Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Planning & Zoning Department-Letters of SupportWynwood Business Improvement District 310 NW 26th Street # 1 Miami, Florida 33127 May 7, 2014 Dear City of Miami Commissioners: We are writing this letter on behalf of the Wynwood Business Improvement District's Board of Directors which represents over 400 Properties in the Wynwood Area. At the Boards, regularly scheduled meeting on May 15, 2014 a motion was approved to endorse a small building parking exemption for T4,T5 and T6. "Parking ratio may be reduced within 1/2 mile radius of TOD or within 1/4 mile radius of a Transit Corridor by thirty percent (30%) by process of Waiver, or by one hundred percent (f 00%)f or any structure that has a Floor Area of ten thousand (I0,000)square feet or less, except when site is within 500 feet of T3." The Board feels that this proposed zoning change provides a first necessary and important step in the promotion of small scale infill development in the City of Miami. We urge you to support the Small Building Parking Exemption amendment, which will have significant benefits for the Clty's residents. David Polin ky, PHO. Chair, Transportation/Pi Committee Joe fG�st Chair, y wood BID CC. Francisco Garcia, Director, Planning and Zoning City of Miami Submitted into the public 3 record or it m(s) City Clerk on _ - � - Pl�nnin Gr��I�nin 14 0201 � z-} fvh�Yllt fiG TRANSIT ACTION COMMITTEE April 28, 2014 Re: Support for Reduced Parking Requirements Submitted into the public Record for items) PZ. 13 on 09/24/2015. City Clerk As our city grows and becomes denser, the requirement for additional parking continues to come up as an obstacle. Rather than continuing to accommodate more automobiles, our policymakers should be intent on creating an urban setting, as well as a transportation system, where trips by car are not the default. TrAC, or Transit Action Committee, is a political action committee in Miami in support of elected officials, policies and candidates that prioritize robust transit options for Miami -Dade. TrAC fully supports any measure that would eliminate the need for small-scale developments, 10,000 sq. ft. or less, to provide parking spaces near transit stations and corridors. Ensuring that a small building parking exemption moves forward will help build a livable and walkable community, increase economic/business activity, increase housing affordability and improve transit use. By creating new policies or revising existing ones that allow for the creation and realization of mix -use developments around our transit stations and corridors, we are paving the way for an economically vibrant, resilient, and attractive Miami. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, TrAC Miami TrAC is a non-partisan, political action committee in support of elected officials, policies and candidates that prioritize robust transit options for Miami -Dade. TrAC is registered with the Florida Division of Elections. www.tracmiami.orq I trac@tracmiami org I @tracmiami 1 786-508-2944 We Walk. We Ride. We Vote. Submitted into the public Record for item(s) PZ. 13 on 09/24/2015. City Clerk v �° ! REGIONAL ATONTRANSPORTATION ,► ®®0 ® 800 NW 33rd Street I Pompano Beach, Florida 33064 1 P 954/942-7245 1 f 954/788-7878 1 www.sfrta.fl.gov August 25, 2015 Mr. Charles Garavaglia, Chair City of Miami Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 Dear Mr. Garavaglia: The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) applauds the City of Miami (City) Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board for their recent decision recommending approval of a Parking Exemption for Small Scale Development located close to transit. The SFRTA is aware of the burden that increased parking requirements can have on developers interested in transit -oriented development (TOD) and supports the City in helping to advance Smart Growth principles and address the parking dilemma facing many cities across the country. This action will also set a great precedence for cities along the east coast from Miami to Jupiter. Providing parking exemptions for smaller buildings near transit allows for a mix of affordable housing options for residents, and supports the local economy by allowing small businesses to create retail opportunities focused around transit. This density around transit stops creates more demand for transit and provides opportunities for increased ridership and farebox revenues while leveraging the public transit investments already made by the City. With the City's recent transportation investments to the All Aboard Florida Project and Tri -Rail Downtown Miami Link, the City is at the forefront of improving and growing its transportation network. Providing opportunities for Small Scale Development is critical to this growth and will be a major boost to the City's economy. We look forward to working with the City as it transforms and continues to grow into a thriving urban and walkable City connected to transit. ly, L. Stephens utive Director cc: SFRTA Governing