HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1979-03-08 Minutesr•.
CITY OF MIAMI,
DI STR t M UTED :
COMMISSION
MINUTES
OF MEETING HELD ON MARCH 8. 1979
CONTINUATION OF THE MEETING OF MARCH 8, 1979
(PLANNING AND ZONING)
PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERIC
CITY HALL
RALPH G. ONGIE
CITY CLERK
ci4
ITEM NO,
SIEJECT
itiOLUTION
NANCE Oil MO
PAGE NO.
1
2 (A)
2(8)
2 (C)
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
13
14
15.(A)
DISCUSSION AND WITHDRAWAL OF APPLICATION FOR CHANGE
OF ZONING AND VARIANCE: 3480 MAIN HIGHWAY
FIRST READING ORDINANCE: AMEND ORD. 6871, ART. XXVI,
SEC. 2, PARA.43 - "SPECIAL YARD DISTRICTS"
FIRST READING ORDINANCE:CHANGE ZONING AREA BETWEEN
So. BAYSHORE DR. AND ALLEY BETWEEN So. BAYSHORE DR.
AND MICANOPY AVE. FROM ALATKA ST. TO S.W. 17; AND
BET. So. BAYSHORE & TIGERTAIL AVE., FROM S.W. 17
AVE. TO AVIATION AVE. FROM R-1 TO R-1B
FIRST READING ORDINANCE: APPLY COCONUT GROVE
OVERLAY DISTRICT SPD-2 ON AREA MORE SPECIFICALLY
DESCRIBED IN 2(B), ABOVE
INSTRUCT PLANNING DEPT. TO INITIATE PUBLIC HEARINGS
ON EXTENSION OF SPECIAL YARD DISTRICTS - SOUTH
BAYSHORE DRIVE
DENIAL OF APPLICATION FOR PUN DEVELOPMENT AT
1641 SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE
(A) ESTABLISH TRANSIT STATION INTERIM ZONING DISTRICT
(8) FIRST READING ORD: APPLICATION OF TRANSIT
STATION INTERIM ZONING DISTRICTS TO CERTAIN
AREAS SURROUNDING TRANSIT STATION SITES
DENIAL OF APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF ZONING:
1616-36 BRICKELL ABENUE FROM R-1 TO R-3A
INSTRUCT PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO INITIATE ZONING
STUDY WEST SIDE OF BRICKELL AVENUE
GRANT ONE-YEAR EXTENSION FOR OPENING IN WALL -
CENTRAL SHOPPING PLAZA
DEFER CONSIDERATION PROPOSED AMENDMENT SECTION
62-20 OF THE CITY CODE TO EXTEND TERM OF OFFICE
OF MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING ADVISORY AND ZONING
BOARDS
DEFERRAL OF CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR VACATION
AND CLOSE OF N.W. 7TH CT. BETWEEN RIGHT-OF-WAY
LINE N.W. 15TH ST. AND N. RIGHT -OF-WAY LINE E/W
EXPRESSWAY "BOAN SUB"
APPOINTING MEMBERS TO THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD
DEFERRAL OF CONSIDERATION OF CONTINUED CONDITIONAL
USE FOR OFF STREET PARKING LOCATED AT 1570 N.W.
26 AVENUE
DENIAL OF APPLICATION FOR A VARIANCE OF REAR YARD
SETBACK 2722 N.W. 5TH STREET
AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 6871, ARTICLE IV, SECTION 11.1-
"PRIVATE ROADS"
FIRST READING ORDINANCE: CHANGE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION 183-185 N.E. 80TH TERRACE FROM
C-2 TO PR.
DISCUSSION
FIRST READING
FIRST READING
FIRST READING
M-79-179
M-79-180
FIRST READING
FIRST READING
M-79-181
M-79-182
M-79-183A
M-79-183B
DISCUSSION
R4-79-184
M-79-185
M-79-186
DISCUSSION
FIRST READING
1-3
3-19
3-19
4-19
20
20-30
30-32
32-45
45-47
47-49
49-51
51-53
53-54
54-59
59-61
62
62-63
Page 02
27
18
19
20
20.1
11E/4 NI
SUBJECT
itilOLUTION
INANCE OR
RO.
PAGE NO.
15(B) PERMIT CONSTRUCTION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AT:
183-185 N.E. 80TH TERRACE
16 VACATE AND CLOSE ALLEY E/W ABUT OTHER PROPERTY LINE
OF TRACT A -TENTATIVE PLAT 1024 "HICKMAN PARK"
ACCEPT PLAT: "L'HERMITAGE"
ACCEPT PLAT: "DOUGLAS GROVE"
APPOINT MEMBERS TO: "PARKING LOT REVIEW BOARD"
CONSENT AGENDA
WAIVING REQUIREMENTS OF ART. V, SECTION 2-102
(CONFLICT OF INTEREST) PERMIT BERNARD L. ROBERTS
(PARK DEPARTMENT) TO PARTICIPATE IN CITY'S
REHABILITATION LOAN PROGRAM
20.2 ACCEPT BID OF GARCIA-ALLEN CONSTRUCTION CO.INC.
(BUENA VISTA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PAVING PROJECT -
PHASE III AND BUENA VISTA SANITARY SEWER
MODIFICATIONS -PHASE III BID "A"
20.3 ACCEPT BID, GOLDEN EAGLE ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS,
INC. (BUENA VISTA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PAVING
PROJECT -PHASE III AND BUENA VISTA SANITARY
SEWER MODIFICATIONS -PHASE III, BID "B"
20.4 ACCEPT BID-MIRI CONSTRUCTION INC. (BUENA VISTA
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PAVING PROJECT -PHASE III AND
BUENA VISTA SANITARY SEWER MODIFICATIONS PHASE III
BID "C"
20.5 ACCEPT BID-ROSSER ELECTRIC CO.INC. (NORTHWESTERN
HIGH SCHOOLFIELD LIGHTING)
20.6 ACCEPT COMPLETED WORK OF TAMIAMI PLANT SYSTEMS,INC.
FOR THE WYNDWOOD N.E. 2ND AVENUE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BEAUTIFICATION 1978 2ND BIDDING
20.7 ACCEPT COMPLETED WORK-WILLIAMS PAVING COMPANY,INC.-
GRAND AVENUE PARK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
21 APPROVE AMENDMENT N0.1 TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT:"MORTON,WOLFBERG, ALVAREZ, TARACIDO,
SEIGLE & FRESE, INC." NEW STRUCTURE DESIGN FOR
SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT
R-79-187
R-79-188
R-79-189
R-79-190
R-79-191
R-79-192
R-79-193
R-79-194
R-79-195
R-79-196
R-79-197
R-79-198
63-64
64
64-65
65-66
67
68
68
68
69
69
69
69
69
R-79-199 70-71
0'
o
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
On the 8th day of March 1979, the City Commission of Miami, Florida, met
at its regular meeting place in the City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive,
Miami, Florida in regular session.
The meeting was called to order at 8:37 PM, by Mayor Maurice Ferre with the
following members of the Commission found to be present:
Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore R. Gibson
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Vice Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
ALSO PRESENT WERE:
Joseph R. Grassie, City Manager
R. L. Fosmoen, Assistant City Manager
George F. Knox, City Attorney
Ralph G. Ongie, City Clerk
Matty Hirai, Assistant City Clerk
1. Discussion and WITHDRAWAL OF APPLICATION for change of
zoning and variance: 3480 Main Highway.
Mayor Ferre: Ladies and gentlemen, there is a problem of communication around
here. Somebody came and told me take up 4 and 5 because they are going to be
deferred anyway. Why didn't you tell me 9
(RESPONSE MADE OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mayor Ferre: Well, I'll tell you, I'm going to go to the hearing doctor
tomorrow because I did not hear that. Now, there is a motion to defer 4 and
5 by whom?
Mr. Bob Davis: No, sir, if I may explain, Mr. Zelman, who is the attorney for
Mr. Morello, the Applicant, gave me a letter this afternoon asking to with-
draw item No. 5 because he has no more need for it. Now, he also asked me
verbally that for the meeting tonight he wishes to ask for deferral on item
No. 4.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Grassie, I would like to tell you, sir, that you did not
say that to me. What you told me was item 5 has been withdrawn and....
(COMMENT MADE OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mayor Ferre: What?...(PAUSE) Didn't you tell me that item 4 was the one where
the majority of the people wanted to hear?...You didn't tell me that had been
deferred. Does anybody have any objection to item 4 being deferred?
(AUDIBLE OBJECTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE)
Mayor Ferre: Does that give you an answer?
Mr. Davis: Mr. Zelman also informed me that he wished to withdraw if you could
not grant him the deferral.
Mayor Ferre: He is going to withdraw 4 and 5?
Mr. Davis: This is what he referred to me, Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Ferre: Go ahead.
ah 01
MARCH 8, 1979
Richard Zelman, Esq.: Mr. Mayor, at the request of my client, I've already
withdrawn item 5 as the applicant in item 5 and the City's Zoning Department
have reached an accommodation which would make item 5 virtually a waste of
everyone's time. On item 4, my client has asked me to request of this Com-
mission for a deferral and he has instructed me that if I am unable to obtain
a deferral, to withdraw the application. I would like to address the issue
of withdrawal if you think it would be appropriate. If you think it would be
a waste of time then I won't.
Mayor Ferre: Well, I cannot speak for the rest of this Commission. So, we'll
have to wait. I would imagine -and this is just a guess on my part- that the
majority of this Commission is not going to defer this item. Now, Mr. Manager...
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Mr. Mayor, could you possibly explain to us what the
agreement was with regards to No. 5?
Mayor Ferre: You are asking me?
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Well, I would appreciate it from someone if we could
get this information.
Mr. Davis: If I may read the letter, Mr. Mayor, I will give you a copy and you
may read it over my shoulder while I'm reading it here.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: All right.
Mr. Davis:
"Dear Mr. Davis: Please be advised that the City of Miami
Building & Zoning Department, and Francisco Morello, owner
of the Barnacle Square Project, have entered into a covenant
running with the land with regards to the off-street parking
requirement for the above -referenced project. Further, this
covenant at least 48 off-street parking spaces have been
executed and recorded in the public records of Dade County
Florida. I have been advised by Laura Butler, of the Enforce-
ment Section of the City of Miami Building & Zoning Department,
that the above -referenced lease/covenant are satisfactory to
the City, that the off-street parking requirements for the
Barnacle Square Project have been fulfilled in a manner suf-
ficient for the City to issue a Certificate of Occupancy for
the property.
Therefore, because the owner and the City have resolved this
issue to everyone's satisfaction, the owner wishes to withdraw
his application for a variance from the off-street parking re-
quirements, which such application, I understand, was scheduled
to be heard on appeal by the City Commission this evening.
I'm sorry to notify you of this withdrawal at such a late
date but I was only able to verify the position of the Zoning
Enforcement Division this morning with regards to the above.
Thank you for your attention and your cooperation."
In other words, what he is stating is that the variance has been determined
by the Building & Zoning Department as no longer required for the Barnacle
Square Project. This is in the covenant, I have not seen the covenant,
perhaps...
Ms. Joanne Holzhauser: Would it not have been necessary for that covenant
running with the land to have come before the Zoning Board in ordinary Board..?
Mr. Davis: No, Ma'am, that's a matter of....the issuance of permits is not
required to go into a public hearing for any covenant.
Ms. Holzhauser: When he got whatever it was for Serendepity it was not neces-
sary to introduce this.
Ms. Davis: Whatever is satisfactory with the zoning division to issue a permit,
they can issue a permit. It does not have to go into public hearing.
Mayor Ferre: All right, are there any further questions?
Ms. Holzhauser: It just seems rather harsh that this something that we, in
the Grove, have been concerned about for a year now, these 48 confounded
parking spaces and I still say -why couldn't someone tell us some of us about
this? Here is a guy that has property there, did you know about it, sir?
mh 32
MARCH 8, 1979
(RESPONSE MADE OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Ms. Holzhauser: This is what I mean, and he has got a place there.
Mr. Davis: All I will state is that this is certainly a matter of public
record with the Building Department.
(UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER): Mayor Ferre.
Mayor Ferre: You have to get up, go to the microphone, put your name into
the record and make your statement.
Mr. Neil Lowe: My name is name is Neil Lowe and I am the owner of the Main
Lobster Restaurant in Barnacle Square. And I appreciate your concern as
many of the citizens of the Coconut Grove area have of this matter, and I
would like to know myself as owner of a Restaurant, here in Coconut Grove
and supposed to have been provided parking spaces for my customers and other
people who own shops in the Barnacle Square area, exactly -of course I under-
stand that papers could be made out so that certain legalities of permits can
be attained- but I'd like to know physically where are the parking spaces?
Can my customers park there? The customers of the Serendipity Restaurant,
can they park there?
Mayor Ferre: Sir, let me interrupt you because I have been informed that we
don't have a forum here, obviously, and everything that is going on is completely
illegal because we don't have...this is not valid testimony before this Commission.
Now, let me tell you that all that we can do now is...where is the attorney?..
I just...I'm talking about the attorney that was standing right here a moment
ago. Oh, there you are! Now, the consensus of the Commission as I understand
this is that we are not going to postpone this issue. Now, you have been of-
ficially told. Now, you withdraw 5, what's your will on item 4?
Mr. Zelman: Then I would, under instructions of the applicant of item 4, I
hereby wish to withdraw it from this evening's agenda.
Mayor Ferre: In other words, items 4 and 5 have been withdrawn. All right, sir,
thank you.
Mr. Zelman: Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Now, ladies and gentlemen, those of you who are here on items 4
and 5 can now go home because they have been withdrawn.
WHEREUPON the City City Commission went into
a brief recess, reconvening shortly thereafter
with all members of the Commission found to be
present.
