HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnalysis ModifiedAnalysis for Major Use Special Permit for the
50 Biscayne Project (fka Columbus Office Tower)
located at approximately 50 North Biscayne Boulevard
CASE NO. 2004-079
Pursuant to Ordinance 11000, as amended, the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Miami,
Florida, the subject proposal for the 50 Biscayne project has been reviewed to approve
with conditions, a Substantial Modification to a Major Use Special Permit, Resolution No.
No. 04-0111, per Articles 17 and 22 of Zoning Ordinance No. 11000, as amended, for
the 50 Biscayne project (formerly known as Columbus Office Tower), located at ap-
proximately 50 North Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida, to allow for a change to the
original application from a 578-foot, 38-story building comprised of approximately
661,593 sq. ft. of office space, 29,508 sq. ft. of retail space, and 1,260 total parking
spaces to a 554-foot, 55-story building comprised of 523 residential units, approximately
15,517 sq. ft. of retail/restaurant, and 722 total parking spaces.
This Permit also includes the following requests:
SUBSTANTIAL MODIFICATION TO A MAJOR USE SPECIAL PERMIT, per
Article 17, Section 1701, and Article 22 of City of Miami Zoning Ordinance 11000,
as amended, to allow a change in the original application (substantial
modification to previously approved Resolution No. 04-0111) from 661,593
square feet of office floor area to approximately 523 residential units.
SUBSTANTIAL MODIFICATION TO A MAJOR USE SPECIAL PERMIT, per
Article 17, Section 1701, and Article 22 of City of Miami Zoning Ordinance 11000,
as amended, to allow a change in the original application (substantial
modification to previously approved Resolution No. 04-0111) from 29,508 square
feet of retail floor area to approximately 15,517 square feet of retail/restaurant.
SUBSTANTIAL MODIFICATION TO A MAJOR USE SPECIAL PERMIT, per
Article 17, Section 1701, and Article 22 of City of Miami Zoning Ordinance 11000,
as amended, to allow a change in the original application (substantial
modification to previously approved Resolution No. 04-0111) from parking
structures consisting of 1,260 spaces to approximately 722 spaces.
This Permit also includes the following requests:
CLASS II, as per Article 4, Section 401 for approval of signage in the CBD;
CLASS II, as per Article 9, Section 927, to allow temporary off -site parking during
construction;
CLASS II, as per Article 9, Section 908.2 for access from a public street roadway
width greater than twenty-five feet;
CLASS II, as per Article 4, Section 401, to allow a construction fence and
covered walkway;
CLASS I, as per Article 9, Section 925.3.8, to allow
development/construction/rental signage;
CLASS I, as per Article 9, Section 918.2, for parking and staging during
construction;
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CLASS I, as per Article 9, Section 918.2, for parking and staging of offsite
parking and construction crews;
CLASS I, as per Article 9, Section 920.1, to allow a construction trailer and
watchman's quarters;
CLASS I, as pre Article 9, Section 920.1, to allow a trailer(s) for construction and
other temporary offices such as leasing and sales;
CLASS I, as per Article 9, Section 906.9, to allow for a special event namely a
ground breaking ceremony;
REQUEST WAIVER FROM CHAPTER 36 OF THE CITY CODE, request for
waiver by the City Commission of noise ordinance to allow continuous concrete
pours;
REQUEST that the following MUSP conditions be required at the time of Temporary
Certificate of Occupancy or Final Certificate of Occupancy instead of at the issuance of
foundation permit:
a. the requirement to record in the Public Records a Declaration of Covenants and
Restrictions providing that the ownership, operation and maintenance of all
common areas and facilities will be by the property owner or a mandatory
property owner association; and
b. the requirement to record in the Public Records a unity of title or covenant in lieu
of unity of title.
Pursuant to Articles 17 and 22 of Zoning Ordinance 11000, approval of the requested
Substantial Modification to a Major Use Special Permit shall be considered sufficient for
the subordinate permits requested and referenced above as well as any other special
approvals required by the City which may be required to carry out the requested plans.
