Miami River Commission’s
Urban Infill & Greenways Subcommittee’s Combined Minutes

I) Review Proposed Mixed-Use Development Plans, 1500 NW North River Drive (Mahi-Shrine Site)
Ms. Vicky Garcia-Toledo, Bilzin Sumberg, and architects presented “River Landing” a proposed mixed-use development at the current “Mahi-Shrine Temple” property. Ms. Garcia Toledo explained the proposal requires City Commission approval of a “Special Area Plan” due to its size, which under the previous zoning code was similar to a Major Use Special Permit (MUSP), although the submitted plans are no longer required to be final. The presented project featured a publicly accessible riverwalk within the 50 foot building setback from the seawall, with no waivers, exemptions, exceptions or reductions of the public riverwalk provisions required under City Code, i.e. Miami 21 sections 3.11, and Appendix B. The presenters stated the site’s existing historical cannon will be preserved along the public riverwalk. Ms. Garcia-Toledo stated they desire a Water Taxi stop on the site. Attendees noted the MRC’s long term support of water taxi / water bus service along the Miami River, and the need for the County to amend the Manatee Protection Plan in order to allow Water Taxi / Water Bus stops west of the NW 5 ST Bridge.

Mr. Murley explained the City Commission requested the MRC’s advisory recommendation regarding river related agenda items. Murley further explained the MRC’s process is for the Urban Infill and or Greenways Subcommittee Chairmen 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 are provided an opportunity to address the MRC, which votes to determine if the proposal is consistent with the aforementioned plans.

Mr. Murley asked for the group to first consider the proposal’s consistency with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan. Greenways subcommittee Chairman Ernie Martin explained the plan was adopted by the MRC, City and County Commissions in 2001. Ms. Garcia-Toledo stated they would submit revised plans featuring the following improvements:

1) Removing vehicular access / drop off, within the 50 foot waterfront building setback and public riverwalk areas
2) Inserting a written notation on the plans that as presented the 50-foot waterfront building setback, riverwalk, both side yards, and middle corridor areas are all publicly accessible
3) Insert “Public Shore” signage as required by City law

Ms. Garcia-Toledo stated she met with the Mayor of Dade County who asked his staff to work in support of her client’s efforts to bring in the County parcel as part of the River Landing project. Ms Garcia-Toledo stated she also continues to work with County staff on this effort. MS Garcia-Toledo stated the submitted plans were being revised so that there would not be any use of the county parcel for access to the proposed River Landing project, should their negotiations be unsuccessful.

Ms. Garcia-Toledo described a platted 7 foot wide public side walk from N River Drive to the Miami River, across the County property. Ms. Garcia noted if the property is improved for public space / plaza, the entire area will provide access to the Miami River. In return, the potential developer is offering to fund and construct the needed improvements including a public riverwalk, shoreline stabilization, etc. and provide for its maintenance.

Greenways Chairman Martin stated proper public riverwalk connectivity from this site to continue in both directions is critical. Ms. Garcia Toledo stated they are willing to fund and construct the public riverwalk continuing to the east on County owned riverfront, and when a riverwalk is constructed to the west, they would be willing to remove their landscaping in order to have the public riverwalk continue to the west as well. The presented project featured a publicly accessible riverwalk within the 50-foot building setback from the seawall, with no waivers, exemptions, exceptions or reductions of the public riverwalk provisions required under City code, i.e. Miami 21 sections 3.11, and Appendix B. Dr. Martin stated subject to the MRC receiving the potential developer’s aforementioned agreed upon revised & improved plans, the proposed “River Landing” is consistent with the adopted Miami River Greenway Action Plan and the City’s Zoning Code. (please see attached Technical Review).

MRC UIWG Chairman Murley noted the former MRC Chairman “Bob Parks rule” to fully façade parking along the Miami River, and recommended increasing the retail, residential and façade liners to completely conceal the parking garage from the Miami River on all angles & sides. The proposed “River Landing” for this identified re-development site includes mixed-uses, such as retail, restaurants, and residential, featuring a publicly accessible riverwalk per code, therefore MRC UIWG Chairman Murley found it consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, subject to not having the parking garage viewable from the Miami River. In addition, MRC UIWG Chairman Murley suggested the MRC support the potential developer’s proposed use of the adjacent County owned parcel as public park space in return for the developer funding & constructing the needed site improvements including the public riverwalk, and providing for its future maintenance, and the proposed water taxi stop. (please see attached Technical Review Form).

