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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
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4600 Rickenbacker Cswy,
Miami, Fl. 33149
305-361-4850
Fax: 305-361-4755
  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

The Miami River Commission ’s (MRC) Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG) met on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 , at 2:00 PM , in the Miami Riverside Center , 444 SW 2nd Avenue , 8th Floor, North Conference Room.  Mr. Jim Murley chaired the meeting.  The attendance sheet is enclosed.

I).  “Brisas del Rio ” Presentation ( Florida Yacht Basin )– the presentation was deferred to the UIWG’s June meeting.

II).  Status of River Drive Study- Mr. Brett Bibeau, Managing Director of the MRC, reminded the UIWG that during their March meeting, Ms. Karen McGuire, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), stated they may be able to assist with conducting and funding the comprehensive Transportation Study on the Miami River Corridor.  Bibeau stated he had invited Ms. McGuire to provide the UIWG with an update, but unfortunately she was unavailable to attend the meeting.  The UIWG directed MRC staff to continue working with FDOT on commencing the aforementioned Miami River Corridor Transportation Study.

III).  MIC/FDOT Presentation- the presentation was deferred to the June UIWG meeting.

IV).  Discussion of Potential City of Miami Springs Annexation of the “Upper River” South Shore Section in Unincorporated Dade County – On May 3, 2004, the MRC directed the UIWG to research the application for the City of Miami Springs to annex a section of the Miami River west of 27^th Ave, in unincorporated Miami-Dade County.  Mr. Bibeau introduced Mr. Robert Kirschbaum, Miami-Dade County’s Office of Strategic Business Management, and thanked him for attending the meeting to present the UIWG with a brief overview on the original application submitted to the County from the City of Miami Springs, to Annex the “Upper River” South Shore section, currently in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, from west of 27^th Ave to the salinity dam. Mr. Kirschbaum explained the general annexation process as follows:

• A Municipality submits an application to Miami-Dade County for annexation
• The Annexation Application is distributed to Miami-Dade County Departments for review and comments
• A County report is prepared and distributed regarding the application
• The County’s “Boundaries Commission” holds a public hearing and creates an advisory recommendation for the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) consideration
• Miami-Dade County ’s Planning Advisory holds a public hearing to create an advisory recommendation for the BCC’s consideration

• The BCC’s Budget and Finance Subcommittee holds a public meeting regarding the application
• The BCC votes to accept or deny the annexation application

Kirschbaum stated a referendum is required when the proposed annexation area has greater than 250 registered voters, or more than 50% of the land is zoned residential.  Kirschbaum noted the subject area on the Miami River does not meet this threshold, therefore the BCC will ultimately rule on the annexation application.  Mr. Kirschbaum stated the process usually takes 6-8 months.  Kirschbaum stated the City of Miami Springs is meeting with the Towns of Medley, Doral and Virginia Gardens , whom are also interested in annexing land within the proposed area, and is expected to submit a revised application to the County by July 30, 2004 .  Bibeau asked Jose Casanova, City of Miami Planning Department, if the City of Miami was considering applying to annex any areas of the Miami River .  Mr. Casanova stated he is not aware of any pending City of Miami applications to annex areas within the Miami River corridor. 

Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Executive Director of the Miami River Marine Group (MRMG), stated the business owners in the proposed annexation area would prefer remaining in unincorporated Miami-Dade County .  Bibeau asked Kirschbaum if anyone has expressed opposition to the annexation application.  Mr. Kirschbaum stated Hialeah Rail Yards has formally expressed opposition to the application.  Mr. Jim Murley noted the local municipalities control land use and zoning.  Murley noted the map in the application delineated the eastern boundary of the proposed annexation area is in the middle of S. River Drive, and omits the riverfront properties on the east side of South River Drive.

The UIWG noted that consistent with the BCC Resolution request, the MRC should submit an advisory recommendation for the BCC’s consideration, with relation to the annexation proposal and its potential impacts on the Miami River .  The UIWG directed MRC staff to obtain a digital map of the proposed annexation area, and research the potential impacts further for later consideration by the UIWG and MRC.                                                                                       

V).  Status of Proposed Miami-Dade County Marine Industrial Zoning Overlay District – Ms. Helen Brown, Miami-Dade County Planning Department, provided the MRC with copies of the proposed Marine Industrial Zoning Overlay District Ordinance.  The UIWG noted it had not been revised nor updated yet, and passed a unanimous resolution for Bibeau to write the Miami-Dade County Planning Director, Dianna Quinn Williams, recommending the draft ordinance be finalized and presented to the BCC for consideration.  Ms. Brown explained the process would include the following:

• Revised draft Ordinance submitted to Miami-Dade County Planning Department’s Attorney for review
• Draft Ordinance submitted to Miami-Dade County Attorney for review
• Draft ordinance presented to BCC’s Governmental Operation and Environmental Committee
• Draft Ordinance presented to BCC for consideration

Dr. Fran Bohnsack, MRMG, questioned the necessity of the  “10% Open Space” clause found in the overlay, as it was inconsistent with the nature of the Marine Industrial Use Dr. Bohnsack suggested deleting the clause or inserting a grandfather clause. Dr. Ernest Martin suggested considering clarifying the clause.  The UIWG unanimously decided for all members final comments and revisions be submitted to MRC staff within one week, followed by a meeting with Mr. Bibeau and Ms. Brown, prior to meeting with the Miami-Dade County Planning Department, to encourage moving it forward through the review process.

VI. New Business- Mr. Bibeau provided UIWG chair Murley with City Commissioner Gonzalez’s Memo to the City of Miami Planning Advisory Board , criticizing the Miami River Greenway Action Plan, and MRC Chairman Parks’ response letter, which in addition addressed negative comments Commissioner Gonzalez made about the MRC during a recent City Commission meeting.  Mr. Bibeau stated the City of Miami Planning Advisory Board requested to host a Public Hearing related to the status of the Miami River Greenway Action, the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River in general on June 2, 2004 .  The MRC was invited to participate in the hearing. Mr. Murley advised Mr. Bibeau to examine the issue with the Miami River Commission ’s Executive Committee.

Mr. Bibeau reminded the UIWG that the MRC had recommended denial for a zoning code special exception for the proposed “Agua Clara” residential development, located on the Miami River’s north shore, immediately west of the 27 Ave. Bridge, in the “upper river”.  Bibeau reported the City Commission will be hearing a necessary alley closure on May 27, 2004 for the proposed project, and noted the MRC will not be meeting prior to that time.  Therefore, Bibeau asked for the UIWG’s direction on whether he should present the MRC’s recommendation at the City Commission hearing.  Murley advised MRC staff not to forward the MRC’s advisory recommendation, because it was more focused on the zoning special exception, which was previously granted, rather than the pending alley closure. 

Dr. Fran Bohnsack, MRMG, stated former State Representative Manny Prieguez contacted her, regarding FDOT right of way needs for the planned replacement of the NW 5^th ST Bridge.  Bohnsack explained Prieguez owns property adjacent to the 5 ST Bridge.  Bibeau stated as the MRC is aware, their have been several options considered for the new bridge, and he would ask the FDOT to provide the latest preferred options, and the required of Right of Way, before reaching out to Mr. Prieguez. 

Meeting adjourned.

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