In determining the appropriateness of the proposed project, the Planning and
Zoning Department has referred this project to the Large Scale Development
Committee (LSDC) and the Planning & Zoning's Internal Design Review
Committee for additional input and recommendations; the following findings have
been made:
• It is found that the City Commission approved Resolution No. 04-0111 on February
26, 2004 for the Master Development Program for the property located at 50 North
Biscayne Boulevard.
• It is found that the proposed development project will benefit the area by creating
new residential opportunities in the Downtown NET District, located on the corners of
North Biscayne Boulevard, East Flagler Street, and N.E. 3rd Avenue, across from
Bayfront Park and Amphitheater.
• It is found that the subject property is located in the "A.L. Knowlton" Plat within the
CBD neighborhood of the City.
• It is found that the existing zoning designation for the property pursuant to the Zoning
Ordinance of the City of Miami, Florida is CBD "Central Business District".
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• It is found that the project has convenient access to the Metromover system at the
Bayfront Park Station, located approximately 11/2 blocks south from the subject
property, with connections to the Metrorail Stations, for efficient use of existing mass
transit systems.
• It is found that the proposed density of the project is 405 units per acre, which is
below the maximum 1,000 units per acre permitted for the 1.29± net acre site.
• It is found that the proposed project is not located in an Archeological Conservation
area and is not required to undergo Historic and Environmental Preservation Board
(HEPB) review.
• It is found that the proposed project was reviewed by the Design Review Committee
on June 22, 2004, and the following pertinent comments were made: (1) The Burle
Marx paving pattern is not appropriate as an aesthetic device to be applied to the
building's elevations, columns and pool deck. It is an appropriate idea to incorporate
the Burle Marx paving pattern from the public sidewalk into the private realm of the
building by continuing or abstracting the paving pattern within the building's lobby, if
so desired. However, the committee does not find it appropriate to continue the pav-
ing pattern within the loading and vehicular entry areas; (2) Consider collaborating
with the Burle Marx firm, based in Rio De Janeiro, in order to receive their input on
the possible application of their design ideas into this project. (3) It is inappropriate
to provide loading access which requires reversing off of NE 1st St. Incorporate the
required loading spaces so that they are accessed from within the garage and load-
ing vehicles do not have to reverse to or from the public right of way; (4) Because of
the importance of this at the intersection of Flagler Street and Biscayne Boulevard,
please modify the garage podium to include liner program with a minimum of 15' of
habitable living or working space for at least the first three floors on all street sides.
This will create a more active and attractive facade, and provide eyes on the street;
(5) It is critical that parked cars and mechanical systems within the garage be hidden
from view. Where parking garage facades will be adjacent to streets, provide details
of the materials proposed to cover the garage openings, and indicate how all vehi-
cles and vehicular ramps will be concealed from public view. With the exception of
the elevation design, the Planning and Zoning Department's review resulted in de-
sign modifications that were then recommended for approval to the Planning and
Zoning Director.
• It is found that the proposed project was reviewed for design appropriateness by the
Urban Development Review Board on July 21, 2004, which recommended approval
(UDRB Reso. 7-21-04-8).
• It is found that on August 13, 2004, the City's Traffic Consultant, URS Corp.,
provided a Review of the Traffic Impact Analysis submitted by the applicant and has
found the traffic analysis sufficient.
• It is found that a review of the proposed project was provided by Miami -Dade Public
Schools on August 17, 2004. The student population generated by this development
is estimated at 114 students (based on Census 2000). The schools serving this area
of application are Frederick Douglas Elementary - 61% FISH Capacity with the
proposed project; Riverside Elementary — 144% FISH; Jose De Diego Middle —
130% FISH; and Booker T. Washington Senior High - 58% FISH. Pursuant to the
interlocal agreement, Riverside and Jose De Diego meet the review threshold of
115% and shall need to dialogue with the School Board.
