Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-87-0760J-87-568 6/22/87 RESOLUTION NO. ISM, A RESOLUTION APPROVING, IN PRINCIPLE, THE VIRGINIA KEY MASTER PLAN (MAY 1987), AS REFLECTED IN THE ATTACHED COPY THEREOF, FOR VIRGINIA KEY, AN ISLAND IN BISCAYNE BAY ON THE RICKENBACKER CAUSEWAY, WHICH PLAN CONTAINS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL, NATURAL, OPEN SPACE, AND PARK AREAS, REACH IMPROVEMENTS, P4RKING FACILITIES, RIGHTS -OF -WAY, BEAUTIFICATION, SPECIAL FEATURES, SPECIAL ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS, AND WATERFRONT IMPROVEMENT; AND WHICH PLAN IS IN CONFORMITY WITH THE MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN (SEPTEMBER 1985). WHEREAS, the Miami Planning Advisory Board, at its meeting of June 17, 1987, Item No. 2, following an advertised hearing, adopted Resolution No. PAB 41-87, by a 7 to 0 vote, RECOMMENDING APPROVAL of the Virginia Key Master. Plan, as hereinafter set forth; and WHEREAS, the City Commission by Motion M-86-122 on February 13, 1986, Director, Department of Development to prepare a master plan for City owned land on Virginia Key, with the assistance of the Planning Department; and WHEREAS, the City Commission by Motion M-87-56 on January of 1987, authorized the Planning Department to present the plan for review to numerous city, county and state agencies having jurisdiction over the use and Mevelopment of Virginia Key; anti WHEREAS, the recommendations for development include environmental, natural, open space and park areas, beach improvements, parking facilities, rights -of -way, beautification, special features, special activities and events, and waterfront improvement. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA: Section 1. The City Commission hereby approves in principle a master plan for the development of Virginia Key, an island in Biscayne Bay on the Rickenbacker Causeway. CITY CC^ JUL RfS�LU1tGti r; ,, � � t Section 2. The City Commission hereby finds and determines that: the Plan appropriately considers ( a), access and use to serve public recreational and educational needs; (b), views to and from the water and highway edge; (c), preservation -)f natural shorelines; (d), natural forces in shaping unnatural edges; (e), commercial uses suited to the promotion of public access for use and enjoyment of the waters; (f), commercial uses which are water dependent or water related; (g), private uses which expand public access to recreational Programs. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 23rd day of July , 1987. ATTEST: MATITY HIRAI XAVIER L. SUAREZ, MAYOR City Clerk PREPARED AND APPROVED BY: MA IR A Jr CHIARO Assistant City Attorney APPROD AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: r L CIA A. D U H RTY City Attorney MJC/wpe/pb/M458 K � \a F1 CITY OF MIAMI VIRGINIA KEY MASTER PLAN Xavier L. Suarez, Mayor J. L. Plummer, Vice Mayor Joe Carollo, Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins, Commissioner Rosario Kennedy, Commissioner Cesar H. Odlo, City Manager Walter L. Pierce, Assistant City Manager Prepared by the City of Miami Planning Department Sergio Rodriguez, Director Joseph W. McManus, Assistant Director Jack Luft, Chief of Urban Design Janet Gavarrete, Planner-ln-Charge June, 1987 INTRODUCTION 1 OBJECTIVES 2 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS 3 BACKGROUND 6 Geologic History 6 Environmental Conditions 7 Existing Land Use 9 Environmental Constraints 14 Jurisdictions 19 Development Suitability 23 EDGES 26 PROPOSED LAND USE 28 Public Open Space / Recreation 28 Marine Recreation 33 Commercial 39 Marine Exposition 40 Marine Research Park 41 Environmental Interpretive Center 41 Mangrove Preserve 42 Sewage Treatment Plant 43 Helistop 43 Water Taxi 43 DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 44 DEVELOPMENT FUNDING 46 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The following individuals and agencies are acknowledged for their assistance, technical review, i ■ and guidance in support of the preparation of this document. CITY OF MIAMI DADE COUNTY Department of Development Shoreline Development Review Committee John Gilchrist. Director Dave Smith Juanita Shearer. Assistant Director Department of Environmental Resources Management Parks and Public Facilities Dave Erman Walter Golby, Director Water and Sewer Authority Cathy Noble. Assistant Director STATE OF FLORIDA Susan McKay Department of Natural Resources Max Cruz Department of Environmental Regulation Victor Cahill Public Works Department Donald W. Cather, Director Charles Hudson Enrique Nunez General Services Administration Alberto J. Armada Harry Haines, Print Shop John Austin INTRODUCTION 1 OBJECTIVES 2 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS 3 BACKGROUND 6 Geologic History 6 Environmental Conditions 7 Existing Land Use 9 Environmental Constraints 14 Jurisdictions 19 Development Suitability 23 EDGES 26 PROPOSED LAND USE 28 Public Open Space / Recreation 28 Marine Recreation 33 Commercial 39 Marine Exposition 40 Marine Research Park 41 Environmental Interpretive Center 41 Mangrove Preserve 42 Sewage Treatment Plant 43 Helistop 43 Water Taxi 43 DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 44 DEVELOPMENT FUNDING 46 a a = - MLA !-R, Are, A P min 'Will 14 MIAMI �BEACH NN 'IfOl RE Z. Virginia tj Key r F fey 116W Awt SIC Lik LOCATION I I � � INTRODUCTION 0 This is a master plan for Virginia � Kcy. The recommend at iona herein offer - policies � �for the use, ue"elopm*nt a^g management or land, the protection and 0 enhancement of natural resovrccn and the � development or a support structure Of roads, parking, utilities ''nd maintenance to serve the island. � N N ~ NEED FOR A PLAN � Virginia Key is a J`111f1u on Biscayne Bay with a srectacu�:i, h"lt N fragile cuvironmunt. The rcuioo has w benefited greatly from major recreational attractions on the Lalon't � but development of the key has resulted � in extensive damage to natural ayst'n5. Greater demands for public activity an« � facilities continue to he made, yt�t no N officially adopted plan to control �ou ~ direct antiuipatcu change now exiu�0. I OBJECTIVES It is the intent of the Master Plan for Virginia Key to: I. Give specific direction to an overall plan for land use that respects the broadest public purpose; ■ II. Assure that use and development of the island is ' in harmony with public laws and natural conditions; ' III. Show how a strategy of joint public and private development can serve the recreational and educational needs of a diverse population; IV. Propose solutions to existing and anticipated deficiencies in infrastructure and maintenance; V. Produce a plan that can build public support for future recreation and educational ' facilities and programs, and the planned development of the island. 2 A 4 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS The Virginia Key master plan proposes public policies for land use and land management, including development implementation and funding strategies. Major recommendations include: LAND USE ■ Environmentally sensitive areas including tidal flats, mangrove tidal marshes, beach/dune systems, and coastal hardwood hammocks shall be undisturbed and undeveloped, restored when necessary, and protected from inappropriate public activity. ■ The open public beach area should remain as a public park for picnic and swimming use with limited concessions serving park users. ■ The former Virginia Key Beach park area should be privately developed for active public recreational uses and camping with an emphasis on natural resource based activities and open space. ■ Marine Stadium and the basin should remain dedicated to the staging of competitive marine sports events, concerts, and special event presentations, with continued emphasis on spectator viewing from boats. ■ The marine services area west of Marine Stadium should remain a boating services center, but reorganized functionally for more efficient boat storage and parking, better orientation of retail services to the waterfront and with limitations on commercial growth due to limited parking space. ■ The northern point of the island (dredge spoil fill) should be utilized for active sports and recreation/fitness facilities that could also serve as an international training center. A lodging facility should be developed to serve the facilities. ■ The spoil fill area north of the stadium basin should be reserved for an environmental interpretive center with limited public access for educational, environmental field studies. ■ "Shrimpers Lagoon" should be utilized primarily for water recreational activities (paddle boats, canoes, etc.) with controlled access and limited supply services for sport fishing/commercial fishing boats. ■ The Marine Stadium basin shoreline immediately southeast of the grandstands could accomodate retail food services, setback from the water and preserving public access to the shore. 11_' . - 3 ,, , 1 ■ ■ Major competitive marine events at the Marine Stadium should better utilize an improved and enhanced basin shoreline (its full length) for spectator viewing. ■ The marine sciences park dedicated by Dade County should remain a resource for expansion for governmental and educational research facilities. ■ Private marine recreational clubs should be allowed but confined to the Stadium basin's southeast corner. LAND MANAGEMENT ■ The Marine Stadium should be privately managed and promoted in coordination with Planet Ocean and the Seaquarium. ■ Development and management of the former Virginia Key Beach site and the island's north point should be through private means defined and controlled by the City's Unified Development Process. ■ Commercial uses should be water related or dependent and confined to the waters edge to promote and enhance the public's use and enjoyment of the waterfront. ■ Private recreational club leases should require active public outreach programs designed to open recreational opportunities to the general public, especially the disadvantaged, handicapped, elderly, and youth of the region. ■ The former dump site/land fill should not be developed or open to public use until hazardous land subsidence and methane gas generation can be confined to safe levels. ■ Public utilization of parking for the Marine Stadium, Planet Ocean and Seaquarium facilities should be managed jointly for large events, and interconnected with a tram system. PUBLIC ROADS AND UTILITIES ■ The public access road serving the beachfront recreation areas and the treatment plant should be rebuilt and realigned to improve safety, reduce beach area access conflicts, permit westerly expansion of public park parking lots, and improve access to the north point of the island. ■ The service road along the perimeter of the stadium basin should be removed from the southern shoreline with vehicular access to the northern rim from the public beach access road. ■ Truck access to the sewage treatment plant should be diverted to a new road on the western perimeter of the former dump site