sailors, appreciate it. However, for our purposes we can't gild the lily, the
sailing center is inadequate. We have only one facility. I am certainly open
for alternatives. I run regattas all over this center. I have negotiated
with Dill Bird of Park and Recreation Department. I obtained insurance
policies, bonds, everything that you need to operate regattas down here. I
have slept on the beach to protect these boats which have been damaged and
stolen from. We have bad sailors hurt.
Mayor Suarez: That, all of that also, is not particularly relevant to this
particular zoning case that we have here facing us. Could you just address
that?
Mr. Whitmore: Well, OK.
95 January 28, 1988
Mayor Suarez: We know he's a great promoter of Tornado sailing and other
kinds of Tornados. We just want to know about the zoning matter he have
before us here today.
Mr. Whitmore: Well, the zoning matter, as it relates to us, if he is not
granted the variance on the zoning, we will not be able to use his property as
an alternative overflow site to the sailing center.
Mayor Suarez: OK, we gather that.
Mr. Whitmore: That's the issue.
Mayor Suarez: OK.
Mr. Whitmore: Andrew Zitkiss.
Mayor Suarez: No, no, wait, wait. We're going to take everybody in order
here in a reasonable number too. Anything else, sir?
Mr. Peter Camet: Mayor Suarez, Commissioner, my name is Peter Camet. I'm one
of the Board of Governors at the sailing center and Mario Bustamente, our
chairman, has asked me to appear here on his behalf tonight. He's not
available to answer my questions you might have about the center and to read
a short letter and those of you who know Mario Bustamente will be very
surprised to see how short it is. I'd also like to add that Rick Whitmore
does not speak on behalf of the center and we're certainly grateful for
everything that you've done for us and we're not here to... I'm the only one
here on behalf of the center tonight who's qualified to speak for the center
and we're not asking for more land. We're thank you for what you've given us.
Mr. Plummer: Also, you better include about $150,000 with the land.
Mr. Camet: And a hundred...
Mr. Plummer: How much?
Mr. Camet: And hundred and twenty-five, I think it was, but we certainly
appreciate it.
Mayor Suarez: And it's...
Mr. Whitmore: We do appreciate it.
Mr. Dawkins: Well, we owe you twenty-five, OK.
Mayor Suarez: And it's unusual for the City to reserve a chunk of park land
for this particular use as it is, you know, and, hopefully, people will have
that in mind. It's not something that that many people typically do, but, I
mean, we're happy that they do, we're happy to be a part of it.
MMe
Mr. Camet: I think we'll all agree we're tremendously off the issue that
should be before you tonight. But I think we all knew that it was going to
come up. If I could just read a short letter and then, hopefully, we'll put
It to rest. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me.
•Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners: As Chairman of the United
States Sailing Center, I've been asked by Dr. Jeffrey Tardiff and those
opposing Dr. TardiffIs application for a variance. to state for the
record the capability of our facility to accommodate the remaining
Olympic Tornado Class Training Regattas. If the Sailing Center had been
asked by Dr. Tardiff or the Tornado Class in the summer or fall of 1987
of the Tornado Classes' desire to hold a series of training regattas at
the Sailing Center, as is the usually procedure, we could have arranged
our scheduling to accommodate the Tornados. However, because we were
asked at such a late date to accommodate the class on certain dates with
which we have conflicts, we cannot accommodate the Tornado class. As
the attached article for last week's Miami Herald indicates, the Sailing
Center has been a tremendous success and our facilities are swamped.
Without sufficient advance warnings, our hands are tied. If the
Commissioners were to vote that Dr. Tardiff's application for a variance
be denied and his dock be removed, we ask that he be given until April
15, 1988, to do so and that he not be restricted from obtaining a Class
96 January 28. 1988
B permit to conduct his scheduled events until that time. This would
serve the long range goals of those opposing Dr. Tardiff Is application
and it would help the Tornado Class Association. Again, we thank you on
behalf of the U. S. Olympic Yachting Committee, the U. S. Sailing Center
and the hundreds of Olympic aspirants from all over the world that are
enjoying the Center right now"
There's a P.S.
Mayor Suarez: It's too good to be true, right?
"Teams from Canada, the Bahamas, Germany, United Kingdom, Venezuela,
Mexico, Denmark and others competing in the 470 and Flying Dutchman
would winter us through January 31, pay us a visit."
Ha's also provided us with copies, actually they're all signed originals.
Mayor Suarez: You may insert those all into the record if you like. Thank
you. Anything else, counselor?
Mr. Price: This very briefly.
Mr. Dawkins: Thank you.
Mr. Price: This issue is not an issue that's germane to our application. We
understand what they said that we would agree to that condition because we
knew this was going to surface based upon the testimony at the Zoning Board.
We can live with that condition as to April the 15th and agree not to have any
more regattas out of that property. We're here today on a land use issue and
I think we've demonstrated to you because of the existence, because of the
granting of the identical request to our neighbors to the south, who are good
people, and I've met with several of these people and I understand their
concerns. But, I think the condition that they be no more activities of this
type after April 15th, should suffice in terms of future fears. We are
suggesting because of the grant to out neighbors to the south, we are not
getting treatment that is denied other people in the area. We are being
treated the same. We are being afforded equal protection under the law as to
other grants by this City and we'd like to reserve some short time in rebuttal
and we also have a few people here in the neighborhood who have come out to
support this application and I'd just like them to stand up, Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Suarez: Supporting the application.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Are they neighbors?
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Yes, I'm a neighbor.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Are you all neighbors?
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: You don't live there, honey.
Mayor Suarez: OK, that's all right at this point. At this point whether
they're neighbors or not is not going to be crucial. If any Commissioner
wants to know the addresses, he can always request them. OK, from the
objectors. You objecting?
Mr. Olmedillo: Staff.
a Mayor Suarez: Go ahead, Guillermo, what's up?
Mr. Olmedillo: Can we make our presentation now, staff?
Mayor Suarez: Right.
Mr. Olmedillo: First of all, I'd like to clear the record. In the agenda,
there was an erroneous approval position by the Planning Department. And the
recommendation of the Planning Department, it should read, denial, that was a
typographical error. On the issue before you, which is the zoning issue...
Mayor Suarez: Yes, slight error.
Mr. Olmedillo: ..0 the counsel for the applicant has stated all the facts
based on L'Hermitage having the same zoning characteristics that this
97 January 28, 1988
property, or the same zoning classification. I'm heard them throughout and it
is written in the application. The fact of the matter is...
Mayor Suarez: He didn't may that, it say have been implied. He was talking
about the conditions and the length of the pilings out there.
Mr. Olmedillo: I shall read from the application also, but...
Mr. Price (Off mike): I admitted tonight that we don't have the same ....
Mayor Suarez: OK, just tell us what are the different zoning classifications?
Mr. Olmedillo: But 9500 has a different zoning classification for a PDH which
Is what L'Hermitage is called today. It was a PUD before and a single family
residential district.
Mayor Suarez: Vhat do they have for L'Hermitage zoning, the PDH?
Mr. Olmedillo: It's a PUD actually because that was under 6871.
Mayor Suarez: Or PUD. Vhat is it for the docks?
Mr. Olmedillo: Toi this is RS-2, which In a single family residential
district. So any...
Mayor Suarez: What are the provisions for the length of the dock in the case,
or setbacks in the case of the PUD or in the case of single family? Vhat's
the difference?
Mr. Olmedillo: There is no difference as to the provisions for the docks.
But the zoning itself...
Mayor Suarez: Tou're not going to do that to me after taking me this far
along, are you?
Mr. Olmedillo: ... is different. And, as I shall read from the application,
the argument is based on the fact that they are the same, they're
Indistinctive.
Mayor Suarez: Vhat are the differences if they're not the same?
Mr. Olmedillo: The PUD or the PDH in 9500 considers bonuses and different
setbacks and different characteristics for development in an area which is a
larger tract of land than...
Mayor Suarez: No, I understand the general concept of the POD, but I mean as
to docking facilities, does it have any spec...
Mr. Olmedillo: As to docking facilities there, are no. No different
provisions from: one to the other.
Mayor Saarez: Very good.
Mr. Olmedillo: Our zoning ordinance states six facts which have to be met
before a variance is granted, and I'm reading from the application. "A)
Special conditions and circumstances exist which are peculiar to the land
structure or building involved and which are not applicable to other lands.
Structures or buildings in the same zoning district in that' and the applicant
sakes a listing of why it is so. "B) The special conditions and circumstances
do not result from the actions of the petitioner." Clearly, the petitioner is
the one who built the docks. "C) Literal interpretation of the provisions of
the zoning ordinance would deprive the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by
other properties in the same zoning district under the terms of the zoning
ordinance and would allow unnecessary and undue hardships on the petitioner."
Again, L'Hermitage is a different zoning district. "Granting a variance,"
this is letter D, "granting a variance request that will not confer on the
petitioner any special privilege that is denied by the zoning ordinance to
other lands, buildings, or structures in the same zoning district." Again,
the variance will grant a special treatment to this particular property as
opposed to the RS-2/2 properties along the bay line. "8) The variance, if
granted, is the minimal variance that will sake possible the reasonable use of
the land, building, or structure in that." And we heard argument back and
98 January 28, 1988
forth, and I would rather not commit myself, I let the sailors do that. "F)
The grant of a variance will be in harmony with the general intent and purpose
of the zoning ordinance and would not be injurious to the neighborhood or
otherwise detrimental to the public welfare." I believe out of the six, this
Is the only one that can be considered to be met. But the zoning ordinance
reads, all six of them have to be met. That, I think, is the matter before
you. That is what is being considered, and now I defer to the Public Works
Department.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you, Guillermo. Are you going to tell us anything
different, George? I mean...
Mr. Campbell: A little additional information to clarify the record, if I may
and Mr. Harms from our department also has some comments to make. Briefly,
briefly, first of all, there is an allegation that I was in error concerning
the base building line and so forth. That particular base building line has
been established more than 30 years. The wall in question along the back
of...
Mayor Suarez: So it was some guy 30 years ago. Go ahead. Your predesor.
