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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Robert King High
1407 NW 7 St., 
Suite D
Miami , FL   33125

  Phone 305 644 0544
Fax 305 642 1136
 

The Miami River Commission’s (MRC) Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG) convened on Tuesday, January 9, 2007, 10:00 AM, at the Robert King High, New Board Room, 1407 NW 7 ST.  Mr. Jim Murley chaired the meeting.  The attendance sheet is enclosed.

I. Planning Studies/Presentations 

A. B. Status of the “MIC Associated Development” Planning Process – As requested in the UIWG’s December 2006 meeting, Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, distributed a draft one page summary of the MRC’s recommendation for the appropriate entities to create guidelines and specifications to guide the identified “MIC Associated Development” area’s development.  The UIWG revised the draft, which will be provided per the request of Mr. Sabrata Basu, Assistant Director of the Miami-Dade County Planning and Zoning Department.

B. Status of the Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Plan – Mr. Bibeau reported he is scheduled to do field work with the Plan’s consultants on January 12, 2007 .   

C. Review and Discuss Updated Draft of Miami 21 East Quadrant – Mr. Bibeau noted the City of Miami Planning Advisory Board is scheduling two public hearings regarding the draft “Miami 21 – Eastern Quadrant” in January.  Therefore, the MRC is scheduled to formulate their advisory recommendation on the draft during the MRC’s February 5, 2007 meeting.  .Mr. Murley suggested that MRC staff continue to monitor the Miami 21 public planning process, and advocate for the UIWG’s recommended creation of a “Riverside District” to address the specific issues related to riverfront properties, such as increasing the waterfront’s “rear” building setback, requiring publicly accessible riverwalks on new mixed-use and residential developments, creating a waterfront industrial district, etc.  Mr. Murley stated although the UIWG has forwarded the creation of a “Riverfront District” to the Planning Department and consultants in the past, it hasn’t been incorporated into the draft yet, therefore the MRC should consider creating advisory recommendations based on the existing draft in order to address the aforementioned issues.

II. New Business – Mr. Bibeau distributed the Draft Downtown Development Authority (DDA) “Downtown Miami Economic / Master Plan Strategy: Policies, Programs, & Major Projects – Overview”.  Mr. Bibeau noted he discussed the draft with Adam Lukin , DDA, whom informed him that although the summary PowerPoint presentation doesn’t mention the creation of a “Riverfront District”, the district is included in the draft Plan, which will be provided in the near future.  The UIWG reviewed and discussed the following sections of the draft PowerPoint:

• Page 8, B., “Revitalize the Biscayne Boulevard / Bayfront District….1) Port Traffic Remediation” - UIWG recommends inserting Short Sea Shipping
• Page 8, B., “Revitalize the Biscayne Boulevard / Bayfront District….4) I-95 / Dupont Interchange / Knight Center : Support sub-district strategy that links CBD to River by eliminating I-95 barrier, creating a gateway boulevard and River Park experience, and

addressing Knight Conference Center obsolescence.” – Mr. Lukin clarified the DDA will recommend the area maintain a convention center / auditorium component, and recognizes there are no other sufficient sites suitable for this important use adjacent to the Riverwalk.  Mr. Bibeau noted the importance of the Fort Lauderdale Performing Arts Center to bringing concerts and events to their adjacent FT Lauderdale Riverwalk.

• Page 8, B., “Revitalize the Biscayne Boulevard / Bayfront District….5) Waterfront Pedestrian Improvements:  Develop capital improvement projects that improve pedestrian access to and throughout the waterfront district, and promote a unified district experience in a dramatic bay / riverfront setting.” Consistent with Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenway Action Plan
• Page 10, “1) City Parks Master Plan:  Support policies to expand parks and open spaces in and around downtown  including increased funding for operations, programming and maintenance” – Consistent with Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenway Action Plan
• Page 11. “4)  Historic Preservation: Encourage rehabilitation and re-use of historic properties employing tax credits, and advocate the use of new techniques such as Transfer of Development Rights (TDR)” – Mr. Lukin clarified the MRC’s recommended downtown historic district would be able to sell development rights, yet not permitted to buy additional development rights - Consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.
• Page 18, “3) Waterfront Greenway: Support execution of Plans to create a continuous waterfront Greenway including funding and service delivery models to assure adequate programming, maintenance / repair and public / private participation.” -  Consistent with Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenway Action Plan
• Page 18, “4) Water Shuttle: Develop shuttle to connect cruise ship and other visitors to downtown attractions, dining/shopping and other City destinations.” - Consistent with Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.
• Page 19, “5) Waterfront Recreation:  Advocate strategies that maximize  opportunities to expand marinas and water-oriented recreational services to distinguish Downtown as a “World Class Urban Waterfront” experience - Consistent with Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenway Action Plan

The UIWG confirmed its next regularly scheduled second Tuesday of the month meeting for February 13, 2007, 10 am, New Board Room, 1407 NW 7 ST.

The meeting adjourned.

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