to reduce conflicts with beach traffic. ■ Water and sewer facilities should be extended from Rickenbacker Causeway to the north point of the island. I I ■ The sewage treatment plant should 1 implement point source odor control measures within three years. IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING j■ Development of recreational facilities, with the exception of the existing public beach park, should be through joint public /private means defined and controlled by the City's Unified Development Process. ■ A special Virginia Key enterprise fund should be established to receive all revenues generated from leaseholds, concessions, special use permits, and user fees. The Virginia Key enterprise fund should finance required public infrastructure, maintenance, environmental enhancement, recreation and educational programs. • BACKGROUND GEOLOGIC HISTORY Virginia Key is part of the chain of islands that begins with Miami Beach and extends southerly past Key Biscayne and Biscayne National Park to the Florida Keys. Originally, it is thought, the island was part of the Miami Beach/Key Biscayne land mass. Hurricanes over the past few centuries have opened the Bear Cut and Norris Cut channels that now sever it from adjoining Fisher Island and Key Biscayne. In the past 100 years, the combined actions of storm surges and land fill/shoreline development activity have significantly altered the island's size and shape. The limestone ridge that forms many of the islands in the Florida Keys is submerged at this location. Virginia Key and Key Biscayne are unique because they are formed of quartz sand cut from the sea floor by wave action and by deposits from southward moving currents. As a young, recently emerged island built from sand deposits, it is a mobile structure at the mercy of massive natural forces that are changing it constantly. / I VIRGINIA KEY IN 1955 tw- VIRGINIA KEY IN 1987 SOURCE: Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve Plan, 1986. 4 :1 ENVIRONMENTALCONDITIONS � � Mangrove/Tidal Marsh - Red, � The accompanying exhibit Black and White mangrove � - — i identifies the populate the majority of " natural undisturbed shorelines. The � and altered shoreline conditions, and largest concentration exists � developed areas on the ielund' between the merino stadium basin � and the sewage treatment plant Cw�m�mI Hammock - Just behind and covers over 120 acres of � the dune line on the extreme tidal marshlands. �bese Pzaut � eastern shore exists a coastal species are protected uy otate hardwood hammock. Although and local law in recognition of � invaded by such m»«tioa as their productive rule as habitat � Australian Pine and Brazilian for numerous forms of marine � Pepper, numerous extremely large life and in stabilizing Seagrope trees exist. The area shorelines. � is in a trough and is slowly � filling in with windblown sands. Coastal hammock looking south toward Bear Cut Mangrove tidal marsh looking west Li A Australian Pine Community - The most prevalent plant colonization on the island is the Australian Pine or Casuarina. This exotic pest tree has invaded virtually all areas but especially the disturbed fill areas with saline soils. Meadow - Open areas of low native grasses cover 55 acres of the former Virginia Key beach park along the southeastern shoreline. Sludge fill - Areas immediately west and south of the sewage treatment plant have sludge mixed with fill material deposited on site. Ground water permeates this soil resulting in a thick liquid that creates unstable soil conditions and potential subsidence. Dredge fill - The northernmost point of the key, adjacent to the treatment plant, and the Rickenbacker Causeway area including the Seaquarium and the perimeter of the [Marine Stadium are constituted of dredge spoil fill material. Free of organic or decomposable material, spoil material is primarily a clean, well drained limestone that is the most stable soil on the island. I Coastal Beach - Longshore sediments (sand) carried southward along the Atlantic coast have built up beaches along the east and southern shores where tidal currents pass through Bear Cut. Uncontrolled Land Fill - A 112 acre area south of the sewage treatment plant was excavated for fill to build a base for the treatment plant construction. Subsequently, the excavation was filled in with trash, incinerator ash, plant trimmings and sludge. The dump site was closed in 1973 and capped and graded with two feet of clean soil. Brackish Ponds - Several small excavations remain from an aborted effort to construct a golf course just west of the former Virginia Key beach area. These ponds have been colonized by a fringe of mangrove. Biscayne Bay/Atlantic Ocean - Deeper waters (6+ feet) exist as channels for tidal flows through Norris and Bear Cuts, and within the Marine Stadium basin. Tidal Flats - Shallow waters form a shelf (-6 feet) extending east and west of the island. It is within these areas that benthic communities of sea grasses, fish and invertebrates flourish. The grasses 1 a contribute to the accumulation of new sand deposits and thus help stabilize shoreline conditions. Developed Land - Approximately 250 acres or 25% of the island has been developed for commercial activities, public facilities and utilities. EXISTING LAND USE Virginia Key has approximately 1,005 acres of land area. The public use of the island and those areas which remain in a natural or undeveloped state, is displayed on the accompanying exhibit, Existing Land Use. Undeveloped Open Space - There are 150 undeveloped acres consisting primarily of mangrove tidal marshes and another 120 acres of reclaimed former land fill area which remain barren. Public Recreation Space (closed to public use) - The former Virginia Key beach area, 70+ acres of land immediately north of Rickenbacker Causeway along Bear Cut, remains closed to public use except for special events. An eroding beach, dangerous currents near shore and a lack of park staff to supervise the area has necessitated the closure. Concerts are �...- periodically scheduled for large F.. a groups. Public Recreation Space (open to public use) - The easternmost shore of the island and the abutting coastal hardwood hammock was opened in June of 1986 as a 60 acre City park. Limited concessions, parking lots and lifeguard towers have been added to facilitate public use. Public Beach (open) - The new park with 5000 feet of beachfront (see above) and the causeway right-of- way bordering 4500 feet along the bay are active and heavily used public water sports recreation areas. Swimming, wind -surfing, sailing, and snorkeling are a part of the daily activities drawing thousands of enthusiasts. Public Beach (closed) - As stated above, the hazardous swimming conditions along the 3000 feet of the former Virginia Key Beach and the lack of funds to staff and maintain the area has required its closure. n Closed public beach and park (left) and newly opened city park and beach I I I I EXISTING LAND USE - UNDEVELOPED OVEN SFACE PUBLIC RECREATION SPACE - CLOSED PUBLIC RECREATION SPACE - OPEN PUBLIC BEACH - OPEN PUBLIC BEACH.- CLOSED EDDREDGE FILL AREA L.-�J SEWAOE TREATMENT PLANT PRIVATE MARINE RECREATION - PUBLIC MARINE EXPOSITION ® PUBLIC MARINE SERVICES - INSTITUTIONAL MARINE RESEARCH - COMMERCIAL MARINE EXPOSITION - COMMERCIAL SERVICES COMMUNICATIONS PARKING OROADWAY 1 TRANSPORTATION VIRGINIA KEY M A S T E R P L A N f_ Dredge Fill area - "rhe o1l acre area north of the treatment plant fun.,t ons as .i d4sp��s,11 3r-e,i fat' dre;iire spoil material from the Port of Miarz i. ,hainnel iir3inl.entln'2t' oiler-3tions. Pfr (DAtc 111y, tht' l imtrock ir'r_LT.� . r_ as fill p1,1v,3rF� construction industry. Sewage Treatment Plant three ser✓frig netropolir Coun`iy, the :entr1 .:1steW-it r Treatment Plant on V i r 'I i;1 NeV covers 1 1 j .acres. 4 72 inch main extending to `.he nvr'thwes+: under Biscayne ?-ty ar;nF _ s I.o .he mainland. The planIf, ,gener-ates sludge which is digested fir the North plant as well, dewatered and dried on open b,�-ds. Dispoyai. of the sludge has been a continuing issue for the treatment plant which generates over 50 tons each day. Heavy truck traffic serves the plant and shares the treatment plant access road with the newly opened beachfront park. Dade County maintains the road. Private Marine Recreation - The Miami Rowing Club, located between Marine Stadium and Planet Ocean, is a private club devoted to the teaching, training and staging of competitive rowing events. A club -house, storage area and pool/picnic area comprise the facilities on the .75 acre site. Dredge fill area (left) and treatment plant Public Marine Exposition - Planet Ocean - Founded by the Internal-i onal Oceanographi,, Foundation and now a part of the University of i4iami, Planet ,Ocean is the world's largest marine science exposition attraction. The facility contains over 60,000 square feet of fioor ,area and 253 parking spaces. Commercial Marine Exposition - The Miami Seaquarium is a privately owned entertainment complex that covers a 60 acre site. Specialty shows featuring performing marine mammals and exhibits of marine life provide a major tourism attraction for the region. The land is leased from Dade County. 10 ,. Public Marine Services - A 20 acre recreational boating service area, northwest of Marine Stadium, provides 650 dry boat storage spaces, 182 wet slips, boat rentals, retail supplies, minor repairs, a boat ramp, boat launching and restaurant services. A boat fuel facility is planned. Unorganized growth in the area has created access, circulation, and parking problems. Inefficient use of land for boat storage has preempted needed parking and space for staging racing events. Commercial Services - Retail services on the island are limited to: restaurants, including Horatio's, the Rusty Pelican and the Sandbar, all within the vicinity of Marine Stadium; temporary vendor concessions along the public recreational beaches; and a bait & supplies stand in "Shrimpers Lagoon" east of the treatment plant. Institutional Marine Research - Dade County has reserved 65 acres northeast of the Seaquarium for a marine research park. Present institutions represented with facilities include the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Southeast Marine Fisheries Center (division of NOAA in the U.S. Department of Commerce). Marine services and restaurants Marine research park (upper left) and Seaquarium i . I i 1 0 U � Marine Stadium and the racing basin were built in 1961 Concerts have expanded stadium usage Marine Stadium The Marine Stadium, a 200 acre basin and 6,500 seat grandstand expandable by 2,500 bleacher seats, built to stage power boat racing and competitive marine events, is the premiere facility of its kind on the east coast and one of America's cineot' It could never be duplicated in this time of rigorous environmental laws and permitting procedures. It has until recent years, however, suffered declining use as a venue for racing events whose national center has shifted