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   MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION
    URBAN INFILL PLANNING GROUP MINUTES:
  Minutes of meeting 		July 13, 2004
(THIS IS A PUBLIC DOCUMENT)

The Miami River Commission ’s (MRC) Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG) convened on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 , 10:00 AM , in the Miami Riverside Center , 444 SW 2nd Avenue , 8th Floor, North Conference Room.  Mr. Jim Murley chaired the meeting.  The attendance sheet it enclosed.

 

I. Technical Project Reviews

A. Brisas Del Rio (1583 NW 24th Ave., former “Florida Yacht Basin”) Presentation - Mr. Ben Benash, representing EF Builders, and Mr. Ben Fernandez, Berkow Radell, presented “Brisas Del Rio”, a development proposed on the south shore of the Miami River at 1583 NW 24th Avenue, formerly known as the Florida Yacht Basin.  The proposal would require a Major Use Special Permit, land use and zoning change from marine industrial to Commercial. Mr. Banash stated the original plan, presented to the Urban Infill Working Group on April 16, 2004 , has been modified. The proposal now consists of:

  • A change in density of residential units from 900 to 698, with an approximate price range of $195,000 to $250,000

  • Creation of a publicly accessible Riverwalk and pedestrian promenade, including a minimum 22-ft setback from the river and 16-ft unobstructed publicly accessible path

  • A reduction in the number of towers from 6 to 3, with a height of 20 stories (originally 28-30 stories), and 10,000 ft of commercial space on each ground floor

  • Creation of a dock area for Mega Yachts, with full access from the Road and promenade

  • Creation of Park/Plaza area

  • Façade creation on each of the garages and top floor green/recreational space

Regarding the current boat slips, Mr. Banash indicated EF Builders hired HJ Ross to determine the exact number of boat slips would be allowed.  He noted 1.94 acres of the existing 8 large boat slips would be partially filled for the proposed residential buildings.

Mr. Bibeau cited a section of the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, regarding the subject property, which is located on the marine industrial south shore of the “ Upper River ”:

“Another asset is the Florida Yacht Basin site, a marine industrial site with deep-water slips and the potential to compliment the planned Watson Island mega-yacht marina as a mega-yacht servicing facility. This site is one of only a few with the physical infrastructure and geographic proximity to Watson Island to serve this purpose…The appropriateness of high density residential located directly on the River is highly questionable and should be reconsidered. Likewise, lower density residential development may not be the most appropriate use of this neighborhood’s Miami River frontage.”

Mr. Murley indicated EF Builders had taken considerable steps to improving the original development plan to gain consistency with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, however, the continuous loss of irreplaceable boat slips and marine industrial property in the upper river area posed a major concern.  The developer hopes the site will serve as a staging area for other mega-yacht repair facilities located in the “upper river” area.  Mr. Fernandez stated they were still making design revisions in response to concerns of the City of Miami ’s internal development review committee.  The potential developers agreed to come back to the UIWG when the final design had been reached with the City of Miami ’s internal review committee, and the contracted marine dockage study was completed and could be considered

B. “ Reflections on the River” (201-261 SW 6 ST) Presentation - Ms. Gloria Velazquez, Greenberg Traurig, Mr. Michael Proteau and Mr. Victor Yue of DH&P, and Mr. Serj A. Saba, URG / Kimley-Horn, presented “Reflections on the River”, a development proposed at 201-261 SW 6 ST.  The residential project would require a land use and zoning change from marine industrial to SD-7.  The proposed development consists of:

  • 1 - 25 story loft / condominium building

  • Retail / Commercial on the first floor of the building

  • Pedestrian access through the arcade, to a publicly accessible riverwalk consisting of a 50-ft setback from the River’s south shoreline and a 16-ft wide unobstructed pedestrian path

  • Eight levels of facaded parking

  • Possibility of the ground level including a river front restaurant with water access

Ms. Velasquez indicated the City of Miami Planning Department recommended denial of the land use and zoning changes, because the site is not adjacent to another SD-7 property. The City of Miami ’s Zoning Board and Planning Advisory Board recommended approval. The award winning, Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, states,

“A special district overlay (SD-7) of the neighborhood’s commercially-zoned waterfront encourages the type of high intensity mixed use development now making its mark in the area. The expansion of this type of use westward to I-95 into the area presently zoned for industrial and waterfront industrial uses offers opportunities for “rounding out” the growing mixed use district and connecting it to Jose Marti Park , a riverside 10 acre park that would benefit from increased use. Revised development regulations for this portion of Brickell Village ’s waterfront should contain language, however, requiring the preservation of any existing marine dockage and mooring facilities and encouraging their public use; for example, commercial-residential developments incorporating water taxi stops, small passenger vessel terminals, mega-yacht facilities, or other similar marine amenities would be welcomed.”

The subcommittee found the development to be consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenway Action Plan (see attached Technical Review Form) and scheduled “Reflections on the River” as an agenda item for the Miami River Commission ’s September 13, 2004 meeting, at noon, in the United Way Ansin Building, 3250 SW 3rd Avenue, Miami, Florida.  Mr. Bibeau requested Ms. Velasquez to provide all MRC members and designees a package of information one week prior to the September 13, 2004 meeting.

C. Review FPT, located 3700 NW North River Drive, Application submitted to Miami-Dade County – The applicants required a deferral to the next UIWG meeting.          

II.  Planning Studies/Presentations

A. Status of Miami River Corridor Transportation Study- This item has been deferred until the next Urban Infill Working Group meeting.

B. MIC/FDOT Presentation- This item has been deferred until the next Urban Infill Working Group meeting.

C. Status of Proposed Miami-Dade County Marine Industrial Zoning Overlay- This item has been deferred until the next Urban Infill Working Group meeting.

III.  New Business There was no new business

The meeting adjourned.

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