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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Rosenstiel School
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy,
Miami, Fl. 33149
305-361-4850
Fax: 305-361-4755
  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

Phil Everingham, Vice Chairperson, called the Miami River Commission meeting to order at 12:10 p.m. on Monday, December 4, 2000, at the Downtown Development Authority, First Union National Bank Building, Suite 1818, 200 South Biscayne Boulevard in Miami.

• Robert L.Parks, Chairperson, Member at Large, appointed by the Governor

• Phil Everingham, Vice Chairperson, Chair of the Marine Council

• Jim Murley, Governor of the State of Florida, Designee

• Sandy O'Neil, Mayor Miami-Dade County, Designee

• Ernie Martin, Neighborhood Rep. appointed by City of Miami Commission

• Janet McAliley, Rep. of Civic or Environmental Org., appointed by the Governor

• Bruno A. Barreiro, Miami-Dade County Commissioner

• Richard Bunnell, Chair of MRMG, Designee

• Sallye Jude, Neighborhood Rep., appointed by the Miami-Dade Commission

• Gary Winston, Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, Designee

• Eileen Damaso, City of Miami Commissioner, Designee

• Christina Bahamoude, Mayor City of Miami, Designee

• James McDonald, Chair of the GMCC, Designee

• Frank Lopez, Executive Director DDA, Designee

• Sara Babun, Member at Large, appointed by the Miami-Dade Commission

Ex Officio (non-voting) members: Captain Larry Bowling, USCG, MSO Miami , 
Cdr. Mike Miles, USCG, MSO Miami , Ellen Roth, Senator Bob Graham’s Office
Managing Director: David Miller, M.D. MRC, Brett Bibeau, Assistant Managing Director

• Lavinia Freeman, TPL

• Fran Bohnsack, MRMG

• Yamile Marrero, Miami City Attorney’s Office

• Mark Sell, Mark Sell Communications

• J.A. Padilla, St. Augustine Real Estate Advisors

• Jody Haynes, Miami-Dade County Coop. Extension Service

• John C. Strickroot, Folwer White Burnett Hurley Banick & Strickroot, P.A.