to the Great Lakes and Pacific V*rtboeut' The recent upgrading of �,tage facilities and promotional efforts for concerts and special shows has reversed txe annual financial losses of the stadium and returned a ommII profit to the City in 1986. Additional structural and mechanical upgrading of thf, facility is, however, needed to maintain the facilities' competitive attraction for such events vis-a-vis new outdoor concert amphitheaters being built in Daur County. Existing parking facilities for 925 cars are inadequate for a 9,000 scot facility, (expand,�u with bleachers) resulting in spillover parking problems aLong Riokenbacker Causeway. Majority of parking is near Marine Stadium 3/4 mile distance separates Marine Stadium and Seaquarium parking areas The new high level bridge and causeway widening has eased traffic problems Parking - Approximately 4,130 parking spaces are provided for all uses (excluding the treatment plant) on the island. A summary of parking by use is listed below: Parking Location Amount NOAA Laboratories 300 U of M Rosensteil School 280 Planet Ocean 258 Miami Sequarium 917 Marine Stadium 925 Rickenbacker Causeway (beach area) 400 City Park on Virginia Key Beach 350 Restaurants/marine services area 650 Southeast Marine Fisheries 50 13 Roadway and Transportation - Rickenbacker Causeway is the only vehicular access to Virginia Key and Key Biscayne. In 1986 the causeway was widened to six lanes and a new high level fixed span five lane bridge constructed over the Intracoastal waterway. The causeway and bridge improvement is designed to accomodate projected traffic demands from Virginia Key and Key Biscayne through the year 2005. The three lanes westbound (critical movement) have a peak hour capacity of 3600 vehicles. The causeway improvement also includes extensive landscaping, controlled vending areas, a bike path, and designated parking areas that have enhanced the causeways extensive use as a waterfront recreation area with 4500 feet of beaches. Overflow parking from special events at Marine Stadium is no longer allowed on the causeway in order to protect landscaped areas. Public transportation services to the island consist of Metrobus service at 40-60 minute intervals with connections to the Vizcaya Metrorail station. Communications - WKAT radio leases a 2.2 acre site south of the treatment plant for a transmitting tower (spread of tower guy -wires covers a 15 acre site). 1 areas shown on the accompanying ENVIRONMENTAL map, Environmental Constraints, CONSTRAINTS and therefore places them in the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve. State law further places the mangrove on the protected species A barrier island is a unique f list. For practical purposes, all challenge to urban growth. State and but the most incidental local building codes and environmental development actions within laws have in recent years established mangrove areas are prohibited, and legal constraints to development that p those must be related to enhancing common sense, prudence and an awareness public awareness and appreciation of natural conditions should have of this unique and fragile dictated in the past. A summary of the environment (such as interpretive factors that this plan has identified as boardwalk trails). environmental (and legal) constraints to use and development of the island are Coastal Construction Control listed below: Line The Coastal Construction Control Line defines that portion Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve of the beach/dune system that is t Boundary - The western shoreline subject to mass movement of sand of Virginia Key from Norris cut to due to a one hundred year storm the Seaquarium marks the boundary surge. The CCC line and 5000 foot of the aquatic preserve. In 1974, setback line calls attention to the State of Florida adopted the special hazards and impacts legislation that established associated with development and "outstanding Florida waters" that use of such property. ' would be subject to stringent Construction and development regulatory review. In effect, activity seaward of the CCC line state agencies that provide is virtually precluded with the ' environmental permit review, exception of non -habitable impose higher standards designed structures that are considered to assure no degradation of water "disposable" (docks, life guard ' quality in the preserves. All towers, etc.) The CCC legislation permit requests must demonstrate also imposes more rigorous that below mean high water, standards for design, construction existing water quality will be and siting of development seaward ' preserved or enhanced by requested of the CCC line. Landward of the development actions; in practice, setback line, South Florida a very difficult test to meet. building code standards are ' Mangrove/Tidal Marsh - Mean high likewise strengthened to account water covers most of the mangrove for storm surge forces. ocean beaches are exposed to the greatest storm surge Federal Flood Zone Contours - Federal Flood Zone contours apply to special flood hazard areas inundated by 100 year floods. These flood hazard areas consist of: A Zones - Requires all habitable space within structures, including mobile homes to be elevated at or above the 100 year level (elevation above mean high water indicated in brackets on Environmental Constraints V Zones - Requires all new construction and substantial improvements to be elevated on pilings or columns so that lowest portion of the structural members of the lowest floor, excluding pilings or columns, is elevated to or above base flood level. Uncontrolled Land Fill - Approximately 120 acres of land south of the treatment plant constitutes a former public dump site. [Materials used to fill the excavated area consisted primarily of incinerator ash, plant trimmings, and sludge with some uncontrolled (no restrictions on material dumped) trash and rubbish. This fill material was placed in a small water body known as Duck Lake (an excavation for fill to build the treatment plant) and thus is, in part, below the ground water level. It is presumed that the wet ash and sludge forms a thick liquid substrata that makes ground subsidence a continuing danger (a large dump truck and a bulldozer simply sank out of sight and were never recovered.) The dump was closed in 1976, and under supervision of the Environmental Protection Agency, a two foot cap of clean soil was graded over the site. Australian Pines have colonized most of the land fill site i I 15 ,. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS BISCAYNE SAY AQUATIC PRESERVE BOUNDARY ® MANGROVE I TIDAL MARSH © COASTAL CONSTRUCTION CONTROL LINE ® FEDERAL FLOOD ZONE CONTOUR UNCONTROLLED LAND FILL - MONITORED SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT ODORS SLUDGE DEPOSIT I DREDGE FILL SAND SEDIMENTATION SHORELINE EROSION sw ^ _' VIRGINIA KEG' M A S T S R P L A N 0 A Second haz-ardOus t:Ond it iOrl is the methane gas that is - Yerleratt_d by deoayi11g fill material. A 1986 assessment of ambient 9aSes reveaI,-d th;-it. urethane levels are as high as of subsurface .;as.2s, the highest. level in Dade County a:; mo;isured by the D,, p;irtm ant. of Environmental Rt?soured m inat;.5ment (tl'N is ieE;al ail()w_ible limit) . The practical consequenct?s of I these cond it ions 1re that. development and public use withlrl the fill site must be Lrea;,ly restricted ( paved i11t1.1s and structures could tr._tp pock,A:3 of gas below or within them ri_ski.ng explosive conditions) for thr� foreseeable future �'10-15 years) or an expensive process ;-)f Pas extraction must be undertaken. IThe additional haz:-ird of ground water leaching through the fill material and contaminating the Biscayne aquifer water table requires that the soil cap remain intact and ground water runoff be directed to the site's perimeter. Sewage Treatment Plant Odors - Depending on wind direction and other climatic conditions, unpleasant odors generated by the treatment plant can be a significant annoyance to the key's visitors. i::.nety percent of the odor problem can be traced to five point sources including the influent chamber, aeration tanks, secondary clarifier, and sludge the treatment Plant has not covered odor problem facilities handler. ':hose primary odor prubl;gym points c.in b- ;cov�_-r—d and vented through chemical scrubbers as has been done ;At thc� north _in•.i south Dade County treatmen` plants. This would elimin�At 2 ;ill but faint musty odors from the sludge- drying beds which is not a noticeable problem (the mangrove are«s create tannin odors that are often mistaken as coming from the treatment plant). The technological improvements necessary to control the problem have been identified in the County Capital Improvement Program but are not scheduled or funded. QP.— —I •- 16 Shrimpers Lagoon is filling with sand while ocean beaches are eroding Severe beach erosion along former park site 17 Sand Sedimentation - The southward migration of sand along the Atlantic Coast, although diminished considerably by the Government Cut jetty, does contribute to the accumulation of sand in the vi2inity of Norris Cut. Cynthia Cove {more popularly known is Shrimpers Lagoon) is like,,�ise filling with sand. Since the iormcr duaip site (see above) fillcrd in Duck i.ake in the 19709s anti severe,i the flow of water, across the island, the cove has lost ten feet in depth and is in drtnger of filling entirely in the n"XI, dcycade. Development of the north point of the island that may include boating access from Norris Cut and the ocean will have to account for continuing send movements and deposition in that area. Shoreline Erosion - The eastern or ocean shore is severely eroding under the force of tidal currents and storm surges. The shoreline of the island has been in continuous retreat since the late lb8o's when records were first maintained. Significantly, the shoreline has been disrupted as groins have been built to compensate for the loss of protective dune formations. While stabilizing somewhat the northern segment of shoreline, the groins have actually increased the scouring effects of currents on the southern shore. Compounding the problem, the jetties built to halt the southerly movement of sand sediments into Government Cut to the north, have also cut off Virginia Key (and Key Biscayne) from the natural resupply of sands that would normally renourish the beaches. The result is sand starvation and accelerated erosion of their ocean beaches. As pronounced as these erosion problems have been in the past twenty years, it is fortunate that there has been no major hurricane impacts in that period of time. All of this underscores the essentially transient nature of barrier islands, the unstable condition of their shorelines and the necessity to restore and protect natural dune formations. Sludge Deposit/Dredge Fill - Immediately west of the treatment plant is an area that has been and continues• to be used as a temporary sludge storage site. Bay bottom dredge material from the