2(A). FIRST READING ORDINANCE: Amend Ord. 6871, Art. XXVI,
Sec.2, Para.43 - "SPECIAL YARD DISTRICTS;"
a n d
2(B). FIRST READING ORDINANCE: Change zoning area between So.
Bayshore Dr. and alley between So. Bayshore Dr. and Mica-
nopy Ave. from Alatka St. to SW 17; and bet. So.Bayshore
6 Tigertail Ave., from SW 17 Ave. to Aviation Ave., -
FROM R-1 TO R-1B•
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a n d
03
MARCH 8, 1979
2(C). FIRST READING ORDINANE:. APPLY COCONUT GROVE
OVERLAY DISTRICT SPD-2 on area more specifically
described in 2(B), above.
Mayor Ferre: Ladies and gentlemen, we now go back to the regular Planning
and Zoning agenda and the first item to come before us is 1, we'll take 9
with because it is a corollary issue, is that correct Mr. Davis?
Mr. Davis: Well, in the same area I wouldn't exactly call it a corollary.
Mayor Ferre: All right. So, we'll take up item No. 1, a first reading ordi-
nance, and then item B, and lastly item C. The Planning Advisory Board re-
commended this 6 to 0. There was six objectors by mail, there were 11 ob-
jectors present at the PAB, seven replies in favor by mail and one proponent
at the PAB. All right.
Mr. Davis: This was referred by the Commission to the Planning Advisory Board
for study as the result of the hearings that had gone on of Bayshore Drive.
The Planning Department subsequently brought this before the Planning Depart-
ment -the Planning Advisory Board- with the results that you see and we'll
make the presentation now.
Mr. Richard Whipple: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission,Richard Whipple,
Planning Department. Approximately in June or July of this last year in con-
junction with a proposal for a replat on South Bayshore Drive entitled
"Bayview Sub", the Commission approved the plat for 7 new lots on So. Bayshore
Drive on one of the larger estate lots. You approved this Plat based upon the
determination that it was your authority to approve the ministerial functions
of replatting pursuant to the laws of Florida as they are today. And you did
so. However, in doing this, you requested the Planning Department to conduct
a study and we've translated your request to preserve the character itself
of Bayshore Dr. including visual ammenities, natural features -such as trees,
rock outcropping, ridge lines and potential adjustment of permitted residential
densities in light of future development.
Pursuant to your request, we did do an extensive study, we defined the
roadway area, particularly the zone's strip width of Bayshore Drive, we examined
-if not physically- at least areal photograph -wise, all the setbacks of the
structures that existed in the area. We defined the ridge lines, we defined the
rock outcroppings, and we defined the natural features -particularly in Ugh':
of the significant trees that we felt should be under consideration for prc
servation in some kind of future legislation. As a result of this, and with
the Planning Advisory Board's recommendation, we submit to you this evening
three proposals. The first proposal is one that deals with the special Yard
District, which was under extensive discussion by this Board in conjunction
with the Bayview Plat. The existing special Yard District No.43 sets forth
that all properties along So. Bayshore Drive on the northwesterly side, if you
will, or the imminent side of Bayshore Drive should provide an average align-
ment setback that average alignment to be bayfront properties and the existing
structures within 200 feet of the northeast and to the southwest of the pro-
perty under consideration. As we mentioned to you at that time we felt that
the average alignment provision was not applicable. We felt that it denied a
reasonable use of property on many properties on south Bayshore Dr. because
of the varying setbacks that exist and the economic conditions that are forcing
consideration of redevelopment from the estate areas to planned developments
or developments of a planned nature.
Mr. Plummer: What about the other side of the street?
Mr. Whipple: The other side of the street does not have the special Yard
District that applies to it nor did we suggest any other consideration for
the other side of the street for a special Yard District.
Mr. Plummer: No, I'm talking about a setback.
Mr. Whipple: The setback along the bay side of Bayshore Drive has been
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04
MARCH 8, 1979
consistently that which is set forth in the ordinance of the zoning with is a
20 foot front yard.
Mr. Plummer: Are you applying to both sides of the street the same equity?
Mr. Whipple: No, sir.
Mr. Plummer: Why?
Mr. Whipple: Because it has not been that way and there are two different
conditions that are different on the bay side than there are on the in -land
side. The bayside is primarily developed except for the properties which are
currently under consideration. The park area and the everglades course are
the only properties that remain that have not any developments which is sub-
ject to current regulation, in which event, 20 feet or 15 feet..depending on
whether it's a front or a sidestreet yard.
Mr. Plummer: Doesn't it seem fair that when you impose a street width with
dedication that you would take from each side equal?
Mr. Whipple: We are not talking about the dedication of right-of-way.
Mr. Plummer: Then what are we talking about?
Mr. Whipple: We are talking about a setback from the zoned strip width, and
that zone's strip width is established by the Public Works...by ordinance, as
to where the widening of the street would occur if it were to occur. Our pro-
position before you this evening governs the setback involved on the in -land
side from that zone.strip width to the first structure of a dwelling -unit
nature.
Mr. Plummer: But it's not applied equal,..on both sides of the street.
Mr. Whipple: No, that's right. It's not, it never has been. The average
alignment provision that exists in the ordinance today only applies to the
in -land side of south Bayshore Dr. and that has been since 1961 as far as
I know. Now, what we are suggesting tonight is that rather than the average
alignment as far as setback from the base building lines, the average alignment
on the base building lines, that a uniform setback be established at 70 feet
rather than 20 feet in one area and 240 feet in another area. We thought that
was inequitable and was restrictive as to the development of these properties
on that side. That's portion one.
Portion No. 2. There was a concern...
Mayor Ferre: Do you mean (B)?
Mr. Whipple: Yes, sir. 0n (B) we suggest,..not suggest but we recommend
along with the Planning Advisory Board that rezoning occur on these proper-
ties northwesterly or in the in -land side of Bayshore Dr. from an R-1 zoning
to an R-1B. I think you've heard us discuss this type of zoning before, the
difference is that the R-1 zoning requires a minimum lot size of 6,000 sq.ft.
and the R-1B requires a minimum lot size of 10,000 sq.ft. In conjunction
with the potential redevelopment of the north side of the street -which has
been before this Commission- in the past, we feel that a reduction in density
as to the number of units a particular lot or site can accommodate either as
a Planned Development or as a re -subdivision, should be reduced. The reduction
in density would accommodate, in our opinion, the requirement for the 70 foot
front yard requirement which we were just talking about in (A).
What we are suggesting based on are research with respect to ownerships
lot sizes, frontages, is that those properties which are primarily oriented
towards south Bayshore Drive be rezoned from the R-1 to the R-1B. This will
reduce density. We think that that was perhaps part of the question or the
problem that the Commission was wrestling with with respect to the plat. They
felt that the density -you felt, I think- that the density was too high. This
will reduce the density slightly but it still provides for the redevelopment
of the large estate areas while still preserving -if you will- Coconut Grove's
-central Coconut Grove's- character.
Number three....
Mrs. Gordon: The question now is would this prevent what happened before which
was the concept of the private road and the facing on the side, and this and
that, now you know, that was the problem and that's what is bringing about
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05
MARCH 8, 1979
tonight's action.
Mr. Whipple: All right, let me backtrack just a moment then. Let's go back
to part (A) which has to do with the 70 foot setback. The wording is very spe-
cific in the revised proposal. The existing legislation uses the term "front
yard shall be" therefore plans came in and they refaced it on a private drive
so that you had a side lotline of a lot which only requires 15 feet per ordi-
nance now. When the ordinance which set a 70 foot front yard was very ambiguous
it is very difficult...we feel legally unsound. The wording before you tonight
simply says "a 70 foot yard" true, we don't care whether it is a front, side,
rear or upper yard. It's a 70 foot yard and they can have a private drive,
the can have a side lotline...whatever they want, but whatever is done has to be
70 feet of south Bayshore Dr.
Mr. Plummer: From the center line.
Mr. Whipple: No, sir, from the base building line, not the center line.
That statement made in that letter which I read earlier is incorrect.
Mayor Ferre: So the answer to Mrs. Gordon's question is 'yes', it would pre-
vent what had occurred before because of a hiatus or an ambiguity in the law.
Mr. Whipple: Yes, sir.
Mayor Ferre: All right, now we are on item C.
Mr. Whipple: Item C is recommending that you include the area for rezoning from
R1-B in the Coconut Grove overlay district SPD-2. Now, it's perhaps a little com-
plicated if you look at SPD-2 it talks about 4-story height limits and it talks
about many things...
Mayor Ferre: Would you show us on the map the areas involved?
Mr. Whipple: It's a crosshatched area, sir. The same area that's recommended
for R1-B. If I may make a long story short, what the application of this SPD-2
to this area means is that the Planning Department per the SPD-2 regulated
would have site plan approval for any development other than R-1. There are
a lot of other provisions in the SPD-2 but to look to the precise wording and
we are not trying to hide anything from anybody but the whole idea is for site
plan approval by the Planning Department. That's what the (C) item recommends.
Mayor Ferre: Now, how many of you here are opponents to what's being proposed?
Who is in opposition? (PAUSE) We have one opponent, you are the opponent.
All right, I think...let's hear from the opponent and then if there is no fur-
ther discussion we may see what the will of this Commission is. Are you an
opponent?...We have two opponents. All right, you first and then you, Ma'am.
Mr. Joel Jaffer: My name is Joel Jaffer, I live at 3268 Mary Street. I'm here
tonight representing the Bayshore Alert Committee and I perceive what's going
on as basically a threat. The question of the Plat with the 15 foot setback
is still in litigation and the point is..that the law is ambiguous is something
that the developers have forced upon the City. They say it's ambiguous and it
still is in the court, so the court could rule against them and it could not be
ambiguous.
Mrs. Gordon: Are you against tightening and making...?
Mr. Jaffer: I'm against that part (A) on the 70 foot setback.
Mrs. Gordon: Are you for a larger setback or are you for not having any change?
Mr. Jaffer: I'm for keeping it the way it is now or at least waiting until
the litigation is finished.
Mrs. Gordon: I see your point.
Mr. Jaffer: It seems to me that the Planning Department is trying to conform the
land to make the laws pretty instead of making the laws so that the land is pretty.
You know, I'm sure there is people in offices with blueprints and drawings having
these unique setbacks on every different lot is very ugly, and that they would
want to see a unique 70 foot setback just for the purpose of clear the drawings.
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MARCH 8, 1979
f4
1
Mr. Jaffer(cont'd): That really isn't helping the community and that isn't
the job of the Building b Zoning Departments, they are supposed to preserve
the land,and it seems to me that the yard districts, the way they are now,
pay more attention to the land than what they are proposing. That's my
opposition to the 70 foot setback.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor, I have a letter, I wonder whether if I can read it
into the record, from Frances Maclntyre. She is out of the City and she is in
Tallahassee and the letter reads:
"To the Honorable Maurice Ferre, Members of the City of Miami Commission:
With regard to your consideration of a special yard district on South
Bayshore Drive, I would like to point out the following facts:
1. Under the current zoning, the average front yard setbacks is 134
feet.
2. The width of the South Bayshore Scenic Corridor is based upon the
existing front yard footages ---an average of 134 feet.
3. The proposed uniform 70 foot setback for South Bayshore Drive would
cut the Scenic Corridor IN HALF!
4. The 70 foot measurement is taken from the center line of the road
which would result in front yards considerably less than 70 feet."
Dick, that's not what you said though, that's what her letter reads but I'm
asking you, the measurement is from the property line.
Mr. Whipple: That is correct, point 4 is not correctly indicated.
Mrs. Gordon: Okay.
"5. This section of South Bayshore is part of a State Historic Highway
which provides protection for 100 feet on either side of the road.
"The City of Miami is fortunate to have a scenic corridor and historic
highway in Coconut Grove. We are all aware of its historic, geological
and aesthetic qualities. It must not be allowed to become a sterile and
ugly concrete corridor like US 1.
"I urge you to continue your protection of this irreplaceable asset by
maintaining the Special Yard District zoning and strenthening it so that
there can be no more exemptions from the law such as occurred with 'Bayview
Sub.'
"If this is not possible, you must then establish a minimum 100 foot setback
if there is to be any hope of preserving this unique feature of our commu-
nity for the future. Sincerely, Frances S. Maclntyre."
And I give this to the Clerk, for their records.
Mayor Ferre: All right, let's now hear from the other lady who is an opponent.
Ms. Nita Merritt: My name is Nita Merritt, 2467 South Bayshore Drive. I am
also opposed to the 70 foot setback. I live on Bayshore Drive between Long-
view and Bayview. My home is 250 feet from South Bayshore Drive. When we
built our home we conformed with the regulations of not building in front of
the houses on 200 feet on either side of us. I would urge the Commission, as
Mrs. Maclntyre did, to make the setback much more than 70 feet to preserve the
character of the Grove. If one person with one replat that is being currently
challenged in court that has caused this uproar, that has caused this change
from 70 feet up to 250 feet. Imagine what this is going to do all along Bay -
shore. What you are doing in essence, if you remember a year ago or a year and
a half ago, we were here fighting the Longview development. They wanted to go
down to Bayview and Arthur Patton spoke on our behalf and said: "You cannot dis-
regard this Yard District," and the Commission ruled that Longview could not
develop the front part of their land -which they have not. Now, if you go ahead
and say, all right, you can go down to 70 feet, these people aren't going to
stay back where they are, it would be ridiculous for them, economically un-
feasible. They are going to go down to 70 feet. They have no idea of doing
that now
Mayor Ferre: How far back are they now?
