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The Miami River Commission's (MRC) Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG) convened on Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 9 AM, Robert King High New Board Room, 1407 NW 7 Street. Mr. Jim Murley chaired the meeting. The attendance sheet is enclosed.

Jump to Development Technical Review Report:
East Coast Eateries

I. Planning Studies/Presentations

A. Presentation of Draft Downtown Miami Master Plan - Mr. Jim Murley , Chair of the MRC's Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG), welcomed back Mr. Adam Lukin , Downtown Development Authority (DDA), whom provided an update of the draft “Downtown Miami Master Plan: Urban Design & Transportation.” Mr. Lukin noted the DDA is currently working towards getting the plan approved, while identifying priorities, costs and potential implementation funding sources. Mr. Lukin noted the DDA would be seeking City Commission approval of the plan in February 2008. Mr. Lukin stated the “Downtown Miami Master Plan: Urban Design & Transportation” is considered a “Special Project Area” within the draft Miami 21. Dr. Martin asked how the riverwalk would be included in the Plan, and Mr. Murley explained during the September 5, 2007 UIWG meeting, Mr. Lukin had noted that the Miami River is classified as one of twelve sub-districts, and the DDA supports riverwalk initiatives, such as requiring property owners on the river in Downtown to provide a publicly accessible riverwalk / baywalk, requiring them to build in accordance with City design guidelines (page 79), and creating a marketing / programming / business plan for the downtown portion of the Miami River (page 110). Mr. Lukin noted the draft 25-year vision plan focuses on the public realm, aims to improve waterfront connections to the Miami River and Biscayne Bay via the connecting publicly accessible riverwalk and baywalk. Mr. Lukin stated a revised draft Downtown Master Plan is estimated for consideration by the City of Miami 's Planning Advisory Board in December 2007 or January 2008, followed by the City Commission in February 2008.

UIWG Chair Murley directed attendees to focus specifically on the River related components of the broader draft Downtown Master Plan. The UIWG followed up on the following river related items originally discussed when the draft was presented to the MRC's UIWG on September 5, 2007 .

•  Mr. Lukin noted the provided draft hasn't been amended since it was presented to the UIWG on September 5, 2007 . Mr. Lukin reaffirmed the DDA's commitment to amend the proposed Miami River Sub-district boundary to include the Epic and One Miami, which are located on the Miami River 's federal navigable channel.

• I-95 Dupont Plaza ramp modifications (3 alternatives); The UIWG noted the James L. Knight Convention Center area is the only entertainment / convention facility along the riverwalk, and supports alternative 2 for the area's options. Mr. Murley reaffirmed the MRC's previous recommendation to maintain a James L. Knight Center type facility at this location on the riverwalk. Mr. Bibeau noted he had recently been appointed the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce's New World Center Committee's, Legislative Affairs Task Force Chairman, and during a recent meeting, a University of Miami representative expressed a willingness on behalf of the University to consider providing a cost-share for the renovation of the James L. Knight Center , if a long term agreement is reached.

• Creation of Interpretive Urban Eco-Park (+/-19 acres): relocate all parking beneath I-95 on the north shore of the Miami River into a parking garage at an unknown location to create an urban eco-park, which provides an opportunity for rainwater to return to the aquifer. Mr. Lukin stated the draft plan considers relocating the City of Miami 's administration to a proposed new building adjacent to Miami-Dade County 's Government Center , and then the City of Miami may sell the “ Miami Riverside Center ” which currently houses their administration on the River's north shore at 444 SW 2 nd Ave. Mr. Lukin noted further details are provided in the Downtown Miami Master Plan final report / back-up materials CD. Mr. Murley stated the UIWG recommends any new potential owners of 444 SW 2 nd Ave have a lien requirement to maintain a minimum of the current waterfront building setbacks, publicly accessible riverwalks, greenspaces, and three boat slips. Chair Murley and Mr. Lukin noted any potential sale of the Miami Riverside Center and or any new redevelopment of the site would first be presented to the MRC to create an advisory recommendation.

