I. CHAIRS REPORT:

III. Presentation of “ Miami River Village ” Side Yard Setback Charter Waiver

Parks recognized Dana Nottingham, Executive Director of Downtown Development Authority, and thanked him for all the support he has provided to the MRC.

Ines Marrero-Priegues, Akerman Senterfitt, represented Mr. Tony Cabrera, Epoch Development.  Marrero-Priegues stated the MRC unanimously supported the “ Miami River Village ” project, located on the north side of the Miami River to the west of the South Miami Avenue Bridge , when it was originally presented in June 2002.   During the City of Miami’s review process of the Major Use Special Permit (MUSP) application, it was brought to their attention that a waiver was necessary to the City Charter required unobstructed side-yard setback. Marrero-Priegues stated the potential developer wanted to make the MRC aware of this additional component of their pending MUSP application.  The City of Miami Charter requires an unobstructed side-yard equal to 25% of the total site’s width.   Marrero-Priegues explained that, based on the lot width, the project is required to provide a minimum of 74-feet side-yard setback, which is provided via a publicly accessible promenade with lofts constructed 23 feet above this sideyard area, therefore the City determined the waiver was required because the side yard was “obstructed”.   Ms. Marrero-Priegues stated that the waiver is mitigated by the private developer providing a publicly accessible riverwalk.  In addition, Marrero-Priegues noted the project has reduced the number of residential units to 1,300, and was willing to fund and develop the riverwalk on Miami-Dade County owned right-of-way beneath the South Miami Ave. Bridge, and widened the riverwalk’s unobstructed clear pedestrian path to 16-feet adjacent to the bridge tenders tower, as recommended by the MRC in June 2002.  Marrero-Priegues stated the City of Miami ’s Planning Department and Planning Advisory Board recommended approval of the MUSP, with the required waiver.   

VI.     Presentation of “Tuscan Phase II” Major Use Special Permit Application

Adrienne Pardo, Greenberg Trauig, presented the Gatehouse Group’s proposed “Tuscan Phase II” project.  The site is located on the north shore of the NW 5 ST Bridge.  Pardo noted that the MRC had unanimously recommended approval for Phase I of the proposed “ Tuscan Place ” project on February 3, 2003 .   Currently, the Gatehouse Group is submitting a MUSP application for Phase I & II of the proposed project, which consists of 376 affordable residential units.   An application has been filed with the State of Florida for available tax credits.   Bill Mauzy, CEO of BAME Development Corporation, informed the MRC that they are a community development corporation operating in Overtown that have partnered with the Gatehouse Group for several years.   Mr. Mauzy then gave a brief overview of their projects and noted they will be taking part in the Tuscan project.  Adolfo Albaisa, Albaisa Architects, stated that they are protecting the southwest corner of the site, as a focal point closest to the River.  The protected area will be heavily landscaped with a continuous Greenway along NW 5 ST.   Mr. Albaisa stated that they are willing to accommodate and work with the MRC in the development of the project.  Albaisa stated the project provides a 75-foot setback due to plans for right-of-way acquisition required to replace the NW 5 ST Bridge with a new bascule bridge, with piers built in the river with a 120-foot vertical clearance.  The MRC noted that when the FDOT presented this proposed new NW 5 ST Bridge design on November 3, 2003 , the United States Coast Guard responded on the record that they would require no portion of the bridge to be built into the Federal Navigable Channel, which has a 150-foot vertical clearance at this location.  Karen McGuire, FDOT, stated they have a waiver from the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) for the planned piers in the federal navigable channel.  McGuire informed the MRC that FDOT’s District Secretary was scheduled to meet with the USCG during the first week of December to discuss the issue.  McGuire stated an additional 25 feet of right-of-way in the planned “Tuscan Place” project area’s western side would be required if the bridge were to be built without piers in the federal navigable channel.  Murley noted that any right-of-way would require fair compensation from the FDOT to the property owner.   The UIWG found the project to be consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan’s recommendation to develop mixed income housing in this area, and consistent with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan in providing an “on-road” section of the Greenway on the site along NW 5 ST.  Furthermore, the UIWG recommended the Gatehouse Group meet with Commissioner Bruno Barreiro in relation to the impact of the NW 5 ST Bridge project. 

    Dr. Martin made a motion for the MRC to recommend approval of the “ Tuscan Place ” MUSP application.  Ms. McAliley seconded the motion.   Parks noted there was a motion and a second to approve the MUSP application based on the UIWG’s November 18, 2003 Development Technical Review Report, finding that the proposed project is consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenway Action Plan.   The motion was unanimously adopted.  