Ms. Merritt: They are now...their house is going to be even with mine, the
front of their house, the front of their first house. So you are saying, -okay,
you use restraint and now I'm allowing you to go all the way down. So you are
mh
07
MARCH 8, 1979
taking away the fight and all the work we did and your cooperation before, so
it's undoing something. Also, for me personally, I am between the two. My
property is in between the two and I want to put it on the record, that if the
oru^' Sion go is ahead and approve this 70 feet and 10,000 sq.ft. from us, you are
creating an economic hardship for my particular parcel in the middle of this.
On one side, you have approved the plat all the way down to 15 feet from Bayshore
Drive. On the other side, you said -stay back even with the Merritt property,
and now you are saying -go on down. So, my taxes are going to go up, as it is
I can't use the front part of my land. If you say go ahead to 70 feet then
I'm going to be taxed for additional lot, and then we hve to go before the Tax
Assesor and say - please don't increase my taxes, I don't want to use these
additional lot. I still want it to be one lot. So I wanted to be on the record
so that when I go to the Tax Assessor and say -the Commission created an econo-
mic hardship so please, don't increase my taxes, and going to come back to this
meeting and say -and I told them that at the time. Also, if you go ahead and
I want to sell my property, which I don't, if I decide to sell my property to
a developer, he would say -oh, well, today I can put you on 6,000 sq.ft.,
tomorrow I can only have..ah, ..you use 10,000 so I can have fewer units on your
property so yours isn't worth as much. So, again, it is an economic hardship,
if I wanted to sell.
My main concern though, taxes going up on my property because I can have
more houses on the land -which we do not want; and then also, undoing what we
all worked so hard for before in keeping the setback where it was, and I would
hope that you would try to keep the setback where it was and reword that the
Front Yard District must be in line with the houses and the side yard, or
whatever, so that nobody can come through with his little, tricky things and
say,- it's a side yard instead of a front yard. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: All right, further discussion? All right, on the Commission's
side now. Mrs. Gordon.
Mrs. Gordon: I want the records to reflect that I live on South Bayshore
Drive at Vista, which is approximately 19. I've asked the Attorney if I had
to abstain from voting on the 375 feet surrounding my property which would
mean, approximately 200 feet to the north and 200 feet to the south. He said -
no, he didn't think I did, and so therefore I don;t feel I have anything to
gain in this except the quality of the entire community, so I don't think I
have to abstain.
Mr. Plummer: May I ask some questions?
Mayor Ferre: All right, Mr. Plummer.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Whipple, looking at the..it doesn't have a number....
Mr. Whipple: Sorry.
Mr. Plummer: ...I'm questioning down what would be the same as Aviation Avenue
and Bayshore Drive.
Mr. Whipple: Yes, sir.
Mr. Plummer: Why is that not presently included?
Mr. Whipple: The existing zoning of those properties that are excluded, at
the corner which are developments down there, is either an R-4 or an RC zoning
at the present time. We do not feel that because of multiple zoning that they
have today and the way they have developed it was necessary to include this
district at that point.
Mr. Plummer: Next question. Why from Ah-we-wa north did you not include all
the property back to Tigertail?
Mr. Whipple: As I mentioned, also we are making it a part of our study which
is part of your package and I would like to refer that for the record dated
November 1978 South Bayshore Drive Development Study. The review of owner-
ships in that area indicated that it would not be necessary in our opinion to
extend it back along those sites. Most of them are either developed either
as one lot or 1-' lot up and down that street facing on Crystal Court and
backing up on Ah-we-wa whichever, we did not feel it was necessary to protect the
south Bayshore Drive frontage, if you will, to include those lots. We are
nth
08
March 8, 1979
trying to exclude those properties which are not specifically oriented -or not
too much oriented- to south Bayshore Drive such as we didn't want to include
those properties fronting on Micanopy, in the northern area, because that's
not what this Commission or what the Planning Department felt was necessary to
try to preserve the south Bayshore character that you requested us to do.
Mr. Plummer: Isn't there the ever present danger of someone gathering up a
number of properties?
Mr. Whipple: Well, again, south Bayshore Drive, "The Corridor", we do not feel
that even if they gather up those properties along Crystal or Ah-we-wa that it
would have any impact or it would have any detriment as to the south Hayshore
character or vision or the Scenic Corridor as we visualize it.
Mr. Plummer: I'm concerned that you are not consistent, that's my concern.
Mrs. Gordon: What, J. L.?
Mr. Plummer: They are not being consistent, Rose.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, let me, can I address that question? Because, if you'll
note, J.L., the properties on south Bayshore particularly on the north side
of south Bayshore are large, estate -type sites, which originally were single
family estate areas. Now, the trend is to subdivide -either by platting or
by planned unit developments- those sites into multiple use. Well, the idea
behind this is to make it reasonable and not destroy a very beautiful area,
a scenic area, and that can hardly describe it. And the recommendation that
the Department is making that the R1B be utilized will not preclude any
developments but it will almost certainly guarantee that you are going to have
a higher caliber of development on those estate lots when they are developed.
Mr. Plummer: I don't agree at all between Alatka and 17th Avenue. I think the
ever-present danger there is simply closing of an alley, and you are back into
the same jackpot that you are in today. I look immediately and bring to your
attention if you can see where the corsshatching between Hallisee and 17th Ave.
juts up and back down to the alley. The question was asked where did that
imaginary line come from.
Mr. Whipple: That line, as you've noticed was an alley to start with. Through
replatting, that portion of the alley was closed and at that line that excludes
the alley is the northern limits of the property that front on Bayshore. The
ownership of the back property is just that, a different ownership.
Mr. Plummer: But the problem that I'm bringing to your attention is that mere-
ly with the closing of an alley, which as I recall was already the case of one
hearing at the corner of Hallasee and Bayshore back to Micanopy, this would
not apply.
Mr. Whipple: To the best of my knowledge, as of, let's say, thirty days ago
or something like that. The only ownership at Grant from Bayshore to Micanopy
was the property we were talking about originally it is not now, to my under-
standing. So what I'm suggesting to you..the ownership...
Mr. Plummer: Is that the one with the imaginary line?
Mr. Whipple: What I'm saying to you is that the ownership did not reflect
the predominance of ownership that ran from south Bayshore to Micanopy. For
that reason, we did not include all those properties.
Mr. Plummer: Well, I know of one other that does.
mh
MARCH 8, 1979-
09
Mr. Whipple: That would be the one on the corner of Hallissee, yes, sir, I
accept that. But that's not the predlminant situation.
Mr. Plummer: But the point is that if an owner on Bayshore facing Bayshore
merely has to acquire a piece of property on the back side the back side in
this instance doesn't apply. It would seem reasonable. Look, this whole
thing that you're putting before us this evening is preventive. Okay?
Mr. Whipple: Well, I think it is more than preventive, sir.
Mr. Plummer: It's preventive. Now, if you're trying to prevent which, in
fact, keeps what we have as it is why would you not apply that same preven-
tion to the back? Now, 2'm not saying, I don't agree on the other side of
Micanopy.
Mr. Whipple: Well, how do we clistinguisn the other side of Micanopy from
one side of Micanopy though, sir?
Mr. Plummer: Because it does not touch on Bayshore, I'll use the same rational
that you did.
Mr. Whipple: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Plummer: Fine, now you just argued with yourself.
Mr. Whipple: The objective of the study as I indicated and as you indicated,
as this Commission indicated, I'm sorry, was for the protection of South
Bayshore Drive or which to try to the best of our ability to preserve a char-
acter of South Bayshore Drive. We feel we have done that. We had looked at
the ownerships that went on back to Micanopy and if you'll look at the prev-
ious chart we did include those properties that go back to Micanopy in our
study area and we went beyond that. We went on the other side and looked at
that also but the ownerships and things of that nature indicated to us it was
not necessary to do that for the objective of the study. Now, if we're talk-
ing about densities of north Grove or something of that nature then you might
include the back properties on Micanopy or you could include all the propert-
ies let's say from Bayshore on up to Dixie Highway.
Mr. Plummer: Where does the C portion apply? Is it applied to everywhere
that the R-1...
Mr. Whipple: R-1B applies, yes, sir.
Mr. Plummer: Fine, thank you.
10
979
1
Mr. James J. Kenny: Mr. Mayor, I have one brief comment. My name is James
J. Kenny. I live at 3305 S. W. 17th Avenue. Our property is the one that
Mr. Plummer pointed out. That is it runs on 17th Avenue but up to Micanopy
so that the dividing line between the two districts if this is passed without
at least some slight amendment would be through a portion of our property,
that is it would divide the ownership so that a small segment of our property
which is on the Micanopy edge at 17th Avenue would be outside the new R-1B
District whereas 90% of our lot would be within that new district. It is on
the portion that's obscured over on 17th Avenue, it needs to be moved over
to the left slightly.
Mayor Ferre: Is that it?
Mr. Kenny: Yes, right there. And the ownership line runs directly north from
where the pointer is up to Micanopy.
Mayor Ferre: Up to Micanopy?
Mr. Kenny: Yes, it's primarily on 17th Avenue but it runs up north, there's
a piece of a lot that was acquired 40 years ago to add to it.
Mrs. Gordon: Do you have a house on it, sir?
Mr. Kenny: Yes, it is.
Mr. Plummer: Yes, a very beautiful house.
Mayor Ferre: Are you recommending that we include the whole property?
Mr. Kenny: Yes, Mr. Mayor, I am. I'm in favor of the proposal generally to
make it R-1B but I think that the boundary line in accordance with the remarks
that Mr. Plummer made should be Micanopy, that is all of Micanopy to Bayshore
in that area between 17th Avenue and Alatka. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Anybody else?
Mr. Waldo Ellison: I'm Waldo Ellison, I live at 1623 Micanopy Avenue. I
concur with the previous speaker. Across the street from me a builder has
built a townhouse on 6,000 square feet of land. There is absolutely no room
to move around that townhouse. He's put a pool in the back yard, it's a mon-
strosity to the area. You can see it from South Bayshore and I think the
intent that Mr. Plummer had mentioned for the Planning Board was to make sure
that the vista from South Bayshore would look as it should and this can be
seen from South Bayshore and I think I definitely agree with the idea that
Mr. Plummer brought up as to the fact that this should from South Bayshore
through Micanopy from Alatka to really Coacoochee, cross over 17th Avenue to
Coacoochee and then cut down Tigertail all the way down to Aviation to in-
clude that total area. But if the Planning Board would like to see what has
happened with this one piece of property at 1624, I think it is, Micanopy
they will see the possibility of monstrosities developing there as a townhouse
type of concept. Imagine what would happen if this big parcel of land on the
corner of Hallissee between Micanopy and South Bayshore was redivided so that
10,000 square feet would be permitted on the South Bayshore end of it and 6,000
square feet on the Micanopy end, you'd have a strange looking community there
and I would hope everyone takes this into consideration. Thank you.
Mrs. Gordon: Dick, you know they have a very good point on that because the
view is available from South Bayshore at that point, that place and the depth
from Bayshore to Micanopy isn't all that much in that location. I wonder why
you don't, it was in the study area, also consider extending it as J. L. sug-
gested and see if people concur.
Mr. Whipple: If this Commission wishes we'll be glad to extend it further
but let me just add a couple of comments as to why we've divided it the way
we have. We do feel there is a very distinct character change of the exist-
ing development of that along Micanopy and that along Bayshore Drive and if
you will for words, we feel that the development along Micanopy as they're
shorter lots don't have as much depth and usually aren't of the size of those
along Bayshore Drive. We feel that's an R-1 type zoning which if you have
6,000 square foot or a private lot as such you should be able to develop it
as a single family.
Mr. Plummer: And because of that you should see the bulk that he's talking
about on that piece of property. That's what you're doing where if the R-18
was applied on that piece of property he could have never put it.
rt
11
MARCH 8, 1979
Mr. Whipple: Mr. Plummer, that is incorrect and I'll respond to that.
Mr. Plummer: I stand corrected, I don't mind that.
Mrs. Gordon: Isn't it true that on a platted lot you can build your residence
if it's a platted lot? Even if you change it J. L., it's a platted lot.
Mr. Whipple: That's what I just wanted to relate to Mr. Plummer is that re-
gardless of the size of the lot you may develop it or the zoning if it is a
lot of record since September something or another 1946. In other words if
you have a ten foot lot next door to you, sir, a man is entitled theoretically
to develop it if he can under the regulations.
Mr. Plummer: Except if it involves a replatting which this piece of property
did. This was a second lot that was siphoned off and replatted and then was
applied for a permit. I don't think that the law speaks to that because this
lot did not become one until six months prior to them putting that piece of
property on there. Am I correct?
Mr. Whipple: But he had to meet the minimum sta:.Jards of 6,000 square foot
to replat it. No, I don't know that situation.
Mrs. Gordon: If you change it to R-1B he couldn't have done it though.
Mr. Plummer: That's right.
Mr. Whipple: Well that's true, then he would have required 10,000 square
feet.
Mr. Plummer: How about that? So I don't stand corrected.
Mrs. Gordon: Right, that's what he's saying.
Mr. Whipple: Yes, sir, but if there is a 50 X 100 foot lot, a plat of record
at 5,000 square feet a man is entitled to develop that at 5,000 square feet.
Mr. Plummer: Prior to.
Mrs. Gordon: But he's talking about splintering off pieces of land from
existing developed areas and if there happens to be 60 feet you know they can
do it now but under the R-1B they couldn't do it.
Mr. Whipple: Under resubdivision they would have to meet the 10,000 square
foot requirement.
Mr. Plummer: That's right.
Mr. Whipple: Under existing platted lots it would be whatever that size of
lot that they have.
Mrs. Joanne Holshouser: May I comment on that?
Mrs. Gordon: Sure.
