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Home My WebLink AboutIDRC Comments (3.14.06)0 F M i A PI, ANNINCI D /IL P A R IA IL N - A II I- (I A N 1) SIGN R V C m NI ENTs MA)OR Usl: SIIIICIA I. P I M OMNI DEVELOPMENT 1501,1645 & 1701 BISCAYNF, I3OuLEvAR N NT DISTRICT: DOWNTOWN 03-14-06 City of Miami Vision Statement: 'To .Be an International City which Embodies Dipersioi, Economic Opporiuni(y, Effealve Claimer Service and ci Flighty Rated Quail of .L4i," COMMENTS: The following comments represent the unified vision of the Pre -.Application Design Review Committee, which consists of all staff members in the Urban Design and Land Development Divisions. The project: submitted on March 141°, 2006 is not sufficiently developed, and does not include, enough detail, to be fully reviewed at this time. Additional comments will be given upon further development: of this project. Context/Urban Design • The Omni site presents a great opportunity, through sheer size and location, to become a great urban space. The proposal for six towers within this project indicates that it could become "a city within a city". Take advantage of this unique opportunity by introducing sculptural effects, step -backs, varied heights, and more articulated massing, in order to introduce a dynamic skyline and ground -level presence to the (..)inni CR.A area. This will also serve to integrate the Omni site into the fabric of the surrounding neighborhood, as it will break up the continuous height and massing that sets this project apart from the surrounding development. • Provide a section of thc building revealing the step backs from Biscayne Boulevard. Consider further stepping the tower away from the street so that the street will be defined by the more human -scaled fourteen stories of the lined parking podium, • The north facade of the project terminates the vista south on NE 4'11 Avenue. `.1here is an opportunity for a unique architectural statement on this facade that will advertise and celebrate the building. The current proposal for a loading entrance at this location is undesirable, as the applicant is placing a back -of house activity, in a highly visible location. • Develop "Site 3" as a magnetic entrance for Metrom.over passengers. Provide a public plaza, cafe, or other pedestrian amenity, that directly engages the Metromover station and will draw pedestrians into the project. • It is essential that: the applicant articulate the podiums of the buildings at a human scale, particularly at the ground level. • Please provide a rendering of the site looking straight down Biscayne Boulevard from the Performing ":\rts Center plaza. Architecture • IIIcasc provide 3-D color renderings of the project in its urban context, color renderings of the elevations, and material samples and precedent: photographs of all facade treatments, so that the committee can better assess the impact of this structure on the adjacent properties. • The committee appreciates the provision of liner along all levels of the garage. • Explain the decision to provide "Metal Louver Awnings" along the first, second and third floors of all facades of the building. Indicate whether these louvers will hide the liner units from view. It is important that these liner units be visible from the street, in order to enrich the pedestrian realm and provide additional eyes on the street. • Please label all floor plans :h the corresponding levels. • Please indicate the location from which the rendering on the second cover page of the submittal was drawn. 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 tJrban Development Review Board. Page 1 of 2 Parking • The committee is concerned by the bulk of the parking garage and its impact on the pedestrian experience. Furthermore, the city envisions the .Entertainment District as an area of rnixed-use, walkability, and ultimately shared or reduced parking. In light of this vision, consider reducing parking to the minimum required for this site. • 'The applicant should consider taking advantage of Zoning Code Section 606;10.2.6 which allows a 10 percent. reduction in the minimum required parking for any building within 600 feet of a Metrorail or Metromover stop. • Consider providing underground parking, off -site parking, or robotic parking to alleviate the verticality of the parking garage. Pedestrian Realm • The committee appreciates the enlarged ground level elevations provided in thelatest submittal. Please provide an enlarged elevation of the loading entrance located on the north facade of the building. • The pedestrian sidewalk realm shall remain at a consistent height throughout Vehicles shall rise to the sidewalk level with ramping beginning at the outer edge of the curb, with the ranip slope being the maximum allowed by Public Works. •'The pedestrian sidewalk. area shall be maintained with a consistent, recognizable pattern, which shall continue across the vehicular entrances in order to give dominance to the pedestrian realm over the vehicular areas. Landscaping • Refer to the CRA Entertainment District Strcctscape study and coordinate all landscape, hardscape, lighting and pedestrian amenities with this plan. • The committee appreciates the submittal of a landscape plan indicating the landscape treatment of the street level. Please update the landscape legend to include symbols, so that the committee can clearly read the landscape plan. 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. Page 2 of 2