Board GOVERNING BOARD Commissioner Steven L. Abrams I Commissioner Bruno A. Barreiro I James A. Cummings I Andrew Frey I Frank Frione I Nick A. Inamdor I Gerry O'Reilly I F. Martin Perry I Commissioner Tim Ryan I James A. Scott I EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jack L. Stephens Submitted into the public Record for item(s) PZ. 13 on 09/24/2015, City Clerk SOUTH FLORIDA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COALITION May 12, 2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Arden Shank, President City of Miami Commissioners, Jihad S. Rashid, Vice-Prgidant The South Florida Community Development Coalition (SFCDC) endorses a small building parking exemption, specifically the text below. Our mission is to support community Oliver Gross, Treasurer development efforts for low -to -moderate income families. We are dedicated to promoting neighborhood revitalization by building the capacity of local, community-based developers, property owners, and businesses.Coto, Secretary Maria.. � : -.... ......, ... The proposed small building parking exemption directly supports the mission of the SFCDC Evelyn Bruce and the members we serve. Many small property owners find it impossible to build new, affordable buildings or additions due to Miami's zoning requirements for parking. A small Mario Artecona building parking exemption would: ■ Level the playing field for small property owners. Elaine Black ■ Let the market decide: Empower small owners to choose how many spaces to provide based on their property size and knowledge of local needs. ■ Investment without displacement: Allow small property owners to keep their Myma Sonora property and develop it, thus participating in the revitalization of their own neighborhood. ■ Reduce housing costs: Required parking drives up construction costs and encourages Sam Diller larger, less -affordable units. u ;,ri.•.,. ■ Spread the wealth: The gains from urban development should not be concentrated in a few large companies. ■ Facilitate investment in more urban neighborhoods: Not every neighborhood needs Doug Mayer DeveWohest 40 stories, some just need 8 units but can't accomplish that due to required parking. Don Patterson ■ Compatible development: Small buildings are compatible with neighborhood Deveiopirenl. 'nc character. Jihad S. Rashid ■ Grow world-class neighborhoods: The best urban neighborhoods are made up of aoor3tive CSvcloprlent many small, adaptable buildings. Barbara Ibarra The small building parking exemption being advocated for is as follows: I. •"'1 Caa"Icr icr the "rmeless "Parking ratio may be reduced within 1/2 mile radius of TOD or within 1/4 mile radius of a Barbara Romani Transit Corridor by thirty percent (30%) by process of Waiver, OR BY ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) FOR ANY STRUCTURE THAT HAS A FLOOR AREA OF TEN THOUSAND Denis Russ (10,000) SQUARE FEET OR LESS, except when site is within 500 feet of T3." Please vote for this exception and support a sustainahle future for Miami's urban I Juan Rojas neighborhoods Sincerely, I a I David Halpern Interim Executive Director 300 NW 12TH AVENUE ♦ MIAMI, FLORIDA 33128 VVWW,SOUTH F LOR IDACDC.ORG 786-237-2125 Nei�rkovd �uriv� �,erviceti of ;mitt Florida. May 6, 2014 City of Miami Commissioners, Submitted into the public Record for item(s) PZ. 13 on 09 24 2015 City Clerk SMF0WeYiV14 Creative. WA itAiii"q nhssf.org Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida endorses a small building parking exemption, specifically the text below. Our mission is to develop affordable, sustainable housing and to stabilize neighborhoods. We are dedicated to neighborhoods where development is driven by local property owners and businesses, not outside interests. The proposed small building parking exemption directly helps our mission. Many small property owners find it basically impossible to build new buildings or additions due to Miami's zoning requirements for parking. A small building parking exemption would: ■ Level the playing field for small property owners. ■ Let the market decide: Empower small owners to choose how many spaces to provide based on their property size and knowledge of local needs. ■ Investment without displacement: Allow small property owners to keep their property and develop it, thus participating in the revitalization of their own neighborhood. ■ Reduce housing costs: Required parking drives up construction costs and encourages larger, less -affordable units. ■ Spread the wealth: The gains from urban development should not be concentrated in a few large companies. ■ Facilitate investment in more urban neighborhoods: Not every neighborhood needs 40 stories, some just need 8 units but can't accomplish that due to required parking. ■ Compatible development: Small buildings are compatible with neighborhood character. ■ Grow world-class neighborhoods: The best urban neighborhoods are made up of many small, adaptable buildings. The small building parking exemption that is being advocated is as follows, short and simple, in CAPS: "Parking ratio may be reduced within 1/2 mile radius of TOD or within 1/4 mile radius of a Transit Corridor by thirty percent (30%) by process of Waiver, OR BY ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) FOR ANY STRUCTURE THAT HAS A FLOOR AREA OF TEN THOUSAND (10,000) SQUARE FEET OR LESS, except when site is within 500 feet of T3." Please vote for this exception. The future of Miami's urban neighborhoods depends on it. Best regards, Arden Shank President & CEO Submitted into the public Record for item(s) PZ. 13 on 09/24/2015. City Clerk 140 West Flagler Street Suite 105 Miami, FL 33130 Telephone: 786-469-2060 Fax: 305-372-6337 info@miamihomeless.org Miami Coalition for the Homeless, file. wnnvmiamihomeless.