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02-02-1961 Special MeetingMIAMI SHORES VILLAGE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD MEETING February 2, 1961 A special meeting of the Miami Shores Village Planning and Zoning Board was held at 7:30 P.M., February 2, 1961, at the Village Hall, to consider a request for change of zone on the property north of the old Pickin° Chicken Restaurant on Biscayne Blvd. , south of 92nd St. The following members of the Board were present: Absent: Mr. Marion B. Arnold, Chairman Mr. Gordon H. Moyer, Jr. Mr. Elwood Jones Mr. Emrys C. Harris Mr. Thomas B. Baden None Mr. Charles H. Markel, Building and Zoning Director, Mr, William Bradford, Assistant Director, and the Village Manager, were also present, as well as, about 50 Villagers and business people. Since Mr. Arnold was not present when the meeting opened, Mr. Harris moved that Mr. Moyer take the chair pro tem. Motion was seconded by Mr. Jones and passed. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as written by motion made by Mr., Jones, seconded by Mr. Baden and passed. (1) Before the meeting was turned over to the zoning hearing, Mr. Don Hoefle asked the Board to consider the variance requested at the last meeting for the use of 10 ft. in the rear setback for a second garage for Mr. Caster at 395 N. E. 97th St. Mr. Caster presented signatures of the neighbors having no objection to this variance, as requested by Mr. Harris. After further discussion, Mr. Harris moved we approve this request inasmuch as the people in the immediate neighborhood do not object. Motion died for lack of a second. Mr. Jones then moved that the Board recommend to the Council that this request be denied. Motion was seconded by Mr. Baden and passed by Messrs. Jones, Moyer and Baden, with Mr. Harris dissenting. (2) PUBLIC HEARING ON RE -ZONING A PORTION OF SHORES CENTER SUBDIVISION Mr. Moyer stated that a petition had been filed by Mr. P. L. Watson, owner, for the re -zoning of that portion of Tract A, Shores Center Sub., north of the south line of the NW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section 6, Township 53 South, Range 42 East, for the construction of an ultra modern shopping mall. This property is bounded on the north by N. E. 92nd St., on the east by Biscayne Blvd. and on the west by N. E. 6th Ave. and Club Drive. Mr. Albert DeJacomo spoke in favor of the project and the importance of developing this area. -2- 2/2/61 Mrs. Edith Clark, broker for the deal, outlined the plan of develop- ment for high-class Tiffaney type shops with beautiful landscaping, surround-. ing wall, parking areas, etc. Mr. Kenneth Stucker, 129 N. E. 109th St. , President of the Miami. Shores Chamber of Commerce, stated that this shopping mall or center has no advantage whatsoever; that there should not be any more shopping centers in this area. He wanted to go on record as saying that this is out of reason and out of line and that this property should be maintained as an apartment and motel area, Mr. Paul Kinney, owner of the Shores Villas apartments on 92nd St., went into the background of the apartment zoning in that area and that they were promised when they built that the zoning would not be changed to depre- ciate their investment; that they did not want business any closer to their apartments and wanted the zoning to stay as it is. Mrs. Clark stated the developer did not plan a restaurant or liquor license. Mr. Jerome Blonder, owner of National Hardware, objected to the shopping center. Mr. Sol Heilpern, owner of Center Pharmacy, didn't think it would. benefit the Village to bring more traffic here, that it would not improve present conditions. Mr. Carl Paulsen, owner of Paulsen's, thought they would not be able to get enough of the Tiffaney type businesses and eventually they would have to take less. Mrs. Clark stated that she has buyers and tenants lined up; that this couldn't hurt the business on 2nd Ave., some of the stores would be, expensive luggage, jewelery, furs, bridal shop, bridal gifts, etc. Mr. Vincent Schneier, 670 N. E. 93rd St. , homeowner in the affected area, wanted to know if anyone can ask for a zoning change. He stated that he was vehemently against any re -zoning. The Chairman stated that any property owner has the right to file for a change of zone and. the Board must hear his petition. Mrs. DeJacomo, Albert's Motel, spoke in favor of developing this land to help the Boulevard business area, Mrs. Leslie V. Brown, 690 N E. 93rd St., objected to the class of people that a shopping mall might bring into the Shores. Mr. John Gianaris, owner of the Mt. Vernon Motel. within the affected area, wanted to get something in there and get things moving, either a motel or apartment house or a mall. Mr. Stucker stated he hoped the merchants present would take heed of the criticism of 2nd Avenue business and do something about it. -3,.. Mr. Vincent Schneier thought we should maintain the theme of a residential area. 2/2/61 Mrs. Clark stated this would enhance Mr. Kinney's apartments, with a 25 ft. setback on 92nd St. , offstreet parking and a serpentine wall. Mr. J. R. Todd, 700 N. E. 93rd St. , felt it would jeopardize his home. " Mr. J. W. Keen, 660 N. E. 93rd St., stated his neighborhood was quiet and residential and that this would generate traffic on Club Drive and 6th Ave. and was definitely opposed to the plan. Mr. Les Brown, 690 N. E. 93rd St., bought his house with apart- ments next to him which turned out OK but he felt this encroachment of business would devaluate his property. Mr. Ed Wolz, co-owner of apartments on 92nd St., pointed out that if the land had been priced reasonably for apartments and