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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #11 - Discussion ItemTo • The Honorable Mayor and - Membe f the City Commission n '�arshaw FROM: City Manager Q 5 2 CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM DATE: FILE: Presentation by Department of sus IECT : Conferences, Conventions and Public Facilities REFERENCES: ENCLOSURES: I am pleased to advise that the Department of Conferences, Conventions and Public Facilities will be presenting an overview of their department at the November 9, 1999 City Commission meeting. DHW/RM<CPA/yp V' .9985811 - \t r � i T h 4 fi 4 C � k r Tft 14 ■ tz; a r 4ttt A5t 1 t } 7 r `� 1. f :':i �. J i ifs• r �d il � ►��`} .f t. aa.R '-w+7� •��e�-. s+i �� a a - �aX4C: F Dagn i d LkaWuy� Qtuka oiiea. tf a - q t y� rti N i• NORTH-EAST COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM AREA PROFILE REPORT - INDEX Page 1 Northeast Coconut Grove Boundaries Page 2 Neighborhoods within Northeast Coconut Grove Page 3 Planning Areas within Coconut Grove Page 4 Police Report —Northeast Coconut Grove Page 6 District Isszres (by Neighborhood) Page 18 Map of Village Center j9 05 Is NO"H' -EAST COCONUT GROVE may' NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM • AREA PROFILE REPORT • NORTH-EAST COCONUT GROVE BOUNDARIES C I T Y O F M I q_pA_L NE.'"M N9GH90R43W EN0J4:EWW TEAM WaVd— -1 1 aai M ffi!!ST•,, #kUT G R'aV E lei The Northeast Coconut Grove NET area is bounded along the North by South Dixie Highway (U..S. 1); at its northeastern tip it is bound by the Rickenbacher Causeway access -way; along the Southeastern border Biscayne Bay serves as a natural boundary proceeding South, up to a point on the shore approximately 300 feet southwest of Royal Road, the district's southwestern tip. The southwestern boundary then runs parallel to Royal Road in a northwesterly direction up to Main Highway; then northeasterly along Main Highway up to Franklin Avenue; then westerly along Franklin Avenue for approximately 100 feet; and then in a northerly direction following the McDonald Street (SW 32"d Avenue) corridor until it reaches South Dixie Highway, thus completing the boundary. �e 1 of $ 10 1• 16 1• Be i® 10 "I NORH-EAST COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM AREA PROFILE REPORT . NEIGHBORHOODS WITHIN NORTH-EAST COCONUT GROVE Some of the historic and "self denominated" neighborhoods are captioned below and their locations shown in the following map. ;4 14 •I N • i - - - - - - - - - - - i Cliff q T — Hammocks Bay Heights — _ _ _ — _ _ _ j _ Grove Isle � t i_ Natoma Manors I e Tigertail Coconut Grove Park r Village Center Center Grove Center Grove; Natoma Manors, Coconut Grove Park, Village Center, Cliff Hammock, Bay Heights, Tigertail, Brickell West, and Grove Isle. NOS I"H-EAST COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM - AREA PROFILE REPORT PLANNING AREAS WITMN COCONUT GROVE The Coconut Grove planning Study, approved in principle by the Miami City Commission, sets forth the following areas as planning districts as depicted in figure below: Four (4) Neighborhoods: - North Grove � - - South Grove East Grove - West Grove Two (2) Districts: - Village Center - Waterfront Ten (10) Corridors: - Boyshore Drive � - Tigertail Main Highway - SW 27'4Avenzee Douglas Road Grand Avenue - Bird Avenue - LeJeune Road - McDonald Street - ,South Dixie Highway 10 i* t 0 Page 3 of 18 NORTH-EAST COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCE&IF.NT TEAM • POLICE REPORT . Miami Police Department Accomplishments in Northeast Coconut Grove - 1999 The major goals of the Miami Police Department in the Northeast Grove is to provide service of the highest quality in response to needs as defined by the citizens; reduce crime and be more accessible to the community it serves. Attending Homeowner's Association meetings and listening to the concerns of Posted where citizens can obtain information about each NET Area and the Police Dthe residents at these meetings is one way the department can better serve them. A Web site epartment that has been serves the community. In his monthly articles written for the Coconut Grove Times, Lieutenant Dan Watkins provides crime prevention tips and other important information to readers. At the end of each article he makes available his E-mail address, so citizens may contact him via the Internet. Residents have found this to be a more efficient way to contact him or advise the Department of problems and/ or concerns. The Police Department provides personnel to staff the' Northeast Grove NET office during regular VA business hours. Their duties are to furnish information and write reports as needed. In April of this year, the Annual Coconut Grove Town Hall meeting was held. Each year the Town Hall ® meeting acts as a benchmark for the Police Department as to how well they are serving the citizens of the Grove. As police personnel listened to the citizen's concerns, it became obvious that they were satisfied with the day to day service that the police department provides. The only concern that was raised was the problem with motorcycles and the noise pollution that they cause. On April 15, 1999, "Operation Quiet Streets" was implemented in the Coconut Grove Business District. Immediate results were seen during the first week of the operation. As word spread of