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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWorkshop (35) MINUTES OF WORKSHOP DANIA BEACH CITY COMMISSION THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2008 — 6:45 P.M. (Immediately following the CRA Meeting) 1. Call to Order Mayor Anton called the Workshop to order at 7:26 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present: Mayor: Bob Anton Vice-Mayor: Albert C. Jones Commissioners: John Bertino Anne Castro Patricia Flury City Manager: Ivan Pato City Attorney: Thomas Ansbro Deputy City Clerk: Miriam Nasser 3. Presentation by Craven Thompson & Associates, Inc.: Proposed 119 room 4-story hotel (Element Hotel) on the existing parking lot located at the south east comer of Griffin Road and Interstate 95, in front of the Sheraton Hotel Corinne Lajoie, Principal City Planner, explained the location of the property. She advised that the property is zoned Commercial (C-4) which requires a Special Exception approval. Ms. Lajoie further indicated that based on the plans submitted, the following variances would be required: • Parking - Waive thirty one parking spaces • Loading berth—Waive four loading berths • Building height - Allow a building height of 54 feet Gerry Knight, Attorney from the law firm of Billing, Cochran, Heath, Lyes, Mauro & Anderson, P.A., representing the developer HEI Hospitality, introduced Russell Urban of HEI Hospitality, and Ed Plosky of Craven Thompson and Associates, Inc. Ed Plosky, Craven Thompson and Associates, Inc., noted the location of the property and advised the hotel would be built on the existing parking lot. Russell Urban, owner of the Sheraton Hotel, noted they own 31 hotels within the United States and their main focus is the development and management of hotels. He explained Element Hotels are a sister product to the Sheraton, inspired by the Westin concept. They have modern upscale Westin design features with the extended-stay type of client touch. Mr. Urban noted they are excited with the project which would be the first Element Hotel in southeastern Florida. Ms. Lajoie responded for Mayor Anton that they are proposing a one-level parking deck in order to replace the parking spaces lost by the construction. She clarified they will need a variance for 31 more parking spaces. Ms. Lajoie further indicated that the existing Sheraton Hotel and the office building of DCOTA have an agreement to share parking spaces. Commissioner Castro clarified that they would have to apply for a parking variance subject to the shared parking agreement. She confirmed with Ms. Lajoie that this project would be within the DCOTA Development of Regional Impact (DRI). Mr. Plosky explained the hotel access would be through the existing driveway currently used to access the Sheraton Hotel. He pointed out the area would be landscaped. Mr. Plosky explained the parking deck would be valet parking only. He indicated there are currently two tennis courts which will be taken away for additional parking. Mr. Plosky said they have worked closely with the Fire Department and have addressed their concerns. Attorney Knight responded for Mayor Anton that the parking lot belongs to the DCOTA office building owners and it is subject to the same agreement as the rest of the parking. Commissioner Castro confirmed with Attorney Knight that approximately forty percent of the guests would use the hotel shuttle service while about sixty percent would use their own cars. Mayor Anton noted there would be an overflow of vehicles whenever there are functions at the hotel. Commissioner Castro supported the project and thought the parking issue would be resolved. Attorney Knight advised there was a plan to do another office building as well as a proposal for a parking structure on the eastern side. Mayor Anton was pleased with the project and said it was a shame they could not acquire the piece of property owned by FDOT. Mr. Plosky indicated they offered to buy this parcel from FDOT, but to no avail. He would appreciate anything the City's lobbyist can do to persuade them to sell it. Attorney Knight noted they asked FDOT if they would sell it as surplus property. Vice-Mayor Jones confirmed with Attorney Knight that they proposed FDOT enter into a long- term lease for that property, but they did not agree. Minutes of Workshop 2 Dania Beach City Commission Thursday, March 6,2008—6:45 p.m. Commissioner Bertino thought it was a good project and was not concerned with the lack of parking because they will eventually build the parking structure for their own benefit. Vice-Mayor Jones supported the project and thought it was an asset to the City of Dania Beach. Commissioner Flury supported the project. The general consensus of the Commission was to move forward with the project. 4. Presentation by Green Oak, LLC: Proposed 23 bay office/warehouse facility located on SW 23`d Terrace, south of State Road 84 and west of Ravenswood Road Corinne Lajoie, Principal City Planner, explained the location of the project. She noted the development would have egress from the site to Ravenswood Road via an existing easement that allows vehicles to exit only. Access to the site will be from SW 23rd Terrace, where two driveways are proposed. Ms. Lajoie advised no variances would be needed for this project. Mike Sanchez, Architect for the project, explained the property was zoned IROM. He indicated they would have enough parking for the office/warehouse facility as well as some surplus parking. They are located at a dead end street in an industrial business area. Mayor Anton advised the applicant that the Commission generally agreed with the project. He suggested they move forward with the permits, etc., and bring it back to the Commission for final approval. Additional Item Corinne Lajoie, Principal City Planner, advised that the owner of the Shops at Griffin had made a special request to come before the Commission tonight. Although this item was not included on the Agenda, he would like to make a brief presentation. She noted the request is for a shopping center to be located on the southwest corner of Griffin Road and Ravenswood Road. They would need a five feet setback variance to the south property line and a waiver to the pervious area. Ms. Lajoie pointed out they would be providing additional landscaping which would include approximately 160 trees. Pedro Garcia, property owner, showed the location of the proposed shopping center. He noted there is a development behind the property, however, he will build a wall and will also plant oak trees so the townhouses will not have much visibility of his property. Mr. Garcia indicated that it has taken some time to process the site plan approval because DOT and Broward County asked for some land to be dedicated for green area. He stated that he has not received any complaints from the surrounding neighbors. Minutes of Workshop 3 Dania Beach City Commission Thursday,March 6,2008—6:45 p.m. Commissioner Castro noted that there are lots of pedestrians in the area because of the train station, and pointed out that the neighborhood is interested in this type of development. Commissioner Castro was excited about the project and thought it was a good addition to that corridor. Mayor Anton supported the project and thought it was a perfect location for the shopping center because that area is starting to develop. It was the consensus of the Commission that the applicant bring the project back for final approval. 5. Adjournment Mayor Anton adjourned the Workshop at 8:02 p.m. ATTEST: CITYJDF DANIA BEACH i LOUISE STILSON, CIVIC 49613 CITY CLERK MAYO -COMMISSIONER Approved: March 25, 2008 Minutes of Workshop 4 Dania Beach City Commission Thursday, March 6,2008—6:45 p.m.