Belle Isle leaders push for green space for 17th Street, not proposed Marriott hotel

Rendering of proposed Marriott hotel

The Belle Isle Residents Association asked 10 other neighborhood associations to join them in urging Miami Beach to use Housing Authority land north of 17th Street at West Avenue for green space, rather than sell most of it to a hotel developer.

Proposed Residence Inn site north of 17th Street

The Housing Authority has an agreement to sell about 25,000 square feet of land east of West Avenue between 17th Street and the Collins Canal to the Finvarb Group, which owns and operates several Marriott properties. Finvarb plans to build a 116-room Residence Inn on the property, and the proposal is scheduled to be heard by the Miami Beach Planning Board on April 30.

The Belle Isle Association letter, signed by BIRA president Scott Diffenderfer, argues the property is too small the accommodate the development and is too awkwardly places amid intersections on Alton Road, 17th Street, Dade Boulevard and West Avenue and therefore will result in added traffic congestion.

“Residents of the surrounding neighborhoods need to write to the Planning Board Members and City Commissioners,” Diffenderfer wrote.  “Please circulate the attached “Green Spaces-Not Traffic” document to the residents you represent and ask those who wish to support this position to do so now before the April 30 Planning Board meeting.”

The purchase of the Housing Authority land is contingent on city approval of the hotel.

On March 13, the Miami Beach City Commission relaxed parking requirements for small hotels in the city’s historic district, and added the 17th Street parking to the the more generous rules. That decision was opposed by the Belle Isle Residents Association and the West Avenue Corridor Neighborhood Association.

So far, four neighborhood associations have signed on to the Belle Isle association initiative, according to Belle Isle board member Herb Frank: the West Avenue Corridor Neighborhood Association, the Venetian Island Homeowner Association, Sunset Island homeowners and the Sunset Island 3 and 4 homeowners group.

Interestingly, one member of the Planning Board,  real estate analyst Charles Urstadt, is a Belle Isle association board member, and a second, architecture professor Jean-Francois LeJeune, was on the board until he resigned in March. A third, Frank Kruszewski, is the former manager of the Costa Brava condominium on Belle Isle and  lives in Sunset Harbour. (Note: An earlier version of this post incorrectly said that Kruszewski is currently the manager at Costa Brava; he no longer is).

Belle Isle gets glimpse of proposed 17th Street hotel

Rendering includes proposed West Ave. bridge.

The developer of the proposed Marriott Residence Inn on 17th Street and West Avenue gave Belle Isle residents a presentation of plans for the 116-room hotel on Thursday.

The project is scheduled for a Planning Board review on April 30.

Here are the vital statistics:

Rendering of the hotel from the Collins Canal.

– It’s a five-story building, the same height as the retail apartment building immediately to the east that houses the Vespa store on the corner of 17th Street and Alton Road. It would have 66 parking spaces in a mechanical lot.

– The development site is tiny, about 25,000 square feet north of 17th Street, east of the planned West Avenue Bridge, and south of the Collins Canal, which parallels Dade Boulevard.

– Residence Inns feature studios and suites with small kitchens tailored toward business travelers and families. It will have a ground floor restaurant for guests only (these hotels provide free breakfasts), a small conference room and a rooftop pool to serve hotel guests only (11 p.m. close). There will be no outdoor bar counter on the roof, and the owner has proposed to agree not to hold any events on the rooftop.

– The developer is the Finvarb Group, headed by Robert Finvarb. The company has a number of Marriott properties in Florida and elsewhere, including the Courtyard Inn on Washington Avenue at 16th Street.  The architect is renowned Kobi Karp.

Belle Isle Residents Association members at Thursday night’s meeting at the Belle Plaza condo had lots of questions about how the hotel would accommodate deliveries, the expected traffic impact, and when employees would come and go.

Traffic planner Richard Garcia said his impact study showed the hotel would generate less than half the traffic of some other uses that could be allowed on the property, such as a pharmacy, dry cleaner or fast food restaurant. He projected the busiest hour for traffic to be 5-6 p.m., when about 33 trips would be made in and out of the property.

The project’s land-use lawyer, Michael Larkin, projected that no more than 12 employees would be working at the hotel at any given time, but that did not include parking valets.

So, what do you think?

17th Street hotel developer to meet with Belle Isle Residents Association

The developers of a Marriott Residence Inn proposed to be built on a sliver of land between 17th Street and the Collins Canal will present plans to members of the Belle Isle Residents Association on Thursday, April 4.

The 116-room hotel is proposed by the Finvarb Group, developer and owner of at least seven Marriott properties across the country, included the Marriott Courtyard on Washington Avenue in South Beach.