Port -of -Miami is also periodically deposited and then sold to private construction projects. Any development of this area would require removal of sludge contaminated soil prior to use by the public. The State of Florida and Dade County would control the removal through the permit process. Virginia Key Beaches are constantly changing Treatment plant and adjacent till areas 11 JURISDICTIONS Several Federal, State, regional and local agencies are involved in regulating the use and development of Virginia Key. The complex, multiple - level review of development is directly attributable to Virginia Key's status as a barrier island. As can be seen on the accompanying map, Jurisdictions, the areas that border the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve, contain mangroves, or are within the Coastal Construction Control Line are subject to numerous agency reviews and environmental laws. A summary of those agencies and their functions is as follows: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Federal Agency - The Corps regulates and issues permits for work below mean high water such as dredging, filling, marinas, and all coastal construction on the island. The Corps of Engineers jointly regulates and permits projects with the State Department of Natural Resources and the State Department of Environmental Regulation. The permit process time varies from 120 to 180 days after receipt of a completed application. Florida Department of Environmental Regulations - State Agency - D.E.R. regulates and issues permits for water quality discharges (surface and groundwater) dredge and fill, air quality, stormwater runoff, solid and hazardous waste facilities, public water systems, underground injection control and water well construction. The majority of the permits are processed and issued by the district office in West I Palm Beach. However, certain permits for major air pollution sources, and major dredge and fill ■ projects are among those issued ■ only from Tallahassee. Other types of permits have been delegated to other agencies such ' as the South Florida Water Management District or local pollution control agencies such as Dade County Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM). The permit process time varies from 90 to 120 days upon receipt of a completed application. Florida Department of Natural Resources - State Agency - D.N.R. is responsible for the management of marine fisheries and State Aquatic Preserves, beach management and restoration. It also regulates and issues permits for the construction of coastal structures such as groins, jetties, and breakwaters, including any coastal development 4 I I I .usc.rn ..• fPEUCAN RICKENBACKER MAIM \� MARINE STADIUM ENTERPRISES n I ?• o "C ' L I 4 a N I INATIONAL ATMOSPHERIC AND I NATIONAL ADMINISTRATK iSEAOUARIUMI I I ROWING CLUB UNIVERSITYOF A e PORT OF MIAMI 'DREDGE FILL SITE s I DADE CO. SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT I Q n D o• --J- WKAT \' r % •nwne eau -% UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SOUTHEAST MARINE FISHERIES CENTER o• .` JURISDICTIONS U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FLORIDA DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES (OXIT.) FLORIDA DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION (D.E.R.) DADE COUNTY DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (D.E.R.M.) DADE COUNTY SHORELINE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE (SD.R.C.) MS. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FLORIDA DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF BEACHES AND SHORES DADE COUNTY S.D.R.C. FLORIDA DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES fD.N.Ra FLORIDA DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION ID.E.R.1 DADE COUNTY D.E.R.M. DADE COUNTY S.D.R.M .DADE COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS DADE COUNTY S.D.R.C. I DADE COUNTY BUILDING AND ZONING DEPT. - PERMITS i CITY OF MIAMI BUILDING AND ZONING DEPT. - PERMITS DADE COUNTY S.D.R.C. LEASEHOLDS -i USE AGREEMENTS J VIRGINIA M A S T E R KEY P L A N I I I .usc.rn ..• fPEUCAN RICKENBACKER MAIM \� MARINE STADIUM ENTERPRISES n I ?• o "C ' L I 4 a N I INATIONAL ATMOSPHERIC AND I NATIONAL ADMINISTRATK iSEAOUARIUMI I I ROWING CLUB UNIVERSITYOF A e PORT OF MIAMI 'DREDGE FILL SITE s I DADE CO. SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT I Q n D o• --J- WKAT \' r % •nwne eau -% UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SOUTHEAST MARINE FISHERIES CENTER o• .` JURISDICTIONS U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FLORIDA DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES (OXIT.) FLORIDA DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION (D.E.R.) DADE COUNTY DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (D.E.R.M.) DADE COUNTY SHORELINE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE (SD.R.C.) MS. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FLORIDA DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF BEACHES AND SHORES DADE COUNTY S.D.R.C. FLORIDA DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES fD.N.Ra FLORIDA DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION ID.E.R.1 DADE COUNTY D.E.R.M. DADE COUNTY S.D.R.M .DADE COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS DADE COUNTY S.D.R.C. I DADE COUNTY BUILDING AND ZONING DEPT. - PERMITS i CITY OF MIAMI BUILDING AND ZONING DEPT. - PERMITS DADE COUNTY S.D.R.C. LEASEHOLDS -i USE AGREEMENTS J VIRGINIA M A S T E R KEY P L A N 4 11 rJ 11 which takes place seaward of a "coastal construction control line". The agency also grants leases and easements across "state sovereignty land", and all tidal lands and lands under navigable waters. The permit process time varies from 90 to 120 days upon receipt of a complete application. Construction seaward of the coastal construction control line must meet special structural and other design considerations which provide for the protection of the beach dune system, structure, and adjacent properties. Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management - County Agency - D.E.R.M. regulates and permits coastal construction permits in tidal waters of Dade County such as docks, marinas, bulkheads, uprap dredging and fillers. Certain types of major permits require related permits from DER, the Army Corps of Engineers, and DNR. This agency also regulates and issues permits for removal or trimming of mangroves. County Commission Approval is also required as part of the permit process. The permit process time varies from 2 weeks to over a year - depending on the type and scope of the project. Dade County Shoreline Development Review' Committee - Coun_ty _Board - The Shoreline Development Review Committee reviews all development plans and project proposals along the shores of Biscayne Bay for compliance with the Dade County Shoreline Development Ordinance adopted in 1985. In the case of Virginia Key, review by this board is required for any development proposed on the entire island. The provisions of Ehe ordinance require compliance with certain design criteria and objectives such as preservation and enhancement of the natural, aesthetic and recreational values of Biscayne Bay, encouragement of the best use of water and shoreline, maximum public visual and physical access to the water, development design to respect and address waterfront orientation, visual corridors, buildings, heights, side setbacks. The bay shoreline is heavily regulated 20 11 a It 11 Dade County Building and Zoning City of Miami Heritage Department - This department Conservation Review Board - The (_ regulates and issues all building H.C. Board reviews all areas in permits for construction in areas the City designated as within Dade County on Virginia Key Environmental Preservation (outside the Miami city limits). Districts. All issues of development impacts on natural Dade County Public Works ecological systems are reviewed by Department - All roadway this board. improvements to Rickenbacker Causeway are the responsibility of this agency. Access and utilities City of Miami Leaseholds - The serving the island must be City has leased properties in the permitted by this agency as well. vicinity of Marine Stadium to private commercial interests that Dade County Parks and Recreation can provide marine and marine Department - The beach areas along related services to the general Rickenbacker Causeway come under public. Leases under the the responsibility of this management of the General Services department in terms of Administration Department include; development, use, and programming of such facilities. Marine Stadium Enterprises - 5.53 acres of land incorporating 400+ boat storage spaces, food City of Miami Building and Zoning services, boating and fishing Department - This department supplies, and recreational regulates and issues all building concessions. The lease expires in permits for construction in areas 1993• within the City of Miami corporate 1 limits. Marina Biscayne - 20 acres supporting a 189 slip marina, 213 City of Miami Planning dry storage boat racks, fuel Department - The Planning pumps, minor repair services, bait Department reviews all public and and tackle store, and a sub -lease private leases and development to Horatio's restaurant (10,500 proposals for compliance with City sq. ft. and 90 parking spaces). r Comprehensive Plan, and isues The master lease expires in 1997 Class C Permits for approval of with two 5 year extensions development design. optional. The Horatio's sublease expires in 1999 with two optional 5 year extensions. Biscayne Bay Restaurant Corporation - The Rusty Pelican restaurant occupies 2.5 acres that includes the 26,000 sq. ft. restaurant and 277 parking spaces. The lease expires in 1991 with two five year extensions. WKAT Radio - A 2.2 acre site south of the Sewage Treatment Plant has been leased until 2007 for a transmission antenna. The lease only accounts for the actual footprint of the tower and anchors for the guy wires, but the facility spreads over a square site almost 15 acres in area. Miami Rowing Club - A twenty year lease from 1980 to the year 2000 provides a .75 acre site for a clubhouse and storage area housing a private club that offers training, instruction, and staging of competitive rowing events. Working agreements - An informal working agreement (no contractual lease) exists between the City and the Port of Miami allowing the bay ' bottom dredge material produced by the port channel maintenance to be deposited in the area north of the ® treatment plant. Future port ■� development will make continuation of this arrangement important to the port. The City obtains revenue from sale of the dredge J material to the construction industry. Majority of leaseholds are near Marine Stadium Dredge spoil deposits from port of Miami 22 t • d DEVELOPMENT SUITABILITY The preceding chapters have summarized existing conditions no ni,ciuio Key. Tueuc conditions essentially define opportunities and constraints for man-made