Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2008-154 Frontier Site Planr - - RESOLUTION NO. 2008-154 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH,FLORIDA, APPROVING THE SITE PLAN REQUEST SUBMITTED BY KEITH POLIAKOFF,ATTORNEY WITH THE FIRM BECKER, POLIAKOFF, REPRESENTING FRONTIER DEVELOPMENT, LLC, FOR PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF STIRLING ROAD AND SW 18TI AVENUE,IN THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, Section 8.4 of Article 1 of Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dania Beach, Florida, states that a site plan is required as a condition to the issuance of a building permit; and WHEREAS,Keith Poliakoff,attorney with the firm Becker,Poliakoff,representing Frontier Development,LLC,is requesting site plan approval for the proposed construction of a 17,000 square foot retail building, to be generally located at the northeast corner of Stirling Road and SW 186' Avenue, in the City of Dania Beach; and WHEREAS,the Planning and Zoning Board on July 16,2008,recommended that the City Commission grant the site plan request(SP-82-07),based upon the criteria set forth in Section 8.4 of Article 1 of Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dania Beach; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA: Section 1. That that certain application (SP-82-07) for site plan approval, a copy of which is attached and made a part of this Resolution as Exhibit"A"is approved with the following conditions: 1. Provide letter from Broward County stating the fire access lane may cross over the NVAL prior issuance of a building(Planning Division). 2. Must provide recorded copy of plat prior to issuance of a building permit (Planning Division). 3. If the occupancy load is greater than 300,they will be required to have a fire sprinkler system and will have the allowance to reduce the demand. If the occupant load is not greater than 300, the code does not require a sprinkler system be installed. However, the Fire Marshal will not approve the project if the supply cannot meet the demand requirements (Fire Marshal). 4. Fire flow calculations must be signed and sealed by engineer of record (Fire Marshal). 5. Total mitigation fees to be paid at time of permit is$65,016. If you would like to retain some of your$65K mitigation fee on site,you can increase the size of your landscape plantings or add additional plantings. The difference in value between the required size/number and the size/number provided would be counted towards the mitigation fee(Landscape Consultant). 6. Must install fire sprinkler system to reduce fire demand(Public Services). It is further noted that the original site plan is maintained in the office of the Community Development Department of the City of Dania Beach. Section 2. That based upon the criteria set forth in Section 8-4(p)of Article 1 of Chapter 8, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dania Beach, all site plan approvals shall automatically expire and become null and void unless building permits are obtained on or before 12 months from the date of this Resolution. Section 3. That all resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict with this Resolution are repealed to the extent of such conflict. Section 4. That this Resolution shall be in force and take effect immediately upon its passage and adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED on September 9, 2008. ATTEST: / 1�� LOUISE STILSON,CM ALBERT C. JONES CITY CLERK ePo��s FiaStpri MAYOR—COMMISSIONER APPROVED AS TO FO C BY: THO ASJ AN RO CITY ATTORNEY aho 2 RESOLUTION#2008-154 City of Dania Beach, Florida Department of Community Development Planning and Zoning Division (954) 924-3645 Phone www.daniabeachfi.gov General Development Application ❑ Administrative Variance ❑ Assignment of Flex/Reserve Units ❑ Land Use Amendment❑ Plat { t2 1111 Date Rec'd: ❑ Plat Delegation Request Rezoning Q site Plan DEC B 20D1 Petition No.: :\ ZA"6-7 ❑ Special Exception i ❑ Trafficway Waiver � - g 2J' b 7 .i5 Variance Pian ing ❑ Roadway Vacation Department V,4—Sq` OK ❑ Extended Hours ❑ Other: THIS APPLICATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED UNTIL IT IS COMPLETE AND SUBMITTED WITH ALL NECESARRY DOCUMENTS. Refer to the application type at the top of this form and "Required Documentation"checklist to determine the supplemental documents required with each application. For after