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS May 15, 2014 Monica Vigues•Pitan Commissioner Francis Suarez President City of Miami City Hall Legal Services of Greater Miami 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 Jason Pittman Vice -President Dear Commissioner Suarez, Touching Miami with Love The Miami Coalition for the Homeless endorses progressive modifications to zoning Maria Cristina Barros and code requirements that will decrease construction costs and increase the stock of Secretary affordable rental housing for low-income households. NBCUniversal, Telemundo According to a Center for Housing Policy study, moderate -income renters in the Vance Aloupis Miami metro area spend 38% of their household monthly income on housing costs. The Children's Movement of Florida When transportation costs are combined with housing costs, the percentage of monthly household income consumed by renters increases to nearly 691/0 ---the highest Cleve Bell percentage in the country. This leaves moderate -income renters as well as lower - Riverside House income households with limited resources to afford essentials such as food, medication, and healthcare and makes households increasingly vulnerable to becoming homeless. Anthony Brunson Sharpton, Brunson & Company, P.A. Parking exemptions for small urban buildings near transit networks is a cost effective approach to reduce housing and transportation costs. Eliminating minimum parking Ana Castilla requirements will significantly reduce the cost of creating new housing in location - TD Bank efficient areas by decreasing construction costs and encouraging smaller, more affordable units. Increasing density near transit networks will also help to create more Judge Cindy Lederman walkable communities and begin to offset the high costs of auto ownership. 11M Judicial Circuit Court Furthermore, replacing parking with denser development will generate more property and sales tax for the city and county. Barbara L. Romani The Miami Coalition for the Homeless strongly supports this effort because of its Citibank potential to successfully encourage the inclusion of affordable housing within the urban core. This is a fundamental component of our affordable housing initiative, Curtis Taylor Miami Homes for AUG. This initiative seeks to establish a loan fund to finance the Carrfour Supportive Housing development of rental units affordable to extremely low-income households within a mixed -income context. Miami Homes for All® will greatly benefit from the increased development of small, adaptable buildings. Thank you on behalf of Miami individuals and families struggling to make ends meet in this challenging economy. Barbara A. (Bbl36ie) Ibarra, SPHR Executive Director Submitted into the public Record for item(s) PZ. 13 on 09/24/2015. City Clerk May 9, 2014 Dear Commissioners, By way of this letter, the Little Havana Merchant Alliance would like to express that we support the idea of a small building parking exemption in Transit -Oriented Development areas and along the Transit Corridor and we like this specific proposed text forT4, 5 & 6: "Parking ratio may be reduced within 1/2 mile radius of TOD or within 1/4 mile radius of a Transit Corridor by thirty percent (30%) by process of Waiver, or by one hundred percent (100%) for any Structure that has a Floor Area of ten thousand (10,000) square feet or less, except when site is within 500 feet of T3." We feel that this proposal will: 1. Level the playing field for small Miami property owners 2. Enable small steps toward more walkable urban neighborhoods. 