Ridge Plaza Outparcel.mp4

FESCH.TV INFORMIERT:

Contact: cbilenki@dmbblaw.com; 561-405-3323

Video Narrative:
Hello and welcome to our presentation on the proposed Ridge Plaza Outparcel development.

First, let’s start with the location of the property. Most of you are likely familiar with the Ridge Plaza commercial center, located south of State Road 84 and west of Pine Ridge Drive. The specific area proposed for development in located on the north side of the commercial center, adjacent to State Road 84, and is outlined by the red box on your screen. It is currently developed with parking.

The survey on your screen shows the development area in more detail. As you can see, the vast majority of the site is filled with pavement, with few landscape strips and a handful of trees. There is also an existing billboard on the property.

The applicant is proposing to develop the site with a mix of retail and office uses. The development will remain part of the overall commercial center and is identified as Parcel E of the master plan on your screen. Those traveling to the new uses would continue to travel through the main access points to the Ridge Plaza shopping center and would continue along the internal drives to access the subject property, similar to those visiting the other existing outparcels. An important item to note, is that the current owners of the Ridge Plaza shopping center recognize some of the existing traffic issues along Pine Ridge Drive, and are working with the Town in order to provide necessary dedications for traffic improvements for the northern access from Pine Ridge Drive.

The proposed site plan is now on your screen. The actual development area is only 0.62 acres. The applicant, and prospective purchaser of the site, is proposing to redevelop the underutilized parking area with a 5,400 square foot building, primarily for use for his optometry practice, which will include a mix of exam rooms or medical office areas and retail area for the sale of glasses. There will be an additional 1,400 square foot area for a separate retail tenant.

Parking will be provided to meet the requirements of the proposed uses, with a total of 23 spaces. Buffer areas will also be enhanced along the perimeter of the development area. As this is an older shopping center, there are many easements that constrain the proposed development and landscape plantings. Also, a significant dedication was made in the past along the State Road 84 frontage, so the parcel does not extend as far north as the other outparcels to the west. The outparcel is further constrained by the existing drive aisles and configuration of the main commercial center, which was developed over 30 years ago. Because of these constraints, the applicant is requesting variances for the required buffer along State Road 84 and the required front and side setbacks. More specifically, a 30’ buffer is required along State Road 84. While the project does propose a buffer, it does not meet the 30’ requirement. The intent of the code provision is still met when considering the additional green area adjacent to State Road 84 that was previously dedicated. The same logic applies to the setbacks. While the front setback does not meet the 25’ requirement, the intent is met as the building is sufficiently set back from the actual roadway and a significant green area has been provided by way of the prior dedications. The applicant is also requesting a variance from the internal side setback due to the constraints of the existing billboard that cannot be removed due to contractual obligations.

While the applicant is requesting variances from the setbacks and buffer requirement along the State Road 84 frontage, they are proposing to significantly enhance the property through new, attractive landscaping that will be installed on site. AS shown on the landscape plan, there will be an attractive hedge along the State Road 84 frontage, with numerous trees being added throughout the site, including silver button wood, crape myrtle, and live oaks, as well as numerous palm trees. The overall landscaping will significantly enhance the appearance of the vacant parking lot that exists today.

The architecture of the building is also attractive, with neutral tones and a mix of materials that will add dimension and elevate the appearance of the building, as shown on the screen.

That concludes our presentation on the proposed Ridge Plaza Outparcel project. We welcome any questions or comments you may have and you can reach out to us at your convenience using the contact information on your screen. Thank you again for your time today and we look forward to serving the needs of residents of the Town of Davie with this new use.