• Rosa Yanes, El Diario newspaper

• Ines Marrero-Priegues, Akermen Senterfitt

• Victor Yue, Dorsky Hodgson & Partners

• Susan Markley, Miami-Dade DERM

• Adrienne F. Pardo, Esq., Greenberg, Traurig

• B. Louis St. Clair, AIA, Arquitectonica

I. RIVER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS -

One Miami Project - Adrienne F. Pardo, an attorney with the firm of Greenberg, Traurig, introduced herself and stated that she was attending on behalf of the Related Companies that have an application with the City of Miami for an amendment to a major use special permit (MUSP).   She had a rendering of the project and said that it is located on the north bank of the Miami River and Biscayne Bay.  Currently it is a vacant 3-acre tract of property.  They have proposed a residential building with 425 units and a second building, which is an office tower with approximately 700,000 gross square feet of floor area.  Ms. Pardo explained it was an amendment to the MUSP, because the original MUSP submission included the entire project, specifically the 3-acre waterfront site and the development of the acreage currently covered by two large parking lots just north of the Dupont Plaza.  The project developers have taken their plans for approval to the City of Miami and the Shore Lands Zoning Board of Miami-Dade County (because of the Biscayne Bay frontage).  She explained in detail the plans for the proposal.  They are providing a public River and Bay walkway, with the walkway being 14 feet wide.  The project architect, B. Louis St. Clair, AIA of Arquitectonica, explained the plan to the MRC and discussed the project.  Discussion was held. 
     A decision by the MRC needs to be made, as this project goes before the City of Miami Commission on December 14, 2000.  Mr. Parks asked the MRC to discuss this and make a formal recommendation to the City Commission on this project.  Mr. Parks wants to make sure that all MRC members have their questions answered by Ms. Pardo and Mr. St. Clair prior to a MRC motion.   The group asked numerous questions and extensive discussion took place.   Detailed discussion took place regarding the developer’s request to reduce the 50-foot setback requirement for the buildings from the River and the width of the clear pathway available for the Riverwalk. 
      Mr. Parks asked whether the MRC wants to be involved in the hearing on the 14^th and if so, the position of the MRC.   Dr. Martin stated that the MRC’s position should be to maintain the minimum standards of a 16-foot clear pathway, not including the landscaping, required by the Greenways draft action plan.  Discussion took place.  Mr. Parks stated the MRC has been very vocal and up front with reference to the Riverwalk criteria and the MRC has been unanimous on this point.  This Riverwalk design standard has been presented in over 10 public hearings and numerous meetings with individual developers.  The MRC has always maintained the position that if you are going to build on the River, you have to put the face of the building on the River and have the structure interact with the River. 
     Janet McAliley moved that the MRC express to the City of Miami Commission that the broadest open space possible should be required referencing the City Charter on the 50-foot setback between the building and the waterfront and emphasizing that this is a signature property at the mouth of the Miami River, which is the major gateway to the City of Miami.  Anything that is built on the River should maintain this minimum open space as referenced in the Charter irrespective of the mistakes made in past riverside developments.   Dr. Ernie Martin seconded the motion.
    Mr. Parks stated that this motion was resolution like in form.  Janet made a general statement of principle without the MRC taking a position specifically on this particular plan. Janet feels that the City of Miami is part of the MRC and our mission is to try to clean up the River and make it more attractive and friendly to the public and more accessible to marine interest.  She stated this is the first major project in downtown Miami in 15 years and it is not consistent with the philosophy expressed in the City’s own Charter.  Discussion took place. 
     Janet restated her motion that the MRC is opposed to a plan for Riverfront or waterfront development that is not consistent with the City Charter calling for 50-foot setback from the building to the waters edge.  The MRC should point out to the City fathers that this is a concern that is in the Charter and it is recommendation of the MRC that they maintain it as a standard. If a development does not meet the minimum standard that is stated in the Charter, the MRC is recommending to the City Commission that they do not approve this plan and require the developers to come back with a better design for the Riverwalk and the open spaces.   Mr. Parks stated that Janet’s motion says that the Commission would request the City Commission to enforce the Charter position as to the 50-foot set back.  This motion died for lack of a second.  The other motion was withdrawn and there is no motion on the floor.
     Bruno A. Barreiro made the motion to recommend approval of the project with the provision that the developers meet the minimum standards of a Riverwalk described in the Draft Greenways Action Plan of at least 16 feet of clear pathway.   Dr. Martin seconded that motion.  Discussion took place on this motion.  The motion is that the MRC approve the development plan as submitted with the condition that two additional feet be added to the Riverwalk to make it 16 feet wide, exclusive of the sea wall.  The motion passed with a majority vote including one abstention and Janet voted negative.