Mrs. Holshouser: I think one of the problems that we're going to face in
the Grove more and more now is the stakes are going higher and it is going
to get real tempting for people to buy some of these houses and put parcels
together and this is how they're going to do it. I would love you all to
apply this to this section and as much more as you can. I'm all for it be-
cause you're going to watch them and they're going to start buying up let's
say 100 X 100 foot lots, you buy six of those in a row with houses that may
be pretty nice houses and if you've got 6,000 feet you can come in there with
what, a 10? This is how we're going to get nibbled to death in the Grove is
if we don't get as large lot size and as large use as we can. I know what
you mean about if they've already been platted but what bothers me is they're
coming in through the Grove now little by little. It's not in this area so
much but protect this area now before they do and let's have 10,000 feet so
it's not so tempting to developers to come in and buy up parcels of land,
put them together and then come in here and say, "We've got 6,000 feet, we
want it." Please, before they do that give us the 10,000 please.
Mr. Joel Jaffer: I'd like to take issue with the so-called preventative
nature of this ordinance, it doesn't seem to me to be preventative because
instead of being nibbled to death we're going to have a big side -swipe taken
rt
12
MARCH 8, 1979
out all at once. I want to go on record as saying it seems to me that every-
one here in this room accepts the death of these large estates and I don't
accept that, maybe there's something I don't know but it seems to me that it
is very possible for them to still exist within the laws that we have now and
if the Commission is truly interested in preventing any harm they should have
just acted with some amount of special conscious in all these matters that
have caused this whole problem. It seems the Commission is taking an active
role in the degrading of this land instead of a preventive role. Also, the
historical corridor really is 100 feet then aren't you breaking the law by
only making it 70 feet?
Mayor Ferre: Let's see if we can sum up so we can move along.
Mr. Whipple: Could I comment on the last point, Mr. Mayor? The 100 feet in-
volves any state assisted improvement, anything that is state or federally
funded within 100 feet, cannot occur unless it goes through a certain process
and it only involves those funds not private development or something of that
nature. It involves City development if we're seeking funds from the State
or federal government.
Mayor Ferre: All right, now, I think it seems to me that the concensus is
in favor, I haven't heard anybody speak against 1(b) and 1(c). The only ques-
tion seems to be with regards to 1(a) which is the distance of whether it
should be a 70 foot setback or a 100 foot setback with the exception of this
young man I don't think we have any problems with anybody else. Is that cor-
rect? So in other words everybody seems to be in favor of 1(b) and (c) so
the question really is 1(a) and the question of setback (Inaudible Comment
from Audience) Which is 1(a). (Inaudible Comment from Audience) Well, now
you see I can't hear you and that's not on the record.
Ms. Marilyn Reed: I'm sorry, Marilyn Reed for the record. I'm not quite
clear on this 70 foot and what Dolly brought up in her letter that Commissioner
Gordon just read. That bill doesn't only speak to state funds which is to
prevent the widening of the road, I think it specifically said that. It
speaks to a corridor of protection and I'm not sure whether you're in conflict
with that or not. I'd like to have that looked at to make sure that you're
not in the protection, the historical protection that the Act allowed for.
Mayor Ferre: Well let me repeat what he said, I don't know whether it's ac-
curate or not and somebody could challenge his accuracy. But what he said
was that with regards to the 100 foot historical area that that only applies -
you'd better listen to this, I want to make sure I heard what you said properly -
that only applies to government or City projects, it does not apply to private
ownership.
Mr. Whipple: That is my understanding, Mr. Mayor, yes, sir.
Mayor Ferre: Now is that wrong?
INAUDIBLE
Mayor Ferre: That's being questioned.
Mr. Jack Luft: This historic district applies within a hundred feet and
specifically provides that no action shall be taken within that hundred feet,
that's public state or federal funds (inaudible)
Mayor Ferre: So the answer is it does not apply.
Mr. Luft: There are no provisions for dealing with actions of private prop-
erty owners within that 100 feet. There is no review body set up, there's
no legislation to control that.
Mayor Ferre: Ms. Reed, that doesn't mean that we can't address it here it
just means that that's not addressed in that particular... (INAUDIBLE).
Now, what's the will of this Commission with regards....
Mrs. Gordon: I have one more question to Mr. Whipple regarding the 70 feet,
that's an arbitrary number that you have selected, not for any specific reason,
si that correct?
Mr. Whipple: No, it's not an arbitrary number it's a very well founded num-
ber after much research. If you would refer to the study, table II and III
where we actually looked at all the setbacks, all the natural features, all
the trees, the rock outcroppings and what have you, we did arrive at it based
Illalllllllll 111111 IIII
rt 13 MARCH 8, 1979
1
upon we felt this was a reasonable limit by which to provide a setback and
preserve, I would just off the top say 90 or 95% of those things we felt ought
to be preserved, the rock outcroppings, natural features, trees and things of
that nature. So it is arbitrary in one sense that we're establishing but we
found that 70 feet was an appropriate figure and we went anywhere from 20 to
100 feet and categorized each increment and we felt that the 70 feet was....
Mayor Ferre: Let me reverse the question, assuming and I accept that that you
went through a logical process. Your conclusion was that 70 feet would accom-
plish certain things, now you didn't conclude that 100 feet wouldn't accomplish
the same thing?
Mr. Whipple: Oh yes, sir, a hundred feet would but then on the reverse side
what impact does that have on the development and the ownerships as we view
them?
Mayor Ferre: So that's the question, is what impact would 100 feet setback
have on those properties.
Mr. Whipple: We felt that as the setback increased actually it allows less
and less use of the property. Now we felt as we have previously stated that
there are economic considerations.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, I have trouble with your analogy because you're assuming
that they have to have as much development crammed in there as possible and
I find that hard to understand.
Mr. Whipple: No, we're not assuming you have to have development, we're assum-
ing there is going to be redevelopment, the question is based upon the owner-
ships, the depth of properties and the setbacks that may or may not be applied
is there a reasonable use of the property. And as you extend beyond 70 feet
certain other criteria come into affect such as you had a plat before you
which would remove let's say four units putting it economically if you went
deeper than 70 feet or there wouldn't be room let's say to put X number of
units under R-1B with the 70 foot setback. There are certain assumptions,
one of the assumptions is that redevelopment is going to occur. The amount
that occurs is based upon the regulations and the criteria which we're trying
to establish here tonight.
Mr. Plummer: Go ahead, sir.
Mr. Harry Tabor: My name is Harry Tabor, I live at 2035 Tigertail. I'm speak-
ing for the Tigertail Association but with respect to Item (a), you're talking
about 70 feet and 100 feet and actually we know it is 20 feet right now because
of Bayview. If someone comes in here tomorrow morning or started replats any
one of those properties with a side yard, they can move down to 20 feet from
Bayshore. Now 70 feet is an awful lot better than 20 feet and it is our under-
standing that Item (a) with the protections that are built in in (c) will pre-
serve the corridor, preserve the outcroppings, all of the trees, all of the
particular special aspects of the terrain along there and basically speaking
as I say it is 20 feet now if somebody wants to come in and replat and you can
correct that and move that back to 70 by adopting (a), I think I'm right.
Mr. Plummer: Thank you, sir.
Mayor Ferre: All right, it's 9:30 now and we've heard an awful lot and I
think we're beginning to repeat a lot of things so I think really it is time
for us to kind of move along.
Mr. Jaffer: Can I ask you a simple question? Does the historical provisions
insure that the street won't be widened by state or federal funds? Because
it says 100 feet from the street but can you widen that street with state or
federal funds?
Mr. Whipple: In my opinion you may be able to widen it if you go through the
regulations that are a part and are set forth in the Historical Highway Sec-
tion. In other words there is a review process, certain things that may or
may not have to be done.
Mayor Ferre: All right, I think it is....
Mrs. Gordon: Joanne has something she wants to say.
rt
MARCH 8, 1979
14
Mrs. Holshouser: Mr. Whipple said the magic word and that's redevelopment.
Dick, we don't accept the fact that we're going to have redevelopment on that
street, I don't and I don't think these other people who live in that area
do either.
Mayor Ferre: Let's pose the question directly now. Would there be a lot of
harm done if instead of 70 it were 100 feet? Would anybody oppose that?
Mrs. Holshouser: That sounds like it's compliance.
Mayor Ferre: Does anybody oppose that? Does anybody here oppose that?
Other than you.
Mrs. Holshouser: We urge it.
Mayor Ferre: All right, would you be in opposition to it?
Mr. Whipple: Mr. Mayor, it's not the word opposition, we do feel that we're
encompassing the majority of the problems that exist and if we go to a hundred
feet it becomes if you will an academic consideration. In other words, there
are so few structures or so few things involved between the 70 to 100 that
we just would have a little problem justifying it but if it is this Commis-
sion's will to make it a hundred feet we have no opposition to it as such,
it's just harder to justify.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Fosmoen, do you want to address this point?
Mr. Fosmoen: I guess the only cal.tion that I would raise to the Commission
is that you don't want to create an ordinance that's unreasonable and be sub-
ject to attack at a later point. If you want to go to a hundred I would urge
you to build into the record your reasons for that so it is not subject to
attack by someone who has a piece of property and wants to redevelop it and
is going to claim that you were arbitrary....
Mr. Plummer: Well, but Mr. Fosmoen, you cannot this evening go and make it
100 foot this evening without sending it back.
Mr. Fosmoen: That's correct.
Mr. Plummer: It will have to go back to the Zoning Board.
Mrs. Holshouser: Could I ask, we're doing this to protect the Coral Rock
outcroppings, are we not, and the scenic nature of the road, is that not the
purpose of it? (INAUDIBLE RESPONSE) Where is the Coral Rock outcroppings,
that is say at 100 feet? Is there one that's 100 feet back?
Mr. Whipple: Mr. Mayor, we have aerial photographs which have been developed
in part by our Public Works Department establishing the zoned street width
and noting by field observation and measurements the rock outcroppings and
the significant trees. I'm sorry we don't have something that will project
but it is all noted and all the setbacks of all the existing structures are
noted on that.
Mayor Ferre: Why don't you put it on top here and we'll maybe let it hang
out.
Mrs. Holshouser: Because if there's one at 100 feet or more that's the point,
those are the ones we're trying to protect.
Mrs. Gordon: I've got to ask you a question, Mr. Whipple because the state-
ment was made that you would have to send this back to the Zoning Board and
I don't think you would because what you would be doing would be more re-
strictive than what you are recommending and consequently it is the opposite.
If you wish to go to 50 feet you'd have to send it back.
Mr. Fosmoen: Mrs. Gordon, I guess I would ask the attorney to respond as to
whether or not we have to send it back.
Mayor Ferre: Let's put that on the record. The question is are there any
rock outcroppings that are not within the 70 foot distance that we're talk-
ing about, would any of that be lost, any of it?
Mr. Whipple: Mr. Mayor, there are some outcroppings that do occur beyond 70
feet, there are some ridges that do occur beyond 70 feet but they're of minor
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MARCH 8, 1979
nature. There are two evaluations. There rock outcroppings and ridges
which we cannot see today. We have marked them all with dotted lines, dash
lines on this aerial. What we're suggesting by the 70 feet are those signi-
ficant ones which are visible from the right-of-way and what have you, are
included within this 70 feet. That does not include others that are back
behind walls or back behind buildings or buildings are built on it or some-
thing like that. The 70 feet includes 95% of what is visible on South Bay -
shore Drive today.
Mayor Ferre: Well Okay, I think the Commission knows all the facts now, I
think we're just repeating things so what is the will of this Commission?
Mrs. Gordon: The motion is to make this not less than 100 feet.
Mayor Ferre: All right, there is a motion to make this not less than 100 feet,
is there a second?
Mrs. Gordon: I would like her to answer me whether this has to go back to
the Zoning Board or Planning Board. That would make it less liberal.
Ms. Miriam Maer: I would still feel that it should be readvertised then go
back to the board if you're extending it to 100 feet.
Mr. Whipple: Commissioner Gordon, if I may add a non -legal comment, we are
dealing with a situation which today requires greater setbacks than the 70
feet and in some areas lesser setbacks than the 70 feet in the proposal based
upon the average alignment. I would have to concur with the Law Department
that there would be some question about readvertising and for the protection
to do what is this Commission's will I think it should perhaps be reheard
and readvertised. I'd like to add just one comment if I may to the rest that
was discussed with you this evening. Let's not forget point (c) of the agenda,
that is site plan approval, review by the department. Now we feel that this
is a very good instrument, we feel that we can pursue this Commission's wishes
if this legislation is passed as an added protection.
Mayor Ferre: We're not worried about this Commission's wishes, we're worried
about putting it in so that it is so to speak chiseled into the stone and....
Mrs. Gordon: Would future Commissions be able to approve a plat like the prev-
ious one that - I can't even think of the name of it, the one that's causing
us all the problems?
Mr. Whipple: In my opinion no, they could not have filed a plat in that man-
ner.
Mayor Ferre: I think what we have to do now, in my opinion if we could, is
vote on 1(b) and (c) and then send 1(a) back for review and I think the legal
basis would be this, that we would want none of the visible and known ridge
and rock outcroppings to be destroyed and with that we would recommend that
a hundred feet be considered.
Mr. Ellison: Mr. Mayor, if send back part (a) could you send back part (c)
to amend it so that it would include Micanopy Avenue, the total of Micanopy
and not just the second half?
Mayor Ferre: That's the next subject is that we want to include, couldn't
we do that now without having to go back or do we have to go back on that
too?
Mr. Plummer: No, it's got to back.
Mayor Ferre: All right, well then I guess the motion has to be that the whole
item go back.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, we could approve the part that we have before us and then
the part we don't have before us could be advertised.
Mayor Ferre: Okay.
Mr. Kenny: Mr. Mayor, would it be possible, what some of our concerns are
is what can happen in the time that intervenes between your sending it back
and....
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16
MARCH 8, 1979
Mayor Ferre: Then let's do this, suppose we adopt 1(a), (b) and (c) and
then ask that (a) be revised to the 100 feet, in the meantime we know that
we have at least 70 feet. Now, does that make any sense?
