HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Commission Fact SheetCITY COMMISSION FACT SHEET
Title: AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FIRST
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE RIVER LANDING SPECIAL
AREA PLAN ("RIVER LANDING SAP"), PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 163
OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES, BETWEEN R.L. MIAMI, LP F/K/A RIVER
LANDING DEVELOPMENT, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP, ("APPLICANT"), AND THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
TO GOVERN THE RIVER LANDING SPECIAL AREA PLAN (SAP)
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT APPROVED MAY 23, 2013 AS
ORDINANCE NO. 13383 ("DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT"), BY
AMENDING THE SECTION RELATED TO PUBLIC BENEFITS IN THE
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND REQUIRING CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS ON ABUTTING LAND OWNED BY AN AFFILIATE OF
THE APPLICANT OUTLINED IN THE DECLARATION OF
RESTRICTIONS THE APPLICANT HAS ENTERED INTO WITH MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM FOR SAID PURPOSE; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
LOCATION: Approximately 1420 and 1500 NW N. River Dr [Commissioner Wifredo ("Willy")
Gort — District 1 ]
APPLICANT(S): Javier Avino, Esq., on behalf of R.L. Miami, LP F/K/A Riverlanding
Development, LLC
PURPOSE: This request seeks to amend the previously approved development agreement to
allow the Applicant to construct, maintain, and enhance public space in the immediate
neighborhood of the River Landing SAP, including, but not limited to, improvement of public
open green space, pedestrian walkways, and Riverwalk connectivity, in lieu of providing a cash
payment to the City of Miami for Park Impact Fees and Public Benefit Program Fees.
FINDING(S):
PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Recommended approval with conditions.
City of Miami File ID: 6119 (Revision:) Printed On: 11/19/2019
City of Miami City Hall
Legislation 3500 Pan Ameican Drive
g Miami, FL 33133
.; Ordinance www.miamigov.com
Enactment Number:13867
File Number: 6119 Final Action Date: 10/24/2019
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FIRST
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE RIVER LANDING SPECIAL
AREA PLAN ("RIVER LANDING SAP"), PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 163 OF
THE FLORIDA STATUTES, BETWEEN R.L. MIAMI, LP F/K/A RIVER
LANDING DEVELOPMENT, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
("APPLICANT"), AND THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, TO GOVERN THE
RIVER LANDING SPECIAL AREA PLAN (SAP) DEVELOPMENT
AGREEMENT APPROVED MAY 23, 2013 AS ORDINANCE NO. 13383
("DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT"), BY AMENDING THE SECTION
RELATED TO PUBLIC BENEFITS IN THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
AND REQUIRING CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS ON ABUTTING LAND
OWNED BY AN AFFILIATE OF THE APPLICANT OUTLINED IN THE
DECLARATION OF RESTRICTIONS THE APPLICANT HAS ENTERED
INTO WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO EXECUTE THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT IN SUBSTANTIALLY
THE ATTACHED FORM FOR SAID PURPOSE; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on January 18, 2013, the Applicant filed an application with the City of
Miami ("City") for a Special Area Plan ("River Landing SAP") for properties generally located at
1420 and 1500 Northwest North River Drive (the "Property"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Ordinance No. 13383, adopted on May 23, 2013, the City and
Applicant executed a Development Agreement, as amended, attached as Exhibit "A"
("Development Agreement") to develop the River Landing SAP (the "Project"); and
WHEREAS, the Development Agreement required that the Applicant use best efforts to
acquire property abutting the River Landing SAP from Miami -Dade County at approximately
1280 Northwest 11 Street for open space as stated in Section 21 of the Development
Agreement, "Public Benefits Pursuant to this Agreement"; and
WHEREAS, the River Landing Conservation Foundation, Inc., an affiliate of the
Applicant ("Affiliate") acquired the property at 1280 Northwest 11 Street which abuts River
Landing SAP property ("Abutting Property") in 2017, as evidenced by the deed from Miami -
Dade County attached as Exhibit "B" and further depicted by a boundary survey of the site
attached as Exhibit "C": and
WHEREAS, the Applicant applied in June 2019, through ePlan to revise Section 21,
"Public Benefits Pursuant to this Agreement," of the Development Agreement, to provide for the
construction of open spaces, green spaces, public facilities and park areas within the River
City of Miami File ID: 6119 (Revision:) Printed On: 11/19/2019
Landing SAP and on adjacent green space land in lieu of cash payments for the applicable Park
Impact Fees and Public Benefits Program Fees; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Ordinance 13383, the River Landing SAP may develop the
Property as a mixed-use development with residential units, retail, restaurants, a Riverwalk and
other amenities; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant proposes to construct 528 residential dwelling units on the
Property for which the corresponding Park Impact Fee due to the City is $2,090,352.00; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant proposes to construct bonus Floor Lot Ratio ("FLR") and
height totaling 61,015 square feet in the River Landing SAP which requires a corresponding
contribution to the City's Public Benefits Program of $1,152,573.35; and
WHEREAS, the total due to the City from the Applicant from the Public Benefits Program
and Park Impact fee is $3,242,925.35; and
WHEREAS, the Affiliate has entered into a Declaration of Restrictive Covenants with
Miami -Dade County, attached as Exhibit "D," which requires the Affiliate to construct and
maintain pedestrian walkways, beautification of the banks of the Miami River, and construction
of greenways along the north side of the Miami River according to the City of Miami Greenway
Action Plan and similar improvements to the Abutting Property for the use of the public, at a cost
of approximately $3.9 million, funded by the Applicant; and
WHEREAS, the River Landing SAP includes approximately 2.0 acres of open, public
green space within its development and will connect its greenspace to the abutting properties as
additional green space for public use; and
WHEREAS, the River Landing SAP will provide an additional 1.5 acres of green space
using the Abutting Property to be managed by the River Landing Conservation Foundation, Inc.
for the use of the public green space and Riverwalk improvements; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant has requested this first amendment to the Development
Agreement to allow it to use of the project's Park Impact Fees and Public Benefits Program
Fees to be expended by the Applicant on behalf of the Affiliate to construct green spaces, open
spaces, public facilities and park areas within the River Landing SAP and on the Abutting
Property that the City would otherwise cause to be constructed within the Project and immediate
surrounding neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant will improve bicycle and pedestrian connectivity in the
streetscapes to Spring Gardens, to satisfy a portion of the Public Benefits program for the
Project, pursuant to Section 3.14 of Ordinance No. 13114, the Zoning Ordinance of the City of
Miami, Florida ("Miami 21 Code"); and
WHEREAS, the location of River Landing SAP along the Miami River allows the use and
enjoyment of the Miami River by residents, patrons of the Property, and the public; and
WHEREAS, the River Landing SAP creates recurring fiscal benefits for the City's tax
base as well as temporary and permanent jobs for the City's residents; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the City to promote and encourage private sector
development that will create jobs and cause economic development, which will have long term
benefits to the City; and
City of Miami File ID: 6119 (Revision:) Printed On: 11/19/2019
WHEREAS the only changes to the Development Agreement are in Section 21, "Public
Benefits Pursuant to this Agreement" as well as Section 15 to update the names and addresses
of parties to receive notice under the Development Agreement; and
WHEREAS, assurances to the Applicant that they may proceed in accordance with
existing laws and policies, subject to the conditions of a Development Agreement, strengthens
the public planning process, encourages sound capital improvement planning and financing,
assists in assuring there are adequate capital facilities for the development, encourages private
participation in comprehensive planning, and reduces the economic costs of development; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Department recommends approval of the First Amendment to
the Development Agreement with the following conditions:
Section 21 of the Development Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
(b) Purcuit of Additional Land. The Applicant in cooperation with the River Landing.
Conservation Foundation has hereby agrooss +„ sso its, hoc+ offnr+c +n aG9 tiro
acquired -by lease fee simple ownership of a parcel of land (generally known
as 1280 Northwest 11 Street) east of the River Landing SAP for open space
abutting the River Landing SAP -Tho ( wALQr ,�,;�� ipdate +ho �;+., „n aR
anal LLic r9gardiRg this aG9HiGitiGR._The Applicant will construct and maintain
pedestrian walkways and similar improvements as contemplated by the
Covenant with Miami -Dade Countv, attached as Exhibit "C". In addition, the
Applicant agrees to spend up to $350,000.00 of these sums to enhance the
areas surroundinq the River Landing Proiect and within the Health District for
certain public improvements authorized and approved by the Citv (the
"Improvements"). The Citv agrees that, in lieu of a cash payment to the Citv for
Park Impact Fees that would be due by the Applicant to the Citv, the Park Impact
Fee contribution will be used toward the construction of the open spaces, preen
spaces, public facilities and park areas in the Proiect and on adiacent green
space land as contemplated. A list of areas to be improved with corresponding
survev map with legend and kev, landscape plans, material plans and furniture
will be provided for review and approval through the Citv of Miami's Planning
Department.
(c) The River Landina SAP had an additonal 61.015 square feet of floor area
considered bonus floor area. Pursuant to Section 3.14.4(b) the Citv herebv finds
that the proposed Proiect will confer a sianificant net improvement and public
benefit upon the publicly accessible spaces, by the addition of the open spaces,
areen spaces. and public facilities. and herebv deems said contribution compliant
with anv Public Benefit contribution required.
2. The Applicant shall provide a master landscape plan solely for the Abutting Property
which shall be reviewed and approved by the Director of the Planning Department, said
plan shall be in accordance with Article 9 of the Miami 21 Code titled "Landscape
Requirements," Chapter 17 of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida ("City Code"), and
all federal, state, county, and municipal regulations including the Miami Greenway Action
Plan for the River Landings SAP. Said master landscape plan shall include at a
minimum the following:
a. Plans that clearly show and list improvements on the Abutting Property as
committed to in the Covenant with Miami -Dade County as described in Exhibit D
entitled "Declaration of Restrictions," attached and incorporated.
