WCOM
NEWS
3-16-05
Residents strike deal in
Miramar with Riviera Isles developer
MIRAMAR--Residents of Riviera Isles,
fearful that a new community's entrance would wreak havoc on traffic in front of
their homes, have reached a compromise with the developer.
G.L. Homes wants to build 491 houses in a complex called Sunset Falls on a
502-acre rock quarry in West Miramar. City commissioners tonight are expected to
allow it to move forward.
City
leaders have said this could be the last large new housing development out west,
which is approaching build out.
Last month, the commission stopped short of approving the site plan after
several Riviera Isles residents opposed having two entranceways directly across
from each other on Southwest 172nd Avenue, near Bass Creek Road.
They say there are already long lines to get into their subdivision of 1,400
single-family houses during rush hour and weekends.
Chris Tello, who lives in Riviera Isles and sits on its board, said developers,
traffic engineers and other experts met this month and agreed to a plan that
would provide Riviera with two left turns out of their complex. The plan would
keep the Sunset Falls entrance across the street.
"It had to be a win-win for both parties," said Tello, who said moving
Sunset Falls' entrance had drawbacks.
Under the compromise, G.L. Homes will pay for an upgraded camera system at two
of Riviera Isles unmanned guardhouses. Homeowner’s hope that will help to
minimize the destruction of their gates by motorists, Tello said.
G.L. Homes also agreed to build an additional northbound lane on Southwest 172nd
Avenue, between Miramar Parkway and Pembroke Road, and to pay $1.2 million to
the Broward County School Board for modular classrooms.
Houses at Sunset Falls are expected to start at about $400,000. The lots will be
about 8,000 square feet.
(source) Sun Sentinel (Georgia East) 3-16-05