Mr. Campbell: The wall - yes, my predecessor. The wall along the property
line along Crystal View Court was, in truth, given a permit after the fact of
construction. There In a covenant which was given out of the goodness of the
City's heart after the fact of the construction which required the removal of
the wall. The brick sidewalk was allowed to be constructed there at the
request of Dr. Tardiff. This is true, we have no problems with that because
we have done it elsewhere in the Grove and we think it's an adjunct to any
given neighborhood. The issue at hand on this is not necessarily Dr.
Tardiff's own boats but the fact that this is to be used for a quasi, what we
would look at as a commercial type of venture. Brian, would you make a couple
of comments concerning what you have done on this?
Mayor Suarez: Is that a factor, Madam City Attorney or Sergio, the fact that
If he's otherwise entitled to do this or approved for doing this, how many
times he uses it or what it ends up being, if it ends up being quote unquote
commercial, I mean I don't see how that's a factor.
Mrs. Dougherty: It's not a factor to be considered in this hearing.
Mayor Suarez: OK.
Mr. Rodriguez: Except for the other information that has been submitted by
the applicant already.
Mayor Suarez: Right.
Mr. Brian Harms: Hey, I'm Brian Harms, I'm the supervisor for code
enforcement for Public Works. I will try to be brief, I know it's getting
late. This case, though, has been an enforcement nightmare. We are in our
third hearing now. I understand there's been some legal action involved. I
would like to just go right to the crux of the matter from our standpoint.
The illegal docks which were built without a permit along the bay front which
Is an open bay opposite Dr. Tardiff's property, encroach into the zone setback
or the undedicated portion of the right of way. This is the base building
line which is 10 feet from the original property line. The original property
line is where Dr. Tardiff built the wall without a permit in 1979. My
predecessor somehow allowed that to go, we had a permit Today,
though, City ordinances prohibit us of granting after the fact permits for
structures in the undedicated portion of zone right of way. The problem is
that a structure this size, which, by the way, this is the doctor's engineer's
plan. It is a bit deceptive. It does not show the elevators which are placed
fully between these piers. The elevators, by the way, do not operate just as
a ramp, they also operate horizontally, you can pitch them any way you wish.
If you put a boat on the elevator, whether that elevator is 38 feet long, as
In this case they are, or 25 feet long, the elevator can be lifted
horizontally. In any case...
Mayor Suarez: I don't know how the rest of the Commission feels. You could
save all your arguments regarding that dock that is built along the City right
of way. There's no possible way that I could ever vote to maintain that
there.
99 January 28, 1988
Mr. Harms: OK, well, I hope that the rest of the Commissioners believe the
way you feel. In any case, the other deceptive part about this particular
plan is the setback requirements which are depicted here by this right
triangle. The engineer found it convenient to throw that right triangle
across the street and pick it up from the opposite side of Crystal View Court
which is, unfortunately, not the way it should be. That triangle should be
from the base building line which will reduce the length of the dock allowed
by law. So our problem here is the total length of the dock and the setback
from the sides. As far as the condition of the dock now, we have a cease and
desist order we have given the doctor. He is under a $250 dollar a day fine
to remove it from the Code Enforcement Board and we have made every effort to
bring him into compliance and that's the case.
Mayor Suarez: Madam City Attorney, if we were disposed to grant something up
until the date that they request, April whatever, would do we do about the
$250 a day fine?
Mrs. Dougherty: It's the Code Enforcement Board that mandates that fine and
they would have to appear before the Code Enforcement Board with your
recommendation. But other than that, you have only a - you don't have any
jurisdiction over them.
Mayor Suarez: The board would make that decision.
Mr. Rodriguez: They appeared yesterday and the board turned it down.
Mr. Plummer (Off mike): .... turned down the application....
Mr. Rodriguez: The request for a waiver, the request for a waiver. The
request was stayed, it was turned down by them yesterday.
INAUDIBLE COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Mr. Price: OK. We filed the stay because we wanted the board to stay their
enforcement action until we had an opportunity to go to hearing tonight, which
was for one day. We have filed an action in Circuit Court which the Court has
given us a preliminary writ of prohibition and we have agreed in that Court
order that no matter what the decision is tonight, that we would remove
whatever this board feels to be illegal within 15 days. All we asked the
board for the courtesy was to permit us to exhaust our administrative
remedies, is why we're here tonight, and they refused to do so.
INAUDIBLE COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Mr. Price: Well, I don't have to plead that to them any more. I have to go
to Circuit Court again.
Mayor Suarez: But can we - I thought my question was simpler than all of
that, could we, if we wanted to, this Commission wanted to, allow them to
continue functioning until April, could we do more than just sort of advise
the board that the fine will not be levied in the meantime?
Mrs. Dougherty: No, and, by the way, we were not advised of this hearing. We
were completely unaware of it; of the court hearing.
Mr. Harms: Mr. Mayor, some information which I should add to that. In its
present condition, the dock is hazardous. The center pier, the main dock on
which one would walk out, has been formed up and has steel in place for
pouring concrete. Under our cease and desist order, the doctor cannot pour
concrete. He cannot use the dock. Persons trying to walk on that are forced
to tip toe between the steel. There's also a great deal of electrical conduit
and electrical motors which have been installed without permit or inspections.
We have no idea if they're safe or not. I do not think the City would be wise
to grant something which could be a liability to this City should someone
become injured on that. That's one reason why we can't allow it.
INAUDIBLE COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Mr. Harms: Oh, excuse me, yes, sir.
Mayor Suarez: I can't imagine how we would be liable.
100 January 28, 1988
Mr. Iry Bernstein: Thank you. Mr. Mayor, Madam Vice Mayor, members of the
Commission, I'll be as brief as possible. My name is Iry Bernstein. I live
at 2000 So. Bayshore Drive. I'm speaking tonight for myself and for Donald
Lefton who is my next door neighbor and unfortunately, cannot be here tonight.
Mr. Lefton and I live immediately south of Dr. TardifffIs property and I will
say are affected the most by Dr. Tardiff's mini marina. I will just say one
very brief statement. Dr. Tardiff is coming to you people for an appeal
without clean hands and, if you'll bear with me for one minute, I would like
to just give you a brief history. Dr. Tardiff, as you know, built these docks
without a permit, the Planning Board, the Code Enforcement Board and the
Zoning Board have all turned him down. He has ignored a cease and desist
order which was issued to stop the construction and Mr. Tardiff just
basically, or Dr. Tardiff, basically continued constructing the illegal dock
after the cease and desist order was issued. On December 12th and December
13th, he conducted a regatta out of his property without the benefit of a
Class B or Class C permit. He has consistently shown a total disregard for
our laws and ordinances and has consistently told public officials that he'll
do as he damn well pleases regardless of the laws and ordinances. These
actions cannot be tolerated or condoned by the City Commission. The illegally
constructed docks and marina lifts are a nuisance to the public and have no
_ place in a residential neighborhood. His residential property is being used
as a mini marina. And quite frankly, ladies and gentlemen, if I wanted to
build the type of home that I've built next to a mini marina, I'd have built
It down right next to Merrill -Stevens, save myself a lot of money.
Mayor Suarez: You can't help him along now, what is this?
Mr. Bernstein: Allowing the illegal structures to remain will preclude me, as
well as Mr. Lefton and others in the neighborhood, from enjoying the quiet use
of our private residential properties. And I would like to address this
hardship matter. I have lived in my house now for two years. Dr. Tardiff
Illegally constructed these docks approximately six months ago. For 18 months
prior to that, I saw Dr. Tardiff and his friends come in with some awfully
large boats, ladies and gentlemen. Now why this hardship has suddenly come up
from out of nowhere, I dont' know and I would ask Dr. Tardiff if he decided to
go out and buy a 100 foot boat, does that entitle you to build a 100 foot
pier? It's totally irrelevant and he does not have the hardship that he's
claiming. He didn't have it before he illegally constructed the docks and I
think it's strange that he now does. I might make one suggestion and I'm
going to stop and I think this might be a May that the City Commission can
satisfy everybody and I'm speaking for myself only. I've talked with Mario
Bustamente and others with the Olympics and not withstanding the fact that Dr.
Tardiff has made many false public statements that he's affiliated with the
Olympics, which he is not, in any way, shape or form. As a matter of fact, as
of three weeks ago, he was not even a member of the Yacht Sailing Union, but
be that as it may, i, for one, would not object if there were some way that a
bond could be posted to allow Dr. Tardiff to conduct the remaining three
regattas out of his property with the specific understanding that come, I
think the last regatta is March 27th and March 28th, and within two weeks
thereafter, if he posts a bond, then he must remove all of the illegal
structures and never put them up again. I think we would satisfy the Sailing
Center which, incidentally, I talked to Mario and Mario told me that if he has
the proper notice, they do have the facilities to handle Tornado Classes next
year. The problem is they can't handle them not because they just haven't
had - they weren't given the courtesy of any notice. So, I might suggest that
to the Commission if it's proper. I, for one, would not object to that, it
would certainly satisfy the Yacht Sailing Union, the Olympic hopefuls and as
along as we can trust Dr. Tardiff to take down what he's put up illegally, I
think this would satisfy everybody.
Mr. Plummer: Well, that's fine. What about the neighbors on the other side?
Mayor Suarez: Please, please ma'am.
Mr. Bernstein: Well that's all, as I say, Mr. Plummer, I'm speaking for
myself.
Mr. Plummer: OK, because I've got a ploy that would be even better than that
and it's very simple, I'll put it on the record. That if he did not tear down
the structures, after, if it's the 15th of April, the last regatta, that he
gives us, the City, the right to tear them down and the expense incurred is
put as a lien against his property. That's pretty binding.
101 January 28, 1988
Mr. Price: We'll agree to that.
Mr. Plummer: Now, I want to hear from the other neighbors because if they're
not in concurrence, then we're in a different bail game.
Mr. Bernstein: Thank you very much.
Mr. Plummer: But I think that if they are in concurrence, I think it is a
solution that maybe could appease everyone. Nothing that comes here appeases
everyone but we try.
