Wynwood Design and Review Committee - Regular Meeting

you you Thank you. you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for watching. you

I believe we'll start with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Thank you.

We'll call to order with our Roll call. Alan Kett. Heidi Weigand.

Present.

Zion Mass.

Present.

And I believe Miguel Omar is en route, and so we will record him as a little behind schedule, but present. And Tom Dunlap is present. Okay. Ricky, I'm sorry.

Do we have a

I believe we do have a quorum.

Excellent.

Thank you. Thank you.

I can go ahead and... So, good morning. Any person who is a lobbyist pursuant to Chapter 2A, Article 6 of the City Code must register with a city clerk and comply with related city requirements for lobbyists before appearing before the Wynwood Design Review Committee. A person may not lobby a city official, board member, or staff member until registering. A copy of the City Code section about lobbyists is available in the city clerk's office or online at www.munico.com. Any person may be heard by the Wynwood Review Design Committee through the chair for not more than two minutes. On any proposition before the committee, unless modified by the chair, members of the public wishing to address the body may do so by visiting miami.gov.com virtual board. to submit their written comments via the online comment form. The comments submitted through the comment form, if any, have been distributed to the committee members and the city staff so that the committee members can consider the comments prior to taking any action and will be included as part of the public record for this meeting. The online comment form will remain open during the meeting to accept comments and distribute to the committee members up until the chairperson closes the public comment. Additionally, the city will accommodate any speakers desiring to appear in person. When addressing the committee, the member of the public must first state his or her name, his or her address, and what item they are speaking about. A video of this meeting may be requested at the Office of Communications or viewed online at www.miamigov.com. Please silence all cell phones and other noise-making devices. Any person with a disability requiring assistance, auxiliary aids, and services for this meeting may notify the city liaison. Please note, The board members may have generally been briefed by city staff on the items on the agenda today. So in order to ensure that the public has the ability to view the midi, the city's communications department will broadcast the meeting. The midi can be viewed live on Miami TV, miamigov.com backslash TV, or Comcast Channel 77 within the city of Miami. The broadcast will also have closed captioning.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I believe next up, Would be requests for absent waivers?

We do not have any for today.

Wonderful. Next item, I believe, is the minutes approval of the WDRC regular meeting held on July 15th. Is there anything to point out on those minutes? If otherwise, do we have a motion for approval?

I move the approval of the minutes.

Thank you. Do we have a second?

I second the approval.

Wonderful. And all in favor?

Aye.

Aye. Great.

We're gonna move the calendar to the last thing we do for today. That way we'll take care of regular business first. So items number three, four, and seven are going to go together. So we will go ahead and start with those now.

Good morning, WDRC item number three, located at 2700 Northwest 2nd Avenue. This is for the nomad residents, a signage permit for three applications. All non-painted building identification and business identification signs within the NRD 1 for T5, T6, and D1 transit zones shall adhere to the Miami 21 zoning code, article 10, table 15 sign standards, and the Wynwood signage guidelines with referral to the Wynwood Design Review Committee.

Good morning, Chair, members of the committee. Joe Ruiz with Law Offices at 396 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables, Florida, 14th floor. As staff just mentioned, I'm here before you on several sign applications for the Nomad, located at 2700 Northwest 2nd Avenue, specifically items three, four, and seven. Items three is a building identification sign. Note, because the sign is above 50 feet, in addition to the building permit application, it's also being processed as part of a warrant special permit application. Item number four is signage for Nomad Residences. And item number seven is signage for Nomad Bar. Joining me today is Andres Pena, representing the sign manufacturer. By a brief way of background, I've been involved with NOMAD since 2021, from entitlements and permitting to outdoor dining approvals. This project is now in the final phases of construction, which is why we're here before you today on these sign applications. And so at this point, I'm going to turn it over to Andres, who's going to walk you through the details of the proposed signs. Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning, everyone. Good morning, everyone. Well, I just discovered I'm here today. I will be presenting three exterior illuminated wall signs for the project Noma-Winwood, located at 2700 Northwest, Second Avenue, Miami. All signs comply with the Miami 21 code, Article 10, and following the required size and placement regulations. I will start with the location A. As he mentioned, this project is composed by three signs, three serial signs. All the signs are basically like in conclusion in the same system, same kind of illumination, same material, so just different locations because the intention is to label the different entrances for the project. So location A. Location in high rise, southeast corner. This illuminate exterior wall sign, building identification and brand symbol. The dimensions are three six inches diameter, so nine square feet. The location is south east corner, mounted approximately 98 feet, five inches, about great, about 15 feet, so it's a warrant in this case, as he mentioned. So the features. Fabricated aluminum logo with simulated polished brass, painted finish with a prismatic look. It's a non-real brass, the intention of the non-real brass is warranty like long-term durability and avoid oxidation during the time. The dimension of the logo, the logo is backlit illumination, 3000 kelvins. It's projected three inches, one quarter. It's a single piece, as you see, just the look of the project, simple, clean, elegant, one color, as I mentioned, simulating brass. The intention is to keep the consistency with the branding, so it's a little bit like art deco, related with this concept, this artistic concept, since these are the guidelines of the project and the branding. The electrical components are constantly inside the planter, located at the rooftop of the building, not visible from outside. It's aluminum standard-channel leather with a layer of high-density polyurethane on top to create, as you see on the side view, a prismatic look. So basically, it's related with the concept, as I mentioned, the Art Deco concept, so it's vintage, old-fashioned, but it's part of the concept of Miami, like this, the aesthetic, the co-compliance. Proposed area is nine square feet. It's under the 30 square feet maximum per sign. So, it's an art deco movement related with the building. Yes, this is the sign A. I don't know if you have any questions. And you see all the electrical components on the rooftop, so it's not visible. Everything is concealed. So it will be like just on the facade.