the fact applications, the responsible contractor of record shall be present at the board hearing., Their failure to attend may impact upon the disposition of your application. As always,the applicant or their authorized legal agent must be present at all meetings. All projects must also obtain a building permit from the City's Building Department / g , Location Address: N tp G 0^I- �l'r 'r o Q Q/ 13 �' Y �yp �q� Lot(s): _ Block: Subdivision: Recorded Plat Name: QA"0012 CEWI-EP, ( NOT RE09QEP X� , Folio Number(s): 5DLL 33V000-_ LVal Drescription: pic�Eit a"6TAC�IEi7 �iCa� `4, i�oCc)t'c sy . CGCf'SE'tiTlv✓6 Applicant) onsultant/Legal Representative (cirde one) fro + er c���C� ^" f ,pj�c 3 Address of Applicant: , a-� NL_ 40 3 rd S' Business Telephone: 69 a 'ill ?-Home: IVA- Fax: 3oS •64a- 3u 3 '- NameofPropertyOwner: "Traeaw K Al nnn e J1 Zyyfflrm w7nr Address of Property Owner: /d Uv Business Telephone:(.30 3- 3 •16 01 Home: uA Fax: Explanation of Request: SiTe PLanJ & Rezaw►�.i6 (ReFC0, b Amkc�lsp �'4R) For Plats please provide proposed plat Name for Variances please attach Crrterfa Statement as per Article 10.13 of Chapter 28,Zoning Code. 1 Prop. Net Acreage: 1.557 Gross Acreage: �. CA Prop. Square Footage: 0 S i= Existing Use: 'J (}c vkN; LAt-j7 Proposed Use: C-0- 'rH eh u P, i- Is property owned individually, by a corporation, or a joint venture? I understand that site plan and variance approval automatically expires within 12 months of City Commission approval, pursuant to Ordinance No. 2005-040. Applicant/Owner signature Print Name Date APPLICANT, CONSULTANT, OR LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE NOTARIZED SIGNATURE Sworn to and subscribed before me Applicant/Consultant/Representative: This-4-" day o 20_Qh, .�i 4 < Signature: - Date: /— 0/-0,5 Sign Name of Notary Public (Print Name) State of(Fi.otQDA ) µ." Sit2Un1G k0A `T, Gf/lAD£RDAL£ CONNIEBLAIR FL Print Name'ty,p,n, `ilyEx& re9 February 6,2011 Street Address, City, State and Zip Code 333 0- >W firer 9:ww«w 11PLS)p,p Commission Expires: S< - !ill Y- mi z&W Seal: Telephone No. & Fax No. INDIVIDUAL OWNER NOTARIZED SIGNATURE: This is to certify that I am the fee simple owner of subject lands described above and that I have authorized (Applicant/Consultant/Representative) to make and file the aforesaid application. Sworn to and subscribed before me Owner: This_day of 20_ Signature: Date: Sign Name of Notary Public (Print Name) State of( ) Print Name of Notary Street Address, City, State and Zip Code Commission Expires: Seal: Telephone No. &Fax No. I understand that site plan and variance approval automatically expires within 12 rm�onths of City Commission approval, pursuant to Ordinance No. 2005-040. (J o T/1-o x f-Dui M0{C.E 10- — Appl cant/Owner signature Print Name Date APPLICANT, CONSULTANT, OR LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE NOTARIZED SIGNATURE Sworn to and subscribed before me Applicant/Consultant/Representative: This Il a day of 0 Signature I� I Date: i' — ' - 2' -7 In A� /�1.DL b'►�cas�cl.� l r�-�� �,���� Sign Name of Notary Public (Print Name) State of LLiGtit M I�b ylGt�u� e a NE 3 S a , s1 e . 9 1 6 Print Name of Notary Street Address, City, State and Zip Code (A i ft m , F 33�Ko ,�•^,� W udo M.DM � ����� 10781 3oS 69 a -99 ya- 9�� 3oS • A ' 30 3 Se ?^ IXPIpE&Anaary25,2010 Telephone No. & Fax No. � `€ eweea�m+r�n'Pwwa■wnms INDMDUAL OWNER NOTARIZED SIGNATURE: This is to certify that I am the fee simple owner of subject lands described above and that make and file the I have authorized (Applicant/Consukant/Representative) aforesaid application. Sworn to and subscribed before me Owner: This_day of 20_ Signature: Date: Sign Name of Notary Public (Print Name) State of( ) Print Name of Notary Street Address, City, State and Zip Code Commission Expires: Seal: Telephone No. &Fax No. LEGAL DESCRIPTION : THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 33. TOWNSHIP SO SOUTH, RANGE 42 EAST, BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA. LESS THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 33; THENCE RUN NORTH 00'43'45" EAST ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY LINE OF SAID WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST SOUTHEAST 1/4, DISTANCE OF 255 1.82F H E SOUTHWEST 1/4 O E A FEET OF THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE; THENCE CONTINUE ON THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE A DISTANCE OF 412.72 FEET TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4; THENCE RUN NORTH 89'58'01 EAST ALO OF THEENSOUTHWEST 1/4 OF D THE YSOUTHEAST 1/4. A OF SAID WEST 2DSTANCE OF 3354.56 T OF THE SOUTHEST O THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SAID WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4; THENCE RUN NORTH 0'48'44" WEST ALONG THE EAST LINE OF SAID WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4, A DISTANCE OF 358.90 FEET TO A POINT: THENCE SUN SOUTH 83'06'46" WEST A DISTANCE OF 18.05 FEET TO POINT; THENCE RUN SOUTH 779'36'25" WEST A DISTANCE OF 171.84 FEET TO A THE POINT OF BEGINNING, AND LESS THAT PARCEL OF LAND CONVEYED TO BROWARD COUNTY IN WARRANTY DEED RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 93B5. PAGE 836 DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: A PORTION OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 5 SOUTH, RANGE 42 EAST, BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE WEST LINE OF SAID WEST 1/2 AND A LINE THAT LIES 36.00 FEET NORTH OF SAID PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH F SAID SECTION 33; THENCE NORTH 01'20'49" WEST ON AN ASSUMED LINE 0 BEARING ALONG SAID WEST LINE A DISTANCE OF 17.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 87'55'3B" EAST ALONG A LINE THAT LIES 53.DO FEET NORTH OF AND PARALLEL WITH THE SAID SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 33, A DISTANCE OF 334.94 FEET TO THE EAST LINE OF SAID WEST 1/2; THENCE SOUTH O1'17'37" EAST ALONG SAID EAST LINE A DISTANCE OF 17.DO FEET; THENCE SOUTH 87'55'38" WEST ALONG A LINE THAT LIES 35.00 FEET NORTH OF AND PARALLEL WITH SAID SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 33. A DISTANCE OF 334.92 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. AND LESS THAT ARCEL OF LANDTO THE STATE VEYED DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BY N VIRTUE OF THAT ORDERFTAKNGDA RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 23584, PAGE 103, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: PARCEL 110: THE PART OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST /4 OF RANGE 42 EAST, BROWARD COUNTY,I F SECTION LORIDA, BEING MORE PA SOUTH RTICULARLY DESCRIBED BED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCE AT THE FOUND NAIL AND DISK MARKING THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SAID SECTION 33, THENCE EAST ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 33. A DISTANCE OF 900.10 FEET TO THE BASELINE OF SURVEY FOR THE STATE ROAD 848 (STIRLING ROAD); THENCE NORTH B7' 56'14" EAST ALONG SAID BASELINE OF SURVEY, A DISTANCE OF 1779.26 FEET; THENCE NORTH 87'55'45" EAST CONTINUING ALONG SAID BASELINE OF SURVEY, A DISTANCE OF 141.93 FEET; THENCE NORTH 02'04'15" WEST. A DISTANCE OF 53.00 FEET TO A POINT ON THE NORTHERLY EXISTING RIGHT OF WAY FOR STATE ROAD 848 WESTSALONGGEXSTINGAND RIGHTHOFPOINT OF WAY LINE, AIDISTANCE OFC141.025T 45" FEET TO THE WEST LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 33; THENCE NORTH O7'20'24" WEST, ALONG SAID WEST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4, A DISTANCE OF 20.88 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 38'42'16" EAST, A DISTANCE OF 18.B4 FEET TO A POINT ON A NON-TANGENT CURVE CONCAVE NORTHERLY, HAVING A RADIAL BEARING OF NORTH O1'14'23" EAST THROUGH SAID POINT AND A CHORD BEARING OF NORTH 89'55'18" EAST; THENCE EASTERLY ALONG SAID CURVE, HAVING A RADIUS OF 2245.34 FEET, THROUGH A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 02'38'10 AND ARC DISTANCE OF 103.31 FEET TO THE END OF SAID CURVE, THENCE SOUTH 87'24'34" EAST, A DISTANCE OF 25.60 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. AND ALSO LESS EXISTING RIGHT OF WAY. Frontier Development CITY OF DANIA BEACH PROJECT SUMMARY for FRONTIER DEVELOPMENT BACKGROUND The subject property encompasses 1.74 acres and is located on the northeast comer of Stirling Road and Southwest 18 Street in Dania Beach. There are no improvements on the property, which consists mainly of invasive exotic trees. The plat of the property is known as the"Stirling Road Plaza Plat" (P1-36-07). The City Commission of Dania Beach has approved the Applicant's land use amendment from"Parks and Recreation"to "Commercial." The Applicant has recently submitted this land use modification to the Broward County Planning Council to ratify the amendment from"Parks and