HomeMy WebLinkAboutUrban Development Review BoardCITY OF MIAMI
URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD
444 SW 2"d Avenue 3" Floor
Miami, FL 33130
Mr, Daniel Alfonso
City Manager
City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133-5595
December 28, 2016
RE: 2016 Annual Report- Urban Development Review Board (UDRB)
Dear Mr. Alfonso:
The Urban Development Review Board is pleased to present this annual report in satisfaction of City Code
Section 2-434. This year the UDRB met 13 times and reviewed 37 projects. One (1) of ten (10) board seats
remains currently unfilled. The Board looks forward to continuing serving the City of Miami as new Special
Area Plans and other significant projects come forward.
The Board offers the following report specifically responding to the required questions per Section 2-434:
A. WHETHER THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD IS SERVING THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH
IT WAS CREATED.
The Urban Development Review Board is a special review board that consists of professionals
privately practicing in architecture and landscape architecture. The recommendations from the
UDRB assist the Director of the Planning and Zoning Department to improve the architecture,
landscaping, and urban design aspects of proposed buildings and/or projects that exceed 200,000
square feet, or as the Director deems necessary. In 2016 the board has been extremely active due
to the volume and scale of projects submitted. The board provides a system of checks and balances
of professional recommendations to the Planning Director. The Planning Director utilizes comments
from the UDRB when analyzing and making final recommendations to be presented to the Planning,
Zoning and Appeals Board and the City Commission.
B. WHETHER THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD IS SERVING CURRENT COMMUNITY
NEEDS.
The Urban Development Review Board provides a non -governmental professional technical review
that provides value to the residents of Miami, insuring that their city receives the highest quality
development and redevelopment possible.
C. A LIST OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD'S MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In 2016, the UDRB Board reviewed and provided recommendations on 37 projects. The volume of
projects reviewed by the Board is expected to either stabilize or increase in 2016.
D. WHETHER THERE IS ANY OTHER BOARD, WHETHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, WHICH WOULD
BETTER SERVE THE FUNCTIONS OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD.
No other City board has the professional knowledge and experience in the fields of architecture and
planning to review projects for the established urban design criteria. The UDRB continues to meet
the City's goal of creating a vibrant world class city and delivering an objective non -governmental
review of proposed projects.
E. WHETHER THE ORDINANCE CREATING THE BOARD SHOULD BE AMENDED TO BETTER
ENABLE THE BOARD TO SERVE THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS CREATED.
The Board continues to serve its role of independent review, analysis and recommendations of
proposed projects within the City.
F. THE COST BOTH DIRECT AND INDIRECT OF MAINTAINING THE BOARD.
There are no direct costs of the UDRB to the City of Miami. The Board consists of volunteers in
their respective disciplines appointed by each commissioner. Indirect costs arising from the Planning
and Legal staff assigned to the Board include: meeting preparation, review of applications,
miscellaneous coordination, attending board meetings, writing resolutions, and communicating with
applicants, board members, and other city staff to facilitate the Urban Development Review Board.
The Planning Department staff assigned to the Board also conducts other responsibilities within the
urban design division. Indirect costs for 2016 are estimated at $ 7,501.67 (see attachment).
Thank you for the opportunity to present this report.
Sincerely,
Robert Behar, A A
UDRB Chairm
1
Attachment: Approximate Indirect Costs 2016
Page 2 of 3
CITY OF MIAMI
URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD
AVERAGE INDIRECT COSTS 2016
MEETING PREPARATION, REVIEW APPLICATIONS, COORDINATION
Planning Liaison
BOARD MEETINGS
4.0 hrs. x $33.61 x 13 meetings — $ 1,747,72
Subtotal = $ 1,747.72
Planning Liaison 4 hrs. x $33.61 x 13 meetings = $ 1,747.72
Planning Support 4 hrs. x $37.05 x 2 meetings = $ 296.40
Assistant City Attorney 4 hrs. x $39.12 x 1 I meeting = $ 1 721.28
RESOLUTIONS, COMMENTS, COORDINATION
Planning Liaison
Planning Director
(Or Designee)
Subtotal = $ 3,765.40
4.0 hrs. x $33.61 x 13 meetings = $ 1,747.72
0.5 hrs. x $37.05 x 13 meetings = $ 240.83
Subtotal
TOTAL= $ 7,501.67
Page 3 of 3
_ $ 1,988.55