Ms. Sylvia Goldstein: My name is Sylvia Goldstein. I live at 3560 Crystal
View Court. My property adjoins Dr. Tardiff'a. I came before this City
Commission in 1980. It was a unanimous vote that he was to tear down a fence
that was over 9 feet, close to 10 feet, and replace it with nothing higher
than 8 feet. Either an 8 feet wall or an 8 feet fence. I would like to show
you pictures...
Mayor Suarez: OK, let me stop you and hold you there so that we can get that
resolved. Why, if that is the case, is that fence still there? I mean, why
are we getting into that tonight, I'm not sure, other than to show that the...
Mr. Plummer: Because it was one hell of a hearing.
Ms. Goldstein: I am trying to show that Dr. Tardiff does not do what he is
told by law to do.
Mayor Suarez: Well, listen, that is fairly evident from all of these
proceedings. What I'm wondering is, why, if he was specifically ordered to
tear down that fence that did not happen in 19807 And number one, number two,
what relevance does that have to this particular problem?
Mr. Plummer: Well, I think what relevance it has is that he is not of good
faith. That if, in fact, he was ordered before and did not do it, why, if
he's ordered this time would he not do it? That's the relevance.
Mayor Suarez: Yes, but OK, but I mean he's obviously non conforming as to the
issue tonight, so did we get into the issue of the fence? We can get into
that another time if somebody wants to bring in a complaint or if the City
ought to take enforcement action or whatever.
Mr. Rodriguez: We will follow on today's complaint and check it and send an
Inspector to make sure it's correct.
Mayor Suarez: OK, anything else?
Ms. Goldstein: It is correct, I can guarantee you. The part he did tear down
between my property and his, he replaced with an 8 foot wall, higher than 8
feet, deliberately. I have my notes and...
Mayor Suarez: Well, I know it wasn't accidentally.
Ms. Goldstein: I went in to Whipple. I spoke to Mr. Whipple in 1980 and Mr.
Washington and Mr. Milligan came out. I spoke to Laura Butler, I spoke to Mr.
Lycea, all during the year 1980.
Mayor Suarez: The docks, the docks, what do you want to tell us about the
docks?
Ms. Goldstein: All right. The docks are next door to me. I am living next
door to boat storage. There is no way he can store 18 boats under cover. It
Is out of cover. Secondly, how can he assemble and disassemble 18 boats
without disturbing his neighbors? They are right up to my wall which is just
a few feet from my bedrooms. There is no way that I feel that I have lived,
I'm supposed to be paying for a residential area...
Mayor Suarez: You know, I don't know the answer to that and I don't know - my
suggestion is that you meet with the City staff and figure out if there's any
violation for that very reason as opposed to the docks. I mean, in other
words, that fact, if he's otherwise allowed to have the boats there and to
dismantle them and, you know, I don't see what other restrictions we can
impose but you can explore that with our staff.
102 January 28, 1988
•
Ms. Goldstein: That's a boat storage.
Mayor Suarez: That's not before us today. it doesn't sound like something
you'd do in a normal single family residence, I'll tell you that.
Ms. Goldstein: I don't think it is and when he tells you that they're hid, I
spoke - after he was first denied the permits, some of the sailors from the
Olympic came over to me asking we to approve it. I am all for the Olympics, I
come from a seafaring family, I enjoy the water sports, but I am not for it in
a residential area. We have laws that say this is residential and it should
be followed. I have pictures in the files showing his tennis court, which was
illegally built, and the lights that was illegally put in, so it all applies
to the sun we're talking about.
Mayor Suarez: I'm looking for one column in this property that was legally
built. OK.
Ms. Goldstein: Veil, this dock is illegally built. The dock is illegally
built.
Mayor Suarez: But that's all irrelevant, we're only dealing with the docks
today.
Ms. Goldstein: Veil, it's illegally built, sir and I would appreciate...
Mr. Plummer: Ma'am...
Mayor Suarez: Oh, that was the first - that was admitted by them at the
beginning of the evening.
Ms. Goldstein: I would appreciate my rights of having a residential home
there thought about. Thank you.
Mayor Suarez: Beautiful. Thank you for your statement.
Mr. Plummer: Excuse me, tell me again your name.
Ms. Goldstein: Sylvia Goldstein and I live at 3560 Crystal View Court. I
came before you here January 1980.
Mr. Plummer: Oh, how well I remember. Are you the same...
Ms. Goldstein: And Father Gibbons and you had a unanimous vote that he was to
take down the fence and it is still there Mr. Plummer.
Mayor Suarez: Oh, we vent through that.
Mr. Plummer: Are you the same Sylvia Goldstein that wrote and signed a letter
on March the 19th, 1980, in...
Ms. Goldstein: Probably, I was fighting it the whole year 1960.
Mr. Plummer: Well, excuse me, maybe somebody forged your signature.
Me. Goldstein: All right, let me hear it.
Mr. Plummer: Whereas, Mrs. Goldstein, in the spirit of being a good neighbor
Is willing to withdraw her objection to the height of said fence...
Ms. Goldstein: Sir, that is a forgery, that is a forgery! That is a forgery!
Mr. Plummer: If it is...
Ms. Goldstein: That is a forgeryt That is forgery! I have never once ever
done that!
Mr. Plummer: Ma'am, I'm merely...
Ms. Goldstein: It is a forgery!
103 January 28, 1988
Mayor Suarez: We're going to have a whole hearing on the issue of the fence
and forgeries and everything else.
Mr. Plummer: I am merely...
Ms. Goldstein: It is a forgery) I never ever heard of that.
Mr. Plummer: Mrs. Goldstein, I am not accusing you. I am asking you if this
Is the document which you signed?
Ms. Goldstein: May I look at it?
Mr. Plummer: You surely may.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER (OFF MIKE): This lady accused me of for Dr.
Tardiff. I didn't even want that.
_ Mayor Suarez: Must we get into the issue of the fence, please. Anything else
from the objectors?
Mr. Dawkins: Go right ahead, sir.
Mayor Suarez: Yes, go ahead.
Mr. Plummer: I'm just asking a question.
Mayor Suarez: Would you have a private pow wow with J.L. Plummer and work out
the issue of the forgery or the fence or something.
Mr. James Sweeney: Gentlemen and lady, my name is James Sweeney, I'm a
resident of 2000 So. Sayshore Drive, Villa 51. I'm the president of
L'Hermitage Owners Association. And...
Mayor Suarez: What could you possibly add as an objector that we haven't
heard already tonight, please?
Mr. Sweeney: Well, I would...
Mrs. Goldstein: INAUDIBLE COMMENTS NOT PUT INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Mayor Suarez: Ma'am, OK, Ma'am, we're going to give you a complete hearing
one day. Ma'am, we're going to give you a complete hearing on...
Mrs. Goldstein: INAUDIBLE COMMENTS NOT PUT INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Mayor Suarez: Ma'am, and Commissioner Plummer's going to head that hearing
because he's very interested in the issue of the forgery.
Mr. Sweeney: Mr. Mayor, I wonder if it is appropriate, the issue here
tonight, if I say get back to that, I think is the question of the...
Mayor Suarez: We know the issue. What is your opinion and what...
Mr. Sweeney: ... is the one of the hardship. The only testimony we've had as
to the hardship is from this gentleman here and I wonder if it is appropriate
for us to inquire or to ask a question or two?
Mr. Plummer: Sure.
Mr. Sweeney: All right, I know nothing — I know very little about most things
and nothing about boats, but if we could have that picture and at least I
could get cleared in my own mind what he's trying to say.
Mayor Suarez: Well, what's the question before we even get to all of that?
Mr. Plummer: Boy, I sure like these non controversial issues.
Mayor Suarez: I don't know what we're doing.
Mr. Plummer: Where do we apply for overtime?
104 January 28, 1988
Mr. Sweeney: OK, Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, as i understand it,
this gentleman is saying that the L'Hermitage docks are what causes the
hardship with this dock in here, is that correct? Did you not say the
existence of these docks down here causes a hardship...
Mr. White: They would if he's restricted to this 20 foot - the 25 foot
restriction. The normal...
Mr. Sweeney: Can you show me just what you're talking about of making a turn
out here and these get in the way?
Mr. White: Yes, let me put it on record while we're doing it. No, you see,
with this dock out of here, both docks out of here, then these boats would
have to be either this - it's hard to describe. OK, let's use my finger and
let's say it's sitting here. Nov, there's going to be a - right there would
be a piling, 25 feet. Nov, he would have to try to get out...
Mr. Sweeney: OK, I understand what...
Mr. White: Do you see that point?
Mr. Sweeney: You're saying take the docks out completely if he has to dock
his boat sideways. OK...
Mayor Suarez: Let me tell you - sir, you're now on the objecting side. The
person prior to you resolved the issue of the turning of the boat when he said
the fact that he has a very large boat does not give him a right to violate
the City's zoning restrictions.
Mr. Sweeney: OK, may I ask the question? Is the requirement of...
Mayor Suarez: So what difference does all of this make whether he can turn it
or not turn it. He can decide what boat he wants to buy and if he can turn it
fine, and if he can't turn it, that's his problem. We're not concerned with
that, we're not here building marinas for people or anything like that. We're
trying to enforce the zoning code.
Mr. White: Well, I understand, Mr. Mayor.
Mrs. Kennedy: I agree, Mr. Mayor, the issue is not that, the issue is that
the docks were built illegally.
Mr. Sweeney: Well, the issue is that he's trying to say there's a hardship.
I vast to establish that there's not, that' all.
Mayor Suarez: So far no one has really made much of the argument of the
turning of the boat so far that I can think of. None of us here.
Mr. Sweeney: If the boat vas 25 feet, would a 25 foot dock be sufficient?
Mr. White: No, that's what I was saying. Let me show you this...
Mr. Sweeney: You're talking about the docks are out of the way, aren't you?
Mayor Suarez: Sid, no, now we're not going to argue about the turning basin
needed for the 25 versus the 35 footer.
Mr. Sweeney: I understand. If there is a 25 foot dock sticking out and a 25
foot boat, is there a problem?
Mr. White: Yes, veil it's the same problem with these boats over here. These
would have the same problem if these were 25 feet.