Mr. Lacasa: Mr. Mayor, there is something here that I really don't under-
stand quite well. The question of the 70 feet versus the question of the 100
feet, now we come into the eternal question here of private property, the use
of private property, of course, under controlled situations. We have here a
recommendation by the staff that has studied the area and has come to the con-
clusion that 70 feet is a reasonable setback. 70 feet quite frankly I do feel
is a reasonable setback. We come to the question of the ridges and we have
that 95% of those ridges are within the 70 feet setback. Now we say here
arbitrarily after these people have gone out there and have made their re-
search and have made a recommendation we sit here and in five minutes we de-
cide to send this back for 100 feet, why not for 150 feet, why not for 180
feet? Because the question here is to what extent we are going here to con-
tinuously put limitations in the reasonable, and I say reasonable use of
private property by the people. I understand the concerns of a neighborhood
as nice, with so much quality as Coconut Grove, I realize that and I do feel
that it is the responsibility of this Commission to keep the integrity of the
Grove. Now, what is reasonable? What is reasonable to me quite frankly here,
I cannot agree more with the research done by and the recommendations by the
staff. So now we have objections and we sit here and we try to please the
objections and we say arbitrarily 100 because 100 looks good, 100 is a round
figure. So I say why not go for 120 and completely destroy the philosophy
and the concept of what should be a reasonable use of private property because
to me quite frankly 70 feet under those circumstances is more than reasonable.
Mayor Ferre: Well, the answer, Commissioner Lacasa, would be two -fold, first
of all that it would be in compliance with the historical setback which is
already established for that road and secondly because as I understand the
concensus of this Commission it is the interest to preserve 100% of the ridge
and not 95% of it and I think that that would be accomplished if you did that,
I think. Now that's why we have to send it back so that we can have a good
legal foundation to go upon and readvertise and give all the property owners
the opportunity to object and you may not have any objections to it, it seems
that way anyway.
Mr. Whipple: Mr. Mayor, don't let some of my comments be misconstrued to
lead you astray here. There's a distinguishing factor between the ridges and
the outcroppings. Ridges are one thing in some areas and the outcroppings of
rocks are another. My reference to the outcroppings was that it was in the
90 percentile. The ridge, however, occurs as deep as 290-300 feet.
Mayor Ferre: Well I realize that we won't be able to save that, we can't go
that far.
Mr. Whipple: I just wanted to make sure you understood what my remarks were.
Mr. Plummer: Would you consider stopping at South Dixie Highway?
Mrs. Gordon: Dick, seriously have you considered that instead of what you've
recommended to us here of a yard of not less 70 feet, had you considered that
you could just change the wording of the present one so that no portion of a
property shall be less than the - how does the ordinance read now? Instead
of saying front yard just say any yard shall not be.
Mr. Whipple: That is our proposal, ma'am.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, but you're including 70 feet and I'm not saying that. I'm
saying in the present provision which provides that the property shall be
developed not less than the average of the surrounding property. Is that
the way it's worded?
Mr. Whipple: That's correct, yes.
Mrs. Gordon: That you should say in that, you just amend the wording in that
tat not only the front yard but any yard shall not be less than the setback
of the average whatever. Do you understand what I'm saying?
Mr. Whipple: Yes, ma'am, I understand that and it could be done, however,
that is not our recommendation that it be done because we feel that the aver-
age alignment is inequitable because it's at the discretion of the develop-
ment that has taken place or the development that will take place in the fut-
ure, the average alignment constantly changes the required setback area. We
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17
MARCH 8, 1979
feel it is an equitable provision and, therefore, we have suggested to you
that we establish a uniform provision equitable to everybody.
Mayor Ferre: All right. All these thing have been previously said, we're
repeating and retreading all of this. Now, my advice is, and I'm going to
ask one more time. Is there anybody here present who objects to going 100
feet? All right, there are two people here who object to it - three. You
want 200 feet. All right, let it be the way it is. Now, we have those vary-
ing opinions. Now we can't solve our problem tonight, you've heard our City
Attorney tell us that it must go back to be readvertised and go to the Plan-
ning Board one more time. I would recommend that we move 1(a), (b) and (c)
as they are tonight then instruct the departments to readvertise to go 100
feet and go through the process again at which time the property owners will
have the opportunity to present their objections and what have you and it'll
come before us again. And the second thing would be to include Micanopy, to
expand it to Micanopy. All right, now, does anybody have any big problems
with that? All right, who wants to move 1(a)?
Mr. Plummer: Just for the record, Whipple, you know where I live, I'm not
in any problem am I?
Mayor Ferre: Not in any more than you usually are.
Mrs. Gordon: J. L., you're in a problem if you have a financial gain.
Mr. Whipple: I think Ms. Maer can quote, she's going to ask you whether you
have any conflict of interest or not which you don't.
Mr. Plummer: Just putting it on the record.
Mrs. Gordon: On discussion with Ms. Maer because I consulted with the other
two attorneys prior to her and both of them said if I felt I had no financial
gain or there's no person gain to me in any way I would not have to abstain.
Mayor Ferre: That's on the record.
Mrs. Gordon: What is your opinion, Ms. Maer?
Ms. Maer: My opinion would be that if you feel that your present situation
will not impair the independent exercise of your judgement it would not be
necessary that you abstain from voting in this matter.
Mayor Ferre: Rose, you've already gotten that opinion from the City Attorney,
it doesn't matter who is sitting on the seat it is still the City Attorney's
seat.
Mrs. Gordon: Okay.
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 6871, THE COMPREHEN-
SIVE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI, BY DELETING
SUBSECTION 43-DISTRICT 43 OF ARTICLE XXVI, SECTION 2,
SPECIAL YARD DISTRICTS, IN ITS ENTIRETY AND SUBSTITUTING
IN LIEU THEREOF A NEW SUBSECTION 43 TO REQUIRE A YARD OF
NOT LESS THAN 70 FEET; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES, CODE
SECTIONS, OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT INSOFAR AS THEY
ARE IN CONFLICT, AND CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY PROVISION.
Was introduced by Commissioner Plummer and seconded by Commissioner
Lacasa and passed on its first reading by title by the following vote -
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice . Ferre
NOES: None.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and announced
that copies were available to the members of the city commission and to the public.
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18
MARCH 8, 1979
2 (B) . CHANGE ZON I t A�3EIWEEN S. BAYSHORE DR. 6 ALLEY`-.TWEEN S. BAYSHORE 6
MICANOPY FRON'ALATKA TO S.W. 17 AVE. 6 S. BAY_ .iRE 6 TIGERTAIL
BETWEEN 5. BAYSHORE 6 TIGERTAIL FROM 17 AVE. TO AVIATION FROM R-1 TO R-1B.
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 6871, THE COMPRE-
HENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI, BY
CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF THE AREA BE-
TWEEN SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE AND THE ALLEY LOCATED
BETWEEN SOUTh BAYSHORE DRIVE AND MICANOPY AVENUE
FROM ALATKA STREET TO S. W. 17Th AVENUE AND TIGER -
TAIL AVENUE FROM S. W. 17TH AVENUE TO AVIATION AVENUE,
LESS AN AREA IN THE SOUTHWEST CORNER, FROM R-1 TO
R-1B (ONE FAMILY DWELLING); AND MAKING NECESSARY
CHANGES IN THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP, MADE A PART OF
ORDINANCE NO. 6871, BY REFERENCE AND DESCRIPTION
IN ARTICLE III, SECTION 2 THEREOF; BY REPEALING ALL
ORDINANCES, CODE SECTIONS, OR PARTS THEREOF IN CON-
FLICT; AND CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY PROVISION.
Was introduced by Commissioner Gordon and seconded by Commissioner Gibson
and passed on its first reading by title by the following vote -
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner Armando Lacase
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice . Ferre
NOES: None.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and announced
that copies were available to the members of the city commission and to the public.
2(C). APPLY COCONUT GROVE OVERLAY DISTRICT SPD-2.
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 6871, THE COMPRE-
HENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI, BY
APPLYING ARTICLE XXI-4, COCONUT GROVE OVERLAY DISTRICT
(SPD-2) TO THE AREA BETWEEN SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE AND
THE ALLEY LOCATED BETWEEN SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE AND
MICANOPY AVENUE FROM ALATKA STREET TO S. W. 17TH
AVENUE AND THE AREA BETWEEN S. BAYSHORE DRIVE AND
TIGERTAIL AVENUE FROM S. W. 17TH AVENUE TO AVIATION
AVENUE, LESS AN AREA IN THE S. W. CORNER AS SET FORTH
ON THE ATTACHED MAP AND BY REFERENCE MADE A PART
HEREOF; AND BY MAKING THE NECESSARY CHANGES IN THE
ZONING DISTRICT MAP, MADE A PART OF THE SAID ORDINANCE
NO. 6871, BY REFERENCE AND DESCRIPTION IN ARTICLE III,
SECTION 2; BY REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES, CODE SECTIONS
OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT; AND CONTAINING A SEVER -
ABILITY PROVISION.
Was introduced by Commissioner Gordon and seconded by Commissioner Gibson
and passed on its first reading by title by the following vote -
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice . Ferre
NOES: None.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and announced
that copies were available to the members of the city commission and to the public.
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19
MARCH 8, 1979
3. INSTRUCT PLANNIF DEPT. TO INITIATE PUBLIC( :ARINGS ON
EXTENSION OF SP ",IAL YARD DISTRICTS - SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE.
Mayor Ferre: Now Mrs. Gordon moves that the question of the additional 30
feet, that is from 70 to 100 and the question of including up to Micanopy
in Item (c) discussed earlier this evening be referred to the Planning Board
for....
Mr. Plummer: B and C.
Mayor Ferre: ... B and C be referred to the Planning Board for a public hear-
ing with all the due advertising and what have you and come back to the Com-
missirn with their recommendation. Is that the way to put it?
Mrs. Gordon: Yes.
The followinc_ motion was introduced by Commissioner Gordon who moved
its adoption:
MOTION NO. 79-179
A MOTION INSTRUCTING THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO INITIATE
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE EXTENSION OF SPECIAL YARD DISTRICTS
TO REQUIRE A YARD OF NOT LESS THAN 100' ON SOUTH BAYSHORE
DRIVE ALONG THE NORTHWEST SIDE FROM ALATKA STREET TO
AVIATION AVENUE.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Plummer, the motion was passed and
adopted by the following vote -
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
Commissioner Armando Lacasa
NOES:
4. DENIAL OF APPLICATION FOR PUN DEVELOPMENT AT
1641 SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE.
Mayor Ferre: We will now take up Item 9 which is an application by Dr. George
E. Daviglus for a residential development of a Planned Unit Nature, PUN, at
1641 S. Bayshore drive consisting of five units in five structures. The depart-
ment recommended denial, the board recommended approval on a 5 - 2 vote, there
were 18 objectors by mail, 25 objectors present at the Zoning Board Meeting
and 2 proponents present at the Zoning Board Meeting.
Mr. Robert Davis: Mr. Mayor, I'd like to explain the recommendation of the
Zoning Board. The original application in this matter was for 7 units in 7
structures. The application stands even though the Zontnq Board
specifically does not want 7 units in 7 structures, they specifically did not
want 6 units in 6 structures but they did pass as a recommendation to this
Commission a residential development of 5 units in 5 structures. The applicant
has stated to me that he wishes to carry forth to this Commission his plan of
7 units in 7 structures. The recommendation of the Zoning Board was for 5
units only, not for 7.
Mrs. Gordon: Is this the 7?
Mr. Davis: This is the 7 unit plan.
Mayor Ferre: I count about 15 structures in there. Is that 7 or 15? I count
13 structures.
Mr. Whipple: Mr. Mayor, they are attached structures, the area in between is
part of the unit, the distinguishing factor of the primary use has been colored
in and there are seven shown. On that structure, the lower center one is being
proposed as a group attachment which is permitted under the Planned Unit Nature
provisions, you can have an adjoining group provided there is ter, foot spacing.
To add to what Mr. Davis has said regarding the Zoning Board, the Planning
Department recommended denial because we felt that the site it's on and the
placement of the structures was not specifically desirable, we have recommended
the development be reduced to six units and that a greater setback be provided
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26
MARCH 8, 1979-
from South Bayshore Drive along with the removal of the pool area that was
immediately adjacent to South Bayshore Drive. The changes that are before
you this evening do include the removal of the pool area, the setback of the
nearest structure to South Bayshore Drive is approximately 103 feet as opposed
to the 70 feet being provided. However, they are requesting seven units
rather than the six units that we recommended. We suggested quite simply that
the two units in the lower center or the southerly side center be reduced to
one unit.
Mrs. Gordon: In an R-1B would this number of units still be permitted, Mr.
Whipple?
Mr. Whipple: Commissioner Gordon, I don't have the figures right at my finger-
tips, they were at with our recommendation for six units, that would pro-
vide one unit for approximately 7,900 square feet so a reduction to the Zon-
ing Board level of 5 units would probably bring it up to approximately 10,000
per unit plus or minus. As proposed the development is 6,700 square feet per
unit which is over the 6,000 R-1 minimum but not in accord with the proposal
of 10,000 square feet.
Mrs. Gordon: Has your department done a reanalysis of your position and are
you still denying, or your recommendation for denial on the five units or is
your recommendation for approval on the five units?
Mr. Whipple: We would recommend approval on the five or six units. We have
suggested six units which would meet with our approval not withstanding our
studies, however, there has been an application and we felt due consideration
was necessary. We felt that six units at just short of 8,000 square feet was
a reasonable development particularly in light of the site design which you
have before you.
Mayor Ferre: So you're recommending that four or six units on a Planned Unit
Nature?
