HomeMy Public PortalAbout1987-01-16 Workshop Meeting11
Mrs. Miller requested confirmation of the Council's appointments to
the Resort Tax Committee. Those to be confirmed arg: General Manager of
the Sheraton Bal Harbour, Sea View General Manager Larry Cliff, Bernie
Burke of the Singapore, and Stanley Whitman of the Bal Harbour Shops. A
motion was offered by Mr. McKeehan to confirm these appointments and seconded
by Mrs. Antiles. As there was no further discussion, CIE, rc,cd
unanimously (4-0).
Mrs. Miller requested that Council approve the award of a bid agree-
ment with Mid -town Plumbing in the amount of $20,200. This is for the
replacement of the underground fuel tanks at public works. This expenditure
was not provided for in the current operating budget but due to the nature
of the problem repairs should proceed immediately. A motion to approve
this bid award was offered by Mrs. Anti.Les and seconded by Mr. Laikin.
There being no further discussion, the motion carried unopposed (4-0).
Mrs. Miller asked that Council expand the membership of the Budget
Committee to include Mr. Stanley Whitman of the Bal Harbour Shops, Mr.
John Alden of the Sheraton Bal Harbour, 'die Harbour House General Manager,
the Civic Association President, Mr. Charles Merwitzer and Mr. Sidney
Feldman representing the ocean froa residents. Mrs. Miller also noted
that the roll of this committee ..een expanded such that they will
meet year-round. A motion to approve these appointments was offered by
Mr. McKeehan and seconded by Mrs. Antiles. There being no further dis-
cussion, the motion carried unopposed (4-0).
Mayor Sherman noted that the Village Manager is not included in the
Employees Holiday Fund. He requested that the Council vote to award Mrs.
Miller one week's salary as a Christmas bonus. A motion to approve this
bonus was offered by Mr. McKeehan and seconded by Mrs. Antiles. There
being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously (4-0).
As there was no further business to come before the Council, the
meeting adjourned to a Pension Committee meeting at 11:25 A.M.
yMa'yor
Attest:
' f Gt64, k
Village Clerk
December 9, 1986
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
WORKSHOP SESSION
JANUARY 16, 1987
A workshop session of the Bal Harbour Village Council was held on
Friday, January 16, 1987, at the Bal Harbour Village Hall. The meeting
was called to order at 2:05 P.M. by Mayor John S. Sherman. Those present were:
January 16, 1987
12
Mayor John S. Sherman
Asst. Mayor Sol Taplin
Councilwoman Estelle Antiles
Councilman George Lai.kin
Councilman C. B. "Burt" McKeehan
Also present: Village Manager Louise K. Miller
Village Attorney Richard J. Weiss
Village Clerk Carole S. Morris
This workshop session was convened to hear preliminary results from
Dean Thomas Regan as to the studies he is conducting on behalf of the
Village in consideration of variances being requested for property
located at 9929 Collins Avenue (proposed as the Bal Harbour Park building).
Mayor Sherman opened the meeting by introducing Dean Thomas Regan
of the University of Miami School of Architecture. Dean Regan then
began his presentation, first by explaining the scope and method of his
inquiry. He noted that his assignment was to review the shadow impact and
aesthetic impact of the proposed Bal Harbour Park building and further to
contrast 'this with the building that could presently be constructed under
our existing code. Dean Regan emphasized that this is not his final report -
which will be made at the Council meeting on January 27, 1987 - but instead
a workshop session. He explained the methodology used is comparative and
that the results are presented in the form of a photo montage. The lights
were then dimmed and Dean Regan began his presentation of the shadow impact.
Evaluations were made considering the extreme dates of the year, June 21
and December 21. Dean Regan concluded that that there was no significant
difference in the shadow impactflof the proposed building and the buildable
envelope. Dean Regan then began his presentation as to the aesthetic impact
of the building. He noted that the impact of the height of the building
is softened by its set back from the roadway. Dean Regan explained that
it is the side setbacks which create or protect against the canyon effect.
Dean Regan had not yet reached any conclusions as to the recommended side
setback for this building but would make that decision in time for the
Council meeting. In
setbacks,
to the height of the
sion on this matter.
of 182Bal.Bay Drive,
proposed building in
response to further questioning regarding the side
Dean Regan explained that they must be considered in relation
structure and again, he has not yet reached a deci-
Edith Cooper, present representing Mr. Jospeh Hart
requested that Dean Regan show the impact of the
relation to the residential. area of the Village
in his final evaluation. Mr. Sam Leigh, of 9801 Collins Avenue, noted
that even if the side setback variances are permitted, the building will
still have setbacks as large or larger than the other ocean front build-
ings. Mr. Leigh felt the emphasis should be placed on the height of the
building. Mr. Dan Paul, an attorney retained by residents of the Sea
View, stated that the only way to break the canyon effect is t� adhere
to the current Bal Harbour code - no compromise should be made as to the
side setback of the building. Moreover if residents were unhappy with
the present buildable envelope, the Village should take measures to re-
view and if required, re -write our existing building code. Mr. David
Trapp, a resident at 284 Bal Bay Drive and a member of the Architectural
Review Board, requested that Dean Regan include a projection of what the
ocean front would look like with each of the existing properties built
to their maximum limits. Mr. Charles Merwitzer, 10155 Collins Avenue,
spoke in Favor of the variances, stating that given the choice between
the proposed structure and what could be built under our existing code,
January 16, 1987
13
he would far rather have the Bal Harbour Park building. Marc Kovens,
developer of the property, requested an opportunity to make a pre-
sentation. Mr. Kovens stated that this proposal is a world -class
building and that if no satisfactory resolution with the Village
residents can be reached, the building will not be built. He further
stated that the building will attract a desireable resident to Bal
Harbour and will provide substantial tax advantages to the Village. In
response to the wishes of the Village, he announced that he will reduce
the building to 24 floors and that nothing will be built past the bulkhead
(the drawing reflecting this contained an error by the architect) More-
over, this building will not flood the existing condominium market in
Bal Harbour but instead willincrease the values of property located
adjacent to it. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick McGinnis, 88 Camden Drive,
both spoke against the variance, urging the Council to uphold the current
zoning code. Mr. Mattie Blank, 9801 Collins Avenue, spoke in favor of the
proposed building, calling it the "lesser of two evils". Evelyn Gilbert,
120 Harbour Way, spoke against the variance. Sidney Feldman, 9801 Collins
Ave, requested that the developer consider moving the tennis courts out
of the front of the building and replacing them with landscaping. Mary
Stahl, 239 Bal Bay Drive, expressed concern that the concerns of the
residents would not be considered by the Council in rendering their decision.
Mayor Sherman explained that the recommendations of the Beautification
Committee, Architectural Review Board, and the expert consultants (Deans
Regan and Cantonese) would all be considered together with the views of
the residents as the Council makes their decisions regarding this variance.
Moreover, the Council would request that Dean Regan include the questions
asked by the residents in his final presentation to Council, Mr. McKeehan
noted that if the variance is granted, he would request financing infor-
mation from the developer in order to ensure that the building will be com-
pleted in a timely manner - with no delays as occured when the 101 building
was under construction.
Dean Regan agreed to make his final presentation at the Council meeting
of the 27th and to include the factors requested. Additionally, at that
time he will render his decision as to the recommended height and side
setbacks for the building. Tentatively, Dean Regan placed the height in
the 22 - 24 floor range. He would make no statements as to the appropriate
side setbacks.
As there was no further business to come-befbre the Council, the
meeting adjourned at 4:05 P.M.
Mayor •
Attest:
Village Clerk
January 16, 1987