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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPre-Application Design CommentsCI T Y 0 b M I A M I • • • PLANNING PRE -APPLICATION DESIGN REVIEW COMMENTS MAJOR USE SPECIAL PERMIT BRICKELL CITY CENTER S MIAMI AVE. & 8TH ST. LARGE SCALE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE SUBMITTAL 4-26-05 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. Urban Design • The ground floor plan provides for lobbies, playas and a large amount of retail square footage facing the streets, which is an appropriate response to the heavy pedestrian traffic in the Brickell neighborhood. • The provision of pass -through vehicular access to the site is appropriate. Consider providing loading access from the pass -through travel lanes in order to remove the curb cut for access to the loading bays. • The committee commends the applicant for proposing a solution which includes active residential and office space lining the garages in the buildings for the entire height of the garage pedestals. This will ensure active uses fronting all of the streets in the proposal. • The arrangement of the towers is appropriate, as the tower placement allows for views and provides diverse skyline. In future submittals, please provide 3-D renderings showing the proposal in context, including other proposed developments within the vicinity of the site, in order to better view the proposal's relationship to the area- • The shifting of the retail space in the east building from the comer of SW Th Street to the corner of SW 8th Street is acceptable. • The replacement of liner units with parking in the west building facing SW 7th Street is unacceptable. Please provide liner units in this location as previously proposed. Architecture • The use of varied glass, balconies and terraces provides an appropriate character to the building's elevations. • The idea of an art wall for the east wall of the eastern building in the proposal, adjacent to the Metro Mover, is appropriate. The committee will need to review more details on the appearance of this wall, including materials, colors, etc. as part of this proposal. 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 • • Metromover • The Planning Department encourages the the possibility of creating a ground floor pedestrian connection between SW 7th St. and SW 8,h St., parallel to the Metromover line. This would break up the large block and provide a more walkable scale for pedestrians. Verify with the Miami -Dade Transit Department regarding the possibilities of creating this connection. • Consider providing a direct connection between the Metromover station and the budding. Lands caging • Submit a tree survey and disposition plan showing existing and proposed plant species, canopies and locations. Calculate the area (square footage) of canopy to be removed and provide mitigation credits for proposed tree and palm planting as per DERM formulas. • The provision of a continuous canopy of shade trees along SW 7th St. and SW 8'h St., close to the edge of curb, is appropriate. Continue this treatment up to the corner of S. Miami Ave. and along S. Miami Ave. as well. 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. Palm trees may be utilized periodically as an architectural 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. 2