Mr. Whipple: Yes, sir, the existing law is 6,000 square feet per unit.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, but what we've done tonight changed that, Mr. Whipple, and
you know you're not even remembering that.
Mr. Whipple: No, I am remembering that, I'm dealing with what we are working
with today and we're working with a law that suggests 6,000 squre feet per
unit.
Mrs. gordon: Mr. Mayor, I'd like to defer this, I don't believe I can look
at a map that shows seven clusters like that and imagine what they're going
to look like when they have something other than that. I think this Commis-
sion is obliged to see what it's voting on and I don't feel prepared to vote
on this just listening to this recommendation and that recommendation and
back and forth and nothing before me shows what actually is being proposed,
nothing.
Mr. Whipple: I'm not representing the applicant, the applicant is here if
you wish questions or a presentation by him.
Mayor Ferre: But I think a member of this Commission has as I understood it
presented a motion to defer and she stated the reason why she wants deferral.
Mr. Lacasa: Is the applicant here?
Mrs. Gordon: That means that this has to come back to us with visuals that
we can see and understand, not something that looks like this.
Mr. Lacasa: I would like to see the explanation from the applicant, I would
like the applicant to have an opportunity like anyone else here that comes
here to explain his drawings.
Mayor Ferre: Well I think before I ask for a second let the applicant have
a few minutes to respond and then we'll... All right, do you have any objec-
tions to this being deferred until the drawings are done so that it's in com-
pliance with what you're requesting and what they're recommending?
Dr. George Daviglus: Yes, I do. I'm George Daviglus, 1641 South Bayr`-ore
Drive, the property that is in question. We presented this in detail co the
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21
MARCH 8, 1979 -
Zoning Board already and we're back here again and I have here my developer
who will answer any questions that you have. We would like it not to be
deferred.
Mayor Ferre: Dr. Daviglus, let me ask you, is this what you're asking for
right here?
Dr. Daviglus: Yes.
Mayor Ferre: This one right here?
Dr. •Daviglus: Yes.
Mayor Ferre: All right, so in other words there are no changes, this is what
you want in this particular plan with the seven units.
Dr. Daviglus: This has been revised three different times.
Mayor Ferre: So this is what you're asking for tonight.
Dr. Daviglus: That's right.
Mayor Ferre: And what's before us is what you want. Now that's not what the
Board is recommending , I mean what the department is recommending.
Dr. Daviglus: They're recommending one less.
Mayor Ferre: And the Board?
Dr. Daviglus: Two less, I'm sorry.
Mayor Ferre: The Board is recommending two less.
Mr. Davis: If I may, the Zoning Board recommended five units, the Department
recommends six units.
Mayor Ferre: So what is being recommended and what is before us is not this,
is that correct? And yet you want us to consider this, is that what you're
saying" I just want to make sure I understood you properly.
Mr. Bruno Carnesella of 2461 South Bayshore Drive and the architect for
the project appeared before the City Commission on behalf of the project and
stated that the proposed project had a setback of the 100 feet that was being
proposed for the R-lb classification and that the comparison of this project
to a development that had taken place in an R-1 area of 6,000 square feet
with a very large structure was unfair because likewise a very large structure
could be placed on a lot within an R-lb zone which would cover a proportionately
large amount of land.
Commissioner Gordon stated that in her opinion the Commission had to have a
site development plan before them in order to approve the application which
contained specifics.
Mr. Waldo Ellison restated his interpretation of the Zoning Board's concerns
and recommendation and recommended that the application be either deferred
or denied.
Mr. Jim Applethorpe appeared in opposition to the application and stated
that he and several other people had met with Dr. Daviglus and that there
were several persons who would like to speak on this application.
Mr. Jim Kinney stated that five units and certainly seven units would be in
excess of what is permitted under the R-lb zoning which was adopted on First
Reading earlier this evening and that only four units would be permitted
under a replat.
Ms. Carmen Casal of 1632 Micanopy Avenue, Lots 19 and 20 appeared in opposition
to the application and submitted a petition to the Commission. Whe urged the
Commission to consider the character of South Bayshore Drive.
Mr. Arthur Rabe of 1633 Micanopy Avenue and said that the neighborhood was
again being threatened by a development which was not in keeping with the
neighborhood and why should a person have to live in Coral Gables where there
is strong zoning in order to be safe from this type of intrusion.
22
MARCH 8, 1979
Ms. Lucia Hartog of 1639 S. Bayshore Drive whose property is adjacent to the
subject property appeared in objection to the proposed project because she
would be looking at the rear of two or three homes if this were permitted.
She said this development would destroy the neighborhood.
Ms. Jane Dewey of 1645 South Bayshore Drive appeared before the Commission
but her presentation was inaudible because she was not speaking into the
microphone.
Mr. Kenneth Shanklin of 1651 Bicanopy spoke in objection to the project.
Ms. Lucia Hartog stated that she had not been contacted by the developer.
Mr. Harry Hague of 1635 South Bayshore Drive appeared and requested that the
Commission keep in mind the 10,000 square feet required under R-lb and a
significant setback from South Bayshore Drive.
Mr. Joel Jaffer appeared and said the entire Planned Unit concept had been a
total failure in his opinion and sited Longview as an example. He stated
that it did not fit into the neighborhood.
Mr. Carnesella: I think at the present mcnc,nt I noticed that some neighbors
mentioned that they were not contacted before, we don't want to make
and I think that the request by Commissioner Rose Gordon
to have more illustrations, indication about exactly how it would like, the
units so maybe at this moment we can go along with her suggestion, Mrs. Gordon
and defer the item. We would like to ask that you take into consideration
the fact that this petition was presented when the R-1 zoning was in effect
and we will make our best effort to contact the neighborhood and come the
next time to this Commission with recommendations of the Planning Department
and we hope also with some of the approval of the neighborhood. Thank you
very much.
Mayor Ferre: Well, I think you've got a problem. You should have followed
Mrs. Gordon's recommendation you know, but now that you've let this thing go
and these people have spent 15 minutes talking I don't know how you're going
to defer this item. I mean I'm perfectly willing to take any motions, if you
want to make it, Rose or whoever wants to make the motion.
Mr. Lacasa: I'll make a motion to defer on the basis that if the developer
wants to go back to the neighbors and discuss this with the neighbors....
( Dissention from the audience) Well, let me tell you I've been here many
many times and I have seen over and over and over again the question of this
discussions after one and two hours and even three hours send back for dis-
cussion at the neighbor's request so I don't see why this should be any dif-
ferent.
Mayor Ferre: That's true.
Mr. Lacasa: Joanne, over and over again you have requested this and many
times the Commission has complied with your request so I don't see why we
should deny this now to the developer.
Mayor Ferre: All right, now we're going to get to that in a second, I'm going
to let Mr. Kenny make a brief statement and then I'm going to - which is really
unfair because we have a motion on the floor but I'm sure you'll let Mr. Kenny
make his statement and then I'm going to call for a second. Go ahead.
Mr. J. Kenny: Mr. Mayor, we have not been here nearly as long as the Commis-
sion has but we have been here a while and the when the question of the de -
feral came up the applicant didn't want a deferal, it's on the record
(INAUDIBLE)
Mayor Ferre: Okay, we have a motion for deferal on the floor, is there a sec-
ond to the motion? It's a motion for deferral, is there a second? Is there
a second to the motion for deferral? All right, hearing no second....
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor, since there is no second I'll offer another motion.
Mayor Ferre: All right.
Mrs. Gordon: This application that's before us tonight is a seven unit appli-
cation and I move for denial.
23
MARCH 8, 1979
Mayor Ferre: All right, there is a motion that the application before us
be denied, is there a second to that motion?
Mr. Lauredo: (INAUDIBLE)
Mayor Ferre: You have to come to the microphone, identify who you are and
make the statement into the record, we can't have anonymous statements.
Mr. Luis Lauredo: Luis Lauredo, 1641 South Bayshore Drive. A point of inform-
ation, if you make a motion to deny, does that preclude us from coming on a
subsequent appeal to the City Commission?
Mayor Ferre: Would you clarify that?
Mr. Davis: If the Commission denies this matter the applicant cannot come
back before this board and the Commission for a period of I think it's we
months with another petition of this nature. He does, however, have the
opportunity of appealing it to the court but not back to this Commission.
Mr. Plummer: Can he come in with less?
Mr. Lauredo: I obviously know we have remedy in the courts but would you be
speaking specifically to the seven units or to the subject property involved?
Mayor Ferre: I think the question is can they come in with an appeal for
five units not seven units.
Mr. Plummer: Well that's just exactly the question I was asking.
Mr. Lauredo: Yes, because she's making a motion for the denial of the seven
units.
Mrs. Gordon: You would have to start from scratch, Mr. Lauredo, with a new
application.
Mr. Lauredo: And my second question would be if you are going to move obviously
on the subject I think it would only be
fair that you hear the pro side....
Mayor Ferre: Of course, what he says is that he would want that the other
side be also heard because what happened is that Bruno here got up and asked
for a deferral and he didn't get it and he says he'd like his 15 minutes in
court you know.
Mrs. Gordon: Fine, I'll withdraw until you talk, that's what we did before.
Mayor Ferre: You know you can't deny them their 15 minutes.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER IN AUDIENCE - INAUDIBLE, NOT USING MICROPHONE.
Mayor Ferre: Yes. Listen, there is nobody more interested in getting out of
here than me. but you know if they want their 15 minutes I'm not going to
deny them that right. Now the question is that we have a motion and they've
requested 15 minutes to make their presentation, now if that's not what you
want to do....
Mrs. Gordon: I thought they made their presentation, Maurice.
Dr. Daviglus: I'd like to know if we can come back again with a new appli-
cation for six units and....
Mrs. Gordon: I'm going to speak for myself and I can't speak for anybody
else, doctor, but I'll tell you six units
Dr. Daviglus: Then can we get the opinion of the attorney?
Mrs. Gordon: I'll tell you my opinion. I don't want six units on that prop-
erty, I'm going to tell you now I will not vote for six units. I don't care
what they tell me I will vote no. I think six units in this neighborhood
will destroy it because it doesn't belong here - it doesn't. I believe that
you could have a reasonable use of that land and even a replat of that land
but you would not be able to put six units on it.
24
MARCH 8, 1979
Mr. Whipple: Mr. Mayor, if I may suggest, if the Commission so desires to
have a lesser number of units perhaps they could indicate that number if
there is a number and then defer and request that the applicant come back
with that number shown on the plan.
Mr. Lauredo: Again, Luis Lauredo, 1641 S. Bayshore. Commissioner Gordon,
I don't fail to be perplexed by your point of view here tonight but, of
course, I'm a little surprised by it because I would assume that the good
faith, the first motion was, and maybe a little more dialogue would have
come up with a more reasonable proposal in your view in any case which at
this stage we acceded to and now all of a sudden basically your point is
to deny, there seems to be an incompatibility of behavior there but anyway
we'll put that aside.
Mrs. Gordon: I would like to clarify my position to you so you may under-
stand why I am speaking the way I am. Prior to hearing the neighborhood's
position with regard to what they feel is an intrustion into a single family
low density developed area I was willing to permit a review of a lesser
density to come back to us for consideration, I did not say I was going to
approve it but I certainly was going to be able to at least examine it. I
cannot examine anything that comes to me with this in front of me at all.
Mr. Lauredo: I understand, the point is that as well as the neighbors have
rights to property, and very eloquently expressed, the subject property also
has an owner who has property rights that are being addressed today and that
includes the right of usage of that land and I thought that the first motion
was reasonable and that we could come to a reasonable agreement and what
would be a proper and reasonable use of that land but obviously that wasn't
the intent, it was basically to deny it. But anyway, I'll get into the sub-
ject matter for whatever it is worth at this point.
Mr. Plummer: Do I recall correctly, there is a motion or no motion on the
floor?
Mrs. Gordon: I remove the motion to give them an opportunity to complete
their conversation.
Mayor Ferre: Let's get on with it so we can get out of here. Make your
statement.
Mr. Lauredo: Mr. Mayor, I think there are two basic issues here that are
going to keep coming back to you and you don't want to discuss it today, one
is that Commissioner Lacasa addressed in his previous presentation, that is
the Planning Board recommendation and it referred to property rights, what
degree the people have the right to use their land and when does it come
into conflict with community concerns and how we can reach an agreeable mid-
dle ground and the other one is the question of growth on South Bayshore Drive.
You cannot assume that there is going to be no growth on South Bayshore Drive
rt
2
MARCH 8, 1979
Mr. Lauredo - cont'd
because the starts that boosted the reality, and tell you that there
is a lot of growth, and there is a lot of bad growth on S. Bayshore
Drive, for some reason or another has already taken place. What I
think the petitioner is trying to propose is a good quality project
that will not destroy the integrity of the neigborhood and at the other
hand will guard his privilege and right to use his property. Now let
me clarify a couple of misconceptions that previous speakers brought up.
