Sunrise City approves density boost for massive Metropica project
Developer Joseph Kavana secured initial approval from Sunrise commissioners this week to increase the density of his long-planned, phased, mixed-use development called Metropica.
The 65-acre master-planned project in western Broward County has been in the works for at least a decade. The 1800 Northwest 136th Street site is sandwiched between the Florida Everglades and Sawgrass Mills Mall.
On Tuesday evening, the Sunrise City Commission granted first reading approval to amend the land use plan amendment for Metropica’s Transit Oriented Development District, a 92-acre area.
Metropica Lands LLC is seeking the green light for up to 3,300 residential high-rise units, an increase of 500 units. The developer is also seeking a bump in office space to 925,000 square feet from 785,000 square feet, though that only affects a city-owned site.
The residential units include the previously approved 300 townhouses and 3,000 multifamily units, up from 2,500 previously approved, a combination of condos and rentals. The project also calls for 485,000 square feet of commercial space and a hotel and park space.
Nearly a third of the office space, or 275,000 square feet, would be allocated to city-owned land within the district.
City commissioners unanimously approved the change at Tuesday’s meeting. No public comment or discussion occurred. The commission will vote on a second reading at an unspecified later date.