Mayor Suarez: Right, he's pointing to the boats at L'Hermitage and he's
saying the same problem that they have. They don't seem to be having any
great problem to me. They're there and they have it...
Mr. White: I understand, Mr...
Mr. Tardiff (Off mike): If they were restricted like me they wouldn't have
their boats there either.
105 January 28, 1988
Mayor Suarez: The issue is not one that's going to decide the matter one way
or the other tonight, I don't think.
Mr. Sweeney: My position would be that there's simply no hardship, that's
all.
Mayor Suarez: I haven't heard anything about a hardship either tonight to
tell you the truth.
Mr. Charles Rosenberg: Good evening, my name is Charles Rosenberg. I live at
2000 So. Sayshore Drive, Villa 31. I live on the water. I observe everything
that's there. There's a reason, I think, that people...
Mayor Suarez: You started this whole thing, didn't you? _
Mr. Rosenberg: No, no, these guys did. One of the reasons I think people are
brought up...
Mr. Plummer: Pin it on Mrs. Goldstein.
Mr. Rosenberg: ... some of his past sins of omission and commission, is I
believe that you sit. here like a board of equity. You know, a guy comes in
with clean hands, says, look, I'm in trouble, help me. He has flaunted,
starting with the wall in 1979, everything that's ever been done on that
property illegally - there's a multitude of sins. He can't come in here with
clean hands because his hands are dirty, OK. He can't come in on an equitable
basis. The hardship is only money at this point and the way I understand the
way you function, money is not a hardship. And I'd just like to add my name
to the chorus of people that object to this commercial marina in our
residential zone.
Mayor Suarez: Money is not a hardship. It's a hardship if you don't have it.
Mr. Rosenberg: Right, he's spent a lot of money by the way.
Mayor Suarez: You were short after all of this, all the phone calls and
everything. Jim McMaster.
Mr. Jim McMaster: My name is Jim McMaster, I'm vice president of the Coconut
Grove Civic Club and I'm also speaking for the Tigertail Association. Dr.
Tardiff's lawyer sort of glossed over the fact as to why they are asking for a
variance. The fact is that under ordinance 9500, you cannot extend a dock by
special exception farther than 25 feet into the bay. It is simply outlawed by
the ordinance. I do understand you're allowed now to request variances of
things that are prohibited in the ordinance, but they're working on changing
that. So, if he had come to you originally and asked for this for a special
exception, it would not have been allowed. There has been a history of him
asking for different things on this project. Originally, he applied for a
Class C because he was going to preserve the sea grasses. After that was
denied by the Department of...
Mr. Rodriguez: Planning.
Mr. McMaster: ... Planning, because the Durhams said there were no sea
grasses. Now, suddenly, Dr. Tardiff comes up with another letter from the
same specialist saying, well, there are no sea grasses in the area so his
dock's going out 37 feet will not hurt anyone. I have spoken to the people at
Durham and even if this passes this Commission, it will still have to go
before the County Commission if any of the neighbors object which they will
because these docks do not meet the D-5 requirements as specified by the
county. I have an internal memo here, Donald Cather to Cesar Odio, in which
he states, in the past, Dr. Tardiff has been repeatedly cited by City agencies
for working without permits.
Mayor Suarez: I think all of that correspondence is in the record and, if
not, we'll make sure we put it...
Mr. McMaster: And be, you know, he basically says as far as the right of way
and everything else, the only thing they can do is to tear the docks down.
Thank you.
106 January 28, 1988
Mayor Suarez: Thank you, Jim. Before we hear any more, do you have some idea
how we're going to solve this now, do you want to make a motion?
Mr. Plummer: Me?
Mayor Suarez: Yes.
Mr. Plummer: Not me. Ms. Goldstein will be all over me.
Mayor Suarez: You seem to be awake.
Mr. Campbell: May I correct the record, may I correct the record? The
Information I was given in the office was that the coral rock wall originally
was built without permit. There was a question the zoning board as to the
wall. Dr. Tardiff has produced a permit for the wall which was apparently
obtained prior to the construction but there was something to do with the
height of the wall that went - height of the entry or something with the
Zoning Board. We had to go for a variance. I apologize for the Commission...
Mayor Suarez: Anything else, Stanley, do you have an idea what we can do here
Commissioners, anybody, before we hear - Doctor, you want to say something
very briefly?
Mr. Tardiff: I would like to show you some pictures...
Mayor Suarez: Pictures?
Mr. Tardiff: I'm sorry, Mr. Mayor, I was being spoken to.
Mayor Suarez: We all live, work, travel, spend a lot of time around that
area, we know quite well how it looks and we've seen more pictures tonight
than we've ever seen in one matter of this magnitude.
Mr. Tardiff: There is a permit on file with the City of Miami now with an
Intent to approve the permit. The permit outlines the dock to be reduced to
25 feet and it outlines that the northern pier would be flipped to the south
side. I can pick my catamarans, the large cruising catamarans out of the
water at 25 feet. It it a hardship, I have pictures documenting it which I
won't go into if you don't want me to. But I have a demonstration on the
pictures where I can show you that currently on - Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor, I can
show you that currently, I have a picture to demonstrate, I can lift the 37
foot catamaran at 25 feet. I can lift it on its keel. If I do, I'm 10 feet
from L'Hermitage's property line and, of course, the boat doesn't shrink, it's
37 feet out. And that's perfectly OK. I can build it at 25 feet. I'll have
to use to anchor ropes to lower the boat back to 25 feet. It'll be a hardship
for we to do that, but I'll manage it somehow. L'Hermitage though will then
look at my cruising catamaran 10 feet from their property line going out 37
and a half feet because that's the size of the boat. I want the Commission to
know...
Mayor Suarez: Size of the boat is the least of our concerns.
Mr. Tardiff: No, no, it's no concern to me either. I just wanted to be known
to the Commission that I can lift it and the result of not being able to have
the northern pier will, according to the plan, the boat will be lifted up 10
feet from L'Hermitage's property and that's perfectly OK with me and, Mr.
Plummer, your idea of April 15th is perfectly OK with me too. That's fine, I
have no problem with that whatsoever. I do not want to keep Tornados on my
property, only except if the Sailing Center can't take them and if the bottom
line...
107 January 28, 1988
is that these Olympic contestants have to go home, leave the State of Florida,
or I put them in the water, that the only reason I want to put them in.
Mayor Suarez: We love them to death, but this hearing has absolutely nothing
to do about it. I have a proposal from the City Attorney to grant a variance
until April, presumably that is April, what, 15th? It is subject to: one,
removal bond, counsel, two, insurance policy with the City, as additional
named insured. I guess it is against the possibility that there will be any
damage, or any...
Mrs. Dougherty: Any third party claims against the City.
Mayor Suarez: ... third party claims, or accidents, or whatever, and three,
safety inspections. And then you have, we don't give special events permits.
Mr. Rodriguez: Right.
Mayor Suarez: Special events permits to do what?
Mr. Rodriguez: They apply for a class "B" to conduct special events in the
property, the regatta, and the class "B" was turned down by the zoning
administrator.
Mr. Price: That is not correct.
Mr. Rodriguez: I have been told by the staff...
Mr. Price: The zoning administrator approved it. We walked out of his room,
we shook hands, the reason the permit was not issued, is that the City
Attorney, at 4:30 P.M. on a Friday afternoon, required us to furnish the City
with $1.000,000 worth of insurance by 5:00 o'clock. That is the reason it was
turned down, we weren't able to meet that requirement. I think the C%ty
Attorney's recommendation is fair, but I also think the amount of insurance
should be fair, and I'd like to hear a proposal to see how we could react to
Lt.
Mrs. Dougherty: And I'd still suggest $1,000,000.
Mr. Rodriguez: I have been told that the class "B" permit had been turned
down.
Mr. Plummer: Well, it was turned down because they didn't provide the
Insurance.
Mr. Rodriguez: Whatever, but, what I am trying to tell you, if the class "B"
permit is turned down, the proper procedure is that is appealed to the Zoning
Board and then after that, can be appealed to the City Commission.
Mr. Price: We have withdrawn that request, so it is scoot. The permit was
not issued. It was not issued because the zoning administrator turned it down
Is that we were unable to meet one of the conditions in a half an hour.
Mayor Suarez: I am not even sure what the regatta has to do with what we are
deciding today.
Mr. Price% Mr. Mayor...
Mayor Suarez: I mean, if we allow the docks...
Mr. Dawkins: Mr. Mayor, Mr. Plummer is getting ready to make a motion, let
him make a motion, or do something, so we can get out of here.
Mayor Suarez: ... until April 15th...
Mr. Dawkins: Go ahead, Mr. Plummer.
Mayor Suarez: ... what difference does it make what they do with it, I mean,
that's a whole separate procedure, Stanley. OK, you have a...
Mr. Plummer: There's a question to the neighbors. If we were to go with a
proposal that guarantees that nothing beyond April 15th, do you have a serious
objection to that?
108 January 28, 1998
• 0
Unidentified Speaker: And then what, after April?
Mr. Plummer: Then by April 15th, he has to tear down and comply with every
regulation there is. And if he doesn't we'll do it for him and put a lien
against his property. Now, you know, I mean, to me that is the easiest way to
resolve the matter. Anybody got any objection to that? You have an
objection?
Unidentified Speaker: No, I have no objection. I'd just make one
clarification though, to make sure they were clear on this, that is must be
removed by the 15th, or that he starts the removing on the 15th? I don't
think we were clear on that.
Mr. Plummer: What's fair?
Mrs. Doughherty: What is the regatta?
Mr. Price: A little more than ten days.
Mr. Tardiff: The last regatta is the 14th, 15th of April.
Mr. Dawkins: By Ma;15th.
Mayor Suarez: Right, April 15th you begin, you must finish by May 15th, as
Commissioner Dawkins has suggested.
Mr. Price: That's fine.
Mr. Plummer: Well, OK, and have it... OK, fine. No, I want to attach one
other... you have got to have the contracts for the work to be done by the
15th of April... by the 15th...
Mr. Price: That's fine.
Mr. Plummer: ... the work done by May 15th.
