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Home My WebLink AboutSubmittal-Memo-Bercow Radell & Fernandez1) .-I"ERCow RADELL & FER NAN DEZ Ft C� MEMORANDUM TO: Chairman Marc Sarnoff LU Commissioner Willy Gort C:> Commissioner Frank Carollo (, L_ N Commissioner Frances Suarez Commissioner Richard Dunn c FROM: Jeffrey Bercow, Esq. W C> CC: Ana-Gelabert Sanchez UJ W'.nl Julie Bru, Esq. Maria Chiaro, Esq. Victoria Mendez, Esq. M M =:) ---I LU SUBJECT: Omni Media Tower Cf) CL � DATE: July 21, 2010 The Omni Media Tower project promotes and implements the following goals, objectives and policies of the Miami Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan: Objective LU -1.2: Promote, facilitate and catalyze the redevelopment and revitalization of blighted, declining or threatened residential, commercial and industrial areas through a variety of pubic, private, and public-private redevelopment initiatives and revitalization programs including, where appropriate, historic designations. The Omni Media Tower project will promote, facilitate and catalyze revitalization of the Omni CRA area, and specifically the Performing Arts Center (PAC), Media and Entertainment District, and Museum Park Miami, by redeveloping 8.24 acres into a sustainable regional destination with an international identity. This proposed public- private redevelopment initiative contributes to the City's infrastructure by providing significant public amenities, including an up to 1,600 -space parking structure to serve the PAC, Media and Entertainment District, and future Museum Park Miami site as C(0- 0 10 525 Ztdemo - 3--r-c- ow RoJell—Ferr,c.-iciez well as accommodate residents, visitors, and employees; an up to 500 foot tall observation tower to eliminate the currently obstructed view of Biscayne Bay; and a trolley, route and turn around plaza to provide pedestrians with a transit -oriented alternative. Policy LU -1.2.3: The City's priorities in implementing, facilitation, and encouraging redevelopment and revitalization projects shall be determined on an area specific basis in accordance with the adopted Consolidated Plan, Fiscal Years 2004-2009, adopted redevelopment plans, specific neighborhood and area plans, the 2007 Parks and Public Spaces Master Plan, and the land development regulations, as appropriate and as incorporated in the MCNP by reference in accordance with F.A.C. 9J- 5.005(2) (g). J_5.005(2)(g). The 2009 Omni Redevelopment Plan describes the redevelopment of the Miami Herald properties as "key"' to redeveloping the Omni CRA, and was assigned a "high priority" for implementation of a public-private strategy. The Ornrii Media Tower proposes to redevelop the Miami Herald properties pursuant to the objectives set forth on Page 55 of the Omni Redevelopment Plan, specifically by extending pedestrian access from N.E. 14 Street to Biscayne Bay; supporting street -level pedestrian activity; providing parking alternatives for the PAC; and preserving the historic Shrine Building. Page 71 of the Omni Redevelopment Plan also provides that "Design guidelines should make allowances for creative signage and lighting which contributes to the character of the District as a late night entertainment destination." Accordingly, the City should prioritize, encourage, and facilitate the redevelopment of the Miami Herald properties into the Omni Media Tower project by adopting the proposed Ordinance and Development Agreement. Policy LU -1.3.6: The City will continue to encourage a diversification in the mix of industrial and commercial C) activities and tenants through strategic and comprehensive marketing and promotion efforts so that the designated C) Neighborhood Development Zones, the Empowerment Zone, the Enterprise Zone, the Brownfield Redevelopment C Area, the Commercial Business Corridors, and other C) targeted areas are buffered from national and international UU Ui c- cycles. N t,_ I Policy LU -1.3.7: The City will continue to use the City's A_ = Enterprise Zone, Tax Increment Financing district, M M Empowerment Zone, Commercial Business Corridors, and _n =) UJ Brownfield Redevelopment Strategies to stimulate CD CL I- 2 economic revitalizations, and encourage employment opportunities. The Omni Media Tower project is located within the City's Central Enterprise Zone, Omni Tax Increment Financing district, North Central Empowerment Zone, and abuts Biscayne Boulevard, a major Commercial Business Corridor in the City of Miami. The Omni Media Tower strategy of redeveloping the Miami Herald properties will diversify the current mix of commercial activities and create a sustainable regional destination and identity by capitalizing on the development of the PAC and Media and Entertainment District so as to be buffered from future national and international cycles. In addition, the Omni Media Tower project will stimulate economic revitalization by establishing the area as a regional hub for cultural and entertainment uses, diminishing the negative impact of existing urban barriers, and create both immediate and permanent employment opportunities. Policy LU -1.3.9: The City will continue to concentrate Community Development efforts in small geographic areas that have special opportunities and/or potential for redevelopment consistent with implementation of small - area action plans that have the support of neighborhood residents and business owners. The 2009 Omni Redevelopment Plan, like the original 1986 Omni Redevelopment Plan, was the subject of an intense, publicly -driven process including numerous stakeholder meetings and public hearings, and was approved by both the Omni CRA and the City Commission. Implementing the objectives set forth on Page 53 of the Omni Redevelopment Plan as proposed by the Omni Media Tower project clearly has the support of thousands of neighborhood residents and business owners. Policy LU -1.4.3: The City will continue to promote an active pedestrian sidewalk environment along the ground floor frontage of buildings on "pedestrian streets" through land development regulations. The Omni Media Tower project will provide an active and safe pedestrian sidewalk environment along the ground floor frontage of buildings on N.E. 14 Street, a "pedestrian street". Policy LU -1.4.11: The City will continue to streamline the development application for development approvals to simplify and standardize the process, while ensuring that the regulatory intent of the approvals is maintained. Submitted Into the public reco connection on with _10 _ ZZ pr"Ja A. Thompson City Clerk The City's adoption of an ordinance to establish the Omni Media Tower permitting procedure simplifies a process that while was permitted in the both the City's former and current land development regulations, was not standardized or streamlined by the City Code. Further, the utilization of the Florida Local Development Agreement Act, Section 163.3220 through 163.3243, Florida Statutes, is an effective manner in which to ensure that the regulatory intent of the ordinance and process is maintained. Policy LU -1.6.10: The City's land development regulations and policies will allow for the provision of safe and convenient on-site traffic flow and vehicle parking and will provide access by a variety of transportation modes, including pedestrianism, bicycles, automobiles and transit. The City's approval of the Omni Media Tower will allow for the provision of safe and convenience on-site traffic flow and vehicle parking to the PAC, Media and Entertainment District, and the future Museum Park Miami. In addition, the Omni Media Tower project will encourage residents, visitors and employees to access the Omni Media Tower project, PAC, Media and Entertainment District, and the future Museum Park Miami by a variety of transportation modes, including pedestrianism, bicycles, automobiles, and transit. U L CRECORD FOR ITE z- 1(v ON