3. Promote investment in Little Havana. We encourage you to vote for this proposal. Cordially, The Board of the Little Havana Merchant Alliance: Anneliese Morales, HAC Architects Bill Fuller, Barlington Group Raisa Fernandez, Brickell Kidz Bus Corinna Moebius, Little Havana Guide Alvaro Alvarez, Continental National Bank Carol Ann Taylor, Little Havana To Go Reine Price, Miami Dade College Marta Viciedo, Urban Impact Lab Suzanne Battle, Azucar Ice Cream Fernando Arencibia, RE/MAX Realty 1 1637 CALLE OCHO LITTLE HAVANA, MIAMI, FL 33135 (786) 255-4664 Submitted into the public Record for item(s) PZ. 13 on 09/24/2015. City Clerk 2 South Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 1710, Miami, Florida 33131 t: 305.374.7200 f: 305.374.7003 ® HEALTH �® FOUNDATION 9 September 2015 of south florida The Foundation for a City of Miami heaithycommunrty Commissioner Francis Suarez, District 4 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 fsuarez .miamigov.com Dear Commissioner Suarez, Given the serious prevalence of diabetes, obesity and other chronic diseases in Miami linked with a sedentary lifestyle, and Health Foundation of South Florida's interest in fostering a healthier OARD OF Boreen community where residents obtain needed levels of walking, biking or other forms of physical M ChantCTORS Chairwoman activity, the Foundation fully supports the small building parking exemption. Arthur A. Finkle, CLD Vice Chairman We believe that this is an important step in making our community less dependent upon Roderick K. King. M.D., MPH, FAAP sedentary transportation, such as cars, and fostering neighborhoods where residents more Secretary typically use active forms of transportation (i.e., walking, biking, public transit). MEMBERS Richard B. Adams, Jr., Esq. Beyond the economic health of walkable urban neighborhoods, waving parking requirements for Melida Akiti, LCSW Luther Brewster. Ph.D. small buildings near transit encourages small scale economic development. Small scale g 9 p Sheldon Dagen, CPA development is a major economic component for any thriving city. Let's not lose this opportunity i Karen B. Gilmore Philip Grossman, M.D..FACP,FACG,AGAF to support our local businesses b enabling them to row and instead give the green light to the PP Y 9 9 9 9 9 Susan Kelley cafes, stores and businesses that keep the magic in our city and sustain our world class ranking. Richard LaviAa vette Motola, M.D.. MPH. FACER FAAEM Claire Michele Rice, Ph.D. And although Health Foundation helped to create Age -Friendly Miami -Dade, it wasn't because it Than M.P. Tran, M.D. often feels like you will reach 100 before finding a parking space in some areas. But according to J. Everett Wilson, Esq. Stanley Worton, M.D. various sources, adding parking only compounds the issue. The solution to a parking shortage, isn't more spaces, rather it's creating places that thrive with fewer cars. And when places thrive, STAFF Steven E. Marcus, Ed.D. so do its residents. President & CEO Kathy J. Antreau, CPA Miami is not alone on this issue. It is being addressed across the country. Let's lead the way Chief Financial Officer &Treasurer and support the small building parking exemption. Shari L. Gartman Vice President of Communications Sincerely, Janisse R Schoepp, Ph.D. Associate Vice President Programs. Policy and Special Initiatives Peter N. Wood, MPA Vice President of Programs iJ Community Investments Peter N. Wood, MPA Vice President of Programs & Community Investments T: 305.374.2282 Personal Twitter: @peternwood Health Foundation of South Florida, a nonprofit organization, improves health through community investments for health promotion and preventive services. With leadership and effective partnerships on a national, state and local level, the Foundation advances the ability of residents in Broward, Miami -Dade and Monroe Counties to lead healthier lives. Since its founding in 1993, the Foundation has worked with more than 400 organizations and awarded over 5110 million. For more information, please call 305.374.7200 or visit www.hfsf.org vi".1 hfsFora Submitted into the public Record for item(s) PZ. 13 on 09/24/2015. City Clerk HACDC HAITIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION \r HAITIAN AMERICAN !� COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION u�ull(Alny NomeS, �Gf1lG1nG� .Gives, SuildnGJ Communi� June 2, 2014 Dear City of Miami Commissioners, The Haitian American Community Development Corporation (HACDC) endorses modification to City of Miami zoning code requirements that will decrease the cost to build much needed infill housing by reducing parking requirements for small properties zoned T4, T5 and T6. Reduced costs for housing and increased supply moves our community a long way towards addressing the growing need for affordable housing in the urban core. Providing affordable housing in the urban core where there is an abundance of small properties within walking distance to places of employment and essential services and amenities, and ready access to public transportation, also reduces the dependency on privately owned vehicles. For the majority of residents of Miami housing and transportation costs combined consume close to 70% of total household income making Miami the most expensive city in the entire country in which to live. By providing small property owners near transit networks the opportunity to reduce the number of parking spaces has the potential to reduce both housing and transportation costs. The small building parking exemption that HACDC supports would allow for parking ratio to be reduced within 1/2 mile radius of Transit Oriented Development areas or within 1/4 mile radius of a Transit Corridor by one hundred percent (100%) for any structure that has a floor area of ten thousand (10,000) square feet