HomeMy WebLinkAboutVariance AnalysisANALYSIS FOR VARIANCE
MIAMI SCIENCE MUSEUM
1075 BISCAYNE BOULEVARD
Case No. 10-00494v
APPLICATION FOR VARIANCE SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH ZONING ORDINANCE
11000 and THE CITY CODE, AS AMENDED, AND TO ALL APPLICABLE CRITERIA,
CONSIDERATIONS AND/OR OTHER REGULATIONS.
Pursuant to Ordinance 11000, as amended, the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Miami, Florida,
the subject proposal for the Miami Science Museum project, located at approximately 1075
Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida, has been reviewed to allow a Major Use Special Permit per
Articles 9, 13 and 17, to construct an approximately 87 feet 10 inches height (N.G.V.D.) three
(3) story building (with intermediate mezzanines), to be comprised of approximately 118,036
square feet of floor area of science museum with galleries, accessory social spaces, accessory
shops, and accessory entertainment service cafe the project will provide 223 off-street parking
spaces
This Permit includes the following requests:
This MAJOR USE SPECIAL PERMIT encompasses the following Special Permits and
Requests:
EQUEST, for a VARIANCE, as per, ARTICLE 19, Section 1901, ARTICLE 4, Sect. 401, PR,
Parks, Recreation and Open Space, to allow a relaxation of the terms of the ordinance for
required off-street parking space, subject to all applicable criteria;
Minimum required 302
Proposed 223
Request to be waived: 79
The following findings have been made:
• It is found that the proposed "Miami Science Museum" is part of a Master Plan also called
"Museum Park Miami".
• It is found that the Master Plan was approved by the City Commission on March 13, 2008
under Resolution R-08-0126 with all the same structures, features, and landscaping
proposed with this Special Exception.
• It is found that the "Miami Science Museum" project plans depict a new three story building
of 118,036 square feet of floor area of Science Museum with galleries, service cafe, retail
and Dome Theater complemented by features consisting of a entry plaza, terraces, clearing,
grove, and service yard with an underground parking garage.
• It is found that a Special Exception request is a companion item of this Variance and both
are associated with a MUSP application.
• It is found that the project will provide 223 off-street parking spaces out the 302 required off-
street parking spaces generating the need of a variance to waiver 79 required spaces.
• It is found that a Metro -mover station is less than one thousand feet from the proposed
Museum Park with two Metro rail stations and nine metro mover stations within a mile radius
of the museum, and it is also complemented with ample public parking provided in the area.
• It is found that the area of the proposed Museum promotes pedestrian interaction being
bordered by the downtown core and the entertainment districts that are zoned CBD and SD -
6 under 11000 and T6-0 under Miami 21. In these districts parking reductions can be
sought when the site is in close proximity to public transportation systems.
• It is found that the proposed Museum is located in PR "Parks and Recreation" district which
under 11000 does not. allow the provision to reduce parking requirement regardless of
proximity to public transportation systems.
• It is found that under Miami 21 the Museum Park is zone CS "Civic Space" which allows
mixed use developments to reduce parking requirements according to shared parking
standard.
• It is found that at the 09/21/09 Zoning Board meeting a similar off-street parking variance
request was presented for the Miami Art Museum, which is also located at this site, and the
Board recommended the item for approval.
• It is found that even though the proposed Miami Science Museum will be compatible and
beneficial to the area, the requested variance does not meet the 'hardship criteria under
Section 1901 of Zoning Ordinance 11000.
Based on these findings, the Planning Department is recommending denial by the
Planning Department as presented.
Analysis for VARIANCE
File ID: 10-00494v
Yes No N/A.
❑ ® ❑ 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.
❑ ® ❑ b) The special conditions and circumstances do not result from the actions
of the petitioner.
❑ ® ❑ c) Literal interpretation of the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance No.
11000 deprives the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by other
properties in the same zoning district under the terms of this Zoning
Ordinance No. 11000 and works unnecessary and undue hardship on the
petitioner.
❑ ® ❑ d) Granting the variance requested conveys the same treatment to the
individual owner as to the owner of other lands, buildings, or structures in
the same zoning district.
❑ ® ❑ e) The variance, if granted, is the minimum variance that makes possible
the reasonable use of the land, building, or structure.
❑ ® ❑ f) The grant of the variance is in harmony with the general intent and
purpose of Zoning Ordinance No. 11000, and is not injurious to the
neighborhood, or otherwise detrimental to the public welfare by
demonstration of compliance with the following additional criteria related
to impact, character and design:
1) The variance, if granted, would result in a project that is
consistent with the applicable criteria as set forth in Sections
1305.2 and 1305.3 of Zoning Ordinance No. 11000, as such
design relates to the particular location for which the variance is
being sought.