The land where the hotel would be built, north of 17th Street between Alton Road and West Avenue, is owned by the Miami Beach Housing Authority. Finvarb has negotiated to buy it, assuming the hotel project is approved by the city.

On March 13, the Miami Beach City Commission relaxed parking requirements for small hotels in the city’s historic district, and added the 17th Street parking to the the more generous rules. That controversial decision was opposed by the Belle Isle Residents Association and the West Avenue Corridor Neighborhood Association.

At the meeting BIRA representatives complained that the city Parking and Transportation Committee was not asked to review the parking policy change, and the hotel project had not been presented to Belle Isle homeowners. Michael Larkin, the lawyer representing Finvarb, said there had been a meeting scheduled with Belle Isle but it was cancelled because of a death in the Finvarb family.

The project still must be approved by the Miami Beach Planning Board.

Miami Beach may reduce parking for hotels, with special rule for project 17th Street and West Avenue

Miami Beach commissioners are scheduled to vote Wednesday on new parking rules that would reduce the number of parking spaces required for hotels in historic districts.

The proposed change, as approved by the city Planning Board, would only apply to the retention of historic buildings — with an exception specifically designed to enable the construction of a new hotel on the north side of 17th Street and West Avenue.

What’s so special about this hotel? A good question for the city commission to answer. Because the parking rules on the agenda for Wednesday seem to be written with that one project in mind.

Proposed Residence Inn site north of 17th Street

Some background: The Miami Beach Housing Authority owns the pie-shaped sliver of land south of the Collins Canal and just east of the proposed West Avenue bridge, which would extend West Avenue north across 17th Street, the canal and  Dade Boulevard, linking with the Sunset Harbour neighborhood.

The Housing Authority has a contract to sell the land to the Finvarb Group — a company headed by Robert Finvarb that owns and operates a slew of Marriotts in South Florida and across the country.

Finvarb has proposed building a five-story Residence Inn by Marriott on the property.  Designed by architect Kobi Karp, it would have five floors, 116 rooms and only 66 parking spaces in a mechanical garage.

The land sale is contingent on the approval of the hotel project.
And the hotel project can’t go forward without the change in the city’s parking rules.

The developers have repeatedly asked the Planning Board to defer consideration of the hotel because the proposed number of parking spaces assumes the city will lessen parking requirements.

And the parking ordinance analysis the city will vote on Wednesday actually singles out the Finvarb project to be exempted from the requirement that the reduction be “only applicable to retention of historic buildings.”

There are areas where the parking reduction won’t apply at all, because of concerns about parking shortages and traffic congestion. One is the neighborhood south of Fifth Street. Another is the West Avenue corridor, which they city contends ends at the doorstep of the Finvarb property — at West Avenue and 17th Street.

The Housing Authority/Finvarb property is across the street from the West Avenue corridor (and you could argue, that when the West Avenue bridge is built, it will be on the corridor.

Nevertheless, specific  language in the staff recommendation to the city commission mentions Finvarb and this exception to the rule: the proposed hotel would get the .5 space per unit break as long as the hotel agrees it will not have a restaurant, pool, bar or special events open to the public.

The Residence Inn’s restaurant and pool will only be used by hotel guests.

The Belle Isle Residents Association, the West Avenue Corridor Neighborhood Association and and Miami Beach United have opposed the new parking rule, and the new hotel. They argue that 17th Street between Alton Road and West Avenue is one of the city’s most congested areas, and adding the hotel — in fact, creating special rules to accommodate the hotel — just makes no sense.

In a letter sent Monday to the Miami Beach mayor and commissioners, Belle Isle Residents Association President Scott Diffenderfer asked that a decision on the parking rule be deferred so the city’s Transportation and Parking Committee could review it.

Diffenderfer is a committee member, and noted that the group typically reviews ordinances that would change parking requirements.

“I have been a member for five years and I am insulted that an amendment as important and controversial as this has not been presented to us,” he wrote. “There is clearly a breakdown in the process.”

The Belle Isle residents group has been seeking a presentation from zoning lawyer Michael Larkin for months. Larkin has met with selected island residents, but not in an open meeting that anyone could attend.

“Many residents have expressed outrage that the City would even consider reducing parking requirements to allow this type of development on that tiny piece of property which is mere feet away from 17th Street and Alton Road – one of the most congested and dysfunctional intersections in our city,” Diffenderfer said in his letter to the city commission.