or less, except when site is within 500 feet of T3 zoned property. As a community development corporation we seek strategies that create sustainable, livable communities by utilizing community assets. Allowing small property owners the opportunity to more fully utilize the asset that is their property to meet the need for more affordable housing, while creating an increased tax base and revenue for the city, is in my mind a classic win-win situation for all. With best regards and hopes that this progressive modification to City of Miami Code and Zoning be considered and supported. Si rely, S iller Executive Director Submitted into the public Record for item(s) PZ. 13 on 09/24/2015, City Clerk May 7, 2014 RE: Supporting Reduced Parking Requirements Miami is a city on the verge of embracing the realities of 21st Century sustainability. With increasing popularity of bicycling, transit, and alternative transportation, the city's impulse to prioritize the automobile is becoming outdated and inconsiderate of an increasing urban population. Miami is metropolitan, and, as most world-class American metro areas like New York, Chicago, or San Francisco suggest, people are more productive uses of space than cars. Our policy makers have a responsibility to the residents and the future of this region. City and county have expressed interest in expanding rail lines, providing widespread and efficient commuter services, and diminishing the strain on roadways by offering more options than personal cars. This requires changing zoning to better serve our urban space by reducing archaic regulations on installing parking spaces in new building projects. Emerge Miami is a network for community -minded advocates and organizations working to achieve common goals in seeing South Florida thrive as a sustainable region. Among our numerous activities are monthly weekend bicycle rides utilizing Metrorail stations as gathering places and visiting local small businesses and events to show our support for Miami's growth. We represent a number of individuals and organizations, that are eager to see restrictions lifted on small-scale developments mandating they install automobile parking spaces, thereby obstructing opportunities for infill development, increased transit, and bicycle use. We have an opportunity to revise standards for Miami's development pattern by taking our focus away from cars and aligning it toward healthy, active, and thriving citizenry. Emerge Miami would therefore willingly endorse any movement by our local representatives to do away with zoning requirements in South Florida which mandate small scale developments, such as those 10,000 square feet or less, install obligatory parking spaces. By encouraging alternative forms of transportation and limiting regulatory priorities for parking and automotive transportation, Miami can set a global standard for recognizing the qualities of a contemporary cosmopolitan metro area connected to its people, its economic prosperity, and its regional growth. Sincerely, Emerge Miami Emerge Miami is a collaboration of local professionals, organizations, and individuals interested in creatively achieving our common goals through community -building activities emergemiami.com @EmergeMiami emerge.miami@gmail.com Submitted into the public Record for item(s) PZ. 13 on 09/24/2015, City Clerk DPZ July 13, 2015 PARTNERS To the attention of: Re: Parking exemption for small buildings Dear all, DPZ Partners would like to enthusiastically support the small building parking exemption for buildings 10,000 square feet or less, near TOD areas and not within 500 feet of low-density residential homes. It will more easily permit the redevelopment of smaller plots without burdening property owners with parking requirements simply too difficult to meet on these smaller plots. Around the country, many cities are adopting similar regulations in their desire to revitalize the redevelopment of affordable neighborhoods, and to meet the ever-growing demand for walkable urban living. In fact, many cities lack the crucial "middle housing" building types, (such as townhouses, fourplexes, small courtyard buildings and bungalow courts) we determined were missing in our rewrite of the zoning code precisely because regulations inadvertently precluded smaller lot platting or placed too onerous requirements on regulations, such as parking or setbacks. If you recall, the old zoning code jumped from 18 du/acre to 55 du/acre with no choices in between. Our reintroduction of these necessary transition types of densities from single-family homes to higher density towers between 20 - 40du/acre was intended to significantly diversify the building type choices for Miami residents of different income and age. We believe this proposed Code amendment will greatly incentivize the construction of these new building types at a much faster pace. Miami needs this change. Regards, Marina Khoury, Partner Cc: Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk & Andres Duany, DPZ The City of Miami Planning Commission 320 