The City of North Miami Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of PC17‑113 on Thursday, endorsing a conditional‑use permit that would allow nine floating units to raise an as‑of‑right nine‑unit entitlement to a total of 18 luxury condominium units at 1998 Northeast 130 Fifth Street (the Shelton Miami). The vote was unanimous.

Staff described the site as a 0.34‑acre property in the R‑6 zoning district with existing high‑density multifamily land use. The applicant proposes an 11‑story building with a maximum code‑allowed height of 110 feet, 18 residential units with an average large unit footprint (staff and applicant described units as sizeable—approximately 3,264 sq ft and five labeled “bedrooms” in the plans) and an integrated parking solution with 38 spaces, including stacked mechanical parking and a 24‑7 valet operation. The project includes a 25‑foot front setback, 34% open space, pervious pavers, bioswales/rain gardens and a commitment to 100% Florida native plantings.

Developer representatives said the product is intended as luxury condominiums marketed to buyers seeking a residential, near‑water lifestyle; counsel and team members told the commission they expect a mix of primary and secondary homes rather than short‑term rentals. The team highlighted two community meetings held before the hearing (a Dorset House meeting and a Keystone Point homeowners association presentation) and said they had incorporated neighbor feedback into the design, including a shadow study and traffic/parking planning.

Neighbors and condominium association representatives from adjacent Keystone Towers expressed concerns about parking overflow on the narrow one‑way corridor, construction logistics for heavy equipment and trucks, and long‑term drainage/flooding risk given the site’s proximity to the canal and the preserve. Keystone Towers’ board president and residents requested assurances about construction staging, vibration monitoring and geotechnical safeguards to avoid impacts to nearby buildings.

Applicant and staff responses: the project team explained the foundation method (auger‑cast piles) designed to limit vibration and the intent to stage construction logistics off‑site to avoid lining the street with worker vehicles. The applicant said the project will meet or exceed city drainage requirements by using on‑site retention, pervious surfaces, bioswales and an elevated seawall where required. The applicant also pledged contributions to neighborhood park improvements and to widen the public sidewalk from five to ten feet as part of the proposal.

Commissioners praised the design quality and materials but several asked the applicant to work with staff on final details for stormwater, construction staging, vibration and parking operations. After discussion the commission voted to approve the conditional use permitting recommendation; the project will proceed to DRC site plan review, additional agency review (including Miami‑Dade County engineering), and then city council site plan consideration if it continues to comply with technical requirements.

Votes at a glance
- Recommendation to approve PC17‑113 (conditional use permit for 18 units): Passed unanimously.