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   MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION
    URBAN INFILL PLANNING GROUP MINUTES:
  Minutes of meeting 		Dec 16, 2004
(THIS IS A PUBLIC DOCUMENT)

The Miami River Commission ’s (MRC) Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG) convened the “Middle River” public workshop on the draft “2nd Annual Update” of the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, on Thursday, December 16, 2004, at 6:00 PM, in the Travelodge Hotel, 1170 NW 11 ST.  Mr. Jim Murley chaired the meeting, and the sign in sheet is enclosed.

 

MRC Chairperson Irela Bagué welcomed the “ Middle River ” workshop attendees.  Bagué explained the MRC is going through the public process to create the “2nd Annual Update” of the MRC’s adopted strategic plan, the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  Bagué noted the Update tracks progress on implementing the plan, and provides the opportunity for the MRC to consider any potential amendments.

Mr. Jim Murley provided copies of the draft “2nd Annual Update” and presented a power point, noting nearly half (31) of the plan’s “implementation steps” have been brought to fruition, including but not limited to commencing dredging of the Miami River, developing the Miami River Greenway, retrofitting the antiquated storm water and sanitary sewer systems, creation of 6 new waterfront parks, increasing tree canopy, supporting Mayor Diaz’s “Clean-Up Miami” campaign, de-pollution vessel services, expansion of the Enterprise Zone business incentives, extending metro-mover operational hours, new market rate and affordable housing developments, and more.  In addition, 75% of the Plan’s “Opportunity Sites” are either under construction, permitted or in final permitting stages.

Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Executive Director of the Miami River Marine Group, and representing MRC board member Bud Morton, stated the Miami River ’s existing marine industrial zoning and land use should be preserved.  Jay Veber, President of the Spring Garden Civic Association, stated he agrees, and river residents appreciate the character of the “ Working River ” and enjoy sitting on their porch watching vessels under tow.  Veber stated the land use and zoning amendments across from Spring Garden for the “Royal Atlantic” development started a domino effect followed by the removal of marine industrial zoning and land use at Hurricane Cove to the south east at AmeriTrade and Haiti Shipping Lines, approximately 600 S. River Drive, and at “Hurricane Cove”.  Veber stated the positive effects dredging the Miami River ’s federal navigable channel will have on the marine industry should be realized before further removal of marine industrial zoning is approved.  Murir Mourra, River Terminal owner and operator, stated the continued approval of applications to remove existing marine industrial zoning and land use discourages marine industrial business owners, and results in a domino effect.  Mr. Mourra stated eventually a free Cuba will reopen trade with the United States , and it is possible for 80% of that future trade volume to come from the Miami River .  Mourra stated there were three tug boat companies operating on the river, and with the loss of Moby Marine, there are now two tug boat companies on the River.  Mourra stated if there aren’t sufficient shipping terminals to keep the tug boat companies in business they will close, forcing the remaining shipping terminals to close without tug boats to tow the shipping vessels to sea.  Mr. Mourra stated the Miami River Dredging project, which just commenced, will allow shipping vessels to fill cargo to full capacity and traverse regardless of tide for the first time in decades, making more efficient and productive shipping terminals.

Jay Veber stated the Spring Garden Civic Association supports the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, but if it isn’t adopted by the City of Miami , problems will continue along the river, so they support its adoption by the City Commission.  Veber stated considering the 18 MRC board members, and the fact that five of the board members are from the City of Miami, he is surprised the City hasn’t adopted the Plan yet, which they directly participated in creating.

Dr. Ernie Martin stated the “Council of River Groups” is a new organization consisting of representatives from all the Miami River neighborhood organizations and the Miami River Marine Group.  Dr. Martin stated the group is united in their support for the City to adopt the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  Jay Veber stated “Neighborhood United” an organization of Miami neighborhood associations, supports the City’s adoption of the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan as well.

Anne Stetser, Allapattah resident in the “River Run” apartments, and Lawrence Ress, Durham Park resident, stated they recommend the City of Miami adopt the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director noted the workshop is attended by representatives from Spring Garden, Durham Park, Allapattah, a recreational boatyard, a shipping terminal, and a Marine Industrial business organization, all of which support the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, and recommend the City of Miami adopt it in the near future.

Phil Everingham stated foreign ambassadors from the 100 Caribbean ports of call, which depend on trade from the Miami River ’s shallow draft vessels, should express their support for preserving the Port of the Miami River to the City Commission.  Irela Bagué and attendees of the workshop concurred with Everingham’s suggestion.  Mourra stated he would reach out to the ambassadors.

Phil Everingham asked if it was feasible for the City Commission to adopt the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  Ms. Bagué replied several of the City Commissioners have expressed support for the Plan, and there is a misperception with some City officials that the MRC is anti-development.  Mourra stated he felt the City of Miami was stalling the Plan’s adoption, to allow for inconsistent development to be approved before the Plan is considered for adoption.  Bagué encouraged supporters of the Plan to unite and express their desire for the City Commission to adopt the Plan.

The Workshop attendees unanimously concurred with the following draft “2nd Annual Update” plan amendments, proposed by MRC board member Dr. Martin, and will be considered by the full MRC:

§         In order to make development in the “Middle” and “Upper” River (west of NW 5 ST Bridge) more in scale with the surrounding neighborhoods, request the City of Miami to calculate Lot Area, Floor Area Ratio and Open Space based on existing upland private property only, eliminating the 50-foot bonus provided into the Miami River.

  • Consider Residential Market Study’s to ensure that a market exists for more than the 8,000 residential units currently under construction and approved along the Miami River .
  • Encourage developments to include alternate sources of energy. i.e. solar panels.

The workshop noted the importance of implementing the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan’s recommendation to create a holistic Transportation Study for the Miami River Corridor, to address current and future traffic issues.

Workshop attendees asked Bibeau for an update on the City of Miami ’s planned Wagner Creek dredging project.  Bibeau stated the Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM) and the City of Miami consultants have been working towards permitting Wagner Creek dredging phases IV and V.  The City Commission recently retracted their previously approved temporary staging site for the project.  Bibeau stated the MRC Stormwater Subcommittee continues to host publicly noticed meetings on the first Wednesday of every month, 10 am , at the Miami River Inn, 118 South River Drive .  The Stormwater subcommittee consists of representatives from DERM, City of Miami , Environmental Protection Agency , Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department, South Florida Water Management District, and the Department of Health, and the Wagner Creek dredging project will remain on the monthly agenda until it is completed.  Bibeau stated the environmental agencies have repeatedly stated on the record that the contaminants found in Wagner Creek only create a potential health risk if ingested through consuming fish from the Creek, or coming in direct contact with the sediments, and there is no air-borne health risk.  Therefore, no fishing and no swimming signs were posted along Wagner Creek over a year ago.   

Bibeau noted the following upcoming public hearings on the draft “2nd Annual Update” of the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan:

  • January 4, 2005 , “ Lower River ” Public Workshop - Lummus Park , 404 NW 3 ST
  • January 10, 2005 , MRC, 12:30 pm , Miami River Inn, 118 South River Drive
  • January 10, 2005 , “ Upper River ” Public Workshop, January 10, 2005 , 6 PM , Curtis Park, 1901 NW 24 Ave
  • January 12, 2005 , MRC Urban Infill Working Group, 10 am, Miami Riverside Center , 444 SW 2nd Ave , 8th Floor Conference Room
  • February 7, 2005 , MRC final consideration of “2nd Annual Update”, noon , United Way , 3250 SW 3rd Ave

The meeting adjourned.

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