Recreation" to"Commercial." The zoning of the property is "Broward County Agriculture-1" (A-1). We understand that the site plan cannot be processed until the land use,zoning, and plat are in place,however this application will help to facilitate a preliminary review. REQUEST The Applicant seeks to develop the property into a 17,000+/- square-foot retail facility. In order to do this, the Applicant must change the land use to "Commercial,"plat, and rezone the property to Commercial-2 (C-2). JUSTIFICATION STATEMENT The commercial real estate market in South Florida continues to remain active, despite the plunge in the residential market. The University of Florida Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies released its first quarter Survey of Emerging Market Conditions, which indicated that, "cap rates are expected to rise for strip centers," and the survey identified strip centers as the type of property receiving the most attention from investors.' Further, real estate expert Lewis Goodkin wrote, "for the first time in Florida history,residential developers had outbid the commercial sector for prime parcels. Now, the state's healthy job market and a shortage of new commercial construction are spurring a commercial construction boom in many markets."Z The subject property remains undeveloped and contains a number of invasive exotic trees. There has been a substantial change in the area since the subject property was initially zoned and classified for land use. The area's largest commercial center, Oakwood Shopping Center,was developed in 1988, almost twenty years ago. The parcel ' http://v✓ww.cba.ufLedu/fire/does/CRES/survey/mkt_browarcicounty.pdf 2 http://www.floridatren&c,om/aitele.asp?alD=1891246.8141583.593541.1613271.4596033.482&aID2=456 48&parentlD=45645 Frontier Development directly west of the property has a drive-through fast-food restaurant operating on it and the parcel directly east of the property has an industrial use and abuts to Advanced Auto Parts. The proposed commercial use the Applicant seeks would not only be compatible with the existing surrounding land uses,but would be the highest and best use for the proper PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT The Applicant seeks to build a 17,000+/- square-foot retail facility. Access to the retail center would be from Southwest 18t' Street, so as to not disrupt traffic on Stirling Road. FrL DB:1086639_1 Frontier Development CITY OF DANIA BEACH jg-j, PROJECT SUMMARY for L 2000 FRONTIER DEVELOPMENT Flannjng `W+S� E�e BACKGROUND The subject property encompasses approximately 1.76 acres and is located on the northeast comer of Stirling Road and Southwest 18 Street. The property is adjacent to Advanced Auto Parts to the East, Burger King to the West, Oakwood Shopping Plaza to the South and four hotels to the North. The property is currently vacant and is filled with overgrowth consisting mainly of invasive exotic trees: In September of 2007,the City of Dania Beach approved a plat to allow up to 20,000 sq. ft. of commercial on this parcel, and also approved a small scale land use amendment from Parks and Recreation to Commercial. In March 2008, the Broward County Commission unanimously approved the small scale land use amendment. Based on the comme nts received during the various preliminary approvals, the developer was challenged with creating a retail use that would give pedestrian hotel patrons additional services, while maintaining an attractive aesthetic design from all vantage points. Accordingly, the Developer designed a smaller, 17,250 sq. ft. building, with four sided architecture and landscaping,with full pedestrian connectivity to create a direct nexus with the neighboring hotels. REQUEST The applicant seeks a variance from section 28.180(1)(a) of the City of Dania Beach's Zoning and Land Development Code, which allows for one (1)monument sign per site, which can measure no more than seven(7) feet in height and six (6) feet in width, but in no instance shall the sign area exceed thirty-six (36) square feet. The City of Dania Beach is working with the Applicant to create an overlay district in order to allow the surrounding hotels to place locational signage on the Applicant's monument sign since the Code does not provide for off premise signage. In order to accommodate the City's and the surrounding hotel's request to have visible signage on Stirling Road, the