Ms. Garcia-Toledo stated this project is scheduled before the City of Miami’s Planning Zoning and Appeals Board (PZAB) on March 20, therefore she would like the MRC to place it on their March 4 public meeting agenda, noon, 1407 NW 7 ST, and MRC Chairman Aguirre agreed. MRC Director Bibeau asked Ms. Garcia-Toledo to email the revised plans no later than one week prior to the meeting, so that they maybe emailed to the MRC members along with the agenda one week prior to the MRC’s scheduled March 4 hearing on this item.

II) Review Proposed Office Development Plans, 528 NW 7 Ave – Mr. Juan Calvo, Vice President Design, Oppenheim Architecture+Design LLP, Mr. Lowell Burge, Project Superintendent, GLF Construction Corp., and Mr. Fabio Silvestri, Project Engineer, GLF Construction Corp. presented the plans for a new GLF Construction headquarters proposed to be constructed at 528 NW 7 Ave. MRC Director Bibeau stated GLF Construction had recently demolished 100% of the previous building on this waterfront site, and provided a copy of the City’s adopted Zoning Code (“Miami 21”) “3.11 Waterfront Standards” and “Appendix B Waterfront Design Guidelines”. The presenters stated they previously submitted their proposed plans to the City of Miami as part of their permit application, and the City has not informed them of the required public riverwalk and waterfront building setback, which although required by law are not included in the pending building permit application. The presenters noted some of their construction contracts include bridges, and they planned to dock small barges at the site, therefore this should be considered a “Marine Related Industrial Establishment along the Miami River” which per Zoning Code Section 3.11 does not require a public riverwalk. UIWG Chairman Murley, Greenways Chairman Martin, MRC Chairman Aguirre and the presenters agreed to defer this item to another subcommittee meeting in February, followed by the full MRC on March 4, noon, 1407 NW 7 ST. The MRC Chairs asked MRC Director Bibeau to meet with City Planning Director Garcia and Zoning Administrator Min.

III) New Business - UIWG Chairman Murley and Greenways Chairman Martin indicated they would be available to Chair a meeting in February, in order to review the offered improved plans for “River Landing”, and the City’s position regarding the proposed development at 528 NW 7 Ave, before the MRC considers both items for the first time on March 4, noon, 1407 NW 7 ST.

MRC Director Bibeau stated it’s his understanding that the City of Miami permitted an adaptive re-use of an existing riverfront building to become “Hemingway’s Warehouse”, a new riverfront restaurant at 412 NW North River Drive scheduled to open on Miami Riverday, April 6, 2013, immediately next door to Garcia’s and Casablanca Restaurants and Seafood Market. The improvements to the existing building are currently under construction, and it appears since it is an adaptive re-use, with essentially no waterfront setback, zoned D1, the public riverwalk and waterfront building setbacks are exempt. MRC Chairman Aguirre stated since the other two items are now scheduled for the MRC’s March 4 agenda, “Hemingway’s Warehouse” will be invited as an informational (non-voting) item to be placed on the MRC’s February 4, 2013 public meeting agenda, noon, 1407 NW 7 ST.

UIWG Chairman Murley indicated the University of Miami recently completed and published their “Waterfront Report”, which strongly recommends and supports finishing construction of the 10-mile public Miami River Greenway. MRC Chairman Aguirre asked Director Bibeau to include the informational (non-voting) item on the MRC’s February 4 public meeting agenda, noon, 1407 NW 7 ST.
MRC Director Bibeau distributed invitations to the January 26 Miami River Greenway beautification volunteer event, featuring planting, painting, picking up litter and removing exotic species along the public riverwalk.

The meeting adjourned.

Miami River Commission’s
Urban Infill Working Group and Greenways Subcommittee’s Development Technical Review Report

Project Name: River Landing
Project Address: 1500 NW North River Drive (Mahi Shrine Temple)
Developer: Hellinger Co. - Andrew Hellinger and Coralee Penabad
Contact Information: Vicky Garcia-Toledo, Bilzin Sumberg, (305) 350-2409
Project Review Date: January 23, 2013

Is the proposed development consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan?
Yes, the proposed “River Landing” for this identified re-development site includes mixed-uses, such as retail, restaurants, and residential, featuring a publicly accessible riverwalk per code. Therefore it is consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, subject to not having the parking garage viewable from the Miami River.

Is the proposed development consistent with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan?
Yes, the proposed “River Landing” is found to be consistent with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan, subject to receipt of the agreed upon revised plans featuring the following improvements:

1) Removing vehicular access / drop off, within the 50 foot waterfront building setback and public riverwalk areas
2) Inserting a notation on the plans that as presented the 50 foot waterfront building setback, riverwalk, both side yards and middle corridor areas are all publicly accessible
3) Insert “Public Shore” signage as required by City law
The development is setback 50-feet from the Miami River and features a publicly accessible riverwalk, consistent with the City’s Zoning Code Section 3.11 and Appendix B.

Does the project require a Special Area Plan, Land Use Amendment, Zoning Amendment, Special exemptions, exceptions or waivers?
Yes, the proposed River Landing requires a “Special Area Plan”, but no zoning amendments, no land use amendments, and no waivers, exemptions, exceptions or reductions of the public riverwalk provisions required under City code, i.e. Miami 21 sections 3.11, and Appendix B.

Additional Recommendations to Maximize Positive Impacts to the Community:

1) Support the potential developer’s proposed use of the adjacent County owned parcel as public park space in return for the developer funding & constructing the needed site improvements including the public riverwalk, and providing for its future maintenance
2) Support the proposed water taxi stop

Miami River Commission’s
Urban Infill & Greenways Subcommittee’s Combined Minutes

I) Review Proposed Mixed-Use Development Plans, 1500 NW North River Drive (Mahi-Shrine Site)
Mr. Andy Hellinger and Ms. Coralee Penabad, Hellinger Penabad Companies, presented a revised “River Landing” PowerPoint of their proposed mixed-use development at the current “Mahi-Shrine Temple”, featuring 475,000 square feet of retail, 444 residential units, in 6 floors of retail, 12 floors of residential, above a 12 story parking garage (total 24 stories), height 250-310 feet (reduction from previously approved development on this site at 342-352 feet, which FAA rejected). Mr. Hellinger noted the following 5 improvements to the plans, per the recommendations of the MRC subcommittee’s and City of Miami.

1. Notes have been inserted in the proposed plans indicating the 50 foot wide riverwalk, 2 side yards and middle corridor are publicly accessible, with no waivers, exemptions, exceptions or reductions of the public riverwalk provisions required under City Code, i.e. Miami 21 sections 3.11, and Appendix B
2. Removed the vehicular access / drop off area out of the 50 foot public riverwalk and waterfront building setback area
3. The required “Public Shore” signage was inserted in the revised proposed plans
4. Increased liners of the parking garage, which is now fully facaded along the riverfront (south and east sides) and along North River Drive (north side)
5. Removed access roads in proposed rendition of the adjacent County owned riverfront, which the project proposes to improve and maintain as a public green / park space

Mr. Murley explained the City Commission requested the MRC’s advisory recommendation regarding river related agenda items. Murley further explained the MRC’s process is for the Urban Infill and or Greenways Subcommittee Chairmen 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 are provided an opportunity to address the MRC, which votes to determine if the proposal is consistent with the aforementioned plans.

MRC Urban Infill Subcommittee Chairman Murley and MRC Greenways Subcommittee Chairman Martin recommended the MRC find the presented, revised and improved proposed “River Landing” plans are consistent with the adopted Miami River Greenway Action Plan, Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, and the City’s Zoning Code. (please see attached Technical Review).

This project is scheduled before the full MRC’s March 4 public meeting, 1407 NW 7 ST, followed by the City of Miami’s Planning Zoning and Appeals Board (PZAB) in April and the City Commission in April or May.

II) Review Proposed Office Development Plans, 528 NW 7 Ave – Ms Iris Escarra, Greenberg Traurig, distributed a letter with attachments claiming the proposed use is a “Marine-Related Industrial Establishment” in D1 zoning, therefore exempt from the public riverwalk. Director Bibeau presented the site’s current sea-wall permit, which has a condition that no docking is allowed on this site which has never had a Marine Operating Permit. Director Bibeau stated per the request of the subcommittee when this item was considered on January 13, he met with the City Planning Department, which provided the City’s written comments on the proposal, which were previously provided to the potential developer. The City’s verbal and written comments indicate they consider this to be an office building, which in the D1 zoning which requires a 20 foot waterfront building setback (provided in plans) and a riverwalk (not included in plans). Attendees noted public side yard connectors to access the riverwalk area are not required for new office construction in D1 zoning, therefore the required riverwalk area would not be publicly accessible unless a neighboring parcel is redeveloped with a public riverwalk. UIWG Chairman Murley, Greenways Chairman Martin, MRC Chairman Aguirre and the presenters agreed to defer this item to another subcommittee meeting in March, followed by the full MRC on April 1, noon, 1407 NW 7 ST.

