Client:

107th Avenue Gamma, LLC (formerly known as the Anthony Balzebre Trust) is the owner of the approximately 54 net acres, vacant property located on the northwest corner of the intersection of N.W. 107th Avenue and N.W. 12th Street/SR 836 Ramp ("Property").  The Property is located between two regional shopping centers -- International Mall to the east, a metropolitan urban center, and Dolphin Mall to the west, a development of regional impact.  The County's Comprehensive Development Master Plan Future Land Use Plan (LUP) Map designated the westernmost approximately 38 net acres of the Property as Industrial and Office and the easternmost approximately 16 net acres as Business and Office.

The Challenge:

The client sought to develop a major activity center on the property consisting of residential, retail, office, and hotel components within a pedestrian-friendly environment.  In order to implement this development program with the least amount of regulatory overview from the state, we advised the client to seek a regional activity center designation.

Strategy:

• Reviewed legal aspects of the application's processing to ensure compliance with state and local governmental regulations.
• Applied to the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners and requested in order to request:  (1) a redesignation of the Property from Industrial and Office and Business and Office to Business and Office, (2) a designation of the Property as a regional activity center (RAC) in accordance with relevant Florida statutes and provisions of the CDMP, (3) an amendment to the text of the Land Use Element within the CDMP in accordance with its RAC designation request, and (4) a designation of the Property as a Metropolitan Urban Center (MUC).
• Coordinated with a team of consultants (i.e. architects, transportation planner, urban planner, and project manager) to address concerns raised by County administration and staff.  Because of the project's large scale, its impacts on several public services and facilities required mitigation.  This, in turn required a great deal of coordination with the Department of Planning and Zoning (DP&Z), Miami-Dade Transit, Miami-Dade Public Schools, and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
• Negotiated a favorable recommendation with County administration and departmental staff.
• Presented the project to the County's local community council, Planning Advisory Board and Board of County Commissioners (BCC).

The Outcome:

The BCC approved the application and approved the application on April 14, 2008.  We continue to represent the Client in all facets of the project to ensure approval of all required development orders and permits in order to keep the project moving forward and ultimately to fruition.