Congrats to Belle Isle volunteers; the folks who give our neighborhood its voice

Belle Isle Blog is overdue in recognizing the newly elected Belle Isle Residents Association board, which plays a crucial role as our neighborhood advocate on key issues at Miami Beach City Hall and with Miami-Dade County and the Florida Department of Transportation.

They are active (in their day jobs) in areas from architecture to real estate, and many have key roles in other volunteer quality of life ventures — from Miami Beach committees to civic groups.

The association’s president, Scott Diffenderfer (Belle Plaza), is a local Realtor and a member of Miami Beach’s Transportation Committee.

Vice President Charlie Urstadt lives in Belle Towers, and last month was selected as chair of the city of Miami Beach Planning Board. Urstadt also serves as chair of the Miami Beach Design Preservation League, a director of Friends of Miami Marine Stadium and is managing director of Urstadt Real Estate, a consulting firm.

Jean Francois-Lejeune (Belle Plaza) is a professor of architecture (and director of graduate studies) at the University of Miami, author and a Miami Beach Planning Board member.

Nancy Liebman (9 Island Avenue) is a former Miami Beach City Commissioner, and along with long-time board member Herb Frank, one of the founders  of the activist group Miami Beach United. Frank is active with Scenic Miami.

At the risk of leaving anyone out, here’s a complete list of board members as of the latest Belle Island Association election, from the association website:

• Scott Diffenderfer (20 Island Avenue) [President]
• Josh Fisher (9 Island Avenue)
• Herb Frank (10 Venetian Way) [Treasurer]
• Garry Korr (11 Island Avenue)
• Sandra Money (3 Island Avenue)
• Barbara Frank (10 Venetian Way)
• Nancy Liebman (9 Island Avenue)
• David Leeds (20 Island Avenue)
• Monica Tracy (5 Island Avenue) [Secretary)

Directors Elected 2012 (Terms expire January, 2014)

• Nancy Beckham (20 Island Avenue)
• Jean-Francois Lejeune with wife Astrid Rotemberg as Sub (20 Island Avenue)
• Elaine Solomon (1 Century Lane) [Elected January 2013]
• Charles Urstadt (16 Island Avenue)  [Vice-President]

 

Secretary Monica Tracey (5 Island Ave.) is an active area real estate agent.

Standard Hotel hosts Belle Isle residents tonight for expansion overview

The management of The Standard, the boutique hotel on Belle Isle in the old Lido Spa, meets with residents tonight at 6 p.m. to present plans for renovating part of the hotel and adding a mechanized parking structure.

Belle Isle residents learned of the proposal last week  during the Belle Isle Residents Association meeting.

According to BIRA President Scott Diffenderfer, The Standard plans to raze the one-story east wing of the hotel. In its place it would build a robotic parking garage no taller than the three-story spa and lobby building that provides entry to the hotel. Behind that, plans include a new, two-story wing with interior hallways.

We’ll share more details — and hopefully some renderings — after tonight’s meeting at the hotel, 40 Island Ave.

Hotel construction, road work, flooding and Sun Pass on Belle Isle residents agenda

Can robotic parking machines change how people feel about parking garages?

Will a new pumping system, almost complete, keep Sunset Harbour dry the next time we have a full moon and high tide at the same time?

When will the city of Miami Beach finish work on the new Collins Canal seawall and adjacent bike path?

Should digital signage — also known as electronic billboards — be allowed as part of Miami Beach bus shelters?

All those issues and more are one the agenda for the Belle Isle Residents Association annual meeting, which happens Wednesday, Jan. 16, at the Belle Plaza meeting room, 20 Island Ave.

The gathering starts social at 6 p.m., and the meeting should begin at 7.

Representatives from the city of Miami Beach will be on hand to discuss a variety of projects, and hear from residents, says association president Scott Diffenderfer.

Here’s a look at the full agenda:

Discussion and updates on the following City, County and developer projects:
– Collins Canal Seawall and Dade Blvd. Bike Path
– Alton Road Construction and traffic detour plans which will affect West Avenue and Venetian Way
– Ongoing Sunset Harbour Flooding and Pump Station Enhancement project
– Venetian Islands construction on side streets
– Proposed expansion and addition of parking at Standard Hotel
– Proposed Hotel on 17th Street and West Avenue
– Introduction of Miami Beach United
– Update on selection of City Manager
- Update on Convention Center Expansion
– Discussion of request to install Electronic Billboards to bus shelters in Miami Beach
– Timeline and info on how to register your SunPass for use on the Venetian Causeway
– Open forum for residents to ask questions and provide comments

Belle Isle Residents Association picks new new board, still needs members

Most Belle Isle residents don’t know this, but a group of volunteers who live on the island devote dozens of hours each month — collectively hundreds of hours — looking out for us.