One Riverview Square - Ms. Ines Marrero-Priegues, an attorney with Akermen, Senterfitt , and Mr. Victor K.L. Yue, AIA, with the firm of Dorsky Hodgson, asked to make a presentation about a riverside development project, which is also going before the City Commission on December 14^th and the developers will also be asking for a waiver of the 50-foot setback requirement.  Phil Everingham granted their request.
     This development is an office building of 211,000 sq. feet with 7 floors.  The developers already underwent review and received unanimously approval from the Urban Development Review Board.  They are required to obtain a Class II Permit to build on the River and the City of Miami administrative staff has already required them to re-design the project to improve their pedestrian access and meet Riverwalk requirements.  The updated plans, now before the MRC, include plazas for people to congregate with improved pedestrian access.  They are providing a 20-foot Riverwalk and an additional 10 feet of open seating for a restaurant.  There will now be access to the River when you are walking on South Miami Avenue Bridge. 
      Mr. Victor K.L. Yue explained how they came up with their solution in regard to the design standpoint.  One of the tenants requested that the parking be away from the building and not under the building.  This parking restriction has created a need to request a waiver of the 50-foot setback.  After Mr. Yue gave a detailed presentation, discussion was held.  Mr. Everingham asked for more information concerning their waiver request.  The reason they are asking for the waiver is the design criteria of the building and parking space.  They are creating additional plaza space and improving public access from Miami Avenue as well as S. E. 4^th Street.  They have room on the two ends of the building, but they do not have sufficient property depth.  This is the first major development in this part of town for many years.  The building actually sits 20 feet from the edge of the River.  On the ground floor level, they have pushed the ground floor back 10 feet, which creates 30 feet of open space, with 10 feet under the roof line.  Janet McAliley asked about the width of the Riverwalk and it was explained that there is only 8 feet of clear pathway.  She felt that the MRC should recommend against the planning of such a narrow Riverwalk.   If the building does provide immigration services, there will be many people on foot in that area trying to get access to the Courts, etc.  Mr. Yue addressed Janet’s concern explaining that it is not a major civic building.
     Janet McAliley moved that the MRC recommend disapproval of this plan, as it has only an 8-foot clear path Riverwalk and minimal public space with only a 20-foot building setback.   Mr. Bunnell seconded the motion.  Discussion was held.  Dr. Martin stated the minimal standard that the MRC has adopted is a 16-foot clear riverwalk, so it would require doubling of the paved area in this particular proposal.  Ernie stated that if they could accommodate the 16-foot Riverwalk, it would be more favorably reviewed.  Janet suggested that the City fathers would come up with a decision somewhere in between what the extreme environmentalist want and what the developers want.  Janet suggested that unless the bar is raised for the City of Miami Commission and state that the old way of doing business is not acceptable, then no progress would be made.  Sandy stated that the developers try to meet the requirements.  She stated that word needs to get to the developers that they should come to the MRC first and get a sense of where the MRC stands for all riverside developments.  Dr. Martin stated that the Greenways sub-committee talked to various City Departments about getting the Greenways/Riverwalk criteria on the City Commission agenda.  That clearly needs to be done so these details will become part of the City riverside development requirements.  In addition, developers should present their project before the MRC.  More discussion took place.  Dr. Martin suggested an amendment to the motion that the MRC does not approve it as presented, but the MRC would be comfortable with the proposal if it could include the minimum 16-foot clear path Riverwalk.  Janet accepted the amendment.  Discussion ensued.    Mr. Everingham asked for a vote on the motion as amended.  The motion as amended passed with a unanimous vote and two abstentions.

II. CHAIRS REPORT

Mr. Parks wanted to bring the MRC up-to-date on what has been done in the last few months.  Between the September meeting and the December meeting, Mr. Parks and others met with senior management of the Florida Marlins concerning the baseball stadium being sited on the River.  Everything was put on the table with reference to plans and what could be done and could not be done.  Mr. Parks came away with the clear feeling that the Marlins want this stadium put in Bicentennial Park.  They want a very large stadium with a retractable roof and they are not willing to build a stadium without a retractable roof.  If the ballpark is built as envisioned by the Marlins, this will put a 260-foot high structure in Bicentennial Park.  The top of the stadium will be 26 stories tall.  There is a meeting of the newly formed “Community Improvement Authority” on Friday at 3:00 p.m.  State Legislation established the “Community Improvement Authority”.  The members are to develop a funding plan and a site location for a baseball stadium at a site in downtown Miami.  It is Mr. Parks’ position, unless directed otherwise by the MRC members, to submit a letter to the Authority indicating that the MRC firmly stands by our original resolution that if a new stadium is placed downtown or in the greater Miami area that the proper site would be on the River.   There was no objection to Mr. Parks’ submitting a letter to the Authority.

Mr. Parks turned the meeting over the Phil Everingham, as he had to leave.  Mr. Miller stated that Mr. Padilla had to leave and there will not be a presentation on the downtown transportation issue.  They will try to re-schedule Mr. Padilla for the next meeting. 

III. NEW
BUSINESS

There being no further business to come before the meeting, the meeting adjourned at  2:10 p.m

_______________________________Recording Secretary

IV. Adjournment 

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