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• It is found that the project was reviewed by the Large Scale Development Committee
on August 17, 2004 to address the expressed technical concerns raised at said
Large Scale Development Committee meeting.
• It is found that with respect to all additional criteria as specified in Section 1305 of
Zoning Ordinance 11000, the proposal has been reviewed and found to be
adequate.
Based on these findings, the Planning and Zoning Department is recommending
approval of the requested Development Project with the following conditions:
1. Meet all applicable building codes, land development regulations, ordinances
and other laws and pay all applicable fees due prior to the issuance of a
building permit.
2. Allow the Miami Police Department to conduct a security survey, at the option
of the Department, and to make recommendations concerning security
measures and systems; further submit a report to the Department of Planning
and Zoning, prior to commencement of construction, demonstrating how the
Police Department recommendations, if any, have been incorporated into the
PROJECT security and construction plans, or demonstrate to the Director of
the Department of Planning and Zoning why such recommendations are
impractical.
3. Obtain approval from, or provide a letter from the Department of Fire -Rescue
indicating APPLICANT'S coordination with members of the Fire Plan Review
Section at the Department of Fire -Rescue in the review of the scope of the
PROJECT, owner responsibility, building development process and review
procedures, as well as specific requirements for fire protection and life safety
systems, exiting, vehicular access and water supply.
4. Obtain approval from, or provide a letter of assurance from the Department of
Solid Waste that the PROJECT has addressed all concerns of the said
Department prior to the obtainment of a shell permit.
5. Comply with the Minority Participation and Employment Plan (including a
Contractor/Subcontractor Participation Plan) submitted to the City as part of the
Application for Development Approval, with the understanding that the
APPLICANT must use its best efforts to follow the provisions of the City's
Minority/Women Business Affairs and Procurement Program as a guide.
6. Record the following in the Public Records of Dade County, Florida, prior to the
issuance of a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Occupancy,
a Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions providing that the ownership,
operation and maintenance of all common areas and facilities will be by the
property owner or a mandatory property owner association in perpetuity.
7. Prior to the issuance of a shell permit, provide the City with a recorded copy of
the Substantial Modification of a MUSP permit resolution and development
order, and further, an executed, recordable unity of title or covenant in lieu of
unity of title agreement for the subject property; said agreement shall be
subject to the review and approval of the City Attorney's Office.
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8. Provide the Department of Public Works with plans for proposed sidewalk and
swale area improvements (including implementation of the Burle Marx Plan for
Biscayne Boulevard) for its review and approval prior to the issuance of a
building permit.
9. Provide the Department of Planning and Zoning with a temporary construction
plan that includes the following: a temporary construction parking plan, with an
enforcement policy; a construction noise management plan with an
enforcement policy; and a maintenance plan for the temporary construction
site; said plan shall be subject to the review and approval by the Department of
Planning and Zoning prior to the issuance of any building permits and shall be
enforced during construction activity. All construction activity shall remain in full
compliance with the provisions of the submitted construction plan; failure to
comply may lead to a suspension or revocation of this Substantial Modification
to a Major Use Special Permit.
10. In so far as this Substantial Modification to a Major Use Special Permit includes
the subordinate approval of a series of Class I Special Permits for which
specific details have not yet been developed or provided, the applicant shall
provide the Department of Planning and Zoning with all subordinate Class I
Special Permit plans and detailed requirements for final review and approval of
each one prior to the issuance of any of the subordinate approvals required in
order to carry out any of the requested activities and/or improvements listed in
this development order or captioned in the plans approved by it.
11. If the project is to be developed in phases, the Applicant shall submit an interim
plan, including a landscape plan, which addresses design details for the land
occupying future phases of this Project in the event that the future phases are
not developed, said plan shall include a proposed timetable and shall be
subject to review and approval by the Director of Planning and Zoning.
12. Within 90 days of the effective date of this Development Order, record a certi-
fied copy of the Development Order specifying that the Development Order
runs with the land and is binding on the Applicant, its successors, and assigns,
jointly or severally.
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