They squeeze long-winded government meetings into their busy work days. They cajole public officials to do right. They get to know politicians, planners, road engineers so they can plead, protest, praise — all in the interest of our quality of life on this little island.

You have a voice because they take the time.

But….you aren’t as well represented as you could be. If you live in Costa Brava, The Vistas, Belle Isle Key, the Island House apartments or the bungalow homes, no one from your area serves on the residents association board of directors.

At its annual meeting on Jan. 18, the Belle Isle Homeowner Association elected three board members:  Belle Tower resident Charles Urstadt, Belle Plaza resident Nancy Beckham, and Jean-Francois Lejeune, also of Belle Plaza.

Lejeune is an architecture professor at the University of Miami, and starts his second term. (His wife, Astrid, serves as a substitute when his isn’t available.)

Urstadt, who runs a real estate firm, is the chair of the Miami Design Preservation League.

Beckham is a designer who has experience running hotels in the Caribbean.

They join BIRA president Scott Diffenderfer (Belle Plaza), vice president Josh Fisher (9 Island Avenue), treasurer Herb Frank (Grand Venetian), Secretary Sandra Money (Terrace Tower) and board members Nancy Liebman (9 Island), Barbara Frank (Grand Venetian), David Leeds (Belle Plaza) and Monica Tracy (Island Terrace). Those board members are all halfway through two-year terms.

“We’d love to have some people step up” from the buildings that lack a board member, Diffenderfer said at the Jan. 18 meeting.

If you are interested, you can get more information at the BIRA website. Or fill  out BOARD-APPLICATION and follow the instructions.

It could make a difference for you and your neighbors.

Belle Isle residents to meet; topics range from road and bridge construction to casinos to ING Marathon

The Belle Isle Residents Association holds its annual meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 19 in the board room at Belle Plaza, 20 Island Ave.

It starts at 6 p.m. with socializing; the meeting begins at 7. Here’s the full plan for the evening:

Miami Beach officials will be on hand to discuss ongoing and upcoming projects, answer your questions and hear your comments on issues that affect our neighborhood.

 To be added to our e-mail list or to apply to serve on the Belle Isle Residents Association Board, please send an email tobod@belle-isle-residents.org or call Scott Diffenderfer at 305-458-3334.

 AGENDA

 1.   Welcome and Introductions

2.   Project update/community information

• Miami Beach Community Resource & Outreach Team – Lynn Bernstein
• Belle Isle Park update/input from residents – Parks Department
• Project Updates – Richard Saltryck, Public Works
  • Collins Canal seawall & Dade Blvd. shared use bike path
  • Restriping of Dade Blvd./Venetian Way and effects on traffic
  • Miami Beach/Miami-Dade County construction timeline on Venetian Way
  • Proposed West Avenue Bridge Update
• Venetian Way Bridge Refurbishment/Replacement – Herb Frank
• Destination Casino Bill Opposition Update – Sandy Money/Herb Frank
• Other projects and questions from residents

3.   Upcoming Events affecting Venetian Way

• American Fencing Conference – Jan. 23-27, 2012 – Bus Traffic
• IMG Miami Marathon – Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012 – Road Closures/Race Logistics – Whitney Murphy
• Miami International Boat Show – Feb. 16-20, 2012 – Bus, Boat Traffic

4.   Treasurer’s Report

5.   President’s Report and all other questions from residents

6.   Approval of the Minutes from the January 2011 Annual Meeting

7.   Nominating Committee

• Board of Directors Slate for 2012 & Election of new Board Members

8.   New Business

9.   Adjourn

Belle Isle residents to get updates on causeway construction, proposed new apartment complex

The Belle Isle Residents Association has scheduled its annual meeting for Wednesday, Jan. 18, and the agenda is packed with issues of interest to residents on Belle and other Venetian islands:

–An update on Venetian Causeway construction.

– A presentation on proposals to build a West Avenue bridge over the Collins canal.

– Plans to replace the Venetian Causeway bridges.

– Bike path plans for Dade Boulevard.

– An update on the proposed apartment project to replace Belle Isle Key apartments at 31 Venetian Way. The owner of the property sued Miami Beach last year after the Design Review Board limited the height of one of the buildings he proposed to four floors

If you have issues you’d like to discuss,  email the residents association board of directors at bod@belle-isle-residents.org before Jan. 12.

The business meeting on Jan. 18 will take place in the board room at Belle Plaza, 20 Island Ave., starts at 7 p.m. There will be wine and conversation starting at 6 p.m.