Applicant redesigned its monument sign to accommodate signage for the neighboring properties. Accordingly, the requested variance seeks to allow for one monument sign on the subject property which measures ten (10) feet in height and ten (10) feet in width, in order to accommodate the tenants and off premise hotel users. JUSTIFICATION STATEMENT Tourism and bed tax revenue are important fiscal components of the City of Dania Beach. Although four hotels surround the applicant's site,none of the hotels have Stirling Road frontage. Accordingly, it is exceptionally difficult for patrons to find the entrance since no signage, of any kind, exists. Patrons who get lost are routinely told to turn after Burger King or Advanced Auto Parts. Years ago the City had met with the hotel owners to discuss rectifying this problem by placing locational signage at the Frontier Development intersection. Since the applicant's site remained vacant, the City did not have an opportunity to install the necessary signage. When the applicant proposed its project, the City immediately mentioned its desire to install locational signage on the applicant's monument sign. Accordingly, the applicant redesigned its monument sign to accommodate the additional information. In conjunction with this variance, the City will be proposing an overlay district to allow the hotels to have off premise signage at this location. Thus, since the applicant will be designing its sign for the off premise users,the variance is necessary to allow a larger sign. The requested variance is the minimal variance necessary to accommodate the desired text and it will not have a negative impact on the surrounding community. ;.FTL_DB. 110494_1, Frontier Development CITY OF DANIA BEACH E PROJECT SUMMARY j LL _ i 2006 f for FRONTIER DEVELOPMENT r . F BACKGROUND The subject property encompasses approximately 1.76 acres and is located on the northeast corner of Stirling Road and Southwest 18 Street. The property is adjacent to Advanced Auto Parts to the East, Burger King to the West, Oakwood Shopping Plaza to the South and four hotels to the North. The property is currently vacant and is filled with overgrowth consisting mainly of invasive exotic trees. In September of 2007, the City of Dania Beach approved a plat to allow up to 20,000 sqf. of commercial on this parcel, and also approved a small scale land use amendment from Parks and Recreation to Commercial. In March 2008, the Broward County Commission unanimously approved the small scale land use amendment. Based on the comments received during the various preliminary approvals, the developer was challenged with creating a retail use that would give pedestrian hotel patrons additional services, while maintaining an attractive aesthetic design from all vantage points. Accordingly, the Developer designed a smaller, 17,250 sqf.building, with four sided architecture and landscaping,with full pedestrian connectivity to create a direct nexus with the neighboring hotels. REQUEST In accordance with section 6.21.0) of the City of Dania Beach's Zoning and Land Development Code, which requires 1 parking space per 250 sq. ft of retail use, the site has been designed with 69 parking spaces to accommodate 17,250 sqf of retail use. Based on meetings with the surrounding hotel owners, however,the Developer has found a tremendous demand for a pedestrian friendly food use at this location. In response, the Developer has obtained a commitment from Chipotle, which has indicated that it is interested in opening a small branch of its restaurant at this location. Even if the Developer agrees to limit its food uses to Chipotle, and even though Chipotle would occupy less than 15% of the entire facility (2,400 sqf), since the Code requires l space per each 40 sq. ft. of customer service area, the site would be required to have 98 spaces (69 spaces for the retail and 29 spaces for the restaurant). Thus,the requested variance seeks to maintain the 69 parking spaces,to enable the applicant to add a pedestrian friendly food use to this location. JUSTIFICATION STATEMENT After meeting with the surrounding hotel owners, and understanding the need of having an additional food use within walking distance of the hotels, the Developer sought a restaurant interested in entering this market. After months of discussions, the Developer found that Chipotle, a high end Mexican restaurant that only utilizes