III) New Business - Director Bibeau distributed flyers regarding the next monthly volunteer Miami River beautification event on Saturday, February 23, featuring an expansion of the community free vegetable and fruit garden on the public riverwalk at 1407 NW 7 ST, in addition to litter pickup along the shorelines.

The meeting adjourned.

Miami River Commission’s
Urban Infill Working Group and Greenways Subcommittee’s Development Technical Review Report

Project Name: River Landing
Project Address: 1500 NW North River Drive (Mahi Shrine Temple)
Developer: Hellinger Co. - Andrew Hellinger and Coralee Penabad
Contact Information: Vicky Garcia-Toledo, Bilzin Sumberg, (305) 350-2409
Project Review Date: February 15, 2013

Is the proposed development consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan?
Yes, the proposed “River Landing” for this identified re-development site includes mixed-uses, such as retail, restaurants, and residential, featuring a facaded garage and publicly accessible riverwalk per code. Therefore it is consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.

Is the proposed development consistent with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan?
Yes, the proposed “River Landing” development is setback 50-feet from the Miami River and features a publicly accessible riverwalk, consistent with the City’s Zoning Code Section 3.11 and Appendix B. Therefore it is found to be consistent with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan.

Does the project require a Special Area Plan, Land Use Amendment, Zoning Amendment, Special exemptions, exceptions or waivers?
Yes, the proposed River Landing requires a “Special Area Plan”, but no exceptions or reductions of the public riverwalk provisions required under City code, i.e. Miami 21 sections 3.11, and Appendix B.

Additional Recommendations to Maximize Positive Impacts to the Community:

1) Support the potential developer’s proposed use of the adjacent County owned parcel as public park space in return for the developer funding & constructing the needed site improvements including the public riverwalk, and providing for its future maintenance
2) Support the proposed water taxi stop

 

I) Review Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources Draft Proposed Revisions to Miami-Dade County’s Adopted Manatee Protection Plan

The following were distributed, reviewed and discussed:

1) Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources Draft Proposed Revisions to Miami-Dade County’s Adopted Manatee Protection Plan

2) Miami-Dade County’s Manatee Protection Plan Review Committee’s 23 recommended amendments

3) April 19, 2011 letter from FIND Commissioner Spencer Crowley to then DERM Director Carlos Espinosa stating in part, “I would urge you to develop revisions to the Manatee Protection Plan that are indicative of, and consistent with, the (Manatee Protection Plan Review) Committee’s recommendations. Those revisions would then be proffered to FWCC and interested stakeholders will have the ability to contact FWCC Commissioners and deliberate the issues in an appropriate setting with the FWCC. After an official recommendation from the FWCC Commissioners, DERM should then proceed with amendment of the Plan. I believe this will ensure that the Manatee Protection Plan is amended in a manner that fosters protection of the manatee without sacrificing public access and enjoyment of Biscayne Bay.”

4) The following Data and Analysis:

“The Miami River is the slowest possible “idle / no wake speed” restricted zone – Manatee Protection Plan page 53

“The animals (manatee) will generally dive or otherwise move out of the path of oncoming vessels, and have been observed by DERM biologists at two locations, moving out of the way of vessels entering manatee occupied waters.” – Manatee Protection Plan page 47. Jay Gorzelany, Mote Marine Laboratory, contracted by DERM to conduct the “Recreational Boating Activity In Miami-Dade County” testified to the Committee on June 3, 2009, that boats traveling “slow speed still safe for manatee”.