First of all it is unfair to leave you with the illusion that the property
could not be subdivided into 5 lots. I want to remind you that I may be
corrected, but the property is 47,000 sq. ft. and under present law, we
need a density of 6,000. That leaves close to seven, --certainly five.They
made illusions that we got most to four, using as an argument that you
passed on first readina a plan that you did in the previous item and
obviously we will be grandfathered in,..well in any event its not a standing
laws, so its unfair to be discussing something that may be happening in the
future. As of today that property can be subdivided into 5 single-family
units, and could really, if you wanted to do it that way and really be
destructive, you could build those kind of units to legally destroy the
spirit of that neighborhood. The intent of the property owner is then to
develop it in a way, that is the whole purpose and intent of a Planned
Unit concept, so that it will not disrupt that integrity. I want to remind
you that voluntarily you were discussing today very heatedly the proposal
for announcements of setbacks of 100 ft. We voluntarily already
acceded to a 100 ft. setback. There's a whole South Bayshore area including
the existina ate he ' aoina to be left alone. Sr it is nrocPQR
of give and take and I .7 think it is unfair to simply go by the emotion of the
people who show up and perhaps the property owner and developer has
been not dialoging enough with the neighbors. And that was the intent
of possibly proposing, not that we oppose your motion on it merit at the
first time, Mrs. Gordon. Its that every single one of obviously, --their
strategy was, every single one of them said that they had not been con-
sulted, therefore we said that is obviously their single most often mentioned
objection, then they think it is an incumbent right and maybe we should
postpone it and go back to them and then come back with the thing. I also
want to state for the record, that the language of the petition that was
brought forth to this commission signed by all the neighbors. A11 of the
language verbatim does not negate the whole concept of what's being tried
to do. It is a single-family unit development and it is properly landscaped
and last but not least I want to mention to you that the Planning Department
has recommended the passage of 6 units. Okay. Make sure they understand
that. They have sent to the Zoning Board hearing a revised plans that
call for further concessions, --very substantial concession on behalf
of the developer, and they have now as I understand recommended the
development for 6. Thank you.
Mrs. Gordon: I call your attention to the frontage and depth of the
property being the front 135 with a street dedication running through
that property. I don't see how in the world you could develop 5 lots,
on a 375 ft. depth. The size of your lot, --yellow up there,--135 by what?
Mr. Davis: The square footage of it Mrs. Gordon,is 47,000,...
Mrs. Gordon: Sir, would you answer my question? What is the front and what
is the depth?
Mr. Davis: Three -fifty by one, thirty-five.
Mrs. Gordon: That's what I said. Now if you are going to put a street what't
the minimum dedication for a street?
Mr. Davis: For a private street is 25 ft. ma'am.
Mayor Ferre: Are there any other statements that the proponents want to
make on their time other than what you've male? You will have time for
rebuttal later on if we get into a discussion.
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zs
MARCH 8, 1979 -
VAR _ 8 fg7g
Mr. Bruno Carnecello appeared again in favor of the project and stated
that it was first class, and would be in a high class neighborhood and
would blend with the rest of the community.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you. Now, Father Gibson.
Rev. Gibson: Sir, you go ahead and talk. I'll always have a chance.
Mr. Applethorpe appeared in opposition to the project. (Mostly inaudible)
Mr. Lacasa: Tonight previous to this we passed on first reading a resolution
changing the zoning there from R-1 to R-18. This is on first reading. What
is precisely the status now of zoning in this particular area?
Mr. Davis: R-1 primarily.
Mr. Lacasa: Its R-1? Therefore they are not limited at this point to
the 10,000 sq. ft.
Mr. Davis: This application was made on the basis of R-1 sir.
Mr. Lacasa: Which is the present situation.
Mr. Ellison: Waldo Ellison, 1623 Micanopy, I think that Doctor
Daviglus and Mr. Carnecello are bright people, that were quite aware
of what they were doing tonight. They knew well from the Zoning Board
Meeting, --the Zoning Board went along with 5 units. But they wanted to
take a gamble. It reminds me of an individual who commits a crime, and
goes to court and there is some type of bargaining that is made, --either
plead guilty or not guilty and take the consequences.
Mayor Ferre: You want me to cut him off? Is that what you want me to do
Mr. Lauredo? You want me to deny him his right? I hear your comments and
I am going to give you the right to make them public in moment.
Mr. Ellison: I think I made mention that I thought you people are very
bright, however I also recognize the fact that I look upon this as gamble
that you took, that you blatantly disregarded what was asked of you from
the Zoning Board, the day before the Commission trying to place a facade
over the situation. I think by the response you got from the people sitting
in the green seats here, and some of the questions mostly by the Commission
I think it has become quite aware that the facade has been lifted. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Now in response.
Mr. Carnecello: I would like to ask the gentlemen, what is your present
address please.
Mr. Ellison: 1623 Micanopy.
Mr. Carnecello:Okay. What is your lot size?
Mr. Ellison: 10,000 square feet.
Inaudible.
Mr. Carnecello: What is the approximate value of your property?
Inaudible.
(MR. CARNECELLO's STATEMENTS UNINTELLIGIBLE)
27
rn.
bAR 8 1979
6 0
Mayor Ferre: You want to add something?
Mr. Lauredo: Mr.Mayor I want to apologize to the Chair if I insulted you.
Mayor Ferre: You didn't insult me.
Mr. Lauredu: : :+as referring to,..the gentleman has a record of being
very derogatory .And I was opposed to the practice of grabbing the micro-
phone,....and continue to use words that I thought were derogatory. He
did it at the Zoning Board. I think the spirit of this controversy,..we
need not get emotional personally, and I think the neighbors,..we live
together,...the lady,where is she,..she plays tennis at our house, and
we are very good friends. So the spirit of a neighborhood is not as bad
as reflected.
Mayor Ferre: I don't think so at all. And I want to say Mr. Lauredo
that you shouldn't feel bad because if you think what he said was derog-
atory, you ought to hear what we have to put up with. Some of you are the
cause of some of the things we have to put up with.
Mr.Plummer: That's only you from the morning,...
Mr. Lacasa: Let me ask something from the developer here. We have that
you applied for 7 units. The Department recommended 6 units. And the
Zoning Board recommended 5 units. Would you be willing to live with 5
units?
In response to Commissioner Lacasa question, Dr. Daviglus stated he wanted
to go for 6 units.
Mayor Ferre: The question was, would you accept the recommendation of the
Zoning Board, which was 5,--not the Department. The answer to that is no.
Dr. Daviglus: We felt that 6 units on the Court,and what I feel I could
do with the piece of property, I feel this would be the proper number.
Mayor Ferre: In other words your answer is you want to stick to 6,--you
don't stick to 7, to go to 6,--but you won't accept 5?
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor I'd like to move denial of this application.
Mayor Ferre: There's a motion to deny the application. Is there a second?
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor I want to second the motion so I could discuss.
Mayor Ferre: All right there's a second.
Rev. Gibson: I wasn't able to get in. Mr. Mayor in the heat of discussion
sometimes it pays to listen. I'll tell you this. I raised the question
before you started about whether or not this was properly before us.
Remember that? All right. What disturbs me is evidently you thought it
was property before us. At that point you took the next step. The next
step was to make a presentation as if you would now rest on the decision.
Isn't that the way it was? That's the rule of the game.
Mayor Ferre: Yes.
Rev. Gibson: Right. After you took step one and step two, and now you are
strp three, you want us to undo two and one. That bothers me. Rose Gordon
made a suggestion and I'm going to tell you how I am about it. Rose Gordon
made a suggestion to defer. Let me tell you times gets to be awful healer.
That's all I sell to people. That's all I sell to people, and sometimes you'd
better listen to me. Rose Gordon offered to defer. If you had deferred my
brothers, --I'm talking about two-four over there,(and sisters), --if you had
deferred, you had an opportunity to come back here opposing. If we don't
give you the right to come back, at no circumstance could you come back
in less than a year. Now, let me say the other thing. I ask, --I want to
ask Mr. Davis, --Mr. Davis what do they have the right to build there now?
How many units, if any?
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28
MARCH 8, 1979
MAR 8 1979
Mr. Davis: With no public hearing Father Gibson, they would be allowed
to build two units, one on each lot.
Rev. Gibson: All right. You see?
Mr. Davis:Whatever else they could plat into, --without platting you could
build two units.
Rev. Gibson: Listen to this, the most you could get is four.
Inaudible.
Rev. Gibson: Sir, let me tell you something. I sat here an awful long time
listening and I was figuring up here, you know. You didn't see me to this.
But if he says all you could get would two structures, and maybe if you
plat, four.Did you hear it? Okay. You see, if you'd taken Rose Gordon's
suggestion and deferred, you would have got five in all probability. Okay?
I just thought in an effort to discuss I would second the motion so that
I could put on the record some certain pertinent facts that are just as
clear as night follows day. Now, once you take steps one and two, you
put me in a position that I either don't know what I want to do, or I
must violate the rules. Now I hope somebody will get me off the spot
so I don't violate the rules and that nobody would think I don't know
what I want to do.
Mayor Ferre: We have a motion and a second, so really under the Commission
rules now, this is Commission discussion now.
Mr. Lacasa: After having listened to Father Gibson, I'd like to make
a substitute motion to defer at this point.
Mayor Ferre: We have a substitute motion to defer. Is there a second to
the substitute motion? Hearing none, it dies for the lack of a second.
We are back to the main question.
Mrs. Gordon: Call the question.
Ms. Hirai: On the motion for denial. Roll Call. Mrs. Gordon?
Mrs. Gordon: Yes.
Mr. Plummer on roll call: The motion is predicated upon seven units.
It was asked if the developer would consider five. The answer was no,
even though somewhere obviously there was a concession at the lower level
to five units. The same consistent vote of mine will apply here as it
did in the previous application further north. A P.U.N. development is
not by chance a conditional use. It is by design,and I sat here when the
P.U.N. and the P.U.D. were put into effect, with the thinking that there
are certain areas in which the P.U.N. and the P.U.D. when goodly applied
would upgrade an area. I do not feel that it is the case here on seven
units. Unfortunately the developer has the right in which to force the
issue and based upon the seven units I will vote with the motion and
that is to deny.
Mr. Lacasa: We have a motion to deny seven units as Commissioner Plummer
says. Quite frankly I don't see seven units there. I would have seen six,
probably, and for sure, five. Seven I have to move along with the motion and
move for denial.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, in light of what
we did earlier by way of passing zoning, you know, in lot size and all
that business, I find it difficult, and I thought most of these people
were here and overheard what we did. I thought they would have been smart
and accepted Rose Gordon's deferral and got that thing together and come
back. I regret that you must wait a year. I don't know how you can avoid that.
ra.
29
MAR 8 ‘979
Rev.Gibson: But one thing I like about the orderly process, I 've
said this before on this Commission. I had a roommate from the Virgin
Islands in my first three years in college. He taught me this, a law
that works for you, will work against you. And if you don't adhere
to the procedure, man we are going to be in trouble. I hope this is
a lesson all of us will learn, sometimes in your passion and fit of
anger and zeal, you'll listen to some of the old coons up here and defer.
With that in mind I have to vote with the motion.
Mayor Ferre: The vote at this point is 4 for denial. Now, before casting
my vote I want to express my opinion on the record. I think that a request
for seven is unreaonable. I think a request for six would be unreasonable
and I would vote against it. I think a request for five however would be
reasonable. That's not before us. I think there's no choice as Mr. Lacasa
says but to vote in favor of the denial, but I want to make mention of the
fact as to what my position is.I am sorry it came out this way. I think
Father Gibson's statement was one that made a lot of sense and I am sorry
that it didn't go that way. I have no choice but to vote with the motion.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Gordon , who
moved its adoption:
MOTION NO. 79-180
A MOTION DENYING APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A PLANNED
UNIT NATURE (PUN) AT 1641 SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gibson , the motion was passed
and adopted by the following vote -
AYES:
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre NOES: None.
5(A) ESTABLISH TRANSIT STATION INTERIM ZONING DISTRICT:
(B) FIRST READING ORD: APPLICATION OF TRANSIT STATION INTERIM
ZONING DISTRICTS TO CERTAIN AREAS SURROUNDING TRANSIT
STATION SITES.
Mayor Ferre: We are now on item #2 which is first reading of an ordinance
Planning Department application to establish transit station interim
zoning district. Is there anybody here on item 2A? Are you in opposition?
All right, go ahead and present your,...
Mr. Davis: The Planning Department will make this presentation.
Mr. Plummer: Is there anyone here on 2?
Mr. Jack Luft: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, the ordinance
that you have before you is an interim zoning district, designed to
provide for limited controls around the transit stations for the period
during which plans are being prepared for the transit station areas.
Simply put we've got a process that is going to take about a year to
complete the plans some 10 stations in the City. Its is hoped those plans
will address a variety of problems and opportunities in those station
areas. While we are preparing those plans, its the concern of the Department
that development that either would be inappropriate or conflicting with
the transit station on the transit station in return it, be somehow averted.
Now this ordinance does not prevent things from happening. It does not
stop development from occuring, it changes no zoning. The only thing it
does is require site plan review by the Planning Department so that we
may confer to the property owner, the developer and advising of the con-
ditions that are going to be applying because of the existence of that
rapid transit station.
rn.
30
Mrs. Gordon: We understand. We've had this kind of situation before. I
would move appoval to A.
Mr. Plummer: I second it. Any further discussion on 2A? Call the roll.
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AN INTERIM ZONING DISTRICT
TO BE KNOWN AS "TRANSIT STATION INTERIM ZONING DISTRICT"
AS PROVIDED IN ARTICLE IV, GENERAL PROVISIONS, SECTION 39
OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 6871; REQUIRING
THAT ALL NEW DEVELOPMENT IN SAID DISTRICTS, WITH THE EXECPTION
OF PROPERTY IN THE R-(1) (ONE FAMILY DWELLINGS) AND R-(2)
(TWO FAIILY DWELLINGS) DISTRICTS BE SUBJECT TO SITE AND
DEVELOPMENT PLAN APPROVALS BY THE ZONING BOARD PER ARTICLE
IV, GENERAL PROVISIONS, SECTION 41, OF THE COMPREHENSIVE
ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 6871; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES, CODE
SECTIONS OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND CON-
TAINING A SEVERABILITY PROVISION
Was introduced by Commissioner Gordon and seconded by Commissioner
Plummer and passed on its first reading by title by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Vice -Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
NOES: None. Absent: Commissioner Gibson .
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Com-
mission and to the public.
Mayor Ferre: Now we are on 2 B. You want to be recognized in opposition?
Go ahead.
Mr. Jahn Griffin: Mr. Mayor, Jahn Griffin, I am a real estate broker in
the City of Miami. I do business here. It's possible we don't have a con-
flict and trying to work it out now. My question was whether a certificate
of use would be denied also in this interim zoning district?