Firehouse 0878 The City of Miami Commissioners (3oithers6urg, MD 20876 W 301.948.6223 The City of Miami Planning Director www dpz.com Re: Parking exemption for small buildings Dear all, DPZ Partners would like to enthusiastically support the small building parking exemption for buildings 10,000 square feet or less, near TOD areas and not within 500 feet of low-density residential homes. It will more easily permit the redevelopment of smaller plots without burdening property owners with parking requirements simply too difficult to meet on these smaller plots. Around the country, many cities are adopting similar regulations in their desire to revitalize the redevelopment of affordable neighborhoods, and to meet the ever-growing demand for walkable urban living. In fact, many cities lack the crucial "middle housing" building types, (such as townhouses, fourplexes, small courtyard buildings and bungalow courts) we determined were missing in our rewrite of the zoning code precisely because regulations inadvertently precluded smaller lot platting or placed too onerous requirements on regulations, such as parking or setbacks. If you recall, the old zoning code jumped from 18 du/acre to 55 du/acre with no choices in between. Our reintroduction of these necessary transition types of densities from single-family homes to higher density towers between 20 - 40du/acre was intended to significantly diversify the building type choices for Miami residents of different income and age. We believe this proposed Code amendment will greatly incentivize the construction of these new building types at a much faster pace. Miami needs this change. Regards, Marina Khoury, Partner Cc: Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk & Andres Duany, DPZ Executive Board May 15, 2014 OFFICERS Silvia Vargas, AICP, LEED AP Submitted into the public Chair Record for item(s) PZ. 13 Maeve Desmond, AICP, on 09/24/2015, City Clerk Vice -Chair Re: Amendment to Miami 21 for Small Building Parking Exemption American Planning Association Florida Chapter Honorable Commissioners: Gold Coast Making Great Communities Happen On behalf of the Gold Coast Section of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Executive Board May 15, 2014 OFFICERS Silvia Vargas, AICP, LEED AP City Commission Chair City of Miami Maeve Desmond, AICP, Vice -Chair Re: Amendment to Miami 21 for Small Building Parking Exemption Professional Development Officer Lynda Kompellen Westin, AICP Honorable Commissioners: Treasurer Arcell Redila On behalf of the Gold Coast Section of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Secretary Association (APA FL), please accept this letter in support of an amendment to the City of Karen D. Hamilton Miami Code to create a small buildin g parking exemption in Transit -Oriented Development Immediate Past Chair areas and along the Transit Corridor. Specifically, our organization would favor an DIRECTORS amendment to the present code language to relieve structures with a floor area of ten Maria Batista, AICP Jerry Bell, AICP thousand (10,000) square feet or smaller from current parking requirements, as Alex David, AICP underlined in the following text: Brian Gillis, AICP Mirtha Gonzalez Melissa Hege, AICP Sarah Ingle, AICP "Parking ratio may be reduced within''/: mile radius of TOD or within % mile radius of a Edward Murray, AICP Transit Corridor by thirty percent (30%) by process of Waiver, or by one hundred percent Alexis Pena Ralph Rosado, AICP (100%) for any Structure that has a Floor Area of ten thousand (10,000) square feet or less, Valerie Neilson, AICP except when site is within 500 feet of TV' Thomas Hastings, AICP APA FL is the state affiliate of the American Planning Association, a non-profit organization formed to provide vision and leadership for the future development and redevelopment of Florida communities. The Gold Coast Section, a division of the Florida Chapter, includes nearly 200 hundred planning professionals, students and allied professionals in Miami - Dade and Monroe Counties. As planners, we believe the goal of our profession is to help create communities that offer better choices for where and how people live. Because of this belief, the APA FL Gold Coast Section supports the proposed amendment. This exemption will facilitate reinvestment in urban neighborhoods with good access to transit, where often small property sizes make it impossible to meet the current parking requirements on site. It will allow owners of small properties to keep their properties (rather than selling to developers for assembly) and pursue smaller projects that are more consistent with the existing character of their neighborhoods. In addition, the exemption will contribute to keep housing more affordable in those neighborhoods, since parking drives up construction costs, which in turn get passed on to residential buyers and renters. We urge you to support the Small Building Parking Exemption amendment, which will have significant benefits for the City's residents. Sincerely, Gold Coast Section APA FL Chapter