A 21-story luxury condo tower proposed south of Bahia Mar in Fort Lauderdale would rise to 240 feet, but needs special city approval to go beyond 120 feet.
If approved, the new tower would perch north of the 23-story Harbourage Place Condominium, replacing two-story buildings at 3043 and 3049 Harbor Drive built decades ago.
The neighborhood’s current zoning allows developers to build to 120 feet by right. To go higher, they can request a conditional use permit that allows them to build to a maximum of 240 feet.
The project was expected to go before the city’s Planning and Zoning Board on Dec. 17, but was deferred to Jan. 21 at the request of the applicant — just three days before the city’s deadline to approve or deny the project, city records show.
Courtney Crush, attorney for the developer, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel that her client has requested an extension on the Jan. 24 deadline. Crush said the developer is still working with the neighborhood to get its support.
Under state law, cities have 180 days to approve or deny a development project after an applicant submits plans. A deadline extension can be granted, but must be agreed to by both parties.
In Fort Lauderdale, certain projects automatically come to the commission, depending on size, density and zoning. Some only require approval from the city’s planning board, but the commission still has the right to “call up” the project for a vote as long as the deadline has not passed.
In the case of the proposed tower on Harbor Drive, the commission would still have the option of voting on the project if the deadline is extended.
The project, Harbor Drive Residences, would have 36 residences on floors five through 21. A five-story parking podium would include 93 standard spaces and 19 compact spaces.
Residents would have access to an amenity deck on the seventh floor with a swimming pool, gym, private pool bar and wellness center.
A 21-story luxury tower slated for Harbor Drive is expected to seek approval from the Fort Lauderdale Planning and Zoning Board on Jan. 21. (Adache Group Architects, Courtesy)
The tower has been designed to limit its impact on neighbors and their view, the developer says. The tower is strategically positioned on the north side of the five-story parking podium, reducing the impact to the condo tower next door, the developer’s application says.
Commissioner Ben Sorensen, whose district includes the neighborhood, says he has encouraged the developer to keep working with the neighborhood to come up with a design that works for everyone.
“There are significant concerns about going to 240 feet,” Sorensen said on Tuesday. “They’re worried about view impacts. I’ve been encouraging (the developer) to talk with the neighbors to see if there’s a design that would work with the neighbors. This needs to be a project that the neighbors support and that makes sense for the neighborhood. One of my continuing concerns on the barrier island is traffic and density.”
In the application, the developer argues the tower fits in with the neighborhood: “The taller and more slender proposed building design achieves the intent of the RMH-60 zoning (Residential Multifamily High Rise/High Density), which is to provide a building design that reduces the canyon effect created by lower, bulkier buildings.”
The design allows for a significant amount of light and air between buildings and also creates views to the Intracoastal Waterway, the developer says.
“Harbor Drive Residences has been elegantly designed with clean lines, utilizing a significant amount of glass in a sculptural form,” according to paperwork filed with the city.
At a height of 240 feet, the required setback is 120 feet on all four sides of the building.
The developer is requesting relief from the setback requirements, proposing a setback of 15 feet on the south, a setback of 20 feet on the north and west, and a setback of 25 feet on the east.
A residential building at 3049 Harbor Drive would be replaced by a new 21-story tower on the barrier island in Fort Lauderdale. The parcel sits north of the 23-story Harbourage Place condo tower. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The building’s mechanical equipment is located on the roof, with mechanical screening and access from one elevator and two stairwells.
Architectural drawings show the roof line at 240 feet but the mechanical screening brings the full height of the building to 258 feet.
The Planning and Zoning Board plans to vote on the project on Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Development Services Department, 700 NW 19th Ave.
Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan