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Commission approves special-exception for 180‑bed skilled‑nursing facility near Metro station
Summary
The commission approved a special-exception large-scale development for a six-story, 180-bed skilled nursing facility at 7040 SW 61st Avenue / 7109 SW 61st Court, including two requested bonus floors tied to public frontage and a cross-through Paseo; approval carried 5–0 with conditions including a perpetual maintenance covenant for the plaza.
The City of South Miami Commission approved a special-exception large-scale development for a 180-bed skilled nursing facility located at 7040 SW 61st Avenue and 7109 SW 61st Court.
Staff consultant Alex David (Calvin Giordano & Associates) summarized the project as a six-story building with 180 beds, 114 parking spaces, 1,310 square feet of retail and 18 bicycle spaces. The applicant requested two bonus floors by providing an arcade-style active frontage and a pedestrian cross-through (Paseo) that connects 61st Avenue and 61st Court; staff and the planning board found the application consistent with the Transit Supportive Development District and recommended approval with standard conditions and one additional covenant requiring perpetual maintenance of the public plaza.
Applicant counsel Ines Madero said the revised design reduces the building by one floor from an earlier approval while improving massing and the unit layout so more rooms receive windows. She said the Paseo improves pedestrian connectivity to nearby hospitals and the Metro station and that the operator will provide 24-hour staffing and on-site security to maintain safety.
Commissioners pressed the applicant about changes since the earlier approval, noting increased lot coverage and reduced open space. Commissioner Lieberman asked for the Paseo to be explicitly conditioned to remain open to the public; counsel confirmed the code requires public access and agreed to make that a condition. Commissioners also discussed arcade design and landscaping tradeoffs, and a desire to revisit bonus standards in the city’s LDR rewrite.
After public hearing procedures (no public speakers came forward on the item) and deliberation, the commission voted 5–0 to approve the special exception with the recommended conditions and a restrictive covenant for perpetual maintenance of the plaza.
