Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutUrban Development Review BoardCITY OF MIAMI URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD 444 SW 2"d Avenue 3rd Floor Miami, FL 33130 Arthur Noriega City Manager City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33I33-5595 January 20, 2021 RE: 2020 Annual Report- Urban Development Review Board (UDRB) Dear Mr. Noriega: The Urban Development Review Board (UDRB) is pleased to present this annual report in satisfaction of City Code Section 2-890. This year, 2020, the UDRB met eight times and reviewed twenty projects. Out of the twenty proects, seven were recommended approval, eleven were recommended approval with conditions, one was recommended for denial, and one was withdrawn. The eighteen projects recommended aprproval and recommended approval with conditions represent a total of 4,444 new residential units and a total gross area of 8,352,929.7 sq. ft. in new construction. There are currently 9 board members and I vacant seat. The Board looks forward to continued service to 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 2-890: IS THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD SERVING THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS CREATED? Yes; The Urban Development Review Board is a special review board that consists of professionals privately practicing in architecture and planning. The recommendations from the UDRB assist the Director of the Planning Department in reviewing the architecture, landscaping, planning, and urban design aspects of proposed buildings and/or projects that exceed 200,000 square feet, or as the Director deems necessary. In 2020 the board has been active due to the volume and complexity of projects submitted. The board provides a system of checks and balances in the form of professional review and subsequent 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. 2. IS THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD SERVING CURRENT COMMUNITY NEEDS? Yes; The Urban Development Review Board provides a non -governmental professional technical review committee that we believe adds value for the residents of Miami to receive the highest quality development and redevelopment opportunities possible. 3. A LIST OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD'S MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS: In 2020, the UDRB reviewed and provided recommendations on 19 projects. Due to COVID-19, the board conducted 4 meetings using Zoom. It is anticipated that the volume of projects that will be reviewed by the UDRB will either remain constant or increase in 202I. 4. IS ANY OTHER BOARD, EITHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, WHICH WOULD BETTER SERVE THE FUNCTIONS OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD? No. Unlike other city boards, UDRB members must be a licensesd architect or landscape architect in the State of Florida. No other City board has the professional knowledge and experience in the fields of architecture and planning to review projects for architectural, planning, and urban design criteria. The UDRB continues to meet the City's goal of creating a vibrant world class city and delivering an objective, professional, and private sector review of proposed projects. 5. SHOULD THE ORDINANCE CREATING THE BOARD BE AMENDED TO BETTER ENABLE THE BOARD TO SERVE THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS CREATED? Yes. While the Board continues to serve its role of independent review, analysis and recommendations of proposed projects within the City, members are regularly frustrated with only being tasked with the authority to recommend. The board would like the City to consider granting the board some binding authority, as a quasi-judicial board. As the record cleary indicates, the UDRB historically has collaborated with Applicants to move projects forward with conditions, when necessary, to assure sound planning priniples. At least in one instance, the UDRB recommended denial with ample means and back-up. One of the frustrations of the UDRB is that in that instance the Planning Director did not follow the recommendation of the UDRB without basis or explanations for the deviations between the two opinions. There is concern that there could be a similar outcome with the recommendation for denial made during the 202 I calander year. 6. SHOULD THE BOARD'S MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS BE MODIFIED? The Board has discussed expanding the professional qualifications and has suggested including professionals with degrees in Urban Design and Urban Planning. The Board has also discussed being more attentive to absenteeism in accordance with the city code, but has no recommendation at this time. We will continue to document individual members attendance and monitor the same. 7. WHAT IS 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 respected disciplines appointed by each commissioner. Indirect costs arising from the Planning and Legal staff assigned as liaison and administrative to the Board include: meeting preparation, review of applications, agenda and public comment coordination, attending board meetings, writing resolutions, and communicating with applicants, board members, and other city staff to facilitate the Page 2 of 4 Urban Development Review Board. The Planning Department staff assigned to the Board also conducts other responsibilities within the land development, historic preservation, and urban design divisions. Indirect costs for 2020 are estimated at $6,400.00 (see attachment). Thank you for the opportunity to present this report. Sincerely, Willy A. Berme!! UDRB Chairma , Al P Attachment: Average Indirect Costs 2020 Page 3 of 4 CITY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD AVERAGE INDIRECT COSTS 2020 MEETING PREPARATION, REVIEW APPLICATIONS, COORDINATION Planning Liaison BOARD MEETINGS 8.0 hrs. x $37.82 x 8 meetings = $ 2,420.48 Subtotal _ $ 2,420.48 Planning Liaison 5.0 hrs. x $37.82 x 8 meetings = $ 1,512.80 Assistant City Attorney (as needed) 3.0 hrs. x $41.35 x 8 meetings = $ 992.40 Subtotal RESOLUTIONS, COMMENTS, COORDINATION $ 2,505.20 Planning Liaison 4.0 hrs. x $37.82 x 8 meetings = $ 1,210.24 Planning Director 0.5 hrs. x $55.00 x 8 meetings = $ 220.00 (Or Designee) Subtotal TOTAL= $ 6,355.92 $ 1,430.24 Page 4 of 4