The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve, setting a Public Hearing on July 28, 2021, to consider granting a Waiver of Certain Land Development Regulations (LDRs), pursuant to City Code Section 142-425(D), for Polo Park, located at 4301 N Michigan Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida, in order to waive: 1) The height requirements of LDR Section 142-105 in order to construct multiple light poles associated with park activities, up to 70 feet in height; and 2) The setback requirements of LDR Section 142-106, in order to construct light pole(s) along Meridian Avenue.

Polo Park (the “Park”), located at 4301 North Meridian Avenue, consists of a playground designed for ages 2-12 years old, with a custom shade canopy, tennis and basketball courts, and a multiuse baseball field. The Park is utilized by the residents as well as by Nautilus Middle School.

G.O.B. #17 was completed in 2019 and made significant improvements to better use the facility and increase its value from a programming standpoint. The project included new pathways and site furnishings for improved circulation and passive recreational uses, new playing surface, dugouts, protective netting, and bleacher seating. The community’s response to these improvements have been overwhelmingly positive.

During the FY 2019/2020 budget process, funding for the addition of sports lighting at the Park to further increase programming capacity and the public’s enjoyment of the facility after sunset was approved (Project No. 22420). The proposed sports lighting system is energy efficient LED technology being carefully designed for zero spillover to the adjacent properties and minimal glare for users in accordance with building regulations and engineering standards for recreational facilities.

The work currently planned as part of the Park’s project (Exhibit A) includes the following improvements:

Project Elements Requiring Waiver

·       Setback Waiver: One (1) light pole necessary to light portions of the baseball diamond;

·       Height Waiver: All twelve (12) light poles for tennis courts and multiuse baseball field.

The Administration finds the above improvements to be important elements toward greatly improving the use and safety of the multiuse baseball field and tennis courts. Lighted amenities will activate the space after sunset and deter unsupervised activities such as trespassing afterhours.  This project will greatly benefit public safety in the park.

In waiving the single-family district setback and height requirements, the Administration will be able to proceed with the Park’s Sports Lighting Capital Plan Project as planned. 

The Administration has worked closely with the Planning Department and the Nautilus Area Homeowners Association (NAHA), and they are supportive of the project as presented.