WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=INT7_XWVu00

Part: 1

1
00:00:16.000 --> 01:18:20.760
Test one, two. test one two community room. As you guys test. One, two. Thanks. >> Thank you. What was the Recording in progress. I don't hear you.

2
01:18:22.480 --> 01:18:39.360
>> How is it? There we go. The date is June 17, 2026. Call in the meeting to order. All of you, if you can, please silence all your phones and beepers. [laughter] Sorry, >> I think that was a beeper. >> Good evening. This board is comprised of

3
01:18:39.360 --> 01:18:55.440
seven members. Four members of the board shall constitute a quorum and an affirmative vote of four members shall be necessary for the adoption of any motion. [snorts] If only four members of the board are present, an applicant may request and be entitled to a continuence to the next regular scheduled meeting of the board.

4
01:18:55.440 --> 01:19:11.040
If a matter is continued due to lack of quorum, the chairperson or secretary of the board may set a special meeting to consider such matter. In the event that four votes are not obtained, an applicant except in the case of a comprehensive plan amendment may request a continuence or allow the application

5
01:19:11.040 --> 01:19:25.920
to proceed to the city commission without a recommendation. Pursuant to resolution number 2021-118, the city of board has established the ability for public to provide comments virtually. For those members of the public who are appearing on Zoom and

6
01:19:25.920 --> 01:19:41.120
wish to testify, you must be visible to the court court reporter to be sworn in. Otherwise, if you speak without being sworn in, your comments may not have evidentiary value. Lobbyist registration and disclosure. Any person who acts as a lobbyist must

7
01:19:41.120 --> 01:19:56.800
register with the city clerk as required pursuant to the city code. As acting chair, I now officially call the city of Coral Gable's planning and zoning board meeting of June 17, 2026 to order. The time is [snorts] 6:02. Jill, please call the roll.

8
01:19:56.800 --> 01:20:11.520
>> Ignasio Alvarez, >> present. >> Robert Behar, >> present. >> Alice Bravo, >> present. >> Jane Mclashian, >> present. >> Felix Partardo, >> here. >> Gonzalo Sanabria, >> here. >> Alex Bello,

9
01:20:11.520 --> 01:20:27.520
>> here. Notice regarding exparte communication. Please be advised that this board is a quasi judicial board which requires board members to disclose all exparte communication and site visits. An exparte communication is defined as any contact, communication, conversation,

10
01:20:27.520 --> 01:20:43.840
correspondence, memorandum or or other written or verbal communication that takes place outside a public hearing between a member of the public and a member of the quasi judicial board regarding matters to be heard by the board. If anyone made any contact with the board member regarding any issue before the board, the board member must

11
01:20:43.840 --> 01:21:00.640
state on the record the existence of the exparte communication and the party who originated the communication. Also, if a board member conducted a site visit specifically related to the case before the board, the board member must also disclose such visit. In either case, the board member must state on the record whether the exparte communication and or

12
01:21:00.640 --> 01:21:16.239
site visit will affect the board member's ability to be to impartially consider the evidence to be presented regarding this matter. The board member should also state that his or her decision will be based on substantial competent evidence and testimony presented on the record today.

13
01:21:16.239 --> 01:21:32.719
Does any member of the board have such communication and/or site visit to disclose at this time? >> No. >> I went to the site yesterday. I just went myself. I stepped down and inspected the neighborhood. >> Thank you. >> Swearing in. Everyone who speaks this

14
01:21:32.719 --> 01:21:47.280
evening must complete the roster on the podium. We ask that you print clearly so that the official records of your name and address will be correct. Now, with the exception of attorneys, all persons physically in the city commission chamber who will speak on the agenda items before us this evening, please

15
01:21:47.280 --> 01:22:20.639
rise to be sworn in. Zoom platform participants. I'll ask any person wishing to speak on tonight's agenda items to please open your chat and send a direct message to Jill Menendez stating you would like to speak before the board and include your full name. Jill will call you when it's your turn and I ask you to be concise for the

16
01:22:20.639 --> 01:22:37.920
interest of time. Phone phone platform participants. After Zoom platform participants are done, I will ask phone participants to comment on tonight's agenda item. I also ask you to be concise for the interest of time. Can I have approval of last month's meeting? >> Motion [clears throat] to approve.

17
01:22:37.920 --> 01:22:54.960
>> Second. Motion. >> All in favor? I >> I >> I. >> Procedure we'll use tonight. [clears throat] Identification of agenda item by Mrs. Suarez. Presentation by applicant or agent.

18
01:22:54.960 --> 01:23:12.320
Presentation by staff. Then I'll open it to public comment. First in chamber, then in Zoom, followed by phone. I'll close public comment. We'll have board discussion. Then we'll entertain a motion discussion and second of the motion and then board's final comments and finally vote.

19
01:23:12.320 --> 01:23:41.760
Mr. City attorney, can you please read the first item? >> Yes. So, we have four items on today's agenda that we will consolidate for purposes of the public hearing. My apologies, dealing with some technical issues here. Um, so we have four items on today's agenda. Um, E1,

20
01:23:41.760 --> 01:23:57.679
and I'll read them all together so that we can consolidate them for purposes of the public hearing and discussion. Um E1 is an orance of the city commission of Coral Gables, Florida amending the future land use map and mixeduse overlay district map of the city of Cro Gable's comprehensive plan pursuant to zoning code article 14 process section 14-213

21
01:23:57.679 --> 01:24:14.080
comprehensive plan Texas and map amendments and smallcale amendment procedures from religious institutional to commercial mid-rise intensity and to include within the boundaries of the north ponds mixuse district overlay block 21 revised plat Gable's Douglas section Coral Gables Florida providing for provision serverability clause and

22
01:24:14.080 --> 01:24:31.760
effective E2 is an ordinance of the city commission of Coral Gables making zoning district boundary changes pursuant to zoning code article 14 process section 14-212 zoning code text and map amendments one from special use to mixuse 2 and two in to include within the boundaries of the north pond's

23
01:24:31.760 --> 01:24:49.199
mixuse overlay district mixeduse district overlay block 21 revised plat Gables Douglas section 110 Phoenicia corables Florida providing for repeat provision severability clause and an effective E3 is an ordinance to the city commissioner of Cro Gables, Florida, granting approval of a planned area development pursuant to zoning code

24
01:24:49.199 --> 01:25:05.920
article 14 process section 14-206 general procedures for planned area development for a mixeduse project referred to as Crystal Residences including a private school and property legally described as block 21 revised platables Douglas section 110 Phoenicia Corables Florida superseding ordinance number 1909 and ordinance number 2962

25
01:25:05.920 --> 01:25:21.600
including required conditions providing for repeated provision severability clause and providing for an effective date E4 is a resol Resolution of the city commission of Croable, Florida requesting mixeduse site plan review and an encroachment agreement pursuant to article 14 process section 14-203 conditional uses for a proposed mixeduse project referred to as crystal

26
01:25:21.600 --> 01:25:37.120
residences including a private school and live work units on property legally described as block 21 revised plat Gables Douglas section 110 Phoenicia Avenue Corables Florida superseding ordinance number 1909 and ordinance number 2962 to permit the current accessory school as a principal use including required conditions providing

27
01:25:37.120 --> 01:26:05.600
providing for repeated provision seability clause and providing for an effective presentation by staff. Yeah. Or are we going to hear all >> by the applicant or >> I'm sorry. Yeah. Correct. >> Mr. Chair, board members, good evening. George Zavaro with offices at 333

28
01:26:05.600 --> 01:26:21.440
Southeast 2nd Avenue. Um we have a PowerPoint presentation if uh we could have it placed on the screen. Um by way of intro uh joining me this evening we have Mary Palasio from Crystal Academy uh Serena Santino and Tony Talabbert who

29
01:26:21.440 --> 01:26:38.320
are the project principles uh our lead project designer Albert Cordov is here as well as our planning consultant Bob Chisum. We're excited to be here this evening to present what is truly a unique uh and important mixeduse project. a project that has been 5 years

30
01:26:38.320 --> 01:26:53.840
in the making. It's a mixeduse project that includes residential live, work, and open spaces, but it's not your traditional mixeduse project. This project is anchored by a new permanent home for Crystal Academy. Uh I'll

31
01:26:53.840 --> 01:27:13.360
discuss this project in greater detail uh uh shortly, but I think it'd be helpful to provide a little bit of background of how we got here today. >> [snorts] >> There we go. Uh, so this process began in 2021. That's when we first started

32
01:27:13.360 --> 01:27:28.960
working with Crystal Academy. It has undergone an extensive historical, architectural, and public review process. As illustrated in this timeline, uh this project was carefully evaluated and it's been refined through

33
01:27:28.960 --> 01:27:44.159
a historical review and architectural review process that went on for many years. And after years of hard work, we're here before you this evening to request the zoning approvals that are needed in order to make this project a reality.

34
01:27:44.159 --> 01:27:59.679
The request before you, as was uh mentioned by your city attorney, is a change of land use uh from religious institutional to commercial mid-rise intensity and to add the property within the boundaries of North Pon's mixeduse district. It includes a reasonzoning

35
01:27:59.679 --> 01:28:16.800
from special use to mixuse 2, a planned area development and a concept and and a conditional use for our proposed site plan. For many years, this property was owned by a church and it was leased to Crystal Academy. It's a uh for those of you that may not be familiar with Crystal

36
01:28:16.800 --> 01:28:33.600
Academy, it's a nonprofit school here in Coral Gables that has served more than 600 families for more than 16 years. It is actually the only school in Coral Gables that provides specialized therapeutic treatment and education for kids with significant development and

37
01:28:33.600 --> 01:28:48.880
learning disabilities. When the church decided to sell the property in 2021, Crystal Academy faced the real possibility that it would lose its home and its ability to serve the families and the children that depend on it. My client made a commitment at that time

38
01:28:48.880 --> 01:29:04.719
to preserve the school on site and to invest in its future by dedicating a 5,000qt space within its project and to provide a 4,000 square foot outdoor recreational area for these children. This is being built by the applicant uh

39
01:29:04.719 --> 01:29:20.159
fully funded by the owner and leased back to Crystal Academy for 99 years rentree. Uh this commitment is especially important given the growing need for these services and the lack of available institutions that provide it. While

40
01:29:20.159 --> 01:29:36.639
Coral Gables is home to many outstanding educational institutions, Crystal Academy is the only one that provides this specialized care. This project will provide Crystal Academy with a permanent home where it can continue its missions for generations to come. And before we get into the specifics of this project,

41
01:29:36.639 --> 01:29:58.800
I'd like to invite Mary Palasio up so she could tell you a little bit more about this important organization and what this project means to them. Thank you. >> Good evening and thank you for your time here today. Uh my name is Mari Palasio as George said and um I've been a

42
01:29:58.800 --> 01:30:15.280
resident of Cory Gables for more than 25 years. Over the years I've always um been standing in this room and city hall because I have served in several boards advocating for inclusion and opportunities for residents with uh disabilities and students with

43
01:30:15.280 --> 01:30:31.440
disabilities. But tonight I'm talking from a mother perspective and a founder of a school for children with special needs. 20 years ago, one of my sons was diagnosed with severe autism and um I was trying

44
01:30:31.440 --> 01:30:46.639
to look for a place here where I live that I could find their services for my son and I couldn't find that and I had to travel and that's how Crystal Academy was founded 17 years ago because we had

45
01:30:46.639 --> 01:31:03.520
a need in this city for the families that live here, for the families that live nearby to find a center and a school that would serve their children. Today, Crystal Academy serves the most vulnerable children in the autism

46
01:31:03.520 --> 01:31:21.199
spectrum. Most of our children are nonverbal. They had feeding tubes, they use wheelchairs, and they have extreme behavioral challenges that require a onetoone intervention. They do get better, but they start that way.

47
01:31:21.199 --> 01:31:36.960
I'm grateful to be here again today. This is the first time that this project comes to this board because having a rentree and a new building is just transformational for generations to come. Our building is aging. And I don't

48
01:31:36.960 --> 01:31:53.440
know if you've been there, but it's just the amount of money that we spend instead of spending it in in in community based instructions, in tools, in specialized staffing. It's it's was just it's a burden. And the fact that

49
01:31:53.440 --> 01:32:10.639
five Field Companies has honored the agreement that Century Builders did 5 years ago, we are very grateful for them having to do that. So here I am humbling just asking to see if you can move this project forward so we can continue

50
01:32:10.639 --> 01:32:28.639
providing these children and these families with the services that they need that they can learn they grow in a place that this that they call home because they this is where they live. Thank you so much. [clears throat]

51
01:32:28.639 --> 01:32:44.080
Having discussed the community mission that started this project, I'd like now to turn into the planning context uh and the design considerations that we took um into consideration when we first started designing this project. I think

52
01:32:44.080 --> 01:32:59.040
it's important to understand the context of this area and where this project is. Um, at a high level, the project has 184 residential units, 16 groundf flooror live work units, a new educational

53
01:32:59.040 --> 01:33:16.239
facility for Crystal Academy, and it also includes a 5,000 ft publicly accessible courtyard, and a 4,000 ft² outdoor recreational playground that will be used by Crystal Academy during school hours and open to the public in the afternoons. Uh and on weekends,

54
01:33:16.239 --> 01:33:36.239
which is, you know, being a father, that's usually when you take your kids to these types of spaces. Um so in terms of location, the property is located right on East Ponds Boulevard, which is the main arterial roadway that connects Ponds into Douglas entrance and

55
01:33:36.239 --> 01:33:52.000
Southwest 8th Street. The property serves really as a transitional area in the North Pon area. And to take a step back as to what the intent of the North Pon area was when it was created, it was a

56
01:33:52.000 --> 01:34:08.480
undertaking that took many years to come across. Uh many workshops and community meetings were done, planning exercises. It was adopted at that time to try to promote the revitalization of this area of the city by encouraging new housing for young families and young

57
01:34:08.480 --> 01:34:24.560
professionals. Create a walkable environment. City saw this area as an area that was uh ripe for growth because of its proximity to transit, its proximity to commercial uses um and nearby employment centers. And the idea was really to create a walkable

58
01:34:24.560 --> 01:34:40.159
community. Bring in residential so it could be walkable to commercial. bring in residential so it could be walkable to education, bring in commercial so it could be uh residential so it could be walkable to all the different office uses in the area. And that's really what this project accomplishes. Uh and we

59
01:34:40.159 --> 01:34:57.040
believe it's very consistent with the intent of the North Ponds area. And as you can see in this map, this property is directly adjacent to the one of the overlays in your North Pon area, which is the North Pond mixeduse district, which is highlighted in blue in this

60
01:34:57.040 --> 01:35:13.280
exhibit. And directly to the west and to the south, you see that under the existing North Ponds framework that exists today, to the south and to the west, you could have 190 foot building with 125 dwelling units per

61
01:35:13.280 --> 01:35:29.199
acre. To the east of this property is what we call the neighborhood conservation district. Uh and this area uh this overlay was created really to encourage existing garden style apartments to have additional development incentives to preserve them.

62
01:35:29.199 --> 01:35:45.679
But it also simultaneously increased the development cap uh the development capabilities in this area by increasing the density and the building height to 100 ft and 100 units per acre. So this property essentially serves as a

63
01:35:45.679 --> 01:36:01.440
transition in this area between the high intensity commercial and mixeduse corridor to the west and the midrise multifamily residential corridor to the east. Our request for MX2 and mid-rise commercial is intended to

64
01:36:01.440 --> 01:36:17.920
create an appropriate transition between these two areas, between these two overlays, uh while still maintaining the mid-rise character of the area and not exceeding the allowable height that you have there today, which is 100 ft in height, but also having a zoning that allows us to

65
01:36:17.920 --> 01:36:33.120
maintain and enhance this existing school that's on site. From a use perspective, the project's fully compatible with the area. It preserves the existing educational uses and it integrates them and introduces residential uses which are uh already

66
01:36:33.120 --> 01:36:48.400
permitted within the broader overlay today from a height perspective and this gives you a context of the area. U you can see the project there um in the middle but here's a here's a better area. Uh from from a high perspective the way we

67
01:36:48.400 --> 01:37:04.639
designed this building was to try to respond to the location. And this was as a result of a lot of feedback and conversations with area residents over the last 3 four years. Um, we incorporated a tier massing approach that Albert will explain that scales

68
01:37:04.639 --> 01:37:21.360
down the height of the building from nine stories and approximately 93 feet on the western edge of the property that abuts the existing North Pines mixed juice district um and transitions as it goes west into the m into the mid-rise multif family

69
01:37:21.360 --> 01:37:37.840
area to eight stories 83 feet which is well below the 100 feet that's allowed today. Um equally important if you can see from this uh aerial compatibility image is that the project's height and massing are very consistent with both

70
01:37:37.840 --> 01:37:54.560
existing and recently approved projects in the immediately surrounding area. The architecture and design of this project including its proportions, scale and massing was heavily reviewed by multiple different levels uh and boards. It was approved by the board of architects. It

71
01:37:54.560 --> 01:38:11.840
was unanimously upheld by the special master board and it was also upheld by the city commission board. So this is a project whose architecture has gone through a very strenuous and very detailed review process. With that context, I'd like to introduce Albert Cordov so he could walk you

72
01:38:11.840 --> 01:38:30.400
through the project in greater detail. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, George. Mr. Chair, good evening board members. Um Albert Cordovas with Coral Architects at 4210 Laguna Street, Coral Gables, Florida. Um first and foremost, I want to thank you for your time this evening in reviewing

73
01:38:30.400 --> 01:38:45.760
our application. We are extremely happy to finally be here before this board. This is a project that we've been working for quite some time with city staff, our client, the ex-clients uh but uh more importantly with the board of architects which we had

74
01:38:45.760 --> 01:39:02.800
numerous meetings with and a true collaboration to what I think culminated with an incredible project, a beautiful project for the city and for this community. Um and since the onset of design um let's move the uh

75
01:39:02.800 --> 01:39:18.880
since the onset of design I think we found ourselves with an amazing [clears throat] opportunity to create something beautiful in a small city block in a beautiful area of this uh incredible city. Um and of course one of our main goals was to take that existing

76
01:39:18.880 --> 01:39:36.400
pedestrian realm to truly another level. And in doing this, I think one of the main design goals was to start with ground floor active spaces uh within the project. And in doing this, we actually, as you can see in our ground floor plan,

77
01:39:36.400 --> 01:39:52.320
we anchor the main what we think and believe is the main visual corner of the project of East Pont Antia with our main entrance uh to the to the project. We also have within the 200 units 16 live work units that are anchoring a very

78
01:39:52.320 --> 01:40:08.400
active use and space at ground floor. Um and again the goal was to maximize the true active spaces throughout the realm. Uh we also have uh the 5,000 square ft school, special needs school as Marty mentioned, one of our pride and joys of

79
01:40:08.400 --> 01:40:24.880
this project and again anchoring with another beautiful green space on the northeast uh corner of the project. Um we felt it was important that not only anchoring the realm with the active use spaces but also providing additional

80
01:40:24.880 --> 01:40:42.239
landscape areas which we have given this project throughout basically all the frontages additional spaces from that of the minimum required setbacks and it was not enough to do that. We also wanted to bring that green and quality of life spaces to the interior of the project.

81
01:40:42.239 --> 01:40:58.719
We created a more than 5,000 square feet courtyard which is going to be um part of the uh the green elements and the open space of the project. We also flanked it by a pass through po from north to south to just expand on that

82
01:40:58.719 --> 01:41:16.400
connectivity for the for the entire project. Um as we said before with we have 200 units. One of the things that we are very proud also is that our 301 parking spaces as you can see are essentially fully linered from the visuals from the

83
01:41:16.400 --> 01:41:32.080
from the street levels itself. Most of the floors are typical creating that openness in the courtyard. Articulation throughout each floor varies a little bit to create the elevations that that we have presented. Uh and then we culminate at the top floor with the

84
01:41:32.080 --> 01:41:48.400
eighth level being lower. That's one of the ways that George mentioned before that we essentially provided a an eighth level to ninth level transition from east to west. As you can see here, this floor houses our pool, our amenity area, and uh the additional units that we have

85
01:41:48.400 --> 01:42:07.280
as the uh penthouse units. These are some of the elevation designs, but I want to before we leave you, I want to leave you with some of the renderings of a project uh that are part of your package. Again, everything designed with uh meeting the Coral

86
01:42:07.280 --> 01:42:26.320
Gables Mediterranean standards approved by the board of architects with many of the features that we find in the true Mediterranean Coral Gables design. This is a view of the courtyard that I was mentioning before. Bringing in that quality of life again to the inside of

87
01:42:26.320 --> 01:42:49.440
the project. Another view from above. All in all, we're again extremely happy to be here open for any questions and answers you might have. But uh this is one that we worked long and hard again with the board of architects, with city staff, with our client to again as I

88
01:42:49.440 --> 01:43:08.560
said before in the beginning truly feel that is an amazing project for the city and for the community itself. Thank you very much. >> Thank you Albert. Um, so as Albert mentioned, uh, the P A request, which is one of the requests before you this evening, is what makes many of the

89
01:43:08.560 --> 01:43:24.960
project's most significant design and community benefits possible. Uh, this includes the integration of Crystal Academy into the project, the use of active liners uh, to fully line the entire parking garage, um, expanded open space amenities that would otherwise not

90
01:43:24.960 --> 01:43:41.920
be allowed under the existing regulations. For example, just to give you an idea, we're providing three times the amount of open space that's required by the North Pond's overlay regulations and 55% more than what your traditional PAD regulations um require. So, we are

91
01:43:41.920 --> 01:43:58.080
exceeding the open space standards on all counts. Uh and as Albert mentioned, the reduced building height and envelope with tier building heights uh well below the allowable uh 100 foot height limits that are currently in place for the North Ponds Conservation District.

92
01:43:58.080 --> 01:44:14.800
Like to take credit for many of these design features, but they actually came as a result of a lot of conversations and meetings with area residents and city staff over the last several years. Uh the proposal before you reflects that feedback that you're seeing this evening. Uh some of the changes that

93
01:44:14.800 --> 01:44:31.040
we've made uh was obviously reducing the building heights. We reduced the project's overall F by more than 10,000 square ft. We incorporated a dedicated pickup and drop off area within the PO uh as was uh requested by some of the residents across the street in order to

94
01:44:31.040 --> 01:44:47.360
minimize impacts uh on adjacent streets. And we made a commitment not to include any ground floor retail on the ground level. They're fully lined, uh, fully activated with live work units, and that was really to help with the transitional nature, uh, of the project. Um, I'm

95
01:44:47.360 --> 01:45:05.000
happy to say that as a result of these changes, we've been able to obtain more than 500 petitions from area residents. These aren't residents in the other part of town. These are residents within eight blocks of this project. And I have a map here. Uh, hopefully

96
01:45:05.119 --> 01:45:21.280
it'll pop up. But [snorts] uh we have met with many residents uh in this area over many years uh and we've spoken to a lot of them and their feedback maybe not all their feedback but a lot of their feedback has gone um into this project.

