Zoning approvals sought for Coral Reef Commons Complex

Zoning approvals sought for Coral Reef Commons Complex
Zoning approvals sought for Coral Reef Commons Complex
Aerial view of proposed site

Zoning approvals that would allow development of a major shopping and residential complex known as “Coral Reef Commons” on a 143-acre tract off SW 152nd Street will be sought during a public hearing on Sept. 17 in South Dade.

The project combining retail and housing is located within a triangular-shaped property fronting Coral Reef Drive (SW 152nd Street) between the 124th Avenue entry road to Zoo Miami and 127th Avenue that leads to the South Campus of the University of Miami and other areas occupied by various U.S. Government agencies.

The application with seven variances among a list of 15 special requests was the ninth in a series of amended documents submitted by the Holland & Knight law firm on behalf of the university since July 2012.

According to a June 5 letter of intent, 143 acres now zoned agricultural would split into three adjoining districts: BU-2 (Special Business) 60.4 acres fronting SW 152nd Street; RU-4L, Limited Apartment House of 35.65 acres adjoining the shopping area to the southeast; PAD (Planned Area Development) for 47.31 acres to the southwest of the RU-4L District.

Zoning approvals would open project development by RAM Real Estate for a three-story rental apartment development of 900 units with 400 in Phase I, according to Kerry-Ann Wilson, spokesperson for the Palm Beach Gardens firm.

The firm currently is in negotiations with Walmart for an anchor location in the BU-2 District. Sale of the property by the university is contingent upon rezoning and other items. A special exception is sought to permit a package store.

As originally submitted for rezoning and land use change in 2012, development plans were outlined for 347,830 square feet of retail and office space with an adjoining a residential area of up to 1,008 units, including a clubhouse, swimming pools and similar amenities with connectivity to the shopping area.

Space for an 18,000-square-foot library and a 0.4-acre school proposed on an original site plan will remain as part of zoning for potential conveyance to Miami-Dade Schools according to a June 5 letter to Eric Silva, assistant director for the Department of Regulatory and Economic Research.

The project applied for approval as a Comprehensive Development Master Plan (CDMP) change in October 2012 to re-designate the north portion of the property from “Low- Medium Density Residential” to “Business and Office” to permit the rezoning request.

On its website, RAM describes the site as “located in a densely populated submarket of Miami, containing approximately 300,000 residents within a five-mile radius,” concluding, “The area is highly underserved for retail uses, and is primed for anchor/junior anchor space, restaurants, banks, and other service providers.”

The public hearing is scheduled to begin before Community Council 14 as a Zoning Board of Appeals at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 17, in Room 104 (Old Building) in the South Dade Government Center, 10710 SW 211 St. Documents on file can be examined by visiting <www.miamidade.gov/zoning/track/home.asp> with other detail available by tel. 305-375-2640.

Other rezonings on the agenda:

• An application by South Florida Real Estate Holdings LLC asks a district boundary change from EU-1 (Estates 1 Family 1 Acre Gross) to a BU-1A District (Business Limited) at the southwest corner of SW 200th Street and SW 127th Avenue.

• Sunny Holdings, LLC seeks a non-use variance to permit a single-family residence with a reduced setback on a 50-by-93 foot parcel approximately 369 feet south of 18151 SW 142 Pl.


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1 COMMENT

  1. Have been watching this and I know the area very well. First is the issue of the Rockland and keeping centries old land away from development. Second I can not see how they would be able to handle the increased traffic on SW 152 St (Coral Reef Dr). Ther is no other way into this property other than off Coral Reef Dr and with the amount of development proposed it would be come a nightmare. I do think there are already too many Wal-Marts in Dade County so again no reason to push the issue. And by the way if the U of M did not want the property anymore they should have given it back to the US Government.

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