changes on the island. The accompanying map, �—ability, summarizes the - environmental, and physical factors that generally characterize bow and where the island should change. Four levels of potential development of the island are shown: No Development "Protected Environmental and Scenic Mangrove, tidal marshes, beaches, and roadside corridors should have no development. Maintenance of natural conditions, habitats, and landscaping is paramount.. Restoration of disturbed areas through beach renourisbment, dune enhancement, mangrove replanting and landscaping with native West Indian species will be necessary to maintain the integrity of island edges. Mangrove areas are protected from development. Low Development "Flood Restricted- Coastal Construction Control Zone" Within the 350 foot wide margin of land abutting mean bi8b water that is subject to normal storm surge (easterly of the CCC Line) there should he no habitable development and only expendable structures (i.e. picnic shelters, lifeguard towers) can be built. This area also includes the shorelines of dredge fill areas that have the potential of enhancement as beaches. � 0 DEVELOPMENT SUITABILITY - NO DEVELOPMENT - PROTECTEDENVIRONMENTALIMNIC AREAS OLOW - FLOOD RESTRICTED - EXPENDABLE RECREATION• STRUCTURES MODERATE - ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE PUBLIC RECREATION RELATED NIGH - INSTITUTIONAL. RECREATION. SERVICE. COMMERCIAL MARINE RELATED RESTRICTED - POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL RISK - METHANE OAS UNSTABLE SUBSOIL - BOATING - ACCESS. SERVICE DOCKING ACTIVE USE VIRC INIA M A S T E R K E Y P ! A N � � � Moderate Development � � "Environmentally Sensitive - Lowland � Two areas, the former Virginia Key Beach � Park (now closed) and the spoil fill area north of the racing basin are � technically developable according to � environmental regulations, The - proximity of the latter to mangrove preserves ano sensitive wildlif~ � habitats makes dc,e�orn~:� � -. = for all but I�����u ov, �� /euvironmootal aLudy facilities. The � former park site is ow � meadows and uracaish ponds that iu covered by e "Y" zoo,� �luoo contour (directly exposed to open ocean storm � surge) that imposes stringent building = requirements on all development. Recreation related �acilitiem and � structures are appropriate but overall � development should he limited. High Development "Institutional, Recreation, Service, Commercial, and Marine Related Facilities." Along Ricke:baohrr Causeway and within the northern point of the island exist lands of limited environmental sensitivity, composed of stable dredge fill material, outside the "V" zone contour, and westerly of the CCC Line. These areas are oony1dw-red appropriate for development uf the more complex infrastructure required to support institutional, commercial, marine, service and formal recreational Dredge m/ areas have u high development "w=o,. Restricted In addition, the former dump site can be considered "Restricted" in terms or its development svitaoility, The highly unstable ovuovrCace conditions and presence of methane gas seepage (see Environmental Constraints) makes de-velopment and public use of :,.his oi�e hazardous. It is possible that methan+ gaa extraction procedures coula � �p utilized < l expensive* ^na additional foundation pi�inga auuec (also expensive) if development was deemed necessary or desirable. General recreational use for open public activities (i.e. camping, hiking, rield games, parking) should be prohibited until aa[o conditions can be assured. facilities. ���� =�" Boating For purposes of marine boating access and associated shoreline development for marine services, certain segments of the Virginia Key shoreline are appropriate. The shores bordering both Norris cut to the north and Bear Cut to the south as well as the Marine Stadium basin and "Shrimpers Lagoon" have both sufficient water depth and open shoreline (nomangrove/tidal flat grass beds) to ' permit active power boating and sailboat access. ��� M��'~~�.- . � � ] PRINCIPLES OF USE AND TREATMENT This plan is intended as a guide for the use and development of Virginia Key. Fundamental to establishing a development policy, is the clear assertion of principles that represi>nt public expectations for the care and use of this unique and fragile reoource. It is a basic tenet of this study that proper use of edges (beaches, road frontages, environmental transitions, etc.) is crucial to the realization of an optimal plan for the overall use of land. Creating harmonious transitions between land and water, public and private activities, natural and developed properties and active and passive environments is the planning objective. I This plan's principles of lase-- and treatment of primary edges are: I. All access to and use of the island shall serve recreational needs. II. All views from publicly accessible thoroughfares shall be blue or green. III. Natural Shorelines shall be preserved. IV. Natural forces shall be allowed to shape natural edges. V. Commercial uses shall be water related or dependent. VI. Commercial uses shall be confined to the water's edge to promote public access, use and enjoyment of the water. The following proposed pol ic, Le for the use and treatment of the i>land's primary edgf�s are bdsi�d upon these principles. They are depicted on the accompanying graphic Edges. ■ Developed Shoreline specific shorelines are appropriate for marine and commercial/institutional usage. These development edges include the south shore of the basin (with a landscaped setback for recreational use east of Marine Stadium), the Seaquarium, the institutional research areas, the 261 Norris Cut shoreline and short ■ Recreational Water - The Marine segments of Shrimpers Lagoon. Stadium racing basin, lagoon, causeway shoreline and Atlantic ■ Landscaped Boulevard - Public Ocean shoreline (north of the former roadways should be generously Virginia Key Beach Park) are landscaped with native plant species considered desirable public use consistent with preserving views of areas for water contact recreation. the water. Parking lots, storage Public access is invited. areas, utilities and concessions should be screened from view. ■ Restricted Water - Along the Seaquarium and institutional ■ Entrance Feature/Signage - Only at research shorelines, public access vehicular entrance points from and use should be restricted. In Rickenbacker Causeway and the addition, the strong off -shore treatment plant access road should currents adjacent to Virginia Key signage be permitted snd then Beach Park will require floatation confined to indirect lit name barriers to assure that public use identification only. Multiple signs is confined to the shallow shelf at an entrance drive shall be waters near shore (see Edges map). combined on a single coordinated display. Commercial signage for ■ Protected Shoreline - businesses and services on buildings Environmentally sensitive mangrove should not be visible from and tidal marsh areas along the Bay Rickenbacker Causeway. All major and lagoon are to be undisturbed. road intersections and public facility entrances should have ■ Recreational Shoreline - The Marine feature landscape treatment. Stadium basin shoreline, causeway, and beaches are all prime ■ Protected Water - The tidal flats recreational use areas, and public west of the island and the mangrove access should be encouraged. The marsh within Shrimpers Lagoon shall basin's northern shore should, be protected from public landside however, be limited to special event access except as appropriate for usage for spectators under educational and environmental controlled access supervision. A II studies. landscaped, p , publicly accessible shore along the basin's southern edge should be generally open to public use and the access controlled during special events. L! I u ilii400 l EDGES PRINCIPLES OF USE AND TREATMENT • ALL ACCESS AND USE TO SERVE RECREATIONAL NEEDS • VIEWS SHOULD BE BLUE OR GREEN • NATURAL SHORELINES SHOULD BE PRESERVED • NATURAL FORCES ALLOWED TO SHAPE NATURAL EDGES • COMMERCIAL USES ONLY AT WATER EDGE TO PROMOTE PUBLIC ACCESS • COMMERCIAL USES WATER DEPENDENT OR RELATED - PROTECTED WATER - PUBLIC ACCESS STRICLY CONTROLLED WATER RECREATIONAL WATER - PUBLIC ACCESS AND USE INVITED RESTRICTED WATER - PRIVATE INSTITUTIONAL USE PUBLIC RECREATIONAL USE RESTRICTED - PRO E E HO IN - NV RONMENTALLY SENSITIVE ISLAND RECREATIONAL SHORELINE - PUBLIC RECREATION USE ENCOURAGED LIMITED VENDING - NO COMMERCIAL - DEVELOPED SHORELINE - INSTITUTIONAL, ACTIVE, WATER RELATED PUBLICIPRIVATE LEASE ACTIVITIES, - LANDSCAPED BOULEVARD I SCREENING eouLEvaRos ENTRANCE FEATURE - SIGNAGE VIRGINIA KEY p m s r e a vL a x 1 Ll PROPOSED LAND USE The following policy recommendations, as depicted on the accompanying Proposed Land_ Use map, characterize the general public purpose that each recommended land use fulfills. While each policy addresses specific use options, there should be flexibility in the future in choosing which activities or site designs best meet policy objectives. Unlike previous studies for Virginia Key, the details of design and site development are left to subsequent implementation efforts. PUBLIC OPEN SPACE / RECREATION Four areas constitute the public open space/recreation program proposed for the island: 1) FORMER VIRGINIA KEY BEACH Immediately east of the marine institutional research park, this 77 acre tract is Virginia Key's best opportunity for development of an active natural resource based recreation area. The entire area should be privately developed and operated under one unified program of planning, design, construction, leasing and management. Examples of suitable activity include water theme parks (with visual emphasis on landscaping), equestrian parks, campgrounds, group picnic facilities, and large open areas suitable for event and concert programming. Combinations of these and similar activities would be desirable but would require a master site development plan for the entire area prior to implementation of any one component, . Active public use of the area will inevitably lead to public use of the water's edge, including swimming. This is as it should be. But it will be necessary to provide a flotation barrier off -shore to separate and protect swimmers from dangerous channel currents. The only alternative is to erect an elaborate shoreline barrier to deny public use of the water which this stuf'y considers impractical, visually .r+�.a � � •,.ray. —�• d � �5" � � AL Former Virginia Key Beach Park is best opportunity for active recreation and camping. 28 I 8 .. Swift currents in Bear Cut require safety flotation barriers for beaches. 219 ull�l r•it)iE' :end likely ineffootive. in addition, the �•iiUl' ii 1t' net'dS stabilization tier uF;h dune r,,,sturation and b 'ii r n o u stl:110n :. J.:I .u::, dt:.:t13s to t,ht X::9;.. rant 2) EXISTING CITY PARK/BEACH Prn:.iy iI7 i1$r? %is :i pUbi i c p;i,,K fin . 