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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Correspondence3700 Grand Avenue, L.L.C. 145 GRAND AVENUE CORAL GABLES, FL. 33133-4839 DATE: May 21, 2008 TO: Planning Advisory Board FROM: Anthony R. Parrish, Jr. RE: PAB Agenda Item No. 7 Esteemed Board Members: But for my mother's 85th Birthday celebration, I would be before you in person. Nonetheless, on behalf of the partners of 3700 Grand Avenue L.L.C. (the owners of both the NW and SW commercial corners at the intersection of Grand and Douglas Road), I am writing to you as being strongly in favor of PAB Item 7. Normally my inclination would be to oppose any request by developers to make any changes whatsoever to the NCD 3 and SD 28 overlays that I and many others labored so long to put in place. However, Pointe Group has demonstrated a willingness to give the community whatever assurances they require (covenants, deed restrictions, etc.) to assure the community that there will never be a "domino effect" of more commercial encroachment once Item 7 passes. So why do I recommend passage of this change? There are two main reasons: 1. It is imperative to maintain the 5 storey height limitation on Grand Avenue to prevent a "canyon effect" on this relatively narrow community main street. Because parking is required for this or any substantial development to be successful, you either have to go UP, or go OUT, or —in Pointe's innovative plan —go UNDER. Underground parking is by far the best solution from a community standpoint, provided all of the engineering challenges can be resolved 2. Pointe is developing Grand Avenue in phases. Pointe is willing to have its future phases — which also must come before this Board judged by how well and how honestly they perform on the first phase. The community will get many more chances to evaluate the benefits Pointe has promised to bring to the community —primarily a revitalized Grand Avenue with good architecture, jobs, and a work force housing component. Please approve Item 7. "Time is Money". Every day of delay will mean less money available to make this sensible and sensitive plan have the chance of success it deserves. Please approve PAB Item 7 so that the progress may begin. 3700 Grand Avenue, L.L.C. SUBM1TTED INTO THE BY: PUBLIC RECORD FOR Anthony R. Parrish, Jr. Manager, 3700 Grand Avenue, LLC President, Wind & Rain, Inc. ITEMjLO N�''v State of Florida ) County of Miami -Dade) Jason Bush, Notary Public P;' Tnl• 111141 dd2-1999 Fay• li/ISl dd7 19/16 F.meil• ono rriahnwind, ndr, in rnm 08-OQr0C010 O - 001&LiC tlµ/ 10/ L000 1J. LJ 000.44014 /4 l71DJIJ11 riC..1-11— 1 rl r I-1L11- VJI VJ THEODORE ROOSEVELT GIBSON MEMORIAL FUND, INC. Unity & Communication Center 3634 Grand Avenue • Coconut Grove, {f'L 33133 Mailing Address: PO Box 331134 • Coconut Grove, FL 332,33-1134 (305) 446-1543 Fax (305) 446-7202 BOAREI OF DIRECTORS Mrs. Thclmn V.A. (itbaon President Child= Anthony Gibson, Esq. r" Vice Presldenl Mr. Manuel "Manny" Rodtigucr, 2"'' Vice President Mc Sondrn Will/tee Secretary Edith Gcnrgl Houlihan. Esq Treasurer Rabbi Herbert Raumenrd Chop(ahr Mrs, Miriam "Mimi" Abel The Hun. I,nrcenio Bullard h7nrlda Slain Senate Dishier 39 Mr, Aualin Cooper Mr. Richard Corry, Sr. Mrs. Patricia Denegall Mrs. Margret Disten Spar Color Mrs. Helene Dubbin The Hnn. WIfredn "witty" Gar, Mrs. Vancan A. Murray Mrs. Ethel Philip Mrs, Barbara Abel Reiser Mrs. Cormcttn C. Rtmacll Mr. Armando Vizcslnn, CPA ,NPV1!ORY 3OARD Fernando Actin, Esq. 'Mc Rev. Canon Dr, Richard I..M. %lorry Rector, Si. Armes Episcopal Church The Hon. Semen H. Brummer node Cowry Public Defender The lion. Frank Cobo Member. Miami -Dade School Bnord The Hnn Simon Cruz, Canunlrsinncr. ('llP of Miami Booed) Mrs. Irving " Inzcl" Cypen Mr. lames Deno/mil Dianne S. Gaines, Esq. Richard K. I loidilion, Esq. .oiun M. Jcpcwoy, Jr., Esq. Mr. Peter Roalline The Hon. Knlhy Fcrnnndez Rntithe ;sniff! (% wrri State Allnrnry "TO FOSTER A oNENE,C,S AMONG DAOE'S MULTI ETHNIC COMf1UNITIr;S" April 16, 2008 Hon. City of Miami Commissioners This letter comes in support of the "Grove Village on Grand"development. As a long time resident and activist in Coconut Grove, I truly believe that is a much needed and long overdue project that will greatly benefit the Village West community and the greater community as a whole. The Village West has been struggling for many years to revitalize and redevelop Grand Avenue. Grove Village on Grand will bring many opportunities to the Village West and community at large. These opportunities will directly benefit those currently living in the Village West by providing new housing, ample jobs and everyday needs such as banks and a full -service grocery store all within walking distance, creating a true "Main Street". I have always been an advocate for bringing back the 'Old Grove', which was a pedestrian friendly community where citizens and visitors could feel safe walking in