• UIWG Chair Murley recommended a revision on page 31 of the draft plan which currently states, “This FP & L substation is a physical and visual barrier that will impact the future success of the Miami Riverwalk/Greenway”. UIWG Chair Murley noted the FP & L substation is one of the largest in the ST of FL, and FPL is not willing to relocate it. Mr. Murley stated the FPL site currently has a publicly accessible riverwalk. Chair Murley stated the MRC and its strategic plan continue to recommend the site be facaded and the parking lot be landscaped. Mr. Murley noted Arquitectonica had created a rendition depicting a proposed façade, and noted FPL substations in other residential areas have various façade treatments. Mr. Lukin stated the DDA is wiling to amend the language to note that the substation creates an “aesthetic impact” rather than a “barrier” to the continuous greenway, which may be addressed by facading the substation and providing landscaping in the large surface parking lot.
• Mr. Murley stated the UIWG recommends that the plan include a recommendation to complete the Miami River Greenway and Baywalk, and Mr. Lukin stated the DDA is willing to make that amendment
• Mr. Lukin agreed to correct the plan titles on page 27 of the Executive Summary to read: “Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan…the Miami River Greenway Action Plan.”

UIWG Chair Murley stated the UIWG recommends that the MRC find the “Downtown Miami Master Plan: Urban Design & Transportation” consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenway Action Plan subject to the following three conditions:

1) draft page 78 create a new “#7” requiring completion of the publicly accessible riverwalk

2) extend the Miami River Sub-district boundary to include “One Miami ” and “Epic”

3) maintain the MRC's position that the p otential redevelopment of the James L. Knight Center be consistent with the MRC's strategic plans and maintain a public theater / convention center type uses.

Mr. Murley invited Mr. Lukin, DDA Director Nottingham and Mr. Bernard Zyscovich to present the “Downtown Miami Master Plan: Urban Design & Transportation” before the full Miami River Commission board during its regularly scheduled, publicly noticed meeting on Monday, November 5, 2007, Robert King High New Board Room, 1407 NW 7 Street, and Mr. Lukin agreed.

B. Update on Miami Circle – MRC Director Bibeau provided the following update:

• A July 18, 2007 letter from FIND to Rep Garcia states, “The State can make application at any time through the Interlocal Agreement provisions of CAP rule for up to 50% of the actual costs of the construction.” (of seawall replacement estimated at $1.5 million, therefore FIND grant opportunity would be or $750,000 and requires a $750,000 match)
• The Miami Circle site is a State property, managed by the Department of State (DOS). The Department of State and Florida Department of Environmental Protection have repeatedly indicated they do not have the $750,000 match for the available $750,000 matching FIND grant to replace the seawall
• The remains of the collapsed seawall remain in the federal navigable channel, and the DOS has delayed their removal until a new sea wall is installed because they are concerned if the collapsed seawall remains are removed before the new sea wall is constructed, more of the site may collapse into the federal navigable channel.
• An Army Corps of Engineers e-mail indicates they will not allow their dredging contractors to dredge the mouth of the Miami River, to the east of the Brickell Bridge, if the remains of the collapsed Miami Circle seawall remain in the Federal Navigable Channel, and in that scenario, they would require DOS to conducted dredging in that vicinity. The $86 million Miami River maintenance dredging project's benefits will only be realized upon completion through the mouth of the Miami River .
• A United States Coast Guard e-mail to the DOS requires the remains of the DOS' Miami Circle collapsed seawall within the federal navigable channel must be removed either before dredging arrives or upon installation of a new seawall, whichever comes first.
• The earliest the ACOE dredgers will arrive in the last acceptance section is August 28, 2008, therefore seeking a $750,000 match for the FIND grant from the FL Legislature in FY '08 starting July 1, 2008, which maybe to late to construct a new sea-wall and then remove the remains of the collapsed seawall from the federal navigable channel before the dredgers arrive.

• A June 20, 2005 letter from FL Department of State (DOS) to Related Group states, “Review of my notes from our previous discussions, discussion with the National Park Service staff, and my discussion with Ms. Matkov, identified three potential contributions that the Related Group could make to benefit the Miami Circle…3) Design and development of the Miami River Greenway trail through the 2.2 acre Miami Circle at Brickell Point property. This may include limited landscaping. The design should meet minimal conditions and requirements of the Miami River Greenway Action Plan.”
• A September 21, 2005 letter and site plan from the Related Group to the FL Department of State states, “3. The design and development of the Miami River Greenway trail through the 2.2 acre Miami Circle property is also reflected in the Design Concept prepared by the Related Group of Florida and is consistent with the planned baywalk improvements within the Icon Brickell project and the adjacent Brickell Park permanent improvement plan. To date, the related group of Florida has funded the cost of this initial Design Concept and is committed to a continued financial support to implement the desired concept plan.”

