March 15, 2018 Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes The City of CITY COMMISSION
Aventura�e WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES Aventura Government Center
�Y �LJI���I MARCH 15, 2018 19200 W.Country Club Drive
Aventura, Florida 33180
FOLLOWING COMMISSION MEETING AT
9:00 A.M.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Enid
Weisman at 10:45 a.m. The following were present: Mayor Enid Weisman, Vice Mayor
Robert Shelley, Commissioner Denise Landman, Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks,
Commissioner Gladys Mezrahi, Commissioner Marc Narotskyl, Commissioner Howard
Weinberg, City Manager Susan L. Grant, City Clerk Ellisa L. Horvath, and City Attorney
David M. Wolpin. As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
Mr. Wolpin requested an attorney/client session on pending items for Williams Island
Property Owners' Association, Inc. vs. City of Aventura regarding attorney fees, to be
scheduled in the near future.
1. PORT AVENTURA (Akerman, Joanne Carr): Niesen Kasdin, Esq. (Akerman
LLP, 98 S.E. 7th Street, Suite 1100, Miami) on behalf of Granite Aventura LLC (the
Applicant) provided a proposal for a mixed-use development consisting of 205
residential units and 180 hotel rooms.
The following provided comments on behalf of the Applicant: Harry Gross (Principal),
Bernardo Fort-Brescia (Architect), Cecelia Ward (Consultant), and John Kim (Traffic
Engineer).
Community Development Director Joanne Carr provided a staff report, without
objections to a mixed-use district, but with concerns of the proposed project's increased
traffic impact to Biscayne Blvd., Miami Gardens Drive, and other streets in Aventura.
The following members of the public provided comments: Rabbi Rosenfeld (on behalf of
Lubavitch Aventura South) and Brian Adler, Esq.(Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod, 1450 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2300, Miami) on behalf of Cabi Developers
(property owner to the east).
Vice Mayor Shelley disclosed that Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod represents
him on business items.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for the
Applicant to continue working with Mrs. Carr to mitigate some of the issues and to bring
the item back at a future workshop.
2. PROPOSED CODE AMENDMENT FOR SUN SHADOW (Jeffery Bercow,
Joanne Carr): Jeffrey Bercow, Esq. (Bercow Radell & Fernandez, 200 S. Biscayne
Blvd. Suite 850, Miami) on behalf of YCM Acquisitions, LLC (the Applicant) reviewed a
proposal for an amendment to the RMF4 (High Density Residential) District in the City's
Land Development Regulations, to allow sun shadow to fall upon public or private
waterways and docks.
' Commissioner Narotsky left the meeting at 12:08 p.m., prior to Item 2.
Aventura City Commission
Workshop Meeting Minutes—March 15, 2018
The following provided comments on behalf of the Applicant: Kobi Karp (Architect) and
Michael Gilbert (Applicant Attorney).
Community Development Director Joanne Carr provided a staff report and
recommended that the proposal be allowed as a conditional use, in lieu of a permitted
use.
Mr. Wolpin explained the difference in procedures and noticing requirements for an
amendment to the City's Land Development Regulations as requested, which would
apply to all of the properties within the RMF4 District, and a conditional use, which
would only apply to the property seeking the change.
Mr. Bercow agreed to provide notice to the adjacent Porto Vita Townhouse property
owners, if an amendment was considered to the City's Land Development Regulations.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
proceed with preparing an amendment to the City's Land Development Regulations,
with notification to all of the adjacent Porto Vita Townhouse owners regarding the public
hearings.
The Commission briefly adjourned at 12:51 p.m. and reconvened at 12:53 p.m.
3. RESOLUTION ON ATTENDING ADVISORY BOARD MEETINGS (Susan
Grant): Mrs. Grant reviewed the Resolution pertaining to the attendance of Commission
members at Advisory Board meetings.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the Commission that
members that wish to speak at an Advisory Board meeting request to be placed on that
Board's agenda through the City Manager. The City Manager would then place that item
on the Board's agenda, if deemed appropriate. Mrs. Grant will determine if any
adjustments need to be made to the Resolution, based on the Commission's direction.
4. JAZZ, WINE, AND CHEESE EVENT (Kimberly Merchant): Community
Services Director Kimberly Merchant reviewed items for the Taste of Excellence event,
scheduled for April 14th at 7:30 p.m. at Arthur Snyder Park including the following:
layout, food/beverage menu and locations, outdoor lighting, tables, South Florida Jazz
Orchestra performance, marketing plan, articles in local media publications,
parking/transportation plan, and rsvp list of 325 attendees to date.
City Manager Summary: No action - this item was provided for informational
purposes.
5. MEDICAL MARIJUANA (Commissioner Mezrahi): Commissioner Mezrahi
requested again that she be allowed to speak to the legislative representatives on
behalf of the City, regarding policy/law and promoting education on medical marijuana.
She discussed concerns with the placement of an item for recreational marijuana on a
future ballot.
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Aventura City Commission
Workshop Meeting Minutes—March 15, 2018
The Commission discussed the fact that the voters had already approved the item and
the City has banned dispensaries.
City Manager Summary: No additional direction was given on this item.
The following additional items were discussed:
Mayor Weisman reported on the following upcoming events in Aventura: Branches of
Bravery (March 17) and Lauren's Kids 8th Annual Walk in My Shoes (March 19).
6. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the
Commission, the meeting was adjourned by consensus of the Commission at 1:27 p.m.
Ellisa L. Horvath, MM • lerk
Approved by the Commission on May 1, 2018.
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