Anyone? Looks like no questions. Is there a second part to the application? Is that the sign over the door? Or is that another application?

Yes, I mean, can I discuss the old trio or just one more? No, I think we want to vote on application by application. This is the number one, this is eight, so I can start talking about...

Item three, yeah.

Okay, so... So can I start with the second, with the B? So if you hold on a second.

We need to vote for each one. Each one. Okay. And then we can. Yeah, this is different. Yeah, okay. Okay. Thank you.

So I'll call for a motion, anyone?

I move for the approval of item 3-18047 as submitted.

Great, do we have a second? Second. I'm sorry, was that you, Zach? Yeah. Thank you, appreciate that. All righty, call for vote. All in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

Aye. All righty. That's well done. Just for the record, noting that Mr. Omar is with us. Good morning. Good morning. All righty. That's great. With that, Mr. Hemingway, I think you have us going on to item number four.

Yes, sir.

Wonderful. Same applicant. And so if you like, you can go ahead and switch the channel to... Your next application will review that.

Let's start with design location B. It's the same project, but different location. As I mentioned, the intention is to label another side of the building with a different intention. It's a different entrance. Location B is a residence, South Facade. As you can see in the elevation, the intention is to label the residence, since this is a project composed by different entrants. So the illumination is an illuminated zero-volt sign for a residential building. The dimensions are 227 inches wide by 10 inches height. So in conclusion, it's around 15, seven square feet. The location is sofa side, mounted approximately around 19 feet above the ground features. Fabricated aluminum letters with simulated polished brass, so basically the same color, same material, same look at the door tube. Prismatic finish, same look. It's not real brass, but simulates the real brass in terms of durability. Semi-illumination, so the illumination is 3,000 Kelvin. The projection is three inches. Coil compliance, proposed around 15.5 square feet. It's under the 30 square feet maximum allowed. Electrical components, in this situation, the electric components are located behind the wall. They're like a parking garage, so everything is covered, so nothing is visible from the side. So in the same situation, it's clean, simple, just the logo on front.

So that's location B. I do have one question. When you look at the elevation, if you go back one slide, Lower right-hand corner where you have Nomad Residences. Below that is a band that kind of curves on top and goes around the entry doors. On the rendering, it's shown to be in kind of a brass-like finish. Do you know whether that's actually a metal face on that and whether they're meant to match?

I mean, sorry, what's the question?

On your rendering, there's this kind of...

kind of like a picture frame that goes around the door. And I'm wondering whether those are meant to, whether that's meant to be a metal frame that goes around that opening and whether the letters are meant to match the metal.

Basically, probably that's a different system. I mean, the intention of the material, we're simulating brass. The intention is about the illumination and the durability. So it's composed between aluminum and brass. So the idea is like simulate the same material. It's not the same material, but the look will be very similar. So we try to keep it.

The goal is to have the letters match, not the same material, but the letter.

Yeah, everything will be like very similar, very classic. Quite striking.

Any questions? All righty, can we have a motion?

Motion to approve.

Do we have a second?

Second.

Wonderful. Call for a vote. Oh, I'm sorry.

Is to approve as presented?

I'm sorry? To be approved. Approved as presented. Thank you. Yes. Call for a vote. All in favor?

Aye.

Unanimous.

Before we go to the next one, can we please close online public comment since we do not have any for today?

Yes, do you need a motion to close those, Ricky?

Just to tell me is fine. Sorry? Just for you to tell me to close it is fine.

I believe we can close those public comments, period.

Thank you.

Thank you. All righty, well done. And same applicant, we would move on to item number seven on the WDRC agenda. And I'll let, you could log us in with the right application number.

Thank you. WDRC item number seven, you can go ahead. Okay.

Thank you. Perfect. So this is the final location. The location is same location C, same project, same building, but different entrance, different access. The intention of the design is like label the bar entrance. It's part of the project, so everything will be like with the same material, as I mentioned, same look to be cohesive. So, the illumination, semi-illumination is to the wall sign by identification by leaf illumination. The dimension of this sign is 150 inches wide by 10 inches height. 10.37 square feet. The location is so faceted, mountain approach 19 feet above the ground, so it's basically the same height as the other signs, so everything will be visible, very clean, very linear. The features. Fabricated aluminum letters with similarly polished brass, same material and same finish, prismatic look. Backlit illumination, 3000 Kelvin, sorry, the same light. It's projected three inches. Proposed area 10.37 square feet. It's under the 30 square feet maximum allow. So basically the same as the previous sign, just different methods. As I mentioned, the intention is labeled at different entrance, so everything will be like different label from the same building. And that's it. Wonderful. And my apologies to our own

staff and team, I misreferenced my number four and number seven on the agenda, so kindly ignore that. I believe it's a moot point because they were both approved.

