The News of Our Defeat Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

The News of Our Defeat Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

Dear Fellow Morningsiders and NE neighbors,

You may have seen a story in the latest SunPost that stated Morningside was defeated in our appeal of a proposed 110-foot condo at the March 28th Zoning Board meeting. [“Appeal Against 110-Foot Building on Biscayne Boulevard Denied,” published March 31.]
There were some minor errors in the article and a very significant omission.
A key point of Morningside’s appeal was that the building plans did not comply with the current SD-9 zoning code. The building plans state it has a rear setback slope of 63 degrees.

But the current SD-9 requires a 45-degree slope. This critically important 45-degree-angle setback information was presented at the meeting, but the SunPost did not mention it in the article.
Due to an apparent miscommunication within the city of Miami, the updated zoning code was not available at that meeting, and the zoning board denied our appeal.
However, within days of Morningside having pointed out this violation of the zoning code, city of Miami officials stated they were withdrawing the proposed building’s permit because of this noncompliance.
So we won!
Numerous residents of 61st Street will be quite relieved to know this news. Thanks again to the many who have worked behind the scenes to protect Biscayne Boulevard from high-rises. Be well.

Elvis Cruz

Morningside Civic Association

© 2004 Miami Sunpost