organic, hormone free, natural products, was highly interested in opening at this location. After confirming Frontier Development Chipotle's interest,the Developer went hack to the hotel owners to discuss the possibility of adding Chipotle to the area. Not only were the hotel owners exceptionally supportive of this user, but in understanding the parking issue, Hilton Gardens agreed to enter into an agreement with the Developer to enable the Developer to utilize its overflow spaces, many of which are directly adjacent to the rear of the facility. Since the retail uses will be closed at night, this agreement will also enable the hotel's valet to have additional overflow parking during nighttime special events. Further, the Developer has agreed that it will provide in all tenant lease agreements that the center employees shall be required to park in the overflow spaces, freeing up the entire parking area only for vehicular patrons. _ In addition to the aforementioned, the City required the center to maintain four sided architecture and complete connectivity to facilitate hotel patron pedestrian traffic. Since this entire center has been designed as requested; the demand for parking will be far less than what the Code actually requires. Accordingly, due to the fact that the parking shortage will be mitigated through the utilization of Hilton Gardens overflow parking,arki and since the project has been created to o foster pedestrian access, the requested variance is minimal and will not have a negative impact on the surrounding community. FTL DB: 1109478_1 DR i A,L ' 2006 r i Frontier Development CITY OF DANIA BEACH PROJECT SUMMARY � Ld for 1 Z0BO FRONTIER DEVELOPMENT t>; P�� tFl�� BACKGROUND "z'e16t The subject property encompasses approximately 1.76 acres and is located on the northeast-wr=of Stirling Road and Southwest 18 Street. The property is adjacent to Advanced Auto Parts to the East, Burger King to the West, Oakwood Shopping Plaza to the South and four hotels to the North. The property is currently vacant and is filled with overgrowth consisting mainly of invasive exotic trees. In September of 2007, the City of Dania Beach approved a plat to allow up to 20,000 sq. ft. of commercial on this parcel, and also approved a small scale land use amendment from Parks and Recreation to Commercial. In March 2008, the Broward County Commission unanimously approved the small scale land use amendment. Based on the comments received during the various preliminary approvals, the developer was challenged with creating a retail use that would give pedestrian hotel patrons additional services, while maintaining an attractive aesthetic design from all vantage points. Accordingly, the Developer designed a smaller, 17,250 sq. ft. building,with four sided architecture and landscaping, with full pedestrian inter- connectivity to create a direct nexus with the neighboring hotels. REQUEST Although the site plan of the property contains a 10 foot wide landscape island, as required by § 26-47 and § 26-48 of the City of Dania Beach's Zoning and Land Development Code, the City of Dania Beach has requested that the applicant seek a variance to reduce the landscape island from 10 feet wide to 5 feet wide, to provide for a pedestrian-friendly sidewalk. JUSTIFICATION STATEMENT After meeting with the surrounding hotel owners, and understanding the need of having additional food use within walking distance of the hotels, the Developer sought a restaurant interested in entering this market. The hotel owners were eager to discover that the developer is interested in developing a 17,250 sq, ft.building, with four sided architecture and landscaping,with full pedestrian inter-connectivity to create a direct nexus with the neighboring hotels. In addition to the aforementioned, the City required the center to maintain four sided architecture and complete connectivity to facilitate hotel patron pedestrian traffic. Since this entire center has been designed as requested, the landscape island consisting of 5 feet of green area and 5 feet of sidewalk should be sufficient. Frontier Development Accordingly, due to the fact that the project has been created to foster pedestrian inter- connectivity between all the commercial uses on the quadrant of Stirling Road and Interstate I-95, the requested variance is minimal and will not have a negative impact on the surrounding community. FTL DB:1107991_1