• Mr. Bibeau noted he continues to participate in conference calls with regulatory agencies regarding the status of the Miami Circle seawall.
• Mr. Robert Weinreb, City of Miami , stated DOS wasn't going to apply to the FIND grant opportunity until he provided them the City of Miami 's awarded FIND grant application for the Bicentennial Park sea-wall replacement. Mr. Weinreb added the FIND grant application is short and simple. Mr. Weinreb stated the City of Miami is willing to front the potential FIND grant's required $750,000 match to replace the seawall with a guarantee of repayment, yet the DOS is unable to guarantee reimbursement.

UIWG Chair Murley directed MRC staff to continue advocating for 1) DOS apply to the $750,000 FIND grant for half of the DOS engineer's estimated $1.5 million needed to replace the site's collapsed seawall before dredging arrives 2) identify the $750,000 match for the FIND grant 3) accept the Related Group's written commitment for “financial support to implement the desired plan” which includes a publicly accessible riverwalk at the Miami Circle site.

C. Status of the “Upper River/MIC Associated Development” Planning Process – Ms. Helen Brown , Miami-Dade Planning Department, stated the County had not applied to the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant, which could have provided funding for the County to create the MRC recommended “Upper River / MIC Associated Development Plan.” Mr. Bibeau noted MRC staff would look into applying to the aforementioned funding opportunity. Mr. Bibeau noted MRC staff had also explored the federal EPA Brownfields potential funding opportunity for the plan, yet discovered that the applicant needed to own the subject property. Ms. Ashley Chase, MRC Assistant Managing Director, reported the Federal Portfield grant program doesn't currently have available funding. Mr. Bibeau noted during the October GMCC NWC Legislative Affairs Task Force meeting, Ms. Heidi Webb, Port of Miami Director of Business Development, warmly received the Upper River 's Short Sea Shipping recommended concepts, and offered to schedule a meeting to discuss them further with Port of Miami Director Bill Johnson . The UIWG noted the MRC's Economic Development and Commerce Working Group, Co-Chaired by Board of County Commission Chairman Bruno Barreiro and Megan Kelly, has this item on their October 15 agenda. Mr. Murley stated now that the Metropolitan Planning Organization's (MPO) co-sponsored Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Plan is complete and recommends Short Sea Shipping and improvements to the industrial Upper River, perhaps the MPO would be willing to fund contracting freight experts to create the MRC recommended “Upper River/MIC Associated Development” Plan.

II. Projects

A. Discussion Regarding the Status of the Historically Designated East Coast Fisheries - Ms. Vicky Garcia-Toledo, Bilzin Sumberg, presented new proposed plans for the historically designated East Coast Fisheries and adjacent waterfront properties located between the Flagler Bridge and the 1 st Street Bridge on North River Drive . Ms. Garcia-Toledo noted the proposed project will require a Class II Special Permit, adding that the developer planned to submit the proposed plans to the City of Miami Internal Design Review Board by the end of this week. Ms. Garcia-Toledo stated Mr. Peter Swartz recently sold the former historic restaurant and its adjacent property to her client, whom planned to refurbish the historic building and reinstate it as a waterfront restaurant. Ms. Garcia-Toledo introduced Mr. Omar Morales, project architect, whom provided an overview of the proposed project's plans:

• Developer also owns upland site across the street North River Drive from the proposed project, which he intends to utilize as a parking lot, yet development plans for the upland site are not being considered at this time
• Proposed project will refurbish the East Coast Fisheries historic building, maintain the outside shape and original sign and rename it “East Coast Eateries.” East Coast Eateries will function solely as 2 indoor dining areas; The inside of the currently four story historic structure will be converted into a 2 high-ceiling dining rooms.
• New three level structure south of the historic building will consist of a center open air east-west plaza, bar and 2 fish markets on the ground floor, with two floors consisting of 3 seafood restaurants above; a garden entrance will be created and serve as a “bridge” between the East Coast Eateries building and the seafood restaurant(s) building; the garden entrance, 25-feet-wide, without a gate, will feature a host / hostess stand at grade connecting to the on-road greenway currently under construction in front of the site along North River Drive. Restaurant's Host / Hostesses will guide visitors into the restaurant and dining facilities. Mr. Morales noted the proposed restaurants are designed with a moveable screening exterior device, replicating the look of lobster traps.
• The potential developer demolished the former buildings on the site, which were not designated historic
• Will reactivate 1920s-inspired look; capture the “working river” concept of the Miami River and create a waterfront entertainment destination
• Working with the regulatory agencies including the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) to construct a 10-foot cantilevered dock/riverwalk over the concrete seawall along the river, stopping just short of the proposed East Coast Eateries, in an effort not to effect the foundation of the historic building, according to Ms. Garcia-Toledo; Mr. Morales noted the cantilevered riverwalk will not effect the water surface of the river, as it did not require any pilings and was not located in the federal navigable channel. Mr. Robert Weinreb, City of Miami , suggested that Mr. Morales hold a discussion with FDEP, DERM, ACOE representatives regarding the difficult permits required to construct the presented plans for a 10 foot wide cantilevered boardwalk
• Ms. Garcia-Toledo stated she had recently met with a City of Miami Zoning Department staff member whom had indicated that a publicly accessible riverwalk was not required on the subject property
• Ms. Garcia Toledo stated the City of Miami is considering redeveloping the riverfront property to the south of the 1 st ST Bridge, which the City currently leases to Garcia's commercial fishing, into a new office building
• Ms. Garcia-Toledo noted the developer wished to provide basic improvements to the riverfront city-owned public right of way adjacent to East Coast Fisheries and the Flagler Bridge, by removing the exotic Brazilian pepper, creating a publicly accessible landscaped greenspace with a bench connecting to the on road Greenway, and requested the MRC's assistance on addressing this matter with the City of Miami Public Works Department.
• Mr. Morales added that a civil engineer is currently analyzing the site's dilapidated seawall, which the developer agreed to provide necessary improvements be it repair or replacement. Ms. Garcia Toledo asked the MRC to recommend the regulatory agencies expedite the lengthy permitting timeline for the site's potential sea-wall replacement.
• Ms. Garcia-Toledo noted the planned upland parking lot doesn't provide sufficient parking places to support the parking requirements for the proposed square footage of riverfront restaurant spaces; therefore they were seeking a partnership / agreement for 250 of the Miami Parking Authority spaces adjacent to the site in an existing parking lot beneath I-95. Ms. Garcia-Toledo noted that if this is not possible to obtain, she would have to seek a variance on the parking requirements. Mr. Bibeau noted the Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department has conceptually agreed to allow public parking in their currently vacant parking lot on North River Drive and NW 3 ST.

UIWG Chair Murley explained the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County requested the MRC's advisory recommendation regarding river related agenda items. Murley further explained the MRC's process is for the UIWG to advise the full MRC on whether any proposed development 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 and the presenters are provided an opportunity to address the MRC, which votes to determine if the proposal is consistent with the aforementioned plans.

Mr. Murley stated the MRC has seen numerous proposals for cantilevered boardwalks rejected by the permitting authorities for various reasons, therefore asked the UIWG and MRC to consider and base their advisory recommendation solely on the proposed upland components of the project. Mr. Weinreb, City of Miami agreed with the approach, confirming the difficulty to obtain permits for cantilevered boardwalks along the Miami River .

• Mr. Bibeau noted the City Charter requires a 50-foot riverfront building setback for new developments along the Miami River east of the 5 th Street Bridge, unless the parcel is less than 200-feet-wide. Since the subject property is east of the NW 5 ST Bridge and is less than 200-feet-wide, the City Charter requires a minimum setback equal to 25% of the property depth. Mr. Morales stated the average lot width (shoreline to street) is an estimated 45.8 feet; therefore the City Charter required building setback from the shoreline is an estimated 12.5 feet . Ms. Garcia-Toledo noted the developer intends to request the City Commission waive the city charter required riverfront building setback to the proposed 0 foot riverfront building setback (for the proposed new building on the currently vacant portion of the site, adjacent to the historically designated East Coast Fisheries structure).
• Mr. Murley noted that when a riverfront site has new residential, retail, office and or restaurant construction, the MRC advocates for the construction of a publicly accessible riverwalk; Mr. Bibeau noted when the formerly proposed “River House Lofts” mixed use development was presented to the MRC it included a publicly accessible riverwalk within the City Charter required setback area, which the MRC considered when finding the site's previous “Miami River Lofts” proposal consistent with the MRC's strategic plans.
• Mr. Bibeau suggested extending the publicly accessible riverwalk to the south on unimproved FDOT owned public right of way beneath the 1 st Street Bridge, and noted the City of Miami is currently constructing two sections of the Miami River Greenway along North River Drive from the current end of the riverwalk section beneath I-95, proceeding along North River Drive to the southern side of Lummus Park, which includes in front of East Coast Fisheries, beneath the 1 st ST Bridge, etc. Ms. Garcia-Toledo noted she would ask her client if he would consider providing landscaping and a bench to create a riverfront pocket park beneath and adjacent to the 1 st ST Bridge, similar to what the proposed developer is already offering for the City of Miami owned public right of way on the opposite north side of the site, adjacent to the Flagler Bridge.
• If the cantilevered bridge is permitted, Mr. Murley asked if it would be publicly accessible, and Mr. Morales replied yes. Mr. Lukin asked if the cantilevered bridge would be shaded, and Mr. Morales replied no. Mr. Murley asked how the general public would access both sides of the proposed publicly accessible riverwalk area from the on-road greenway along North River Drive , and Mr. Morales showed the 10 foot side yard setback from the 1 st ST Bridge on the south side, featuring a publicly accessible pedestrian path, the central plaza, and the 25 foot wide garden area separating the historic and proposed structures, all of which would provide general public access connecting the site's proposed publicly accessible boardwalk area with the on-road greenway along North River Drive.