the operation, the number of motorcycles that were in violation of the noise ordinance was minimized. At this time, the problem with motorcycle noise pollution has been significantly reduced and citizen complaints have diminished. The officers also have targeted vehicles with loud music that cruise the Business District during the weekend nights. The Miami Police Department continues to work towards addressing this problem in a number of different ways, mostly through enforcement and education of the riders. Noise complaints from area residents have also diminished in reference to establishments playing loud music. Working with the residents, NET Administrator Francisco Garcia and the local business owners, the Miami Police Department has attempted to .find solutions to this problem while allowing the residents and the local establishments to co -exist. `, Following the Columbine High tragedy, Officers Tom Braga and Audrey Eckert, the Neighborhood Resource Officers for the Coconut Grove NET Area, were instructed to contact each school, public and private in the Coconut Grove Area. Security surveys were conducted of all the schools. The schools fully participated in the process. Only minor problems were discover and inunediately address by the schools. Information such as contact numbers and the names of school administrators were obtained. Also, most important, diagrams of each school were compiled, in the event a situation should arise, police and emergency personnel will be prepared to respond without delay. It has been the dream of many local residents to have a city park that dog owners could utilize for their pets. Officer Audrey Eckert, local merchants, residents and city employees have worked towards this goal for several years. Recently, Blanche Park located at Shipping Avenue and Virginia Street was completed. The park is the first of it's kind in the City of Miami. A portion of the park has been fenced so dog owners can allow their canine family members to run and play without the restriction of a leash is Pale 4 off] 8 u NORTH-EAST COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM . POLICE REPORT • Miami Police Department Accomplishments in Northeast Coconut Grove —1999 (Continued) In 1993 Officers Tom and Pam Braga formed the Coconut Grove Icings, a Hockey team. Through their diligent efforts and the efforts of other residents, hundreds of young adults have been given the opportunity to participate in the program. This year, over eighty local youths competed. e The Center Grove, which has long been the designation for many vehicles looking for inexpensive parking, has been the target of increased police patrols and enforcement. Utilizing raised swales, planting of trees and shrubs and "No Parking Zones" this problem is being addressed daily. In the first ten months of this year over twelve hundred (1200) parking citations were written in the Center Grove. Officers who are assigned to the area during the peak days also target "Quality of Life Issues" such as under age drinking and loitering. The Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce sponsored two events where travel agents from around the world were invited to experience the nightlife in the Grove. Officers from the Coconut Grove Area provided security for both events. Many of the agents and members of the Chamber complimented the Police Department on how professional and well organized the security was. 4 On October 31, 1999, the Coconut Grove Business District hosted thousands of partygoers. This annual Halloween event continues to grow each year. Local establishments including Cocowalk and the Shops of Mayfair, prohibit the sale of glass containers on Halloween night. With their assistance, this event has been incident free for the last two years. This year, only seven misdemeanor arrests were made. As officers go about their daily routine, they are made aware of problems or concerns from area residents as well as through personal observations. Each month, every officer working the Coconut Grove NET Area selects a project or problem to address during that month. At the end of each month the officers prepare a report detailing the problem, the action taken and the results of those actions. Examples of recent projects are combating speeding, assisting the homeless, reducing retail theft in the Business District and being more visible in the residential areas. These projects have helped to reduce crime overall in the Coconut Grove NET Area by 16%, while crime in the Business District has been reduced by 7%. Arrests are up by 19% throughout the Grove and have raisin by 24% in the Business District. Stolen vehicles, Robberies, Burglaries and Larcenies have all been reduced both in the residential area and the Business District. The Police Liaison meeting held the first Thursday of each month provides an opportunity for business ! owners and residents to discuss concerns with members of the Department. Any concerns that are expressed are noted and then investigated. The following month, Lieutenant Watkins advises the group of his findings. The Miami Police Department conducts joint inspections with the NET office and the Fire Department periodically of establishments in the Business District. Violations are noted and appropriate • enforcement action is taken. These inspections are conducted to ensure that