the area. As someone who has the Village West and its residents best interest at heart, I would once again like to reiterate my full support for the Grove Village on Grand project and am looking forward to the day when this historic neighborhood is once again appreciated for all its glory. Sincerely, 1elma V. A. Gibson President Submitted into the public record in connection with item PZ.16 & PZ.17 on 07-24-08 Priscilla A. Thompson City Clerk April 14, 2008 To Whom It May Concern: RE: Grove Village on Grand I am writing to convey my support for the Grove Village on Grand development. As Pastor of Christ Episcopal Church, located on Hibiscus Street in the heart of Village West and a Village West resident, I truly believe this is a much needed and long overdue project that will greatly benefit both the Village West community and the greater community as a whole. The Village West has been struggling for a many years to revitalize and redevelop Grand Avenue. Grove Village on Grand will bring many opportunities to the Village West and comrnunity at large. These opportunities will directly benefit those currently living in the Village West by providing new housing, ample jobs and everyday needs, such as banks and a full -service grocery store all within walking distance, creating a true "Main Street" experience. As someone who has the Village West and its residents best interest at heart, I would once again like to reiterate my full support for the Grove Village on Grand project and am looking forward to the day when this historic neighborhood is once again appreciated for all its glory. Thank you. Father Griffith. Submitted into the public record in connection with item PZ.16 & PZ.17 on 07-24-08 Priscilla A. Thompson City Clerk COCONUT GROVE COLLABORATIVE I N 0 R PO P. A T D July 23, 2008 CITY OF MIAMI COMMISSION 3400 Pan American Drive Miami, Florida 33133 Dear Commissioners, SUBMITTED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD FOR ITEM ra_ON q_av-ov. The Board of Directors of Coconut Grove Collaborative and its stakeholders understand the concerns of gentrification. We understand the needs and the concerns of the existing and prospective residents have for affordable and workforce housing and an improved quality of life. We are also aware of the need for meaningful jobs and businesses development for our community. Furthermore we comprehend and appreciate the need of the developer to be able to make a reasonable return on their investment. Our daily work is towards fulfilling the our mission: To Work together to improve housing, business and the quality of life in Coconut Grove, to protect preserve and promote a prosperous community that will retain its residents, attract other families, businesses and individuals and serve as a pleasant place to live, visit and invest. However, we feel that its important that the Collaborative's daily work utilizing Community Development Best Practices as well as our high capacity as a Community Development Entity (CDE) and Certified Housing Development Organization (CHDO) and 501c3 can insure that we indeed fulfill the Collaborative's Mission. Specifically we are advocating for equity and sustainability in all development initiatives and we feel that our efforts to foment affordable & workforce Housing in one of the City of Miami's Neighborhood Development Zones (Village West neighborhood of Coconut Grove) is recognized and appreciated. We welcome their plan for Grove Village. We understand their commitment to work for acceptable levels of workforce housing within their project and to support the creation of affordable housing at appropriate locations within the Village West, Targeted Urban area of our City. Because of these beliefs and our constant commitment to them, CGCI and Pointe Group have agreed to enter into an agreement to bring to bear our respective resources to achieve, workforce and affordable housing. Details on numbers and locations will require collaboration between Pointe Group and CGCI to craft an agreement that will be a "win -win" for all of Coconut Grove's Stakeholders. By this and in consideration of the abovementioned recitals; the Board of Directors and its stakeholders of CGCI conveys it support of appropriate and judicious zoning amendments to accommodate The Grove Village on Grand project 3628 Grand Avenue • Miami, FL 33133 • Tel: 305.445.2418 • Fax 305.445.2674 www.cgcoilaborat!ve.org The Board and the Staff of Coconut Grove Collaborative, Inc. will continue to work with and learn from those who also believe it is a unique time and opportunity in the history of Coconut Grove to intelligently build for the future. We thank City of Miami Commissioner, Marc Sarnoff, Miami -Dade County Commissioner, Carlos Gimenez and their respective staffs for their ongoing support and encouragement. Respectfully yours, JihS. Rashid, President & CEO SUBMITTED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD FOR ITEM!7ON7.:O.