Approval Granted by Planning and Zoning Board for Christ Church Redevelopment
Pompano Beach witnessed unanimous endorsement on June 28 from the Planning and Zoning Board for the architectural blueprints of Old Town II, an upcoming development. The city commission holds the final authority to greenlight the project.
Situated at the intersections of 210 NE 3 St. and 290 NE 2 St., the proposed initiative envisions the construction of two structures across two land parcels. The first is a 10-story edifice with a mixed-use designation, complemented by a 6-story residential building. The taller construction accommodates a 415-space parking facility (inclusive of 32 on-street parallel spots) and dedicates 3,400 square feet of its ground floor for commercial purposes. The housing component, spanning 319 units and distributed across both buildings, encompasses a collection of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, extending up to 1,152 square feet. Notably, 48 of these units are allocated for affordable housing requirements.
Encompassing 2.34 acres, the development integrates a plethora of amenities for residents. These include a pool, dog park, fitness center, spa, clubhouse, and several lounges. The plan emphasizes connectivity with the provision of 10-foot wide sidewalks surrounding the premises, coupled with the planting of trees. Additionally, the blueprint outlines the incorporation of two bridges on Northeast 2 Street, strategically positioned on the third and sixth floors. This architectural choice facilitates seamless access for occupants of the smaller building to the amenities and parking hosted by the larger structure, negating the need to descend to street level.
The ownership of the land presently rests with Christ Church United Methodist, an entity no longer utilizing the site for religious gatherings. Plans are underway for the sale of this property to Adache Group Architects. Notably, Adache Group Architects is actively engaged in the development of Old Town Square, a 10-story structure incorporating 280 apartments and 5,000 square feet of commercial space. This edifice is conveniently positioned across from the aforementioned church. During the meeting on June 28, the developer made a commitment to contribute $50,000 towards initiatives aimed at traffic calming.
Representing the developer, Nectaria Chakas, an attorney, conveyed that the intention is to procure the additional parcels surrounding the church’s vicinity. Chakas indicated that Adache Group Architects is likely to propose a subsequent project for these parcels at a later date.
While the developer’s blueprint entails allocating at least one parking space per residential unit, Board member Derek Lewis expressed reservations about potential overflow parking in the neighboring areas. He inquired whether occupants would be required to pay for extra parking spaces. Chakas responded that such concerns would be addressed in the future as a management decision.
Board member Carla Coleman also raised concerns about the possibility of residential parking extending into the surrounding neighborhood, a phenomenon often referred to as “bleeding.” Such concerns were echoed by Tundra King, who sought information about security measures due to the presence of an unhoused population nearby. Chakas reiterated that decisions regarding security would ultimately fall under the purview of the management company.
Among the remarks made in support of the project, Saracha Peterson, the sole member of the public to speak, lauded the developer’s decision to designate certain units for affordable housing rather than opting for a fee to the county. This choice was deemed desirable for the community.
Commending the developer for incorporating the garage within the building, Board Chair Fred Stacer shared his agreement with Peterson’s sentiment, underlining the alignment with the desired developer archetype. Pending approval by the city commission, the ambitious $100 million endeavor is projected to commence construction in 2024, with an estimated completion date in 2026.
South Florida Luxury Real Estate | Ocean Area Living | Heather Lefebvre