businesses are safe for the thousands of people who visit Coconut Grove each year. Many people have plans for the Millennium New Year's Eve celebration. The Miami Police Department also has plans. A large number of officers will be assigned to the Coconut Grove Business District on New Year's Eve. Deployment of police personnel will be similar to that of Halloween night. • Additional officers will be available if the need arises. - Respectfully Submitted- Lt. Daniel Watkins, Commander Coconut Grove ® Page S of 18 ` v.l' Cjo • NOJK H-EAST COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM . DISTRICT ISSUES BY NEIGHBORHOOD • BUSINESS DISTRICT (VILLAGE CENTER) • Weekend code enforcement and waste collection. The Village Center experiences its activity peak in the weekends, during which time much trash is generated and often sidewalk vendor, noise and sidewalk cafe ordinances are violated. In order to maintain Coconut Grove's desirability as a destination, it is imperative that weekend enforcement and waste collection be carried -out. The North East Coconut Grove NET Glfice will begin to implement staggered (part-time) weekend shifts for inspection purposes. Ultimately additional enforcement and waste collection staff would be necessan, to maintain this effort. Sidewalk improvements and repairs. The Brick paved sidewalks are broken -up in numerous places resulting in a potentially dangerous situation for pedestrians in the area and giving an appearance of disrepair to the district, which is highly undesirable. A program to revamp the paving system possibly discarding bricks in favor of a more practical, durable and less maintenance -intensive solution would be desirable. Funding sources should be identified for this purpose quickly, in the interim, patching and repair work are needed. • Improved regulation of sidewalk vending (licensed and unlicensed vendors) Although the lottery system presently in place for sidewalk vendors in the Coconut Grove Special Vending District is working successfully, there seems to be a proliferation of vending carts which claim protection under the first amendment / freedom of speech clause. Their rights and responsibilities should be more clearly specified for they seem to be acting in manner which ® undermines the livelihood of other legitimate vendors and the order, appearance and appeal of the district. An Ordinance to put in place rules and regulations for these "1st Ainendment vendors" is presently being worked on by the NE Coconut Grove NET office staff. Valet parking services z Zr Although a valet parking ordinance allowing valet parking to be conducted from the public right-of- way is presently in place for the SD-2 district as well as many other conunercial districts citywide, it has been claimed that the approximate cost of $2,000.00 per month is prohibitive and would render any such service financially unfeasible. A new ordinance that seeks to put in place a more reasonable fee and a City of Miami task force is presently working a better -defined set of regulations for the impleinentation of such services on. • Right-of-way signage along Main Highway, Fuller Street and Commodore Plaza for small retailers and restaurants. A number of area merchants have requested that directional signage be placed in the public right of way indicating the location of the different businesses in the area. The idea seems to have ►nerit and enjoys widespread support in the district. (Please refer to correspondence oil this item sent forth April Sth, Attached). The Northeast Coconut Grove Net office is presently in the process of identifying funding sources for this project, Page 6 of 18 6 me me Is Is 10 0 N6'4H-EAST COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM . DISTRICT ISSUES BY NEIGHBORHOOD . BUSINESS DISTRICT (VILLAGE, CENTER) - continued • Parking surtax and its repercussions for area merchants. As expressed in numerous meetings and public hearings, the merchants in Coconut Grove, especially those providing the bulk of the parking for the district are concerned that the surtax will give rise to already high parking fees and will discourage patronage of area businesses. This would exacerbate the problems associated with the deficient parking stock in the area. • Intersection of McFarlane Road, Main Highway and Grand Avenue, pedestrian and traffic unfriendly. It is felt that this pivotal intersection located in the heart of the business district is, in its present configuration, pedestrian -unfriendly. The intersections are two wide and the span of time to cross thein provided by the traffic light phasing, too short. In addition, the juncture of three main area streets in a highly irregular geomeby creates traffic flow conflicts, which result in driver confusion and often in accidents. Miami -Dade Public Works is presently working on a re -engineering proposal for the intersection. A draft plan has received the endorsement of merchants in the district but it is perceived that a few details need yet to be worked -out. The timing of this project is also delicate, since the business district is highly season -sensitive. • Traffic management strategies and provision of parking. The significant parking shortage and the traffic woes this creates during the district's peak demand periods have long been a sore spot in the area. The groundbreaking for the Oak Avenue