The Miami River Commission’s (MRC) Economic Development and Commerce (EDC) Working Group convened a special meeting, at the request of the MRC Executive Committee, on April 29, 2002, 9 am, at the Rosenstiel School, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Library Map Room.  Phil Everingham chaired the meeting.  The meeting opened with self-introductions.  The attendance sheets are enclosed.

Albert Ruder, City of Miami Director of Parks, and the City of Miami Police Department (CMPD) made presentations regarding the proposed 20 police horse stables, police K-9, Marine Patrol and Administrative offices in Sewell Park, on the Miami River.  Ruder stated the proposal will be sensitive to trees.  Brett Bibeau stated that during a City Commission meeting, Commissioner Gonzalez passed a resolution requesting the MRC to recommend a course of action to the City Commission, regarding this proposal.  The CMPD representatives explained they are being forced by the County to move the existing stables located in County owned Tropical Park.  Mr. Frank Castaneda, Commissioner Gonzalez’s Chief of Staff, stated the Commissioner supports the concept of the facility in Sewell Park, which will prevent crime, so long as it does not require the removal of any existing trees, be beneath the tree canopy, and is designed in a historical nature.  A CMPD officer stated no trees will be cut down.  The K-9 training area on the riverfront has received public opposition, and the CMPD stated they could remove it from the proposal.  The CMPD stated they would keep the horses clean, and odorless.  In addition, they stated they would have interactive programs with schools.  CMPD stated City of Miami Marine Patrol in the slip is a good idea.  The officers stated they have looked into several locations, but had no City Commission support for any other sites.

Mr. TJ Marshall, a resident of the River Run apartments, made a presentation regarding the issue.  Marshall stated the police chief had told him they would not have any of the facility beneath the bluff on the riverfront (the exhibit provided by the Police Department still has the K-9 facility on the river’s shore).  Furthermore, Marshall stated the Chief had verbally agreed to provide public access along the Lawrence canal, and kayak recreational uses in slip.  City Public Works representatives told Marshall trees would have to be cut down within Sewell Park to accommodate the proposal.  Marshall stated River Run wants nothing beneath the bluff, on the riverfront.

Anne Stetser, local resident, stated the view is not her entire concern.  Stetser stated there are other viable locations throughout city.  Stetser stated the park currently has no structures.  Stetser said she supports marine patrol in the slip.  Stetser stated she feels safe in Sewell Park.

Dr. Martin stated we do not want to lose any existing green spaces for administrative buildings nor facilities.  Dr. Martin likes the concept of the Greenway along Lawrence canal.  Dr. Martin said he could only support the horse stables, if they are above the bluff, historically designed, beneath the tree canopy, and without the removal of trees.

Phil Everingham stated the MRC and its subcommittees will need the final design of the proposal prior to making recommendations, and requested the Police Department to return to the MRC for a recommendation when the final design is completed. 

Jose Casanova, City of Miami Planning Department, made a presentation regarding the proposed Community Center in Jose Marti Park.  The City has held numerous public hearings regarding the proposed facility and its programs.  The location is in front of the pool, in vacant land, adjacent to the parking lot beneath I-95.  The contract to build the facility is out to bid, with bids to be received in mid May.  The community center is to be completed in early 2003.  Ruder stated the East Little Havana Community has needed a community center for a long time.  The Miami-Dade Community College will operate the Community center’s computer facility.  The Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond and the Homeland Security Neighborhood Improvement bonds are the centers funding sources.  Brett Bibeau stated the kiosk in the middle of the park should be unlocked and re-closed by the pools life guards daily.  The EDC unanimously recommended the MRC approve the plans for the Jose Marti Park Community Center, and furthermore recommended, provide a recreational boat slip for kayaks and canoes along the planned riverwalk extension beneath I-95 in Jose Marti Park, and have the parks lifeguards open the existing kiosk on a daily basis.

The next item discussed on the agenda was an application to change zoning and land use for the property located on the river’s south shore, at 2415 NW 16^th Street Road.  The application proposes changing the zoning from SD-4 Marine Industrial, to R-3 Residential, and amending the Land Use from Industrial to Medium Density Multifamily Residential, to allow for three buildings with 176 units of housing.  The proposed development incorporates a private riverwalk, kiosks, and marina slips.  One million dollars from a County affordable housing funding program (SHIP) was allocated for the proposed project, and the $9 million balance is private.  Bibeau stated the Infill Plan proposes a Mega-Yacht facility at the adjacent water slips of the “Florida Yacht Basin”.  The proposed plans leave no buffer zone between Industrial and the proposed residential.  Ms. Carol Fenner, a neighboring resident, stated her opposition to the proposed zoning change. Residents want it to remain Marine industrial.  Javier Fernandez stated we should support the proposal.  Dr. Martin stated we should defer our recommendation until completion of the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  Dr. Bohnsack stated we should oppose the zoning change.  Robert Parks, Chair of the Miami River Commission, stated he opposes the plan as presented.  David Miller stated the City Planning Advisory Board deferred the item until May 16, in order to consider the MRC’s recommendation on this item.  The item will be considered by the MRC on May 6, 2002.  Parks requested the developers to contact Jim Murley and Kimley-Horn and Associates prior to the May 6 MRC meeting.  The EDC did not provide a recommendation for the MRC.  

The EDC confirmed their next regularly scheduled meeting, the second Tuesday of the month, May 14, 3 pm, in the Rosenstiel School, 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy., Dean’s Conference Room.  The meeting was adjourned.