The Miami River has frequent and consistent Marine Patrol coverage via Miami-Dade Marine Patrol 1-2 officers, 7 days per week, 40 hours per week in addition to the City of Miami Marine Patrol, 2 officers, 11 hours per day, minimum 5 days per week. – videotaped Miami-Dade / City of Miami Marine Patrol testimony to the Manatee Protection Plan Review Committee

Board of County Commissioners Resolution R-536-05, adopted May 3, 2005, “The County Manager is hereby directed to prepare a policy which shall create procedures whereby owners of property along the Miami River can request an official determination by DERM of the number of existing legal boat slips authorized for that property and to maintain a record of those determinations, and that allows for the relocation of such slips to other properties on the Miami River”. The adopted resolution had a limitation / restriction that slips may only be relocated from one location to another on the Miami River, and boat slips may not be transferred into the Miami River from locations outside of the Miami River.

In 2007 the Miami River’s recently maintenance dredged 15 foot deep federal Navigable Channel and its tributaries had slightly over 1,200 permitted boat slips, and in 2008 the permitted boat slips quantity reduced to 1,100. – DERM 5/8/09 Powerpoint

DERM’s contracted “Recreational Boating Activity in Miami-Dade County” by MOTE Marine Laboratory, dated April 28, 2009, indicates on page 53 (enclosed) that of the 6 observation points, the Miami River has the 2nd least operating boats, and 4 of six other sites had more operating boats than the Miami River, with only one site having less operating boats than the Miami River.

In 2007, July was the month with the greatest quantity of boat launches. From 1996 – 2007, the month of July had amongst the fewest watercraft caused Manatee Deaths with 1 manatee death by watercraft in the month of July from 1996-2007. In 2007, June was the month with the second greatest quantity of boat launches. From 1996 – 2007, the month of June had amongst the fewest watercraft caused Manatee Deaths with 1 Manatee death by watercraft in the month of June from 1996-2007. – DERM’s “7/16/08 MPP Review Committee Meeting” PowerPoint presentation.

DERM’s “Miami-Dade County Manatee Mortalities, Human Related: Watercraft” and DERM’s 7/16/08 Powerpoint indicates over the past 13 years of collected data (1995-2008) there were 114 manatee deaths by all causes, of which 4 carcasses were recovered on the Miami River and defined as “Human Related: Watercraft”, which is 3.5% of the total manatee deaths.

“A team of scientists counted an all-time-high number of manatees during the annual manatee synoptic survey conducted the week of Jan 19, 2009. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) reported a preliminary count of 3,807 manatees statewide. A team of 21 observers from 9 organizations counted 2,153 manatees on Florida’s East Coast and 1,654 on the West Coast of the State. This year’s count exceeded the previous high count from 2001 by more than 500 animals. In both years, survey conditions were favorable for aerial observations.” - myfwc.com

Brett Bibeau noted DERM’s recommended amendments are different from the County’s Manatee Protection Plan Review Committee, which conducted years of public hearings and reviewed expensive data and analysis.

The distributed 1st draft DERM revisions to the Manatee Protection Plan are scheduled to be considered at public hearing of the Board of County Commissioner’s LUDC subcommittee on October 10, followed by the full County Commission on November 5.

After hearing comments and proposed amendments from various attendees, including but not limited to Spencer Crowley, FIND, and Mark Bailey, MRMG, MRC UIWG Chairman Murley made the following non-binding recommendation for the full MRC’s consideration when this item is considered during the MRC’s October 7 public meeting, noon, 1407 NW 7 ST:

1) Request deferral to a date certain in 90 days to meet with stakeholders

2) Request the Board of County Commissioner’s to formally submit their Manatee Protection Plan Review Committee’s 23 proposed amendments to the FWCC, seeking official comments from the FWCC’s Governing Board

3) Proposed Amendments to DERM’s draft tracked changed Manatee Protection Plan amendments, based on data and analysis

a. Page 3, when amending the definition of “existing Marine Facility”, delete the following draft new text “and types…AND TYPES…types of vessel uses” (sailboats also use engine propellors while on the Miami River)

b. Page 3, when amending the definition of “existing Marine Facility”, delete the following draft new text “and is currently producing boat traffic, or has recently produced boat traffic that is still affecting manatees.” (If an existing Marine Facility facility is legal, if necessary the owner has the right to temporarily cease boat traffic. It is difficult to judge if a legal existing Marine Facility has “recently produced boat traffic that is still affecting manatees”. The overwhelming majority of boat traffic doesn’t affect manatees. What is the definition of “recently”?)

