Project Name:  River Place
Project Address: 615 SW 2 Ave
Developer Name and Contact Information:  Miami Riverfront Partners, LLC , 
J. Kevin Reilly, Principle (305) 298-9788, reillydevelopment@msn.com

Is the proposed development compatible with the “ Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan”?  Yes, the proposed “ River Place ” development is compatible with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, pg. 18 “Vision for the River” for this site.  The Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan’s recommended zoning and land use changes for this “lower river” downtown site were approved by the City Commission on March 27, 2003.  The majority of the proposed residential-mixed use development is setback 50-feet from the Miami River and features the Infill Plan recommended facading on the garages with retail and townhomes, view corridor through the site, publicly accessible Miami River Greenway along the River, SW 7 ST and the promenade through the site and the residential is slightly stepped back from the townhomes beneath it. 

Is the proposed development compatible with the “ Miami River Greenway Action Plan”?  Yes.  The developer has agreed to construct the publicly accessible Miami River Greenway along the River, an on-road section along SW 7 ST, and a promenade through the site.  In addition, the developer agreed to work on riverwalk design compatibility with the connecting “Neo Vertika” riverwalk section, filling the western corner to connect the planned riverwalk to the existing riverwalk beneath the 2^nd Ave Bridge, and providing a historical marker at the slip on the site, where WWII PT boats were built.  The Greenways subcommittee recommends having cleats on the proposed Riverwalk for temporary recreational vessel tie-ups.

Does the proposed project require any zoning amendments, land use amendments, special exceptions, waivers, or Major Use Special Permit?  The Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan recommended zoning and land use changes for this “lower river” downtown site, which were approved by the City Commission in March 2003.  The proposed project requires a Major Use Special Permit (MUSP) for 455 residential units.  Although the majority of the planned development maintains the city charter required 50-foot setback, the setback narrows to 20-feet where the riverwalk connects with a partially filled slip and the “Neo Vertika” riverwalk, therefore the City of Miami may require a setback variance.

Additional recommendations to optimize the positive impacts of the project on the Miami River Corridor and to improve coordination among public and private entities.

• Assist in requesting aesthetic improvements for FPL substation on the North Shore , east of SW 2^nd Ave
• Assist in connecting the Riverwalk beneath the 2^nd Ave Bridge on the south shore
• Provide Cleats on the Riverwalk for temporary recreational boat tie-ups

•  A minimum 20 foot wide publicly accessible Riverwalk be provided, pursuant to Miami River Greenway schematic designs.
• Cleats on the Riverwalk for recreational vessel tie ups
• An on road Greenway be provided along the sites perimeter, per the adopted Miami River Greenway Action Plan
• Phase III of the proposed development be replanned to provide the maximum  publicly accessible greenspace adjacent to the Miami River .

Is the proposed development compatible with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan?  Yes.  The developer has agreed to the on-road Greenway and a publicly accessible 20-foot wide riverwalk area (measured from the existing bulkhead), per the Greenway schematic design.  The developer was commended for maintaining view corridors by removing the structure and widening the area between Phases I and II, and providing the minimum 45 degree step-back from the river.

Does the proposed project require any zoning amendments, land use amendments, special exceptions, waivers, or Major Use Special Permit?  The project requires a Major Use Special Permit (MUSP) for 610 residential units.  The MUSP application includes amending the land use from Industrial to Commercial and amending the zoning from Marine Industrial (SD-4) to Restricted Commercial (C-1).  No additional waivers or special exceptions are included in the MUSP application.

Additional recommendations to optimize the positive impacts of the project on the Miami River Corridor and to improve coordination among public and private entities.

• A minimum 20 foot wide publicly accessible Riverwalk be provided, pursuant to Miami River Greenway schematic designs.
• Cleats on the Riverwalk for recreational vessel tie ups
• An on road Greenway be provided along the sites perimeter, per the adopted Miami River Greenway Action Plan
• Phase III of the proposed development be replanned with the maximum publicly accessible greenspace adjacent to the Miami River .
• Project developer meet with adjacent “public” property owners, Miami Dade County ( GSA Building ) and the City of Miami (Fire Station) about area improvements
• Project developer should meet with the Spring Garden Neighborhood Association to explain current and proposed design changes to the project.

Is the proposed development compatible with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan? 
Yes, “Henry and Julia’s”, a proposed new riverfront restaurant, is consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan’s recommendation to create new restaurants in this East Little Havana section of the River.

