I. CHAIRS REPORT:

Mr. Parks called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the May 2003 meeting.  He stated that there was a quorum present and asked for approval of the April 2003 minutes.  Janet McAliley made the motion to approve the April minutes.  Dick Bunnell seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 

Bob advised the group that the MRC legislative bill to repeal the sunset provision passed the House and Senate and will be forwarded to the Governor for his review and hopeful approval.  The bill basically continues the MRC past the 5-year sunset date (June 30, 2003) that was contained in the 1998 legislation that created the MRC.  Bob advised that not everything went smooth with the legislative process and on the next to last day of session the bill was skipped on the third reading in the House.  Bob does not know if this was a glitch or if someone had an ax to grind with the MRC.  Numerous letters, email and phone calls were made to House Representatives by a wide variety of individuals and groups that support the MRC and on Friday the last day of regular session, the MRC bill passed third reading on the House floor.  Bob stated the MRC was not funded in the regular session, but no one was funded and we must await completion of special legislative session.  Bob explained that the MRC’s position is to coordinate river improvements and that we bring together all parties to discuss issues and improve the river.  Bob advised that both the city and the county have two members on the MRC and can appoint two additional members so both the city and county have four members on the MRC.  Bob explained that if anyone has a problem with the MRC to please make those issues known so we can resolve them.  He reminded everyone that the MRC does not make decisions; we make recommendations per the MRC legislative mandate.  Bob stated the door is wide open for dialogue with whomever may have issues with the MRC. 

Bob wanted everyone to know that a prominent accounting firm audited the MRC funds and that all was in compliance.  The audit report is available to any member of the MRC and it was sent to the Governor’s office and agencies that have provided grants to the MRC. 

Bob introduce Mr. Henry Sori, who is the new designee for the Mayor of Miami-Dade.  Bob thanked the mayor for all his assistance and the group was very pleased to have Henry onboard.

David Miller provided a handout and an overview of the various grants received and the status of the MRC funds.  David went through each grant and account under the Miami River Fund, Inc., which is the funding arm of the MRC.  After his presentation he answered questions and explained in more detail the various grants.  Janet McAliley asked if the Executive Committee reviews the audit and Bob advised that yes the committee reviewed the audit. 

II.    Riverhouse Lofts Development Project

            Peter Swartz came forward to make the presentation on the Riverhouse Lofts development.  Peter presented several large architectural drawings and some handouts about the project.  He advised the MRC about the project and explained the development and location of structures along North River Drive near the former East Coast Fisheries Restaurant.  Phase one would have a residential tower between Flagler Street, I-95 and North River Drive.  Peter explained they would treat the river front access in a Lincoln Road experience with restaurants along the river and the entire riverfront access open.  A three-story building is proposed on the riverside of North River Drive and the ground floor is entirely open so there would be open view and access corridors to the river from North River Drive.  Peter proposed docks along the river frontage.  Air-conditioned restaurant spaces would be on the second floor and the third floor would be open air.  Peter proposes an improved entrance from Flagler with possibly a fountain and traffic circle at the intersection of Flagler and North River Drive.  Flagler must be two-way traffic and this would link downtown with the river.  North River Drive would have a meandering walkway east to the City Administration Building.  This meandering walkway would be part of the “Onroad Riverwalk” envisioned in the Greenway Plan.  The building would be an elliptical shape and provide excellent views of the river and at height would have views of the Bay and south to Coconut Grove.  Peter stressed the need to have Flagler Street a two-way street system.  Janet McAliley asked how wide the docks would be and what was the setback of the riverfront from the building.  Peter stated they are requesting 8-foot wide docks and the building setback would be approximately 11 feet.  That meets the city ordinance for riverwalk setback as the property is only 45 feet wide, so the setback by ordinance is 25% the width of the property or approximately 11 feet.  Discussion and questions ensued.  Jim Murley advised the group that at the Urban Infill Committee meeting they were advised that the project before the group does not require any zoning change and that the greenway plan has the riverwalk on the road and Mr. Swartz’s proposal meets the intent of the greenway and urban infill paln.  The committee’s recommendation is that they are in support of the project with the caveat that the designs being presented would require considerable work with the city for roadway, parking and riverfront dockage.  Jim made a motion to recommend approval of the project as depicted before the committee and Dick Bunnell seconded the motion.  Discussion ensued.  Alfredo Gonzales made a motion to defer this item to the Greenway Committee for input and have the Greenway committee report in June.  Henry Sori seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  Roberto Lavernia, advised the group that the Class II permit is still under review by the city and there is a mandatory review by the Urban Development Review Board. 

III.   Neo Vertika Development Presentation

            Mr. Frank Guerra advised the MRC that the development is located at 7^th Street and S.W. 1^st Court on the western boundary of Metrorail.  The developer is not requesting any variances.  Frank provided drawings and explained the project that includes 6 floors of parking.  The parking area is “cladded” with residential units on the outside and the parking is on the interior sections of the building.  The bottom floor also has a restaurant.  The building will be setback 50 feet from the river and a riverwalk is included.  Brett Bibeau provided the recommendation from the urban infill committee that they recommended approval of the development with three comments for the developer, to include:  1. coordinate work with FPL to continue the riverwalk to the east;  2. coordinate work with the property owner on west side to continue the riverwalk to the west and 3. to work with the property owner on the west side to keep a small portion of the existing slip for a future water taxi stop.  Ernie Martin made the official motion just as Brett stated and Gary Winston seconded the motion..  Discussion ensued.  A vote was taken and the motion passed by a unanimous vote.  Bob thanked Mr. Guerra and stated if there is anything the MRC can do to help with this project to contact David or Brett.

IV.       River Park Condominium Zoning Change

Ms. Vicki Garcia-Toledo presented the project on behalf of the owner.  Vicki stated there are two applications before the city and they are a land use change and a zoning change.  The property is directly due east of the 27^th Avenue Bridge on the north shore of the river.  The current land use of the property is “duplex residential” with a maximum of 18 units per acre.  The owner would like to change the land use to “multifamily medium density residential” which allows 65 units per acre.  The developer is looking to put 75 units on the property in a 5-story building, which is directly on the Miami River.  Ernie Martin provided an overview of the Urban Infill Committee’s recommendation, which is a qualified approval with conditions that include:  improvements for public access and greenway development opportunities on the property and that the development be consistent with the surrounding neighborhood.  Ernie advised that the Urban Infill Plan states that this area is primarily lower density older homes and duplexes.  The neighborhood is stable and homes are well kept.  The plan recommends that this area be looked at for possible designation as a historic district.  Ernie continued that he visited the area and believes that this zoning and development proposal is not consistent with the Urban Infill Plan and the proposed structure would not be consistent with the surrounding neighborhood.  Bob Parks invited members of the neighborhood to provide their comments.  Ms. Debra Carpenter stated that she lives at 2510 NW River Drive and she firmly believes this is inconsistent with the neighborhood.  She explained that the roadway is not suitable for higher density residential.  The road is only 16 feet wide and traffic is a problem now.  She counted 850 vehicles in a four-hour period.  Traffic with 75 more units would be unbearable.  She believes the property will end up a low-income property with moving vans continuously adding to traffic congestion.  Kim Ostrenko’s parents live in 2520 NW North River Drive in a home built in 1926.  She explained she has been door to door to talk to all but a couple neighborhood residents and nobody is for this development.  She reiterated that traffic is currently a big problem that would further deteriorate with a large development.  She stated that 75% of the properties in the area are homeowners that have lived there for many years.  She explained that many more neighbors would be attending this meeting, but they are at work.  Others spoke against the proposed change.  Henry Sori asked the developer if they would be doing any improvements to the roadway and Vicki answered that the city planning and zoning state the roadway is satisfactory.  Ernie Martin referred to page 35 of the Urban Infill Plan that shows this project would NOT be consistent with the Urban Infill Plan.  Ernie made the motion that this zoning change is not consistent with the Urban Infill Plan and recommends denial.  Janet McAliley seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

V.     Committee Reports

            Bob requested that only committee reports that needed to be heard today be provided, as the meeting is already quite lengthy. 

Ernie Martin advised that an application was filed for a grant for Point Park and Ernie requested a MRC resolution in support of the Spring Garden Association receiving the grant funds to improve the Point Park.  The above request was moved by Phil Everingham and seconded by Janet McAliley and passed unanimously.

Dredging Working Group

Dick Bunnell reported that the U.S. Army Corps and Florida Inland Navigation District conducted a waterway inspection of the Miami River and then held a press conference with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.  The Commander of the Corps’ Jacksonville District stated that the dredging project has received the conceptual approval from Washington and in the very near future the Corps should be able to put the project out for bid, possibly by the end of May with actual dredging starting in October 2003. 

 

Public Safety Working Group

Capt Watson, USCG reported that a meeting is scheduled for tomorrow for port security and homeland defense issue s on the Miami River and all local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are attending.  The objective of this meeting is to define a security plan for the river and have an entity in charge of the river possibly the city or county police.  Captain Watson also advised the MRC about various ships that are being stored unsafely on the river and the waterfront property owners have allowed their dock spaces and bulkheads to deteriorate.  Captain Watson will soon be issuing Captain of the Port Orders to remove these vessels as hurricane season is approaching.  Phil Everingham made a motion to support the U.S. Coast Guard in their efforts to remove unsafe vessels from the Miami River and remove vessels from unsafe docks or mooring areas.  Also the MRC stands ready to assist in whatever way we can to further this initiative.  Janet McAliley seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

VI.       New Business

Brett advised the group about a project in Spring Garden that is before the Historical Preservation Board.  At this time there is no action for the MRC to take, as the development project is not ready for review by the MRC.