Gold Coast Section, American Planning Association Florida Chapter 0 100 Northeast 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33132 'AIA FI 'A F S BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA Chair and City Commissioners City of Miami 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33131 Dear Chairman Gort and City Commissioners: Submitted into the public Record for item(s) PZ. 13 on 09/24/2015, City Clerk July 16, 2014 Re: Small Building Parking Exemption I am writing on behalf of the Miami -Dade Legislative Committee of the Builders Association of South Florida (BASF)_ Chapter about the above -referenced issue, which proposes an amendment to the City of Miami Code to create a small building parking exemption in Transit -Oriented Development areas and along Transit Corridors. It has been a source of discussion for the past several months, among our committee members, as well as within the community at large. The City of Miami has come to a mature point in its development such that this is an idea most worthy of exploring. Increasingly, the City is spending more capital dollars in building more transit -friendly facilities, including increasing the number of bike lanes, funding the Miami Trolley, and in general, promoting walkability within neighborhoods. Further, since the adoption of Miami 21, the City has strongly encouraged developers to plan their buildings (office and residential buildings) to make more or better use of existing mass transit facilities, including Metro Rail and Metro Mover among other facilities, through the zoning code. We continue to strongly support and endorse these incentives. The next step in this forward -thinking urban planning is the small building parking exemption. This concept, when added to all other existing incentives, will help make all programs even more successful. Finally, we respectfully submit that the City should adopt greater densities within and around these areas as well. While such efforts may have been thwarted in the past, perhaps now is the time for this change as well, to increase the efficacy of the small building parking exemption, too. Sincerely, Truly Burton, Executive/Government Affairs Director cc: Mayor Tomas Regalado Planning and Zoning Director Planning and Zoning Board x,finity L E N N A R Almsrrr:rv:,.4 +n < i ll, =' , Assecla' �y I iiiinT tiuntlx l: BTI BRM . Bruin...... nev FiA' - CC ncnract.ag,x ni-va:dor>rr, - G...+,t;H con't'..... Inc. - Flr T1 G.L. Honicti C>'.•.rn [>a^r J• fru.>r�� HIAL11 c4 Ill, t,.rn L>a•v..rinl>rnu. 1, Tt>.:• C'>n. „'-.n nl>. ni. VRhA l'.nt.+'i,r'r.. W..,t. . < .>n.n iii�l:. , A chapter of Florida Atlantic Building Association www.myfaba.com_ 4601 Sheridan Street, #401, Hollywood, FL 33021 Submitted into the public Record for item(s) PZ. 13 on 09/24/2015, City Clerk T:954-399-9233 F:954-639-7107 Submitted into the public Record for item(s) PZ. 13 AIA Miami on 09/24/2015, City Clerk A Chapter of The American Institute of Architects July 2, 2014 Best regards, AIA MIAMI 0111*� Cheryl H. Jacobs Executive Vice President 101 NE 1 Avenue Miami, FL 33132 Phone: 305.448.7488 Email: info@aiamiami.org www.aiamiami.org The Honorable Tomas Regalado 11 ((jjjjjj)) City of Miami 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 RE: SMALL BUILDING PARKING EXEMPTION 2014 Board of Directors Dear Mayor Regalado: President Gene N. Kluesner, AIA On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Miami Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, I am writing to advise you of our support of a small building parking exemption, President Elect currently being considered. AIA Miami has over 700 members, many of whom work with small Tony Rosabal, AIA Tony property owners on a regular basis. Vice Presidents Javier E. Cdrdova, AIA Many small property owners find it basically impossible to build new buildings or additions due to Jason R. Hagopian, AIA Miami's zoning requirements for parking. A small building parking exemption would: Secretary/treasurer Neyda S. Otero, AIA . Level the playing field for small property owners. • Let the market decide: Empower small owners to choose how many spaces to provide Chapter Directors based on their property size and knowledge of local needs. Elizabeth G. Comargo, AIA . Provide more affordable housing in the urban core near transit reducing the dependency Javier F. Salman, AIA on private vehicles. Jason Tapia, AIA • Investment without displacement: Allow small property owners to keep their property State Directors and develop it, thus participating in the revitalization of their own neighborhood. Virgilio Camponeria, AIA • Reduce housing costs: Required parking drives up construction costs and encourages Allan T. Shulman, FAIR larger, less -affordable units. Alejandro Silva, AIA LourdesSolero, FAIA • Facilitate investment in more urban neighborhoods: Not every neighborhood needs 40 stories, some just need 8 units but can't accomplish that due to required parking. Associate Directors 0 Compatible development: Small buildings are compatible with neighborhood character. Michelle M. Bilbao, Assoc AIA Grow world-class neighborhoods: The best urban neighborhoods are made up of many Alejandro B. Bronger, Assoc AIA small, adaptable buildings. AIA Florida Secretary/treasurer Martin Diaz-Yabor, FAIA The small building parking exemption that is being advocated is as follows, short and simple, in CAPS: "Parking ratio may be reduced within 1/2 mile radius of TOD or within 1/4 mile radius of Executive Vice President a Transit Corridor by thirty percent (30%) by process of Waiver, OR BY ONE HUNDRED CherylH.Jacobs PERCENT (100%) FOR ANY STRUCTURE THAT HAS A FLOOR AREA OF TEN THOUSAND (10,000) SQUARE FEET OR LESS, except when site is within 500 feet of T3." We ask that you support this exemption. The future of Miami's urban neighborhoods depends on it. Best regards, AIA MIAMI 0111*� Cheryl H. Jacobs Executive Vice President 101 NE 1 Avenue Miami, FL 33132 Phone: 305.448.7488 Email: info@aiamiami.org www.aiamiami.org �` ' Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. Submitted into the public Record for item(s) PZ. 13 on 09/24/2015, City Clerk 3730 Coconut Creek Pkwy., Suite 200 Coconut Creek, FL 33066 Phone 954.984.0075 Fax 954.984.4905 www.abceastflorida.com Florida East Coast parking. Chapter (7) Compatible development: Small buildings are compatible with neighborhood 2014 Board of Directors Chairmen character. George L Cueeta (g) Grow world-class neighborhoods: The best urban neighborhoods are made up of Cuesta Construction many small, adaptable buildings. Chairman Elect Jesus Vazquez Facchina Construction of Florida, L.LC. Ma 22, 2014 y Immediate Past Chairman Scott R. Moss The Honorable Tomas Regalado Mose & Associates 3500 Pan American Drive Forst Vice Cheinnan/SecreterylTressurer Antonio Obragon Miami, FL 33133 Formrite Construction, LLC Directors Dave Aiken CEMEX Dear Mayor Regalado, Carlos Ard"n Jr. Cambridge Construction Corporation On behalf of Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter I write in John Bennett Coastal Construction Croup support of a small building parking exemption currently being considered by some in Bill Bower City Hall. Southeast Mechanical Contractors Tim Domblasor The Everglades Croup, LLC ABC is the largest commercial construction association representing the largest and Charles Ermer smallest contractors from Key West to Melbourne. We support this discussion Right way Plumbing co. because we know and see that there are areas where businesses would like to be but Alberto Fernandez ANF Croup, Inc. cannot because of current parking guidelines and because we also know there are Clay Fischer neighborhoods where the residents would like there to be a larger business presence. Woodland Construction Co, Inc. This effort speaks to both of those issues. Clinton Class Balfour Beatty Construction Chris Kennedy It is our belief that a small building parking exemption would: Suffolk Construction Co., Inc. (1) Level the playing field for small property owners. Rendall n (2) Let the market decide: Empower small owners to choose how many spaces to LeboFo Construction Management,nt Inc. Roy F. MacRobert provide based on their property size and knowledge of local needs. Supermbc Concrete and Superbbck (3) Investment without displacement: Allow small property owners to keep their Ru P.Nash property and develop it, thus participating in the revitalization of their own R. Nash. Inc. WilliamWilliamR. Hal Parker neighborhood. InSource, Inc. (4) Reduce housing costs: Required parking drives up construction costs and Richard Paul -Nus encourages larger, less -affordable units. Hypower, Inc. (5) Spread the wealth: The gains from urban development should not be concentrated Miami -Dade Council Chairman Scott Prince in a few large companies. Suffolk Construction Co, Inc. (6) Facilitate investment in more urban neighborhoods: Not every neighborhood Kem Smith Baker Concrete Construction needs 40 stories, some just need 8 units but can't accomplish that due to required Space Coast Council Chairman parking. Sr. Misruc (7) Compatible development: Small buildings are compatible with neighborhood M H Williams Construction Croup, Inc. io Group, Brian A. Wolf Esq. character. Smith, Currie & Hancock LLP (g) Grow world-class neighborhoods: The best urban neighborhoods are made up of President & CEO many small, adaptable buildings. Peter M. Dyga, CAE ABC Florida East Coast Chapter Submitted into the public Record for item(s) PZ. 13 on 09 242015, City Clerk The small building parking exemption that is being advocated is as follows, short and simple, in CAPS: "Parking ratio may be reduced within 1/2 mile radius ofTOD or within 1/4 mile radius of a Transit Corridor by thirty percent (30%) by process of Waiver, OR BY ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) FOR ANY STRUCTURE THAT HAS A FLOOR AREA OF TEN THOUSAND (10,000) SQUARE FEET OR LESS, except when site is within 500 feet of TV' Please vote for this exception. The future of Miami's urban neighborhoods depends on it. n �0y, rol Bow Vi a President of Government Affairs