INAUDIBLE BACKGROUND COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Mr. Plummer: Yes, sir.
INAUDIBLE BACKGROUND COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Mayor Suarez: Not relevant to this hearing. I'm sorry. If anyone wants to
do anything about L'Hermitage, you can do that by other procedures.
Mr. Plummer: All right, then I would make a motion at this time that we grant
a variance until April 15th, with the provisions outlined by the City Attorney
and that the doctor must have contracts signed to do the work and to make him
In compliance with the present regulations, signed contracts by the 15th of
April, work to be completed by May the 15th, and that at no time thereafter,
will he ever hold any kind of regatta on his property. If not... the City, he
agrees to allow the City to come in and affect the work to be done, he either
pays the bill, or a lien will be placed against his property for such work.
Mayor Suarez: Moved and seconded.
Mrs. Dougherty: And by what time do they have to submit these insurance
policies and the bond?
Mr. Plummer: Well, what's reasonable, 10 days?
Mrs. Dougherty: When is the next regatta?
Mr. Plummer: When is the next regatta?
Mr. Tardiff: Saturday.
Mr. Plummer: Well, you see, now I've got a problem. You've got to do it
tomorrow, and I'll tell you why, because this gentlemen's statement an the
record, about the unsafe conditions. That's got me worried.
109 January 28, 1988
Mr. Price: We have a certification, which we will be happy to furnish him,
but we will...
Mr. Plummer: Hey, it gives you all day tomorrow.
Mr. Tardiff: We have a certification by our qualified engineers.
Mr. Plummer: I'm telling you that you have got to get $1,000,000 worth of
insurance.
Mr. Tardiff: What does such a thing cost?
Mr. Plummer: I have no idea... a whole lot, I'm sure!
Mayor Suarez: Doctor, you are not getting the drift of these proceedings. We
are about to tell you to tear these things within 15 minutes of this hearing,
unless we get an agreement within one minute of nowl Stanley?
Mr. Price: if we can't do it, we understand that we cannot get the permits for
this weekend.
Mrs. Dougherty: And -you will not hold the regatta this weekend.
Mr. Price: That's right.
Mrs. Dougherty: OK.
Mr. Price: Can I just ask one further thing, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Tardiff: (OFF MIKE) If it is exorbitantly expensive, I can't do it.
Mr. Price: You say you can't?
Mayor Suarez: Please. We are not interested, doctor, if it is exorbitant, or
not. We are not even interested in the regatta, at this point. Yes.
Mr. Price: If I may, can I respectfully request the Commission to ask the
City Attorney to appear at the court hearing. We will stipulate into the
record, subject to contempt of court, that these were the conditions imposed
by the City Commission.
Mayor Suarez: Why do you need more than what we have just have done?
Mr. Pierce: Because we have asked for a stay of the Code Enforcement Board at
$250 a day. The court has granted that, subject to a hearing on the...
Mayor Suarez: Do you have any problems, Mr. Manager, having a City attorney
to explain the proceedings that took place here today?
Mr. Odic: I'll have to ask her that.
Mrs. Dougherty: No. we'll appear so long as we get all of the stipulated
things that we need.
Mr. Plummer: But, you understand, if you don't get that insurance policy, no
regatta.
Mr. Rodriguez: May I say something on the record. You cannot make a decision
on the regatta. The decision on the regatta is a class "B" permit that has to
be granted by the zoning administrator, and it requires appeal period of so
-- suny days, during which he cannot hold any regatta. So, the regatta for
Saturday, I think they can kiss it good -by, at this point.
Mr. Price: In all due respect, we do not need a class "B" permit to invite
- people onto our property, to use our docks.
Mayor Suarez: But, Stanley, you agree that tonight we should not have to
decide that, because that is not the issue before us. The motion has to do
with whether the docks can stay there, or not, and then what you can do about
your regatta, other than the insurance, which was built into the motion, is
that legal to build that into the motion, even though we don't decide whether
he can have a regatta or not?
110 January 28, 1988
Mr. Plummer: We can build anything into a variance.
Mayor Suarez: That's what I want to make sure.
Mrs. Dougherty: I didn't hear the question, I'm sorry.
Mayor Suarez: He could build into a motion on a variance on the size of the
docks of the insurance in case he can otherwise fulfill the requirements
for a regatta.
Mrs. Dougherty: Yes, but I understand that they have committed, and Dr.
Tardiff has committed on the record, not to hold that regatta this Saturday,
If you don't have the insurance. Is that correct?
Mayor Suarez: That's certainly part of the motion.
Mr. Plummer: You bet!
Mrs. Dougherty: Is that correct?
Mr. Plummer: There.`is no way I am going to make a motion to allow people to
go on a so-called unsafe dock without $1,000,000 worth of liability. No way!
Mayor Suarez: We can make that a requirement of the motion as to the zoning
Issue before us, Madam City Attorney?
Mrs. Kennedy: He cannot have it without the class "B" permit, anyway.
Mayor Suarez: But, that's another... that his problem to solve, not ours.
You can make that a requirement of the motion...
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: I don't understand.
Mayor Suarez:... on the issue before us.
Mr. Price: (OFF MIKE) No insurance, no regatta.
Mr. Rosenberg: I would also recommend that you have somebody there to enforce
It on Saturday, whether by police or City officials.
Mayor Suarez: Please, please! Madam City Attorney, can we make that a
requirement of the motion as we have done?
Mrs. Dougherty: Yes, as a safety issue, you can, but at the same time, you...
what I am hearing is, that he will not grant the permit.
Mr. Rodriguez: No, what I am telling you is, the class "B" was denied, there
Is an appeal period of so many days in which anybody can appeal that decision.
During that period of time, he cannot hold any events.
Mrs. Kennedy: There is no time for that.
Mayor Suarez: But that is a separate issue. We can't decide that tonight.
That's not even before us tonight.
Mr. Rodriguez: But in the motion it has been discussed several times the
regatta this weekend, and I have to mention that on the record.
Mr. Plummer: So the appeal period is 15 days.
Mr. Rodriguez: It will be 15 days, yes.
Mr. Plummer: All right, so what you are saying is, that if the .permit is
Issued, he cannot have any function for 15 days, regardless, and we can't
waive that.
Mayor Suarez: All right, he is saying that he is going to follow, pursue
other legal proceedings, because he thinks he can do it, well, we will see on
that issue, but that is not before us, just docks are before us.
Mr. Plummer: No, no, no, got a problem!
ill January 28, 1988
Mrs. Dougherty: It is not a problem.
Mr. Plummer: Hope. Hey, we are trying to bring this man in compliance with
all rules and regulations. Now, if in fact, he were to get a stay in court,
allowing him to have this regatta on this Saturday, contesting the 15 days,
then what happens with the insurance?
Mayor Suarez: He would still have to come up with the insurance, because
otherwise, he cannot have the docks which with to have the regatta. That's
what we are deciding here tonight.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER (OFF MIKE) He'll ask for a stay in the whole.
Mayor Suarez: Well, if the court gives them a stay on the whole thing, and
stayed, what can we do?
Mr. Tardiff: I am not understanding this. I don't know what is going on.
Mr. Price: If you don't have insurance by tomorrow, you can't have your event
on Saturday. Do you understand that?
Mayor Suarez: OK, we have a motion. Do we have a second on that motion?...
otherwise, we will never get out of here tonight.
Mrs. Kennedy: We have a second, Commissioner Dawkins.
Mayor Suarez: The motion is to...
Mrs. Dougherty: Forget it.
Mayor Suarez: To forget it? I'll second that motion! Madam City Attorney,
please, or Sergio, see if you can phrase that motion that was made by
Commissioner Plummer, without stating that he cannot have a regatta, because
that is a whole different proceeding.
Mr. Rodriguez: I'll leave it to Commissioner Plummer. I'm sorry, I missed
the...
Mr. Plummer: How come always you want to put words in my mouth, but tonight
you don't want to? Mr. Mayor, my motion is, to grant a variance until the
15th of April, with the provisions that by the 15th of April, contracts will
be signed to bring this subject property into full compliance with all
existing zoning regulations, with work to be completed no later than May 15th.
They must have safety inspections. They must have a $1,000,000 liability
Insurance policy indemnifying the City, so that we are not considered a third
party.
Mayor Suarez: For any use of those docks?
Mr. Plummer: That subject property.
Mayor Suarez: Might. Not relating at all to regattas, that is a whole
different issue that you've got to get approval.
Mr. Plummer: And the final thing is that if the doctor fails for whatever
reasons to comply with those regulations, he gives the City the right to
Immediately go in, affect the work to be done, and either he will pay the
bill, or we place a lien against the property.
Mrs. Dougherty: And he also submits a performance bond, or a removal bond to
that effect.
Mr. Plummer: That's correct.
INAUDIBLE BACKGROUND COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Mrs. Dougherty: And shall be submitted within ten days from now.
Mr. Plummer: Whatever amount In set by Public Works.
Mayor Suarez: So moved. Do we have a second?
112 January 28, 1988
0 &
Mr. Dawkins: Second.
