For more information, contact us via email at
miamiriver@bellsouth.net

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
 

The Miami River Commission’s (MRC) Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG) convened on Tuesday, August 8, 2006, 10:00 AM, at the Robert King High Classroom, 1407 NW 7 ST.  Mr. Jim Murley chaired the meeting.  The attendance sheet is enclosed.

I. Planning Studies/Presentations

A. Presentation of Proposed Merrill-Stevens Dry Dock Company Expansion - Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, noted the MRC had previously found the Merrill-Stevens Boatyard expansion to be consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  Therefore, the item was only scheduled as an informational presentation to the UIWG in August and the MRC on September 11, 2006 , to review how it may co-exist in the area with the proposed immediately adjacent Related Group’s mixed-use and mixed-income development.  On behalf of Merrill-Stevens, Mr. Mark Bailey introduced Mr. D. Pearlson, Merrill-Stevens, who presented the proposed plans for the expansion project.  Mr. Bailey noted Merrill-Stevens has been planning the aforementioned project for the past year-and-a-half and continues to coordinate with adjacent neighbors and river stakeholders:

• Greenberg Traurig is currently representing Merrill-Stevens in this venture

• Met with Miami-Dade Expressway Authority, MDX, in regards to utilizing space below I-836

• Working closely with Florida Department of Transportation, FDOT, to enhance riverwalk

• Will expand boat slip capacity to the west of the property

• Along NW 13^th Avenue -will integrate service pier and riverwalk access on both shores; will include a staging site for vessels coming in for repairs/service

• Landscaping will be implemented on the south side in the Robert King High greenspace  

• Miami-Dade County has requested that they include a substation/service pier in their proposed plans for marine patrol (underneath 836 on the boatyard’s south side)

• Main building will have elevated observation walkway (extending to NW 13^th Ave. ), allowing public to view into the facility

• New vertical lifts will accommodate 2,500-tons/five full-size (250 feet) vessels

• In discussion with FDOT regarding air rights for a skywalk, allowing public to observe shipyard in action

• Due to significant square footage of roof, will incorporate solar panels

• Project is currently in planning stages and is expected to undergo permitting within next few months

• Maintenance dredging of the Miami River is essential to the success of the Merrill-Stevens project; need dredging to handle keel of vessels

• Mr. Cliff Schulman, Greenberg Traurig, noted an independent economic study outlining the impact of the proposed Merrill-Stevens expansion project had recently been completed; Mr. Schulman noted the Army Corps of Engineers had never previously considered Merrill-Stevens in its cost-benefit analysis

• The expansion project will provide close to 400 new jobs in the community

• Steve Lefton, Kimley Horn, demonstrated landscaping and riverwalk schematics for the project; As part of the proposed plan, Merrill-Stevens will improve the area’s passive space; project is a true interface of marine and riverwalk components; there will be an enhanced sidewalk that connects to a 16-foot publicly accessible riverwalk which would be funded and development by Merrill-Stevens; seating and viewing areas, canopy/hammocks; proposed walkway connecting to South River Drive; will consist of service and emergency access ways.  Riverwalk is situated 4 feet above service corridor and consists of a decorative security fence; on North side-16-foot riverwalk, lined with palms and an opportunity for extended riverwalk connection; on-road greenway will lead to observation deck extending to NW 11^th Street and connecting to newly constructed NW 12^th Avenue Bridge.

• The Merrill-Stevens representatives stated their expansion and the adjacent proposed Related Group redevelopment may co-exist

Questions:

• Mr. Bibeau asked if NW 11^th Street would require any road re-alignment, and Mr. Schulman replied yes; Mr. Schulman added that Merrill-Stevens is working out these details with Miami-Dade County and adjacent developers

• Mr. Bibeau asked for the width of the proposed service corridor, and Mr. Schulman replied 24 feet. Mr. Bibeau asked if this width could be narrowed, and Mr. Schulman replied it could not due to emergency fire access needs

• Mr. Bibeau asked if landscaping along the south shore would be included in the Merrill-Stevens proposed expansion plans, and Mr. Schulman replied Merrill-Stevens would provide landscaping at no charge to the community

