West Flagler three-building complex gets go-ahead

A major mixed-use development bringing apartments, office space and commercial uses to West Flagler Street in Miami moved ahead after the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board approved an exception and six waivers.

The project changing nearly a full block hugged by West Flagler and Northwest First streets is composed of three buildings: Flagler Oasis Residences, which is under construction, Flagler Residential Tower and Flagler Professional Building.

Gamla Cedron Flagler Oasis II LLC and Gamla Cedron Flagler Oasis III LLC are the applicants for the project at 1150 NW First St. and 1155 W Flagler St. that will become home to 348 residences, 73,828 square feet of offices, 19,950 square feet of commercial-retail, and parking for 597 vehicles. The tallest structure is 16 stories.

The appeals board voted 7 to 0 to approve an exception to the Miami 21 zoning code, and six waivers to the code.

The vote included several conditions listed by the planning and zoning staff.

Miami 21 requires a property zoned Urban Core Transect Zone-Open have a lot size no larger than 70,000 square feet. The lot size can be exceeded if the development is shown to provide neighborhood uses, in this case residential, retail and office uses.

The 2.324-acre site is most of a block fronting West Flagler Street to the south, Northwest 11th Avenue to the east, Northwest First Street to the north, and a multi-tenant commercial structure with surface parking to the west.

Attorney Iris Escarra, representing the developer at the appeals board meeting, said Building 1 is under construction at 1104/1110 NW First St., 1125 W Flagler St., 28 NW 11th Ave. and a portion of 1140 NW First St. It is an 8-story structure with 100 residential units, ground floor retail uses, and a parking structure.

Building 2 consists of a portion of 1140 NW First St. and is to be 16 stories with 248 residential units, ground floor commercial uses, and a parking structure.

Building 3 consists of a portion of 1139 W Flagler St. and is to include about 13,800 square feet of commercial uses, 70,400 square feet of offices, and a parking structure.

Ms. Escarra said Flagler Oasis will provide a fully activated cross-block passage along the west property line adjacent to Building 2 with an open area with benches, lighting, landscaping, and other amenities including bike racks.

It will serve as a connection point between West Flagler Street and Northwest First Street.

Waivers that were approved will allow:

■A 30% parking reduction for properties within a quarter mile of a transit corridor.

■Substitution of two residential loading berths for one commercial berth.

■Above ground parking to extend into the second layer along the primary frontage, if an art, glass, or architectural treatment is provided for the façade.

■A 10% reduction in the required frontage setbacks above the eighth story.

■A 10% reduction in the required side setbacks above the eighth story.

■A 10% reduction in the required tower-to-tower separation above the eighth story.

Ms. Escarra told the appeals board before the vote, “We accept conditions of staff.”
Those conditions include, in part:

■Signage shall be processed under a separate permit.

■Compliance with the requirements of all applicable departments/agencies as part of the city’s building permit submittal process.

■Failure to comply may result in immediate revocation of this exception and shall be subject to any fines and penalties.

■Any modifications to the approved plans shall require a new review for approval confirmation from the planning director.

■Pursuant to Miami 21 “an Exception shall be valid for a period of two years during which a building permit or Certificate of Use must be obtained.

This excludes a demolition or landscape permit. A one-time extension, for a period not to exceed an additional year, may be obtained if approved by the Planning Director.”

■The city reserves the right to inspect the site to ensure compliance with the conditions.

■Any noise generated shall conform to the city’s noise regulation, and concerns or complaints related to noise nuisance will be resolved immediately.