City of Miami File ID: 6119 (Revision:) Printed On: 11/19/2019
b. The master landscape plan within the Abutting Property shall incorporate lighting,
create pedestrian walkways, greenways, bicycle paths and a Riverwalk with
integrated public art that pays homage to the history of the Miami River. The
Riverwalk shall extend along the banks of the river and below State Road 836
highway.
3. The Applicant must submit plans for the Abutting Property that clearly identify all
improvements requested by the City Commission for the Amended Development
Agreement, including: landscape plans; seawall design; pedestrian and bicycle paths
design with connections to Sewell Park; equipment; and furniture. Plans shall indicate
the location, materials, cost analysis, street segments and parks improvement.
4. Any increase in the number of residential dwelling units over 528 Residential Dwelling
Unit will require the Applicant to pay the corresponding Park Impact Fees for such
residential units.
5. Any increase beyond 61,015 square feet of bonus floor area will require the Applicant to
provide the corresponding Public Benefits Fees per the City's Public Benefits Program.
6. The Applicant shall, no later than six (6) month from the date of final and unappealable
approval of the Amendment of the Development Agreement, submit plans for building
permits for the development of the master landscape plan within the Abutting Property.
7. Should the Abutting Property cease to be used for open greenspace per the Covenant
with Miami -Dade County, the Applicant must provide the City Park Impact Fee and the
Public Benefits Program Fee at a current rate calculated for the year the Covenant
becomes null and void.
8. Within fifteen (15) days of the effective date of this Ordinance, a recorded certified copy
of the amended Development Agreement specifying that the Development Agreement
runs with the land and is binding on the Applicant, must be tendered to the City
Administration.
WHEREAS, the Planning Department recommends the First Amendment of the
previously approved Development Agreement observing the aforementioned conditions and
making it applicable to the River Landing Development Agreement for the SAP.
WHEREAS, after careful consideration, the City Commission deems it advisable and in
the best interest of the general welfare of the City and its residents to approve, with conditions,
the proposed first amendment of the River Landing Development Agreement as hereinafter set
forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Ordinance are
hereby adopted by reference and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City Commission hereby approves, subject to the conditions specified
herein and the Miami 21 Code, the first amendment to the River Landing Development
Agreement for the River Landing SAP.
Section 3. The findings of fact set forth below are made with respect to the amended
River Landing Development Agreement SAP:
City of Miami File ID: 6119 (Revision:) Printed On: 11/19/2019
a) The amendment to the River Landing Development Agreement is consistent with the
Miami Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan, as amended ("MCNP");
b) The City Commission further finds that:
1) The first amendment to the River Landing Development Agreement for the River
Landing SAP will have a favorable impact on the economy of the City;
2) The first amendment to the River Landing Development Agreement conforms to the
requirements of the Miami 21 Code;
3) The first amendment to the River Landing Development Agreement will efficiently use
public transportation facilities;
4) Any potentially adverse effects of the development, including but not limited to safety
and security, fire protection, solid waste, heritage conservation, and trees will be
mitigated through compliance with the conditions of this first amendment of the River
Landing Development Agreement as stated herein;
5) The first amendment of the River Landing Development Agreement will efficiently
use existing public and civic spaces;
6) The first amendment of the River Landing Development Agreement will not
negatively impact the environment or any natural resources of the City;
7) The first amendment of the River Landing Development Agreement will not adversely
affect living conditions in the neighborhood;
8) The first amendment of the River Landing Development Agreement will not adversely
affect public safety; and
9) The public welfare will be served by the first amendment of the River Landing
Development Agreement.
Section 4. The conclusions of law set forth below are made with respect to first
amendment of the River Landing Development Agreement:
a) The first amendment of the River Landing Development Agreement complies with the
Miami Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan ("MCNP"), is consistent with the orderly
development and goals of the City, and complies with local land development
regulations pursuant to the Miami 21 Code.
b) The proposed development does not unreasonably interfere with the achievement of the
objectives of the adopted State Land Development Plan applicable to the City.
Section 5. It is further determined by the City Commission that first amendment of the
River Landing Development Agreement, as approved, shall be binding upon the Applicant and
all successors in interest.
Section 6. It is further determined by the City Commission that the application to amend
the River Landing Development Agreement, which was submitted on July 12, 2019, and is on
file with the Hearing Boards Division of the Planning Department, shall be relied on generally for
administrative interpretations and is incorporated by reference.
City of Miami File ID: 6119 (Revision:) Printed On: 11/19/2019
Section 7. If any section, part of a section, paragraph, clause, phrase, or word of this
Ordinance is declared invalid, the remaining provisions of this Ordinance shall not be affected.
Section 8. This Ordinance shall be effective upon adoption by the City Commission.'
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
i ria i "ndez, City Attomey _� 7116/2019
' If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten (10) calendar days
from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective
immediately upon override of the veto by the Citv Commission.
City of Miami File ID: 6119 (Revision:) Printed On: 1111912019