UDRB recommends approval of Biscayne-area development with conditions on paseo, façade and parking

The City of Miami Urban Design Review Board on a preliminary review recommended approval of the development associated with UDRV item number 4 (Foul ID 17492) with multiple conditions aimed at preserving pedestrian access to the adjacent park, reducing perceived building massing and providing resident parking.

Board members said the most important conditions included breaking the long façade into smaller vertical volumes with glazed connectors or bridges; redesigning the north paseo to provide a continuous minimum 20-foot buffer between new construction and the park and coordinating with Parks and Recreation to move or remove portions of the park fence; setting aside a recommended minimum of 75 parking spaces for residents; and including the historic-building hardscape treatment presented at the UDRB meeting.

Why this matters: The project closes or reconfigures right-of-way and changes how the site interfaces with an adjacent park and neighborhood frontage along Biscayne Boulevard, so the board focused on public access, pedestrian experience, and the massing of the residential facades facing the park.

Discussion and board direction: Board members and the applicant debated the paseo width and whether the paseo would be public or remain a private easement. Commissioners said the renderings shown in the presentation emphasized a narrow “choke point” at the paseo and asked the applicant to show the wider condition and provide a consistent buffer along the park edge. The applicant said the owner is coordinating with Parks and Recreation about moving the park fence but noted that fence decisions are controlled by the city. Board members repeatedly requested a continuous 20-foot minimum buffer on the north (park-facing) elevation, a visible break in the long façade (two to three building volumes) with recessed glazed openings to corridors, and glazed bridge connectors where needed.

Parking and access: The applicant indicated a surplus of parking relative to a prior project and noted a covenant that weekday paid parking would be capped at rates comparable to the Miami Parking Authority. The board recommended—rather than mandated—a minimum of 75 parking spaces to serve residents and to help replace on-street spaces removed along Biscayne Boulevard.

Motion and outcome: Member Behar moved and Member Perez Azua seconded a motion that read as a recommended approval with the conditions the board read into the record (break up the building volume into at least two or three blocks with bridge connectors and glazed corridor openings; redesign the north paseo with a minimum 20-foot buffer and coordinate with Parks and Recreation to move or remove portions of the fence; recommend a minimum of 75 parking spaces; and include the hardscape design of the historic corner building as presented). The board conducted a roll-call vote; the motion passed by recorded vote with all members present voting yes. The board recorded the action as a recommended approval with conditions.

Next steps: The board’s vote was a recommendation at preliminary review; the applicant must continue coordination with Parks and Recreation on the fence/paseo issues and incorporate the agreed conditions into subsequent submittals. The applicant may also need approvals from other city departments for any right-of-way changes or fence relocation.