HomeMy WebLinkAboutBack-Up DocumentsA RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CLIMATE RESILIENCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDING TO THE
MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 38/ARTICLE VII/SECTION 38-
249 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "PARKS AND
RECREATION/MIAMI BAYWALK GREENWAY ALONG BISCAYNE BAY/ MIAMI BAYWALK
GREENWAY ALONG BISCAYNE BAY," SPECIFICALLY BY REMOVING SUBSECTION (G) TO
ELIMINATE THE PROHIBITION OF PLANTING MANGROVES ALONG THE MIAMI BAYWALK
GREENWAY ALONG BISCAYNE BAY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, climate resilience is an increasingly important matter, especially for the City of
Miami ("City"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2-1271 of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended,
("City Code") the Climate Resilience Committee ("CRC") duties include changes to the City Code and
policies necessary to help the City, its residents, businesses, institutions, and natural systems adapt
to, prepare for, and thrive in the various stresses related to climate change, including but not limited
to emissions of greenhouse gases, increasing flood risks, increasing groundwater levels, more
intense storms resulting in high tides and storm surges, increasing high heat days, salt water
intrusion, drought, extreme weather events, and water and vector -borne illnesses; and
WHEREAS, the CRC further has the responsibility to review and evaluate issues related to
the use, disposition, and/or development of City -owned waterfront property and shall provide advice
to the City Commission concerning those issues and only such other matters as are referred to it by
the City Commission in regard to City or public land abutting water; and
WHEREAS, on April 14, 2022, the City Commission adopted with modifications Ordinance No.
14059, which established the Miami Baywalk Greenway along Biscayne Bay ("Baywalk Greenway
Ordinance"); and
WHEREAS, one of the modifications made during second reading of Ordinance No. 14059 was
to prohibit the planting of mangroves along the Baywalk Greenway; and
WHEREAS, hybrid shorelines that utilize a combination of grey and green infrastructure are
important to City's resilience; and
WHEREAS, as sea level rises and tropical cyclones increase in severity, the City's need for
resilient and adaptive shorelines is greater than ever; and
WHEREAS, mangroves function as an effective and resilient natural buffer along shorelines by
attenuating wave energy and stabilizing shoreline sediments; and
WHEREAS, mangroves also improve bay water quality, create natural habitat for native species
(especially for juvenile fish), reduce urban heating, and sequester carbon; and
WHEREAS, the multiple benefits of mangroves make them a critical tool in the resiliency
toolbox as outlined in the City's comprehensive Miami Forever Climate Ready Strategy; and
WHEREAS, prohibiting mangrove planting along the Baywalk Greenway would reduce the
City's ability to design a resilient shoreline; and
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File ID:
File ID:
Enactment Number:
WHEREAS the CRC finds that it is in the best interest of the City and its residents to
recommend to the City Commission that Section 38-249 of the City Code be amended to eliminate the
prohibition of planting mangroves along the Baywalk Greenway; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CLIMATE RESILIENCE COMMITTEE THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are adopted
by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The Climate Resilience Committee hereby recommends to the City Commission that
Chapter 38, Article VII, of the City Code be amended in the following particulars:'
"CHAPTER 38
PARKS AND RECREATION
Article VII. MIAMI BAYWALK GREENWAY ALONG BISCAYNE BAY.
Sec. 38-249. Miami Baywalk Greenway Along Biscayne Bay.
(a) The designation of the "Miami Baywalk Greenway along Biscayne Bay" (sometimes referred to
as "Baywalk Greenway") creates and identifies the waterfront baywalk along Biscayne Bay, as
well as recognizes the Baywalk Greenway as a linear public -private park under the City's park
inventory, subject to certain restrictions and in no way impacting private property rights
consistent with all applicable laws and existing regulations. The Miami Baywalk Greenway along
Biscayne Bay is to be located on public lands and, as described herein, on private lands.
(b) Public rights -of -way may be included within the Baywalk Greenway, but not part of the City's
park inventory.
(c) Public access on the designated Baywalk Greenway will be provided as agreed to and
determined by the City and consistent with all established laws and regulations.
(d) Inclusion of land within the Baywalk Greenway shall not affect or change the taxable nature of
the land.
(e) The land within the Baywalk Greenway shall not be utilized towards the City's no net loss policy
for public park land.
(f) Park impact fees shall not be used for the Baywalk Greenway.
(g) The plaRtiRg of maRgFeyes aIG)Rg the Baywalk C-4eeAy.4a i is pFehihit "
Section 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
1 Words and/or figures stricken through shall be deleted. Underscored words and/or figures shall be added. The
remaining provisions are now in effect and remain unchanged. Asterisks indicate omitted and unchanged
material.
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File ID