c. Page 3, leave the current adopted Manatee Protection Plan’s following language, which the draft amendment proposes to delete, “in use on October 28, 1984 or later, and if constructed after 1980, must have appropriate DERM permits. Facilities that have not been in use at any time since October 28, 1984, will not be considered existing and will be considered a new facility. An existing Marine Facility may be reconstructed with at least the maximum number of slips that were in use at one time since October 28, 1984. ALL EXISTING MARINE FACILITIES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE WITH THE EXISTING USE, AND MAY RENOVATE (according to permitting guidelines) as long as there is no change in facility size, including no increase in the number of wet or dry slips (unless the facility meets the expansion criteria addressed below).” And delete the amendment inserting following new replacement text, “If facilities are vacated as a result of unforeseen circumstances (such as hurricanes, fires, etc) they could be considered ‘existing’ for a period not to exceed five years prior to the application for a permit*. Facilities that have not been in use at any time for five years prior to the application , or where vessels uses are not substantially the same as those that occurred previously, will; not be considered existing and will be subject to manatee protection criteria for new or expanded facilities.” (which are essentially not allowed on the Miami River).

d. Pg. 8, expand the “Limited Special Use Docks (max 1 Dock every 500 feet – used by Waterborne Transportation ie Water Bus, Water Taxi, etc.)” zone to include the entire Miami River

e. Pg. 13, 2nd para adding new areas for transitory docks, insert, “and the Miami River 1:500”

f. Pg 15, “Limited Special Use” (Waterborne Transportation ie Water Bus, Water Taxi, etc.)” delete following amendment which inserts following new text, “in Downtown Area…in a portion of the downtown area…to the NW 5 ST Bridge…if such proposals are for facilities that are publicly owned and operated not-for-profit (revenue neutral)”

g. Pg. 22, #4, consistent with previously approved Board of County Commissioners Reso., allow transfer of slips from one site on the Miami River to another site on the 5.5 mile long Miami River, and delete following portion of proposed amendment new text, “slips may be transferred downstream”

h. Include the Manatee Protection Plan Review Committee’s “Motion #9” regarding transitory docks and creating “specific guidelines for operation of water taxis”

i. Include the Manatee Protection Plan Review Committee’s “Motion #22”, creating a “Manatee Protection Fund”

j. Pg. 13 keep the existing word “major” in front of “renovation” and extend the exemption area an additional 700 linear feet located from 2974 NW North River Drive to 3001 NW South River Drive (The existing fendering exemption area has resulted in no reported manatee deaths or adverse impact on the species. Extending the exemption area 700 feet will resolve a choke point in the Federal Navigable Channel, which is currently impeding navigation.)

II) Review Ancillary Fitness Center Proposed in Existing Warehouse Building at the Renovated 5th ST Marina, 341 NW South River Drive –

The following were distributed, reviewed and discussed:

8/26/13 letter from 5th Street Marina to City Planning Director Garcia, “Subject: Response to MCNP Analysis – Fitness Center at the 5th Street Marina”

• Current Marine Operating Permits
  
• Proposed Plan Renditions
  
• Pictures taken before and after existing warehouse was recently renovated
  
• Letter from “Ferrino Sports –Wellness Club on the River” stating in part, “The location on the River gives us an opportunity to really differentiate ourselves by providing some unique water oriented programs. Some of the ideas include paddleboard trips, kayaking races, rowing”
• Letter from Lambert Advisory stating in part, “Amenities such as fitness centers are increasingly central to the success of marinas”
• Examples of several marinas featuring secondary, ancillary Fitness Centers
  

Attendees noted the site has been an active marine industrial facility owned by the same family since the 1940’s, and the proposed ancillary “Fitness Center” use would be located in an existing vacant and renovated warehouse building which has no waterfront setback, therefore no opportunity for a public riverwalk. MRC Director Bibeau stated he recently met with Planning Director Garcia, whom indicated the City Planning Department will most likely grant the submitted Warrant application for the small secondary Fitness Center, therefore the City’s Planning Zoning and Appeals Board and or City Commission will probably not be asked to consider a potential appeal if the pending Warrant is denied.

MRC UIWG Chairman Jim Murley found the 5 ST Marina’s proposed small, secondary, ancillary Fitness Center in the existing renovated warehouse to be consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.

III) New Business – UIWG Chairman Murley stated on November 8 there will be a public meeting regarding the revised proposal for a new railroad bridge over the upper Miami River.

The meeting adjourned.