HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter of IntentHolland & Knight
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Holland & Knight LLP I www.hklaw.com
Jorge A. Lima
305 789 7433
jorge.lima@hklaw.com
November 4, 2009
VIA HAND DELIVERY
Ms. Teresita Fernandez
Executive Secretary
Department of Hearing Boards
City of Miami
444 SW 2nd Avenue
Miami, Florida 33130
Re: Madrid Restaurant, Inc. / Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan Amendment and
Rezoning Applications
Dear Teresita:
This letter of intent is submitted in support of the enclosed applications by Madrid
Restaurant, Inc. (the "Applicant"), which seek to amend the City's Comprehensive Neighborhood
Plan and rezone that certain parcel of land located at 3679 & 3681 SW 25th Street in the City of
Miami (the "Property"). Specifically, the Applicant seeks the redesignation of the Property to
Restricted Commercial and rezoning of the Property to C-1 (collectively, the "Application"), in
order to permit the expansion of the existing surface parking on the Property which currently
serves the abutting restaurant to the west, known as the Madrid Restaurant.
The Property is presently designated Duplex Residential on the Comprehensive
Neighborhood Plan and zoned R-2. It abuts residential uses to the east and south, and is
cornered by commercial uses both to the north and west. In particular, while the parcel
immediately north of the Property is zoned R-2, it is currently developed with an 11,000 square -
foot office building and parking lot. Furthermore, the Property is located adjacent to the C-1
zoned commercial corridor running along SW 37th Avenue, and directly abuts the C-1 zoned
property to the west which is home to the existing Madrid Restaurant. In fact, the western half of
the Property is currently developed as a surface parking lot which serves the restaurant, pursuant
to a Conditional Use approval granted on that portion of the Property in 1977.
November 4, 2009
Page 2
This Application seeks to extend the existing C-1 zoning from the west, over and
inclusive of the Property, in order to permit the expansion of the existing surface parking. The
requested Restricted Commercial designation as well as the C-1 zoning is in harmony with the
established land use pattern in the area, which currently contains commercial uses eastward from
SW 37"' Avenue, in a fashion similar to what the Applicant is requesting here, in order to serve
the commercial uses along that corridor. The Application would permit the expansion of the
existing surface parking in an effort to provide more on-site accommodation of restaurant -
generated traffic, reducing or eliminating any improper parking along the rights-of-way or
swales, and will serve as an appropriate transitional use between the existing residential uses on
the east of the Property with the existing commercial uses located to the west. Notwithstanding
the approval of the Application, the use on the Property will be restricted to the proposed surface
parking.
In light of the above, the proposed Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan amendment is
compatible with and furthers the objectives, policies, and land uses in the Comprehensive Plan,
in accordance with Sections 2205.1 and 2209 of the City Code. Additionally, the proposed
rezoning of the Property complies with the criteria of City Code Section 2210, as it is related to
the adjacent districts, is in scale with the neighborhood, positively influences living conditions in
the area, and will contribute to the improvement of the adjacent restaurant property.
Based on the foregoing, the Applicant respectfully requests your favorable consideration
and recommendation of the Application. Two checks in the amount of $650.00 and $7,674.00
have been enclosed representing the applicable filing and surcharge fee for this application.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at
305.789.7433.
Respectfully submitted,
Holland & Knight, LLP.
cc: Mr. Juan Lata
Jose A. Bolanos, Esq.
Juan J. Mayol, Jr., Esq.
# 8948372 vl