5/12/2024

Updates from our EMAIL list and upcoming IMPORTANT meetings:

ESSENTIAL CITY OF POMPANO BEACH MEETINGS

There are currently TWO VERY IMPORTANT meetings that NEED MASS attendance THIS COMING WEEK!

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - 1pm -

City Commission Meeting - Link to Agenda **Links for more information on city website are in underlined text**

This meeting will be to discuss SEVERAL issues related to Briny Ave. and the surrounding areas.

Briny Ave & 2nd Street (East Side - at Beach) They are proposing that the city REMOVES the sand dune ON THE BEACH (hello, sea turtles?) and creates 25 parking spaces on the EAST side of Briny Ave. (which will also bring MORE car traffic ON Briny Ave.) and ELIMINATE/MOVE the SAND DUNE at 2nd Street & Briny Ave.

WEST side of Briny Ave. & 2nd Street (existing currently, which personally, I don't see an objection to) would allow them to RENEW the parking contract for those exising 40 parking spaces in the grassy area just south of 111 Briny Ave (South Tower of Pompano Beach Club), which allows the traffic to come in on either A1A or on SE 2nd, and doesn't impact Briny Ave. as much.

THIS ONE IS A BIG ONE!!!! The city is NOW proposing a CHANGE to the CHARTER of the CITY OF POMPANO BEACH. Here's how it reads on the agenda...

P.H. 2024-36: (PUBLIC HEARING 1ST READING) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF POMPANO BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING ARTICLE XXV, SECTIONS 250, 251 AND 253 TO CHAPTER 57-174, LAWS OF FLORIDA SPECIAL ACTS OF 1957 AS SUBSEQUENTLY AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF POMPANO BEACH, FLORIDA, TO MODIFY REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS RELATING TO CONTRACTS AND LEASES AND TO REVISE LANGUAGE TO BE CONSISTENT WITH STATE LAW AS TO USE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS; TO AMEND CRITERIA FOR TRANSFER OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY TO OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES; PROVIDING THAT IF THE AMENDMENTS ARE APPROVED BY A MAJORITY OF THE VOTERS AT THE GENERAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 5, 2024, THEN SUCH AMENDMENTS SHALL BECOME A PART OF THE CITY’S CHARTER UPON CERTIFICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF ELECTION RESULTS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

(Fiscal Impact: Tax dollar savings unknown at this time) POSTPONED FROM APRIL 23, 2024 (Staff Contact: Mark E. Berman/Claudia McKenna/Suzette Sibble)

And here's what it means in PLAIN ENGLISH:

THIS TAKES AWAY RIGHTS OF THE TAXPAYERS IN FAVOR OF DEVELOPERS.

The city has made some MAJOR mis-steps in approving and/or prolonging approvals for properties slated for development in Pompano Beach, which have extended approvals up to nearly 18 years - outdating what would be allowed to be build by today's standards and/or codes. Also prolonging approval of outdated variances that were granted. What does this really mean? If this gets approved, then the city will literally have carte blanche to do whatever they decide in cahoots with any developers to extend agreements, approvals, etc... and make it so they can continue to do what they want, without public input.

NO MATTER WHAT, WHETHER YOU CAN OR CANNOT ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU NEED TO EMAIL CITY OFFICIALS EXPRESSING YOUR DISAPPROVAL OF THIS BEING PASSED RIGHT NOW! 

Here's a link to the proposed ordinance change/charter of City of Pompano Beach Change.

SAY NO TO ALL OF THESE POINTS - Get it on the record!!

If you can't make the meeting, send an email! 

Here's a quick way to copy and paste all the email addresses:

rex.hardin@copbfl.com, andrea.mcgee@copbfl.com, beverly.perkins@copbfl.com, alison.fournier@copbfl.com, barry.moss@copbfl.com, rhonda.eaton@copbfl.com, greg.harrison@copbfl.com, lauren.gratzer@copbfl.com, info@savebriny.com

Use subject line: "OPPOSED TO REMOVAL OF THE SAND DUNE FOR PARKING ON BRINY AVE AND PROPOSED CHANGES TO P.H. 2024-36"



Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - 9 am

- Development Review Committee - Agenda
The proposed OUTLANDISH 10 STORY BUILDING at 580 BRINY AVE. is on the agenda for this meeting.

