http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/914424.html
Miami Herald
Editorial
February 21, 2009
Local perspectives
HOLLYWOOD
LOP THE TOP OFF THAT TOWER, CITY SAYS
Civility and common sense have taken root among Hollywood officials -- a welcome development. For instance, the City Commission, with Mayor Peter Bober and Commissioner Heidi O'Sheehan dissenting, gave the green light to a condo tower and retail development project this week without the usual accompanying fireworks. But the commission added one condition with its preliminary approval: Reduce the height of the proposed 25-story condo.
Good call. Mr. Bober and Ms. O'Sheehan said they couldn't vote for the project unless it is reduced in size.
The project would be at the northeast corner of Young Circle and would have a new Publix -- long a fixture there -- along with 20,000 square feet of office and retail space. The tower would have 424 condos.
But that number should be reduced. The developers should comply with the commission's reasonable requirement. Downtown is the right place for highrises, but not too high or too crowded. Staff recommends that the tower be reduced to 22 stories, the height of the Arts Park Village project also located on Young Circle.
City Planning Director Jaye Epstein says that project should represent the city's height limit. This is a sensible way to allay residents' concerns that Young Circle could become a condo canyon. You wouldn't want to surround the county's ArtsPark with a wall of highrises.