Do you mind repeating that, sorry?

Yeah, I had, I believe in my last reference to the nomad residences, I referred to it as number four, and it was actually number seven on the agenda.

Okay, yeah, but it was approved as presented, so yeah, thank you.

Since the vote goes with the application number, it won't matter.

Thank you.

One of my many senior moments for the day, I'm sure. So with that, any comments on the application agenda item seven for the nomad residences?

So I do.

This particular entrance is different, right? I mean, every entrance is different. In this case, it's like a bridgeway because this allows access to the bar.

So this is introducing a different aspect of the building. Is there any type of, I mean, now it's starting to get boring. The logo is observed in the first application. The residence makes sense, but here we're just repeating this and not like looking to do anything different. Is that something like... introducing the opposite, maybe using that prismatic polished brass and like doing in reverse something. Now you're becoming kind of monotone with this palette for this building.

Well, actually, that's part of the intention, because we're trying to make it clean, simple, elegant, very cohesive with the branding. So if we play with different materials or different colors, probably we'll look... I mean, since it's art deco, where you see the sample of the material, it's the same material. I mean, because this is related with the finish of the building. So since the building is just one whole building, we're trying to keep the same aesthetic. with the color, with the material. I mean, it's different locations, but it's the same building at the same time. So the intention is make it like cohesive. It's just one whole building with different entrance.

So my concern is just that the Art Deco, which is the logo on the first sign, makes sense. Even the second signage where you're trying your branded of the residences, but on your third, you really have an opportunity to introduce something different. It's not clean and elegant. That's Wynwood. Wynwood is eclectic. It's different. It's aesthetically looking for something different. So I think it's giving you an opportunity to introduce something else here, especially with this being the non-residence entry. So this is kind of why I asked initially, entering to the breezeway is a public entrance. So you're introducing now into the public thoroughfare. I mean, I think this is an opportunity here for you to, find another creative way whether it's utilizing this same materiality even the same font size but introducing something else maybe it's the reverse of the materiality here to make it different so I think one of the the

Things to note here is that this is all under the Nomad brand. So there's very specific branding standards for this building. And because they're just introducing different uses with respect to the different components of the project, I think that's why the uniform color look and design was proposed. And what makes this project interesting is putting aside the signage, there is a great opportunity for murals and art treatments throughout the building. On the north side of the building, Northwest 27th Terrace, there is a huge wall where there's gonna be an art component to it. So that's gonna be a great opportunity to differentiate maybe some similar signage to other art components of the building.

So I'm just looking at this saying the Art Deco sign that we approved is 98 feet in the air, right? So this is a great opportunity for you to reintroduce that Art Deco sign at a ground level that could be observed if you're kind of trying to work with that motif. Again, this is my feedback.

I'll let other people make a comment.

Thank you. Other comments?

Heidi, just real quick. I understand what you're saying. This could be another perspective, which is if Wynwood is a museum, an outdoor museum, when I go to a museum, the signage that tells you what the piece is, is very simple. It's just like a very simple lettering that says, this is a Picasso and the name of the Picasso and the story of it is X, Y, and Z. And then like you were saying, the artwork represents the artwork. And so if you're walking around a museum, what is the artwork? Is it the name of the building or is it the art on the building? So it could be another perspective. I personally think that all the signage should be very simple in black lettering is the way that I, from my perspective, and then let the artwork speak for itself. Because it does, you know, Wynwood is very messy in a nice way and in a bad way. So how do you organize the art so that it becomes, you know, more profound? Yeah. Thank you.

Good conversation. How about we call for a vote?

Do I have a motion? Motion to approve.

Thank you. Do we have a second? Second motion to approve. All right. Then call for a vote. All in favor?

Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Great.

And just to confirm, it's to be approved as presented?

As presented and as submitted. Thank you. Thank you, guys.

Thank you.

Good morning. Next item, second item, address 277 Northwest 28th Street, Juan Valdez. transit zone T5O, signage, and all non-painted buildings identification and business identification signs within the NRD1 for T5, T6, and D1 transit zones shall adhere to the Miami Zoning Code Article 10, Table 15, sign standards, and windward signage guidelines.

Thank you. Good morning, everyone. My name is Matthew Boone with Southeast Sign Company. That's 6400 Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. So for Juan Valdez Coffee, we are going to be presenting a non-illuminated blade sign. Directly to the west of this unit is an identical blade sign, the shape. So the blade sign itself is, again, non-illuminated. It's going to be 30 inches by 30 inches, but actually projects a total of 36 inches from the wall. It is aluminum, and it is painted red with white copy also painted on there as well. It is nine foot six above grade, so it matches directly what is next door to the west.