6,4_:nming bt-_;it-h, the area cons`sts )f a beach, t.f-i _d by Llroins _nsta.lt!d by the Corps of Engineers, and -a il«rJwood hammock immediat:.e1y upl:3nd. The northt_- rn reach of the be-±chfrunt is s;eparat ed from ,hrimpei's Lagoon" to t11.2 west by m.tnk�roves. Due 110 the n✓ironmu:111,a1 ,e11si:ivity of y:. r e,:tarn i a natur'ai i �a3 i r2i;•y par, cit�tiott�tj t0 pLenickinul, swifllR,l.rt `, and p:_±:;si ve 11tycrt-t„ 0 r I . Thret improvements aI'(I however, A - environmental teenhatwtlm, -tit, including renourishment 0f the beach, rep-estahl i shrl•.�nt of the dune system, removal of t?xoti0 plants an d replanting of native West Indian hardwoods within the hammock, anti mangrove Former park swimming beach needs dune restoration_ Beach renourishment and hammock restoration is needed for new City park. r, .I-- oce. PROPOSED LAND USE MANGROVE PRESERVE / MANGROVE PLANTING - ENVIRONMENTAL INTERPRETIVE CENTER NATIVE PLANT / ANIMAL FIELD STUDIES - LANDSCAPING PUBLIC PARK - PASSIVE RECREATION - PUBLIC PARK - ACITVE RECREATION / PRIVATELY MANAGED PUBLIC / PRIVATE RECREATION SERVICES - MARINE RESEARCH PARK - BOATING STORAGE / DOCKING PRIVATE MARINE CLUBS - MARINE / EXPOSITION EDUCATION - COMMERCIAL / MARINE SERVICES RECREATION SERVICES I CONCESSIONS BROADCAST TOWER HELISTOP SERVICE SPORTS CLUB / INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CENTER / CAMPING BEACHES ® PUBLIC SWIMMING PROTECTED SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT ACCESS ROAD SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT ODOR CONTROL COVERING PARKING PEOPLE MOVER SHUTTLE VIRGINIA KEY M A S T E R P L A N � � ~~ planting along the west shore of the lagoon inlet UU ehouneI: � B - expanded parking facilities mA that would require a NU westerly relocation of the — existing treatment plant access road (see Prop osed mA u map NU ' =~ the expansion of existing parking lots into the m0 vacated roadbed; � = C - concessions serving park NU visitors including food and NN beverage vendors (portable ^~ oCuodo) near the beach (see map), an open uccueu area NN with a food concession at � "= the extreme northerly point of the beach, and a rental UN concession at the edge of UN the lagoon for paddle boats, canoes, and windaurfero. 3) NORRIS CUT FILL SITE The northern point or the N island remains today a To acre � � barren area of bay bottom dredge deposits that is also the most N developable of the island's � ocean frontages. By grading the mounds of spoil deposits to a level above flood criteria (18 N � to 12 feet above mean high ~ water) there is the potential to develop permanent recreation and � athletic facilities that could � not be built elsewhere on the island and for which space Road relocation tothe west will make room for expanded parking. Norris Cut fill site iswell suited mdevelopment Norris Cut open space is ideal for active recreation facilities. 31 A generally does not exist in the city's mainland park system. The recommended use program for this site includes: A - athletic facilities for fitness programs, competitive training programs, local club sports programs and competitions, and an international training center for olympic class sports. There have been several past occasions where city and county efforts to attract international competitive events of the caliber of the Caribbean or North American Games have been rejected due to a lack of facilities meeting sanctioned standards. As the recent Key Biscayne Tennis Center has demonstrated, this is an excellent location for international sports facilities, particularly for winter training of European and North American athletes. Paired with Marine Stadium, the Olympic Sailing Center in the Grove, and the potential for windsurfing competition (Miami hosted 1986 National Championships), Virginia Key would be an ideal location for world class sports training facilities. Potential sports facilities could include swimming/diving/water polo pools, bicycling track/velodrome, cyclo- cross/moto-cross course, archery/rifle ranges, and equestrian courses. The potential for State of Florida assistance in developing the facilities would be a possibility, given the Governor's Council on Sports and Physical Fitness continuing efforts in this direction. These facilities and others like them would be managed, programmed and promoted through the efforts of regional clubs and associations devoted to the particular sport. It would be a condition of this plan that any club or association granted the right to operate sports/recreational facilities on Virginia Key would be required to maintain an out -reach program of public education, training and open competition, particularly for inner-city residents with limited access to such facilities. It is this strategy of utilizing the private resources of regional sports associations to expand the public's opportunities for recreation that underlies this policy recommendation. I l� B - Camping and/or lodging Virginia Key beach area g Y , facilities that would serve, expanded camping and �) in part, the above described extended riding trails could athletic facilities. As a be developed throughout the source of revenue, such landfill site. Viewed private lodging and another way, this site hospitality development should be considered a land could provide a funding bank to be reserved for source for the local share future uses as may be �! of athletic facility capital necessary to complement then costs. existing recreational programs on the island. t; 4) UNCONTROLLED LAND FILL B - Activities that would add to Comprising 120 acres the soil cover of the site (including the WKAT radio tower and require few structures, lease) this site has significant such as a golf course or development restrictions (see field game area. As above, ' Environmental Constraints). It is recommended that no public these activities might be considered as extending and recreational use be made of the complementing a lodging and site until methane gas and land sports/recreation program ' subsidence hazards can be developed for the northern mitigated. Assuming that no point of the island. direct measures are taken (gas ' extraction), it is estimated that it will be ten or C - Remote parking facilities years for expanded public more before public use can be facilities in the Marine accomodated. At such time, and Stadium/Seaquarium area. As subject to tests confirming the special event parking to be lack of hazards, the used only occasionally, it recommended options for use should remain soft -surfaced ' include-' with a stabilized base A - support activities extending course. the recreation programs D - Additional leases for developed for the waterfront broadcast towers, or similar recreation areas,(see non -recreational facilities preceding sections). If are not recommended. camping and equestrian activities, for instance, are developed in the old Fill site should serve recreation areas alone the waterfront. 32 Marine Stadium — an irreplaceable sports facility. MARINE RECREATION The unique dimensions of Virginia Key that distinguish it from other public lands and recreation space in the region are its extraordinary natural environment, its bay setting and unparalleled access by water for marine recreation programs. The following land use policies reflect the goal of optimizing the island's marine recreational opportunities; 1. MARINE STADIUM AND BASIN The future of powerboat racing in Miami is uncertain, but has enjoyed some renewed interest with the recent surge in recreational motorboat sales. Given this uncertainty, there has been consideration of transforming all or a part of the basin into a marina and mooring basin for sailboats. Projected demand for boat slips (1986 Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve Management Plan) shows need for an additional 1000 wet and dry slips (beyond those now planned) by the year 2000. South Biscayne Bay is a desired location for new slips making Virginia Key an attractive location. It is, however, recommended that the basin be kept open (not converted to a marina or mooring basin) and available for marine competitive boating events and water shows. The recent three year decline in sailboat sales and contrasting rise in South Florida power boat ownership raises further questions as to the viability or need for major new sailboat mooring areas. Additional concerns about a conversion of the basin to a marina involve water quality and the present inability of tides and currents to adequately flush the Stadium racing basin, an important factor in marina design. Hurricane hazards further reduce the attractiveness of the key for expanded wet or dry boat storage. Alternatives exist in Biscayne Bay, most notably Watson Island, the Miami River, and Dinner Key, for new and expanded wet and dry slip storage, but no such alternative exists for marine racing events and water shows. To maintain the economic viability of the stadium, the stage (barge) should be expanded and permanently moored in front of stadium (to reduce major costs in moving it). Programmed improvements to the stadium seating area and support facilities must be expedited. If market analysis supports it, expanded bleacher seating should be provided at the sides of the stadium (on land or floating wings) to attract events in the +10,000 seat range that are now lost to other facilities in the area. Parking, a critical need for major events, should be expanded through joint -use agreements with the Seaquarium and Planet Ocean, which would yield a potential 3000 total spaces. To better complement with amphitheaters to be built at Metrozoo and Bayfront Park, and in recognition of the proposed facility next door at the 1 7 1 I i 1 1 I I I I Seaquarium, it is recommended that a private management/promotion service be contracted to operate the stadium. Stadium management should join with the Seaquarium to better schedule events and gain advantage of natural promotion opportunities to package Stadium events and visits to the Seaquarium and Planet Ocean. This would further reinforce the proposal for shared parking between the three facilities. A logical extension of the joint promotion/shared parking arrangement would be the physical linkage of the three facilities (4000 feet from Marine Stadium to the Seaquarium) with an overhead tramway or people mover (see Proposed Land Use graphic). Major event parking +20,000 attendance at races) or same -day events on the island will require remote spillover parking that could be accomodated on the former dump site (see preceding discussion of Uncontrolled Land Fill Site.) To enhance spectator viewing for major racing events, it is recommended that shoreline viewing areas southeast of the stadium and along the opposite northern shoreline be improved through increased landscaping, removal of exotic plants (Brazilian Pepper, Casuarina) and regular maintainance and trash removal. The access road that now follows the perimeter of the basin from the stadium to the northwesterly basin terminus should be relocated to connect with the "treatment plant access road" (see Land Use Plan graphic), and rebuilt north of that A tramway linkage of Marine Stadium, Planet Ocean and the Seaquarium is needed. The northern shore of the basin is needed for spectator viewing. 