97
01:45:21.280 --> 01:45:36.800
Here I'll give you a that's our project uh identified in red with all of the uh petitions in favor of this project and its mission uh highlighted in green. Your planning staff has also done a very detailed

98
01:45:36.800 --> 01:45:53.760
review of this application. Uh they've prepared a very detailed staff report that's part of your record outlining how this project complies with each and every criteria in your code for approval and is recommending approval subject to certain conditions which we are in agreement with. Uh we agree with the

99
01:45:53.760 --> 01:46:10.880
staff report. We believe this project contributes positively to North Pon area and achieves a lot of the goals and initiatives that were thought of when this overlay was first created um by delivering new housing opportunities, open spaces, and most importantly a

100
01:46:10.880 --> 01:46:26.960
meaningful community benefit through the preservation of Crystal Academy for the next 99 years. And we ask for your support here this evening in accordance with the staff recommendation. Mr. Chair, uh thank you for your time. I would simply like to request five minutes of rebuttal at the conclusion of the public comment.

101
01:46:26.960 --> 01:46:52.000
>> Understood. Thank you. >> Presentation by staff. >> Good evening. Jennifer Garcia, planning and zoning director. Thank you. So we are here for four requests. A smallcale map amendment to the future land use map operative plan. uh the zoning code map

102
01:46:52.000 --> 01:47:07.920
amendment uh plan area development or pad designation and then conditional use. So as you know this is the entire block 21 of the declass section uh in um in between east pawns and Galliano and south of Phoenicia and Anthia to the

103
01:47:07.920 --> 01:47:24.800
south side. Um this is an aerial as you can see it is um St. James Church right now. The structure it's home to Crystal Academy and I believe a church is renting there currently right now as well. Um, as far as landmarks, it is south of the women's club and to the

104
01:47:24.800 --> 01:47:40.719
east of Chateau Blue. Um, to the east side of the project is the subject site is the multif family building. It's a different scale. This is a view looking south from the applicant middle. You can see the the proposed building there in the middle

105
01:47:40.719 --> 01:47:58.239
the light colored um the proposed sorry the approved project that's just north is in the foreground. Um you can see the Douglas entrance to the right side and Pon Legon on the sorry on the right side and um Douglas Douglas entrance on the left side.

106
01:47:58.239 --> 01:48:15.360
So the school was approved as a change of zoning back in 1967 as an accessory school to the church at the time. That was amended then later in 1971 the to allow that kindergarten to expand I believe to third grade and then again in

107
01:48:15.360 --> 01:48:31.520
1991 to allow to fifth grade again still as an accessory to the school as a land use again is religious institutional significant. So the request again is comprehensive plan uh future land use map amendment z code map amendments planned area development of the nation

108
01:48:31.520 --> 01:48:47.920
and then a conditional use. The conditional use has four parts to it. It is the mixeduse site plan approval um because that is the exceeding the required threshold uh for a public hearing for the site plan approval. Uh the private school is a conditional use

109
01:48:47.920 --> 01:49:03.600
as well. uh live work units on the ground floors, conditional use as well as an encroachment on the Galliano side where the entrance of the school is. So currently the land use is religious institutional as you can see there and

110
01:49:03.600 --> 01:49:19.760
what's proposed is a commercial midrise intensity. So north you can see the women's club to the south and to the east you can see multif family medium density and then directly west is the commercial highrise. that's bordering um

111
01:49:19.760 --> 01:49:37.360
framing along Pon Leon. So looking at the context existing buildings are shown in white and the the subject site is the middle uh green block. Um so as you can see that there are a mix of different scales of buildings. Most of the larger buildings

112
01:49:37.360 --> 01:49:53.199
are on on Leon and there are a few that are within a block um at the allowed height of 97 feet um directly uh south and to the east. Um but looking to the

113
01:49:53.199 --> 01:50:09.360
future land use map of what's allowed for the height um with existing zoning and land use that height for those multif family buildings is 97 ft or 100 ft as Mr. Navaro alluded to for the residential infogulations or the RA

114
01:50:09.360 --> 01:50:25.360
overlay. What's shown here actually is the six stories of the 97 ft of the MF2 um without the RA overlay. So you can see the red that's along uh Pon Leon to the left of the slide and again to those

115
01:50:25.360 --> 01:50:42.400
those brown buildings are the existing land use and zoning allowed to have. So if they propose um they're proposing to change that land use of that site um from institutional land use to be um mid-rise commercial midrise

116
01:50:42.400 --> 01:50:57.600
as you can see also there are some buildings so such as 911 Pon building sorry 911 East Pon is the address the condo building it is exceeding the allowed height you can see that the top of the slide here.

117
01:50:57.600 --> 01:51:13.920
So the zoning code map amendment is including the change of zoning from special use to MX2 and also moving the line between the mixeduse overlay district and the conservation overlay district. So the conservation overlay district or

118
01:51:13.920 --> 01:51:30.560
its formal name is North Pon neighborhood conservation district overlay um is really geared towards the preservation and conservation of these older apartment buildings that are in the North Pon area. So it includes additional uses that are allowed only in this area for MF2 properties and

119
01:51:30.560 --> 01:51:45.360
additional conditional uses for the historic properties. There is a historic preservation benefits program when it comes to parking, TDR ascending sites and signage. And there's a garden apartment conservation benefits program as well that allows for variance

120
01:51:45.360 --> 01:52:01.679
requests and also some um flexibility with parking if you add on to an existing structure that's built before 1964. That's the criteria to be a considered a garden apartment um in this area. And then for any uh new

121
01:52:01.679 --> 01:52:17.119
construction, there's landscape requirements for the front yard. So there's no um walls or fences permitted. Uh there's limitations on the driveway widths as well as a parking setback to have space facing the the sidewalk for

122
01:52:17.119 --> 01:52:35.560
those front yards. Um again there's no other limitations in the conservation overlay or new for new construction that limits height that limits F or denser setbacks. All that still applies with MF2 underlying zoning.

123
01:52:36.320 --> 01:52:52.239
The third request is a plan area development or the pad is a nation. Um so their main um um benefit for this project is the Crystal Academy and I'll get to that in just a second. There's publicly accessible park that's going to be in the northeast corner. Uh

124
01:52:52.239 --> 01:53:09.119
accessible after hours after um the school is out. Um crosswalks, internal drop off and pickup to make sure that all that activity of the school is happening inside the building and not along the streets. Um internalized circulation such as that pedestrian po

125
01:53:09.119 --> 01:53:25.920
the courtyard and some uh public plaza on the south uh west side. So, as you know, the PAD allows for code deviations or deviations from the requirements of the zoning code and in response to public benefit. So, there

126
01:53:25.920 --> 01:53:42.400
are two um identified code deviations that they have. They are proposing to have nine stories on East Pon when eight stories is allowed. That's only along the East Pon Deleó Boulevard side and as he said, it scales down to eight stories along the east side of the project.

127
01:53:42.400 --> 01:53:58.639
Another code deviation is the ground floor transparency. They're only providing 27% along the north side which is Bonicia. So in in uh response to that they are offering 5,000 square ft of uh space on [clears throat] the ground floor for

128
01:53:58.639 --> 01:54:16.320
Crystal Academy or a future nonprofit and such as Crystal Academy um cease to exist. Um the school would be able to be built there by the um applicant at no cost to the school and then there for rent free for 99 years. The 4,000 foot

129
01:54:16.320 --> 01:54:32.960
park on the corner the norththeast corner of the property would be for daytime outdoor learning space for the school and then public use through a public easement um uh after school hours as well as a public easement for the pedestrian po and the courtyard on the

130
01:54:32.960 --> 01:54:49.679
property. And the last request is the conditional use. This is a site plan. Again, the park, the school on the east side of the property, veicular entrance off the south as to not um impact the neighbors to the south of Antiga. You'll be

131
01:54:49.679 --> 01:55:06.800
entering into the driveway on that side. Um the public plaza on the south uh west corner. Uh live works along the ground floor uh 84 units above. the courtyard again and the exit of vehicular traffic would be on the north side to not impact

132
01:55:06.800 --> 01:55:21.440
uh the neighborhood. So that the the site is 1.49 acres. Uh the F proposed would be 3.5 or 126,000 square ft. The maximum building height

133
01:55:21.440 --> 01:55:39.199
allowed per the um MF sorry MX2 zoning would be 97 ft. They are at 93 feet. So just below the allowed heights again eight stories are allowed per code. They're proposing to have nine stories on East Pon Leon uh through the pad um

134
01:55:39.199 --> 01:55:55.840
designation. Um they're allowed to have 186 units per acre. Sorry 186 units total proposing to have 184 just below the allowed density. again 16 units on the ground floor of the project will be the school and

135
01:55:55.840 --> 01:56:14.400
then um total parking they're providing is 301 uh parking spaces and a total of 20,000 square ft of open space. This is another rendering uh looking on the east elevation. This was reviewed by staff at the DRC

136
01:56:14.400 --> 01:56:30.080
review committee uh back in January of 2022. Board of Architects reviewed it in 2022 and 2023. Um, and then they came back for a neighborhood meeting earlier this year. Um, here we are for pling zoning board. This would have to be reviewed um by the city commission for

137
01:56:30.080 --> 01:56:47.360
two hearings for those ordinances. Letters were sent out to properties owners within 1500 ft. And I'm happy to see that it worked. We have plenty of people here. Um, so I'm happy that people got their notice and they're here to um um express our concerns or

138
01:56:47.360 --> 01:57:03.599
comments. Um, so that was sent out for neighborhood meeting earlier this year as well as for this meeting tonight. Property was posted eight times. The website was posted eight times and the news advertisement was once for this meeting for tonight. So staff has determined it is consistent

139
01:57:03.599 --> 01:57:19.520
with the comp plan as it is providing housing in an area that has been identified as an area for increased housing as well as um progressing our mobility um goals and policies of our comp plan. Recommend approval with conditions.

140
01:57:19.520 --> 01:57:35.920
Those conditions are are um listed at the end of your staff report. But here is the highlight. a maximum height of nine stories or n 93 feet um 500 square feet of of space for Crystal Academy, a cap of 75 students, which is consistent

141
01:57:35.920 --> 01:57:50.880
with the existing ordinance that allows the school to be a accessory use right now. um the removal of the arcade along the frontage of the south frontage and the west frontage to provide for front yards be more consistent with the

142
01:57:50.880 --> 01:58:06.239
conservation overlay district and replace those arcades with stoops or or porches. uh incorporation of a landscape setback on the north side on Phoenicia and then a public easement required for courtyard and a covered walkway in the park after

143
01:58:06.239 --> 01:58:23.199
hours and then of course the offsite improvements of intersection improvements, pedestrian crosswalks and the streetscape. I think that's it. Thank you. >> Thank you. [clears throat] I guess we'll open it to public comment. And before we do, I just ask that everyone who's speaking here today, if

144
01:58:23.199 --> 01:58:40.440
they can be concise, it seems like we have a lot of speakers both here and on Zoom. So, if we can keep it to three minutes, if we have to go over, that's fine. But let's just try to keep it to the three-minute mark. With that said, Joe, if you can call the first speaker, >> Carol Smith.

145
01:58:49.599 --> 01:59:04.000
Good [clears throat] evening. My name is Carol Smith. I live at 824 Galaniano Street. It's two blocks away from the Crystal Academy and I've lived there for over 20 years. M >> Mr. Chair, can we ask the speaker to

146
01:59:04.000 --> 01:59:20.239
speak into the microphone, please? >> So, um before I Oh my goodness. Before I begin, I I would like to say that I'm a retired teacher and have worked in both private and public

147
01:59:20.239 --> 01:59:37.520
schools and um my grandson went to Crystal Academy for classes and at the same time I'm very concerned about losing the green space in our neighborhood. And um because of my experience working

148
01:59:37.520 --> 01:59:54.080
in schools, I have an idea of how they change over time, how boards change, enrollment changes, funding changes, and all kinds of reasons that are un anticipated

149
01:59:54.080 --> 02:00:10.080
that even though a school plans to be there for generations, they may need a larger space or a different space. and in generations to come. I wonder what will happen to, you know, with the 99th

150
02:00:10.080 --> 02:00:28.560
year lease. [clears throat] So, with that in mind, um, I'd like to read this. If the educational component is being cited as a public benefit supporting this resoning, what ensures

151
02:00:28.560 --> 02:00:42.960
that benefit remains if the school relocates, ceases operations, or is no longer in that space? How does the board evaluate the durability of a public benefit used to

152
02:00:42.960 --> 02:00:59.280
support a permanent land use decision? If that benefit intended to be, is that benefit intended to be permanent and enforcable or contingent on circumstances that may change over time?

153
02:00:59.280 --> 02:01:20.320
Once the zoning change is granted, what remains if the public benefit no longer exists? Thank you. >> Thank you, Jill. uh Carmen Diaz

154
02:01:20.320 --> 02:01:40.560
and following speaker will be Miss Carbonel. Okay. Good evening. U my name is Carmen Diaz Bedron and I have been a resident of Cora Gables for nearly 60 years. I currently serve as president of the Villagers, a historic preservation

155
02:01:40.560 --> 02:01:56.480
organization. I respectfully urge you to deny this proposed ninestory development. The project is inconsistent with the property zoning. The site is designated special use religious and permits a

156
02:01:56.480 --> 02:02:12.480
maximum height of four stories. A nstory building is more than double the allowable height and a major departure from the regulations governing this property. This property is also inco This project, I'm sorry, is also

157
02:02:12.480 --> 02:02:28.880
incompatible with the surrounding neighborhood. The area is characterized by one to fourstory buildings with four single family homes directly adjacent to the site. A building of this scale would overwhelm nearby residences and

158
02:02:28.880 --> 02:02:45.360
permanently alter the neighborhood's character. This is a historically sensitive area. Six designated historic structures are located on Phoenicia Avenue and three on Antia Avenue and the neighborhood is

159
02:02:45.360 --> 02:03:02.639
currently being considered for historic district designation. Approving a project of this magnitude would undermine preservation efforts and threaten [clears throat] character that makes this area unique. Residents made

160
02:03:02.639 --> 02:03:18.960
their views clear during the community vision workshop, recommending development limited to two to four stories and even identifying this site as a possible potential park space. This proposal would completely ignores the

161
02:03:18.960 --> 02:03:35.840
community's vision. The impacts on infrastructure are equally concerning. Narrow residential streets were never designed to accommodate a Nstory building and an over 300 car garage. Increased traffic,

162
02:03:35.840 --> 02:03:51.360
congestion, noise and safety concerns will de directly affect nearby residents. So for all these reasons, its conflict with zoning, incompatibility with the neighborhood, impact on

163
02:03:51.360 --> 02:04:07.119
historical resources, infrastructure concerns, and lack of general public benefit. We respectfully ask you to deny this application. We thank you for your consideration.

164
02:04:07.119 --> 02:04:33.320
>> Thank you. Good afternoon everyone. Good evening. My name is Carelia Martinez Carbell and I'm here representing the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables. I'm president of the organization.

165
02:04:34.400 --> 02:04:51.199
On behalf of the Historic Preservation Association, please accept this as an opposition to the project as presented. The key points are these. Their zoning violation. The block is

166
02:04:51.199 --> 02:05:07.599
zoned special use religious with a fourstory max height. A Nstory building clearly exceeds this. It is incompatible with the neighborhood. Surrounding structures are

167
02:05:07.599 --> 02:05:24.159
one to four stories tall. Four single family homes are directly adjacent. There's historic sensitivity. Six historically designated structures on Phoenicia,

168
02:05:24.159 --> 02:05:43.040
three on Antia, and the neighborhood is being studied for historic district designation. Violates section 1-103. The zoning code requires new development

169
02:05:43.040 --> 02:06:00.159
to be compatible with the surrounding architecture and protect residential neighborhoods from incompatible uses. It violates two additional ordinances. the North Pines Neighborhood

170
02:06:00.159 --> 02:06:21.040
Conservation Overlay District, which is section 2-404, and the Coral Gable's Historic City Plan, which is ordinance 2011-13 both call for lowrise development in

171
02:06:21.040 --> 02:06:37.119
scale with the neighborhood. It contradicts the community vision workshop. The city's own planning process called for two to fourstory limits and converting the site into a

172
02:06:37.119 --> 02:06:52.960
park space. Infrastructure cannot support it. Narrow residential streets are not equipped for a nonstory building with a 300 plus car garage.

173
02:06:52.960 --> 02:07:10.880
And the pad is quite misleading because we had heard that the uh public benefit would be a green space which really wouldn't be accessible um when would only be accessible when

174
02:07:10.880 --> 02:07:29.040
the adjacent school wasn't in session. But this should never be accepted as a qualifying green space. But now we understand that it's Crystal Academy. And with all due respect, my niece is on the spectrum, but that's not a public

175
02:07:29.040 --> 02:07:47.119
benefit. It's a private school with tuitions over $41,000, very limited population, and it's not open to the public. So again, I am absolutely respectful of what the school

176
02:07:47.119 --> 02:08:05.199
offers, but as a public benefit, it does not fit that definition. And I'm sure other people will have that definition when they come up. So in closing, please understand this area is

177
02:08:05.199 --> 02:08:22.159
under a commissionf funded study which is in consideration for historic designation and the project will directly affect the preservation of the garden of our lord. And if you haven't been in that area, please go and visit because it's a

178
02:08:22.159 --> 02:08:39.119
beautiful green space. Second, the project is an encroachment into the North Pines neighborhood. The developer bought the parcel as institutional religious and seeks a variance to build its mixeduse development. This area is

179
02:08:39.119 --> 02:08:57.280
under a commissionf funded study and consideration for historic designation. Third, the neighborhood is protected under the zoning code section 2-44 North Pond's neighborhood conservation

180
02:08:57.280 --> 02:09:12.639
district, excuse me, it's a long long word there, district overlay. This code was passed to preserve and enhance the garden apartment character of the North Pines residential neighborhood properties. George

181
02:09:12.639 --> 02:09:27.679
Merrick's historic city plan and again if you haven't read it I encourage you to read it refers to this area as the Douglas section and it specifically states on page 17 and page third uh page

182
02:09:27.679 --> 02:09:45.280
33 how this neighborhood and this section should be preserved and developed but it should have its restrictions. And fourth, the proposed project's density will have an adverse impact on the quality of life and

183
02:09:45.280 --> 02:10:01.920
wellness of the residents living on the abuing streets and the historic landmark surrounding the area, specifically the nationally recognized Coral Gables Women's Club and the Douglas entrance. And finally, the proposed project will

184
02:10:01.920 --> 02:10:17.840
not only raise the garden of our lord, deemed a cultural landscape by two nationally recognized prominent M school of architecture professors, but will remove the historic green canopy and

185
02:10:17.840 --> 02:10:36.239
heritage trees surrounding the property. If you saw the rendering, there's hardly any trees and the trees around that area are all 100 plus years old. Um, and then um I'm sorry I lost my and

186
02:10:36.239 --> 02:10:52.079
heritage trees surrounding the property. They're original Tumeric's Garden City Plan neighborhood. The garden is also a memorial to World War uh veterans and a burial site. So respectfully, I ask that you deny

187
02:10:52.079 --> 02:11:07.679
this proposed project as presented. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Through the [clears throat] chair. >> Yes. Yeah. If we could if we could limit the clapping after every speaker just so >> through the chair. Joe, how many speakers are there? Because we have a

188
02:11:07.679 --> 02:11:24.159
we're going to terminate. I got I got a hard stop by 9:30. >> Okay. So the question is how many speaker? because I want to make sure that everybody has an opportunity to come up. >> We have over 25. >> Okay. I think my my suggestion is try to

189
02:11:24.159 --> 02:11:38.800
keep it to make sure that everybody has an opportunity to come up. Otherwise, we're going to we're not going to be able to see, you know, through this tonight. [clears throat] >> The chair, should there be a set time limit for each? >> There is a threem minute time cap, but I

190
02:11:38.800 --> 02:11:55.679
know some speakers go over by a few. So, what I plan to do is call at least two speakers up so we kind of keep the speakers moving. >> I think it's important that everybody comes up, but I want to make sure that >> the time is allowed corre correctly. >> Correct,

191
02:11:55.679 --> 02:12:10.320
>> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes. >> Um I I agree with with Robert as far as listening to every every speaker and the chair 3 minutes, you know, times 25 that's about an hour and a half. It's 7

192
02:12:10.320 --> 02:12:27.280
o'clock now, 8:30 hard stop. >> I just want to make sure. >> Yeah, >> Felix, that everybody >> No, I I agree 100%. But I mean, the due process I I really uh um so far we've had three speakers and I've learned something from each one of them. I don't

193
02:12:27.280 --> 02:12:44.719
I don't want to stop that. So, I I want to make sure that that gets into the record. uh and and you know, respecting the hard stop at 9:30, you know, from uh our board member, uh I just want to make sure that we get everything on the

194
02:12:44.719 --> 02:13:05.920
record and that um that we look at all the sides. We've already heard almost an hour's worth of presentation from staff and from the applicant. So, right now we're into three speakers and I think it's important that we uh do this in a very

195
02:13:05.920 --> 02:13:27.360
fair process. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you. >> The following three speakers will be Bonnie Bolton, Maria Longo, Maria Cruz, >> Miss Bolton, I think she was calling. She was just saying the next three so you could be ready to come up, but I think you were next. Miss Bolton,

196
02:13:27.360 --> 02:13:44.960
>> I if you don't mind, I have I have to leave. So my my name is Maria Christina Longo and I live at 16 Fenisha Avenue at the same street where the proposed project is and I own this house and this

197
02:13:44.960 --> 02:14:01.520
is one of the historic significant houses that they're talking about. I support preserving the school and I appreciate the effort to retain an educational use on the site. Keeping a school that serve children with autism

198
02:14:01.520 --> 02:14:17.760
is a worthwhile objective. However, the issue before you today is not whether the school is worthy. The issue today is whether this application meets the requirements for a planned

199
02:14:17.760 --> 02:14:33.280
area development or pad. The applicant is requesting a pad which provides flexibility from the underlying zoning regulations. In exchange for that flexibility,

200
02:14:33.280 --> 02:14:51.040
a pad is intended to provide a significant public benefit to the community. I do not believe the required significant public benefit has been demonstrated. The school serves an important purpose,

201
02:14:51.040 --> 02:15:05.920
but the majority of the students and families who attend do not live in the immediate North Pines neighborhood. I do. I live on the same street. The school provides a valuable regional

202
02:15:05.920 --> 02:15:22.639
service, but it is not by itself a significant neighborhood public benefit proportional to the increase in high density, intensity, and development rights being requested.

