Commission to consider height limitations

Morningside activists are hailing a Miami City Commission decision to take a new look at building heights along Biscayne Boulevard.

BY JASON JEFFERS

jeffers@herald.com

Developers looking to construct new condos along the east side of Biscayne Boulevard may soon be faced with stiffer building height restrictions.

At its meeting last week, the Miami City Commission voted 4-0 to direct city staff to look at permissible building heights along a swath of land on the east side of Biscayne Boulevard that runs adjacent to the historic Morningside neighborhood.

The vote came after a contentious showdown between the Morningside Civic Association and developers of a condo project proposed for Biscayne Boulevard between 53rd and 55th streets.

The city's zoning board had previously approved the project, but the Morningside activists sought an appeal. They got their chance at the commission's March 10 meeting.

Buffeted by a team of zoning attorneys, urban planners, architects and representatives from neighboring homeowner associations, Morningside residents argued that any building taller than 35 feet would be out of scale with their single-family home neighborhood.

The developers, Morningside Development LLC, argued fervently in favor of their project, composed of two 100-foot buildings to be constructed at 5301 and 5501 Biscayne Boulevard.

But the commission agreed with the Morningside residents, stating that high-rises would disrupt the character of the neighborhood.

''Morningside is an historic neighborhood . . . beautiful single-family neighborhood, great tree canopy, really cool architecture all over the place,'' said Commissioner Johnny Winton. ``Those big buildings do not belong there.''

As a result, the commission voted to grant the civic association's appeal, and directed the city's planning staff to explore new building height restrictions for the eastern swath of Biscayne Boulevard that abuts Morningside, something several area activists have advocated.

Last year, the commission passed an ordinance adjusting the height limits between 36th and 87th Streets on Biscayne Boulevard. Currently, commercial buildings can be no taller than 85 feet and residential buildings no taller than 95 feet.

Still, it was not enough to satisfy many area residents.

''None of the homeowners were particularly pleased with the restriction,'' said Andrew Dickman, attorney for the Morningside Civic Association. ``They have taken the position that there should be nothing over three stories.''

''I don't know what the magic height limit is,'' said Winton. ``I don't know if it's 35 feet, I don't know if it's 25 feet, I don't know if it's 45 feet, but you know from common sense it isn't much above that.''

Elvis Cruz, a Morningside resident and former president of the Morningside Civic Association, was relieved at the outcome.

''We were hoping [Winton] would make the suggestion, and we were absolutely thrilled when he did,'' he said. ``This is an important step in preserving the scale and character of the neighborhood. We're going to get together with Planning and Zoning and see what we can come up with.''

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