Background:
Sections 163.3220-163.3243, Florida Statute authorizes local government to enter into development agreements with developers. Section 163.3225(1), Florida Statute, requires the local government to conduct two (2) public hearings for the agreement, one of which may be before the Local Planning Agency (LPA).
Metropica Holdings, LLC received approval from the City Commission on May 13, 2014 via Resolution No. 14-71 for a Development Agreement for Metropica, a mixed-use project located at the northeast corner of Sunrise Boulevard and NW 136 Avenue. The Development Agreement for Metropica included the total project area of approximately 50 acres with specific design regulations for the southernmost 28 acres to be development in Phases 1 & 2.
On October 27, 2015, the City Commission approved an Amended and Restated Development Agreement for Metropica via Resolution 14-71-15-A which primarily revised the legal entities executing the agreement, provided for development of 240 hotel rooms and an additional 15,000 SF of office, and revisions to the design regulations.
On September 11, 2018, the City Commission approved a Second Amended and Restated Development Agreement for Metropica via Resolution 14-71-18-B which primarily revised the legal entities executing the agreement, revised the tree disposition plan and landscaping plan, revised the design guidelines, provided for a parking impact fee refund once the Central Park is constructed, and provided for the original Transportation Demand Management plan to be updated within the DRI biennial report.
On August 13, 2019, the City Commission approved a Third Amended and Restated Development Agreement for Metropica via Resolution No. 14-71-19-A to primarily incorporate Phases 3 & 4 of the Metropica Development Project, such that the entire 50 acre site has established design guidelines.
On March 28, 2023, the City Commission approved a First Amendment To Third Amended and Restated Development Agreement via Resolution No. 14-71-23-A to primarily amend the timing requirements of certain roadway, landscaping, and power line improvements and add demucking standards and hotel parking requirements.
Metropica Lands, LLC Series A, Metropica Series B Venture, LLC, Metropica Residential I, LLC, Metropica Residential II, LLC, Metropica Residential II AND III, LLC, and Metropica Series C Venture, LLC have submitted the Fourth Amended and Restated Development Agreement for Metropica for the development of the approximately 50 acre mixed-use project generally located at the northeast corner of Sunrise Boulevard and NW 136 Avenue, as shown on the attached location map. This property is within the Amerifirst-Metropica Development of Regional Impact (DRI) and has Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) future land use designation with a Planned Development District (PDD) zoning designation. The DRI Development Order is being amended concurrently to provide for an increase of 500 high-rise residential units and 140,000 square feet of office (office area is not located in Metropica area), approved statutory extensions, revision to HOV parking, and removal of transit station requirement. In addition, a Revised Master Plan is being processed concurrently.
The Fourth Amended and Restated Development Agreement provides for construction of up to 2,583 high rise dwelling units, 60 townhome units, 485,000 square feet of commercial, and 650,000 square feet of office, and conversation of up to 240 high rise dwelling units to 480 hotel rooms for all phases. The primary purpose of the amendment is to provide additional project commitments, amend the long term development plan, modifications to off-site improvements, and revise the design regulations.
The major revisions within the Fourth Amended and Restated Development Agreement are as follows:
- Provides for a $50,000 contribution to the City of Sunrise to be used toward the Stormwater Pump Station No. 8 Rehabilitation Project with release of conservation easement
- Updates Metropica Long Term Development Plan to update the roadway pattern, pod configuration, creation of an infrastructure area, and to allow each pod to be developed independently of other pods
- Revision to Landscape Plan to include hardscape and timing requirements when improvements are required to be constructed
- Addition of Special Events section to acknowledge streets can be temporarily closed for festivals and the like subject to City permits
- Updates Off-site Improvements to be consistent with revised Metropica Long Term Development Plan
- Updates Off-site improvements to remove transit station obligation consistent with proposed DRI DO amendment and include developers’ funding commitment to participate in the existing City’s on-demand shuttle service (Freebee)
- Removes the Park Impact Fee Refund section
- Acknowledges the City will work toward amending the Economic Incentive Agreement
- Removes allowance for specific parking reductions for hotel use
- Removes the Extension of Tree Mitigation, Landscaping, and Power Line Modification Deadlines section
- Incorporates revisions to Metropica Master Plan Design Regulations and Interim Design Regulations including but not limited to the following major revisions:
- Addition of minimum building height & revisions to maximum building height
- Revises parking requirements to follow Urban Land Institute (ULI) shared parking standards
- Revises Interim Parking Areas to allow all pods to be used for interim parking
- Revises minimum unit sizes to allow for smaller units
- Addition of Apartment Amenities requirements
- Inclusion of public art requirement at the Urban Park (Pod B5) located within Development
- Various revisions to landscaping requirements
- Incorporation of Streetscape Design standards
In addition, the Development Agreement provides for the following staff authorizations:
- Maintains previous authorization for the City Manager or designee to administratively approve an amendment to the location of open space areas within the project as long as the total area is not reduced, and the changes are limited to the interior areas of the masterplan.
- Revises the previous authorization of the Community Development Director to approve minor deviations from the Design Regulations with specific exclusions. The exclusions are revised such that all building heights and unit size deviations cannot be approved by the Community Development Director.
- Authorizes the Community Development Director or designee to approve architectural or façade modifications to a site plan for retail facilities only on streets internal to the project if such changes are consistent with the established standards in Exhibit C, Section 7 of the Development Agreement.
The Development Agreement meets the requirements of Section 16-109(e) of the Land Development Code and Sections 163.3220-163.3243 of the Florida Statutes. Staff recommends approval of the Development Agreement.
For more information on this item, including any of the attachments or additional backup information, please contact the Community Development Department Staff member identified below.