parking Garage is scheduled for April 12, 1999. This City of Miami Parking facility will add approximately 410 parking spaces to the existing parking stock. Its anticipated date of completion is February 2000. The garage is expected to improve the situation significantly in the northeastern sector of the district. The parking department is also looking for a new site on which to develop an additional garage in the southwest sector of the business district. • Coconut Grove Parking Improvement Trust Fund / cost to small merchants While there have been, for some time, complaints about the high cost of parking waivers in the Commercial District ($SO/month per space for supplementary spaces and $8,000 per base - requirement space), it must be remembered that they provide in part the funding necessary to build new parking garages such as the Oak Avenue parking Plaza. Also, the payment ill -lieu of parking saves the developers the cost of providing the required parking spaces on site. Finally, for those sites that have already been developed to capacity, this mechanism allows the owner to bring in more parking -intensive uses such as restaurants, which would otherwise be precluded for lack of ability to provide on -site parking. Page 7 of 18 NORTH-EAST COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM DISTRICT ISSUES BY NEIGHBORHOOD . BUSINESS DISTRICT (VILLAGE CENTER) - continued • Pan -handlers and vagrants in the area / their impact on tourists and visitors Even though the Pottinger suit settlement has enabled the Police and Homeless Assistance Program to ameliorate the situation, some individuals keep returning to the area giving rise to the perception that a revolving -door effect has been put in motion. Those homeless individuals who are in addition mentally unstable or drug dependent are at times seen hassling visitors to the area tarnishing the perception ofsafety that otherwise prevails. Tour buses, taxis and rickshaws / management thereof During tourist season a number of large and small buses frequent the area bringing tourists who in turn become patrons to the establishments. IMile the influx of visitors is always welcome, there area presently no adequate provisions to accommodate these buses. An interim solution has been put in place which allows the buses to drop-off and Pick -tip the visitors in two designated spots in the district, while temporarily acceptable, complaints are still registered that the buses stay idle in the stops polluting the area with fumes and noise and at times interrupt traffic when they double park to unload passengers. The issue ttter-its fiirther- study. A Permitting procedures as hindrance for improvements and development in the area There is a widespread sense of frustration at the complexity and length of permitting procedures presently in place in the City. Developers cite this as a reason for not seeking to invest in the City more actively and homeowners use it as a defense for doing work without a permit. Although some improvements have been made the perception has not yet disappeared. • Special events and festivals / how they impact the area The close proximity of a residential area to the commercial district core often gives rise to residents' complaints that special events with their associated noise and tumult and the traffic impediments created are a nuisance. Odle the Coconut Grove Festival committee has made significant strides in ensuring that the festival organizers leave the area ill no worse shape than they found it the events themselves still generate a flurry of complaints. • Appropriate linkage with west grove commercial district It is felt that the western end of the commercial district is inappropriately developed and thus prevents pedestrian traffic patterns front reaching the whole district in a circular fashion, as it is desired lit part a solution to this would be a link with the business district located oft Grand Avenue and Douglas Road, which would increase the perception of safety and bring new development. Development activity however has already begun to take place in the western end of the village center. 1""his bodes well for the future of the area. P e8of18_ I* NORTH-EAST COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM . DISTRICT ISSUES BY NEIGHBORHOOD . BUSINESS DISTRICT (VILLAGE CENTER) - continued 0 Access through Grand Avenue from USl An improvement of the Grand Avenue corridor between US] and McDonald Avenue (SW 32nd Ave) would, as argued in the point above, facilitate a stabilization of the area and establish a clear link between the Village center and US] that would facilitate access to the district. 