203
02:15:22.639 --> 02:15:38.880
The project's courtyard like Mr. Ravaro showed or the architect showed is an interior courtyard. It's inside the building. It is not

204
02:15:38.880 --> 02:15:57.440
a public space. It is an open space. There is a difference between public and open. It is not public. An interior courtyard primarily serves the residents of the development, not the surrounding neighborhood.

205
02:15:57.440 --> 02:16:15.280
If the board is inclined to approve this pad, I respectfully ask that the approval be conditioned upon the creation of a true public benefit. One way to accomplish this will be to redesign the project by flipping the

206
02:16:15.280 --> 02:16:30.880
courtyard and opening to the public. creating a visible, functional, and publicly accessible green space that directly serves the surrounding neighborhood. If the city grants

207
02:16:30.880 --> 02:16:47.040
extraordinary development rights through a pad, the public should receive an equally meaningful benefit in return. I just want to end by telling you this. The project has been in the process for

208
02:16:47.040 --> 02:17:04.319
five years. It didn't pass with flying colors. It went through a very rigorous process because it was not well designed. As a matter of fact, the revision of the med bonus happened and

209
02:17:04.319 --> 02:17:19.599
were triggered because of the design of this project and the potential impact. I'm asking you to please look at the facts, improve the project by giving it a real

210
02:17:19.599 --> 02:17:40.800
public benefit. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Hello. Good evening. Um, I wanted to start off by mentioning that there are over 160 unique letters from residents

211
02:17:40.800 --> 02:17:57.920
of the North Pon Garden Apartment District. And I also want to mention that the letters submitted um by the developer. >> If before you be if you before you start, if you can give your name and address. >> Um, my name is Bonnie Bolton. I live at

212
02:17:57.920 --> 02:18:16.479
42 Phoenicia Avenue and my apartment overlooks the site. Um the form letters that the developer presented um a vast majority of them are from uh

213
02:18:16.479 --> 02:18:31.359
Little Havana neighborhood. [gasps and sighs] Okay. Um, the proposed zoning changes for the Garden of Our Lord must be denied. The project violates numerous laws in our zoning

214
02:18:31.359 --> 02:18:47.280
code and contradicts the very principles the city was built upon. The site sits in a residential neighborhood. Four single family homes are right next door. The block is currently zoned special use

215
02:18:47.280 --> 02:19:04.559
religious with a fourstory height maximum. And if you look at the surrounding streets, they're primarily one and twostory buildings and um two threestory structures and one fourstory

216
02:19:04.559 --> 02:19:21.599
building. And um it's also very important to remember that this neighborhood is being studied to potentially be designated a historic district. I'm going to cite section 1-103

217
02:19:21.599 --> 02:19:39.120
of the zoning code because it's there to implement um George Merrick's original vision for Coral Gables and ensure that new development doesn't steamroll existing residential neighborhoods.

218
02:19:39.120 --> 02:19:56.479
Um, new projects must be compatible with surrounding architecture and they must protect residential areas from incompatible uses and they must preserve the low inensity character that defines

219
02:19:56.479 --> 02:20:11.760
these neighborhoods. Um, it also contradicts the North Pon neighborhood conservation overlay district ordinance which the city commission created specifically to

220
02:20:11.760 --> 02:20:26.399
preserve the character of the North Pon Garden apartment district and it contradicts the historic city plan. quote, and this is from the north uh from the historic city plan,

221
02:20:26.399 --> 02:20:42.560
multifamily residences were to be low in height and remain in the same scale as the single family homes. In fact, some multifamily residences were designed to

222
02:20:42.560 --> 02:21:01.040
look like single family homes from the street," unquote. That's from the historic city plan. It also goes on to state that steps will be taken to quote save from destruction fullgrown trees

223
02:21:01.040 --> 02:21:18.720
when new buildings are erected. All of the fullgrown trees and old foliage will be kept intact and utilized in arranging the landscaping of the newer buildings. And that's specifically from our

224
02:21:18.720 --> 02:21:35.920
historic city plan which is a landmark landmarked ordinance. Also, it contradicts the North Pond's community vision workshop which um identified the garden and the playground

225
02:21:35.920 --> 02:21:52.479
as two sites which the city needed to purchase to convert to public park space. And the PAD request um the under the terms of PAD it says that um a

226
02:21:52.479 --> 02:22:09.040
project must provide substantial public benefit. What's being offered here is not substantial public benefit. It's a highly specialized small school of 40

227
02:22:09.040 --> 02:22:24.160
students. Um, it only serves a very small segment of the population that has severe autism and is very wealthy. And also, they're supposed to be providing

228
02:22:24.160 --> 02:22:41.840
20% landscaped open space, which they're not doing. So, I'm urging the board to please reject um the zoning changes requested by the developer. Four different changes. I think it's um way

229
02:22:41.840 --> 02:23:03.040
too much. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Just a reminder, please keep it to three minutes, please. Thank you, >> Mrs. Maria Cruz, 1447 Miller Road. In case you're wondering, I care about the

230
02:23:03.040 --> 02:23:20.240
whole city, not just a section of the city, not just a portion of the city. Cora gave us belongs to all of us and when a section of the city is affected all of us are affected. Several things have been repeated already. So I've been taking notes and I

231
02:23:20.240 --> 02:23:36.880
think some of the stuff that the developers and Miss Palasio have said contradict what they're trying to do. For example, uh she said that this is for residents with disabilities. Well, most of the students are not

232
02:23:36.880 --> 02:23:53.840
residents. She also said that is there's a need in this city for families that live here. Well, if they don't live here, the other places, too. I've also heard, not tonight, but I've also heard that moving

233
02:23:53.840 --> 02:24:09.359
the the the children from this uh property will affect them. They're going to have to move for the building. So instead of moving them twice out of here someplace else and back to here, they

234
02:24:09.359 --> 02:24:25.200
could just find some property if they if the property owners are so good that they want to help this uh children. I'm sure that they could provide something that will be just for the school and not

235
02:24:25.200 --> 02:24:42.720
use the school as an excuse to be able to build nine stories. Um, we discussed the public accessibil accessible park. Obviously, it's not a park accessible to everybody because it's only partial. Most of the little

236
02:24:42.720 --> 02:24:58.080
children that will go to parks do not go in late afternoon. They go in the morning because that's when they're home. The little kids that go to parks do not have to wait till after school hours to go to the park. That's a

237
02:24:58.080 --> 02:25:15.200
fallacy right there. Okay. I was impressed by the picture um that Mr. Navaro showed. Beautiful building, but I couldn't see the women's club there. You know, it would have been nice to have to show the building and the women's club

238
02:25:15.200 --> 02:25:31.359
so we could really get the idea of what we're proposing. It is a real shame that we're considering this a compatible project when it doesn't fit there. The building is beautiful, but there are better places to build it and there are

239
02:25:31.359 --> 02:25:47.520
better places if they really want to help the school. But also, it caught my attention that there's a caveat on the 99 year lease. It says for Crystal Academy or another nonprofit. Another

240
02:25:47.520 --> 02:26:04.319
nonprofit doesn't have to be a school. Could be anything that is nonprofit. And there are several nonprofits that are not schools. many of them. Okay. So, my last comment is going to be about how you if you looked at what they

241
02:26:04.319 --> 02:26:19.600
presented, they claimed that there was a neighborhood meeting May 4th. I happened to be there and it was not a meeting. It was a way for the developers to show us what they were proposing.

242
02:26:19.600 --> 02:26:35.040
But we all the people that were there, we couldn't talk. We could only talk to one on one so they could explain what they were showing, but we couldn't hear what the sense of the whole community was. That is not a community meeting.

243
02:26:35.040 --> 02:26:51.040
That is a sales pitch. That's like going to a developer and looking at what they're proposing and putting your deposit down. Obviously, we and the people that live there in those gardening apartments do not see the

244
02:26:51.040 --> 02:27:07.120
purpose for this and they are here. Most of them, a lot of them are here. And from the other side of Coral Gables, I'm here to tell you this is not what is proposed to be. This is not a public

245
02:27:07.120 --> 02:27:23.680
benefit to the contrary. It doesn't benefit the the public that lives there. Like when you look at the map and you see the big buildings on the other side of ponds, there's a reason for that. There was a reason for the overlay to

246
02:27:23.680 --> 02:27:45.120
protect this side, not the other side. So the big building, their property is on the other side. They could build it on the other side of ponds where the big buildings are and not on this side. Thank you. Next speaker,

247
02:27:45.120 --> 02:28:11.439
>> Omar Packard, Maria DeLeon, Mariana Fletes. Good evening. My name is Omar Packard. I live in 911 East Pon Boulevard. I am a lifelong Coral Gables resident who has spent more than 40 years living

248
02:28:11.439 --> 02:28:28.800
in the North Pon area. I have to say I am absolutely disgusted by the proposed development at 110 Phoenicia Avenue. The design is nothing more than a giant concrete box with a few cheap token Mediterranean details painted over it.

249
02:28:28.800 --> 02:28:45.760
The kind of building that has no business being in our historic low-rise neighborhood. But my disgust goes goes far beyond aesthetics. What truly concerns me is what approving a project like this does to our city. Laws exist

250
02:28:45.760 --> 02:29:02.720
for a reason. They are what differentiate Coral Gables from every other part of Miami. The tree canopy over our streets, the scale of our neighborhoods, the fact that a residential block feels like a residential block. None of that happens

251
02:29:02.720 --> 02:29:18.720
by accident. It is a result of decades of planning and ordinances that were put in place to protect the city from exactly what is being proposed here tonight. And yet here we are watching those laws be pushed aside for a wealthy

252
02:29:18.720 --> 02:29:34.960
developer from out of state who couldn't care less about us or our community. Let's talk about what's being asked of us tonight. This block allows for four stories. This project wants nine double that amount.

253
02:29:34.960 --> 02:29:50.720
The street around the streets around are lined with one, two, and threetory buildings. Four families live in a single family home in single family homes right next door. There are ordinances that exist specifically to protect this neighborhood from exactly

254
02:29:50.720 --> 02:30:05.840
this kind of development and this project violates every one of them. As for Crystal Academy, before Crystal Academy, there was a school on the same property called Guardian Shepherd, a school I attended. Some of my fondest

255
02:30:05.840 --> 02:30:22.720
memories are running around on the field catching grasshoppers. If you look online, there are countless studies showing the positive effects of teaching autistic children around a nature-based environment. I've yet to see one study showing the positive effects of teaching children in a

256
02:30:22.720 --> 02:30:39.359
ninestory building. Crystal Academy can exist with or without this development. There is no good reason for them to support a project that ruins our community, except for one. The developer financially incentivized and purchased their support by offering them free

257
02:30:39.359 --> 02:30:55.680
rent. In closing, I want to make a plea to this board. Do not destroy our community. For once, show the residents of this city that their voices matter more than a developer's checkbook. Show us that a wealthy developer cannot

258
02:30:55.680 --> 02:31:11.520
simply come in from out of state, violate every rule we have, ignore everything this community has asked for, and walk away with an approval because of their money and connections. The people who live on the street on these streets have trusted the city to protect them.

259
02:31:11.520 --> 02:31:33.040
Tonight, you have an opportunity to honor that trust. Please do the right thing. deny this project. >> Good evening. My name is Maria Deon Fletes. I live at 825 Messina Avenue. I'm an architect. I'm also adjunct at

260
02:31:33.040 --> 02:31:49.840
the University of Miami. Um I don't live directly in this neighborhood, but my daughter does live Caddy Corner, so I am in this neighborhood all the time. I just ask you, you've heard, I sent you a letter with all of the technical reasons why I believed that this was not an

261
02:31:49.840 --> 02:32:04.479
appropriate building for this neighborhood. I'm sure you have it. Um, but I'm just here again just asking you to listen to the people who walk their dogs in the morning, before work, after work, who walked the Tintang Cafe in

262
02:32:04.479 --> 02:32:21.359
this beautiful treelined streets with a lot of pedestrians. And this building would just realistically just destroy the historic character and the scale. It is very incompatible with the existing buildings that are there. Um, and Miss

263
02:32:21.359 --> 02:32:38.160
Palasio, I'm sorry that you've been placed in this whole situation. Um, I think she's running a a lovely school. Uh it's a lovely mission and I honestly feel that there are other ways that they can be accommodated on this site that

264
02:32:38.160 --> 02:32:54.080
would not destroy the historical character of this block. And I have spoken to the architect and the attorneys about this before at that community meeting. Um so I really hope that you take all of these comments into consideration and we ask that you um

265
02:32:54.080 --> 02:33:18.160
consider rejecting these applications. Thank you. >> Thank you. If we can if we can stop with the clapping al together after every speaker please. Thank you. >> Hello. I need to be sworn in. Sorry. >> I swear. My name is Mariana Fletes. Um I

266
02:33:18.160 --> 02:33:34.399
currently reside at 49 Phoenicia Avenue. I have a a big statement but I have heard a lot of what I'm about to say already. So I will skip for the sake of time. Um I will say that I am an

267
02:33:34.399 --> 02:33:51.600
architect and I currently work at Joanie Plater Zipberg. We work a lot with codes and urban planning. Um but specifically I wanted to talk about the women's club. Um, directly next door, as you all know, is the Coral Gables Women's Club,

268
02:33:51.600 --> 02:34:09.840
completed in 1936, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, and one of the last surviving examples of this architectural style in all of Florida. If we decide today that the NPCO overlay is negotiable for 110

269
02:34:09.840 --> 02:34:27.200
Phoenicia, what stops the future developer, a future developer from making the same arrangement against the women's club? A national register's listing does not protect a property from local reasonzoning. The precedent set here matters. The garden of our Lord is

270
02:34:27.200 --> 02:34:42.240
one of only three biblical gardens in the United States. Once it is gone, it cannot be replicated. Once this overlay is compromised, every parcel in this district is more vulnerable. I urge this board to deny the z the reasonzoning.

271
02:34:42.240 --> 02:34:57.359
The overlays and conservation districts written into the city's code must be enforced or they mean nothing at all. I have grown up in Coral Gables my whole life. I was living in West Miami while I

272
02:34:57.359 --> 02:35:13.552
attended the University of Miami and I specifically moved back recently within the year because of the beautiful canopy and because of the wide setbacks, the wide sidewalks. I love being able to walk my dog into a shaded canopy.

273
02:35:13.552 --> 02:35:28.800
[snorts] And I think that this project directly violates that reason and I think it will be detrimental to the historic overlay. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Next speaker,

274
02:35:28.800 --> 02:35:47.439
>> Alexis Santos, Judith Packard. >> Before Before we go to the next speaker, can we take a threeminut break? This gentleman needs to use the restroom. >> Sure. I have to use restroom. >> I have a motion for a three-minut break. >> Where is the restroom? [laughter] Okay.

275
02:35:47.439 --> 02:41:24.600
>> in in in make it a very >> recording stopped. Morning. >> I'd like to welcome all of you uh to the city commission meeting. recording in progress. We can take our seats.

276
02:41:38.319 --> 02:42:35.840
I can go ahead. >> Uh if you could just wait. We're missing two board members. >> Two minutes. >> I don't Hi, how are you guys? My name is Alexis Santos and my address is 1300 Pon de

277
02:42:35.840 --> 02:42:52.160
Leon Boulevard, apartment 308. You may remember me from coming here and reading a letter from my friend. I helped collect approximately 500 signatures and support as well. Well, now I've recently moved here. I fell in love with the

278
02:42:52.160 --> 02:43:07.760
neighborhood and couldn't think of a better place to be. And being here to support this project as a neighbor of Crystal Academy is just priceless. So, I'm happy to tell you that I am not only collected 500 signatures, now I can sign my own and I have it here and I also

279
02:43:07.760 --> 02:43:23.760
have a friend of mine that signed hers today as well. Thank you. Do you want me to turn it into you? >> If you can turn it into Jill. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you so much, >> Judith Par. read it into the >> following will be Maria. Maria

280
02:43:23.760 --> 02:43:39.359
>> through the chair. Can we read the letter into the record? >> Yeah, >> we don't know what it says. >> Yeah. >> In support again. >> If you want to pass it around, Joe, we can >> if you want, we can pass it around in the interest of time. >> That would work.

281
02:43:39.359 --> 02:43:58.800
>> And these were I believe that these were attached to the these are part of the the record. >> Oh, okay. That was new. I'm sorry. Good evening. My name is Judith Packard. Um, I live at 911 East Pon DeLeon Boulevard. I've lived in the North Pon

282
02:43:58.800 --> 02:44:15.600
neighborhood for over 43 years. I'm here tonight because this project concerns me deeply as a resident and as someone who cares about the future of Coral Gables. I walk down these streets every day. I know the tree canopy that covers them, the quiet of the blocks, the way this

283
02:44:15.600 --> 02:44:32.399
neighborhood has maintained its character over the decades. That character exists because this city has rules to protect it. Rules that this project violates. Not one person I have spoken to in this area supports this development. Not one. This project would

284
02:44:32.399 --> 02:44:48.880
change everything about what makes this neighborhood what it is. And the people who actually live here do not want it. I also want to speak to the Crystal Academy argument because as a retired teacher, it is something I feel strongly

285
02:44:48.880 --> 02:45:05.040
about. I've spent my career studying how studying how children learn and what environments help them thrive. The research is clear. Children, especially those with special needs, benefit enormously from access to nature, open space, and low stress

286
02:45:05.040 --> 02:45:20.960
environments. A nstory building is not that. Green fields and open skies are. Crystal Academyy's students deserve better than that and so does this neighborhood. In closing, I'm asking this board to uphold the rules that were

287
02:45:20.960 --> 02:45:46.920
created to protect this community and to listen to the residents who live here and will be affected by this decision long after tonight's meeting's over. Please vote no. Thank you. Maria, [clears throat] Maria Eisenwagon.

288
02:45:52.560 --> 02:46:18.640
Following will be Lette Arango and Vanessa Salas. Good evening. Uh my name is Maria Sbanganger. My address is 800 to Glass Road 608 of Corable Street 33134. Okay. I'm here to support

289
02:46:18.640 --> 02:46:36.319
um this project. One second. Sorry because I'm trying to my English is not good. Okay. Um, I'm here to voice my support for this proposed project. I believe it in represent and tonsful investment in our

290
02:46:36.319 --> 02:46:51.680
community and I will have a positive impact on this neighborhood. New housing opportunities can help strengthen corables and support it continue growth. I am an in favor of this project and

291
02:46:51.680 --> 02:47:13.405
respectfully encourage its approval. Thank you. >> Thank you. Good afternoon. My name is Vanessa Salas. My address is 1300 Salceto Street, Coral Gables 331

292
02:47:13.405 --> 02:47:30.720
[laughter] 34. I I really want to support this project because I think it's a great opportunity to help others especially with the Crystal Academia School for our

293
02:47:30.720 --> 02:47:46.160
kids and they go to build they go to building a beautiful apartments on here at the Gables. I say yes for a beautiful buildings and a beautiful communities at Gables. Thank you so much.

294
02:47:46.160 --> 02:48:10.080
>> Thank you, >> Jerry Ekerman Christopher. >> Hi, good afternoon. My name is Lisette Arango. I live at 4152. I'm sorry. Oh, sorry. Lette Arango, 4152 Southwest 13th

295
02:48:10.080 --> 02:48:28.240
Street, Apartment 3, Cora Gables. [clears throat] Good afternoon. By the way, I've been reading about people saying this project is incompatible with the neighborhood. I don't think a neighborhood is defined by across the street. A neighborhood is the

296
02:48:28.240 --> 02:48:43.040
place people call home. >> Excuse me. Can you speak into the mic, please? >> Lower the mic. lower the mic. >> Yeah, you could lower it. >> Oh, okay. Thank you. Should I read a start? >> No, no, go ahead. Keep going. >> Oh, okay. Okay. [laughter and gasps]

297
02:48:43.040 --> 02:48:58.160
Okay. A neighborhood is the place people call home. Live, raise, children. These things are happening all around here in buildings just like this one. Doesn't mean that people who don't live in a house don't belong in this neighborhood.

298
02:48:58.160 --> 02:49:15.240
I live in an apartment and it's my home. I am proud of it. I am proud of my neighborhood. I like to be proud and I would love to live here. Thank you so much for your time. >> Thank you,

299
02:49:18.000 --> 02:49:38.160
>> Cheryl Eri. And then you could follow. Thank you. >> Good evening and thank you for your time on this project. I am against the ninestory building that it would be incompatible with the neighborhood. >> Name and address.

300
02:49:38.160 --> 02:49:53.520
>> Yeah, if you could give your name and address before you. >> Cheryl Acriman, 816 Collola Avenue. It's in North Gables. But I do believe that this project is not going to be

301
02:49:53.520 --> 02:50:11.200
um consistent with the study for the historical designation, the North Pines district ordinance and the historical city plan. It's located next to the women's club and that will place a burden on the neighborhood.