Again, while we understand that because of the Atlantic Overlay District, we cannot take away ALL of the rights of the property owner, we DO have the ability to have our voices heard - BUT ONLY if you either SHOW UP IN PERSON AT ALL THE MEETINGS or EMAIL THE CITY to express your disapproval of this project as proposed.

YOU CANNOT COMPLAIN IF YOU DO NOT ACT NOW!

Here's a quick way to copy and paste all the email addresses:

rex.hardin@copbfl.com, andrea.mcgee@copbfl.com, beverly.perkins@copbfl.com, alison.fournier@copbfl.com, barry.moss@copbfl.com, rhonda.eaton@copbfl.com, greg.harrison@copbfl.com, lauren.gratzer@copbfl.com, info@savebriny.com

Use subject line: "OPPOSED TO A 10 STORY BUILDING at 580 BRINY AVE"

OPEN HOUSE 

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING MONDAY 5/13 from 4:30PM - 6 PM Our Neighbors at 412 Briny Ave (Steve & Audrey) have agreed to host an informal get together so that we can discuss any concerns regarding these meetings IN PERSON. If you'd like to bring a SMALL potluck dish and/or something to drink, that would be welcomed.

We will be meeting in the BACKYARD of their home, so feel free to either stop by during that timeframe and use the gate on the left side of the driveway to come to the backyard (beachfront) and feel free to invite anyone who may be interested in helping our cause.

They will be inviting some of the city officials, as well as our District 1 Commissioner and Vice-Mayor, Andrea McGee to attend as well. Not sure who will be able to make it on short notice, but we want to make it known that we would like to work WITH elected city officials, in an effort to find a "happy medium" in development vs. insanity.

Any questions about this informal event, please email Audrey directly at AudreyFesik@gmail.com

UPDATE 3/4/2024

Just received an email regarding the new plans for 580 Briny Ave. from the City of Pompano Beach.
They are proposing a total height of 120'6".

Link to updated information: 2024 Proposed Plans 

UPDATE 2/29/24

What one of our volunteers was told via phone about the project is that the developers resubmitted another proposal to the Planning and Zoning Board with 17 Apartments, 34 parking spaces (2 per apartment; not underground), all parking on the property, mixed use with a small retail location, 10 stories high.

What was also conveyed is that this "fits" with the AOD guidelines and was therefore somewhat "pre-approved" by the city.
Our volunteer was also told, "This 580 submission fits the AOD Code, and change happens whether we want it or not".

If we want to make a change, we will have to make our voices heard with the city, and LOUDLY.
The current zoning says "up to 105 feet" in the AOD description, it's not automatically guaranteed or warranted... so if residents voice their concerns, then we may actually be able to work with the city and developer to find a compromise on the height of the new structure.

MORE INFO COMING SOON!
Looking for attorneys that may wish to volunteer their time/expertise to help us!  
Ideally, they would be familiar with state, county & local ordinances/rules that may help us be able to navigate this in a legal fashion for those of us whose property values may be negatively affected by this property being built to 10 stories and impacting our sunshine as well as privacy.
If you or anyone you know may be interested in volunteering their assistance, please have them contact us at info@savebriny.com. Thank you!  
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0070/0070.html

UPDATE 6/28/23

Our initial Planning & Zoning Meeting was a success, with five (5) votes for denying the zoning change from RM-20 to PD-I and two (2) approving the zoning change. 

So, this is the FIRST step in keeping this developer at bay with high-rise development. 

We still have A LOT OF WORK to do, and this is NOT over. 

It's a marathon, not a sprint. Next up, we have to raise more awareness, work with city officials to draft our responses and then we have to show up and speak out for the next two Pompano Beach city commission meetings as well as to any potential changes that the developer tries to bring to the Planning & Zoning Board. 

This is JUST the beginning. 

