February 18, 2021 Aventura City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes •
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AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION
REGULAR WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 18, 2021
9:00 a.m.
Virtual Meeting Via Video Conferencing
The meeting was held via video conferencing through Zoom, as specified on the meeting
public notice and agenda, as a result of the continued COVID-19 state of emergency.
1. Call to Order/Roll Call: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Enid Weisman
at 9:00 a.m. The following were present: Mayor Enid Weisman, Vice Mayor Robert
Shelley, Commissioner Jonathan Evans, Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland,
Commissioner Denise Landman, Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks, Commissioner Marc
Narotsky, City Manager Ronald J. Wasson, City Clerk Ellisa L. Horvath, and City Attorney
David M. Wolpin. As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
As requested by Mayor Weisman and consensus of the Commission items 3 and 4 were
taken out of order.
3. Discussion: Appointment of Members for the Community Services Advisory
Board, Art in Public Places Advisory Board and Don Soffer Aventura High School
Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors (City Manager): Mr. Wasson presented the
Commission with the names of proposed members for the Community Services Advisory
Board, Art in Public Places Advisory Board, and Don Soffer Aventura High School
Foundation Inc. Board of Directors, as outlined in the agenda.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with the placement of resolutions on the March 2nd Commission Meeting Agenda for the
appointment of members to the Boards as presented by Mr. Wasson.
4. Discussion: Support of Florida House and Senate Bills 239 and 334
Restricting Smoking in Public Places (City Manager): Mayor Weisman reviewed the
bills as outlined in the agenda.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to proceed
with placing the proposed resolution as presented, on the March 2nd Commission Meeting
Agenda.
2. Presentation: North Medical District Development Proposal (City Manager):
Mr. Wasson explained the proposal received for development in the north medical office
district.
Aventura City Commission
Regular Workshop Meeting Minutes—February 18, 2021
Vice Mayor Shelley previously disclosed his relationship with the Bilzin Sumberg law firm
for his business.
Joanne Carr, Community Development Director, briefly explained the master plan to be
presented for development in the medical office district.
Brian Adler, Esq. (Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP), accompanied by Fidel
Zabik (Vice President-Arquitectonica), Bernardo Rieber (Developer), and Bernardo Fort-
Brescia (President — Arquitectonica) presented conceptual plans titled Aventura Distrikt
Development (214 Street). The presentation displayed the following: location map,
rendering, precedent images, ground floor, and massing. Items highlighted included the
proper flow of 2141h Street with roadway dedication and improvements, 3 residential
buildings, 1 assisted living facility, 1 hotel, retail and parking throughout, and a park area.
Proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Code would include an increased
floor area ratio from 2.0 to 2.49 and increased density from 45 to 57 dwelling units.
Ms. Carr provided information on the process for the project and expressed the project
as being a positive development for the area.
The Commission discussed the need for the plans to stay in substantial compliance with
the master plan that was presented, traffic studies to be presented to address concerns
with increased traffic, increasing the green space, positive impact on the property values
within the City, and the added value of the live/work/play dynamic.
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission for the
project to move forward through the process.
The following additional items were discussed:
The Commission discussed the upcoming movie night on March 20th, providing the Youth
Advisory Board with a project to create a presentation to entice Trader Joe's to open a
store in Aventura, disseminating the park hours to residents, providing residents access
to the high school gym to play basketball when available, and looking into adding pickle
ball courts.
Mr. Wasson provided an update on the grant application for the park.
5. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Commission,
the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 10:36 a.m.
Ellisa L. Horvath, MMC, City Clerk
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Approved by the City Commission on March 2, 2021 .
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