302
02:50:11.200 --> 02:50:34.040
And please vote no. Thank you. >> Thank you. Christopher, please after Christopher Thomas Money and Scott Pearson. >> Good evening. Uh, my name is Christopher Sas. I live at uh 10630,

303
02:50:34.399 --> 02:50:50.160
excuse me, 10630 Northwest 88th Street in Dural. However, my son does attend um the Crystal Academy. Um, and I'm here to speak for him because he cannot. Um, my son is one of those, um, students that,

304
02:50:50.160 --> 02:51:07.359
um, Miss Maria Palasio spoke of that is non-verbal and, um, excuse me. [clears throat] Frankly, um, I believe that this project is good for the, uh, public here. I love this neighborhood as well. Um, sure I don't

305
02:51:07.359 --> 02:51:23.439
live in the immediate vicinity. However, my son does and my wife and I come to this neighborhood all the time to drop him off at school and everything. So, we fallen in love with it also. And well, to be frank, hopefully we could move into this development at one day and uh

306
02:51:23.439 --> 02:51:41.359
be able to drop off our son uh going down the elevator for, for example, instead of having to do this long drive and whatnot. Um, long story short, excuse me, the need exists. Um, it may not be needy

307
02:51:41.359 --> 02:51:57.520
for everyone. Um, however, a good 4% of the population does show that up here on the spectrum. Um, so quite frankly, statistically speaking, one of your grandchildren would probably need this

308
02:51:57.520 --> 02:52:12.560
school one day. And frankly, it's changed my son in ways that I'd never dreamed of. I thought he would never speak. And hearing him say, "Daddy, just last year," again melted my

309
02:52:12.560 --> 02:52:29.520
my my heart all the way to my soul. Um the Excuse me. Sorry. Sorry. Um, I've heard arguments about this place being for only the wealthy, and I can

310
02:52:29.520 --> 02:52:47.680
guarantee you. It is not. Um, I am going into that trying to get my son to be able to get the education and therapies that he needs. And this was the only place in the entire county that I felt comfortable and well [clears throat]

311
02:52:47.680 --> 02:53:03.120
that he is attending and growing in ways again like I never ever imagined that he would be growing. I can see him growing into into a man that that that is going to be lovely and be able to communicate which

312
02:53:03.120 --> 02:53:20.520
again is was my ultimate dream for this. Um, and as for the arguments for um, again, I I apologize. I must I I need I need to stop. Thank you,

313
02:53:24.560 --> 02:53:42.319
>> Mr. Mooney. >> Good. Uh, well, I normally say good afternoon, but good evening. Um, first off, uh, Thomas Mooney. Um, and my address is 601 Navar Avenue. Um, I'm a longtime resident of Coral Gables. Um,

314
02:53:42.319 --> 02:53:59.200
I've been a resident since 2000 and I live in North Gables. And, um, I'm speaking to you tonight wearing two different hats. Um, the first and probably most most important is I'm a parent of a son who is on the autism spectrum. And um just by way of

315
02:53:59.200 --> 02:54:17.200
reference um he attended the Crystal Academy from 2010 when it was first uh opened up until about a month ago. He actually finished the upper school program and he's going to start a new program um in the fall. And the uh

316
02:54:17.200 --> 02:54:34.399
Crystal Academy actually has become part of the fabric of that North Gables area. And I've seen the school grow personally, not just in terms of the number of attendees. My son first started attending Crystal for therapy purposes and then uh began attending the

317
02:54:34.399 --> 02:54:50.160
school full-time in 2016. Um but the school has grown in terms of its mission um and in terms of its relationship to the city. Um and this is important because um an institution like Bristol

318
02:54:50.160 --> 02:55:06.399
that has become part of the fabric over the last 16 years will continue to grow and and and become a more permanent uh part of the uh fabric of the community. But in terms of the experience um and the public benefit um my wife and I

319
02:55:06.399 --> 02:55:24.080
tried a number of options in the public school for my son um through kindergarten and first and second grade and the public schools just were not able to offer him the type of education that he needed. Um, and so we uh had to

320
02:55:24.080 --> 02:55:41.120
put him in a learning experience where he had one-on-one, otherwise he never would have flourished and blossomed the way that he has. And so from a public benefit standpoint, I can't underscore enough how important Crystal has been

321
02:55:41.120 --> 02:55:56.880
over the last 16 years and how they will continue to be that uh major uh contributing institution to this community. Um, I also think it's important to um point out that um while

322
02:55:56.880 --> 02:56:13.439
um it would be great if um Crystal Academy owned the property that it was occupying, they don't and they simply don't have the financial resources to purchase the property and they're struggling just to simply keep basic

323
02:56:13.439 --> 02:56:29.680
maintenance and and basic up upkeep. And so, um, it's it's very very difficult for specialized schools like this to make it on their own. Um, lastly, um, and this is my second hat. Um, professionally, um, I've been an urban

324
02:56:29.680 --> 02:56:47.040
planner for almost 40 years. I've been practicing in the field since 1989. And I can tell you that within this area, the code changes and the land use changes that are being proposed are fully consistent with the built context of the area and the future context of

325
02:56:47.040 --> 02:57:04.080
the area. This is a property that is located between two major transit corridors, one on Douglas Road, one on Pon Boulevard. Um, it's a very walkable area that's close to a supermarket. It's close to a commercial area. And this has actually benefited the school because

326
02:57:04.080 --> 02:57:20.560
all of their students and my son included have become very adept at using transit, using the trolley and be able to have those type of life skills that are associated with an urban environment which is very very beneficial. So with

327
02:57:20.560 --> 02:57:36.240
that um I fully support the staff's recommendation and I would encourage you to transmit the proposal to the commission with a favorable recommendation. Thank you, >> Mr. Chair. Before he goes, Mr. Monique, what is your professional today?

328
02:57:36.240 --> 02:57:52.399
What do you do >> currently? Well, for the next two weeks, I'm the planning director for the city of Miami Beach. And uh I've been the planning director uh for uh over 12 years. Um and I've been with the city of Miami Beach and the city of North Miami

329
02:57:52.399 --> 02:58:18.240
Beach uh collectively since 1989 in the field of urban planning. Okay. >> Thank you very much. My name is Scott Pearson. I live on 4111 Santa Marorrow Drive. I moved to the Gables in 1974.

330
02:58:18.240 --> 02:58:33.200
And I've seen the past governments of of our city preserve our city and the the beauty of the city and the the quality of life for the residents. But in the last few

331
02:58:33.200 --> 02:58:48.960
years, I've seen more and more large buildings going up and traffic getting worse and worse. Great cities have great green spaces. We need more green space, not less.

332
02:58:48.960 --> 02:59:03.439
The longer we wait to get more green space, the harder it is to get it because it's all going to be built up. The city government is supposed to

333
02:59:03.439 --> 02:59:19.840
protect its people, its citizens. It's not supposed to be working for developers. And we need this garden, this beautiful garden to be preserved

334
02:59:19.840 --> 02:59:39.600
and green space expanded. Great cities like Paris and London have height limits and vast areas of their city that they have protected for over a hundred years. Why can't a wealthy city like Cora

335
02:59:39.600 --> 02:59:54.800
Gables do the same thing? I see no reason why we should bow to the pressures of developers when we have the resources to fund good

336
02:59:54.800 --> 03:00:14.000
things like Crystal Academy and increase our green spaces. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Following art after will be Nicolas Cabraa Zuli

337
03:00:14.000 --> 03:00:32.479
Partardo. Good evening. My name is Art Koserovichas. Uh I live at 24 Phoenicia Avenue. We we own a historic designated home there. Uh I've sent a letter, you know, with with lots of detail and you know, a lot has been said here. So, I

338
03:00:32.479 --> 03:00:47.920
just want to uh uh kind of reiterate in in summary. So, again, we're residents of a historically designated home just about a block uh you know, half a block away from from the proposed de development.

339
03:00:47.920 --> 03:01:06.399
And and we, you know, really strongly oppose and and have been, you know, through all the stages that that it has gone through. uh because the way it's currently designed, you know, it it it really doesn't uh fit the neighborhood

340
03:01:06.399 --> 03:01:23.439
and and you know, again, a lot has been said about that. Again, you know, we are not against development uh and and we don't oppose thoughtful and and contextual development that you

341
03:01:23.439 --> 03:01:38.319
know fits well and and brings beautiful architecture. So, uh and and you know having the school there is is definitely you know a plus and and you know it should should remain on site but in order to approve

342
03:01:38.319 --> 03:01:55.279
this project you know it it needs to be significantly redesigned to to really match what the neighborhood is. And you know, basically, you know, the project as it is, it violates, you know, as as many

343
03:01:55.279 --> 03:02:12.319
people already mentioned, many existing zoning and and legal protections. [clears throat] It also uh uh is not incompat. not compatible with the surroundings of the neighborhood. The the setbacks are

344
03:02:12.319 --> 03:02:27.760
really extreme and unacceptable. I mean the the building, you know, the way it was shown also encroaches on on uh streets around it and definitely the infrastructure of the neighborhood cannot handle and and support the

345
03:02:27.760 --> 03:02:44.960
density that that's coming, you know, and and there are more things happening. So, you know, there's a median on ponds that now changes all the traffic flow. There are other developments approved that they're coming up. >> If we add this building in and the way

346
03:02:44.960 --> 03:02:59.920
that it scale and and the mass that it's proposed, uh there's no way uh it it's [clears throat] not going to negatively affect the whole uh area. And you know, also, you know, again, you know, a lot of things were said about PAD and the

347
03:02:59.920 --> 03:03:18.000
public benefit. Again, I I really think uh closed uh you know, courtyard and and is is really not a significant public benefit that uh uh is required for for that type of approval. I think uh what

348
03:03:18.000 --> 03:03:34.240
you know really would make this project uh acceptable is again you know if if the building height is reduced you know consistent with with the existing neighborhood and and surrounding context that the setbacks are significantly

349
03:03:34.240 --> 03:03:51.760
increased again to allow for more pedestrian walks. uh that the density is reduced you know the number of units uh and and I think we really need to preserve like you know the speaker before me said uh the green space and

350
03:03:51.760 --> 03:04:09.359
and the canopy that's there uh the project right now does not incorporate any of that uh in in its design basically everything is removed this massive building goes up uh and and that's it so again I think if it's

351
03:04:09.359 --> 03:04:25.040
designed pedestrian friendly, if if it protects the trees, you know, the oak trees on East Bonds and Nilla, uh, you know, there are ways to do this project, you know, thoughtfully and and well, so uh again, uh, you know, we're opposing

352
03:04:25.040 --> 03:04:41.200
the project the way that it stands. Uh but but definitely uh you know you could write a lot of conditions to to make sure that it meets uh the the uh zoning and and legal protections of the

353
03:04:41.200 --> 03:05:08.080
neighborhood. Thank you. >> Thank you. [snorts] >> And David Winker thereafter. Yes. Good evening members of the planning and zoning board. My name is Nicholas Cabera and I reside at 45 Antia Avenue, Coral

354
03:05:08.080 --> 03:05:23.920
Gables, Florida. For context, my building is located directly across the street from the proposed project on Phoenicia. I have made comments similar to these before and I'll be re reiterating some of those points. I'd like to express my support for this

355
03:05:23.920 --> 03:05:39.920
project in all aspects. As a neighbor, I'm witnessing firsthand the value this project and others like it are bringing to my neighborhood. There are many reasons why this project is compatible in this neighborhood, but most importantly, the following. The

356
03:05:39.920 --> 03:05:56.399
northeast quadrant of Coral Gables, this neighborhood, is probably the the last most ideal area for development in our city. And here are four reasons why. It has little to no historical significance.

357
03:05:56.399 --> 03:06:11.760
I hear you. I hear you. That doesn't mean that there are not historic structures like the women's club. Number two, it is the most accessible area with Southwest A Street, Douglas Road, and Lune Road as its perimeter and

358
03:06:11.760 --> 03:06:29.520
accessible roadways. Number three, it is also the most transient section of our neighborhood of our city with mostly rental apartment buildings and very few single family homes. Number four, this developer has worked hand inhand with the city to ensure

359
03:06:29.520 --> 03:06:45.200
their project is smart development, not development for the sake of development. This is more of a reminder to my neighbors and fellow residents. There's an incredible opportunity before us to bring the appropriate type of growth to our city and to create a bright future

360
03:06:45.200 --> 03:07:00.080
for the students, families, faculty, and staff at Crystal Academy. Additionally, staff's findings very specifically state that this project results in public benefits, including, and I quote,

361
03:07:00.080 --> 03:07:16.880
enhanced open space, improved pedestrian circulation, and the integration of residential and educational uses. This can be found quoted on page 14 of the staff's report. I'd also like to make a couple notes on some of the points of

362
03:07:16.880 --> 03:07:31.600
opposition. Somebody stated uh that we're losing green space. Let's be very clear. The green space is not currently publicly accessible. It's private property that belongs to

363
03:07:31.600 --> 03:07:47.920
Crystal Academy through their lease. The green space, however, proposed by the new project is publicly accessible, and if I'm not mistaken, that's 5,000 square feet. Number two, the project is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. There

364
03:07:47.920 --> 03:08:03.200
are other projects currently in development that are similar in size and density. An image was presented by the applicant which shows all other buildings that are much larger than the two to three story apartments already in this neighborhood. If that's not evidence about the compatibility of this

365
03:08:03.200 --> 03:08:18.720
project, I don't know what is. I'd also like to uh make a perhaps well I can't make a correction on the record, but I'd like to bring something up. Miss Bolton stated that letters in support came from residents of the Little Havana area.

366
03:08:18.720 --> 03:08:34.560
This is a very harsh accusation to make, particularly if it is untrue. If it is untrue, it must be appropriately corrected on the public record. With that, I'd like to submit my own signed letter in support at this time as

367
03:08:34.560 --> 03:08:56.479
a resident of Coral Gables that lives directly across the street from this project. Thank you all for your time this evening. We appreciate uh your service to this community. >> Thank you. [clears throat] >> Good evening. David Winker, 4720

368
03:08:56.479 --> 03:09:23.760
South Leune Road. I have a PowerPoint that I'd like to quickly go through. Thank you. Here we go again. Another developer wanting to build an outofcale project by getting the city to grant its

369
03:09:23.760 --> 03:09:38.640
special concessions. Now, an out of town developer is before you asking the city to red to relieve it from its obligations under our city

370
03:09:38.640 --> 03:09:56.880
code. Obligations it was aware of when it bought the property to build more than twice what they other would otherwise would be able otherwise be allowed to build. And this is a problem

371
03:09:56.880 --> 03:10:13.920
that keeps happening in Coral Gables. This is a problem that residents are consistently expressing concern about because it begs the question, what are we getting in return

372
03:10:13.920 --> 03:10:30.880
for these concessions to these developers to build projects that have significant impacts on our neighborhood? I'm going to go through the city code and I think I can show you that legally they do not meet the requirements to

373
03:10:30.880 --> 03:10:45.920
allow them to do this. Neighborhood context matters. The property sits within an established residential neighborhood or single family homes directly abut

374
03:10:45.920 --> 03:11:02.640
this project. Remember the comprehensive plan has this currently zoned as special use religious. That's what people rely on when they look at the future of the city. The current height is limited to four

375
03:11:02.640 --> 03:11:17.359
stories and the surrounding development as you saw in the maps is predominantly one and twotory structures. The the I'm not going to belabor this. We've gone through this specifically put on the record the historic resources

376
03:11:17.359 --> 03:11:33.840
resources that are at risk. I want to get into the code provisions. Section 103 of the zoning code states that the purpose is to implement the comprehensive plan, protect Coral Gable's historic and architectural character, preserve George Merrick's

377
03:11:33.840 --> 03:11:49.600
vision, protect res residential neighborhoods from incompatible use, and requires compatibility with the surrounding architecture and development. This project clearly on its face conflicts with the requirements of

378
03:11:49.600 --> 03:12:07.200
section 103. 200,000 square ft of development, 184 units, 93 foot out ofcale height. It also conflicts with the North Pond's conservation overlay.

379
03:12:07.200 --> 03:12:22.720
The overlay district was adopted to preserve the neighborhood character, to preserve the garden apartment fabric. This is not what's happening. It's being ignored and there's no reason, there's no justification for

380
03:12:22.720 --> 03:12:37.920
for not complying with the overlay. It conflicts with the Coral Gables historic city plan. Calls for the preservation of neighborhood character. Supports maintaining low-scale development patterns. nine stories is consistent with the objectives of the

381
03:12:37.920 --> 03:12:53.520
historic city plan. It conflicts with the north pants community vision. The vision workshop recommended preserving the the garden apartment character recommended maintaining two to four stories encouraged [clears throat] preservation of scale supported

382
03:12:53.520 --> 03:13:09.600
exploration of public park and open space opportunities. We're going to get into that how this doesn't do that. Comprehensive planning consistencies. Remember this was bought as religious institutional site. You're hearing a lot

383
03:13:09.600 --> 03:13:25.840
of talk about oh Crystal Academy. Crystal Academy does great things in our community. No one's against Cris Crystal Academy. That's what this is zoned for. They should be able to continue to do that. The developer is the one that's undermining their mission and putting

384
03:13:25.840 --> 03:13:43.920
what they're doing at risk. The compatibility analysis is clear. It's not compatible. Traffic and concerny problems, concurrency problems. I think this is one of the biggest areas. The traffic study does not take into account the

385
03:13:43.920 --> 03:14:00.720
recent changes. You come in now, you see the changes on pon, you see the development. None of that's been accounted for in what they've been done. They should be sent back to the drawing board to bring that report and get that done properly. infrastructure concerns. These

386
03:14:00.720 --> 03:14:16.239
neighborhood streets simply cannot cannot deal with the traffic that is going to come off of this parking garage. The most important and I think the reason that makes it clear that you should recommend denial is the failure

387
03:14:16.239 --> 03:14:32.800
to meet with our code concerning PAD public benefits. The PAD process is intended to reward exceptional public benefits. [clears throat] applicant is seeking flexibility beyond ordinary zoning standards in exchange

388
03:14:32.800 --> 03:14:48.800
for public benefits. What exactly does the code say? Three-section 501 says a pad can allow additional development rights only when the project provides quote substantial

389
03:14:48.800 --> 03:15:05.200
additional public benefit. It's been a little bit of a moving target for us. At first it was, oh, we're giving some green space in in this interior space with limited access. Now, we're being told the benefit is the Crystal Academy.

390
03:15:05.200 --> 03:15:22.640
Well, the Crystal Academy exists. It's not a substantial additional public benefit. Apparently, the benefit is they're not going to get rid of the school. That does not meet the requirements of the pad. The city must find equivalent public

391
03:15:22.640 --> 03:15:38.160
benefits. So it must be at least equivalent to what is there. The question is what are we the taxpayers and residents getting in exchange for additional

392
03:15:38.160 --> 03:15:55.200
height, additional density, increased intensity and the departure from the otherwise applicable zoning requirements. If the benefit is not equivalent, the pad must be denied. Again, claim benefit Crystal Academy

393
03:15:55.200 --> 03:16:12.479
private school tuition of $40,000 a year. It calls for 70 students. That's $3 million a year in tuition that this entity is receiving, not open to the general public,

394
03:16:12.479 --> 03:16:30.800
accessible only to a limited number of families. The PAD code is simply not met. It requires benefits to the broader community, not just people paying $40,000. Finally, I want to bring your attention to section 3-502C6,

395
03:16:30.800 --> 03:16:47.920
which requires at least 20% of landscaped open space. The courtyard, if that's what the benefit's going to be, does not beat that requirement, and it [clears throat] does not satisfy the code. This is a bad deal for taxpayers.

396
03:16:47.920 --> 03:17:05.040
We rely on our city government to negotiate with these developers. They want something from you. Please make them give something of value. Please make them do the hard work to make our community better.

397
03:17:05.040 --> 03:17:22.479
It sets a terrible precedent. You've heard other people talk about it. What's going to happen to this area if you do this? We're asking for a recommendation of denial of all four of the special exceptions um that they're asking for to

398
03:17:22.479 --> 03:17:55.760
allow them to build this project. Thank you for your time and service. Andres Himenez, Lucila Himenez. >> Good evening everyone. My name is Andres Himenez. I live at 888 South Douglas Road and uh I have been a resident of

399
03:17:55.760 --> 03:18:18.160
Coral Gable since 1978. Um, I want to quote something here from an old friend. Where is it? Where is it? Right. Um, the quote basically indicates that this is what's happening here

400
03:18:18.160 --> 03:18:33.520
today. Two groups of people trying to protect what they value. The residents are protecting a neighborhood deliberately chose that they deliberately chose. The developer is trying to increase the economic value of

401
03:18:33.520 --> 03:18:49.600
the land it has assembled. And then my friend says the zoning board's job is to decide where the balance lies. We have to then to remember that the zoning board is appointed by the city and the name of the residents in order to

402
03:18:49.600 --> 03:19:05.359
protect the best interest of the uh residents of this city. I also like to point out that the residents of the city, the current residents of this city, um many of whom you heard speaking in here have the right and the

403
03:19:05.359 --> 03:19:23.520
obligation to maintain the uh the benefit the city in the state in which it was intended to uh to become. And uh this is what I see here that you know the residents are um uh opposed by

404
03:19:23.520 --> 03:19:40.000
a group from somebody mentioned that they are from out of town. The uh company is from Chicago and uh you know it's not that they're every anybody in this country has a right to come here and do what they want. uh but you know

405
03:19:40.000 --> 03:20:08.479
um there have been uh several situations in Chicago in which they were named and the situation was exactly the same. One of them was in well I lost it anyway. So, what I'd like to uh point out to you

406
03:20:08.479 --> 03:20:24.319
is that uh uh you know the the foxes are getting closer to our hen house and uh basically you know these functions are very smart and uh in the way I see it

407
03:20:24.319 --> 03:20:40.960
they had made a very very interesting um how should I say a strategy in selecting uh a small u entity that provides very good service I am sure to a small number of people but they have

408
03:20:40.960 --> 03:20:58.880
used it as a sort of like a bone for us to uh accept and approve their project. So um again I do hope that you look after the residents of Coral Gables uh from by whom you were appointed and make

409
03:20:58.880 --> 03:21:17.479
the right decision uh that one that you can go to sleep at night. Good night. Thank you >> Lucila Jimenez Swain and Anna.

410
03:21:21.680 --> 03:21:37.439
Good evening. My name is Katherine Swain. I've lived in the Gables since 1969. I grew up here. I teach at Coral Gables Prep Academy. I'm a member of the Coral Gables Woman's Club, who has a

411
03:21:37.439 --> 03:21:54.479
completely free children's dental clinic that does service Crystal Academy. I'm opposed to this proposition and I have a few questions. Number one, who's the realtor that

412
03:21:54.479 --> 03:22:10.720
didn't tell this group that bought the property that there is a height restriction? You're welcome to buy the property, but it's in a historical area that's been designated by George Merrick, whose wife

413
03:22:10.720 --> 03:22:26.399
was part of the Coral Gables Woman's Club. So therefore, why did all of a sudden this person or group who decided to buy the property say, "Oh, we're going to make a

414
03:22:26.399 --> 03:22:42.239
ninestory building even though there's a restriction because we have it in our pocket or somebody else's pocket that we can change people's minds." And I'm so sorry if I'm boring you. I know you've been on your phones. I know you've been

415
03:22:42.239 --> 03:22:56.960
on your watches. This is important to the people of Coral Gables. We live here because there is a design. Yes, I have watched a lot of wonderful

416
03:22:56.960 --> 03:23:14.800
things happen in our city. growth number one, but I'm really concerned about how people are not paying attention to the guides. If there are rules, why are people

417
03:23:14.800 --> 03:23:29.920
breaking them? If a realtor says, "Here's a property. You can develop it up to four stories or let's look somewhere else." We have so many places that developer

418
03:23:29.920 --> 03:23:47.200
can go. Not only that, why are we using a company that doesn't employ the people from Coral Gables? Why are we going to Chicago? That boggles me. We have the University

419
03:23:47.200 --> 03:24:04.479
of Miami. They have an awesome school of architecture. We have engineers that you are personally aware of. I mean, some of them helped build a building at EV 11:09 Almria that the person took down a little bit every day

420
03:24:04.479 --> 03:24:21.760
and you guys worked on that. But as I'm looking at some of the notes that I made, um, if nothing changes, if you allow the the proposal to stand as it is,

421
03:24:21.760 --> 03:24:37.920
you're hurting the city. Well, let me rephrase that. Let's look at George Merik's plan. If we keep George Merik's plan, Bristol Academy is still there. They can still be serviced by the Coral Gables Women's Club. People can still

422
03:24:37.920 --> 03:24:52.960
walk the streets and be comfortable under the shade and everybody wins because that company that wants to buy the property can follow the rules that you

423
03:24:52.960 --> 03:25:09.200
already set up, that George Merrick set up, that you are following. If in my classroom I told somebody, "These are the rules, but you know what? I'll change them for you. What is that saying? Are you being

424
03:25:09.200 --> 03:25:25.600
wishy-washy? Are you not following the rules that you're supposed to follow? I'm not trying to be your mother. I'm just saying look at the rules that are in front of you. Follow them. Follow the people who have put you here.

