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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDesign Review Comments• C 1 T Y 0 F M I A • PLANNING PRE -APPLICATION DESIGN REVIEW COMMENTS MAJOR USE SPECIAL PERMIT CENTURY PLAZA (FORMERLY OCEAN PALACE) 850 NW 42 AVE. 1-25-05 The following comments represent the unified vision of the Pre -Application Design Review Committee, which consist of all staff members in the Urban Design and Land Development Divisions. COMMENTS: The following comments are being made in an effort to develop projects to their highest potential and make a significant contribution to improving the quality of our built environment with great architecture and urban design. In the future, please submit one 11" x 17" set of drawings for the committee's records. Urban Design • The revised building ground floor frontage along Lejeune Rd. and SW 43rd Ave. is much improved over the previous submittal. The committee appreciates the revision to the project to provide a more urban street frontage with steps leading directly to retail and lobby spaces, along with the provision of street trees within planters. • As stated previously, given the large depth of the lot, it is inappropriate to provide parking spaces on the ground floor on NW 43rd Ave. Remove these parking spaces and replace them with active habitable spaces, such as retail space, office space, residential amenity areas or walk-up townhouse units to provide continuous habitable space along the entire NW 43rd Ave. frontage Architecture • The revised east and west elevation drawings, which provide more architectural variety within these long facades, are appropriate. Please indicate all proposed building materials and colors in the elevation drawings, and clarify what the grey elements within the center of the east elevation are. • In order to enhance the appearance of the four corners of the building, eliminate the blank wall portions of the building's corners by providing windows in south side of the units on the southeast and southwest corners, and on the north side of the units in the northeast and northwest corners. Miami Airport Proximity • Confirm with the Miami -Dade County Aviation Department (MDAD) regarding the proposed development, given its location close to the Miami International Airport. It is our intention with these comments to aid in expediting Special Permit applications with your voluntary efforts in making the necessary changes; thereby, avoiding any preventable delays particularly prior to a project's submission to the Large Scale Development Committee or the Urban Development Review Board. 1 • • • Landscaping • Submit a landscape plan that specifies the species (common and botanical names), sizes (height x spread and/or container size) at time of planting, quantities, and proposed locations of all plant materials, existing and proposed. The landscape plan shall include planting details and planting specifications. • Verify the viability of the planting areas within the lower level parking area, as these areas will not receive very much natural light. • The provision of shade trees along Lejeune Rd. and NW 43Td Ave. is appropriate. These shade trees shall be aligned close to the edge of the curb in the public right of way (at no greater than 33' on center) to provide a buffer for pedestrians from vehicular traffic (verify this possibility with the Public Works Department and other appropriate agencies). Palm trees may be utilized periodically as an accent to the architecture of the building. It is our intention with these comments to aid in expediting Special Permit applications with your voluntary efforts in making the necessary changes; thereby, avoiding any preventable delays particularly prior to a project's submission to the Large Scale Development Committee or the Urban Development Review Board.