Mayor Suarez: Seconded. Any discussion? Call the roll.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 86-107
A RESOLUTION REVERSING THE DECISION OF THE ZONING
BOARD AND GRANTING A VARIANCE FROM ORDINANCE NO. 9500,
AS AMENDED, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, ARTICLE 20, SECTION 2024, SUBSECTIONS
2024.1.3 AND 2024.10, TO PERMIT AN EXISTING DOCK AND
CATWALKS WHICH EXTEND 37.75 FEET INTO BISCAYNE BAY (25
FEET EXTENSION ALLOWED) FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3590
CRYSTAL VIEW COURT, MIAMI, FLORIDA, (MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED HEREIN), AS PER PLANS ON FILE AND PROVIDING
A 1.5 FOOT SIDE SETBACK FROM THE PROPERTY LINE (23.7
FEET SIDE SETBACK REQUIRED); ZONED RS-2/2 ONE FAMILY
DETACHED. RESIDENTIAL, FOR A PERIOD OF TIME TO EXPIRE
ON APRIL 15, 1988, SUBJECT TO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
CONDITIONS SEVERAL OF WHICH [(a), (b) and (c)j MUST BE
MET PRIOR TO THE USE OF THE STRUCTURE IN QUESTION AND
IN NO EVENT LATER THAN TEN (10) DAYS FROM JANUARY 28,
1986; (a) THE STRUCTURE SHALL PASS A SAFETY INSPECTION
PERFORMED BY OR ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY OF MIAMI; (b)
THE PROPERTY OWNER SHALL CARRY A COMPREHENSIVE GENERAL
LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY OF AT LEAST $ 1 MILLION FOR
BODILY INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE, WITH THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEING NAMED AS AN ADDITIONAL INSURED, VITH AN
INSURANCE CARRIER AND IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
CITY; (c) THE PROPERTY OWNER SHALL POST A PERFORMANCE
AND REMOVAL BOND IN AN AMOUNT REQUIRED BY THE CITY
MANAGER AND IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY
TO COVER THE COST OF REMOVAL OF THE STRUCTURE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS VARIANCE AND TO GUARANTEE
PERFORMANCE OF THE CONDITIONS OF THIS VARIANCE; (d)
THE PROPERTY OWNER SHALL CEASE USE OF THE STRUCTURE
AND SHALL COMMENCE REMOVAL OF THE STRUCTURE NO LATER
THAN APRIL 15, 1988 AND SHALL COMPLETE REMOVAL ON OR
BEFORE MAY 15, 1988; (e) THE PROPERTY OWNER SHALL
INDEMNIFY CITY AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS,
LIABILITIES, LOSSES OR CAUSES OF ACTION, OF ANY NATURE
WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF THE GRANTING OF THIS
VARIANCE OR OUT OF THE CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, USE
OR REMOVAL OF THE STRUCTURE; AND, (f) IN THE EVENT
PROPERTY OWNER FAILS TO COMPLY WITH CONDITIONS OF THIS
VARIANCE, CITY MAY CAUSE THE REMOVAL OF THE STRUCTURE
AND IMPOSE THE COST THEREOF AS A LIEN AGAINST THE
PROPERTY ENFORCEABLE AS A LIEN PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE
FLORIDA STATUTES.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Dawkins, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
ABSENT: None.
Mayor Suarez: It is either that, or we make a motion right now to tear down
the docks, so...
113 January 28, 1988
Mrs. Kennedy: That's right, to deny the whole thing.
30 A) EMERGENCY ORDINANCE: ESTABLISH PROJECT "GOLDEN ARMS ACQUISITION". B)
AUTHORIZE ACQUISITION IN LIEU OF CONDEMNATION OF GOLDEN ARMS PROPERTY.
Mayor Suarez: Do you want to entertain the motion, someone from the Manager's
office, or the City Attorney's office on the Golden Arms purchase? That is
non -controversial, right?
(LAUGHTER)
Mayor Suarez: No? You don't want us to appropriate the money and try to buy
those properties?
THEREUPON, THE CITY ATTORNEY READ THE ORDINANCE INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD, BY
TITLE ONLY.
Mrs. Dougherty: You need a motion and a second.
Mrs. Kennedy: Move it.
Mayor Suarez: Why did you say it was controversial? You said it was not
controversial?
Unidentified Speaker: Not controversial.
Mayor Suarez: Ne have a motion and a second. The ordinance has been read.
Ms. Hirai: I don't have a second.
Mayor Suarez: It has been read and everything and now please call the roll.
Ms. Hirai: Mr. Mayor, I need a motion and a second. I couldn't hear it. A
motion and a second, I need.
Mrs. Kennedy: I move.
Ms. Hirai: You moved it. Do you second?
Mayor Suarez: Yes.
Ms. Hirai: No.
Mayor Suarez: To purchase the lots for Golden Arms.
Me. Hirai: Commissioner Plummer, it is an emergency. I need four votes.
Mrs. Dougherty: There is a resolution in connection with that too.
Mayor Suarez: Doesn't the owner want to sell this property?
Mrs. Dougherty: Mr. Mayor, there is also a resolution in connection with
that, too.
Mayor Suarez: Al, you are saying he wants to sell it for this amount. Right?
Mrs. Kennedy: They don't want to sell?
Mayor Suarez: He does want to sell. He does want to sell.
INAUDIBLE BACKGROUND COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Mayor Suarez: Hey, if he doesn't want to sell for this amount, I guarantee
you this deal is not going to work. Very good.
Ms. Hirai: I have a motion. Do I have a second?
Mayor Suarez: I second.
114 January 28, 1988
Ms. Hirai: You second?
Mr. Plummer: What is the motion?
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 1 OF ORDINANCE
NO. 10347, ADOPTED OCTOBER 22, 1987, THE CAPITAL
APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE BY ESTABLISHING THE PROJECT
ENTITLED "GOLDEN ARMS ACQUISITION PROJECT", PROJECT
NO. 321036, IN THE AMOUNT OF $350,000 FROM INTEREST
EARNINGS ON GENERAL OBLIGATION HOUSING BONDS;
CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE.
Was introduced by Commissioner Kennedy and seconded by Mayor Suarez, for
adoption as an emergency measure and dispensing with the requirement of
reading same on two separate days, which was agreed to by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
Whereupon the Commission on motion of Commissioner Kennedy and seconded
by Mayor Suarez, adopted said ordinance by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
SAID ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO. 10379.
-- The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Commission and
to the public.
COMMENTS MADE AFTER FIRST ROLL CALL:
= Mr. Plummer: For the record, this is the property that we are speaking of now,
which is the dilapidated, abandoned apartments.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: That's correct.
Mr. Plummer: Correct? OK.
Mayor Suarez: And this hopefully will bring to an end four years of
-- litigation.
Mr. Plummer: Oh no, this is just the start.
COMMENTS MADE AFTER SECOND ROLL CALL:
Mr. Plummer: Good night.
Mr. Rodriguez: No, no, you have a resolution with this.
Mr. Plummer: What?
Mr. Rodriguez: In addition to the ordinance, you have a resolution.
Mrs. Dougherty: It is a resolution authorizing the purchase of the property.
115 January 28, 1988
Mayor Suarez: OK, you don't have to read it?
Mrs. Dougherty: I don't have to read it.
Mayor Suarez: Will somebody stove it, quick?
Mr. Plummer: Let we see it. Have negotiations been entered into with the
owner?
Mr. Odio: Yes.
Mr. Plummer: Is he willing to sell?
Mr. Odio: Yes.
Mrs. Kennedy: Is he here tonight?
Mr. Plummer: Have it.
Mrs. Kennedy: As long as it's negotiated. Second.
Mr. Odio: We got a deal.
Mayor Suarez: Moved and seconded. Call the roll. If he is not willing to
sell it, I guarantee the motion will have no effect.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 88-108
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACQUIRE
BY NEGOTIATION IN LIEU OF CONDEMNATION TWO LOTS,
LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS LOTS 7 AND S. BLOCK ". NEW
SHENANDOAH, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 10 OF PAGE 55 OF
THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF DADE COMM, A/K/A/ GOLDEN ARMS,
AND OWNED BY ONE OHNER FOR FUTURE PUBLIC USE; COST OF
ACQUISITION TO BE PROVIDED FROM THE 1988 CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 321036, "GOLDEN ARMS -
PROPERTY ACQUISITION".
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, the resolution was passed
and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
116 January 28, 1988
- — --------------- — -------------------------------------------------- — ------
31. (CONTINUED DISCUSSION) AMEND MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN -
CHANGE PLAN DESIGNATION OF PROPERTY AT 3616-3638 NW 23RD AVENUE.
(APPLICANT: CONSIGNMENT AUTO SALES, INC.) (NOTE: THIS ITEM HAD BEEN
PREVIOUSLY CONTINUED BY MOTION 88-101) (See labels 15 and 32.)
Mayor Suarez: Nov, P2-5 had been an item that you had wanted postponed.
Counselor is telling me it is not controversial, that he wasn't here at the
time. I don't even know what the item is.
Mrs. Dougherty: Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Plummer: Well, the problem with 5 was, that they didn't surrender the
covenant to the City Attorney.
Mrs. Dougherty: We have it now.
Mr. Plummer: Are you satisfied?
Mrs. Dougherty: Yes, sir.
Mr. Plummer: Are we in any kind of a bind with any objectors that might have
been here, who have been told that it was deferred?
Mrs. Dougherty: We are...
Mayor Suarez: We didn't defer it, I don't think, did we?
Mr. Rodriguez: You deferred it to the next meeting.
Mayor Suarez: We did defer it. I don't think we can vote on it.
Mr. Plummer: We did defer it.
Mr. Mark Valentine: What happened, is that the covenant, there was a concern
about the neighbors, that we not have an...
Mayor Suarez: Wait, procedurally, can we even vote on it, if we have
announced that we are deferring it?
Mrs. Dougherty: The answer is yes.
Mr. Valentine: What happened is that the neighbors...
Mr. Plummer: Is this first reading?
Mr. Valentine: No, second reading. The only issue that was raised by the
neighbors is that we not have an ingress or egress onto 23rd Avenue, and
that.....
Mr. Plummer: No, that's not true. There was more than that, about trees....
Mr. Valentine: No, well, that is in the covenant also. There is landscaping,
there is an eight foot concrete wall, and there is no ingress or egress onto
23rd Avenue.
Mr. Plummer: Madam City Attorney, it is second reading. It is 30 days before
It becomes law. If any one of the objectors, objects, can we reopen the
Issue?
Mrs. Dougherty: Yes, sir.
Mr. Plummer: I move item 5. You are satisfied with the covenant?
Mrs. Dougherty: Yes, sir.
Mr. Plummer: I move item 5 be approved...
Mr. Dawkins: Second.
117 January 28, 1988
Mr. PI too r:... subject to any of the objectors who make an objection in
writing to the City !tanager, the matter would be reopened.
Mr. Valentine: That's fine.
Mayor Suarez: Moved and seconded with that modification.
Mr. Valentine: That's fine.
Mayor Suarez: If it isn't, you are really in trouble then. Call the roll.
Read the ordinance.