425
03:25:25.600 --> 03:25:43.439
There's no reason that that we can't follow these rules. Why do we have realtors? They take classes in ethics. They should be the ones saying this property has a limit.

426
03:25:43.439 --> 03:26:00.800
I'm sorry I'm taking your time, but please, I'm voting against this. I love my city. I live, work, and play here. I I volunteer, but this is not a good proposal. Thank you very much.

427
03:26:00.800 --> 03:26:34.640
>> Thank you, Anna. Anna Edmmono. >> Good evening everyone. My name is Hermanino. I live in 888's Douglas Road. It's just a couple blocks apart from the building project that we are discussing

428
03:26:34.640 --> 03:26:52.640
today. is also a sevenstory building just to let you know and this project uh I really support it because it brings not only the opportunity to bring the stability to the um crystal

429
03:26:52.640 --> 03:27:11.120
academy. It also brings more opportunity for housing and it opens also the possibility for more projects in the area that is already built with office buildings. There is dele and also

430
03:27:11.120 --> 03:27:28.720
residential areas that Miami is lacking off of lacking off houses and buildings. This is a very good opportunity for Corables to grow up and also bring more people, good people to our community. I

431
03:27:28.720 --> 03:27:51.479
appreciate your time. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> So, we have uh two more speakers and these are in Zoom. Um they must open up their camera if I'm not mistaken. >> Yes. To be sworn in. La olivos.

432
03:27:58.000 --> 03:28:24.000
Hello. I can't um switch off my video for some reason. So, if you cannot um appear on the video, then you can't be sworn in, but you can make your public comment. It just cannot be considered testimony.

433
03:28:24.000 --> 03:28:52.960
>> Can you try one more time, please? >> Trying here, but bear with me. My apologies. Would you like me to go to the next speaker who's on camera and gives you a few minutes? Oh,

434
03:28:52.960 --> 03:29:21.439
>> yeah. If possible, so that I can try to figure out this technicality. My apologies to everyone. Sure. >> Katherine Cow. Hi, good evening. Can you hear me? >> We can hear you. Can't see you. >> Um, give me one moment now. Can you see

435
03:29:21.439 --> 03:29:34.880
me? >> No, we can. Yes. >> Okay. >> You'll need to be sworn in. One moment, please. >> Will you raise your right hand? Do you swear or affirm the testimony you're about to give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the

436
03:29:34.880 --> 03:29:55.359
truth? I swear. So, good evening. Uh, my name is Katherine Gal. I live at 14944 Southwest 59th Street. Uh, nowhere near the Gables, but I have worked there and dedicated more than 12 years of my life

437
03:29:55.359 --> 03:30:10.800
to Crystal Academy and the children that we serve. I'm here tonight not only as an employee but as somebody who has witnessed firsthands the impact that the school has had in the community and vice versa. While we are a private school, we

438
03:30:10.800 --> 03:30:26.560
are also a nonprofit and every decision that we have made is driven by the mission to serve the children with specializ specialized needs and provide programs tailored to reach their fullest potential. Our focus has always been creating opportunities, independence,

439
03:30:26.560 --> 03:30:41.439
and meaningful outcomes for the families and the children. I would like to address the suggestion that was made that we only serve wealthy families. That statement I believe has no merit. The reality is while raising a child

440
03:30:41.439 --> 03:30:59.120
with profound needs comes with very large financial, emotional and logistical challenges, many of our families have spent many years fighting insurance companies for medically necessary services only to face denials, reductions in care, and lengthy delays.

441
03:30:59.120 --> 03:31:14.319
As a nonprofit, part of our mission is also to work to raise funds to provide scholarships and financial assistance to children that do attend our school in multiple ways, not only for tuition, but also for the specialized therapeutic

442
03:31:14.319 --> 03:31:29.600
services that they need. For years, our families have worked around an aging building. While we consider it very charming, also requires a lot of repairs, has many leaks, and we really look forward to having an environment

443
03:31:29.600 --> 03:31:44.800
where we can focus more on serving the children instead of really worrying about what the next problem the building might bring. To be honest, this process has been truly frustrating over the last few years because we have often felt that we

444
03:31:44.800 --> 03:32:01.520
have help right around the corner, but that has been difficult and has not happened. The building proposed, I believe, is consistent with the character and quality of Coral Gables, but ultimately my objective and my goal is that we want

445
03:32:01.520 --> 03:32:17.840
to better serve our children. Being part of this community does allow us to utilize the urban environment and all the city has to offer, which provides valuable teaching opportunities for many of our students who go and walk to Target, who go to Publix to shop for

446
03:32:17.840 --> 03:32:33.120
their groceries and meal plan. Most importantly, Crystal Academy is not just a building. It really is a community. It's a place where our children feel accepted, where our families have found hope, and where our staff, many who drive an hour or two, have dedicated

447
03:32:33.120 --> 03:32:49.040
their lives to helping others. For many of us, this is not simply where we work, this is our home. So even if many of us do not reside in Coral Gables, this is again our home. At the end of the day, we're not asking for anything extravagant. We understand that there is

448
03:32:49.040 --> 03:33:04.800
conflicting opinions about this, but we ask for the opportunity to continue serving our children in this environment that really does meet their needs. On behalf of the students, families, and staff, I ask for your support. Thank you for your time.

449
03:33:04.800 --> 03:33:32.479
>> Thank you. [clears throat] Good evening everyone. Sorry about those technical difficulties earlier. >> My name you could be sworn in please. >> Will you raise your right hand to be sworn? Do you swear or affirm the testimony you're about to give shall be

450
03:33:32.479 --> 03:33:50.960
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but [clears throat] the truth. So help God. >> Yes ma'am. So, good evening everyone. My name is Dr. Laura Levos. I'm a child psychologist and I'm also privileged to serve as a current board member for Crystal Academy. I do not come to you to

451
03:33:50.960 --> 03:34:07.520
pretend I have any real expertise in zoning, planning, or architectural studies. However, I am considered an expert in the field of autism and developmental disabilities. In our clinical community, Crystal is known as the school that takes the children with the most complex and layered profiles

452
03:34:07.520 --> 03:34:23.520
that other schools reject. This is the only school of its kind in this community. I know it because I live it as an aid to Coral Gable's families in finding the right placements and educational environments for their children all over South Florida. I wonder for those that have spoken

453
03:34:23.520 --> 03:34:40.239
against this project if they have ever stepped foot inside of the school, communed with the staff, children, and families therein. You speak about how Crystal does not provide any substantial public benefit. Has anyone ever heard of the unparalleled contributions Crystal and

454
03:34:40.239 --> 03:34:57.279
their families have done to create an atmosphere and culture of inclusion for our city? How many families and children can finally feel seen, heard, and they finally matter to their city because of the work they've pioneered? Is that not enough of a substantial benefit for you?

455
03:34:57.279 --> 03:35:14.160
You talk about green spaces, but what are green spaces worth if not accessible for every child or family? Take for example Salvador Park. It's an unparalleled green space for children and their families designed to be ADA compliant and friendly. made possible because of the tireless advocacy and

456
03:35:14.160 --> 03:35:30.720
contributions of dedicated city officials, but also Crystal Children and their families advocating for it. Because of Crystal and their tireless work, CG Crystal Coral Gables is known as a beacon of what inclusion can do for a city. Research shows inclusion

457
03:35:30.720 --> 03:35:47.920
benefits society in so many ways, including economic growth. It cultivates empathy and makes all of us more connected and understanding of one another. It is the ultimate example of what being a good neighbor is. Whether you live in a high-rise apartment or home, for those staying for those saying

458
03:35:47.920 --> 03:36:05.040
it is a school for the wealthy. They are a school that takes Medicaid where families use scholarships to receive quality care. It is a school that is accessible for various reasons. We are continuously at the mercy of begging for donations to stay afloat. We hold our breath every year. A neighborhood made

459
03:36:05.040 --> 03:36:20.399
from the heart. a heart that has room for every child in their family, regardless of where they come from or how their minds work. I also heard residents arguing that a child learns best in green spaces, especially neurode divergent ones. Valid. However, one of

460
03:36:20.399 --> 03:36:36.000
the biggest agents of positive change in a child's education and therapeutic process is the relationship that they have with their educators and therapists. If one does not feel safe or have predictability in their life, they cannot learn and they cannot thrive. This is not just a theory. This is

461
03:36:36.000 --> 03:36:52.239
neurology. Moving them creates unpredictability and risks regression. It risks employees and valuable trained clinicians and educators leaving this job to find something more predictable and perhaps less of a commute if moved elsewhere. What good is a green space if a child is stripped from their usual

462
03:36:52.239 --> 03:37:07.040
routines, neighborhoods, and potentially the familiar faces that sit in the trenches with them day in and day out? I cannot stand before you and argue the nuances of zoning and planning, but I can stand before you and provide a voice for the voiceless. Hear their plea. Keep

463
03:37:07.040 --> 03:37:28.880
them in their home. Thank you for your time. >> No more public comment. >> No more public comment. >> Then let's close public comment at this time. >> Thank you. Um Mr. Mr. Chair, if um the IT department could put the PowerPoint up, I'm not going to wait for it to go

464
03:37:28.880 --> 03:37:45.200
up. I know you've had a very lengthy public hearing. I'd just like to take a few minutes uh to correct uh and clarify some of the statements that were made as well as answer some of the questions that were asked. The first question was well, you know, what is the commitment

465
03:37:45.200 --> 03:38:02.720
or what is the um shity that Crystal Academy will continue to operate here? and uh we've entered into a private agreement with Crystal Academy as soon as the property was sold to ensure that they could remain operating. Uh obviously their facility is is not up to

466
03:38:02.720 --> 03:38:18.319
the standards that it needs to provide the specialized care that they need. That building requires an infinite amount of repairs and they have been waiting 5 years for this new facility. But uh we also have a private covenant uh but we also have a a covenant with

467
03:38:18.319 --> 03:38:35.120
the city and that covenant provides that Crystal Academy can't remain in this space if this project moves forward uh until they no longer pursue their mission. Um in the event that they don't and we anticipate that will be a very very long time from now. We hope they

468
03:38:35.120 --> 03:38:50.640
never do uh stop because what they do is truly special. But uh we have a provision in the covenant that says that we will work with the city to select another nonprofit that does a very similar uh mission than Crystal Academy does. So this space is earmarked. It's

469
03:38:50.640 --> 03:39:05.760
reserved for generations to come for this important need that this community has and this is the only institution in the city that does this. Um you've heard a lot about the garden of our Lord this evening and the garden on

470
03:39:05.760 --> 03:39:23.520
site. Um this is an issue that we dealt with for 2 years. Uh and I want to address this is a private garden. Uh it's not accessible to the public. Um there is also mention of a pending historical study that is underway for this area. And there is that study is

471
03:39:23.520 --> 03:39:40.000
looking at sites in this area that could meet historical designation criteria to make sure that a site that warrants historical designation that this city values very much are protected. And that is a study that we're in support of. But I would like to tell you uh something

472
03:39:40.000 --> 03:39:56.080
that's very important that has not been mentioned. The historical significance of this site has been reviewed by your historical preservation officer, your historical preservation board, your city commission. They've all considered whether this site meets the criteria for

473
03:39:56.080 --> 03:40:12.239
historic designation, and they've all concluded that it does not. Those determinations were subsequently upheld in court after various appeals by Miss Bolton, who you heard from tonight. So, we have four separate authorities that have reviewed the historical eligibility

474
03:40:12.239 --> 03:40:28.880
of this property, the garden, and all have unanimously concluded that this property is not historic and that current study will not change that fact. Um, also the characterization and one thing

475
03:40:28.880 --> 03:40:43.680
I'd like to mention is the existing garden is a private green space. There are no public green spaces on this property. This project will actually increase the amount of publicly available um open spaces, publicly available open

476
03:40:43.680 --> 03:41:01.040
spaces uh by 9,000 square ft. And in terms of open space, this project provides 30% open space where your code requires 20%. For a P A of which almost 70% of it is open to the sky.

477
03:41:01.040 --> 03:41:17.600
So this project is is delivering in fact public open space benefits. Um and that is a public benefit and it's been accepted in other PADs in the past. Uh, it's important to clarify that also the PA AD does not require that the

478
03:41:17.600 --> 03:41:35.920
landscape space you provide is public. A PA AD allows you to provide both private and public open spaces. So, there's no requirement that this be only public in order to qualify. And that's an important distinction. Another item I want to address is the

479
03:41:35.920 --> 03:41:52.960
characterization of the North Pines overlay by Mr. Winker as a low-rise area is factually and legally inaccurate. And I'll leave and I'll put up a picture here while I go through this because I think a picture paints a thousand words. Um, this is the context that we're

480
03:41:52.960 --> 03:42:09.600
talking about here. This is the context that your board of architects reviewed in looking at the design of this project for architectural compatibility with the neighborhood. I think you could tell in this picture that this is not a single

481
03:42:09.600 --> 03:42:26.080
family neighborhood. This is not a low-rise neighborhood. This is an area that is planned for mid-rise residential buildings. Uh that is what the North Pon area was created for. Um you could see

482
03:42:26.080 --> 03:42:41.439
here that there are already many buildings residential office and mixeduse buildings that greatly exceed the height that we are proposing. So our project is very much in context with not only the planned

483
03:42:41.439 --> 03:42:56.960
um framework for this area but the existing development framework in this area. And with that, I'd like to introduce Bob Chisum uh to who is our um urban planner with many years of experience uh to just talk a little bit about the North Pines area and how this

484
03:42:56.960 --> 03:43:15.840
project fits into its context and then I'll say a few words and we'll and we'll conclude our our rebuttal. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Robert Chisum. I'm the uh founder, managing

485
03:43:15.840 --> 03:43:30.399
principal of RH Chisum Architects located at uh 782 Northwest 42nd Avenue, Sweet 650. I've been a resident of Coral Gables since 1975

486
03:43:30.399 --> 03:43:47.439
and uh we do some projects in Coral Gables. My latest project just went into the permitting process last week and we have another couple of projects that we're working on. So, I'm involved in in the area. I've known the area for many, many years, and I

487
03:43:47.439 --> 03:44:04.319
frequent this area constantly. Uh, the city of Coral Gables is blessed by what they've done in the past and what they're doing in the present and what they're planning for in the future. And I think that

488
03:44:04.319 --> 03:44:20.399
the outcome of this pro process that we're going through is exemplary. and everyone is to be commended, the the citizens, the staff, and the professionals. Um, I uh I've only been given a minute by

489
03:44:20.399 --> 03:44:36.000
George to talk about this thing. I hope I can do it quickly and certainly under three minutes, Mr. Chairman, but um it it is I I you know, I have a master's degree in urban planning. I have a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in architecture. I've been

490
03:44:36.000 --> 03:44:54.239
practicing since 1973. all aspects and I've had my company since 1978 and I continue to practice accordingly. Um I was the head of historic preservation for Miami date county at one time. I organized the official office and I was also in charge of the

491
03:44:54.239 --> 03:45:11.279
handicap uh access program back in the 70s. So I've as a planner I was involved a lot in consensus with the in citizen input and that's the role of government and that we have to do but I think the

492
03:45:11.279 --> 03:45:29.199
fact that for example that uh the team [clears throat] had the the five team had to go through five uh reviews by the BOA is a compliment to both the BOA and the team for the commitment to make sure that this project was exemplary in every

493
03:45:29.199 --> 03:45:47.680
way and uh I think from I analyzed it clearly from an architectural point of view and in terms of just about every textbook aspect of how this project has been put together in terms of uh architectural design is an example I can

494
03:45:47.680 --> 03:46:04.880
go into detail whenever the the committee requests if you if you do so and and I just think that the um the neighborhood uh context in terms of how this projects will contribute. The

495
03:46:04.880 --> 03:46:21.680
public benefit is not only the academy in my opinion. The public benefit is the quality of providing residential components which are critical to the social environment of any community and any neighborhood. and the way it's been laid out, the way it's

496
03:46:21.680 --> 03:46:37.600
been articulated by Corewell architects again and I I'm not a uh I'm not a hire gun by any yes I'm getting paid for this of course because my my my knowledge and my time is is requires that but um when

497
03:46:37.600 --> 03:46:53.279
five contacted me I I told them let me think about it let me take a look to see if it was worth and had any merit and value and what the [snorts] city has done what the team has done what in the Citizens have every right to express their concern. The the future is always

498
03:46:53.279 --> 03:47:09.600
an unknown, but uh the example we have here in the city of Corugos as to what has been accomplished over the years is an an example to everyone in in our country and everybody knows about the

499
03:47:09.600 --> 03:47:26.479
city of Coral Gables so on and so forth. I I don't want to belver the point, but I think there's been professionals here who who know the context and have told you that this project will work and it will work

500
03:47:26.479 --> 03:47:43.120
to the benefit of our community. Thank you very much. Thank you. So, um in terms of I know that [clears throat] there was comments about the substantial public benefit that the PAD requires. I think we've mentioned

501
03:47:43.120 --> 03:48:00.560
there are open space enhancements. There are significant streetscape enhancements. We have created very large and well landscaped sidewalks. We've committed to installing 16 ft trees at the time of planting. Um but we all know we need schools. Uh we're very much in

502
03:48:00.560 --> 03:48:17.040
need of schools, especially schools that serve childrens with disability. And if that's not a public benefit that provides an essential service to our community, then I don't know what is. Just to give you a monetary value of what this public investment in Crystal Academy means over the term of this

503
03:48:17.040 --> 03:48:34.239
99-year lease, that would be $6 million, which is probably the largest public benefit contribution ever made by any P A that's been requested. Developers usually give a park after we've taken the density out of it. This is an actual financial contribution that's taking a

504
03:48:34.239 --> 03:48:51.359
very significant spot in this building and it's being fully built out by this developer and maintained that way for 99 years. I'll close by saying that every community makes decisions about the places that it wants to create. Coral Gables is known as a city beautiful and

505
03:48:51.359 --> 03:49:06.640
we often speak and you've heard tonight about preserving what makes the city beautiful. But what makes Coral Gables beautiful is not just its treeline streets or its world-class architecture or its art or its parks or its rich history. What truly makes this community

506
03:49:06.640 --> 03:49:22.960
beautiful is a set of values we share as a community and the high quality of service and excellence that Coral Gables delivers to his residents. These values are the reasons why so many people, including myself, choose to call Coral Gables home.

507
03:49:22.960 --> 03:49:39.040
This project reflects those true core Coral Gables values. The city's known for some of the best educational institutions in the state and nation. And that's because Coral Gables realizes that investing in public education and private education is an important public

508
03:49:39.040 --> 03:49:55.600
benefit and public need that's worth investing in. And this principle should extend to every child with no exceptions. This project does more than just deliver new residential housing opportunities to activate an area or beautify and

509
03:49:55.600 --> 03:50:11.520
activate a site with a new Mediterranean project. As you've seen before, it preserves and strengthens the only school in Coral Gables that services our most vulnerable kids, a resource that's impossible to replace and impossible to

510
03:50:11.520 --> 03:50:28.479
duplicate if lost. So tonight, we have the opportunity to do something truly special and truly beautiful. We have the opportunity to create a project that reflects the very best in Coral Gables, a city that values excellence, inclusion, education, and service. A

511
03:50:28.479 --> 03:50:45.520
city that recognizes that every child matters and that every family that lives in this city deserves to have access to the resources they need. Your staff has done a very detailed presentation. You've heard a lot of evidence on the record this evening. Uh your staff found

512
03:50:45.520 --> 03:51:01.279
that this application meets all the applicable criteria of approval and warrants approval and we ask for your approval in accordance with the staff recommendation. Thank you so much for your attention, your time this evening. Our entire team is here answer any questions. >> Thank you so much. I'm going to open it

513
03:51:01.279 --> 03:51:20.760
to board discussion and I'm going to start with Miss Bravo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I I have been looking at the the agenda package that included the architectural plans. Would it be possible to pull those up on the screen?

514
03:51:34.720 --> 03:51:53.000
>> You mean you don't mean the PowerPoint presentation? You mean from the um in >> one of the attachments in the agenda package? >> The robust agenda package. >> It is the applicants. Uh >> yeah. >> Yeah. In the attachment a applicant that

515
03:51:55.635 --> 03:53:14.239
[laughter] Sorry to put the technical team on the spot like this. Maybe we can I can ask a few questions. There you go. That's it. Um, could you flip to page 30 in that

516
03:53:14.239 --> 03:54:02.080
PDF? page. >> Well, actually, if if it's going to be hard to scroll through um [laughter] the ground floor plan. >> But if you want to stop on

517
03:54:02.080 --> 03:54:16.479
>> I think she's looking for the ground floor plan. [clears throat] >> If you stop >> probably A30 A30 >> actually page 24 if you want to stop there first. I could ask a few questions about that.

518
03:54:16.479 --> 03:54:32.319
But that if you got there that's that's hard to put everybody on the spot. [laughter] Could could you just walk us through the a does this reflect the most current design the one that went through various iterations with the board of architects?

519
03:54:32.319 --> 03:54:48.560
Is this the current iteration? >> The previous iterations what what changed? >> No, I want to know >> a little bit more about >> is this the most current approved version through all the >> correct. >> All right. So could you walk us through >> absolutely

520
03:54:48.560 --> 03:55:03.680
>> the the design? >> So as I mentioned before the the primary goal was to provide active spaces throughout almost throughout the entire perimeter of the uh of the small city block. As you can see there we have the liner units in

521
03:55:03.680 --> 03:55:18.880
blue. We have the main entrance of the project on access with what we consider the main focal point which is that artery. Uh that's the corner of uh East Pawn Santia. And then we circle back all around on Gallaliano. We have the

522
03:55:18.880 --> 03:55:35.120
school. Uh we have the park um on the very norththeast corner. Um and then obviously we have the internalized coryard. But one of the things we did also we wanted to make sure that the complete circulation of this the

523
03:55:35.120 --> 03:55:51.840
pedestrian uh was was unique in all in every sense. Notice that in the front setbacks on East Pawns and on Antia, we provided more than the required setback just to increase the landscaping somewhat and feel more of a beautiful pedestrian

524
03:55:51.840 --> 03:56:06.880
realm. Today, the sidewalks that are currently there don't have that. You have the actual existing property abing right to the inside portion of the sidewalk. These are wider. These have more landscaping. Uh we wanted to bring more larger trees into the site as well.