34 I poiut, This would remove the roads shoreline conflict with the Rowing Club and Planet Ocean, and allow for buses and trams to bring spectators to the basin's opposite shore for major events. Zh COMMERCIAL MARINE SERVICES Marine Stadium area provides for a variety of commercial services that enhance the public's access to and use of the waterfront. The accompanying graphic, Marine Stadium Development Concept, provides scfi&Ea—t1iF---r�-e­commendat ions for the future use and organization of this vital area. These include: &) Reorganization of the boat storage area to: a) condense this area by converting the surface storage of boats (Marine Stadium Enterprises) to more efficient rack storage. b> utilize the easterly portion of area now in surface boat storage (adjacent to stadium entrance drive) for parking to serve Marine Stadium and relocated food service (see below), o> relocate present restaurant from the center of the parking lot to the indented shoreline west of Marine Stadium (leasehold expan- sion) Add floating docks (that could be moved for NU racing events) for the relocated restaurant. Added 6m parking adjacent to the NN stadium will serve the ~~ restaurant. to � NN d> move boat ramp westerly edge or indented area. e) prov�de direct vehicular � |� access from the stadium ~^ entrance area to the relocated boat ramp and h� Rusty Pelicao/Rormtioo 0N reotauranto, f> move the 8oratio'a/Ruoty 0U Pelican entrance drive — easterly twenty five feet to allow for landscaping and � reduced pedestrian conflicts � in front of 8nratio`s. A moire efficient organization ofthe marine service area is needed. 0 0 ...- awArlaw Illll /7' too MARINE STADIUM DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT' ® LANDSCAPING mmmmw PARKING - BOAT STORAGE AND SERVICE MARINE RECREATIONAL -CLUBS - MARINE RECREATIONAL -COMMERCIAL - MARINE EXPOSITION VIRGINIA KEY M A S T E R P L A N a 1 R 0 I 0 g) provide landscaping of basin shoreline along entrance drive and parking lot for the Rusty Pelican restaurant. h) limit additional restaurant facilities from the area that would utilize boat service parking or restrict the space or functioning of boat storage, maintenance, and service activities. Restaurants should locate next to water's edge — not causeway. B) Expansion of food service facilities along the basin shoreline easterly of the stadium toward the Miami Rowing Club. Within the stadium area there is demand for a greater variety of food services, particularly lower cost fare. Such facilities should not be located along the Rickenbacker Causeway frontage. The aforementioned principles of use and treatment argue against "strip. highway commercial" as inconsistant with the islands public park character. The temptation to "take advantage" of considerable traffic and a roadside exposure on the causeway would not enhance the public's "access to and use of the waterfront", a basic rationale for service commercial uses. The appropriate location would be to set them back fifty feet from the basin edge with a public landscaped walk and viewing lawn along the water, connecting a segi.ience of food services to the stadium. Spacing of structures would have to allow for required views through to the water (County Shoreline Ordinance). Parking during non-event times would be plentiful with direct pedestrian access to the commercial uses from the parking lot, and during marine racing events the food service areas can become an extension of event seating and concessions. 36 w 3) MARINE CLUB ACTIVITIES It is consistent with the objectives and principles of this plan to encourage marine recreational clubs on Virginia Key that add a dimension to recreational activities which local government cannot proviva. It is, as recommended above for sports/athletic club activities, important that in granting the privilege to conduct "members -only" activities, that "out -reach" programs be required as a part of rIu» lease agreements. Specifically, education, training' and competitions open to the general public must be booted by the private club, Programs to serve especially the underprivileged, handicapped, and youth that have no eceeaa to these activities are expected. The plan recommends that future leases that may he granted by the commission he cooCiucu to the area in the southeastern corner of the basin as indicated on the Proposed Land Use d also the Marine - Stadium, Development _Concept gr_apRi�ccs. This particular 16-cation is the only remaining uncommitted site on the basin that is not constrained by mangrove tidal marsh and affords enough area for adequate parking. Access should be from the existing treatment plant access road. The service drive along ------ the waters edge should be removed. The basin's s�corner could atcomodate D U � � � L Shrimpers Lagoon is ideal for anadulcbo^ concession. A marina lease on the lagoon would require 4) &0A�KKNA SERVICES New marina services should not encroach on Marine Stadium paruinw facilities or support areas. In addition to tboot: provided wuaC of the Marine Stadium area, additional boating services are recommended near Norris cot on the opposite aide of the island. For twenty three years, a small informal marina has existed in "Shrimpers Lagoon", operated by a past tenant or the former port of Miami. The potential exists to formalize and expand the services Co fishermen - commercial, charter anti sport - with bait and tackle, food and cruising supplies, and possible small boat rack storage. & sport fishing cIvh could complement the marina and again provide special recreation services to the elderly, youth and disadvantaged in the city. & strategic benefit of this concession would he the lease (and practical) requirement that the channel access to the lagoon be kept open with maintenance ureuging. This channel is not in txc Biscayne Pay Aquatic Preserve, and such urrugi^g has been permitted for this location -Jn the past. *it hnvt, cnu/",,nt dredging, the entire lagoon will fill with oaxu anu a recomm,ndeu recreation area for paduzeboat concessions to serve b=aoh viuLtor: would be lost. A second boating facility is recommended in conjunction with a potential lodging/hospitality center proposed for the Norris Cut point. maintaining = open channel. y_�.�- . 38 This facility would serve only as a boat landing for shallow draft boats ( 4 to 6 foot water depth) visiting or provided by the lodging. This segment of shoreline is not in the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve, but only a floating dock is recommended. COMMERCIAL Plan proposals for commercial development of the island have been incorporated into the preceding sections describing open apace, marine recreation and marine sernicea. Commercial uses on the island are, as stated in plan policy, only to serve and amplify recreational objectives and have been presented in that liQht. it is, however, recognized that on a 1000+ acre island, certain opportunities exist to a000modate private commercial projects that are not strictly necessary to expand recreational uses, but are compatible with public recreation activities. Specifically, they offer an attractive source of lease revenues that could fund significant and costly public infrastructure needs on the island at o time when public funds are exceedingly scarce. Such rationale is easily distorted to justify a host of development "schemes" to create revenue for the City but which also threaten the natural scenic and public recreational character of this unique island. While guarding against this common temptation, careful consideration was given to commercial uses that would "fit". 39 � NORRIS CUT DEVELOPMENT One such opportunity deemed appropriate in the overall context of the plan is a lodging facility to hoot visitors drawn to the recreational amenities of the island. Situated on the Norris out point, and exposed to the Atlantic Ocean, Fisher Island and the Miami and Miami Beach skylines, a site for development or such facilities is shown on the Proposed Land Use graphic. It complements well the proposed use of the adjacent lands for a variety of athletic training and sports facilities. Approximately forty acres in area and including almost 3000 lineal feet of waterfront, the site would requi-re strict development standards to assure a design compatible with the islands recreational activities. Lodging for island visitors is well suited to Norris Cut point. � � 1 U I Specifically, the following development standards are recommended: 1) Overall height limited to 50 feet above flood criteria to preclude buildings from intruding on views from public park areas. 2) All beaches to be open to the public during normal City park hours. 3) All existing mangroves maintained and a new dune system and ecology established. 4) Waterfront setbacks and view corridors in compliance with the County Shoreline Development Ordinance. 5) An architectural image evocative of a Caribbean or "island" vernacular. 6) Support facilities such as restaurant and meeting space and incidental retail services are confined to not more than fifteen percent of lodging floor space. 7) No bulkheads MARINE EXPOSITION PLANET OCEAN Planet Ocean remains an exposition center that has potential for incorporating educational facilities as an extension of the University of Miami and/or the Dade County public school system. This plan does not make any policy recommendations for the facility except that future exposition use should be promoted in conjunction with Marine Stadium and Seaquarium activities. A joint management/promotion program should consider as well a joint parking use arrangement. Planet Ocean needs functional and promotional linkage to Marine Stadium and the Seaquarium. r 40 U I Specifically, the following development standards are recommended: 1) Overall height limited to 50 feet above flood criteria to preclude buildings from intruding on views from public park areas. 2) All beaches to be open to the public during normal City park hours. 3) All existing mangroves maintained and a new dune system and ecology established. 4) Waterfront setbacks and view corridors in compliance with the County Shoreline Development Ordinance. 5) An architectural image evocative of a Caribbean or "island" vernacular. 6) Support facilities such as restaurant and meeting space and incidental retail services are confined to not more than fifteen percent of lodging floor space. 