• Mr. Bibeau reminded Merrill-Stevens representatives that dredging is not permitted within 10 feet from the shoreline. Mr. Schulman replied that Merrill-Stevens continues to coordinate with the ACOE

• Mr. Jim Murley asked if Merrill-Stevens and their legal representatives could provide project updates to the UIWG every 3-4 months, and Merrill-Stevens representatives agreed

• Mr. Murley noted a possibility to create a park on the south side of the river, on South River Drive, east of the former Miami News site;  Mr. Murley also noted that there was no way for pedestrians to get from NW 7^th to NW 13^th Avenue on the south side of the river. Mr. Lefton noted he would re-examine those capabilities

• Mr. Bibeau requested that Kimley Horn re-examine the transitions of the proposed service piers, in relation to ADA compliance along the riverwalk

The UIWG thanked Merrill-Stevens, Greenberg Traurig and Kimley Horn representatives for their presentation, and asked them to provide MRC members and designees with the proposed project plans one week prior to the MRC scheduled hearing on this item, which will take place on September 11, noon, Robert King High, New Board Room, 1407 NW 7 Street. Ms. Ashley Chase, MRC Assistant Managing Director, agreed to provide Mr. Bailey with the MRC board’s contact information.

B. Presentation of Proposed Related Group Development- Mr. Cliff Schulman, Greenberg Traurig, noted he was also representing the Related Group for a proposed development located on the north side of the Civic Center .  Mr. Joaquin Avino, CSD/Civic Center, noted the Related Group was proposing a 950 unit mixed income redevelopment project immediately adjacent to the proposed Merrill-Stevens expansion, including surface parking lot areas owned by Miami-Dade County immediately west of I-836. Mr. Avino provided the following schematic breakdown:

• Parcel I - adjacent to Gershwin Building will be transformed into a 2,000 space parking garage containing retail on ground floor

• Parcel II - between 836 and NW 12^th Street - will include a residential component; 502 units-half of which will be deeded for affordable housing; other half will be classified as attainable ownership with a price range of $150,000-$250,000. Parcel II will also include 150 units of affordable rentals.

• Parcel III - (upland side of 836) - 100 units of elderly housing under the “202 program”.  A riverfront restaurant component will be created to create a 24/7 destination landscape adjacent to the publicly accessible riverwalk; a possibility to house MRC offices on the second floor

• Parcel VII-a facility similar to the Ronald McDonald House or “Mi Casita” - a home away from home for distressed children will be created

• Parcel VIII - State Attorney’s Office expansion

Mr. Murley asked if the proposed redevelopment project would need to go before the City of Miami for approval, and Mr. Schulman replied it would for several Land Use and Zoning Amendments.  Mr. Murley explained the City and County Commissions requested the MRC’s advisory recommendation, regarding items which impact the Miami River corridor.  Murley further explained the MRC’s process is for the UIWG to advise the full MRC on whether any item is consistent with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan and the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  The MRC then places the item on their publicly noticed agenda, the presenters and general public are provided an opportunity to address the MRC, which votes to determine if the proposal is consistent with the aforementioned plans, and that finding is forwarded to the City and or County Commissions .  Mr. Murley stated at this stage the UIWG and MRC should only focus on the concept of creating the proposed partnership between the County and private parcels for a mixed-use and mixed income development, and if it moves forward, the MRC should consider the potential land use and zoning amendments separately during future meetings.  The Related Group representatives agreed.

