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Committee endorses referral to planning board for 80‑foot office height on Washington Avenue
Summary
The committee recommended sending a text amendment to the planning board to allow up to 80 feet for office space on two properties on Washington Avenue between Lincoln Road and 17th Street, with additional historic‑board input planned.
The Land Use and Sustainability Committee on March 4 recommended a favorable stance on a proposed text amendment that would allow up to 80 feet of building height where the code currently limits most development to 50 feet — but only if the increased height is used for office space.
Developer representatives asked the committee to support a zoning text change for two parcels at 1655 and 1685 Washington Avenue, saying the sites are occupied by a legal nonconforming structure and an adjacent vacant lot and that Class A office space is in demand in the area. Alfred Gonzalez, counsel for the applicant, told the committee the project team would demolish an existing building then build an office building and intended to go through historic‑preservation review for the design.
Why it matters: staff told the committee the proposal would be consistent with the block’s surrounding development and would be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Board (HPB) during entitlement. Planning staff said a March 22 Planning Board hearing is scheduled and recommended the Land Use Committee endorse a favorable referral.
Committee action: the committee moved and seconded a favorable recommendation and authorized the item to go forward to the Planning Board and then to the full commission (first reading). The applicant asked to have HPB review as an advisory item between first and second reading so the project team can get early feedback; staff confirmed that sequencing is possible.
Quotes: “This is a good project,” a commissioner supporting the item said. Alfred Gonzalez said the design team had engaged noted architect Peter Marino and that the developer intended to pursue Class A office space in Miami Beach.
Ending: The item will proceed to the Planning Board; if the Planning Board recommends approval, the ordinance will return for commission readings. The committee asked the applicant and staff to coordinate early HPB feedback during the entitlement process.