AN ORDINANCE -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE
NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AND ADDENDA (SEPTEMBER 1985); FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 35616-3638 NORTHWEST
23RD AVENUE (MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN) BY
CHANGING DESIGNATION OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY FROM
MODERATE/DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TO GENERAL COMMERCIAL
USE; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION
AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
Passed on its first reading by title at the meeting of December 10,
1987, was taken up for its second and final reading by title and adoption. On
notion of Commissioner Plummer, seconded by Commissioner Dawkins, the
Ordinance was thereupon given its second and final reading by title and passed
and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
- ABSENT: None.
THE ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO. 10380.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Commission and
to the public.
32. SECOND READING ORDINANCE: AMEND ZONING ATLAS AT 3616-36238 Nil 23RD
AVENUE. (APPLICANT: CONSIGNMENT AUTO SALES, INC.) (NOTE: THIS ITEM HAD
BEEN PREVIOUSLY CONTINUED BY MOTION 88-101.) See labels 15 and 31.)
Mrs. Kennedy: PZ-6 is a companion.
Mr. Mark Valentine: This Is a companion item number 6 on that, as well.
Mrs. Kennedy: Yes.
Mayor Suarez: We need a motion on item PZ-27, extending the moratorium on
impact fees.
Mr. Rodriguez: Mr. Mayor...
Mr. Valentine: No, there is a 6.
Mrs. Kennedy: PZ-6 is a companion item to 5.
Mr. Valentine: Right.
Mayor Suarez: I entertain a motion on PZ-6.
118 January 28, 1988
Mrs. Kennedy: You want to move 6? You moved S.
Mr. Plummer: Vhat?
Mayor Suarez: It is a companion to PZ-5.
Mrs. Kennedy: Move 6.
Mr. Plummer: Have it.
Mayor Suarez: Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Do we have to read the
ordinance?
AN ORDINANCE -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
NO. 9500, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF
APPROXIMATELY 3616-36 NORTHWEST 23RD AVENUE, MIAMI,
FLORIDA, (MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN) FROM RG-
2/4 GENERAL RESIDENTIAL TO CG-1/7 GENERAL COMMERCIAL
BY MAKING FINDINGS; AND BY MAKING ALL THE NECESSARY
CHANGES ON PAGE NO. 19 OF SAID ZONING ATLAS MADE A
PART OF ORDINANCE N0. 9500 BY REFERENCE AND
DESCRIPTION IN ARTICLE 3, SECTION 300, THEREOF;
CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE.
Passed on its first reading by title at the meeting of December 10,
1987, was taken up for its second and final reading by title and adoption. On
motion of Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Plummer, the
Ordinance was thereupon given its second and final reading by title and passed
and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
THE ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO. 10381.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the mesbers of the City Commission and
to the public.
33. EMERGENCY ORDINANCE: EXTEND MORATORIUM ON COLLECTION OF IMPACT FEES.
Mayor Suarez: I entertain a motion to continue the moratorium on impact fees
until...
Mrs. Kennedy: Move it.
Mayor Suarez: Moved and seconded.
Mr. Plummer: Move it, until when?
Mayor Suarez: Until the next Planning and Zoning agenda.
Mrs. Dougherty: No, no, until April 30th.
Mr. Rodriguez: No, April 30, 1988.
119 January 28, 1988
Mr. Plummer: Why April instead of February?
Mr. Rodriguez: So it will give you a chance for two readings on the amendment
to the ordinance.
Mrs. Dougherty: Just to give you a chance.
Mr. Plummer: That's fine.
Mayor Suarez: So moved.
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM ON THE
COLLECTION OF IMPACT FEES AS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED
PURSUANT TO ORDINANCE NO. 10273 ADOPTED MAY 28, 1987
TO LAST UNTIL APRIL 30, 1988.
Was introduced by Commissioner Kennedy and seconded by Commissioner
Plummer, for adoption as an emergency measure and dispensing with the
requirement of reading same on two separate days, which was agreed to by the
following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
Whereupon the Commission on motion of Commissioner Kennedy and seconded
by Commissioner Plummer, adopted said ordinance by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
SAID ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO. 10382.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Commission and
to the public.
34. DISCUSSION AND CONTINUANCE OF APPEAL BY EXXON CORPORATION OF ZONING
BOARD'S DENIAL OF SPECIAL EXCEPTION TO PERMIT REDUCTION OF TRANSITIONAL
AREA REQUIRED TO RECONSTRUCT A GAS STATION.
Mayor Suarez: PZ-249 is that what you are up here for?
Mr. Neil Robertson: Just don't want you to leave town.
Mayor Suarez: Commissioners? How much time would this Commission be willing
to allocate for PZ-24 before we even consider getting into it?
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I had a commitment at 9:30 P.M. I've stayed until
the end of this item, which is our policy. Our policy is the last item at
_ 9:00 P.M. In the last item. I am sure this item will take an hour, no
question in my mind.
120 January 28, 1988
ZINIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Six minutes.
Mr. Plummer: That's you. They are going to want time.
INAUDIBLE BACKGROUND COMMENTS NOT ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Mr. Robertson: Vait a minute, the people in favor, I believe, are simply the
hired attorneys and people that are on salaries to sit here for five hours.
The people that are opposed represent citizens in Morningside and children
from Christian School sat here for five hours, listening to all this, and were
never told that there was any chance we weren't going to be heard. At 9:00
o'clock, you could have done us the courtesy of telling us that. Now, I can
turn out these people, but I can't turn out this many again, I can't just ask
people to bring their children out for another evening for five hours and I
don't think it is fair for people like myself, who left work early today, and
missed an opportunity... yes, I am a lawyer, but I am not billing to be here.
Mayor Suarers That is the eternal problem with these hearings. Let me tell
you, I have no problem listening to your remarks, and those of anyone else
that is here, for a few minutes, because, you know, at least for the record, I
did not see the kids, I was told that there were kids here.
Mr. Plummer: For the record I'll stay 15 minutes more. Then I've got to go.
Mr. Dawkins: Let's hear from, and then let's go.
Mr. Plummer: 15 minutes.
Mayor Suarez: And if we don't complete the hearing, it can be extended, but
all of the remarks and all of the statements made are in the record and you
have been heard on them. Counselor, go ahead and approach the mike.
Mr. Jack Finkleman: Mr. Mayor, Jack Finkleman. I am not at 1401 Brickell
Avenue. If I may suggest, if the people who are speaking in opposition, wish,
as I said, six or ten minutes, to state their opinions, it might be worthwhile
to have them do that while they are here and I would be happy to return when
It is a more convenient time, so that I can express my client's position
without limitations upon their children and their spouses. I think I will
require approximately 20 minutes, although I cannot be certain, and I am
certainly happy to come back at a different time, but I don't want to take the
unreasonable position, if it is going to impose upon woman and children that
came to speak tonight.
Mayor Suarez: Vell, we, I could guarantee you that from what I hear from the
_ Commission, we are not going to have a quorum here for the full amount of
time, so I'd like to hear from those that cannot stay and particularly, the
objectors who were not being paid to appear here, and I appreciate your offer
on that score.
Mr. Plummer: Let me just make the record clear from the very beginning. Have
the objectors... are they aware of all of the covenants that they have
proffered, the proponents?
Mr. Finkleman: We had a meeting this morning and negotiations have gotten
nowhere. We have met repeatedly.
Mr. Plummer: Tou have read the covenant?
Mr. Robertson: I personally have not, but people from Morningside have. I
object to the procedure about the and I just want to state that, because
what is happening here, is that Exxon is going to come back down again, and it
Is simply a procedure of wearing down the neighborhood and seeing who shows up
next.
Mayor Suarez: No, I don't think so. I don't think so. I think we will get
this matter totally resolved at the meeting. This is the first time that we
contemplated, or considered it and we are interested in the opinions of anyone
who may not be able to come back.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, for the record, I would like in the future, in
fairness to these people and us, that it be on every agenda at the start and
at the and, that the Commission policy is that the last item at 9:00 o'clock
In the last item.
121 January 28, 1988
Ms. Hirai: That is on the agenda, Commissioner.
Mr. Rodriguez: It is on the agenda, written on the agenda.
Mr. Plummer: OK.
Mr. Robertson: I will keep my comments very brief, then. My name is Neil
Robertson, I live at 567 NE S7th Street. I am the president of the
Morningside Civic Association. We have discussed this matter at great length
at board meetings, we have discussed this with our neighbors. I specifically
asked board members to go out and ask their neighbors what their opinion was,
as to what Exxon had planned for the property in question. The consensus,
throughout the community, is that this zoning variance should not be granted.
We understand that they can have a commercial property there. We also
understand that they need the zoning variance to do what they want to do,
therefore, we are opposing the zoning variance. Their plan is to remove a
full service gas station. We asked them not to do that. When they lost in
the first round, they did that anyway, they removed all the tools and the
mechanics from the property, and they simply pumped gas there. OK, we can't
keep them from doing that, but we urge you and the board has voted and the
board has asked we to come here and tell you that we object to their
converting this into yet another facility to sell beer and wine on Biscayne
Boulevard. One of the people here today showed me a survey that he had gone
up and down the boulevard within a mile of this location. Then are ten or
eleven locations already that sell beer and wine. Exxon keeps saying: "We are
In the gas business, but we just want to sell a few convenience items." Fine,
let them stay in the gas business, and they can sell all the gasoline they
want, but we do not want yet another location on the boulevard selling the
sort of things that is going to attract the derelicts and the ne'er-do-wells,
that we are having a hard enough time within our community. If I might just
say one additional comment as far as Cushman School, which is right across the
street, they will make their own representation, but it is very important that
we keep this sort of situation away from those kids. Currently, we have a
filling station there, with a number of employees that keep the property in
very good condition. Their proposal will have one person in a pillbox,
looking out, and taking cash through a drawer, because they are so afraid of
the neighborhood, they won't go out. Well, they are contributing to that
lessening of the neighborhood, and we would appreciate your rejecting this and
following the recommendations of your zoning board.
