The Miami Lakes town council approved a new residential complex to rise on the northeast corner of Graham Dairy Lake.
The Graham Companies’ project -- which the council approved during its April meeting -- will have 541 apartments in 14 buildings. It will be built on the west side of Commerce Way at Northwest 146th Street.
The developer had contemplated using the state’s Live Local law and existing zoning to build a much bigger project, with as many as 978 apartments.
“While Live Local would have permitted many more units to be built and would have meant less taxes, we met with the town and council members and we came to an agreement that a much lower density was beneficial for all,” said Luis Martinez, senior executive vice president of The Graham Companies and president of its Residential division.
Residents in 222 one-bedroom, 244 two-bedroom and 75 three-bedroom apartments will be able to enjoy water views, a clubhouse and resort-style pool, a fitness center, work-from-home office spaces and a dog park.
Two shopping centers are in walking distance from the property where cattle currently graze.
The developers plan to plant 817 trees in the design by the company’s longtime architects, Roger Fry & Associates Architects.
Buildings will have tile roofs and will be of varying heights. Seven three-story buildings will line Commerce Way. The facades will be close to the street. Two buildings will have five stories and five others will have four floors.
The Graham Companies has two years to get the necessary permits.
The company’s 2017 plan for a residential village for elders, which included a building to be donated to the town for a senior center, was canceled when a health care partner could not be found.
The Graham Companies has pledged $1,560,000 to the municipality to be held by the town attorney to be used for constructing a senior center elsewhere.