The dimensions of the blade are?

30 inches by 30 inches. The projection is a total of 36 inches from the wall.

Thanks. Okay. Any thoughts, comments? Okay. Do I have a motion?

I approve as is.

Okay. Do I have a motion, second? Second. Great. Vote. All in favor of approval as submitted? Aye. Aye. All right. Thank you. You got it.

Item number five, address 286 Northwest 29th Street, project name West Elm, transit zone T50, signage, online painted building identification and business identification signed within NRD1 for T5, T6, and D1 transit zone shot higher to the Miami zoning code article 10, table 15, sign standards, and wood signage guidelines.

if it's easier for you to pull up or if it's easier for me.

Okay.

I also have... Mm-hmm.

You can always share. Cool.

So your name is? Melissa. Melissa, thank you. She's going to present item number five and six, but the vote is going to go separately. Thank you.

So good morning. We are representing for West Elm. It is white acrylic face flush mount channel letters. The trim and returns are all painted white. It is very... Conducive and cohesive to other signs on the building that are also white channel letters. It's pretty simple, just illuminated flush-mount channel letters. Aluminum trim and returns, acrylic face. I wasn't sure which was easier for you. I don't think this is going to work with your output.

OK. No.

you

This was for the West Elevation, correct?

I'm sorry? Is this for the West Elevation? One is for West and then one is for South, but they're identical signs. I brought six copies with me, but it's the exact same thing for both.

I'm sorry?

Yeah, it's not. I don't have the same plug-in that you guys have, so it's not working. I'll remember that for next month, though. And we already have it approved, the same signage is already approved for the side of the building that does not go street side. So we'd like to keep it the same on all three elevations if possible. Any questions?

That's it.

It's very simple. It's just white channel letters.

It's so simple, I'm confused. Apologies if everybody else has it. I'm interpolating the rendering that you show of the existing condition and the image that is on the computer screen. So, and that and the last page. Next to the last page of your handout.

Those are existing signs on the same building showing that there are signs, the same type of signage on the building. This was required for us to upload during our submittal to you guys.

Okay. So the page 1A of your hard handout where it shows the red band, that's existing or has already been approved? What page? That's the very next to the last page of your handout.

You're talking about the Italkraft or the Dorsey? That. That is not our... That, I honestly... This is what they plan on it looking like. I don't know if they've already done this, or if the red banding is still existing. But this is what the facade will look like. I wasn't in the meetings for the facade. I'm only doing the signage. But I had them send me a rendering of what they plan on doing.

I am open for anybody to guide me through this if they understand what we're looking at.

This may or may not exist. It's possibly currently existing.

I honestly don't know where they are with their general contractor and the facade, but this is what they have submitted for from the building department.

Okay. Is this image that's up on the screen, is that intended to be what it looks like? as part of this application?

This is what they gave me as what they're doing.

Who's they?

West Elm. I think the only thing she's seeking approval are literally the white letters, West Elm, on the black facade that's shown here. You just can't confirm or say if it's a black facade, a blue facade.

No, I have no involvement with their build out are their general contractor. Okay.

Anyone else, thoughts, questions, clarifications?

I mean, when I look at the, I mean, it's very simple in nature, the sign. When I look at the rendering and I look at the dimensions on the signage, it seems like, I don't know if the rendering's too scale, because it seems a little bigger, because the letters are only 22 inches, correct?

Correct. It's 22 inches for the W, E, S, T, E, and M. Now, the L is a little larger because it's an L, so that's a couple inches taller.

I think the men here have never been to a West Elm.

It's like a Williams. They're partners with Williams-Sonoma, so it's home goods. Yeah, yeah.

My only comment, I mean, it's a branded sign. I think my only real comment is that it needs to have a contrast, and that's my concern. I think the way the building is currently, it's like a light gray, so you're not getting the same level of contrast that the renders allude to, but I don't... West Elm can do black and they can do white. letters at other properties. Correct. And if the building owner has gone with a lighter facade, then we should be looking at black letters.

This current, that is why I asked for the rendering on what they're doing to the facade is to show you that it is darker, it's a darker facade with the white letters. If we do a darker letter and they have this facade, it's not going to show up. But I do know we did the West Dome and Rosemary Square, and they do have black letters there because it is a lighter facade.

To her point, the rendering on the Dorsey website shows that facade to be white.

For Dorsey, it is. That's a different, that's not their unit.

That's not it? I just Googled the address.

I mean, we can put a condition in there that if, the facade stays light, that they have to use black letters, if you would prefer. Okay.

Other comments? I think just while we're on record, of course, is one of the challenges that I think that we will continue to have more of in the future is these types of kind of corporate brands, which are good. This is similar to a conversation we had in our July discussion. And in my mind, you know, there's somewhat of a kind of a negotiation, a creative negotiation between a corporate brand and the integrity of Wynwood, what it stands for and, you know, what kind of the corporate brand of Wynwood. And so what's critical to me is when it comes in is understanding that kind of balance. And the West Elm letters, I get it. But what they're mounted to, the material that's behind them, and kind of the context of it is, for me, to have an opinion or to vote is the critical breaking point. I don't want to be anti-corporate brand, but at the same time, we're here because Wynwood's a special place, and how that brand integrates itself into that special place is kind of the art that we're trying to navigate. So it's more of a comment about just, I think we're going to continue to, to have a very fine line to tread. It's difficult for me to understand. You're the messenger. In this particular case, it's difficult for me to have an opinion on the West Elm logo because I really don't have a sense of the context of what is going on.

Yeah, I mean, maybe, you know, again, this is a discussion, so I could be wrong, but so in that meeting we had previously, we talked about how Tony Goldman was, got together with a group of guys and they were envisioning this place and they put together Miami 21 and then RD1, thinking about the neighborhood that he started in or worked in in New York called Soho. And so when you visit Soho, again, similar to a museum, the signage for Prada and Gucci, they're very simple. Usually they get maybe a smaller font. And then what is interesting is the building itself, the architecture of the building or the interiors. The Prada store when it first came out in Soho was in a pretty amazing interior architecture design and they went above and beyond to make it a special store. We have something similar in the design district where the buildings themselves, the brands, they're these big brands, and they spend a ton of money on the architecture and making sure that the architecture is dialed in. They've got stores that they've knocked down and rebuilt in the same place within the last 10 years just to make sure that the design doesn't stay stale. You know, West Elm happens to be a very simple sign, and it doesn't, it's not offensive. It's sort of like, this is what it is. What is the architecture of this store, right, is what we should be talking about, and what is the art in the facades, and how does it contrast? That's the, I think the point that we're trying to make is, is it, you know, is it a dark contrast? What is the material on the facade as opposed to what the sign is?

I think you're spot on. This is West Elm in Wynwood or at Wynwood.

And we see the West Elm part.

We're just unclear on the at Wynwood or in Wynwood part.

Yeah. Look at the Juan Valdez that we just looked at versus the Starbucks that we looked at. And it sort of was, you know, small and bespoke sign sticking out. And then whatever, everything else kind of takes precedence, you know. About the facade. Yeah.

Yeah, I think to me it's the Juan Valdez, you know, it's sort of, so, you know, and I get it. Look, I've done, being a retail architect, you have to adhere to some of these brand elements. At the same time, you know, we looked at the Juan Valdez, it's got some color, not that it needs to have color, but one of the unique characters of Wynwood and of the community and the urban fabric is that, It doesn't look like any other place. And I think all the other signage that are coming in here, if we're having, if we are upholding them to those standards, I understand your brand identity. Why can't we hold you to those standards too? I think it's a really simple sign, but to me, we have to be careful that it sets a precedence for something else for us. And I understand it is a brand identity, it's a logo, but we don't want Wynwood to look like any other neighborhood. And I say this, when I lived in Paris, one of the... hardest thing for me was to find a mcdonald's or a burger king and it was so hard you know because as an american i wanted to go eat but that was the beauty of it um that you can find some of those and if you did find them they blend into the windward and the fabric so to me it's i think the sign needs to try harder i'm not saying it needs to to have color i don't know if it's the scale but it's um It needs something.

So there are multiple signs out there that are basic white letters already. Dorsey was one of the ones we chose to put in there because it's on the same building, basically. The only difference between the second Dorsey sign is the font. That's the only difference between what I'm proposing and what's already been allowed. And the font is their brand, and they are nationally known. So I have to find a way to go back to them and explain that their nationally known branding isn't allowed because their font is different from a sign that's already out there. There's already signs out there that's allowed.

So the biggest thing with the Dorsey sign is it's on an orange facade with some reveals and patterning on it. I think even when you look in this application, at some point, someone assumed that there was something on the facade that would have given it some movement, some interest, whether that was removed or not removed, because on this elevation, it alludes to some tile or something that was there that's now gone, that would have allowed or would have made it much more amenable that a plain white sign would have been fine. So... Yes, but... And I... I'm just saying what's currently built for this retail tenant doesn't reflect that on the property right now at Google Maps. So similar to the Dorsey, to your point, the Dorsey, this is the same following in line. However, the biggest difference is the Dorsey has color and movement. If this is a sign that's on just a painted stucco background, it has a larger issue, I think, in general, coming through. I just don't know how, if the tenant is being, you know, restricted or being commented on for their sign because their landlord chose to simplify the exterior, that's a different story. We can only say, you know, can you give us a back panel that maybe it looks like wood that they're... We have had some difficulty with the landlord on this property.

It took a while even to get approval and signed applications because he is very specific on how much he wants on the exterior buildings.

And I don't think, to me, it's not about the font, it's not about the simplicity. I'm very familiar with your brand, There's so much richness in material in West Elm, in the furniture that they sell, that you guys sell. I mean, I spike it all the time in some of my projects. And this wood, it's, you know, it's, so I don't know if it's something like that or if it's a different material that it says this is West Elm Wynwood, rather this is West Elm anywhere.

Unfortunately, they're not on today's meeting. I have two more for West Elm that's coming up. on the next meeting for projection signs. So that maybe could have been helpful to have one-on-one today instead of just this one.

You also have the option to withdraw and come back. at a later meeting with all the signs together if you prefer it to be that way.

I think that would be the smarter option right now is to try to present all of them together so that there is, one, I'll go back with the input, but two, to show that there are some other signs with different materials that are going to be on the building instead of just these. But these were, you know, this is just how we were paired up.

I think that's prudent as well because the same comments are going to come on the next application.

Yeah, and I also would like... Like I said, we have a courtyard side as well that's already been approved by the city, and we want everything to be cohesive and match. So even though we have an approved permit, I would like to let them know as soon as possible so they're not fabricating something that we're going to need to change so that all three elevations are cohesive.

I have just a quick comment before you go. In one of the renderings, there is what seems like the corner view in the application, and there are, following the windows on both the left and the right, on I guess the north and the, is it the south and west elevation?

Yes.

There appears to be some artwork at each end, but then in other renderings, they're not there.

There have been plans to do some artwork. I was advised to not present that at this time because they're still trying to design. That's something that'll come down the road.

Sure. I mean, you know, the reason why I bring it up is because it appears...

But that was also... This is not what I have most... The most recent I've seen is gray and white. Certainly.

Right. So the existing condition of the building doesn't show the possibility for that. It just shows glass windows. Okay. But I think that also, in looking at the overall project and the signs as it relates to the retail facade, might have some impact on the decisions.

So I don't know if you guys know, I say it incorrectly because I think it's hilarious, but Savan Bakaki, the jewelry store?

I don't.

It's in Miami, but we did the sign and it's up against a gorgeous tile. So I do understand what you're stating and I will go back to them with it. Maybe they can provide me, if they've honed in on the materials, maybe they can provide me with some type of material that they're actually planning to apply to give you a better idea of the contrast. That would be my suggestion to them.

That's a good question. Do we need a motion to withdraw?

Sorry, no. The applicant just has to say that they're withdrawing, and then we'll come back to a later meeting.

Can I withdraw both at the same time, or do we have to announce the other?

No, you can do both.

I'm opting to withdraw option five and option six for West Dome at this time. Thanks.

Thank you. Thanks for your engagement.

Thank you. Thank you, guys. You guys have a great day. Thank you.

Item number eight and nine are going to go together. Address 2619 Northwest 2nd Ave, Oakberry, Asahi. transit zone T5L, signage, all non-painted building identification and business identification signs within NRD1 for T5, T6, and D1 transit zones shot higher to the Miami Zoning Code Article 10, Table 15 sign standards and wood-to-wood signage guidelines.

Morning, on behalf of Solutions Electrical. Here proposing two different type of signs for Old Berry at 2619 Northwest 2nd Avenue. I don't know if you guys could see my window.

Yeah, we just heard from the communications team saying that the connection is not strong enough, so it's not connecting to their computers.

I have it on a USB as well, I don't know.

Is it the same information that was on the package? Yeah. Okay.

Okay.

I have it here. I have their package.

Yeah, but it's black and white.

I'll just show that one. And then he can explain it.

Should I start?

All right. So as I mentioned, we're proposing two types of signs, different types of signs. The first one, that's on number eight. It's a blade sign, illuminated blade sign. We're putting all the electrical components behind the wall. And it's a pretty simple sign. It's an aluminum blade sign, illuminated. That's pretty much what we're proposing.

Is this the first Oakberry?

In Wynwood? Yes. Anywhere? No. We have one in South Miami. We're getting one approved in Coral Gables as well. And they're basically all the same signs. Same type of signs.

Is there a code minimum height that it has to be off the ground?

Can you guys turn on your mics? Your mics?

Yeah. I'm not sure what the, but it seems a little bit low.

I do believe it meets code, but I think it's relatively low, eight feet, for the bottom of the sign. If I'm not mistaken, seven feet, ten inches? Correct. Yeah, it meets code, but in terms of the distance, I think it just feels, to me, it feels a little bit low, like... piggybacking on the other conversation. I don't know if somebody could jump and hit the sign or something.

We're basically going with the same height that we have around the block. I don't know if you could see.

And all of them are at eight feet?

I'm not sure if they're eight feet, but there's one that's 365 Nation, which is at eight feet. So we're going based off of that. Even so, at the corner of that same street, there is a food locker which is at the same height. It's a non-illuminated sign, but it's at the same height.

Yes, I'm looking at the package, and the bottom of the sign, the measurement from the bottom of the sign to the sidewalk level is eight feet, which complies with Miami 21.

Wonderful. I don't know what other comments there are, and I don't want to rush through this. Is it acceptable for us to stop for a moment and look at their next application which is the facade of the building yeah you can do that and then when when you're ready you can say yeah that would that would be helpful right moving on to kind of like we comment on the necktie in the next application we comment on the shirt and sometimes it's important to see the two together

All right, so moving on to the frontage sign, it's regular flush-mounted channel letters. Basically, there is some signs around the block as well, channel letters and, yep, illuminated channel letters. All electrical components will be behind the wall as well. Is the purple...

triangular markings. Is that you?