1 • Improved street lighting / number of fixtures and maintenance thereof A number of prototypes have been suggested for the village center to replace the existing fixtures which are hard to come by for replacement of old ones. the existing stock of fixtures is mostly in disrepair and thus in need of revamping. More fixtures might be considered since the free canopy in some areas render the existing illumination scheme somewhat scarce. • Newsracks / proliferation and maintenance thereof The excessive proliferations of newsracks in the business district and their poor maintenance have significantly worsened the visual quality of the area. A new ordinance is being drafted by the department of Public works, modeled after that of Coral Gables, meanwhile, however, strict M enforcennent of the existing regulations would significantly improve the present situation. i* r� i • Garbage bins / number and maintenance thereof / litter 77zere are too few trash containers in the Coconut Grove commercial district. The deployment of new containers has enhanced the appearance of the district, their number however should be signifncantly higher than it is now. The present stock of trash bins is simply insufficient to handle the amount of trash generated. Page 9off 18 NORTH-EAST COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM . DISTRICT ISSUES BY NEIGHBORHOOD . BUSINESS DISTRICT (BIRD & GRAPELAND) AND GRAPELAND CORRIDOR • Parking shortage During peak demand there is insufficient parking in the area. The reconfiguration of the on -street parking available in the area some time back helped some. A master plan for parking in the area is needed, however, in order to effectively address the issue so that the district can properly become the neighborhood retail and service center it should be. ® Y Infrastructural improvements A A right-of-way widening has been planned by the Miami -Dade County Department of Public Works for some time but has not begun thus far. This improvement and the re -engineering of the intersection of Grapeland and Bird are essential for the district to properly fulfill its role as described alcove. • Development of SW 27th Avenue into main entrance corridor for Coconut Grove The SW 27 Avenue corridor has long been zoned as the major gateway to the Coconut Grove Village Center and Bayshore corridor. There have been various plans drawn -up for this purpose. In the advent of development of the Ritz -Carlton site, it is important for both the City and the County to be ready to leap into action so as not to lose the momentum this project will generate. Concurrent with the Ritz -Carlton development, Miami -Dade County should commence its improvement project of the SW 27th Avenue corridor and the City should revise and update its gateway master plan to commence implementation immediately. 0 • Widening and beautification of SW 27th Avenue / improvements Please, see preceding response. 0 • Page 10 of 18 N2 H-EAST COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM . DISTRICT ISSUES BY NEIGHBORHOOD . CENTER GROVE + Spill -over parking from Village Center / implementation of landscaping in Swale areas 77ie Coconut Grove Parking Improvement Trust Fund has fisnded a highly successful berming and ' landscaping program for the swale areas in this sector. Where implemented, this program has prevented parking spill -over generated by the Village center thus maintaining the residential character of the area. Recently certain procedural difficulties have been experienced with the implementation of the remainder of the program. The Code specifies that funds from the trust must be disbursed to the City, and the City or a contractor employed by the city must pen bra the work. Presently there is no one on -board who can do the work. In the meantime residents from other areas have questioned the appropriateness of this expenditure. • Commercial traffic infiltration 77us problem has to a significant ertent been mitigated by the implementation of the landscaping and berming program described above. The solution has been devised but has not been completely implemented. The construction of the Oak Avenue Parking garage is also expected to assist by providing an additional 400 parking spaces. • Impact of frequent festivals and special events Festivals and special events and the street closures associated with them often inconvenience area residents by the added traffic and ensuing confusion: they generate. In some instances area residents have been blocked out of their homes. Recent planning efforts by the Special event's office and the standing festival conunittee have improved the situation. New legislation amending the special events ordinance is being drafted by the special events off ce in cooperation with the city attorneys office and the NE Coconut Grove NET Office that will provide adequate notice to impacted residents and will require a traffic management plan prior to approval of the special event request. • Noise impact from Village Center The noise impact of the activity in the Village Center on the abutting residential areas is a long- standing issue. Although the complaints have subsided somewhat and the large retail and entertainment complexes (Coco Walk and Ma)fair) have become sensitive to the issue, sporadic complaints are still registered. The recommended posture is are of proactively balancing the sometimes competing interests of the residents with those of the merchants recognizing that neither benefits fron the demise of the other. Pa% 1�1 oj' l 8 t k (Z (_) e / s' i � NOTH-EAST COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM • DISTRICT ISSUES BY NEIGHBORHOOD • A CENTER GROVE - continued • Dogs in parks (Blanche Park) « The long standing concern of many area residents about the soiling of parks by dogs has been resolved to a significant extent by the cooperative effort of the neighbors and the police department and the Parks Department. Blanche Park located on the northwest corner of Shipping and Virginia has been partially set aside for the use of dogs. It has been fenced so that dogs can be unleashed and provisions are being made to provide ' pooper scoopets ". This project has been acclaimed as a great success in the area. Officer Audrey Eckert (MPD), the architect of the project, deserves recognition and praise for it. As pertains to other parks, however, although there are signs posted requiring that dogs be leashed, enforcement is scarce. o Zoning stabilization / containment of business and office zoning and preservation of residential zoning. Recent re -zoning petitions have given rise to neighborhood concerns about an expansion of the abutting contnaercial district and f trther conunercial intrusion into the residential at -ea. It is important to reassure residents that the boundaries of the connnercial district will remain in place as r they presently exist. • 40 Page 11 of 18 �:�-6 5N.I E O r I• NZH_EAST COCONUT GROVE% NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM • DISTRICT ISSUES BY NEIGHBORHOOD TIGERTAIL CORRIDOR • Increased traffic and traffic speed Tlie recent recorrfrguration of the intersection of SW 171h Avenue and South Ba shot claimed to have diverted some of the traffic previously contained within the South Ba ,$) corridor to the Tigertail Avenue corridor. Tlti.r is perceived to have worsened a situat a Drive is the closing -off of the Bay Heights and Natonra Ma»ors neighborhoods in the past. Bay tore .Drive '"Creased Police er forcentent has ntet with some success. tort created by Transformation of Tigertail into an arterial / Implementation of traffic calmingdevise Please see ansiver to previous question. / The implementation of traffic calmis Tigertail Avenue has been requested in all effort to discourage its utilization as an arterial and so as to maintain its predominant residential character. g devises along al roadway Preservation of tree canopy The Preservation of the tree canopy in this area merits close attention since a trend of home improvements and expansions seems to be developing. Some of Coconut Groves most i specimens are found here. mportant • Aesthetic control In new development As many of the properties in this area are remodeled and improved and others developed increased attention to development quality is being requested by area residents. ?lie CI Permit Process is in place to acco»rplislr that, it stay be desirables e for eloped anew, developing development standards and gtridelirtes for the district that cart them be ass II Special Class II Special permit process. P e the possibility of e enforced by the P g13of1 7 NOTH-EAST COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM . DISTRICT ISSUES BY NEIGHBORHOOD SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE CORRIDOR • Improvement of right-of-way in keeping with Scenic transportation corridor status / corridor Beautification and uniform right-of-way treatment The South Bayshore Drive Corridor has suffered from some neglect over time. Presently there is a highly irregular treatment of the swale area throughout the corridor, with sidewalk at times, berms at others elaborate landscaping sche►nes or walls and fences of all types. A concerted effort should be made to homogenize its appearance so that the scale of the road, the tree canopy and the residences could play their proper role in setting the character of the corridor. • Increased traffic and traffic speed Increased traffic and traffic speed The recent reconfiguration of the intersection of SW 17th Avenue and South Bayshore Drive is claimed to have diverted some of the traffic previously contained within the South Bayshore Drive corridor to the Tigertail Avenue corridor. 71is is perceived to have worsened a situation created by the closing -off of the Bay Heights and Natomn ?Manors neighborhoods in the past. Increased Police enforcement has rnet with some success. • Implementation of traffic calming devises Please see answer to previous question. / The implementation of traffic calming devises along Tigertail Avenue has been requested in an effort to discourage its utilization as an arterial roadway and so as to maintain its predominant residential character. • Impact of future bayfront development / Public access to bayfront and baywalk As residents have heard of plaits to develop some of the City -owned sites along the Bay they are interested in being appraised of any plans or projects in the area. The asset management office has been proactive in seeking resident input at all times. It is worth noting that the residents preference would be to approach these projects in a small scale approach so as to preserve the largest portion possible of the bayfront still as public land. • Impact of Naval Reserve Center development Area residents have written: in to the Department of the Navy expressing their preferences for a community oriented or civic development project on the site, preferably incorporating a refurbished navy barracks building. The city's response as drafted by the Planning Department has been forwarded to them as instructed. Page 14 of 18 ►:5- v-It 3IS -1 0 a, y 1 N6 TH-EAST COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM . DISTRICT ISSUES BY NEIGHBORHOOD . SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE CORRIDOR - continued 0 Kennedy Park I maintenance, improvements and parking Neighbors adjacent to Kennedy park often complain of the spill -over parking problem