Board approves 8-story mixed-use "7 at the Park" at 218–220 SE 7th Street with conditions

The Hallandale Beach Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously 5-0 to recommend approval of a major development application for a proposed eight-story, mixed-use building at 218–220 Southeast Seventh Street, known in the presentation as "7 at the Park." The board approved the application subject to 13 conditions listed in the staff report and noted the redevelopment-area modifications would require city commission approval where applicable.

Planning and zoning manager Christie Dominguez described the project as an 83-foot, eight-story building with 124 residential units — including six studios, 76 one-bedroom units and 42 two-bedroom units — and about 4,150 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor. Staff said the applicant requests multiple redevelopment modifications to the transit core subdistrict standards, including reduced primary-street and above‑fifth‑floor setbacks, zero feet interior side setback above the fifth floor for a portion of the building, a reduced rear setback, a civic-open-space reduction (proposing 4.1% instead of the required 7.5%), and a parking reduction (159 provided versus 169 required).

Dominguez told the board the applicant is also requesting a density bonus of 74 market-rate units tied to providing 23 deed-restricted moderate-income units. "The applicant is setting aside and meeting the minimum requirements for moderate income group for both the counties and the city's requirements," staff said in the presentation, and staff concluded that the application complies with the major development review criteria subject to conditions.

Michael Miller, the traffic reviewer, estimated the project would generate roughly 660 daily trips based on standard trip-generation rates and said peak-hour volumes are modest (about 50–60 vehicles in the peak hour) for the grid-pattern neighborhood. Miller noted the area has multiple access routes and that the parcel sits near civic amenities including Bluestein Park, the post office and city hall.

Architect Ari Sklar and developer Alejandro Chalbroman presented project plans showing concealed parking within three levels, a pool and amenities on the third floor, widened sidewalks, landscaping, and a glass entry "hinge" oriented toward the park. Sklar said the design follows the irregular trapezoid lot and the team had worked with staff on design revisions. "We're very excited to present this project to you," Sklar said.

Board discussion ranged across parking, commercial access, EV charging, trash-room location and retail frontage configuration. Board members pressed staff and the applicant to clarify parking allocation: the ground floor parking will house guest and commercial spaces (the plans show those spaces are not exclusively assigned to commercial but will also serve guests), while resident parking will be assigned by unit. Staff clarified an EV charging summary in the staff report: 26 spaces were described in one summary as having charging provisions, but the staff condition language distinguishes nine dedicated charging stations and 17 EV‑capable (EV‑ready) stalls.

Members asked about the affordable units, and the developer confirmed the required affordable units will be deed restricted and that condo documents and deed restrictions will memorialize those requirements, with a 30‑year deed restriction noted in the presentation. A board member requested that affordable units be distributed throughout the building, and staff noted code rules require like finishes and distribution among unit types.

After public comment (several attendees praised the project and offered design suggestions), a board member moved to approve the major development and requested waivers subject to staff conditions. The motion passed unanimously; staff will forward the requested redevelopment-area modifications to the city commission as required by code.