525
03:56:06.880 --> 03:56:23.040
And uh ultimately also we created the centralized PO. We didn't have to do that, but we wanted to make sure that that courtyard which is also set aside for public use had a very direct connection from the south and from the north extending to it with with a really

526
03:56:23.040 --> 03:56:38.800
nice beautiful white pale. The last thing we did is also we wanted to make sure that the vehicles and the entrance and the drop off areas to the school were totally internalized. We created a second lane. It's a oneway uh direction from south to north, but we

527
03:56:38.800 --> 03:56:55.199
created a second lane to be able to have the pass through of vehicular cars coming into an internalized entrance to the parking garage which works in a clockwise direction, not affecting the drop off areas as well. And ultimately, we internalize the loading facilities

528
03:56:55.199 --> 03:57:10.800
which have direct access to one of the elevator cores for moveins and move outs. So again, all in favor of creating a beautiful pedestrian realm with minimizing the curb cuts and enhancing the pedestrian quality and the connectivity.

529
03:57:10.800 --> 03:57:25.120
>> Okay. And then on the north side of Phoenicia, that's where you have the the women's club. >> On the north side is where we have across the the street and and we look at the elevations of that where even though we have a small amount of back house areas there that are required by code

530
03:57:25.120 --> 03:57:41.840
like the uh FPL vault uh and and some of those items, we dressed it up in a way that they look in complete harmony with the building. It's a residential appearance throughout. And does that street also have the increased setbacks?

531
03:57:41.840 --> 03:57:58.720
>> Everything has. Yes. Correct. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> Um >> including the park which really anchors that corner really beautiful which it does not provide it provides a relief of a massing in the corner >> and that park is completely open to the public. >> It is open to the public after hours

532
03:57:58.720 --> 03:58:29.840
after the school closes. It is open to the co. >> So is it fenced in? >> It's dual use. Right. >> Right. Could you You're on 30. Could you go back to 24? Page 24 of the PDF.

533
03:58:29.840 --> 03:58:50.880
Yeah, you're very close. Right. Um I I found this view uh interesting in terms of putting things into context on the lower leftand corner. That's the Douglas entrance property. >> Correct. >> How tall are those buildings?

534
03:58:50.880 --> 03:59:07.439
Do we know the height of those buildings? How many floors? >> The height of those buildings is probably including the ones across bonds are 16 stories, 14 stories, 10 stories higher than us for sure. >> Okay. >> Yeah. the entire overlay. If you if we look at the map also as well, uh it is

535
03:59:07.439 --> 03:59:24.479
essentially allowing the height that we have and even a few more feet than we have proposed here. >> And then on on ponds, we can see that there's two tall buildings. There's the glass one, the one behind it, and then after that, there's like two smaller

536
03:59:24.479 --> 03:59:40.160
properties. I think one of them is a a motel, >> correct? But those are allowed to be, and maybe this is a question for the director, those two properties south of the tall buildings on ponds, the zoning there would allow those to be the same height.

537
03:59:40.160 --> 03:59:56.399
>> That could go up to 190 ft. >> Thank you, Mr. Director. >> Thank you. >> Yes. So, all the properties you see on Post Leon are zone MX3, they're allowed to be 150 or 190.5 with Mediterranean bonus, >> right? So like that first glass one that

538
03:59:56.399 --> 04:00:12.160
we see >> that is that representative of what's allowed there? >> That's probably 150 cuz it's not Mediterranean >> and and we're allowed to go up how high >> to 190 with a Mediterranean bonus. >> All right. Um and then there's the the

539
04:00:12.160 --> 04:00:31.040
subject property and then you can see I guess other buildings here that have been approved, you know. So, I think this gives some context that that what you're proposing here is not scale. >> We created that slide for that same

540
04:00:31.040 --> 04:00:47.359
reason because it's very telling. Um, if we look at one specific little property here and there, yeah, they're scattered, smaller. Uh, but the entire area is destined for that. It was zoned for that. And it uh starts being exactly what we're looking at. It's in right in

541
04:00:47.359 --> 04:01:02.399
context with a lot of the buildings out there which are even taller than us. And I imagine I I when I look at this and and there's that motel property south of the two tall buildings on ponds, I imagine it's only a matter of time before >> it probably is. I think it's on the market.

542
04:01:02.399 --> 04:01:20.080
>> Very valuable property. [laughter] >> Um okay. I I I I think this is an interesting area. Um especially when you look at the context of of Douglas entrance and and the volume of office space that's there. um you know in in

543
04:01:20.080 --> 04:01:35.120
terms of reducing traffic, having habitable spaces that complement those office uses that that seems to me like smart planning for this area. Um so I a question to our staff. Um you know there

544
04:01:35.120 --> 04:01:51.920
there were different issues raised um during the public comment period is did you hear anything that that wasn't addressed or reviewed by staff in providing the recommendation? Well, I heard I heard concerns about traffic and we have a traffic study. Um, we had the consultant here as well. I heard

545
04:01:51.920 --> 04:02:07.680
concerns about the historic and we went through the historic process um and beyond. Um, other concerns I I heard about was the city plan which wouldn't be applicable here because that's really dealing with the rightway and changes to the rightway and those are the way we

546
04:02:07.680 --> 04:02:25.120
amend them as well. Um, our historic u officer of the city did not deem this change to be a change to the city plan. So, we didn't go through that process. Um, I'm I'm trying to think any other concerns, but again, this has been through a long lengthy review process

547
04:02:25.120 --> 04:02:41.680
with the city staff, with the boards, with the city commission even. >> So, is this a typical timeline for a project >> in the city of >> expanded? Okay. So, in in order to summarize what you said, is it is it

548
04:02:41.680 --> 04:02:58.080
safe to say that then the comments you heard here were vetted and and considered and staffed the the issues that were made in the comments. >> Yes. >> Okay. Right. Well, um you mentioned somebody's here uh that prepared the traffic study.

549
04:02:58.080 --> 04:03:14.560
>> Yes, we had the consultant or we have city staff here from public works transportation who reviewed the traffic study. >> Okay. >> How do you questions for them? Um I I I just in in in terms of your review and

550
04:03:14.560 --> 04:03:33.920
and the capacity of the network. We're close to A Street. We're close to Lun. I like to talk about transportation. >> All right. Um well, hi, my name is Sher Menendez. I'm a transportation engineer for the city. Um so we did review in

551
04:03:33.920 --> 04:03:50.720
2022, October 2022, a traffic impact study for this development. They took into consideration the pawns phase 3 median project along Ponelon Boulevard. That was something that was taken into consideration. Also, there were two FDOT projects along um Southwest 8th Street.

552
04:03:50.720 --> 04:04:08.160
Um one was a resurfacing project >> and that's already been completed and then the other one's lighting. Um the study showed that it wasn't going to have a negative impact to um the neighborhood and basically it was approved uh at the end of October 2022.

553
04:04:08.160 --> 04:04:25.439
A technical memorandum was um sent out and that was already reviewed. Um most recently we looked at pawns 8 and >> yes so the ponate project uh did not trigger enough trips to require a traffic study based on the the existing

554
04:04:25.439 --> 04:04:43.040
land use versus the the future land use. There was a net gain of 26 trips in the peak hours. And also for um recently due to the changes out in the that were in the site plan, we also reviewed for the um Crystal Phoenicia development their

555
04:04:43.040 --> 04:04:59.840
revised trip generation letter to see if it would negatively [snorts] impact the neighborhood and also if they would need to update their traffic impact study. After review, it actually created less trips because they removed um the office space from the site plan. Um, and we use

556
04:04:59.840 --> 04:05:17.239
our IT engineering manuals to verify that. So, we didn't have them revise their traffic impact study. So, they were good to go from there as well. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh, it's Charles Hart.

557
04:05:18.560 --> 04:05:34.720
>> Thank you. >> Through through the chair, can I ask them one question? I'm sorry. Just one question. I'm on the map is off Ameda and Pon >> and one block south of there. It looks like they're doing the center lane and

558
04:05:34.720 --> 04:05:52.800
they're doing the red doing the sidewalks. Looks like it's going to go down in one lane. >> Oh, which one? I'm sorry. Um >> ponds like by 999 ponds. >> Yeah. >> Um >> right off of 8 Street. They're median >> south of 8th Street. from from street to

559
04:05:52.800 --> 04:06:08.239
>> Manotis to a >> correct the center medium is being done to them. >> Yes. Yes. That's a [clears throat] pawn stage three project. >> Be one lane or two lanes. >> No, it is two lanes. >> Two lanes. Looks like it goes into the one lane. There's no way you can fit two lanes in it. It is a two lane. They're

560
04:06:08.239 --> 04:06:24.800
not What they're doing is for the work now. They're putting the barriers the temporary barriers, but it's it will be a two lane. >> No, it's not a temporary barrier. They're doing the like the the curb >> because those cars are going to become parallel parking instead of angle

561
04:06:24.800 --> 04:06:39.680
parking. They're going to become parallel. >> There'll be less parking. >> Yeah. Parallel parking instead of di, you know, angle parking, which is dangerous backing up onto Ponellion. But it's going to be a two lane with parallel parking that I know because I'm

562
04:06:39.680 --> 04:06:54.800
doing a project. I finished a project across the street. So, I had to adhere to those plans. I'm eager to see how they could put two lanes there because that curb comes like straight out. >> What I don't like is that they every other street they limit the left turn.

563
04:06:54.800 --> 04:07:11.680
>> They limit the left turn. That is so just a reminder the court reporter can only take down you know when one person is speaking. [laughter] Sorry. >> Sorry. Sorry. >> Um so that was my only question how it was going to affect because I thought it was going to go down in one lane. >> No it I assure you it's going to be two lanes with a parallel parking and we are

564
04:07:11.680 --> 04:07:27.680
going to lose some parking spaces. >> All right. I'm sorry. round. >> Okay. >> Um, >> Mr. Chairman, or I'm sorry. >> Oh, I go ahead. >> Um, well, whenever you're done, I' I'd like to ask them a question so they don't have to sit down and come back up.

565
04:07:27.680 --> 04:07:43.840
>> Um, I I don't have any other questions. I I I think you know the the ponds corridor has a jagged edge and in terms of modifying the zoning to capture this property. I think this is a a sm smart development and [sighs] I'll be in

566
04:07:43.840 --> 04:08:01.279
support of it. >> You have a question for the board. Can I move on to the board? Oh, go for it, please. >> Okay. >> Thank you. So, I read the Kimley Horn uh traffic analysis, and it's almost like building a ship in

567
04:08:01.279 --> 04:08:17.439
a bottle. It doesn't take anything else into account. the the quote unquote improvements that are being built now on ponds. Uh every time you have a limited access highway, if you will, um you have

568
04:08:17.439 --> 04:08:34.239
less of an ability of people using more of those arteries and they've used less arteries. Uh today in my single family home on Kadima, it took me 10 minutes to be able to back out of my driveway onto

569
04:08:34.239 --> 04:08:48.319
the street because everybody on Google is getting all of the traffic go down Kadeima because if they go down university, they have a traffic light on Lun and they're being rerouted that way.

570
04:08:48.319 --> 04:09:07.760
So, our traffic has increased maybe 400% in the last 3 months and that's with school being out. What is the level of the the FDOT level of service on the trail right now

571
04:09:07.760 --> 04:09:23.840
>> on 8th Street? >> Yes. >> Um, if it's Well, I have to triple check. I know the level of service on the June is F. Um, it's probably close to F or dear F on 8th Street. >> Yeah, I I think I think you're right. The June is F.

572
04:09:23.840 --> 04:09:40.319
>> Yes, >> 8th Street is F. And I would not be surprised if Douglas is close to that. So, when you have a glass of water and it's filled all the way to the top, you just have to add one

573
04:09:40.319 --> 04:09:58.080
drop for it to spill. And I think that Kimley Horn being a very large firm with a very large traffic component to their firm when they when they give the analysis

574
04:09:58.080 --> 04:10:14.800
it's almost um like everything around it is not being taken into account. So when people drive and you see backups at any time of day,

575
04:10:14.800 --> 04:10:34.800
adding one parking trip or one traffic trip rather u becomes a problem. And every time I hear that because it doesn't warrant a traffic study

576
04:10:34.800 --> 04:10:51.920
because the site does not project enough trips, you're using it as a vacuum and it's being it's a disservice to the citizens of Coral Gables that have to then not only accept the fact of that particular

577
04:10:51.920 --> 04:11:08.160
project and all the other projects when you add them, but also the cross the cross traffic that goes through our city every single day, east to west and west to east. I mean, I think that it is

578
04:11:08.160 --> 04:11:26.000
wrong for this to be glossed over this way. We have an enormous traffic problem. We have a trip problem and it's it's not being resolved by adding medians on the north south corridor of

579
04:11:26.000 --> 04:11:43.600
ponds that way. >> Well, the pond space 3 project was the design was ongoing prior to the traffic impact study in October 2022. The reason why you see median enclosures is typically because there's a high number of number of crashes. So those e east

580
04:11:43.600 --> 04:11:59.199
west movements and I've seen it myself as I drive down every day down ponds a lot of people throw their cars across and there sometimes there are severe accidents. So that's why those median closures took place. >> I I know I know and it's the same thing

581
04:11:59.199 --> 04:12:15.120
as Lun >> and it becomes a problem. I mean we're in the police uh station right and it becomes a an enforcement issue when it comes to speed. So you can't even assume 30 miles an hour, 25 miles an hour when people are flying through there 50 miles

582
04:12:15.120 --> 04:12:31.439
an hour. That's part of the crashes that you do get. But what I'm saying is right now it's becoming a funnel effect on not just one street but many of >> extend >> and then when [snorts] you take out all the parking that we're >> second we need to extend before the 9:00.

583
04:12:31.439 --> 04:12:47.840
>> Yeah. >> So we could continue >> a motion for 30 minutes. 30 minutes. >> Mo motion to extend to 9:30. >> 9:30. >> You moved it. Second. All in favor? >> I >> I Okay. >> Sorry. Go back.

584
04:12:47.840 --> 04:13:02.720
>> No. No. Robert, I don't have any chairman. >> What does F mean? >> If you will allow me, Mr. >> Let them finish. I'll call >> second. The the levels can be explained by our vice chair. Um, you know, because

585
04:13:02.720 --> 04:13:19.680
FDOT has a rating. You know, you got an A, you got a B, you got a C. F is the worst when it comes to traffic volume. That means that the road cannot take the amount of volume there. So, we're surrounded by F. But then the part

586
04:13:19.680 --> 04:13:37.520
that's not in there is all of our little side streets, if you will, all of our little residential streets, which are it it becomes a tsunami when it when it is um uh early morning or late afternoon,

587
04:13:37.520 --> 04:13:54.800
going to work, picking up kids, coming back at the end of the day. So what happens is that our little collector streets, residential streets are flooded with that. The worst part now is that [clears throat] because now the city is

588
04:13:54.800 --> 04:14:09.920
putting in this median, putting in parallel parking as we did many years ago on on Miracle Mile, we're going to lose a certain percentage of that parking. So your business on on punts and everybody else's, they're going to

589
04:14:09.920 --> 04:14:26.080
have to now bleed parking into these residential areas. So there'll be less parking, which is is created by many things, but based on some of the decisions that have been made of the improvements that are being built now.

590
04:14:26.080 --> 04:14:42.880
And I just wanted to add um for the traffic impact study, the original one did consider the pawns phase 3 project in its analysis. And then the reason well the revised um tra trip generation letter was compared to that study,

591
04:14:42.880 --> 04:14:58.880
>> right? And that came up with fewer trips than the original forecast. So, so we were just using an analysis that was already done and then using a trip generation letter that it showed less trips to determine whether or not the, you know, any changes had to be done or

592
04:14:58.880 --> 04:15:14.640
if a revised um traffic impact study needed to be done, but it wasn't that we did not consider the pawns phase three. >> No, and listen, I don't mean to pounce. >> No, no, I understand. I just want to make sure it's corrected on the record. I'm just saying that we we have a very

593
04:15:14.640 --> 04:15:29.600
serious problem and then when we look at projects in a vacuum, it it just makes everything else worse. It's the same thing as looking at the site plan and you're not seeing, you know, what the what the driveways and the uses are

594
04:15:29.600 --> 04:15:45.520
across the street. We do well we do take that into account and we also have to submit anytime we do any closures or anything we have to submit our plans to Miami date county for them to look at it as well for them to take it as a whole because it's a whole network like it's our city

595
04:15:45.520 --> 04:16:01.760
>> we want to make sure we don't negatively impact our city but all the roads in Miami day county are network so we're not in a >> chairman I would like to have a moment to speak please >> yeah I I'll call the next board member let let Felix finish once I >> and and if and and I'm I think this is

596
04:16:01.760 --> 04:16:16.960
so important for every project that we're looking at, but it becomes very complex. And by the way, um the the next natural outlet going north south is this street right here, Zita.

597
04:16:16.960 --> 04:16:34.560
And and that is right now, except for a couple of exceptions, that is a very residential street with parallel parking. right now people fly through there where they have built at least from here to 8th street at least 8 to 10

598
04:16:34.560 --> 04:16:52.159
um speed humps to try to slow people down. So it is becoming more and more of a problem and I think that really staff should do a more holistic job in presenting uh the information you know to this board for our decision.

599
04:16:52.159 --> 04:17:08.960
>> Thank you. >> Thank you Gonzalo. >> Thank you Mr. Chairman, you can sit down now, please. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Chairman. We have heard endlessly,

600
04:17:08.960 --> 04:17:24.479
repetitively pulling at the heartstrings of Crystal Academy as if it was the most important thing that we are looking at today.

601
04:17:24.479 --> 04:17:43.040
Truth is, fact is reality is the project we're talking about is 226,000 plus square feet. The promise

602
04:17:43.040 --> 04:18:00.560
to Crystal Academy is less than 2% of that total buildout, 5,000 ft, a minimal contribution versus what the impact of that building is. So, let's be totally clear about

603
04:18:00.560 --> 04:18:18.640
this. A very small contribution. I know it was mentioned numerous times and the applicant has competent staff at all levels and I admire that. But let's be frank and let's be real. This is a massive development.

604
04:18:18.640 --> 04:18:36.239
And I would just like to have Bonnie come up for a second and just give me a history again of the gardener of our Lord with the benefit of the information we could use. Bonnie, if you would, are you in the area here? You still >> come on up

605
04:18:36.239 --> 04:18:52.479
>> before Chicago City just can we? >> You mean the the the process that involved the uh request for historic designation, >> the history of the garden, our Lord, and I I think that'll >> the garden of our Lord. >> That's not before the board today. Um

606
04:18:52.479 --> 04:19:07.840
what's before the board today is the applica the applicant's application for the proposed development. >> I hear you. So, um, they could also switch out the green space that they have on the northeast corner of the

607
04:19:07.840 --> 04:19:26.159
property with the garden. And I would stop fighting, but um, yes, I'm very happy to talk about the garden of our Lord. >> Just tell us what year it started in the tradition, please. >> It was built in 1951.

608
04:19:26.159 --> 04:19:43.040
1951 >> by Robert Fitchmith, a renowned South Florida architect whose many of his projects have been designated historic. It's a cemetery. It's one of the first three biblical

609
04:19:43.040 --> 04:19:59.920
gardens in America. Some of the trees and bushes that grow there at this minute came as seeds from Gethsemane. That's the garden where Jesus was the night before his crucifixion.

610
04:19:59.920 --> 04:20:15.680
It's also a war memorial, medical memorial, and community [clears throat] memorial. >> Mr. Chairman and city attorney, why are we this is not part of this application? I >> I don't believe this is I don't think it's applicable here.

611
04:20:15.680 --> 04:20:30.560
>> I I happen to agree as well. Okay, >> Gonzalo, if you can wrap up your comments and then this Miss Miss Bonnie >> I appreciate Bonnie's comment. Thank you. Mr. So the balance sheet here is that we have a

612
04:20:30.560 --> 04:20:46.560
project coming to that square block 1.4 acres and also caveat empther the century group are very very savvy

613
04:20:46.560 --> 04:21:03.279
investors and developers from years back. They did not buy this property on the blind. I'm sure they did the due diligence. They knew exactly what they were buying and a development that they could do in place.

614
04:21:03.279 --> 04:21:19.840
However, something happened and now they're seeking a small scale amendment, a radical change from the current zoning. And the thing that everybody here on

615
04:21:19.840 --> 04:21:37.359
this board and the colleagues and everybody is listening to this is this is not a Crystal Academy application. This is a developers application. Crystal Academyy's footprint on this is

616
04:21:37.359 --> 04:21:54.960
2% of the buildout. So with that said, I'll also like to say a few more other things here. The normal setback under the current zoning for building on this property varies

617
04:21:54.960 --> 04:22:13.840
from 25 ft to 15. The proposed project setback is 8 in 9 in basically zero setback. So this

618
04:22:13.840 --> 04:22:30.159
open space dialogue that we have been listening to is an internal patio area for the development it is really in Congress what we've been hearing. So I hope my colleagues understand that what we're

619
04:22:30.159 --> 04:22:46.800
dealing with here is a major impacting development in a very cherished open green space area. Thank you Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you Shane. Any comments? I just have a few quick questions. Uh maybe for staff if possible or the applicant,

620
04:22:46.800 --> 04:23:02.720
whoever is best suited for the question. Uh I know earlier we looked at page 24 of the applicant's package and that was an image of you know the subject property and it I just want to make sure I have this right just because it's a predicate to my next question. But it

621
04:23:02.720 --> 04:23:19.199
looks like we have digitally filled in the construction for the subject property as well as a few other properties have been approved. Right. >> Correct. Okay. So, I've seen in the papers and in conversation that this is called a transitional property and that

622
04:23:19.199 --> 04:23:36.080
it's an inappropriate transition. And my question is what maybe this is a simplistic question, but what makes it transitional? When I go to the property, for example, when I saw it yesterday, um to me it looked like it fit appropriately in the conservation

623
04:23:36.080 --> 04:23:52.640
district. So, what makes this a transitional property as opposed to other properties on that that area that's within that that conservation district? And I think the second part to that question is what stops the precedent from all those properties being upzzoned. >> So, I'll I'll take the question. We obviously have your planning and zoning

624
04:23:52.640 --> 04:24:07.520
director who also did their own independent analysis of this request, but [snorts] just taking a step back. I know we're all looking at this property like it's special use district, right? And I'll get to your question, I promise. But I think this context is important. When

625
04:24:07.520 --> 04:24:23.439
the North Ponds area was studied, it created two areas. It created the North Ponds mixeduse district, which allows, as your planning and zoning director said, between 150 and 190 ft in height. And then it created the residential

626
04:24:23.439 --> 04:24:40.319
infill district, which is known as the North Ponds Conservation District, which allows 100 ft in height and 100 units. There were properties that were not studied at that time because they had existing schools and churches. If you look at the north plan, North Ponds

627
04:24:40.319 --> 04:24:56.880
corridor plan today, the only properties that aren't MF2 or MX in the entire area are the religious and schools. And that's because from a planning perspective, you leave those institutions in place because they are existing uh educational

628
04:24:56.880 --> 04:25:12.399
uses. Um what makes this property a transitional property is that East Pon Boulevard um currently has three properties on the west side. One of them already pre approved for I

629
04:25:12.399 --> 04:25:29.840
believe 165 ft which is a Regency on the park and it has 190 ft directly across the street from it. East Pon is a corridor that basically is the main arterial corridor in that area other than Pon. It connects Pon directly to Douglas entrance which is one of the

630
04:25:29.840 --> 04:25:45.120
largest retail and office destinations outside of probably downtown and Merit Park um in this area. So it is a main roadway and you have right now you have directly to the north of this property

631
04:25:45.120 --> 04:26:02.640
the North Pon MXD already extends. So what makes this a transitional site is that this is not half a block or a portion of a block. It is an entire block that basically sits between 190 feet in height and 100 feet in height.