experienced n a daily basis. An expansion of the parking area might be advisable. Also it is felt that additional maintenance and replacement of signs and trash bins would be desirable. Many of the vita course stations are in need of repair. An overhaul of the park furnishings would be advisable. Complaints are often received about dogs not being leashed. There are signs posted that require dogs be leashed but enforcement is scarce. • Preservation of tree canopy The preservation of the tree canopy in this area merits close attention since a trend of home improvements and expansions seems to be developing. Some of Coconut Grove's most important specimens are found here. 0 Aesthetic control in new development As many of the properties ill this area are remodeled and improved and others developed anew, increased attention to development quality is being requested by area residents. The Class II Special Permit Process is in place to accomplish that, it may be desirable to explore the possibility of developing development standards and guidelines for the district that can they: be enforced by the Class II Special permit process. Page 15 o/" l8 (Ij '• -r , ' _ , �, ^*_�`"�st{"t 1 x ti �.:=r'i i �...� }:.:1. �: -;<. ...; . .- -- NOIt H-EAST COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM e DISTRICT ISSUES BY NEIGHBORHOOD . RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS (GENERAL) • Trash collection 1 clarification of system Residents often call confused about what to take out and when, despite having received and read the materials sent forth by solid waste- Confusion comes fi-on: lack of understanding of what is trash, garbage, waste, etc. The NE coconut Grove NET Office is presently preparing an informative brochure on the subject, from a layntan's perspective. • Increased and enhanced code enforcement Residents often complain that enforcement activities are sporadic and selective in appearance. They also complain about the contrived and time-consuming nature of the permitting ; public hearing process in place through which violations must be handled. This NET office has put ford: a concerted effort to assist cited property owners in their efforts to come into compliance, this is however at best a band -aid the system should be streamlined and better regulated so as to facilitate its intended goal of enhancing the appearance and quality of the City's but environment. Q Permitting procedures for property improvements There is a widespread sense of frustration at the complexity and length of permitting procedures presently in place in the City. Developers cite this as a reason for not seeking to invest it? the City more actively and homeowners use it as a defense for doing work without a permit. Although some improvements have been made the perception has not yet disappeared. Aircraft traffic noise Most residents are aware that the County has put in place a task force to deal with this issue but appear increasingly frustrated at the lack of improvement regarding this issue. It is wholly up to the County's Airport .Authority and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to resolve the issues. The city in its participation in the task force has set forth a .series of measures to reduce this noise, to no avail. Meanwhile, the fact that the proposal to construct a fourth runway at Miami International Airport (MIA) is proceeding along is of great concern to impacted residents. While most are cognizant of the fact that a prosperous city needs a first rate airport able to handle the increasing commercial and passenger traffic, a better effort to mitigate the impact its operations have on the resident's quality of life is expected front Airport authorities. • Boats commercial vehicles and recreational vehicles in front yards Despite having dealt with this issue extensively last year malty property owners are not satisfied with the resolution of the item and insist that provisions should be made to permit boats in front yards if properly screened. Others are equally adamant that they should not be. The administration presented its view that permitting them would result in a difficult enforcement problem. Pa0J18e 16 of _ U05•1 '* I® N&6-EAST COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM • DISTRICT ISSUES BY NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS (GENERAL) - continued • Real Estate signage Afany residents and real estate agents have argued for the reduction in size of real estate signs in: the Coconut Grove Area. The City Attorney's Office has advised that to do this selectively for one area and not others in the City might bring fo th challenges. The proposal is not popular elsewhere in the city. 0 • Unleashed dogs and uncontrolled soiling. There is no leash law for dogs in effect in the City of Miami. As a result this NET office receives frequent complaints about pet dogs being allowed to run free by their owners, which can be intimidating to pedestrians. In addition, there being no `pooper scooper" law in: place in the City of Miami, there are frequent complaints about the soiling of streets and private property by neighborhood dogs. Page 17 of 18 _ Uti�} 0 0 IICsLril yalIY.�Lt�6��� I 0 NORQ-EAST COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM AREA PROFILE REPORT . Map of Village Center © f+aiding fluilJnigs as f rupowo Win Page 18 of 18 0 i xa