As you know, the City of Miami Springs has already made changes that increased the allowable density downtown.  The City also made changes that reduced the required amount of on property parking which virtually guarantees that on-street parking will become more difficult downtown.

Click to read more about the downtown development coming to Miami Springs.

Downtown Development Curtiss Parkway

More Apartments

The City Council had some new apartment projects to review at Monday night’s council meeting. Included in the new apartments was a mixed use office / apartments to Westward Drive and a 12 unit apartment complex on Palmetto Drive.

12 Unit Palmetto Drive Apartment Complex

The controversial issue came with the project proposed for 641-649 Palmetto Drive. The property is located north of the old BellSouth building on NW 36th Street.

The project is seeking variances in order to construct a 20,304 square foot apartment building with 12 units on a 14,200 square foot parcel of land.

Variances requested are as follows:

  1. Request variance from section 150-164(B) (1) (g) to exceed by six dwelling units the maximum permitted 20 dwelling units per acre (Twelve dwelling units proposed).
  2. Request variance from section 150-164(B) (1) (g) to waive the requirement that residential uses are permitted only in mix-use development (Residential uses only purposed).
  3. Request variance from section 150-164(F) (1) (a) in order to waive twelve of the required 47 vehicle parking spaces. (Provision of 35 vehicular parking spaces proposed).
  4. Request variance for section 150-016 (A)(9) to waive six inches of the minimum required parking space width of nine feet (Provision of parking space width 8 foot six inches proposed).

Unlike the apartments that were approved downtown, these apartments won’t impact most residents in terms of traffic, downtown parking, and ingress / egress to the city or local shopping. However, this project (and its current lack of parking) will impact the residents who live nearby.  Some neighbors did come out to speak against the proposed variances.  Watch the resident concerns below:

However, just as we objected to the downtown project’s lack of parking, we object to this project’s lack of parking as well.  Per current city code, the project would need to accommodate 47 parking spaces.  The project is currently short by 12 parking spaces or 26% less than required.

Furthermore, the allowable amount of dwellings on this property is just six units.  The developers are trying to put in twice that amount for a total of 12 units.

On the positive side, we like the fact that these are 3 and 4 bedroom units.  Obviously, these would be on the higher end.  If we want to continue the legacy of the “Country Club Estates” we value developments that bring in more upscale, high end living.  So the larger, more accommodating apartments are definitely encouraging.

COUNCIL WANTS MORE PARKING

Fortunately, Councilwoman Mitchell, who showed interest and appreciation for the project, gave no wiggle room to the lack of parking.  The mayor also expressed no interest in approving this project without sufficient on premise parking.  The mayor asked for a motion to defer the vote.  So the council voted 4 to 1 to defer the vote on the project to allow the developer to make changes to the plans.  Councilwoman Zapata, who seemed to be okay with the parking, voted against the deferral.

The project has been deferred to the next council meeting to be held on January 13th.

GROUND FLOOR PARKING

1st LEVEL OF APARTMENTS

2nd LEVEL OF APARTMENTS

RELATED ARTICLES

Read about the new Westward Drive office / apartment complex.

Read about the Downtown Development coming to Miami Springs.

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