Statement of support for Alton Ventures Development
On behalf of the SoBe West Neighborhood Association, we are issuing this Statement of Support for the “Alton City Center Overlay” within the CD-2 Zoning District for the former Epicure site on Alton Road.
The Developer, Alton Ventures Development, is proposing a mixed use redevelopment that prioritizes long-term residential housing at a price point that is feasible for entry level professionals, young families and others who are currently price out of the City of Miami Beach, drives non-seasonal pedestrian traffic to support local businesses and provides a community based approach to development as an alternative to what could be developed at the site under the Live Local Act. We believe that Alton City Center will be positive development for the residents and businesses in our neighborhood, improving the quality of life for everyone concerned.
The Developer is requesting an increase in the allowable Floor Area Ratio (“FAR”) to build 215 residential units in a 180-foot building covering a maximum of 256,000 square feet. Although the proposed FAR is approximately twice what is presently allowed, it is significantly less that what could be developed on this site under the Live Local Act, which could be as high as 519 feet (the height of the Five Park Condominium complex) with little or no regulatory oversight by the City of Miami Beach. Importantly, the Development will be mixed use for our community with retail on the ground and second floor, some office space and substantial parking spaces for residents, workers and visitors to the building. Short-term rentals will be prohibited for this building, which is an important consideration for our neighborhood.
SoBe West has held two resident meetings with the Developer with over two hundred participants in attendance. The Developer reviewed the project in detail and answered many questions. The feedback from residents at these meetings was favorable due to the attractive nature of the proposed development with price-points to attract professionals and young families to our neighborhood. Moreover, residents seemed pleased to learn about a development with this focus over what kind of monstrosity could be built on the site under the Live Local Act.
A final reason for our support of the project is the potential community benefits which we have been discussing with the Developer. Those benefits are likely to include: landscaping for surface lots next to the Post Office and pump stations, funding support for Alton Court improvements and landscaping improvements for our parklets. In addition, we are encouraging the Developer to work with us for parking options to offset the loss of over 140 street parking spaces due to the West Avenue Phase II Project.
The SoBe West Board