November 08, 2024
A 28-story luxury condo complex, Sage Intracoastal Residences, is set to break ground early next year at 900 Intracoastal Drive, Fort Lauderdale. Expected to rise nearly 300 feet, it will be the tallest building in the neighborhood east of the Galleria mall. The tower will replace a two-story co-op, providing 44 units with prices in the mid-$3 million range. Critics argue the project, approved by the city's Planning and Zoning Board, is incompatible with the neighborhood.
Mayor Dean Trantalis was frustrated that the city commission didn't have the opportunity to vote on the project due to an error by City Hall staff. He criticized the city's development review process, which he said was too lenient and allowed the commission to be bypassed. The oversight occurred because the staff failed to extend the review period in time for the commission to call up the project for a vote.
Property Markets Group, the developer, plans to begin construction in spring 2025. The project is located in the Sunrise Intracoastal neighborhood, a quiet area bordered by the Intracoastal to the east and the Middle River to the south and west. Supporters argue that a taller, thinner tower is preferable to the original 16-story proposal, which was 120 feet shorter.
City planning manager Ella Parker apologized for the error that prevented the commission from voting. This issue is not isolated, as it marks the third time in two years the commission has been excluded from voting due to staff mistakes. Under state law, cities have 180 days to approve or deny a development project. In Fort Lauderdale, certain projects are automatically reviewed by the commission based on size and zoning, but the commission can also call up other projects for a vote. In Sage Intracoastal's case, the extension agreement with the developer only allowed for the Planning and Zoning Board's vote, excluding the commission.
Commissioner John Herbst emphasized the need to follow the law to avoid legal challenges, pointing out that denying the project after the deadline would likely result in a lawsuit that the city would lose. Neighborhood activists and residents, such as Abby Laughlin and Jim Concannon, expressed concerns about the impact on neighborhood character and condo living compatibility. They argued that the tower's height is significantly higher than other buildings in the area, including the 185-foot Aquablu condo next door.
The situation has sparked debate about the city's development process and its ability to manage large-scale condo buying projects in South Florida. Trantalis called for an automated system to prevent future errors and ensure the commission's involvement in critical decisions. He voiced disappointment over the oversight, stressing the long-term impact on the neighborhood and future condo development standards in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County.
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