632
04:26:02.640 --> 04:26:19.920
And what this project tries to do is to keep the midrise, keep it at 100 ft, but create a mixeduse project that transitions from this very high intense, the most actually the most intense zoning and land use that you have in this city to a mid-rise residential.

633
04:26:19.920 --> 04:26:35.120
It's creating a buffer between these two areas and that's why this is a transitional site. I don't think there's another site in this whole area that sits between these two that's an entire city block and that sits on a main arterial roadway. >> And is that last part essentially the

634
04:26:35.120 --> 04:26:51.760
distinguishing factor for other properties on that same area from all being upzoned? >> Correct. Yeah. And I think what would be interesting is if we could take a time machine and go back in time how the North Pond Cherret would have treated that particular property. Uh because it

635
04:26:51.760 --> 04:27:04.960
was not studied. It was just left as it's a school. It's a church. We're going to leave it >> just just as institutional. >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes. Uh, if if I if I may, I'm probably

636
04:27:04.960 --> 04:27:26.560
the last living member of the North Pon apartment district, not it wasn't a sharet, it was a committee and I excuse me, I sat on it >> and what you just said is not correct.

637
04:27:26.560 --> 04:27:40.399
What you are referencing is something that happened many years afterward and we did an analysis of every historic building that was in that area and as many

638
04:27:40.399 --> 04:27:56.080
>> uh many studies it was shelved. But was it studied? Yes. Was there an intent? Yes. And I speak from a historical standpoint because I was there and what was just

639
04:27:56.080 --> 04:28:11.920
said now is not correct. But but Felix, I wasn't involved as you were maybe, but I was involved in the sense that in 2015 the city took it upon to change that area and allowed Can you pull up the

640
04:28:11.920 --> 04:28:28.720
map, the zoning map, because maybe what you did was 20 years before that, but that evolved to something else. So that has to be put in the past and the present today. look at the zoning map to see what is allowed because you allowed

641
04:28:28.720 --> 04:28:45.279
100 feet in that area. >> Well, that's become because it became an urban in >> that was passed through commission. It went through the approval. >> I understand that >> didn't it went through approval. So, that's what we're looking at today. >> I understand that. But this was what I'm saying is that it was not done in a

642
04:28:45.279 --> 04:29:02.960
haphazard way. No, but but the that what was done that is in place today was done correctly and it was looked at every property what what Mr. Navaro stated is correct that institutional property were not taken in consideration which they

643
04:29:02.960 --> 04:29:18.399
should have have been done as well because unfortunately a lot of those institution churches are going away. Every single one of them was zoned S as in special >> as a special because there was a special

644
04:29:18.399 --> 04:29:33.680
zoning for that. Not anticipating that in the future they could become something else >> through the chair. If I could just yes >> finish answering uh the question. So interesting case is actually directly to

645
04:29:33.680 --> 04:29:50.000
our north at the time of the 2015 2016 sharet which I was a part of. Uh there is a site just north of this. You can't see it on this map but you can see it on the map that we had that shows the land use there. The east ponds corridor was being studied and they just decided to

646
04:29:50.000 --> 04:30:05.520
say there was a site they wanted to include but they didn't include it. They wanted to see the project that was going to go in there and that's Regency on the park. Uh that site was recently included in the North Pines mixeduse district expanded understanding the character of

647
04:30:05.520 --> 04:30:21.279
East Pon Boulevard today. Another important point is that this site was not always religious. In 1971, this site was reszoned to religious to permit the church. But in George Merrick's plan and in the old

648
04:30:21.279 --> 04:30:36.159
zoning code where we have the height maps that show what this property was designated for and we have our planning and zoning director here who could confirm this. This block is actually a transitional block because half of the

649
04:30:36.159 --> 04:30:52.159
block in the height map that was created for this district allowed 150 ft in height and that was the western portion of the block. The eastern portion of this block allowed 60 feet. That's how this area way back when before we

650
04:30:52.159 --> 04:31:07.199
started talking about north ponds or north pawn cherettes or anything. That's how this area was planned for. This site actually has a sightsp specific zoning uh in place today that allows 150 ft in height and allows for residential. Obviously, there's been a change in

651
04:31:07.199 --> 04:31:22.640
policy with the creation of North Pines district, but those sight specific standards date back all the way to when George Merrick planned this uh planned this town. So, this is a transitional block today. It was a transitional block back then. And the reason is because it

652
04:31:22.640 --> 04:31:37.840
is a block that sits between your most intense commercial areas on a commercial corridor that is used to get, you know, 28th Street and the Douglas entrance and that sits between Midrise Residential. >> Uh two Last very quick questions.

653
04:31:37.840 --> 04:31:54.960
Um, what happens to the property if this doesn't pass? I just want to know what happens to the property and what happens to Crystal Academy. >> So, um, the the way that this deal came about was in 2021. Um, when this property was purchased from the church,

654
04:31:54.960 --> 04:32:12.000
um, this deal has to make a certain amount of financial sense in order to say we are going to give free space for 99 years. that could have been four live work units valued at 6 million bucks. Um there has to be something. So if if this

655
04:32:12.000 --> 04:32:27.439
project does not move forward, unfortunately our agreement with Crystal um is no longer effective and I know Mr. Sanabria mentioned it. This property was owned by Century. Uh it was sold and no

656
04:32:27.439 --> 04:32:42.640
one needs to honor this commitment, but Vifffield has come in and said we are going to honor it. They've been to that school. They know what this school means. And I think anybody that has been in that school understands how important it is. Uh they made the commitment and decided to keep it. But unfortunately,

657
04:32:42.640 --> 04:32:59.520
if this project doesn't move forward, um Crystal's uh future is not bright. >> But but so then who would own the property though, just so I I'm clear. So there um there would probably have to be a change in the plan and that change

658
04:32:59.520 --> 04:33:15.920
would be to not have crystal as part of this project and you know I don't think anybody really wants to see that but what could happen it remains undeveloped you know uh gets sold again new proposal comes in um either way I think we could

659
04:33:15.920 --> 04:33:32.320
all agree whether you're in favor or against this project that if this property property did not have a school or church in 2016 when the sharet was created. At a minimum, bare minimum,

660
04:33:32.320 --> 04:33:49.359
this property would be MF2. What would that allow? 100 units an acre and 100 ft in height. What does this project propose instead? 93 feet in height. that transitions to 83 in ft in height and 125 units an acre

661
04:33:49.359 --> 04:34:04.879
plus the preservation of Crystal Academy for 99 years and in a brand new facility with new classrooms, new art rooms, new therapeutic rooms, um and a brand new uh outdoor recreational area. So, we can't

662
04:34:04.879 --> 04:34:21.760
say, "Oh, we're going from special use to MX2." If the whole area of North Ponds was planned for 100 units an acre, 100 feet in height, that's where we start. >> Okay. And just um last question, why does the uh building have to be 9 ft as

663
04:34:21.760 --> 04:34:37.039
opposed to eight? >> So, well, nine stories. >> Nine stories. >> Stories, >> right? I I heard feet. >> I heard nine feet as well. >> I say feet. >> So, the request for the PAD um and and I know you've had a long night. I'm going to try to say this quickly just to

664
04:34:37.039 --> 04:34:53.520
address it. It is nine stories, but it is within an eight-story building envelope. And I know we have some very, you know, very knowledgeable architects on this board. But what we have done is we have taken nine stories and put it into an eight-story envelope. That is what the P A designation that we're

665
04:34:53.520 --> 04:35:10.240
requesting for this property allows us to do. Uh you're allowed eight stories within 97 feet in height. We are asking for nine stories within um 93 feet in height. And what that allows us to do is the massing. It

666
04:35:10.240 --> 04:35:26.080
allows us to reduce it and it allows us to create these wide sidewalks that we've worked with uh city staff on for quite some time. >> Okay. Well, I want to thank all the residents for being here tonight. Thank you so much. I want to thank the applicant. I mean, amazing presentation. I think this is a tough decision one way or the other. I want to hear the rest of

667
04:35:26.080 --> 04:35:42.400
my colleagues talk about it before I make a decision, but I can see both sides. But thank you all very much. >> And thank you so much. >> Felix, you want to HP4 beauty? You say you were historical. >> Okay.

668
04:35:42.400 --> 04:35:58.320
>> Public com only surviving person. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> It's better distinguished than extinguished. So [laughter] >> So the the point the point is that we're talking we're talking about this a

669
04:35:58.320 --> 04:36:13.439
proposed zoning like if that's what's existing on the site as it's not. And Mr. Sonia made excellent points. Um it it becomes a point of

670
04:36:13.439 --> 04:36:31.439
what becomes realistic for the redevelopment of this property. Um there are points of contention. one of the areas there. It was said that

671
04:36:31.439 --> 04:36:46.320
if it would just be flipped to another corner, uh the this green this this open space which is inside of a building um that would work better.

672
04:36:46.320 --> 04:37:02.400
The four things tonight is that we're taking again now not just zoning but we're taking the master plan and throwing it out the window. The master plan is has limits and the

673
04:37:02.400 --> 04:37:20.000
limits that the master plan has goes back mathematically to what the levels of service allows for those particular uses. When you look at that as a smallcale

674
04:37:20.000 --> 04:37:35.359
amendment, it's because we're in an urban area and that's why it's called a smallcale amendment based on just the area, the size, but it is a huge impact. The second thing is that the zoning

675
04:37:35.359 --> 04:37:51.680
again is going from special use to something other. This is not MX2 right now. It's S and everything you get one foot above S

676
04:37:51.680 --> 04:38:12.080
is more than what you're allowed today. The third point is that the funny part about it is just from a point historical point of reference the reason the pad was created was because of the Douglas Center. The

677
04:38:12.080 --> 04:38:27.359
Douglas Center, which was a historic building, was going to be torn down and a group of architects purchased it and they made it their home for many, many years. And then they developed the rest of it to be able to compensate for the

678
04:38:27.359 --> 04:38:43.119
makeup of what was there. So the planned area development was designed, the pad, as a tool to be able to have a special significant neighborhood public benefit. and in that case was saving a historic

679
04:38:43.119 --> 04:39:00.080
building. There is no special neighborhood public benefit here. Finally, the mixeduse site plan review going beyond the limits where now we

680
04:39:00.080 --> 04:39:16.080
could have an 18-in setback compared to whatever the minimum setbacks are today. I think that we have reached a point in this city that at the end of the day,

681
04:39:16.080 --> 04:39:35.439
we've gone from what I consider urban planning, you know, to hostile development. And I think we've reached that point in many parts of the city. And for me as an

682
04:39:35.439 --> 04:39:53.920
architect that depends depends on development um there are certain limits. I think that this project [snorts] could be reduced in height in volume and size and still keep

683
04:39:53.920 --> 04:40:10.638
a crystal academy there as a tenant. But I think that uh being an economist Mr. Sabria said it right the first time. That particular use is 2% of the total

684
04:40:10.638 --> 04:40:26.560
square footage of this project. And that's not even considering the 300 and some odd square feet or 300 and some odd parking spaces there in an area where none of those riderways are going to grow. And you have incredible

685
04:40:26.560 --> 04:40:42.320
examples when you go down south on Siggoia where new developments are popping up and the streets are becoming not wider, they're becoming narrower. What use are wide sidewalks

686
04:40:42.320 --> 04:40:59.200
when you can't get people in cars? Because that's the way we travel here from point A to point B. That's all I have to say. >> Mr. Mr. Chair, before you go, listen, this is too important. I know we had a I said a hard stop at 9:30. I think we should extend a little bit more because

687
04:40:59.200 --> 04:41:14.878
I think we're getting to the end. I think we want to be part of the vote. So, I'll make another motion to extend >> another 30 minutes. >> Sure. >> Okay. >> So moved. >> All in favor? >> I can we take a two-minute bathroom break? [laughter]

688
04:41:14.878 --> 04:46:01.600
>> Half a minute. >> Half a minute. >> All right. So, off the record. >> Off the record. Recording stopped. I don't think that's recording in progress. >> All right, back on. >> Um, Iggy, Ignashio, sorry.

689
04:46:01.600 --> 04:46:16.798
>> Thank you, [laughter] Mr. Chair. >> Okay, I have a couple questions. First of all, Gonzalo was talking about eight inches. Was in the recommendation of the the Gables that it was that was

690
04:46:16.798 --> 04:46:32.798
going to change. I read that based on the recommendations that you wanted more. >> Yes, we do. So, currently they have an arcade. The arcade, I believe, is 8 in from the sidewalk in certain locations, and that's where the 8 in is coming from. Staff is recommending to remove

691
04:46:32.798 --> 04:46:48.240
the arcade and have a front yard of 10 ft. that's consistent with the um conservation overlay district. So you have a frontage that's consistent with the area around it. Um and that would be increased obviously to a more landscape area as part of the commission approval.

692
04:46:48.240 --> 04:47:04.000
>> So that that would be our recommendation if we do pass this that we incorporate your recommendations as well. >> That's the board. But yes, staff recommending that we do remove those arcades so that we have front yards with stoops or small porches. >> Okay. The this barrier site keeps on

693
04:47:04.000 --> 04:47:22.798
coming up. Is this a cemetery or >> there's no public public comments are closed? Public staff or >> Unfortunately, I know very much of this. Um, no, I just want to answer the um uh the question. No, it uh this site was

694
04:47:22.798 --> 04:47:39.360
alleged to be a cemetery four years ago. The state of Florida came and certified that it is not a cemetery. Ma'am, >> ma'am, please. Thank you. I know Robert said we can't ask this question today, but what's going to happen with these trees and with this

695
04:47:39.360 --> 04:47:56.240
garden? You talk about trees over 100 years old and gardens. What's going to happen with all that? So, um I'd be happy to answer that. So, the city arborist Dina Bell has been out to the property. Uh it is well documented.

696
04:47:56.240 --> 04:48:12.000
There is from 5 years ago uh when the garden of our lord designation process began. There are no historical biblical trees in that garden. Today and 5 years ago there were none. There is a large

697
04:48:12.000 --> 04:48:29.840
specimen oak on the property and we have Michael McCoy here our our tree expert which and I know it may not be part of these proceedings. We have committed to relocate to the uh outdoor plaza that sits right on the intersection of Phoenicia and East Ponds. Uh there is

698
04:48:29.840 --> 04:48:46.798
also another large tree [clears throat] on the north west corner of this property that we have carved the building back in order to preserve. So there are two trees on site that we are preserving. The trees that Miss Bonnie is referring to do not

699
04:48:46.798 --> 04:49:02.480
exist on the property. >> I have proof. Ma'am, ma'am, ple please. >> Okay. A lot of my questions were um asked and answer already by my prior colleagues, but I want to be honest. I'm also torn on this decision for two

700
04:49:02.480 --> 04:49:19.120
reasons. One, my office is on Almeida and Ponds and block from 8 Street. I've been told that Shoma Construction Company is going to build a huge complex between 37 and Ponds on 8 Street.

701
04:49:19.120 --> 04:49:35.600
There's going to be another huge residential complex going up on 747 Ponds, maybe 707 ponds, 716 Ponds, >> but it's not a huge development, >> but it's going to be another development of couple hundred more cars. >> It's I can't get on A Street now.

702
04:49:35.600 --> 04:49:51.680
>> I'm sorry. Okay. I I I can't get on H3 now. So traffic is a major concern for me versus the autistic school Crystal.

703
04:49:51.680 --> 04:50:08.718
There's not enough schools of autisms in Day County. Even though my four-month-old is perfectly healthy, I have a lot of friends with autistic kids and but four, they work 80 hours a week to be able to pay their care. There's no services out

704
04:50:08.718 --> 04:50:24.958
there for a tick to kids. So, I'm torn between Crystal and I can't get on A Street. Now, imagine all these three projects now jumping out and you can't drive on A Street. >> So, those are those are that's where I'm

705
04:50:24.958 --> 04:50:40.958
torn in right now. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, Jennifer, if or can we put up that pro the zoning map again, please? And while you do that, because I want to I want to

706
04:50:40.958 --> 04:50:57.760
make a I want to make a see a correction based on one of Maria's Cruz's comment that only the the the the taller building, the height is west of Hon.

707
04:50:57.760 --> 04:51:13.280
And I think that that was incorrect or is incorrect because you allowed and it was proven that the zoning on both side of Pon Stellion allowed for up to 150 ft

708
04:51:13.280 --> 04:51:31.600
up to 190 ft 6 in with the Mediterranean bonuses. So can you put up that map a second because I think that hype it is definitely permitted on both sides of pumps. >> Robert, do you mean the present zoning or the comp plan?

709
04:51:31.600 --> 04:51:45.760
>> The both. Both. >> Okay. and and and I do the al um and then because once we put that up I want to I want to do the address the

710
04:51:45.760 --> 04:52:05.200
compatibility of of of the area. go to the other the other map that you had you had side by side with was the existing and the comp and the proposed [clears throat] and then also I don't know and I'm going ask the

711
04:52:05.200 --> 04:52:22.480
applicant to show me or somebody where exactly is the location of the [clears throat] garden of the Lord you know in in when it comes to the to the site the specific exact location of that >> over on the northwest

712
04:52:24.320 --> 04:52:49.120
If >> northwest corner north is up. >> Okay. Uh the classes. There was another one that maybe it was the applicant who put it up. Oh, if you could I mean we could use

713
04:52:49.120 --> 04:53:04.638
that because the >> you could z you could zoom that [clears throat] >> because that shows that to the east zoom in there to the east of the site all around the site at a minimum you

714
04:53:04.638 --> 04:53:21.440
have the MF2 zoning which allows 100 feet and 100 units per acre. Is that right or not? Everything around the property to the east is MF2. Is that right?

715
04:53:21.440 --> 04:53:38.320
>> Yes. Everything around there is MF2. So >> that currently allows 100 ft and 100 units per acre >> for large properties that are 20,000 square feet or more. Yes. >> Okay. So it's not like what is there now

716
04:53:38.320 --> 04:53:53.920
is the the zoning that only allows one and twotory. There are one and two story structures, but the zoning currently allows up to 100 feet. >> Correct. >> If you meet the >> criteria of the >> but when you have 1.7 acres, you're

717
04:53:53.920 --> 04:54:09.120
going to meet when you have >> right >> 60s something,000 square feet, you're going to exceed it by three times. >> Right. >> Okay. >> Yep. So comparability is clearly demonstrated that it is comparable and

718
04:54:09.120 --> 04:54:26.560
compatible to the immediate surrounding properties. No question about it. If we go one block to the south, there's already an existing which I was looking on my phone on Google Earth sevenstory building. Is

719
04:54:26.560 --> 04:54:43.238
it not? or eightstory building to the south. to the east immediately adjacent to to the property. You have what appears to be 12 to 14 story buildings >> ponds

720
04:54:43.238 --> 04:54:58.320
[snorts] >> on east ponds east ponds as you go because there is two two buildings already on just immediately to the northeast that are far higher than this property.

