Zoning allows for 15-story building at 303 Galen Drive
Key Biscayne’s zoning code would allow a 15-story building at 303 Galen Drive if the current structure there is redeveloped, a possibility that’s too close for the comfort of several Village Council members.
The Council discussed possible changes to the zoning code that would keep a high-rise from going up at the end of Galen.
“The idea that a 150-foot building could appear in the neighborhood is startling, to say the least,” Mayor Robert Oldakowski said.
Council members discussed the issue at the Mayor’s request and a lawyer for the owner of 303 Galen indicated her client wants to work with the Village on any redevelopment. The current situation is this, according to Building, Zoning and Planning Director Jud Kurlancheek: 303 Galen, which is zoned for high-density multi-family residential units, now houses rental apartments. It is also in violation of several Village building codes and may soon be sent to the Miami-Dade County Unsafe Structures Board for possible demolition. If the property is torn down, current zoning laws say it could be rebuilt at a height limit of 150 feet (15 stories).
That idea drew Oldakowski’s concern, since he feels redevelopment of 303 Galen “is probably imminent” due to its “sorry physical state. Oldakowski pointed out other buildings in the neighborhood (550, 590 and 610 Ocean Drive) are condominiums that top out around nine or 10 stories.
The other option involves staff analyzing the appropriate height of buildings for all of Key Biscayne. Council members could then decide whether 150-foot buildings are appropriate.
That process would also require an LPA hearing and two public Council hearings. In the meantime, Helman suggested, and the Council agreed to publish, a notice of “zoning in progress” for the area.
Old fashioned Barbecue
The Key Biscayne Fourth of July Committee hosted an Old-Fashioned Barbecue on Saturday night at the Key Biscayne Beach Club. The Chowder Chompers were at their patriotic best, performing for the large crowd. Pictured are Lorenzo Peraita, Patricia Villa, Paulina Rodriguez and Patricia Romano.
A hat for all seasons
During a recent meeting, board members of the Key Biscayne Woman’s Club wore special hats that reflected their duties. Pictured is Staria Petersen, head of decorations.
Master plan: If you can’t do the project, pay for it, don’t include it
Village Council members eagerly await a committee’s Vision Plan for the Key but want to make sure it doesn’t saddle them with state-mandated requirements they can’t fulfill.
At Council member Steve Liedman’s request, the Council met informally to discuss work by the 2020 Vision Committee. Along with a Vision Plan, the committee will create an Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR), a state-required review of the Master Plan.
Therein lies Council members’ concern.
Village Attorney Steve Helfman said the EAR and Vision Plan are closely linked, so Council members face decisions as to which goals to put in the Vision Plan and which to add to the Master Plan via the EAR.
“If you put it in the (Master Plan), you better show how you’re going to pay for it,” he said. “You have to be careful about putting these great ideas in your Master Plan and locking yourself into a commitment you can’t finance and can’t move forward with.”
Municipalities are compelled to complete tasks in their master plans because they have to show the state they are making progress, Helfman explained.
As an example, Heffman pointed to the Village’s current efforts to fund a sewer installation project. Creators of the original Key Biscayne Master Plan pushed the need for a sewer system, he noted, and state officials jumped on the idea, asking when it would be finished.
“Now we’re sitting here with this mandate to have sewers in, and we don’t know how to pay for it,” the Village Attorney said.
With that in mind, Helfman said the Council should keep the EAR “thin,” basing it on essential items with solid funding plans rather than drafting a pie-in-the-sky wish list.
Still, Village staff and Council members expressed confidence in the process. Committee consultant John Fernsler from Wallace, Roberts & Todd noted the group can put lofty ideas in the EAR, such as burying power lines and building a cultural center, yet avoid the trap of a state mandate by saying,
Kurlancheek doesn’t think the Council which gets final approval of the EAR and Vision Plan — has to worry about getting an unreasonable document. “I’m sure at the end of the project the committee will recommend a plan and funding strategies that are flexible.” Besides, Council members noted, there are ways to pay for more projects. Liedman noted the committee has discussed changing the debt cap, currently at 1 percent of revenues.
Council members also tackled a big con-cer voiced by the committee: Can anything be done to preserve the Key’s diversity with housing prices continuing to soar? As Garcia put it, the Key could get to a point where “the billionaires are moving the millionaires out.”
High property costs might also force merchants out, Council members acknowledged. They expressed a desire to keep local services and retail and avoid a situation where the only businesses that can afford to operate on the Key are banks and Realtors. Overall, Council members said the session will help them as they prepare to review the 2020 Vision Committee’s work.
“Loads of things will be dropped in our laps,” Liedman said. “If we know what our feelings are, we’ll be better able to come to conclusions.”
Hispanic in Philantrophy’s new office
Mellon Financial Corporation recently hosted a reception celebrating the opening of Hispanic Philanthropy’s new office. Pictured are Silvia Tarafa, Carlos Gomez and Anne Richards Rothe.
LOVING THE RAIN
While adults might have complained about last week’s heavy rain, some Key kids rejoiced in it. Enjoying a kayak ride through the streets of Key Biscayne are, from left, Hannah Dziura, Laura Valentine, Natalia De Leon, David Dziura and Olivia De La Fuente.
Crocodile booted from park on Fourth of July
An American crocodile, suspected of routinely slaying iguanas and exotic birds at Crandon Park, was captured on the Fourth of July by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers after the seven-foot reptile wandered into an area populated by humans.
“It got up into a section between the beach and the playground,” said wildlife biologist Tim Regan.
For the last Islander Throwback, click here.