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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Rosenstiel School
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy,
Miami, Fl. 33149
305-361-4850
Fax: 305-361-4755
  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

Ms. Helen Brown, Miami-Dade Planning and Zoning (MDPZ) Department, provided the UIWG with copies of the April 28, 2003 memos from Diane O’Quinn Williams, MDPZ Director, to County Department Directors.  The memos ask the individual Department Directors to provide the “ability and time frame for implementing these (Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan) implementation steps” specifically selected for each department.  Ms. Brown expects to forward the Director’s written responses to the UIWG by the end of June 2003.

Mr. Alan Lester, B Development, and Mr. Jaime Schapiro, Schapiro and Associates, presented “Terrazas de Miami River” located at 1861 NW South River Drive.  Lester and Schapiro explained the development is “as-of right” in the existing “Multifamily High-Density Residential” R-4 zoning, and no special exceptions or waivers are being requested.  The project consists of two phases of residential, with a total of 320 units.  Lester and Schapiro stated the project will be on the same building footprint as the existing Dodge hospital, therefore preserving the existing trees, with only a few requiring relocation on the site. Schapiro noted that although the required building setback from the Miami River at this site is only 10 feet, the project is setback 30 feet, including a 10-foot riverwalk clear path, and town homes fronting and additional 20 feet of landscaping and an accessory restaurant connecting to the riverwalk.  In addition, the required setback from Sewell Park is 10 feet, and the project is setback 50 feet, again with town homes facing the park.  Lester stated the developers are willing to have a gate on the existing fence where the proposed Riverwalk meets Sewell Park, which would be open and publicly accessible during daylight.  Lester expressed the desire to have a water taxi stop on the projects riverwalk.  Sandra Brooks, a nearby resident and member of “Friends of Sewell Park”, noted the development is “as-of-right” and stated she was pleased that the project increases the required setback from Sewell Park and the River, and uses town homes to façade and step back the taller buildings.  Elizabet Chacon, local resident and member of “Friends of Sewell Park” expressed concern about the project’s traffic impact on South River Drive, but generally liked the proposal.  Lester stated the developers will conduct a traffic study for this area of South River Drive, and work with the City of Miami Planning Department on traffic related issues.  Murley introduced the new “Miami River Commission’s Urban Infill Working Group Development Technical Review Report” form, which the UIWG will complete for each proposed development project.  Murley informed the developers that the UIWG would report that “Terrazas de Miami River” is compatible with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, compatible with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan, building “as-of-right”, and positive impacts of the project would be optimized by including the publicly accessible section of the Miami River Greenway as a riverwalk and on-road section, and conduct a traffic study for South River Drive.  Murley agreed to the developer’s request to come before the Miami River Commission during the July 7 meeting.

The UIWG discussed the “Annual Report “ and “Integrated Five Year Financial Plan” required in the Urban Infill Plan by September 2003.  Brown stated she would provide the existing County budget line items within the Miami River Corridor, and Brett Bibeau, MRC, stated he would meet with the City of Miami for their approved budget line items within the River corridor.  The “Annual Report” and “Integrated Five Year Financial Plan” will reoccur on the UIWG’s monthly agenda until completion.

Murley expressed his desire to have the Honorable Mayor Diaz, and his designee, Mr. Otto Boudet-Murias, chair the UIWG.  In order to avoid the Mayor’s conflict in reviewing Planning and Zoning related development projects, Murley proposed the UIWG create a separate “River Development Technical Review Committee”.  The UIWG agreed that if Mayor Diaz or his designee chair the UIWG, the new development review committee should be created.

Under new business the UIWG reviewed plans for the “River Renaissance” development, located on the River’s north shore, immediately west of S. Miami Ave.  The City of Miami Planning Director mailed the plans to the MRC with an invitation to attend the May 28 City of Miami’s Large Scale Development Committee meeting to review the “River Renaissance” plans.  The UIWG directed MRC staff to attend the meeting, and arrange for the UIWG’s future review of the project’s Major Use Special Permit application.

The UIWG set a regular meeting schedule for the third Tuesday of every month, 10 am in the Miami Riverside Center, 444 SW 2^nd Ave, 8^th Floor Conference Room.  The next UIWG meeting was confirmed for June 17, 2003.

The meeting adjourned.

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