V.      Discussion of “ Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan” Draft “1^st Annual Update” and “5-Year Integrated Budget”

Mr. Murley stated the UIWG had presented the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan “1^st Annual Update” and the “Five-Year Integrated Budget” at public workshops in the “lower”,  “middle” and “upper” river.  Murley reported the UIWG had accepted the documents and were forwarding them to the MRC for review at this time.   Murley recommended the MRC accept the reports and continue to seek input  on the plan from the City of Miami , prior to officially amending it in the future.    

Captain Beau Payne stated that during the recent City Commission’s review of the  “Noise Ordinance”, Commissioners noted the need for a holistic planning approach to the Miami River Corridor.   Mr. Bibeau stated the City and County’s adoption of the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan remained an “Implementation Step” of the MRC’s strategic plan.  The UIWG felt with the MRC’s acceptance of the plan’s “1^st Annual Update”, which demonstrates that 20 of the plan’s 62 “Implementations Steps” have been brought to fruition, the entire Plan and this “1^st Annual Update” should be provided to the City Commission for consideration.  Commissioner Barreiro stated the County’s Planning Department is working on the Marine Industrial Overlay district ordinance, recommended in the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  Janet McAliley stated she attended the “middle river” public workshop on the “1^st Annual Update” and noted the large attendance of local residents who were in full support of the City and County adopting the plan, as it recommends neighborhood conservation districts and historical designations to protect the river’s neighborhoods.   Dr. Martin stated the “middle river” neighborhood associations were creating a new coalition, which will support the City and County’s adoption of the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  The MRC accepted the “1^st Annual Update” and “5-Year Integrated Plan”, and agreed to continue seeking the City of Miami ’s input, regarding any potential recommendations or amendments to the plan, prior to seeking its adoption by the City and County Commissions .  In addition, the MRC directed staff to continue effectuating the implementation of the plan.

VI.       Committee Reports

a.       Dredging Working Group

Mr. Bibeau stated that Mr. Dick Bunnell, co-chair of the Dredging subcommittee, was unable to attend the meeting, and provided the report on his behalf.  The ACOE closed bids to the Miami River Dredging Project’s Request for Proposals in late November 2003.  The selection process has commenced, and dredging is scheduled to start in March - July 2004.  Debbie Zimmerman, U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s Office, asked about the status of dredging outside the “federal navigable channel”.  Roman Gastesi, Miami-Dade County Manager’s Office, stated the City and County had agreed on a cost share of this component to the dredging project, and has prepared a water bill appropriation request of $4 million from the Florida Legislature. 

b.     Public Safety and Security

Gary Winston, co-chair of the Public Safety and Security Subcommittee, stated the safety and security committees have agreed to host separate meetings, and there was a great deal occurring regarding the Miami River ’s port security.  

c.       Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan

Jim Murley, Chair of the Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG), stated he was pleased to report that Mr. Dana Nottingham, Executive Director of the Downtown Development Authority, has agreed to co-chair the UIWG.

d.      Greenway Subcommitte e

Dr. Martin, Chair of the Greenways Subcommittee (GSC), stated that the greenway is under construction in Lummus Park and Jose Marti Park .  The subcommittee is currently working with the Trust for Public Land in the selection of the Miami River Greenway’s logos, colors and way-finding and historical signage.  Martin stated the Greenways subcommittee recommends future ribbon cutting ceremonies upon completion of  riverwalk development sections.  Zimmerman stated on a recent river boat tour with Representative Ros-Lehtinen, they identified the need for way-finding signage facing the waterway for boaters, in addition to the upland signage. 

e.      Stormwater Subcommittee

Mrs. Jude, Co-Chair of the Stormwater Subcommittee (SSC), informed the MRC that the Water and Sewer Department (WASD) recently completed Phase II of the “Dye Flood Testing” program in Wagner Creek.  Mrs. Jude noted that the WASD had spent $50,000 in dye flood testing for Phase I and Phase II, and there is an additional $50,000 available for a third phase.  Mrs. Jude commented that at the request of Captain Smith, Tamiami Canal water quality is on the subcommittee’s December 3, 2003 agenda.           

            f.          Economic Development & Commerce

Ms. Megan Kelly, Co-Chair of the Economic Development and Commerce Subcommittee (EDC), stated they are working on a proposed Marine Industrial Business Symposium, which would examine the economic impact of the various marine industries to the overall Gross Domestic Product, and seek to attract new marine industrial businesses to the appropriate areas of the Miami River .   The tentative date of the symposium would be in March 2004.   Bibeau has secured a $5,000 sponsorship from MARAD and a $5,000 sponsorship from the Marine Industrial Association of South Florida to host the event. Kelly stated they would be meeting with Mr. Tony Crapp, Miami-Dade County Assistant Manager, and Brian Finnie, CEO of the Empowerment Trust and Director of the Office of Community and Economic Development, and Frank Nero, Beacon Council, to seek their participation, assistance and sponsorship for the symposium.  Parks stated elected state, city, county and local elected officials should be invited.  

VII.     New Business