motels, they would be on it; that it probably will be held that way until the zoning is broken down. Mr. Wolz thought the streets in this area could not handle a great influx of traffic, and that they would rather see apartments in that area, even in competition, than business. Mr. Gordon of 90th St. and Biscayne Blvd. , thought something should be done to this area and that a shopping mall would enhance the property to a great extent. Mr. Otto Brady, 495 N. E. 91st St., pointed out if it were re -zoned to B-1 it opens the area to many uses other than the Tiffany type shops, that the Village could not spot this type of business. Mr. Charles Matus of the Miami Shores Cities Service Station, thought there would be about a two million dollar investment in this shopping mall and that 20 or 30 stores could not support it, unless there was a great volume of traffic. Mrs. Clark stated there are only six acres involved and it would not become a big shopping area. Mrs. Holtzhauser, 166 N. E. 92nd St. , thought this was too big for Miami Shores to get into. Mr. L. Carpenter, 770 N. E. 91st St., a co-op owner, stated no one in his apartment building objects to this; that he didn't think there was any reason for stopping progress and wanted to go along with. it. Mr. Bill Clayton, who just recently established an architectural practice in the Shores, pointed out that the property has been sitting there idle for some time and is probably too high priced for apartments and will remain unimproved; that if Metro would take over it would be put under the Master Plan and probably be turned into commercial property. -4- 2/2/61 Dr. Harry R. Keiser, stated he was an official U.S. taxpayer, and that we (Chamber of Commerce) are not holding back progress, that the property could be developed by building apartments. Chairman Arnold stated he thought this whole area should be changed to business; that this property was opened for suit when half of it was zoned for the Pickin° Chicke:4 Restaurant. • Mr. Kinney thought we should put the Pickin° Chicken property back to the former zoning. Mr. Andruss thought we have too many shopping centers in this area. The manager of the Shores Theatre, stated that he, on behalf of the Paramount Theatres, objected to this. Mr. Emrys Harris stated that in view of the Chairman's voicing an opinion on the change, he moved that the Board consider the proposal and make a. decision on the matter.tonight. Motion was seconded by Mr. Baden and passed unanimously. The Village Manager then suggested that the Planning Board seek out reasons for and against the change and the effect of the total development of the Village and how it will affect the other zoning on. Biscayne Blvd. and the surrounding property. Mr. Harris then changed his motion to the effect that on the 2nd Thursday in February that this matter be considered by the Board for final vote. The amended motion was seconded by Mr, Baden and passed with Mr. Jones dissenting. UNFINISHED BUSINES OF EXTENSION OF X -ZONE FOR PEOPLES NATIONAL BANK: Mr. Moyer made the following. statement: "There are many business men who favor the expansion of the commerical zone in Miami Shores, I, for one, am not in favor of such an expansion. At the public hearing on Thursday, January 26, 1961, many Villagers protested the change in zoning from residential to parking. I deeply and sincerely respect their opinions and protests. The economic changes that are taking place today affect all of us. In the early days, the lots to the west of the lots in question were zoned for business, there was no parking problem, However, since the last war or during the last 15 years„ the automobile has become a necessity rather than a luxury. Some families require two for their needs. These additional auto- mobiles have created definite parking problems, Since the parking restrictions have been placed on these /rats to the west, I recommend to the Council that the four lots east and adjacent to the alley be changed from residential to parking." Motion was seconded by Mr. Jones. Mr. Baden stated that he felt that eventually this change has to come and that this is the time to make it. Mr. Arnold stated he didn't like to see the request for parking qzi OA -5- 2/2/61 south side but since they now own it, he didn't see what else the Board could doe and the Bank would be back again if the Board only changed the 95th St. side. 11 Mr. Harris stated that at the present time the petitioner, Peoples Bank, owns frontage on 2nd Ave, Lots 13, 14, 158 16 and 17, Block 288 now being used for offstreet parking. They stated at the meeting that they had no plans to use that for its present zoning purpose, which is business. The Bank also owns Lots 16 and 17, Block 29 which is being used for offstreet parking by the petitioner and his tenants. At the hearing there was no evidence presented to this Board either by the petitioner or anyone else to indicate that the property on 2nd Ave. now being used for offstreet parking or the property on 95th St. east of the A & P which is now being used for offstreet parking, is not sufficient to cover existing needs. Therefore, there was no evidence presented to satisfy me that any additional offstreet parking is needed." an Mr. Jones stated, "I have beer/advocate of offstreet parking behind the business lots since I have been on the Planning Board and that it was the original purpose of the planning of the Shores to have the lots behind the business lots for parking. I feel there is a definite place forthe business in Miami Shores as well as for the residences." The motion passed 4/1 with Mr. Harris dissenting. The meeting adjourned at 10:25 P.M. —Ta%ef4k-;?;e,m14:44?_, Clerk • Approved: