Council approves PUD amendment for 2801 Michigan Ave to add parks and neighborhood amenities in Dean Park

The City Council approved an amendment to the planned unit development for 2801 Michigan Avenue on June 2, a staff-initiated change that will repurpose two warehouse buildings for the parks and recreation office, record storage for the clerk’s office, and a new neighborhood park adjacent to Dean Park.

Tony Palermo, assistant director of community development, described the amendment and said the Planning Board recommended approval 7–1 (one dissent). Residents from Dean Park asked that an adjacent 1.8-acre parcel be included in the PUD to guarantee landscaping, drainage improvements, and long-term protection; Donna Elswick asked the council to preserve landscape commitments and drainage work to avoid future erosion or drainage problems. City engineer Nicole Setzer explained stormwater permitting complications: combining the parcels would trigger an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) and likely require larger detention areas to meet forthcoming South Florida Water Management rules, which could reduce the neighborhood-park area.

Councilmember Bosche moved to accept staff recommendations and Councilmember Vaughn seconded; the motion passed with no opposition. Staff said they would proceed with the PUD amendment as presented, preserving key design elements and access adjustments recommended by the Planning Board (including closing Michigan Avenue at Palm Avenue entrance and gated emergency access).