Mr. Murley asked the UIWG to consider whether the proposal is consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  Mr. Bibeau cited a portion of the plan about the subject area, found on pages 31: “The Civic Center/Medical Center (12^th Avenue to 17^th Avenue, north bank)-With the cooperation of Miami-Dade County, two county-owned surface parking lots located to the east of the Shrine site could be jointly developed in a public-private venture; such a partnership would result in creation of the Miami River’s largest waterfront development site. Commercial (including restaurants, cafes, bookstores and shops), residential, office and hotel uses could be linked to the water’s edge via a “Riverwalk”- type plaza and accessed both from the greenway as well as from the river itself…Consideration should be given to rezoning all non-waterfront industrial parcels along this segment of the Miami River for mixed use development encouraging water-dependant and related uses as well as restaurants, markets and residential. Public access to the river should be maximized and amenities provided so as to benefit the large employment and residential base of this district.”  Therefore, Mr. Murley recommended the MRC find the proposed creation of a public-private partnership to create a mixed-use and mixed income development in the Civic Center area, featuring a publicly accessible riverwalk while not displacing the proposed Merrill-Stevens expansion footprint, to be consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan. (please see attached Technical Development Review Form)

The UIWG thanked the Related Group representatives for their presentation, and asked them to provide MRC members and designees with the proposed project plans one week prior to the MRC scheduled hearing on this item, which will take place on September 11, noon, Robert King High, New Board Room, 1407 NW 7 Street. Ms. Ashley Chase, MRC Assistant Managing Director, agreed to provide them with the MRC board’s contact information.

C. Presentation of Proposed Project 2601 & 2621 NW 16^th Street Road - On behalf of the Martin Design Group, Mr. David Coviello, Shutts & Bowen, provided the following presentation:

• Property is currently zoned commercial C-1

• Site currently operating as a recreational boatyard

• Proposed project will consist of 167 residential units, 8 stories, an 8 foot-wide unobstructed publicly accessible riverwalk path and several boat slips

Questions/Comments:

• Mr. Bibeau asked if the developers would consider keeping the dry stack storage on the first floor of the facility in an effort to increase marketability of the project and maintain the current number of boat slips, and Mr. Coviello replied yes.

Mr. Murley explained the City Commission requested the MRC’s advisory recommendation, regarding items which impact the Miami River corridor.  Murley further explained the MRC’s process is for the UIWG to advise the full MRC on whether any item is consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  The MRC then places the item on their publicly noticed agenda, the presenters and general public are provided an opportunity to address the MRC, which votes to determine if the proposal is consistent with the aforementioned plans, and that finding is forwarded to the City Commission.  Mr. Murley recommended the MRC find the proposed project to be consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, contingent on the developer agreeing to expand the publicly accessible riverwalk’s unobstructed pathway to 16 feet wide, and consider keeping the dry stack storage on the first floor of the facility in an effort to increase marketability of the project and maintain the current number of boat slips. (please see attached Technical Development Review)

The UIWG thanked the representatives for their presentation, and asked them to provide MRC members and designees with the proposed project plans one week prior to the MRC scheduled hearing on this item, which will take place on September 11, noon, Robert King High, New Board Room, 1407 NW 7 Street. Ms. Ashley Chase, MRC Assistant Managing Director, agreed to provide Mr. Bailey with the MRC board’s contact information.  

 II. Planning Studies/Presentations

 A. Discussion of “Miami 21”- Ms. Chase presented a revised map of the draft Miami 21 Eastern Quadrant as well as three additional informational documents for review, currently available on the Miami 21 website, www.miami21.org.  Ms. Chase noted she had been informed that the City was continuing to meet with the Plater-Zyberk team to address the plan’s components, such as marine-industrial uses, and hoped to present the first draft of the Eastern Quadrant at the October Planning Advisory Board hearing.  Mr. Bibeau noted the zoning classification for the Merrill-Stevens property had changed to D2, while Lummus Park was currently not zoned as a park.  Mr. Murley suggested that the UIWG review the map and provided documentation prior to the September 12 UIWG meeting when the UIWG will create their recommendation to the MRC regarding the draft Miami 21 – Eastern Quadrant, which will be presented to the full MRC on October 2, 2006 .

