Planning board recommends approval of 1,513‑unit Sunset Place redevelopment

The City of South Miami Planning & Zoning Board voted unanimously Sept. 10 to recommend approval of the initial site plan for Sunset Place, a proposed redevelopment of the 10.09‑acre mall site that would add up to 1,513 residential units and roughly 350,000 square feet of nonresidential floor area, the applicant said.

Mark Albers, a city planning staff member with the Cordena Group, told the board staff had found the application "consistent with the code" on key measures but highlighted outstanding technical items that must be verified before commission review, including detailed floor‑plate calculations, bonus floor area determinations and roof‑appurtenance heights. "We have found it to be consistent with the code," Albers said during his report.

Developer representatives described a design shift from a regional mall to a mixed‑use, walkable neighborhood with smaller retail units and new public streets. Richard Perez, speaking for the applicant team, confirmed the parking garage is shown as nine stories in revised plans and said the project includes "a significant number of parking spaces above the required amount." Architect Matthew Cash of Heatherwick Studio said the team aimed to "contain real streets, not be a shopping mall," describing a plan of stepped towers, clustered low‑scale blocks for retail and a public plaza anchor at the north end.

Residents who spoke during public comment largely welcomed revitalization but pressed for details. Mike Riveron, who lives nearby and works on Sunset Drive, asked how long construction would take and how staging would affect traffic on Sunset and 57th Avenue; the applicant estimated an 18‑month build for the two first buildings nearest Sunset Drive but said overall phasing depends on market conditions. Zohab Anjum asked about the 150 units‑per‑acre cap; staff noted the project calculates at about 149.95 units per acre — within the stated limit.

Board members also pressed the applicant on phasing, interim activation of undeveloped parcels, and precise calculations for bonuses and floor plates. The developer committed to supplying the missing technical documentation and said the project reduces the site’s retail square footage relative to the previously permitted mall — the applicant estimated about 130,000 square feet of retail versus roughly 540,000 previously permitted — which the team argued would lower vehicle trips compared with a regional mall.

After questions, the board moved, seconded and approved a motion to recommend approval to the City Commission with the conditions outlined in the staff report and the clarifying edits discussed at the meeting. The motion passed by unanimous roll call.