Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parking Infrastructure Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning board approves 11‑story Factory Town parking garage with required sound-impact study
Summary
The board voted to recommend approval of a proposed 11‑story, mixed-use parking garage across from Factory Town, but attached a condition that the developer perform a sound-impact study and address mitigation during site-plan review.
The City of Hialeah Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval Jan. 15 of a requested variance to build an 11‑story parking garage in an M‑1 industrial area to serve Factory Town and nearby businesses, with conditions including a sound-impact study and other design review at site-plan stage.
The applicant presented a concept for an 11‑story, approximately 135‑foot building with retail on the ground floor and parking above. Planning staff recommended approval with conditions, saying the design would add a contemporary character to an industrial area and provide shared parking for neighboring properties that currently struggle to meet parking requirements.
At the start of the hearing, board members expressed concern that representatives had not been present; the board briefly recessed and called the applicant, who later arrived and was sworn. Amanda Bombecchio identified herself as a representative and explained the ground floor would be programmed for food-and‑beverage uses — “restaurant, a cafe” — with parking above. Owner Avra Jane (ABRA) and project representatives confirmed the garage would be public pay parking available to Factory Town tenants and visitors.
Board members raised acoustic concerns because nearby event activity at Factory Town has generated noise complaints to neighboring Miami Springs. The owner said event operators already use protocols — decibel monitoring and on-site response within 15 minutes — and that permanent sound-attenuation measures are being planned. A professional audio engineer in the audience, Nicholas Morel, advised the board that a pre‑construction sound-impact study is “a really good idea,” noting concrete facades can reflect sound and recommending the study serve as a condition to avoid costly retrofits later.
Given those concerns, the board added a condition that a sound-impact study (acoustic study) be prepared for review at the time of site‑plan submittal and that the declaration of restrictive covenants reflect mitigation commitments. The motion to approve with conditions passed; the transcript records a roll call with members voting in favor and the clerk announcing the item approved with conditions.
Planning staff will incorporate the sound-study requirement and other conditions into the city’s written recommendation to City Council. The council will make the final decision on the requested variance and any associated ordinance.