Ms. Garcia-Toledo and Mr. Morales stated it may be possible to present a revised plan for the proposed “East Coast Fisheries” development to the MRC on November 5, 2007 , which would include the City Charter required riverfront building setback on the first floor only, with the elevated stories cantilevered over the setback above the shoreline. Ms. Garcia-Toledo and Mr. Morales stated the potential ground floor City Charter formula riverfront building setback area would be a publicly accessible riverwalk, in addition to any permitted cantilevered boardwalks.

MRC UIWG Chair Murley and MRC Greenways Subcommittee Chair Martin stated they recommend the MRC find the “East Coast Eateries” proposal to be consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenway Action Plan , subject to the following three conditions: 1) potential developer provides a riverfront building setback for new construction consistent with the City Charter required setback formula; 2) provide a publicly accessible riverwalk within the City Charter required setback area, connecting to the publicly accessible North River Drive on-road greenway, the proposed publicly accessible riverwalk section to the south beneath the 1 st Street Bridge on FDOT owned riverfront public right of way, and to the north connecting with the on-road greenway in front of the historic East Coast Fisheries. In addition, the MRC subcommittee chairs stated considering the site's extremely poor sea-wall conditions, the MRC should recommend the regulatory agencies expedite the lengthy permitting timeline for the site's sea-wall replacement. The UIWG Development Technical Review Form for the proposed “East Coast Eateries” is enclosed.

Mr. Bibeau stated the item will be placed on the MRC's November 5, 2007 publicly noticed meeting agenda, noon , Robert King High New Board Room, 1407 NW 7 Street.

III. New Business – The following items were addressed/discussed:

• Mr. Marcos Redondo, Miami-Dade County Public Works, provided an update and distributed a fact sheet regarding the expedited NW 17 th Avenue Bridge repair project. Mr. Redondo noted the Bridge was officially closed on September 10, 2007 , because it's poor structural condition created a potential for it to collapse into the Miami River . Mr. Redondo stated a contractor was selected and a Notice to Proceed (NTP) was issued on September 4, 2007 to repair the bridge. Mr. Redondo noted the reconstruction project-administered by the County- costs an estimated $10 million, adding that the bridge will re-open to vehicular traffic on March 7, 2008 , not including up to 45 days of additional construction. Mr. Redondo noted the additional construction is necessary to complete machine work, and during this time, vehicles may be subjected to temporary lane closures. Mr. Redondo explained the NW 17 Ave Bridge repair will allow the Bridge to operate for an additional estimated 25 years. Mr. Redondo stated the Bridge repair work would not require any closures to navigation within the River's federal navigable channel. Mr. Bibeau noted Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Chairman Bruno Barreiro is hosting a Town Hall meeting on the 17 th of October, 7-9 pm , at the Mahi Shrine, 1480 NW N River Drive to discuss the project. Mr. Redondo stated detour signs are in place on NW 17 th Avenue to guide traffic to the NW 12 th Avenue Bridge. Mr. Bibeau noted NW 22 Ave Bridge is essentially an equal distance to the west of the NW 17 Ave Bridge, as is the 12 Ave Bridge to the east, therefore recommended that the County place detour signs noting the NW 22 nd Ave Bridge detour option in addition to the NW 12 th Avenue Bridge opportunity. Mr. Redondo noted the County is advocating for FDOT and Congress to appropriate $70 million for the full replacement of the NW 17 Ave Bridge. UIWG Chair Murley offered the MRC's support for the County's funding request to replace the NW 17 Ave Bridge.

