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For more information, contact us via email at mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

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
  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

I. Planning Studies/Presentations

A. Discussion of Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan Implementation Step: “Request Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami, the Miami River Commission and the Florida Department of Transportation to partner and Establish Development Guidelines and Review Procedures for the MIC Associated Development” –Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, stated he had requested a presentation concerning “MIC Associated Development” from Ms. Helen Brown, Miami-Dade County Department of Planning and Zoning, and Mr. Rick Katz on behalf of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

Ms. Brown suggested conducting a charrette to discuss zoning alternatives and possibilities for the current MIC Associated Development site, located immediately east of the proposed MIC.  Mr. Bibeau noted the current site is bound on the west by Douglas Road ( NW 37^th Avenue ), on the east by South River Drive on the south by the Tamiami Canal and on the north by Palmer Lake . Ms. Brown asked for a status update of MIC construction, and Mr. Bibeau replied that to his knowledge, the MIC is currently under construction; therefore it’s appropriate to address this recommendation of the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  Mr. Bibeau added that the subject area in unincorporated Miami-Dade County is currently zoned Industrial. Per the suggestion of Mr. Jim Murley, Chair of the UIWG Subcommittee, Mr. Bibeau agreed to conduct an on-site review of the “MIC Associated Development” site before issuing a letter, on behalf of the Miami River Commission, expressing a need to address the future of this important part of the Miami River Corridor.  Mr. Bibeau stated he would continue reaching out to the Miami-Dade County Planning and Zoning Department and FDOT to discuss the matter.

B. Status of the Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Study- Mr. Bibeau noted he had met with Mr. Mesa, Director of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), whom had agreed to support the MPO providing $50,000 in Fiscal Year 2006 and $25,000 in Fiscal Year 2007 to conduct the Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation Study.  The pledge reinstates the MPO’s previously pledged $75,000 cost-share for the study.  Mr. Bibeau reported Mr. Mesa stated the item would be considered by the MPO in January 2006.

C. Discussion of Revised Draft Miami-Dade County Marine Industrial Zoning Overlay - Mr. Bibeau noted he had recently received a new version of the draft “Miami-Dade County Marine Industrial Zoning Overlay” ordinance from the Miami-Dade County Planning and Zoning Department. To his dismay, Mr. Bibeau noted the former self-standing draft Marine Industrial Zoning Ordinance has been discarded by the County’s Planning and Zoning Department, for a new draft ordinance of a much larger rewrite of the County’s entire zoning code.  Mr. Bibeau noted that the Miami-Dade Planning and Zoning Department had presented several versions of the former self-standing draft ordinance, which had been reviewed and commented on formally by the Miami River Commission, Miami River Marine Group, United State Coast Guard, Commissioner Barreiro, business and property owners in the subject area for over a year.  Bibeau stated the County Planning and Zoning Department’s unilateral decision to discard the originally presented draft Marine Industrial Zoning Ordinance negated the previous year’s successful communication and negotiations between the stakeholders.  Bibeau noted the new draft ordinance is yet to be presented to any of the aforementioned stakeholder groups, therefore recommended the previous draft ordinance, which has been reviewed and recommended for approval with three outstanding conditions, be placed on the Board of County Commission agenda ASAP, in order to avoid the minimal 6 month process estimated for the County to consider the massive zoning code rewrite.  Mr. Bibeau stated during a September 2005 meeting, the County’s Planning and Zoning Department Director stated the previously drafted self standing and reviewed Marine Industrial Zoning Ordinance would be considered by the Board of County Commissioners before the end of 2005.  Mr. Bibeau added per Mr. McManus request, he had emailed and faxed Mr. Albert Torres, Miami-Dade County Planning and Zoning Assistant Director, to discuss the Department’s recently changed approach, but had yet to receive a response. Ms. Brown noted she would follow up with Mr. Torres regarding the matter before the end of the week. 

II. New Business

Mr. Bibeau stated the Draft “3^rd Annual Update” to the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan may be included in the January MRC mail-out, if considered for adoption by the board on January 9, 2005, noon, Robert King High, 1407 NW 7 Street.

Mr. Murley suggested that MRC staff update its “Mapping Library” of key areas, such as Merrill-Stevens, the “Tug Boat Basin,” Palmer Lake, etc., in order to develop consistency in preparation for the City of Miami “Miami 21” re-zoning revamp process. Mr. Bibeau agreed to create such a “Mapping Library” of the aforementioned matter, and agreed to work on mapping aerials of available green space along the Miami River Corridor. Mr. Murley suggested he work in unison with the Trust for Public Land on the matter. 

The meeting adjourned.

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