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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Rosenstiel School
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy,
Miami, Fl. 33149
305-421-4850
Fax: 305-421-4755
  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

The Miami River Commission ’s (MRC) Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG) convened the “ Lower River ” public workshop on the draft “2^nd Annual Update” of the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 , 6:00 PM , Lummus Park , 404 NW 3^rd Street . Mr. Jim Murley chaired the meeting, and the sign in sheet is enclosed.

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

Mr. Jim Murley provided copies of the draft “2^nd 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% (27 of 38) of the Plan’s “Opportunity Sites” are either under construction, permitted or in final permitting stages.

Workshop attendees reviewed and discussed the following four amendments:

• 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 (Proposed by MRC board member Dr. Ernie Martin).

• 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 (Proposed by MRC board member Dr. Ernie Martin).

• Encourage developments to include alternate sources of energy. i.e. solar panels (Proposed by MRC board member Dr. Ernie Martin).

• Recommend Preservation of all Remaining Marine Industrial (SD-4) Zoning and Industrial Land Use within the Miami River Corridor (Proposed by MRC board member Dick Bunnell).

No objections were stated regarding the four proposed amendments.

Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Executive Director of the Miami River Marine Group, stated the Miami River ’s existing marine industrial zoning and land use should be preserved.  In 2000, nearly 80 acres of land along the river were zoned marine industrial, and today there are less than 40 acres remaining.

Mr. Murley suggested the MRC and marine industry take a more pro-active approach to preserving the Miami River ’s remaining marine industrial sites.  He recommended asking Miami-Dade County for support to help maintain the river’s working integrity.  Mr. Bibeau also noted a variety of available economic incentives to attract new businesses to the Miami River corridor.

The meeting then turned to discussion over permitting boat dockage along the Miami River . Mr. Phil Everingham, MRC Vice Chairman, stated that it was imperative to keep boat slips a main priority. Dr. Bohnsack expressed that landowners have been discouraged to put marinas on the Miami River because of DERM’s strict guidelines. Lee Hefty, Chief of Coastal permitting for DERM, stated that this impression regarding uncompromising rules was untrue. In concept, a boat slip bank plan does exist, noted Mr. Hefty.  Before a permit is issued, DERM looks at the aerial plans and photos of the area in question to examine how many slips it had historically.  Mr. Hefty noted there was no distinction between dry and wet docks in their calculations.  Though DERM does not have specific formula regarding the boat slip bank in writing, Mr. Hefty said he would seriously consider permitting the transfer of slips from one parcel to another if the deed of the original parcel included the fact that the slips had been permanently transferred.

Dr. Bohnsack suggested putting a boat slip bank plan in writing to avoid future confusion or misunderstandings. Mr. Murley suggested counting the current number of boat slips and finding potential sites for them, so as to guard against their disappearance along the river’s future bustling residential corridor.  Mr. Hefty said he understood the changing character of the river and assured that DERM was against the displacement and permanent removal of boat slips along the Miami River corridor.

The meeting adjourned.

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