The UIWG confirmed their next meeting on November 14, 2007 , 9 AM .

The meeting adjourned.

Miami River Commission's Urban Infill Working Group
Development Technical Review Report

Project Name : East Coast Eateries
Project Address : 40 SW North River Drive
Contact Information : Ms. Vicky Garcia-Toledo, Bilzin Sumberg, (305) 350-2409
Project Review Date : October 10, 2007

Is the proposed development consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan ?

Page 22 of the Plan states, “…the Lummus Park / Overton neighborhood has strong potential for historic preservation-based economic revitalization…The area's environmental attributes, riverfront setting, planned City-sponsored waterfront improvements, and planned greenway further enhance the marketability of the neighborhood. Structures such as Trinity Church , the Temple Court Apartments, and East Coast Fisheries define the area's character and offer an untapped resource for its revitalization.” The developers plan to refurbish the existing historic East Coast Fisheries building. MRC UIWG Chair Murley and MRC Greenways Subcommittee Chair Martin stated they recommend the MRC find the “East Coast Eateries” proposal to be consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenway Action Plan , subject to the following three conditions: 1) potential developer provides a riverfront building setback for new construction consistent with the City Charter setback formula; 2) provide a publicly accessible riverwalk within the City Charter required setback area, connecting to the publicly accessible North River Drive on-road greenway, the proposed publicly accessible riverwalk section to the south beneath the 1 st Street Bridge on FDOT owned riverfront public right of way, and to the north connecting with the on-road greenway in front of the historic East Coast Fisheries

Is the proposed development consistent with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan ?

No. For new residential, office, retail & restaurant construction on vacant lots the Miami River Greenway Action Plan and the MRC generally seek the creation of a publicly accessible riverwalk, consisting of a minimum 16-foot wide unobstructed pedestrian path with an additional 4-foot-wide passive green space with landscaping, decorative lighting, benches, way-finding signage and other amenities. The City Charter requires a 50-foot setback for new developments along the Miami River east of the 5 th Street Bridge, unless the parcel is less than 200-feet-wide. Since the subject property is less than 200-feet-wide, the city requires a minimum setback equal to 25% of the property depth - which in this case equates to an estimated 12.5-foot required setback ; Ms. Garcia-Toledo noted the presented plans for the new proposed new structure proposed to be built on the currently vacant portion of the site has a 0 foot riverfront building setback, therefore they would be applying to the City Commission for a waiver of the city charter required building setback formula. Ms. Garcia-Toledo and Mr. Morales stated it may be possible to present a revised plan for the proposed “East Coast Fisheries” development to the MRC on November 5, 2007 , which would include the city charter required riverfront building setback on the first floor only, with the elevated stories cantilevered over the setback above the shoreline. Ms. Garcia-Toledo and Mr. Morales stated the potential ground floor City Charter formula riverfront building setback area would be a publicly accessible riverwalk, in addition to any permitted boardwalk areas. Therefore, the MRC Greenways Subcommittee Chair Martin and UIWG Chair Murley found the proposal consistent with the MRC's strategic plans, based on the condition that the aforementioned potential amended plans are provided to the MRC, City of Miami , etc for consideration.

Does the project require a Major Use Special Permit, Land Use Amendment, Zoning Amendment, special exemptions or waivers?

Yes, the presented plans with no riverfront building setback would require a City Commission waiver to the City Charter setback formula to allow a 0 foot waterfront setback. MRC staff doesn't know if the City Commission would still need to provide a waiver to the City Charter setback formula if the potential amended plans, including the City Charter formula required riverfront building setback on the first floor only, with the elevated floors cantilevering out over the setback to parallel with the shoreline below. In addition the presented proposal requires a special exemption of 250 parking spaces, which are not included.

Additional Opportunities - work with MRC as suggested by the potential developer team to initiate discussions with City of Miami regarding the developers offer to improve the landscaping on the adjacent riverfront city-owned public right of way to the north, and potentially with FDOT regarding extending the publicly accessible riverwalk and creating a riverfront pocket park on the adjacent FDOT owned public right of way to the south, which is beneath and adjacent to the 1 st ST Bridge.

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