7) No bulkheads MARINE EXPOSITION PLANET OCEAN Planet Ocean remains an exposition center that has potential for incorporating educational facilities as an extension of the University of Miami and/or the Dade County public school system. This plan does not make any policy recommendations for the facility except that future exposition use should be promoted in conjunction with Marine Stadium and Seaquarium activities. A joint management/promotion program should consider as well a joint parking use arrangement. Planet Ocean needs functional and promotional linkage to Marine Stadium and the Seaquarium. r 40 SEAQUARIU&0 Privately owned, outside the City's corporate limits, and on land leased from Dade County, this plan recommends only that future management and promotion of the Seaquarivm nbvuId be coordinated with the Marine Stadium. Joint parking use agreements between the two facilities would be an integral part of such coordination. MARINE RESEARCH PARK Dade County has set aside the area adjacent to Bear Cut as a marine research park for development of facilities by governmental and educational institutions. Adequate space exists for anticipated future expansion of these activities and growth should he confined to this area. Access should remain limited to aickenuacxer Causeway. ENVIRONMENTAL INTERPRETIVE CENTER Virginia Key possesses one of giscayoe 8ay'a most diverse natural environments in the tidal flats and mangrove marshes forming its northern shore. It is a habitat for hundreds of species of fish, marine invertebrate, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, and plants; dozens of which are on rare or endangered ' species lists. ���,~~� ^ . This pIoo recommends that the spoil banks on the northern perimeter of the Marine Stadium basin be reserved as a potential laboratory for environmental education. In an urban setting, it would be without parallel. Surrounded by fragile mangrove and tidal areas and an active migratory bird nesting site, it is unsuitable for active recreation use. As shown on the Environmentalaccompanying graphic, Preservation and Institutional t, limited shelter Spoil fill areas north of the basin offer access to rich natural habitats. D u a � u 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 . . . . . . . . . . . COVERED T �A MCA EVERT -SPECTATOR pilll /7 im I ENVIRONNENTAL PRESERVATION AND INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT S P- J# VIRGINIA KEY M A S T E R P L A N m facilities, exhibit, and meeting room space for an environmental education and interpretive center would be appropriate. Boardwalks and canoe trails could extend the centers reach for field studies. In combination with the more formal facilities planned for Key Biscayne by a coalition of South Florida environmental groups, this site would provide study habitats unavailable on Key Biscayne. Access to the site would be limited to special study groups under the auspices of the Environmental Center. The spoil fill area is developable for a limited environmental study center. MANGROVE PRESERVE The area shown on the Proposed Land Use graphic as Mangrove Preserve should remain in a natural state, undeveloped, with public access restricted to those associated with the proposed environmental interpretive center. Areas are also shown along the northern basin shoreline, on the off shore spoil islands, and along the channel to "Shrimpers Lagoon" where mangrove planting can be done as mitigation measures for development impacts elsewhere on the island. All mangrove areas on the plan should be designated environmental preservation districts under provisions of the zoning code. Tidal flats and mangrove preserve. 42 1100000001 I�I SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT HELISTOP The Dade County Water and Sewer To accomodate needed emergency , Authority Central Waste Water evacuation service, a helistop (not a Treatment Facility on Virginia Key port terminal) for helicopter will expand its capacity for sewage landings should be provided adjacent treatment within the current site to Rickenbacker Causeway near the boundaries. As a part of the plant's beach access road intersection. This continuing facilities improvements, location assures best emergency the covering and chemical scrubbing vehicle access from all points on the of primary point source odor island. Development of this facility emmissions should be programmed to be should be coordinated with the completed by 1991. regional helistop network to be developed by Miami International Removal of the plant storage area Airport. along the eastern site boundary (not on WASA property) should be completed by 1988. The currently heavy truck traffic serving the plant (80+ trucks per day) is expected to grow. To WATER TAXI minimize impacts on park users and vehicular traffic to beach park If private or public water taxi areas, it is recommended that a truck service were to become a reality, access road be built by WASA from the several locations are attractive plant site's southwestern corner, stops: the marina adjacent to the along the western edge of the old land fill site, to the current access Rusty Pelican restaurant, the road (see Proposed Land Use map). proposed docks and restaurant This would place truck traffic west facility proposed just west of Marine of and out of contact with the Stadium, the Seaquarium/Rosenstiel proposed intersections leading to School, and the Norris Cut proposed public beach recreation areas. The lodge and boat landing. Accomodating such service is appropriate and current park toll gate booth just encouraged by this plan. east of Rickenbacker Causeway should be relocated east of the proposed truck access road. The proposed median -divided beach access road should provide an eastbound left turn storage lane to the new truck access road. 43 r DEVELOPMENT The following is a breakdown of the areas for development under the PROGRAM Unified Development Project Process as defined by the City Charter and Code. The City of Miami can not and should not be the prime developer for accomplishing most of the development PUBLIC / PRIVATE recommendations herein. The primary JOINT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM means for achieving the majority of the plan concepts should be through a joint public/private partnership as provided Priority Location Use Action for in the City's Unified Development Program (UDP) code. The accompanying I Former county park Active Recreation 9FP!UDP graphic, Development Program, portrays recreation area the implementation program recommended, 2 Spoil bank north of the racing basin Environ.ental RFP Interpretive center the majority of which consists of UDP's. With this plan as the conceptual guide, 3 Shrimpers Lagoon (south shoreline) Recreation Concession qFP for ts/ vendor (paddle boats! the city should prepare requests for windsurfer) proposals (RFP's) that would be issued 4 Marine Stadium Marine Events RFP/UDP to solicit private sector offers for a Grandstands & basin particular proposed development. A nentmanagement improve - public selection process would result in the City Commission choosing the most 5 Boat ramp west of Marine Stadium Restaurant/boat docks RFP/UDP responsive proposal for contractual 6 Southeast end of Marine recreation/ RFP/UEF negotiations leading to a formal lease racing basin sports club faci- agreement and development of the desired lities activity. 7 Shrimpers Lagoon marina/Retail marine RFP/UDP (west shoreline) Services -Fishing Supplies 8 Marine Stadium S.E. basin shore Restaurant Services RFP/UDP 9 Norris Cut Point Lodging/Sports RFP/UDP dredge fill area Recreation/Services H I 44 a Additional implementation actions recommended include: 1) Lease Expansion - To achieve a more efficient and proper siting of uses in the Marine Stadium Enterprises lease, it is recommended that upon expiration of the current lease contract, the next lease require relocation of the restaurant and condense the boat storage area as proposed in the preceding Marine Services section. 2) Special Use Management - To the extent that public recreation and sports facilities proposed for the northern point of the island are built with public funds, it will require special use agreements with private recreation clubs for management and promotion of the facilities. 3) City Park Development - It is recommended that the existing public beach and park opened in 1986 remain as a public park managed by the City Parks Department. Parks bond issues, state and federal grants, and the Virginia Key Enterprise Fund are funding sources that should be tapped for recommended improvements and environmental enhancements. 4) W.A.S.A. Storage Relocation - The Water and Sewer Authority should be required to expedite relocation of their existing storage area outside the WASA site (east side) to a site within their property. i k k k 7 DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ACTIVE RECREATION ENVIRONMENTAL INTERPRETIVE CENTER CITY/EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS MARINE STADIUM IMPROVEMENTS PRIVATE PROGRAMMING/PROMOTION UNIFIED i~ DEVELOPMENT b."i RECREATION CONCESSION BOAT LANDING PROJECTS MARINE RECREATION/SPORTS CLUB FACILITIES - RETAIL MARINE SERVICES FISHING SUPPLIES/MARINA RESTAURANT ENTERTAINMENT EVENT SEATING RECREATION/LODGING BOAT LANDING/SERVICES LEASE RELOCATION'EXPANSION OF FOOD SERVICES EXPANSION CONSOLIDATE BOAT STORAGE/CIRCULATION CITY PARK ^ PUBLIC RECREATION/FOOD CONCESSIONS ��..s HAMMOCK/DUNE RESTORATION SPECIAL USE SPORTS TRAININGIRECREATION/CAMPING MANAGEMENT /FITNESS FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS SPECIAL USE PERMIT HELISTOP SERVICE cmRECREATION SUPPORT SERVICES VIRGINIA KEY M A S T E R pL A ff Fw_ , t ti • 1 I 11 i' I I ji DEVELOPMENT FUNDING The above described process will result in a substantial number of leaseholds returning annual lease revenues to the City. It is essential that a Virginia Key lmprovement Fund be established as a enterprise fund receiving the lease and concession revenues. The lease revenues, shown on the map Development Funding, together with user fees and concession revenues provide the basis for revenue bond funding of: 1) PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE a) A rebuilt, widened and realigned access road from Rickenbaeker Causeway to the Norris Cut point; b) Extension of sewer and water facilities from the causeway to Norris Cut point; c) Improved public parking facilities for recreation facilities; d) A rebuilt and realigned access road along the stadium basin north shore; 2) ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT a) Hammock and dune restoration b) beach renourishment c) Mangrove planting d) Removal of exotic plant species and replacement landscaping . The enterprise fund also finances: 1) Recreation programs for public parks, including staff; 2) Maintenance of public facilities, utilities and lands; 3) Education programs and facilities including the Environmental Interpretive Center (with funding assistance from educational and institutional and private environmental groups.) 46 I C N DEVELOPMENT FUNDING PRIVATE INVESTMENT 1� 16 CITY LEASE REVENUES VIRGINIA KEY IMPROVEMENT $ FUND $ INSTITUTIONAL F-PUBLIC FACILITIES/PROGRAMS I ROADS, UTILITIES, PARKING, MAINTENANCE ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENTIMITIOATION RECREATION FACILITIESIPROGRAMS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS 4---- VIRGINIA ICE' M A S T E R S.'" �.