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A developer is bringing affordable housing, including some micro units, to the Allapattah neighborhood of Miami.
Joe Acquisitions LLC proposes a 24-story mixed-use residential development for 1334 NW 22nd St., offering 400 residential units, about 17,800 square feet of commercial-retail uses on two floors, and a parking podium for up to 335 vehicles.
The city’s Urban Development Review Board unanimously recommended approval with these conditions:
■ Update sheet A19.8 detail of kinetic wall and canopy to reflect it as presented at the UDRB meeting.
■ Update the application drawings to reflect them as presented at the board meeting.
The developer’s team, including Built Form Architecture, introduced more detailed plans and drawings of the tower to the review board, and board members want to make certain those more detailed plans are followed.
Attorney Ethan B. Wasserman, representing the developer, said the property consists of a lot of 1.173 acres. The existing structures there are to be demolished.
He said the site has a principal frontage on its north along Northwest 22nd Street, a principal frontage along Northwest 13th Avenue on the east and abutting industrial uses on the south and west.
The property is one block west of Santa Clara Metrorail station within a city Transit Oriented Development (TOD) overlay area.
In a letter to the city, Mr. Wasserman said the owner-developer plans to utilize development bonuses in a state law, the Live Local Act, in order to incorporate additional height and density beyond what the underlying zoning district permits.
Under the Live Local Act, a qualifying project is in a mixed-use, commercial, or industrial zoning district and commits to restricting a minimum of 40% of its units to serve residents earning up to 120% Area Median Income for 30 years.
The developer is seeking special approval via a warrant to allow for micro dwelling units.
Mr. Wasserman wrote the applicant seeks a mixed-use development, including about 40 micro dwellings ranging from about 275 to 399 square feet.
“The project’s residential component will provide a new and diverse housing product within a short walking distance from multiple modes of mass transit and significant employment centers in or near downtown Miami,” he wrote.
The developer is also requesting a waiver to the Miami 21 zoning code to allow parking above the first story to extend into the second layer along the primary frontage, if an art, glass, or architectural treatment of a design approved by the planning director is provided for 100% of that portion of the pedestal façade.
“As shown in the plans, a mural piece will be commissioned onto an EXTECH (Exterior Technologies Inc.) kinetic wall panel system, flanked by aluminum panel system (some perforation to allow ventilation and some areas will not have openings to completely conceal internal elements behind),” wrote Mr. Wasserman.
The art and design treatments will be subject to the planning director’s approval.
The overall project will have 490,578 square feet of floor area.
Mr. Wasserman told the board, “We truly believe this is a perfect location for a Live Local project.”
Board member Gia Zapattini said, “I do think the project is awesome. I want to mention, a lot of the renderings are not part of the package … make sure (we are) reviewing your latest renderings.
“In regard to the parking garage, I noticed the size of the perforation in the metal, it’s a bit large. I assume it’s not mechanically ventilated?”
The garage is naturally ventilated.
Ms. Zapattini said, “Maintain the size of the openings, so we don’t see the parking lights outside … otherwise, a great project. I like the proportion.”
Board member Ignacio Permuy called it a great project.
Board member Agustin Barrera said, “I concur with my colleagues … the way the project’s been planned, the proportion, the articulation of the façade – very well done.”
Board Chair Ligia Ines Labrada said, “Fantastic … I like the framed artwork.”
Board member Dean Lewis said, “I’d like to echo my support for the project. I think there are always some details that could enhance the urban scale.
“I appreciate the richness of your façade materials that you’ve worked in. That’s important. I hope you hold true to that, as well as the mural wall.”
Board member Francisco Perez-Azua said, “Very elegantly done. I really appreciate the different textures, and massing, continued throughout. Love the two-story retail idea (and) the kinetic wall, the way you connect the canopy. Nice project.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
