renner01
January 9th, 2005, 02:39 PM
Posted on Sun, Jan. 09, 2005
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MORNINGSIDE
Residents to battle another condo project
Morningside homeowners, irked by what they say is overdevelopment, have begun mounting another challenge against a condo project.
BY DAVID OVALLE
dovalle@herald.com
In another battle against what they say are undesirable developments in the Upper Eastside, residents of the Morningside neighborhood are appealing the approval of two condo towers on Biscayne Boulevard.
This time, residents have asked the Miami City Commission to deny construction of two eight-story towers at 5301 and 5501 Biscayne Blvd. The development was approved by the city's zoning board in mid-December.
But residents say the buildings are out-of-scale and will dwarf the adjacent Morningside historic neighborhood.
The towers will be ''right up against the property line,'' said Andrew Dickman, an attorney hired by Morningside residents. ``If you're in the backyard of your single-family home in Morningside, you're going to be staring at a wall.''
The project's architect, Bernard Zyscovich, dismissed the criticism, saying the project was well within the zoning guidelines passed by the city last year that limited residential buildings to eight stories.
He said the towers made sense in an area of the city undergoing sweeping revitalization and that ``has this beautiful jewel of a street which was the original main boulevard of the city.''
''This will become a very alive district, where people can stroll and go and enjoy life without having to get into their car,'' Zyscovich said.
The two towers would feature retail on the bottom floors and 105 residential units in total. The appeal will go before the City Commission on Feb. 24.
Some residents in the Morningside neighborhood have been the most vocal against some developments going up in the Upper Eastside.
In December, they convinced the City Commission to send another Zyscovich project -- two towers on 51st and 53rd streets -- back to the drawing board to revise plans, including deepening the underground parking garage.
Last year, many Morningside residents also bitterly opposed approval of Kubik, a two-tower condo building on Biscayne Boulevard near Northeast 55th Street.
Kubik was eventually approved by the City Commission, but residents have since sued. They presented their argument in front of a three-judge appellate panel in December and are awaiting a response.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/states/florida/counties/miami-dade/cities_neighborhoods/north/10596713.htm
Click to learn more...
MORNINGSIDE
Residents to battle another condo project
Morningside homeowners, irked by what they say is overdevelopment, have begun mounting another challenge against a condo project.
BY DAVID OVALLE
dovalle@herald.com
In another battle against what they say are undesirable developments in the Upper Eastside, residents of the Morningside neighborhood are appealing the approval of two condo towers on Biscayne Boulevard.
This time, residents have asked the Miami City Commission to deny construction of two eight-story towers at 5301 and 5501 Biscayne Blvd. The development was approved by the city's zoning board in mid-December.
But residents say the buildings are out-of-scale and will dwarf the adjacent Morningside historic neighborhood.
The towers will be ''right up against the property line,'' said Andrew Dickman, an attorney hired by Morningside residents. ``If you're in the backyard of your single-family home in Morningside, you're going to be staring at a wall.''
The project's architect, Bernard Zyscovich, dismissed the criticism, saying the project was well within the zoning guidelines passed by the city last year that limited residential buildings to eight stories.
He said the towers made sense in an area of the city undergoing sweeping revitalization and that ``has this beautiful jewel of a street which was the original main boulevard of the city.''
''This will become a very alive district, where people can stroll and go and enjoy life without having to get into their car,'' Zyscovich said.
The two towers would feature retail on the bottom floors and 105 residential units in total. The appeal will go before the City Commission on Feb. 24.
Some residents in the Morningside neighborhood have been the most vocal against some developments going up in the Upper Eastside.
In December, they convinced the City Commission to send another Zyscovich project -- two towers on 51st and 53rd streets -- back to the drawing board to revise plans, including deepening the underground parking garage.
Last year, many Morningside residents also bitterly opposed approval of Kubik, a two-tower condo building on Biscayne Boulevard near Northeast 55th Street.
Kubik was eventually approved by the City Commission, but residents have since sued. They presented their argument in front of a three-judge appellate panel in December and are awaiting a response.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/states/florida/counties/miami-dade/cities_neighborhoods/north/10596713.htm