HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter of IntentHolland & Knight
701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 3000 l Miami, FL 33131 I T 305.374.8500 l F 305.789.7799
Holland & Knight LLP I www.hklaw.com
Ines Marrero-Priegues
305.789.7776
ines.marrero@hklaw.com@hklaw.com
May 18, 2010
VIA HAND DELIVERY
Ms. Ana Gelabert-Sanchez
Director
City of Miami
Department of Planning & Zoning
444 S.W. 2nd Avenue, 3rd Floor
Miami, FL 33130
Re: Special Exception Application for Daycare for 30 children at 1806 S.W. 2nd Court,
Miami.
Dear Ms. Gelabert-Sanchez:
This firm represents Ms. Natalia Montano and Mr. Rafael Salazar and Mr. and Mrs.
Bonet, the owners of 1800 S.W. 2nd Court and 1806 S.W. 2nd Court, respectively, (collectively
referred to as "Applicants"). The Applicants are filing an application for a special exception to
permit a day care center of 30 children at the property owned by Mr. and Mrs. Bonet at 1806 SW
2nd Court. On June 6, 2006, the City of Miami Zoning Board approved Special Exception 06-
00840x to permit a day care of 30 children at the property owned by Ms. Montano and Mr.
Salazar at 1800 S.W. 2nd Court. If approved, the result of this special exception is to permit one
facility on both lots with a total of 60 children.
The subject properties are zoned R-1 and are designated as Single Family Residential
land use category in the Miami Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan (February 2010). The Miami
Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan (February 2010) specifically allows child day care centers as
well as primary and secondary school:
Supporting services such as foster homes and family day care homes for children and/or
adults: and community based residential facilities2 46 clients or less, not including drug,
alcohol or correctional rehabilitation facilities also will be allowed pursuant to applicable state
law. Places of worship, primary and secondary schools, child day care centers and adult day
care centers are permissible in suitable locations within single family residential areas.
Atlanta I Bethesda I Boston I Chicago I Fort Lauderdale I Jacksonville I Lakeland I Los Angeles I Miami I New York
Northern Virginia I Orlando I Portland I San Francisco I Tallahassee I Tampa l Washington, D.C. I West Palm Beach
Ms. Ana Gelabert-Sanchez
May 18, 2010
Page 2
In addition, Ordinance 11000, under which this application is filed, permits daycare
facilities of more than 20 children pursuant to a special exception. The newly adopted Miami 21
code permits primary and secondary schools in the T3-R transect, which is the transect
designation for the properties formerly zoned R-1.
Several factors support this request. First, the proposed plan consolidates all the offstreet
parking as well as the ingress and egress away from the neighboring residential properties. All
ingress and egress will be through SW 18th Road. Second, the Agua Marina daycare, which was
originally approved 6 years ago, is located across the street from an existing shopping center,
previously zoned C-1 and now designated as a transect that continues to permit retail and
commercial uses. More significantly, and lastly, this day care is barely noticeable in this
neighborhood. This is not an institutional use, but rather a neighborhood compatible day care
facility that provides a safe and nurturing environment for children to develop and learn. And
while the owners are requesting an expansion of the daycare use, the increase in children is
appropriate given the location of the property.
Based on the foregoing, we respectfully request your favorable recommendation and
support of the Applicant's special exception.
Sincerely,
Ines Marrero-Priegues
cc: Ms Natalia Montano and Mr. Rafael Salazar
Mr. and Mrs. Alejandro Bonet