No, that's existing. That's the building. The building is kind of crazy. It has some art on it. And yeah, that's part of the building.

Well, to kind of start things off, there's something that's not clicking for me. It... just the, the blade sign, you know, you have such an opportunity being your own brand and, you know, you don't, you don't have the burdens that a, that a corporate brand has. Right. And it just, it seems like that, that you could really kind of cut loose and have fun in a place like Wynwood, whether it's the materials that you make the sign out of or, or the shape of it. And, and when I look at the, facade of the building, it looks like you've done just what's shown here, which is letters applied to a building as though you don't control the building. And part of me is like, well, do you break Oakberry and do it in two stacks so it doesn't overlay the purple? And I don't want to design your sign except to say that it's just really not firing me up.

I understand. It's just, this is what Oakberry is trying to get. There was an option at first that we make it two lines, but they want to go with one line, and that's basically what we have to propose.

Okay. How about other comments, thoughts on anyone?

No, I like what you're saying. I think that the one-liner interferes with the... the art or the design of the, you know, the purple kind of breaks, it breaks the, what is supposed to be art, those purple triangles on that building. And so I feel like it interferes with it, with the art on the building, especially on that first letter and then the last two letters. And so I would say that from an aesthetic perhaps perspective, not from a branding perspective, you would do much better with a two-line sign that doesn't, you know, for readability it would help as well, but also not interfere with the existing art on the building.

I understand. Which appears what Woodblock attempted to do to the left of it, is to not encroach on the purple.

Right, it seems like it stops right at that purple line.

Other comments, reactions?

Yeah, I mean, I agree. We don't wanna design the sign for you, but in other jurisdictions, Our jurisdiction, some of the stringent items they have is signage, but I think here there's an opportunity to be creative. So I think taking those opportunities and see how it could strengthen the brand. Because right now it's just a very...

I understand it's a pretty simple sign. The problem is that the building is already... painted, the building is already art. So we're basically going simple so we do not overcharge the look of the building.

So for this one, one of the comments we made just so that we can write them down was that the acai part could be a second line so that it's not interfering with that blue artwork. So that would be one comment to add approval with the following. And then for the blade sign, I think it's important that you know, consistency. So like if they're all eight foot on that particular building, right, then they all should be at the same height so that there's not like this, you know, weird like difference in height. Even if it's like six inches, it could start to look kind of fussy. So those are my two comments that would be, you know, approval with contingency of the following, right.

That's well worded. Heidi, any comments?

No, I agree with what you guys are saying. Whether it's stacked or at an angle, there's something to make it different. I mean, whether it's color, material, you're right there on Wynwood's main intersection. You guys could be anything you want, and the crazy is going to be what drives people to the door.

I have no issue with the blade signage, personally.

I'm more concerned about the Oakberry Acai, which is as plain as it could be on a building. Even Myamex, which is one of them that you included as your reference, it's just, it's striations, it's got movement. I think at a minimum, I would recommend, if I can, unless anybody has any other comments, that I recommend approval for the blade sign as designed, maintaining the same elevation, mounting elevation as the ones that are already existing on that building. Understood. And then for the acai, that I'm concerned about the scale, The frontage is 16 feet, and you're over 10. So your scale is pretty big, so it supports whether you stack your design or angle your design, I think.

I don't think it's going to be a problem to stack them. It's just, as far as the color, I don't think we're going to have to, they're going to be able to change it since it's already a trademark for the company.

Whether it's slid, whatever.

So let's go ahead and do that then is two motions. Heidi, if you would, the first motion for item number eight on the agenda, number 18062, Heidi, would be your first motion regarding the blade sign, which I believe was your motion was for approval by noting as a condition that it matches the height from the walk to the bottom of the blade sign.

Right, that it maintains...

In accordance with the other ones on the street. Yes. Do we have a second for that motion?

I second that.

Thank you.

Call for a vote.

All in favor with that condition? Aye.

Aye.

Aye. Okay, so summarizing, we have... An approval for item number eight, 18062, with the condition as already noted, and that is unanimous. So, well done. And then, if we could then have a motion for item number, agenda item number nine, which I believe is 18061, regarding the facade. Does anybody wanna take a crack at that, or do you want me to take a crack?

I move to approve with the condition that the sign Oak Berry Acai is stacked. It's a two-line sign so as not to interfere with the existing artwork on the building.

I second.

Call for a vote. All in favor with approval with the condition as outlined by Mr. Kett? Aye. Okay. Well done. And you understand that condition. We're not asking the folks to repaint the building. We're just asking them to Stack it. Fit the sign between the two existing purple triangles. Yes, sir. Wonderful.

Thank you very much.

Thanks.

Item number 10, address 2335, North Miami Ave, Project Thrill Social, Transit Zone T50. Application signage on unpainted building identification and business identification signs within NRD 1, 4, T5, T6, and D1 transit zones showed higher to the Miami Zoning Code Article 10, Table 15 sign standards and windward signage guidelines.

