HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Paul Savage-Letter of Opposition from Basil Binns IIf)a5i1 A. 5inns 11
4120 N.E. 1st Avenue
Miami, Florida 33137
bbinns@ gmail.com
June 25, 2015
Honorable Chairman Wilfredo Gort and
City Commissioners
3500 Pan American Avenue
Miami, Florida 33133
Re: Opposition to PZ. 12 and PZ. 13
Dear Chairman Gort and City Commissioners:
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) P •
on (f� 1,5115 . City Clerk
As a 30 plus year resident of the Buena Vista East neighborhood, I am writing to express my
opposition to items PZ. 12 and PZ.13 (items referenced above.) The Buena Vista neighborhood
that I grew up in extended one block further south than it does currently. The properties along
NE 41 Street from North Miami Avenue to NE 2nd Avenue were mostly residential consisting of
single family duplex and multifamily dwellings. As a result of re.w.iing, and exclusion of certain
properties from the Buena Vista East Historic District the Design District grew by a block,
therefore decreasing the residential housing stock in the area.
Though I am not in opposition to a cultural facility being located on the subject properties, the
hard fought height, mass, and scale restrictions should remain in place and the facility should be
designed within those restrictions. When Miami 21 was being developed, residents persevered
to ensure that the zoning of the commercial properties properly transitioned into the
neighborhood that they share a backyard with. Now the commercial property owners are not only
asking to violate that scaling, they are asking to take over, and demolish three residential
properties in the neighborhood. These homes are in the middle of the block, surrounded by single
family residences. Not only will approval of these items violate your Comp Plan Housing Policy
HO-1.1.8, that states, "the City will protect and enhance existing viable neighborhoods in those
areas suitable for housing," it will result in spot zoning.
Supporting documentation in your agenda package includes an e-mail from the City's Zoning
department stating that the rezoning application does not meet the rezoning criteria in Article 7
Section 7.1.2.8.c. The City's professional staff indicates that the rezoning application does not
meet the criteria to rezone from T3 L and T4 0 to CI. Nevertheless, the City was encouraged to
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Submitted into the public
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Submitted into the public
record for item(s) P,12 P.13
on (,I 2SIl' . City Clerk
become a joint applicant on the project. This application would not be allowed before you if it
had been the typical applicant.
It is also important to note that the Buena Vista East Historic Neighborhood Association
(BVEHNA) is NOT representing the neighbors' best interest. There are several concerns with the
neighborhood association taking a position in favor in an agreement with the property owners:
• The conditions of the agreement between the BVEHNA, DACRA, and Institute of
Contemporary Art (ICA) have not been disclosed to the residents.
• A voting member of the BVE Board was a real estate associate involved in the sale of the
properties. This Board member then voted in favor of the agreement among BVEHNA,
DACRA, and ICA.
• Residents in the neighborhood were petitioned regarding opposition to building the new
structures and removal of the residential properties. The petition includes over 140
signatures of residents in opposition to the proposed development. Our neighborhood is
made up of approximately 200 households.
I would also like to note that despite annual "elections", the BVEHNA Board has remained
largely unchanged over the past four years with seven of seven eligible members being appointed
by default. One of the reasons for the lack of participation is the significant increase in dues
from $10 annually, to $120 annually, prohibiting the average homeowner in our middle class
neighborhood from participating.
For these reasons, along with those stated by residents at the PZAB, HEP Board, and the June 11
first reading, I ask that you deny both the original request, and the staff recommendation. Though
the HEP Board's decision was misguided, the PZAB made a thoughtful and considerate
recommendation to deny the zoning and Comp Plan changes. Approval of this zoning change
would cause the residential neighborhood to be further eroded. The properties should not be
rezoned to T-4 and T-5 0, nor should they be rezoned to CI.
You are elected by residents of this community to represent us! Please hear us and let the
neighborhood that I grew up in and am raising my family in remain residential and viable for all
future residents. Please Keep Buena Vista East residential. Thank you.
Sincerely,