B. Discussion of National Trust for Historic Preservation “Preservation Assessment Development Report” - MRC staff distributed copies of the National Trust for Historic Preservation “Preservation Assessment Development Report” as well as the “Summary Report on the Practice of Transfer of Development Rights and its Use in Major U.S. Cities” (prepared for the City of Miami in March 2006). Ms. Becky Roper-Matkov, The Dade Heritage Trust, discussed and shared her insight on the aforementioned documents:

• TDR is based on form-based zoning; report was compiled two years ago

• DHT endorses concept of TDR to preserve historic structures; the report addresses three neighborhoods along the Miami River-East Little Havana, Spring Garden , and Highland Park

• Endorses public-private partnerships

Questions/Comments:

·        Mr. Bibeau asked for a status of the reports adoption and implementation, and Ms. Matkov noted she did not know the report’s current status, or whether the City of Miami ’s Historic and Environmental Preservation Board had endorsed it

·        Mr. Murley suggested that MRC staff work with DHT to compile an inventory of historically important neighborhoods along the Miami River for the purpose of eventually folding all information into the UIP

·        Ms. Matkov agreed to forward information regarding tax credits to MRC staff

C. Discussion of Status of Historically Designated East Coast Fisheries - Mr. Bibeau provided the UIWG with a brief history of the historically designated site, located adjacent to Riverhouse Lofts, a proposed residential property by developer Peter Schwartz.  Ms Chase noted she had invited Mr. Schwartz’s attorney, Ms. Patty Baloyra, to attend the UIWG meeting and provide a brief update regarding the subject property.  Unfortunately, Ms. Baloyra was unable to attend due to a previously scheduled meeting in Homestead , but had asked Ms. Chase to relay the following message:

• The developer is proposing to demolish the existing East Coast Fisheries building due to its high chlorine content, and replicate it with a new attached commercial structure. The City of Miami HEP board will vote on this item and determine the best possible scenario for East Coast Fisheries on September 5.

Mr. Murley suggested that the UIWG table this item to their September 12 meeting, since the property representative was unable to attend.

D. Status of the Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Plan – The following items were addressed/discussed regarding the Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Plan:

• Mr. Bibeau provided copies of the written recommendations to the draft summary of existing conditions, which he had met with Kimley-Horn and MPO to review. Mr. Bibeau stated Kimley-Horn and the MPO agreed to incorporate the suggested revisions, reprint and distribute the revised draft.

• Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Miami River Marine Group, noted she had received a virtual tour presentation by Odebreck, and will provide it to the UIWG in the near future

• Mr. Bibeau asked Dr. Bohnsack to forward any recommendations/suggestions the MRMG may have in relation to the plan, and Dr. Bohnsack agreed to provide such recommendations to the UIWG in September.

• MRC staff distributed the August MPO newsletter, which included information on waterborne transportation and manatee protection measures

• The UIWG agreed to reach out to Mr. Sabrata before the next meeting

E. Review Draft “Working River” Provision for Condominium Documents of Recently Approved Miami River Projects - The UIWG discussed the Greenberg Traurig “Working River” provision and recommended the following revised version:

•  “Please be advised that this project is located on a working river and, that by signing below, it is acknowledged that you may be aware of significant effects associated with industrial and marine activities near your property, such as noise.”

MRC staff agreed to present the aforementioned revisions to the Executive Board for their consideration on August 22.

III. New Business- The following items were discussed / presented:

• Mr. Bibeau noted MRC staff had recently received information regarding tax incentives for “green” restaurants and hotels, as part of the Florida Energy Act - Bill 888 recently approved by Congress. MRC staff recommended the UIWG and MRC consider asking for a presentation regarding the FDEP’s new green hotel and restaurant certification programs, and consider endorsing them for the Miami River’s hotels and restaurants, similar to the MRC’s endorsement of FDEP’s “Clean Boater / Boatyard / Marina” certification program.  If the MRC endorses the programs, MRC staff would insert new information about the green hotel and restaurant certification process into a future update of the MRC-approved “Miami River Corridor Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation Report.”

• Mr. Murley suggested conducting the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan update process bi-annually, versus annually.  MRC staff agreed to forward his recommendation to the Executive Board.

The UIWG confirmed its next meeting on the second Tuesday of every month, 10 am , Robert King High, 1407 NW 7 Street, New Board Room.  Therefore the next meeting was scheduled for September 12, 2006 .

The meeting adjourned.

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