Is the proposed development compatible with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan? 
Yes, “Henry and Julia’s” is compatible with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan.  The new restaurant complies with the required river setback, and proposes a publicly accessible riverwalk, in addition to the planned on-road Greenway along S. River Drive in front of the restaurant location.

Does the proposed project require any zoning amendments, land use amendments, special exceptions, waivers, or Major Use Special Permit?  No.

Additional recommendations to optimize the positive impacts of the project on the Miami River Corridor and to improve coordination among public and private entities.
 If feasible in the future, continue the riverwalk directly along the river to both the east and west of the restaurant site. 

Is the proposed development compatible with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan?  The Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan questions the appropriateness of high density residential along this Allapattah section of the Miami River’s North Shore, and the plan calls for maintaining marine industry/recreational uses. The Urban Infill Working Group found that the Hurricane Cove project is generally consistent with the Infill Plan through its positive treatment of the riverfront, specifically a new publicly accessible riverwalk with connecting restaurant / market, and retaining and improving the existing 130 slip marina.

Is the proposed development compatible with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan?
The proposed Hurricane Cove project meets and exceeds the Miami River Greenway Action Plan.  In addition to the planned on-road Greenway along North River Drive’s Right-of-Way in front of the project, a publicly accessible (during daylight) riverwalk within this private property, consisting of a 12-foot boardwalk and 12-foot greenspace and a small park, with a connecting restaurant and market are proposed.   

Does the proposed project require any zoning amendments, land use amendments, special exceptions, waivers, or Major Use Special Permit?  Hurricane Cove requires a Major Use Special Permit, which includes a zoning amendment from Marine Industrial to Restricted Commercial, and a land use amendment from Industrial to Commercial. 

Additional recommendations to optimize the positive impacts of the project on the Miami River Corridor and to improve coordination among public and private entities. 
The Urban Infill Working Group recommends the Hurricane Cove project maintain an area for the existing “self-help” boatyard use.  The potential developer stated they would consider an area for the “self-help” boatyard, which would need to be allowable as an accessory use to the existing marina.  

 Is the proposed development consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan?
Yes, the proposed “Terrazas de Miami River” residential development is consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  This section of the Miami River is covered in the Urban Infill Plan’s “Vision of the Miami River: Durham Park/ West Little Havana” section, starting on page 35.  One focus of the section is on protecting Sewell Park.  The UIWG found that the developer is being sensitive to Sewell Park by increasing the building’s required 10 foot setback from the park to 50 feet, and is willing to have an open gate during daylight on the Park’s fence, where the “Terrazas de Miami River” riverwalk intersects the park.

Is the proposed development consistent with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan?
Yes, the proposed development in consistent with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan.  The Miami River Greenway Action Plan recommends an on-road Greenway at this location, located adjacent to NW South River Drive.  The developer agreed to work with the appropriate city agencies to implement the Greenway in front of their project.  Although not required, “Terrazas de Miami River” has incorporated a publicly accessible by day 10 foot-wide riverwalk path, with an additional 20 foot-wide landscaping and accessory restaurant seating area connecting to it.  Public access to this riverwalk will be determined by public safety considerations and discussions with the City Parks Department.  The required building setback from the Miami River is 10 feet, and a 30 foot-setback is being provided, while the required building setback from Sewell Park is 10 feet, and a 50 foot-setback is being provided. 

Does the proposed project require any zoning amendments, land use amendments, special exceptions, waivers, or Major Use Special Permit?
No.  “Terrazas de Miami River” phase I is building “as-of-right” and does not require any zoning or land use amendments, waivers, special exceptions, nor Major Use Special Permit.

Additional recommendations to optimize the positive impacts of the project on the Miami River Corridor and to improve coordination among public and private entities.

• “Terrazas de Miami River” Riverwalk should have a gate on the existing fence with Sewell park, to provide publicly accessible connectivity between the sites during daylight, assuming an access agreement is acceptable to the City Parks Department.
• A traffic study be conducted for this area of NW South River Drive  

     HOME      CALENDAR       ABOUT THE RIVER         ABOUT THE COMMISSION       DREDGING      GREENWAYS    URBAN INFILL PLAN  
    STORMWATER RETROFITTING   MINUTES OF MEETINGS      LINKS