721
04:54:58.320 --> 04:55:17.280
>> Mr. Mr. Bart, would you like me to pull up the PowerPoint that I had with >> Yes, please. >> with the um >> Yes. >> Massing. Okay. >> Yes, please. And when you do that, the reason that this property in my opinion was not like

722
04:55:17.280 --> 04:55:33.840
and like Navaro stated, it was not made or reszoned back then in 2015 2016 to the MF2 because it had a school, had a church. But this is one that property

723
04:55:33.840 --> 04:55:51.680
that will be consistent and and on this exhibit as you go north on East Ponds at the end you have a building that is like 12 stories >> I believe. Yes. >> The 911 East Pon. >> Okay. Then in to the to the south of

724
04:55:51.680 --> 04:56:07.760
that one you have another structure >> seven or eight stories. Yes. on when you show that green it to the to the block on Sant Lane and East Ponds there's a building there that's coming which I believe is 10

725
04:56:07.760 --> 04:56:23.600
stories >> yes >> approved ready to start construction >> where at >> the building Jennifer where >> right there you see that green area there there's a building that's starting construction there that is 10tory

726
04:56:23.600 --> 04:56:39.760
>> and and they just closed off east pon on pants that intersect there. If you're going >> south >> then >> you can't cross over. That's right. >> Okay. I mean it's that that's something else. That's a different >> which makes it worse. >> That's a different but those are the

727
04:56:39.760 --> 04:56:57.280
projects that are already so the com to be the compatability on on this is there already. It's not like we're they're introducing something new. the the the you have on this project you have a eight story component at 83 feet

728
04:56:57.280 --> 04:57:16.080
and a ninetory at 93 which is far le you know not far less but it's little less than what you allowed to have if I would have been doing and this is not we this you know against the architect and it's a very good architect

729
04:57:16.080 --> 04:57:32.400
I would have probably started [snorts] [clears throat] placing that green space more or that park more in an area to try to preserve those trees. Maybe the the the planning would have been a little bit different but you

730
04:57:32.400 --> 04:57:49.600
know six of one half dozen of the other. I I I would have also the your part can you go to the site plan or the the ground floor plan? >> Yes. And this is something that maybe could be looked at and and do it as you

731
04:57:49.600 --> 04:58:07.200
go through the process. Maybe that park instead of running north and south, you go east and west. So give the the women's club a little bit more

732
04:58:07.200 --> 04:58:24.878
openness with that. Can we please hold on? Okay. So maybe that's a possibility that just rotate the park doesn't lose any density, any square footage or anything. It's just a matter. It would be good if you could show that ground

733
04:58:24.878 --> 04:58:40.798
floor plan. And I think that could be in my opinion a good compromise >> there. You could see the tree >> if you see there. And if I where you have where you have the uh wish I had a PowerPoint

734
04:58:40.798 --> 04:58:57.280
on the top what is on what is on the north side of that ramp that that's a part that's a ramp to go up to the garage. Correct. What is on that side of the ramp? The FPO vault. >> Final vault. >> Okay. and and what happens because if

735
04:58:57.280 --> 04:59:13.920
you were to change it a little bit and you put the park on the north side going east and west, I think it it it's going to serve the same thing because you're going to have the school that you could open it >> and it could relieve a little, you know,

736
04:59:13.920 --> 04:59:29.520
uh more uh openness to the women's club >> with the mature >> and honestly it's a great idea. We started that way. Exactly that way. Exactly how you're describing. But what happened, Robert, was that the width of the parking rendered us a very thin

737
04:59:29.520 --> 04:59:48.400
sliver between the liner units on the south and the parking itself. >> What can you go up to the upper floors? [clears throat] >> When we turned it around, we wanted to make sure that we had liners on both sides. So, if I kept the liners to the

738
04:59:48.400 --> 05:00:04.240
women's slope, which was really important, when I turned it, we had a very very thin sliver on the south, but that's how I originally wanted to plan it out. >> I >> But it's it's >> I think that, you know, it's again, >> we could review it. We could absolutely

739
05:00:04.240 --> 05:00:19.760
>> you could look at it. I think I would think it would be more appropriate to give that setback to the women's club than the way it is today. Obviously, I want to make sure that the project works

740
05:00:19.760 --> 05:00:34.718
right it functions. >> I appreciate your thoughts. [clears throat] >> I am not one, you know, one bit uh against the project. I I I think it's it's going to be good. There's a lot of

741
05:00:34.718 --> 05:00:52.000
thing. One of the comments that that um that one of the the speaker made about the uh location of the interior courtyard. Is that courtyard really accessible to

742
05:00:52.000 --> 05:01:06.638
the public? >> It is. And we also have it on Covenant accessible to the public. That's what we created that north south >> p to be able to and it's not a a small p. It's a pretty wide >> I think Albert I mean

743
05:01:06.638 --> 05:01:23.840
>> it may be but for me as a public to access that through the p it's not it's not calling to me and says you know welcome and that's you know it could be there for the public but it doesn't

744
05:01:23.840 --> 05:01:43.520
appear to be that's the case. Um, and you know, I think that if you did a couple of those, if you try to implement a couple of these minor, I don't think they're major, you know, solutions, I think it

745
05:01:43.520 --> 05:01:59.280
would be everybody will be happier, particularly when it comes to that green space to the park. And and if the parking were oriented instead of north south, east west and take the 5,000 square foot and then simply make it a

746
05:01:59.280 --> 05:02:17.440
little further or larger on the on the southwest corner. Then all of a sudden you've got your liner. You took the 5,000 square feet. >> Not not the southwest corner because the southwest corner is >> it will be >> you're saying the northwest corner. I I

747
05:02:17.440 --> 05:02:33.360
meant the northwest corner. >> I think the northeast quarter because the south I I like what he's doing on the putting the the on the northeast corner. >> Right. But but he he could >> because I don't want to lose the the the liner units. >> No, no, without a doubt. But what I'm

748
05:02:33.360 --> 05:02:49.040
saying is that the 5,000 square foot of the open space which is really inside accessible only through the PO then would become irrelevant because it would be moved to the the norththeast corner

749
05:02:49.040 --> 05:03:05.280
and it would be much better. It' be much better and you'd preserve I I just want you to look at it, study it, [snorts] >> you know, >> I appreciate the comments and we will absolutely do. We went we've been working almost 5 years on this project

750
05:03:05.280 --> 05:03:21.040
on and off and if there's something that we can do internalized that does not >> that does not huh >> what's another 30 days >> exactly that's what that's where I was going that uh >> we we'd be happy to look at it and study it and if it's there's a possibility why not it's not going to affect the exterior at all

751
05:03:21.040 --> 05:03:37.920
>> and and and before I you know because I'm gonna make I'm prepared to make a motion um can We on the zoning both side of east uh side of Pon Stellion you allowed to

752
05:03:37.920 --> 05:03:55.520
go up to 190 ft right >> on Pon >> on Ponelon. >> Yes. Between each street pretty much and >> because that just want to make sure for the record that because I understood Maria's crew's comment said that it's only on the on the west side of ponds >> but it's in fact it's on both sides.

753
05:03:55.520 --> 05:04:12.958
>> Okay. I I have no more no more questions. Thank you. >> Thank you. And I just I I have a few comments and questions. Um, one of the speakers made a comment that they they live in the neighborhood and parking is an issue in regards to the staff and and I think this is a question

754
05:04:12.958 --> 05:04:29.920
for the applicant. Um, in regards to the staff and the faculty for Crystal Academy, is there parking within the building? >> Yes, there is. Yeah, we've accommodated uh a dedicated pickup and drop off area and we also have dedicated parking for Crystal within the garage. Got it. for the employees. For the employees, yeah,

755
05:04:29.920 --> 05:04:46.560
and staff. Uh, one thing I'd like to mention, we've also been working with the neighborhood. I know we've talked about parallel parking and all sorts of things. Uh, we've been working with staff to also preserve the spaces on East Ponds that are used by both um the women's club and some of the area residents.

756
05:04:46.560 --> 05:05:02.400
>> I know a couple of the res a couple of the residents and some of my colleagues mentioned compatibility. I think Miss Bravo did an incredible job. I myself work at 99 PONS and right behind my building I guess going east there's a development going in. I I don't know any details of that development but it's a

757
05:05:02.400 --> 05:05:18.798
monster project. I mean the land is just been completely wiped out. So I think it's more than compatible. I think you have buildings that are just as tall if not taller. Um one of the questions I had is someone mentioned that their public space and the green space. Is the

758
05:05:18.798 --> 05:05:35.280
green space that's there now open to the public at all at any point? >> No, it is private. >> It's not accessible, >> but it can be. >> But it easily could be. No, not now. >> No, now. But yes, we're going to look into that. Yes. >> If you reconsider.

759
05:05:35.280 --> 05:05:52.400
>> Yeah. >> And then the only last question I had and because you hear gardener of the Lord and this is something that I guess I've heard when I was campaigning four or five years ago. There's nothing historic about that property. Correct. It has been fully deemed non-historic. That's not something because you heard about the historical neighborhood,

760
05:05:52.400 --> 05:06:08.240
>> so on and so forth. >> And I know that's been a concern and and and it's been a big topic of conversation. Um it has gone through every uh review board that the city has. Um and it has gone to court and has exhausted all the appellet remedies and

761
05:06:08.240 --> 05:06:24.798
and that that issue is is concluded. >> Yeah. And just by way of reference, not that this has to do with what's today. I've had the pleasure of visiting Crystal Academy in 2021 and what they're doing there is absolutely incredible. I mean, it's >> truly is special. >> It really I think someone said it it's

762
05:06:24.798 --> 05:06:38.718
worth visiting because it's it it leaves you floored. >> So, I have no further comments. In the interest of time, um I'm in favor of this and accepting as it as the staff recommends. I I'll make a motion to approve

763
05:06:38.718 --> 05:06:58.400
with staff recommendation conditions and with my suggestion not going to make it a condition but very close. Okay. That you look at turning that

764
05:06:58.400 --> 05:07:13.200
green space along uh east and west versus north and south on the northeast corner. >> Robert, wouldn't it be better to pardon me? Wouldn't it be better to ask for a deferral or rather recommend a

765
05:07:13.200 --> 05:07:30.160
deferral now? Sorry, recommend a deferral to be able to get this because remember there are four conditions. One is the comp plan, one is the zoning. They have the PUD and the PUD carries a site plan

766
05:07:30.160 --> 05:07:46.878
approval. So if they change the site plan, it would be B, >> but it's a minor it's a it's a minor modification. If they do, it's not a substantial modification. Well, I I would just feel more comfortable seeing because it it would be uh >> I I'm sure and the applicant could

767
05:07:46.878 --> 05:08:03.920
could, you know, confirm, but you're in a tight that you need to get a commission. >> Yeah. I mean, this project uh is critical for for the school. Um also, we have been five years uh working on this project. Uh it has been a long time

768
05:08:03.920 --> 05:08:20.160
coming. We, as you could see, have been very open to working to make changes to this project. That's something that we will strongly consider. Um, you know, we will try to make it work if it's feasible. I definitely I think in terms

769
05:08:20.160 --> 05:08:36.878
>> I I'm I'm really I hate to do it, but I think it may become a condition. Okay. that you turn that and if you do if you if you commit to do it and I think you can I've been you know you got

770
05:08:36.878 --> 05:08:53.200
my full support on it. >> We will definitely start studying it ASAP and what I would love to do is share the studies with the planning department so that they can see how it's being developed. It's all interior. I

771
05:08:53.200 --> 05:09:08.080
agree it should be a minor but we need to see it. This is the This is the the the 4,000 square foot >> area green space that you have a portion of it already going to the corner. >> It's really at the end of the day is

772
05:09:08.080 --> 05:09:23.280
moving what I from what I saw moving your vault to one side. I mean relocating >> correct >> you know and put the school which I think the school could front the park completely also >> be more than happy to study that Robert. >> So what is the motion?

773
05:09:23.280 --> 05:09:38.878
>> I would say a deferral to be Mr. without the >> there are four items. So there would be we would need four separate motions and remember the first one is on the land use. So I don't know if you >> I'll make a motion to approve the land use >> because >> to recommend approval

774
05:09:38.878 --> 05:09:58.560
>> approval with staff recommendation. >> I second a motion. >> Well, Jill, >> I I I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman. I I just need to understand this because we're going down a slippery slope here. Um,

775
05:09:58.560 --> 05:10:14.400
one is the master plan, then it's a zoning, and then what do you do with the >> Well, but right now it's the zoning. No, no, but I need to understand what the game >> then we put a condition >> which is >> to turn the park

776
05:10:14.400 --> 05:10:30.160
>> to incorporate >> to incorporate the comment >> the the garden of the >> Yeah, I mean I that's where we could put the condition not on not on this >> on what which one >> on number on on the third and fourth items on the on the pad and on the site plan.

777
05:10:30.160 --> 05:10:45.120
>> Correct. But let me ask you a question, Robert. And if it's un if they're unable to do so, is that condition what if if they're unable to do that like >> or I don't I don't know about my area. I'm an attorney, so I don't >> So is it delegated to stop to work with it and maximize that effort

778
05:10:45.120 --> 05:11:01.360
>> and it and it obviously should come back to this board to see >> that's my concern of making a condition. I'd rather make it a a recommendation. >> Okay. >> That's my that's that's my biggest concern of making a condition >> for them to work with us. >> Correct. I I definitely think we should implement it in the in the in the

779
05:11:01.360 --> 05:11:17.360
motion, just not make it a condition. >> We're not there yet. >> We're not there yet. >> Yeah. Zoning, but we have a motion for zoning. I want to add an amendment to it. >> It's it's sorry, it's for the first item, which is the land use change. >> That's correct. We have a first and a second. >> I I'll

780
05:11:17.360 --> 05:11:32.560
friendly amendment. What is it? >> Friendly amendment. I I have a major concern with traffic. I I can't get an A Street now. We have to do some type of traffic study to figure out how to fix that mess on a street. Especially, we're going to have three major projects. Now, a fourth one. I didn't know about the one just north

781
05:11:32.560 --> 05:11:49.200
of it you just mentioned. But that's four projects. If you can't get on a street now, there Gables needs to do a traffic study >> to address that problem. >> And I don't want to speak for South, but they did do a traffic study. >> No, they say they didn't. No, they said that they did required to

782
05:11:49.200 --> 05:12:04.798
>> study. >> No, they talked about a different project and and maybe we could just have you ask and and the [cough] state road. So, there's much more to it than >> there's a traffic site that's completed for this proposed project. >> I think what they were saying is that

783
05:12:04.798 --> 05:12:21.200
there was an update when they changed a unit or two. There was an update that was required. >> No, I heard that they didn't meet the threshold. >> No, that was for a different project. >> That's what they testified. That's a different project >> with this chairman. >> Hello. Um

784
05:12:21.200 --> 05:12:37.920
>> let's just hear from them first. >> So there was a traffic impact study that was conducted in 2022. They recently had submitted a revised trip generation letter when they revised their their site plan and their development plan and it was still found that they were under the the trips they were actually had

785
05:12:37.920 --> 05:12:54.240
less trips than was proposed in the original traffic impact study because they took out an office space. What I would do as a recommendation would be the new developments that come in have to do you know go through the process of which is first they submit a trip generation letter to us and if they have

786
05:12:54.240 --> 05:13:10.160
50 or more um peak hour trips they have to a change in peak hour trips then they have to do the traffic impact study. I don't in my personal or professional opinion I I don't think it's the best um

787
05:13:10.160 --> 05:13:26.480
idea to have them redo their study and then if it gets delayed then they're going to have to redo every time a new development comes in. It probably should be the next development that comes in has to incorporate this one into their >> their background >> study. Yeah. >> Yeah. Let's let's let's try to >> Well, but we only got

788
05:13:26.480 --> 05:13:42.240
>> Let's do five minutes. >> 15 minutes. >> 15 minutes. Can I get a motion? I'll get a motion to go to 10:15. Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I, >> Mr. Chairman. >> But but wait, I'm not done yet. These projects have already been approved.

789
05:13:42.240 --> 05:13:59.520
>> The Shoma project has been approved. Seven project >> has been approved. >> Sha project didn't not come through the city. That's a that's a live local project. >> That's a live local project. >> So, we don't even get a bite at that apple. the one that has been approved one in in in um East Ponds that was

790
05:13:59.520 --> 05:14:16.480
approved like five six years ago. Now is when it starts construction. The one on 760 ponds got approved last year. Okay. >> So that concept is not going to work. >> It's just if you keep doing that every time a new development comes up and

791
05:14:16.480 --> 05:14:32.000
they're going to have to redo their study is my thought process. >> Yeah. So, so, >> so they'll never finish because more developments come up. >> So, the norm is for future projects to take this project into account as an existing condition and the background trips. >> Yes.

792
05:14:32.000 --> 05:14:47.040
>> That they're starting with that, >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> So, we haven't heard from opposing council. I would like to have opposing council come up and say some statements

793
05:14:47.040 --> 05:15:03.840
as well since the applicant has basically taken up most if not all of the time. >> I think we have a moton I think we have a motion and >> I don't what's the what's the protocol that need a motion? >> I haven't heard a second. I don't know if there's been a there is a

794
05:15:03.840 --> 05:15:24.878
>> Oh, there is a motion in a second. Yeah. So, we should >> Can I get Alice Bravo? Yes. >> Shane Mlan McClashen. >> Yes. >> Felix Partardo. >> No. >> Gonzalo Sanavria.

795
05:15:24.878 --> 05:15:46.480
>> Yes. >> Ignasio Alvarez. >> No. >> Robert Behar. >> Yes. >> Alex Bello. >> Yes. >> I'll make a motion. Item E2 for approval with staff

796
05:15:46.480 --> 05:16:03.440
recommendations. >> Which one's E2? >> E2 is the zoning change. >> The zoning change. >> What do we just vote on? It wasn't a zoning. >> I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman. One moment. >> Okay. Okay, I got >> Mr. Chairman, hold it one moment. >> Yes. >> What do we just vote on? >> E uh land use.

797
05:16:03.440 --> 05:16:27.520
>> Land use. All right. My vote is no. >> I want to retrace my vote to no. >> Thank you. Okay, we have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> No, >> joke. Oh, I'll give you a second. >> So, E2, there is a motion in a second.

798
05:16:27.520 --> 05:16:46.400
>> A second. >> I'm sorry for E2. >> For E2, >> motion to approve zoning. Yeah. Motion by I'm sorry, by second by Mr. Provin. Can I can I just just do it? >> We should have started with three and

799
05:16:46.400 --> 05:17:03.160
four because that's that's what's in the site plan. We could put a condition. >> I thought we were going to >> Robert, let's just finish this. >> Yeah, let's just go. Let's just go. >> If you can call roll Joe, please. >> What are we calling the role on pres?

800
05:17:03.920 --> 05:17:19.840
>> Which one? >> Number two, zoning. >> So, it's item E2. There is a motion to approve with staff's um recommendations and it's um the zoning change from the special use to mixuse 2 and also to include within the boundaries of the

801
05:17:19.840 --> 05:17:42.160
north ponds mixeduse district overlay. >> Jay Mclashen, >> yes. >> Felix Partardo, >> no. >> Gonzalo Sanabria, >> no. Ignasio Alvarez, >> yes. >> Robert Behar,

802
05:17:42.160 --> 05:17:57.920
>> yes. >> Alice Bravo, >> yes. >> Alex Bello, >> yes. >> Make a motion to approve E3. And this is what we're going to go on a condition, not a recommendation. And a condition that and I want to make sure

803
05:17:57.920 --> 05:18:13.440
the applicant can the applicant come up. If we put a condition, will you accept the condition? And and Robert is basically what Mr. Sanria was asking council to come up. >> Okay. >> For that purpose. >> Do you do you accept condition that you

804
05:18:13.440 --> 05:18:30.240
will rotate that park for lack of a better green space going east and west versus north and south. >> So we do not have an objection to that. We we we commit to it. We >> Okay. You you're going to accept the

805
05:18:30.240 --> 05:18:46.958
condition. make a motion to to to do the site plan to change the orientation of the green space to go north and east and west to so I get a better green space in front of the women's club. >> Yeah.

806
05:18:46.958 --> 05:19:04.878
>> Preserving as as preserving as much as possible of the garden of >> preserving as much as possible but Okay, >> I second that. >> Okay, we have a motion second. >> So I Mr. Chair, my apologies. I just want to so my understanding is that the the condition is that the site plan be

807
05:19:04.878 --> 05:19:19.280
changed in the way you described not studied for the change but changed >> correct >> change it including staff recommendations >> and Mr. Chairman >> yes >> if you if if you will um Mr. Sanriam

808
05:19:19.280 --> 05:19:37.760
asked to see if the opposing council as he described uh >> a party they're not a party right >> Mr. Winkler would come up. The the reason I think it's important is because of the contentious component of this whole application just, you know, to

809
05:19:37.760 --> 05:19:53.600
make sure because I I heard someone say that we would we would love to have that happen. I think it would be a positive thing. I guess let's hear it from the city attorney. >> It's up to the to the chair if if you'd like to hear from >> If they can keep it brief because we've extended this Yeah. If they can keep it

810
05:19:53.600 --> 05:20:11.360
extremely brief, I have no problem. Yes, thank you so much. Thanks for all your hard work on this. I really appreciate everyone trying to get to a solution. I mean, I to me I would prefer a deferral and have it brought back as a as a formed thing. >> Sounds like that we're just going to we're going to do it with the the

811
05:20:11.360 --> 05:20:27.440
condition. I guess legally I struggle with even how that's going to work if they don't if they're not able to get there. >> And how do we find out? >> They will have to get there. >> Yeah, >> they're going to have to get there. They're going to have to rotate that same square footage and go east and west. The question is if they get there,

812
05:20:27.440 --> 05:20:42.638
>> if they get there, you okay with that? >> Yes, please. >> Okay. >> All right. All I wanted to hear. Okay. >> Call the role. >> Call the RO. >> Felix Cardo. >> Yes. >> Gonzalo Sanria. >> What is a motion

813
05:20:42.638 --> 05:20:59.840
>> to have them read to have them redirect? >> Well, can I can I just let me restate the as I understand the motion. It's a motion to recommend to the city commission that that this request for the the pad be approved with the conditions that staff has recommended

814
05:20:59.840 --> 05:21:16.480
and with staff's recommendations including that the site plan be changed as has been described here to change the orientation of the park. >> Correct. But it's a condition to change orientate the orientation. >> Yeah. So it would be to uh basically

815
05:21:16.480 --> 05:21:32.000
rotate the park. >> That's it. That's it. Rotate park. Is that something? >> Annex any green area that you can into that area. >> That's a condition. >> Yes, that's it. >> All right. >> We're okay with that condition. >> We clarify how that will be reviewed.

816
05:21:32.000 --> 05:21:47.680
We'll go to the city architect. The same as a setback in the removal of the arcade. >> Yes, we could add it to if >> all that stays. All that condition recommendation. >> All all we doing is that part going like this. That's it. Um, so to uh the

817
05:21:47.680 --> 05:22:02.560
planning director's point, could we add that to the condition that we already have that staff recommended to remove the arcade along Antilla? >> Yes. Yes. >> Perfect. With the same approval, >> yes, >> process that's provided for that. >> Quick question. >> Okay.

818
05:22:02.560 --> 05:22:19.440
>> How do the kids get to the park? >> The same way the the the school was fronting the park. They're going to front the same way. >> Okay. >> They're just going to expand it. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay, we will figure it out. I trust Mr. Behard. So,

819
05:22:19.440 --> 05:22:35.600
>> I have no fear. >> He says we could do it. It can be done. >> You're going to you're going to expand it along the Phoenicia Avenue side where the existing garden is >> instead of norththeast West.

820
05:22:35.600 --> 05:22:52.560
>> Correct. >> I have Mr. Partardo. Yes. Gonzalo Sanabria. Instead of voting on this motion, I would like to have at this point a reconsideration of the previous motions in the terms of a deferment.

821
05:22:52.560 --> 05:23:10.000
So at this time, I'm forced to say that I'm voting against this as well. >> No. >> Ignasio Alvarez. >> Yes. >> Robert Behar. >> Yes. >> Alice Bravo. >> Yes. >> Shane McClashen. >> Yes.

822
05:23:10.000 --> 05:23:27.520
>> Alex Bello. Yes. >> Okay. E4. >> You're on a roll, so keep it going. >> I'm going make a motion [clears throat] to approve with all the condition that we have in place, you know, on E3

823
05:23:27.520 --> 05:23:45.040
>> the staff recommendations. >> Yeah. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Gonzalo Sanabria. >> What is the motion? It's a motion. This is on E4. It's a motion to approve um to

824
05:23:45.040 --> 05:24:01.280
recommend to the city commission approval of the mix site plan and encroachment agreement as well as um um as permitting the current accessory school as a principal use including the staff's staff's recommended conditions and the same condition that we that was

825
05:24:01.280 --> 05:24:17.520
included in the prior motion which is to rotate the park. >> Correct. >> No. Ignasio Alvarez. Yes. >> Robert Behar. >> Yes. >> Alice Bravo. >> Yes. >> Jane McClashen. >> Yes. >> Felix Partardo. >> Yes.

826
05:24:17.520 --> 05:24:34.240
>> Alex Bello. >> Yes. >> 61. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Motion to adjourn. >> Thank you all so much. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman. [laughter] Mr. Chairman. >> Yes.

827
05:24:34.240 --> 05:24:51.120
>> I'd like to make a motion to reconsider the approval of previous items. and in a sense of being deferred for the next meeting so we can further fine-tune the language that we have just approved. And I believe some of my

828
05:24:51.120 --> 05:25:07.600
colleagues did feel sympathetic to that. So I'd like to make a motion >> to reconsider and defer. >> I thought we just had a motion to >> to adjurnn and I I second it. >> Okay. Then let's call ro on the motion to or all in favor? I >> I

829
05:25:07.600 --> 05:25:13.360
>> that's >> the motion is all motions are