Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Aventura approves revised site plan, variances for Vitalis medical‑office project at Uptown Aventura
Summary
The commission approved variances and a revised site plan for the Vitalis project at 21291 NE 28th Avenue, permitting reduced parking and open space, larger lot coverage, a seven‑story medical office building with FAR up to 1.85 tied to green‑building certification, and a city‑determined performance bond to guarantee certification. The LPA recommended approval and the commission voted unanimously on May 5, 2026.
Aventura’s commission voted May 5 to approve variances and a site‑plan amendment for the Vitalis medical‑office project at 21291 Northeast 28th Avenue, enabling a seven‑story building and increased floor‑area ratio tied to green‑building certification.
Staff characterized Vitalis as a project that previously stalled and recommended approval to finish the site. ‘‘This is a project that started and stalled and we'd really like to see it finished,’’ Community Development Director Kevin Klopp said, noting the plan advances the medical‑office intent of the zoning district and includes commitments to certified green‑building standards.
The variance requests approved allow 356 parking spaces where 448 would otherwise be required, a minimum landscaped open space of 24.5% where 33% is required, and a lot coverage of about 55.24% where 40% is permitted. The commission also approved an amendment replacing an 11‑story site plan with a new seven‑story plan and granted a conditional use to allow an FAR of 1.85 if the project achieves gold or platinum certification under the city’s green‑building program; retail uses up to 15% of gross interior square footage were also authorized.
A revised condition requires the applicant to provide the city a performance bond or other security (to be set by the city manager in accordance with code, between 1% and 5% of construction cost) to guarantee attainment of the pledged green‑building certification. Staff said the code allows the manager to determine the bond amount as appropriate.
Attorney Brian Adler appeared for the applicant and reserved the presentation; no members of the public spoke against the project at either the LPA or commission hearing. The LPA recommended approval with the revised condition, and the full commission voted in favor, recording unanimous ‘‘yes’’ votes on roll call.
The resolutions approved by the commission allow the developer to proceed to permitting subject to the conditions adopted on the record, including the green‑building guarantee and any other conditions noted in the resolutions.
