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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Christine Rupp-Proposed Resolution LetterSuWi December 6, 2022. Rev 2-20-23 for Commission Hearing recern(s) onity Clerk Proposed Resolution to City of Miami HEP and PZAB Boards The idea of a boat ramp at Miami Marine Stadium has been the subject of many years of public scrutiny and discussion. On November 27, 2018, this issue came before the Virginia Key Advisory Board and resulted in a Resolution (see Ex "A") suggesting the City to pause planning and construction of the boat ramp until "plans for the renovation of the Marine Stadium and the development of the Flex Space are finalized and that a study shows the operation of a boat launch is feasible with the Marine Stadium and the Flex Space fully operational". On June 22, 2021 this Board unanimously adopted another Resolution (see Ex "B" ) asking the City to properly bring the boat ramp issue to its HEP Board which had previously given administrative approval without discussion by its board members and "pause any consideration or approval of a boat ramp in or adjacent to the Miami Marine Stadium until the plans for the Miami Marine Stadium and Flex Space have been finalized and approved" . It included a memo with reasons why a boat ramp in this location was ill-advised. Those issues and conditions have been ignored and still exist, and for that reason, we propose a new Resolution be addressed to the City of Miami HEP and PZAB Boards; to reject the boat ramp and related parking located at the Miami Marine Stadium for the following reasons: 1. A $1.25m Find Grant should not determine the future of a $100m project ($45m stadium renovation + $50m +/- flex park) 2. The success of the historic Miami Marine Stadium venue should take precedent over any other use. It's economic viability and survival should be the primary focus and any other use should not be considered until the stadium is renovated and operator's input considered. 3. A boat ramp blocksthe proposed Baywalk, which was a city requirement for the Marina RFP and key component of the Virginia Key master plan. The Baywalk was to "create a pedestrian walkway that will connect and facilitate waterfront access from the Rusty Pelican to the western tip of the Bill Sadowski Preserve." The inter connectivity between the stadium and restaurants are key to the stadium's survival. 4. A boat ramp in this location is not envisioned in the adopted Virginia Key Master Plan. Further the focus of the adopted master plan calls for sustainability and green alternatives for parking and Virginia Key. Specifically, the MP says to encourage "use of biking and pedestrian friendly circulation through extensive island wide trails" This plan is does the opposite. 5. A boat ramp here is in direct conflict with the HEP Boards CDA (Certificate of Appropriateness) for the stadium.. 6. A boat ramp and parking changes the core use of the flex- park and stadium. The economic viability of a boat ramp has not been studied. 7. The inherently inefficient parking layout for vehicles and trailers uses approximately 10 acres of land and permanently monopolizes nearly 25% of the site. it greatly reduces the size of the flex park and provides minimal parking for park- goers, staff, and events. It's inefficient design and turning radius will impedes the design of a future park. 8. The impact of the boat show relocation to Miami Beach has never been studied by the park designer, Civitas. The park should be reimagined first. 9. Conflict between boaters, event attendees and park goers has not been vetted. � 3as�.CJNAUS�,�:c '911bmitted into the p lic 1'CCnrq for it . (s) City"Clerk 10. A boat ramp and related boats and trailers denigrates the importance of historic venue and architecture. An insult to one of our most influential Cuban architects; Hilario Candela who has been a vehement champion of the stadium and community wishes. Mr. Candela did not support a boat ramp at the Miami marine stadium. 11. Boat ramp chaos, trash and traffic cutting across this historic venue and entrance is inappropriate. 12. Vehicles and trailers create a hazardous left-hand turn into the marine stadium for oncoming bicyclist, pedestrian, and automobile traffic. A traffic study should be commissioned. Just recently, bicyclist hit by car and critically injured Feb 2, 2023 and 3 jet ski deaths in last year including professional soccer player Anton WaIkes on January 191h, 2023. 13. A public boat ramp is not an "allied purpose" envisioned in the 1962 single -purpose Deed. 14. Impact to Key Biscayne residents has not been studied. 15. Impact from increased motorized traffic to wildlife, seagrasses and rowers and other passive users has not been studied. 16. On March 26, 2021, The HER Board (Vicky Toranzo) gave administrative approval for the boat ramp without consideratio n or discussion by the Board itself. How did this occur at one of the most historically significant properties in the City of Miami? 17. City staff is representing the boat ramp is a historic component to the Marine Stadium by inferring the permit is for the "reconstruction" or renovation to an "existing" boat ramp. The City has been unable to produce a single legal building permit or any other proof to show a legal boat ramp ever existed at this site. The original Miami Marine Stadium building plans do not show a boat ramp anywhere on the property. Therefore, the boat ramp, which sits in a non -historically designated folio, is not eligible to apply for an exception under historic structures. By doing so, the City is skirting scrutiny by environmental, traffic and other regulatory approvals. 18. A boat ramp in this location forever blocks the public from enjoying historic view corridor of downtown Miami. This water view is only available to the public from the Causeway, Rusty Pelican, or this venue. It should not be for the sole benefit of 70 boaters. it should be for the entire community. 19. The plan as submitted for permit has parking and driveways which encroach on the historic boundaries of the stadium, The plans are deceiving; the parking plan has not been overlaid onto the site plan so that the impact to the stadium property can be assessed. 20. The basin itself is historically designated and the introduction of boat traffic and safety has not been studied. 21. The ramp was planned without consultation with its historic architect, financial consultants (who are performing an economic analysis for the City) or other experts. Operator should weigh in on impact. 22. The project exceeds a 50% improvement but does not provide parking, civil and landscape improvements per code. There is no drainage, lighting or restrooms facilities planned. 23. There are no controls other than striping to prevent the entire site from becoming unlimited trailer parking. 24. Due to public input the parking layout is to be revised. That has not occurred or been vetted by any department. Submitted into the public i record for ite {} 25. The City's HEPB has not approved this project. on City Clerk 26. district 2 Commissioner race undecided. However, all those running for this seat who answered Miami Herald questionnaire was in favor of the Stadium restoration. Future commissioner should weigh in on this issue. 27. Boating traffic and safety enforcement has not been properly planned by any governmental agency. 28. The contingent Waterfront Advisory Board resolution (WAB 2010-01) dated July 30, 2010 attached to approval of the Consensus Master Plan, indicated a boat ramp would not be constructed on Virginia Key, but interested parties would "continue to find another location". For these and other reasons, the city should abandon a boat ramp at the historic Miami Marine Stadium.