Rev. Carl Theele: My name is Carl Theele, I live at S911 NE 6th Avenue, I
have given you each a sheet, which lists the convenience stores near the Exxon
station. I could speak about the morality of the issue, I won't. I do
present a sheet shoving you that there is no need for another convenience
store within the community and whether there is anyone on the Commission - I
hope there isn't, who would want such a convenience store as the Exxon station
is proposing. That would bother so. In fact, I don't understand how Exxon
officials can still want such an establishment on the boulevard, when there is
already the proof that it is not needed. Nov, I think the only thing that the
Exxon people will understand, is a big "no" from the City Commission, and I
hope you will vote that with regards to this resolution. Thank you.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you, Reverend.
Dr. Joan Lockhelm: I an Dr. Joan Lockheim, the principal of the Christian
School, when has been at its present location for 64 years. We are in an
Integrated neighborhood, we have an integrated school, and we are very, very
conscious of that. We want to keep the neighborhood up, and there has been a
big change in the neighborhood. We are the red triangle there. We have 245
students, and every single parent is in opposition to this. My students have
brought petitions that the people who are unable to be here tonight have
signed. Some of them live in the neighborhood, some of them bring their
children in, and we realize that Exxon has the ability to build them without
the setback.
Mayor Suarez: We have a saying here, it is unfair to bring kids of this age
to try to influence this.
Dr. Lockheim: Well, I know, but no, they came out early. These survived, a
lot of our people went home, as you know, because you saw them earlier
tonight. But, you know, we realize that Exxon can do that, because it is
122 January 28, 1988
toned, to let them build a convenience store, without passing the variance
they are asking for, but I don't think we have to make it easy for them to do
something in the neighborhood that everyone opposes. When you look at that
area right now, it is about a ten block area that has really come back a lot
In the past three or four years. This will not add to that. It is going to
make it worse, and I obviously, because the school is there, we are very
concerned. Our children can look right across the street to whatever activity
is going on in that Exxon station. Right now, it is very nice, it is clean.
People come in, they get their gas, they leave. No one is hanging around and
I don't have to spend all day out there chasing the hookers and drug dealers
as I did when I first came to the school five years ago, so I would appreciate
It if you would listen to your planning and toning board. Thank you, very
much.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you, doctor.
Mr. Jim Angleton: Good evening, Jim Angleton, president of Greater Biscayne
Boulevard Chamber of Commerce. It's late, so I won't say a lot. We oppose
this appeal. We oppose it, we are the ones who live and work in the area. We -
do not believe that in the past the Exxon has showed us that they care about
our community. We believe that they are large corporation out of our area,
and they don't care. Nov, we have met many times with Mr. Finkleman, Jack -
Finkleman, who we have a lot of regard for; however, they won't compromise the
way we would like them to compromise, so at this time, we the Chamber, don't
wish for any compromise. We ask that the board please reject this appeal. If
It comes back again, and Mr. Finkleman comes back again, please invite us
back, because we'd like to talk again.
Mayor Suarez: You will be here whether we invite you back or not.
Mr. Angleton: Thank you, Mayor.
■ Mr. Jerry Lance: Mr. Mayor, Jerry Lance I live at 246 NE 102 Street, Miami
Shores. I have a first year college student who attended "K" through six at
Cushman. I have a senior at _ who attended "K" through six and I now have a
second grader at Cushman, that I want to be able to finish "K" through 6. I
also own property at 248 HE 59th Street in the City of Miami. I also own
property at 855 NE Miami Avenue in the City of Miami. One of my major
concerns is, I not only come out of the school, or my wife comes out of the
school at the exit of Biscayne Boulevard, on the lower side, with the exit of
30 people at Exxon, onto the boulevard, which they can shoot out, and
especially, if they have flipped a beer, or opened a bottle of wine, which I
think that we are enticing people to do, and actually breaking the law, if
they do drive in there, they can pick up a six pack, which I think is wrong,
and I think this City Commission would be against. Also when you pull out on
Biscayne Boulevard at 59th Street, it is bad enough now, pulling out on
Biscayne Boulevard, trying to make a left hand turn at that intersection
_ without having somebody who had possibly had been drinking at that particular
time. I think there is enough problems in the particular area, you are well
aware of. Leave the gas station as it is. Let them go ahead and put in the
mechanic base, because there is enough people right now that don't know how to
service their cars, and I am sure Exxon could make more money having a
mechanic base there than they could, having a quick service stop there. Thank
you much.
Mayor Suarez: I entertain a motion to continue this particular item. Yes,
sir.
Mr. Dawkins: Go ahead, young fellow.
Mr. Spencer Weisberg: My name is Spencer Weisberg, and I live at 5970 NE 6th
Court, and I don't think they should sell beer and wine because drunk people
throw cans and empty bottles, cans, on our street.
Mayor Suarez: But you will buy your gasoline there, right?
Ms. Sara Beatty Cushman: Just one more. My name is Sara Beatty Cushman. I
live at 589 NE 57th Street, it is also known as the Cushman residence and part
of the community. All I have to say is that I object the Exxon station being
able to sell wine and beer.
123 January 28, 1968
Mayor Suarez: Thank you for your statement. We will carry all of these over
on the record to the next hearing date.
Rev. Carl Theele: Carl Theele, 59th Street and 6th Avenue. I want to commend
the Commission and the Mayor for the concern you have expressed during this
whole meeting, I've been here since 5:15 P.M. about zoning regulations within
the City. The problem that you are having with Dr. Tardiff, is a problem
that I could duplicate at least three locations within my neighborhood, and I
hope the City Commission and the Zoning Enforcement Board will begin to do
something about these problems, as you have with Dr. Tardiff.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you, Reverend.
Mr. Dawkins: We've got one sore, Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Suarez: And keep the correspondence coming. Keep the letters coming.
Mr. Walter Harms: Walter Harms, 650 NE 60th Street. I oppose the convenience
store that they plan to put in there. Up until about a year ago, they had a
pair of telephones, public telephones, right on 60th Street, right next to the
station, and from those telephones, cars parked on my property, run over my
grass. I also speak for a neighbor who lives right next door to the service
station. They have a high wall between the service station and his property -
Delgado. He was unable to be here tonight. He is a tour director on a
cruiser going down the Caribbean. Now, they have blocked his driveway, they
ride over his lawn, and I see the same thing happening again if we have this
station with a convenience store, that these people can do the same thing,
even worse than what they were doing with the telephones. I thank you.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you for your statement.
35. CONTINUE ALL AGENDA ITEMS NOT TAKEN UP THIS DATE TO FEBRUARY 25, 1988
AGENDA.
Mayor Suarez: I entertain a motion to continue this particular item and all
other items that we didn't get to today.
Mrs. Kennedy: So move it.
Mayor Suarez: So moved and seconded. Any discussion? Call the roll. That's
until the meeting of Planning & Zoning in February.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Kennedy, who moved
its adoption:
NOTION NO. 88-109
A MOTION CONTINUING AGENDA ITEM PZ-24 AS WELL AS ALL
AGENDA ITEMS NOT TAKEN UP BY THE CITY COMMISSION ON
THIS DAY TO THE MEETING PRESENTLY SCHEDULED FOR
FEBRUARY 25, 1988.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Plummer, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Victor De Yurre
Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Vice Mayor Rosario Kennedy
Mayor Xavier L. Suarez
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
124 January 28, 1988
iti�tE BEING NO ruRTHn sOSDiESS To cmE wmRE THE on
CommiSSion, THE !lEETItiG VAS •WOORKn AT 10:16 P.M.
Xavier L. Suarez
V A T O R
•?TEST:
Natty Hirai
CITY C1aRK
valter J. toaman
ASSISTANT CITT CLURK
125
January 28, 1989
CITY OF MIAMI
DOCUMENT INDEX
munm m%m JANUARY 28, 1988
PAW 1 OF �
V-- Cona N
ACCEPT PLAT: PELICAN HARBOR PARK.
88-92
URGE VOTERS TO APPROVE SCHOOL BOND
REFERUNDUM TO ACCEPT G.O. BOND -
PROCEEDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF AND
IMPROVEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES.
88-93
DECLARE ONE SURPLUS CITY VEHICLE AS
SURPLUS STOCK AND DONATE SAME TO UNITED
TENANT COUNCIL FOR CRIME PREVENTION
PURPOSES.
88-94
APPOINT RICHARD DUNN, PAT SKUBISH AND
MANUEL ALONSO-POCH TO THE CITY OF MIAMI
ZONING BOARD.
88-95
APPOINT WILFREDO GORT TO THE CITY OF
MIAMI PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD.
88-96
GRANT APPEAL BY DEIDRE'S GROVE, INC.
FOR REVIEW OF ZONING BOARD'S DENIAL OF
VARIANCE TO PERMIT CONSTRUCTION OF
OFFICE BUILDING AT 3250 SOUTH DIXIE
HIGHWAY AND 3271-3291 WEST TRADE
AVENUE.
88-98
INSTRUCT PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE
THAT IN ALL FUTURE APPLICATIONS FOR
CLASS "C" OR ANY OTHER DITY PERMITS
THERE MUST BE FULL DISCLOSURE OF
OWNERSHIP.
88-100
(A) RESCHEDULE FIRST COMMISSION MEETING
IN FEBRUARY. (B) SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING
ON PROPOSED ISSUANCE OF MASTER
DEVELOPMENT ORDER AND INCREMENT ONE
DEVELOPMENT ORDER FOR THE OVERTOWN/PARK
WEST REDEVELOPMENT AREA.
88-103
GRANT REQUEST FOR AMENDMENT TO
DECLARATION OF RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS TO
PERMIT A SURFACE PARKING LOT AT 2230-
2240 S.W. 16 71 STREET. (APPLICANT:
GREENBERG, TRAURIG, ET AL.)
88-106
GRANT APPEAL FOR REVIEW OF ZONING
BOARD'S DENIAL OF VARIANCE TO PERMIT
EXISTING DOCK AND CATWALKS AT 3590
CRYSTAL VIEW COURT - WITH CERTAIN
PROVISOS.(APPLICANT:JEFFREY TARDIFF).
88-107
AUTHORIZE ACQUISITION IN LIEU OF
CONDEMNATION OF GOLDEN ARMS PROPERTY.
88=108