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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Robert King High
1407 NW 7 St., 
Suite D
Miami , FL   33125

  Phone 305 644 0544
Fax 305 642 1136
  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

The Miami River Commission’s (MRC) Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG) convened on Wednesday, January 18, 2006, 4:00 PM, at the Robert King High New Board Room, 1407 NW 7 Street. Mr. Jim Murley chaired the meeting.  The attendance sheet is enclosed.

I. Planning Studies/Presentations

A. Presentation of “Miami 21”- Ms. Ashley Chase, MRC Assistant Managing Director, stated she had recently spoken to Ms. Luciana Gonzalez, City of Miami coordinator of the “Miami 21” public process, who had informed her that it may be possible to schedule the consultants to make a presentation to the MRC in February or March.  In the meantime, Ms. Chase encouraged meeting attendees to attend the three City of Miami public luncheons at Lummus Park in January/February to discuss smart growth principles and its effect on the “Miami 21” planning process.

Mr. Jim Murley, Chair of the MRC Urban Infill Working Group, noted he had discussed the possibility of designating the Miami River as a Waterfront District with “Miami 21” consultant Ms. Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk. Mr. Murley added Ms. Plater-Zyberk had informed that the “ Miami 21” consultants were continuing to map out the zones for the first “Eastern Quadrant.”

B. Discussion of Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan Implementation Step: “Request Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami, the Miami River Commission and the Florida Department of Transportation to partner and Establish Development Guidelines and Review Procedures for the MIC Associated Development” –On behalf of the MIC, Mr. Matthew Monica, Communikatz, representing the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), presented UIWG meeting attendees with an update regarding the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC):

• The MIC project is divided into 5 major sections

• Rent-A-Car facility slated for completion June 2008 (4 story building, 20-square-acre footprint)

• Core or Central Station slated for completion 2010; design of building will be indicative of Miami - practical and low-density.

• MIC Mover slated for completion 2010

• LeJeune Roadwork slated for completion 2009

• Earlington Heights Interconnector, an Miami-Dade Transit project, slated for completion 2009; railway will be completed in 2010

• Completion dates are approximate and subject to change

• Project will alleviate traffic congestion

Regarding the Infill Plan’s implementation step to “ Request Miami-Dade County , the City of Miami , the Miami River Commission and the Florida Department of Transportation to partner and Establish Development Guidelines and Review Procedures for the MIC Associated Development”, Mr. Katz noted the subject area is in unincorporated Miami-Dade County , therefore the land use and zoning is controlled by the Board of County Commissioners, and administered by the County’s Planning and Zoning Department.  Mr. Monica stated FDOT has a vested interest in the adjacent potential associated development area, and would therefore like to participate in the process, yet it should be lead by the County.  Mr. Murley directed Mr. Bibeau to meet with Miami-Dade County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro to suggest the County’s Planning and Zoning Department host a public workshop with representatives from the FDOT, MRC and local business and property owners, to discuss zoning alternatives and land use possibilities for the current identified “MIC Associated Development” area, located immediately east of the proposed MIC.

C. Status of the Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Study- Mr. Bibeau noted the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Subcommittee had approved the scope of services and inter-local agreement, which included $75,000 from the MPO and $25,000 from the MRC to hire transportation planning consultants to assist the MPO, FDOT, City, County and MRC in preparing the Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Study. Mr. Bibeau added the item is scheduled for a presentation before the full MPO board on January 26. Upon approval of the scope of services, Mr. Bibeau noted the MPO would select a consultant and the planning project would commence.  Mr. Monica agreed to find whom with the FDOT will participate in the planning process.  Mr. Bibeau thanked Commissioner Barreiro for sponsoring the item at the MPO.

D. Discussion of Revised Draft Miami-Dade County Marine Industrial Zoning Overlay- Mr. Bibeau noted County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro had agreed to sponsor the original, self-standing draft “Miami-Dade County Marine Industrial Zoning Overlay” ordinance authored by the Miami-Dade County Planning and Zoning Department. The self-standing ordinance sponsored by Commissioner Barreiro includes the MRC’s three recommendations of inserting retail in addition to and wholesale, providing for a front yard setback waiver for small guardhouses, and allowing for the on-site parking to be on the property either in front of or behind the required fence / wall. The ordinance is scheduled for a Miami-Dade County subcommittee hearing in February, noted Mr. Bibeau.

II. New Business - Mr. Bibeau stated the Draft “3^rd Annual Update” to the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan would be discussed at the 1/18/06 meeting, 6-8 pm, Robert King High, 1407 NW 7 Street. Per the UIWG’s former direction, Bibeau distributed and presented the MRC-produced “ Miami ’s 21^st Century Park: An Integrated System of Parks and Greenways along the Miami River .” The report, noted Mr. Bibeau, maps several potential opportunity sites to create additional green space, increase tree canopy, and beautify beneath bridges along the Miami River .  Per the UIWG’s previous direction, Mr. Bibeau distributed and presented a report with aerials of existing and potential marine-industrial sites along the Miami River .  Mr. Bibeau added MRC staff will continue working on the UIWG’s third requested exhibit, mapping the new developments along the Miami River .

Mr. Monica stated he would try to secure a presentation on the NW 5^th Street Bridge replacement from an FDOT representative for the UIWG’s next scheduled meeting.

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