Yeah, I'm sorry. I don't think item number 10 is here. So we can move to the next one, item 11.

Do we assume that to be withdrawn?

It will be not shown, so... Not the same as a withdrawal because a withdrawal came to the meeting and we kind of have a record of it and not shown. We'll have to apply to come back and repay for the fee to come back.

But there's no obligation for us to make a motion?

No, no. Thank you. So the next item on the agenda is WDRC 11, located at 128 NW 25th Street. This is for a new development, Wynwood Art Plaza, transit zone T5O, and it's an administrative site plan review. So just to give you a little bit of context on what an AASPR is, It's an optional entitlement that locks in your approved plans for a period of three years, during which a building permit or certificate of use can be obtained. ASPR applications can either be approved, approved with conditions, or denied by the zoning administrator. So basically what we're seeing today, your comments will be a recommendation to the plan director, and as the application moves through in our project doc system, it will get an approval or disapproval. from the zoning director, but they're locked into what they got approved for for three years.

Good morning. My name is Peter Blitstein. I'm here representing the owner who is... Out of the country right now, I'm here with my associate architect, Francesco Palumbo, and we are renovating three small structures on Northwest 25th. The owner is a major art dealer in Montreal, and this is his first entry into the market. So he bought these three small structures, and we're in the process of converting them One for sure will be an art gallery, the other two we're not quite sure at this time. One of the comments we received was about dealing with furniture and objects in this recessed area. We specifically did not include that because we felt if one of the future tenants may be a restaurant, they would be the ones who would come forward with a seating plan. So it was not by mistake or to avoid the code. It was because we don't know what that use is going to be. I mean that that particular tenant will be at this time.

Where did that comment come from? Who made the comment?

I'm sorry, I can't hear you.

Who made the comment?

We received comments, I believe, from your board. The expediter sent us that. I don't know why they were there.

Was it possibly zoning comments? Yeah, it was zoning, yeah.

Okay, I'm sorry. Because we've received so many comments on this tiny project, we're quite amazed, actually, to tell you the truth. Just for reference, we've designed at least 10 projects in Wynwood, and I must say that this is a very small, intimate project, and it has taken us six or seven months to get here, and we're not building anything, so we need your help. We don't quite know what's going on, but... We tried our best to, the interiors are going to be relatively the same, very simple. But as you can see, we've totally redesigned the exteriors, created a kind of a plaza in front. We've added a lot of storefront. signage even though the buildings are connected there is an individuality about each of the three spaces and the owner being and running a gallery we tried to give him if you go to the elevations as much glass as we could we are well within the 25% of solid surfaces And the final artwork will be chosen by him. The art that you see is merely placement. And he will choose a nationally known artist to render those walls. They are there as a placement. So as you can see, we went from a fairly mundane three little building nondescript to giving it I think something that will feel very comfortable in Wynwood as I've said we've done ten projects in Wynwood two out of the ground and five or six renovations so we're pretty familiar with the texture of the overall area and has the owner picked which side I'm sorry has the gallery been determined where yes the gallery is the the one with the high windows Yes. And the signage will come back separately. They had requested samples for the sign band. We also have a sample of the storefront for colors, if that's important.

I think there's two things about this project that are important. One of them for me is adaptive reuse is a very hard thing to come by now in Wynwood. And the other one is art galleries. So there's not a lot of art galleries in Wynwood anymore. So I agree that we need to make our best effort to make sure we preserve those two things.

Anybody thoughts? With that, do I have a motion?

Motion to approve as presented.

Thank you. Second? Second.

Second.

Thank you. And all in favor of approval as it is submitted?

Aye. Aye. Aye.

Great. Well done. Well, thank you. Really, it means a lot to us.

Thank you all. Have a good day.

Thank you, sir.

And thanks for a nice project.

We're gonna go back to item number one, file number 17958, which is the 2026 global calendar that we need to vote on. Did you get a chance to review it?

Yes.

Was it optional?

I was just looking to see if it was included in 3D.

Thank you. It's usually the second Tuesday of the month. So we try to get that second Tuesday unless another board has already, you know, like taken that day. But it's usually like from like the 10th to the 13th. And I think it's going to follow the same pattern next year. Except the end, like the 10th or the 11th of each month. Yeah.

I move for approval of our 2026 calendar.

Do we have a motion for approval? Do we have a second? Second.

Okay. All in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

Aye. Aye. Full House.

Thank you.

Thank you. And just before we wrap up, we heard back from the Wimbledon bid earlier this week, and they're voting for three more members, two full-time, one alternate, in their next Wimbledon bid meeting, which I think is September 17th. So we should be able to have a full board by the next meeting in October 7. Wonderful.

Fantastic. Thank you.

Thank you. Can we get a motion to adjourn, please?

Do we have a motion to adjourn?

Yes. Yes.

A second to adjourn? Second.

And all in favor of adjourning? Aye. Well done. Thank you, everybody.

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