I want to share that I'm grateful to all who took the time to show up and/or speak at the meeting tonight, and we will definitely be planning a get-together with next steps to be made official soon. 

More later - it's been a LONG few days. 

Much love for all of our Briny Extended Family! 

There is a new property owner at 580 Briny Ave. which is currently zoned as RM-20, and normally allows a maximum height of 35'. The property is currently zoned for a maximum of 17 units, as per their gross density.

However, the property is currently located within the Atlantic Overlay District (AOD), which would allow for the city to approve a potential development of a building up to 105' in total height.

We agree that redevelopment of the now derelict property would be an asset to Briny Ave and we would be fully supportive of a proposed redevelopment with a limited height (we'd prefer three to four stories) and maximum density of up to 17 residences at 580 Briny Ave., which is what is currently allowed by the city of Pompano Beach, and we are asking for the city to approve potential development plans that ONLY reside within those specifications. 

We do not want any zoning changes or height variances approved, and we would advise the city to take into account how much a higher building would impact the surrounding neighborhood, in sunlight, privacy, and more. 

We would pose the question, "Should Briny Ave., a side street that promotes a safe, walkable Pompano Beach, enjoyed by many, be included in the Atlantic Overlay District (AOD) or be excluded from additional high rise development on the beach?"

If you would like to remain informed of upcoming city meetings, and also be informed of additional upcoming projects/site plans, please join our EMAIL LIST.

Please note, this website will be continually updated with pertinent information as well as upcoming city meetings, etc. Please email us/join the newsletter to be added to any upcoming email updates.

Article -  https://pointpubs.com/new-mixed-use-development-planned-for-briny-avenue/

Initial Email response for information from the city of Pompano Beach:

I received your voicemail, and I’m just about done with the public records request.

The public records documents will include the files submitted by the applicant for PD-I rezoning application PZ #22-13000012, which is tentatively scheduled to be heard at the 6/28/2023 Planning & Zoning Board meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to attend, where they may speak for or against any application during the public hearing portion of the meeting. Additionally/alternatively, written comments can be emailed to zoning@copbfl.com in advance of the meeting where they will be added to the official backup of the referenced agenda item. We have received a number of emails regarding this item already, and each will be included in the agenda backup. 

The public hearing notice, attached, will be mailed out this week to owners of real property within 500 ft of the subject property. The notice will also be posted in the Sun Sentinel on 6/22/2023.

The agenda for the 6/28/2023 Planning & Zoning Board meeting will be posted by close of business day, seven (7) days prior to the meeting date on the city’s Meetings webpage: https://www.pompanobeachfl.gov/meetings. The P&Z meeting will be held at 6 PM in Commission Chambers on 6/28/2023.

In summary, the applicant is proposing to rezone the property at 580 Briny Ave from RM-20/AOD (Multiple-Family Residence 20 / Atlantic Boulevard Overlay District) to a PD-I (Planned Development-Infill). The associated Site Plan, which must be approved separately, proposes 28 multi-family dwelling units with ground floor retail in an 11-story building.

If approved, the rezoning will allow the applicant to capture the gross density (gross density includes the land area taken to the centerline of adjacent rights-of-way) rather than net density which is limited to the subject property’s lot area. Currently, 20 units/acre are permitted by right under RM-20/AOD; the PD-I rezoning, if approved, will allow for up to 25 units/acre.

The rezoning also proposes to increase the maximum allowable height of the building: up to 105’ is permitted in RM-20 zoning, but the PD-I proposes a maximum height of 112’, 8”. There are other minor deviations from the RM-20 zoning district being proposed, but those are the main ones.

Please note the P&Z meeting is not the final step. The Board simply will consider all evidence, and issue a recommendation memo of support/non-support to the City Commission. Subsequent to the P&Z meeting, two readings at the City Commission (two additional meetings) are required in order for the rezoning to be formally adopted. Those are also public hearings, so again, the P&Z meeting is by no means the final opportunity for members of the public to voice their concerns.

I hope you find this information – along with the public records request – helpful. And of course please feel free to email or call me if you have any additional questions.