Mrs. Gordon: What do you have in mind?
Mr. Griffin: Certificate of use. Let's say an individual leased a property
in the interim zoning district and went to apply for a certificate of use.
Would that certificate of use be denied? Therefore the landlord's right to
lease his property would be suffering a vacancy during this entire year
due to this ordinance.
Mrs. Gordon: I don't think so but I'll ask the department to put that
in the record.
r Jack Luft: The effect of the district is that all buildings,
structures or parts thereof shall be no existing applicable zoning regulations
except that properties not zoned R-1 or R-2 must receive site and develop-
ment review before issuance of building permits, that's provided in Art. IV
Sec. 41, Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance.
Mrs. Gordon: What you are saying is any redevelopment, in other words,
if it is changing it in any measurable way?
Unidentified: Right.
rn.
31
IAAR 8 t979
Mrs. Gordon: But if he wants to rent the store to someone, they have
to go for an occupational permit?
Unidentified: No.
Mrs. Gordon: There's no restriction?
Unidentified: No, we would not become involved in that.
Mrs. Gordon: All right.
Mr. Griffith: Then there is no conflict and I will withdraw my opposition.
Mrs. Gordon: You are not opposed? I'll move approval, 2-B.
Mayor Ferre: Seconded by Mr. Lacasa. Moved by Mrs. Gordon. Read the
ordinance.
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 6871, AS AMENDED,
THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI
BY APPLYING TRANSIT STATION SITES, SUBJECT TO A ONE YEAR
LIMITATION, SHOWN ON THE ATTACHED MAPS, AND BY REFERENCE
THEREOF MADE A PART HEREOF; AND BY MAKING NECESSARY
CHANGES IN THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP, MADE A PART OF SAID
ORDINANCE NO. 6871, BY REFERENCE AND DESCRIPTION IN
ARTICLE III, SECTION 2; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES, CODE
SECTIONS, OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT INSOFAR AS THEY
ARE IN CONFLICT, AND CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY PROVIDION
Was introduced by Commissioner Gordon and seconded by Commissioner
Lacasa and passed on its first reading by title by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
NOES: None.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Com-
mission and to the public.
6. DENIAL OF APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF ZONING: 1616-36
BRICKELL AVENUE FROM R-1 to R-3A.
Mayor Ferre: Take up Item 3, on first reading, an ordinance application
by Carlos M. Mendiola for a change of zoning on Brickell Avenue from
R-1 to R-3A.
Mr. Davis: Mr. Mayor this was before you sometime in April last year.
It was deferred by the Commission in order for two things to occur. One,
for the applicant to get together with the neighbors I think it was, and
the other was for the Planning Department to take another look at our
3-A for that district and revise their recommendation if they felt it
was for a good purpose.
Mayor Ferre: Let the record reflect that I own property across the
street and,...I don't know. I don't have a beneficial interest one
way or the other. It doesn't affect my property.
rn.
32
Mr. Davis: I don't think you're within 375 ft.
Mayor Ferre: Sure I am. I'm in lot 48 and 47.
Mrs. Gordon: You'd have to have a beneficial interest.
Mr.Davis: Forty seven doesn't,
Mayor Ferre: Forty eight and forty seven,..well I don't have a beneficial
interest one way or the other I guess. Is that correct? It doesn't affect
the value of the property across the street,..in my opinion,....
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Grassie, since the Mayor and I are vitally affected,
is it City business if we both get sued for divorce? Does the City
Attorney defend us in this action? We've got two wives that met today
somewhere and I want to tell you they are definitely planning and plotting
against us.
Mayor Ferre: My wife just told me that the trouble is that you and I,
this is what Carole said, don't stop at home long enough for them to give
us our divorce papers.
Mr. Plummer: That's all right. Knox will defend us. I don't know that
that's a good deal.
Mayor Ferre: We are on this case and I guess I can vote since I really don't
have any beneficiary interest one way or the other. So let the record
reflect my opinion on that, and let's proceed with item #i3.
Mr. Whipple: Mr. Mayor you've heard the Department speak to this item
before. Let me just pick up where we left off on the deferral of this item
where you asked the department to review the R-3A recommendations. You
have a memo in your file dated February 28 of which we did review the
R-3A zoning regulations pursuant to your request.As we pointed out we
have no specific changes to bring before this Commission which we feel
would respond to your camp as we understand it. We have noted several
items which can do administratively under the provisions of the site plan
review, that is empowereed to the Planning Department and set forth in
R-3A zoning district. One is that we pay more particular attention to the
landscaping along the fronts of the property in the R-3A district, also
to provide better screening of the off-street parking in the R-3A locations,
and continue the Department's policy rather than the minimum parking re-
quirements that are set forth in the ordinance, that a minimum of two
spaces be provided for each unit located in the R-3A. Notwithstanding the
suggestions made at the last meeting, we feel that the R-3A is a sound,
proper district. We feel that a relaxation of the existing regulations
which would allow greater height, greater floor area ration, greater lot
coverage, does not satisfy the intent of maintaining the integrity of this
area,therefore we did not make any suggestions or recommendations along
those lines, and we have nothing further other than those administrative
positioi, to put before you this evening. So this item is back and we
would still as we did previously, recommend the change of zoning to R-3A
as we have done on previous studies and reports and in accord with our
comprehensive planning efforts.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Davis, would you clarify for me, --you know when I see the
Zoning Board vote unanimously on something, or 7 to 0, I need for you to
explain why did the Zoning Board, --I don't have the transcript.
Mr. Davis: I have the Minutes here, Mr. Chairman. Its been a long time since
it was before them.
Mayor Ferre: What exactly was the logic? Why was it unanimous 7 to 0?
Mr. Davis: There were rather organized neighborhood objections to it
primarily Mr. Mayor, plus I think there is some doubt in the Board's mind
about the R-3A zoning itself. These two combined, particularly I would say
in my memory, was the neighborhood objections.
Mr.Plummer: Well, in reality also Mr. Davis, you know, and I am not
rn.
33
speaking, because I just ask a question. Going south, where is the
closest R-3A?
Mr. Davis: I don't have a zoning atlas here sir, but I am guessing it
is right around 17th Road. In other words, close to the eastern boundary
of this map.
Mr. Plummer: Well are you talking about 300 ft, 500 ft.,...
Mr. Davis: At least those lots,..small lots, are 50 ft.
Mr. Whipple: I would guess about 1200 ft.
Mr. Plummer: About two city blocks? Wouldn't this in reality be spot
zoing?
Mr. Davis: I don't know. I am not going to answer that. I would say that
this area was recommended by the Brickell Study originally as all being
R-3A. I can't say what spot zoning is,..or not, because it is a matter of,...
Mayor Ferre: Spot zoning is when you rezone an area different from the
surrounding area,and it is surrounded by other than the same zoning. Now
if this zoned R-1 at the present time, and you rezone R-3A and it is
surrounded on all four sides by other than R-3A that is spot zoning, I think.
Mr. Whipple: Mr. Mayor under your definition of spot zoning I would have
to agree with what you say, but I do not agree with your definition per se.
Number one, the zoning is pursuant to studies that have been made, not only
the Brickell Study which was done in the 70's in which the department recom-
mended R-3A consistently continuously, I should say from l5th to 25th Road,
and also the Comprehensive Plan that we are working under currently also
recommends the same consideration. Before the Zoning Board Monday night,
we have an additional 300 ft. immediately north,if you will, that have also
requested an R-3A zoning. So the spot is now 600 ft. if you will,...
Mr. Plummer: What was the result of that application?
Mr.Davis: Deferred.
Mayor Ferre: In other words, the definition,..if you have 600 ft. then
it is less of a spot. Is that it?
Mr. Plummer: No, its a bigger spot.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor can I kind of put this whole thing a perspective
that we can analyze. Its not on spot zoning, or not spot zoning because
in my opinion it is not. Do you recall the other side of Brickell, the
side that you reside on, there was a time where there was one lot zoned
R-5A and one lot zoned R-1, and so on. That was because the plan was to
change the whole area to R-5A but there were owners who didn't want to
be taxed on the higher basis.
Mayor Ferre: I was one of them.
Mrs. Gordon: Okay. So you understand. Now on the side we are discussion now.
The same situation in a sense has been existing and people haven't wanted to
change it. They weren't ready to redevelop or develop their property. But
the Plan has been, as long as I can remember, from the time we developed
the Comprehensive Plan to have that side of the street R-3A. As far as I
feel I don't even think we need to have a whole lot of discussion because
I'd be ready for a motion now.
Mayor Ferre: I'll recognize you in a moment. I might point out that I was
one of those affected. You're right about R,... but you are wrong about what
side I was on. I was on the opposite side. I was one of those that wanted to
stay at R-1.
Mrs. Gordon: I know.
rn.
34
,MAR 81979
Mayor Ferre: I didn't want to go to R-5A.
Mrs. Gordon: There were people that didn't want to and you were one of them.
Mayor Ferre: I was one of them. And I think the point,...my position in this
from what I've heard of in the past, and we are going to listen in a moment
to Mr. Rice and attorneys and others that want to make this presentation, is
that I think that it is spot zoning number one, and if we are going to rezone,
we've got to rezone the whole area. And number two, I think R-3A, judging on
what we have got, is a monstrosity. Now knowing Mr. Barroto and Mr. Lee who
happen to be one of the best architects in this community, whatever they
come up with would not be a monstrosity but that is because they happen
to be capable architects. My problem is in the assurance that something
like this would be done and not something that has been done in the past.
And my further problem is that obviously if we do it for this property,
Mr. Barrotto and Mr. Lee and the owners can guarantee what will happen
on this particular property, but cannot guarantee what will happen on the
property next to it, or next to it, or further down, for so many blocks
down and what -have -you. And that's what my problem is.
Mr. Plummer: Well let me tell you how that can be corrected. And I think
it can be corrected very easily, because we can trust in the integrity
of these as you say, but who comes next we don't know. And that is what
we did at the corner of 25th Road and Brickell Avenue. But we allowed them
to put in a Planned Unit Development, and they can do the same here. Planned
Unit Development, take site approval and conditional use by this Commission.
Mr. Davis: It was a Planned Area Development.
Mr. Plummer: You've got so damn many initials I can't keep up with them.
Mayor Ferre: J.L. can you do that with R-1?
Mrs. Gordon: Yes.
Mr. Plummer: Can you do that with an R-1? Can it be done on this piece
of property.
Mr. Davis: Yes,sir.
Unidentified: There's your answer.
Mr. Barrotto: Mr. Mayor I think that it will be very interesting if we
were to make a presentation. We have been discussing something that nobody
has seen.
Mayor Ferre: Make your presentation.
Mr. Barrotto: Mr. Rice, please.
Mr.Rice: Thank you Mr. Mayor and Commissioners. What we would like
to first call to your attention apropos the comment about spot zoning,
before you on the easel is a drawing that shows the zoning that exists
between 15 and 25th Roads along Brickell Avenue. You'll notice on the
bay side that its all R-5A. On the west side about 60 percent of it,
and possibly more, is already R-3A. What we are talking about is rezoning
that one section that one section that's crosshatched, this one right
here. I suppose if there is any spot zoning here, its what's left here
as R-1 because it's become a spot. In respect to the plan that we have
put together here, we operated within the parameters of R-3A but I
must tell you that we did not take advantage of many of the things that
one could do in R-3A. And I think to not take too much of your time, I'll
turn this meeting over to Mr. Barrotto who will show you this plan. Thank you.
Mr. Barrotto: For the record I am Alfredo Barrotto,architects Barrotto
Architects and Planners, Cornelia Drive in Coconut Grove. We were
given the task to look at this piece of la -, and find out what was the
best possible use of it from an architectual point of view, and from a
planning point of view. The first thing we did was to go to the site and
rn
35
find out what were the parameters, what were the factors that are affecting
whatever plans we come up with at the site. We found that across the street
we have R-5A zoning, which allows for high rises such as Brickell Bay and
Brickell Towers. We have a high -traffic street which is Brickell Avenue
and then to the rear we have single-family homes that are separated from
our property by an alley, that is, I think it is a 225 ft. alley which
is already a buffer zone, separating from the rear of the property. We
went to the planning department and we did check in the books and we
found that there was a study made in 1970 and I believe it was approved
but not implemented to rezone the entire street facing Brickell and west
of Brickell to R-3A. Knowing that we went into the books to find out what
R-3A meant and R-3A seemed to be that it was created as a transition zone
from a high density district to low density district, being much more closely
related to a low density district than a high density district. It has
some incongruities in it I agree, that it allows for a fairly high number of
units for low density. In our property it would allow for 30 units, however
it has some other restrictions that are very, very tight. So then what we did
was try to follow the restrictions, the tight restrictions, and not necessarily
follow the neighborhood restrictions that it had. We also looked at the site
and we found that a good portion of it, or a third of it is totally wooded.
It has something 40 or 50 trees in there, so then taking these factors into
consideration we took the task of finding out what could we do with this site that
would keep the trees, that would not violate the character of the neighborhood and
it will be a transition between the R-5A and the R-1 zoning to the rear. And
we ended up with the conclusion that what we should do is to have single-family
attached homes. Not condominiums, not apartments. We thought that one of the
things that might affect the area is the type of use that you have on the land,
not necessarily how we designed it. If you go with apartments in an area that
residential is something else. We are not proposing apartments. What we want
to have is single-family homes, attached. That each of the units will have its
own private patio, will have its own parking,... each unit, will not have any
kind of parking structures. We have the parking limited to the units and will
create a very high class area,... if we also look in to the fact of what is
R-1. R-1 allows single-family homes. Single-family is a very liberal zoning
classification. The floor area ratio of a single family home classification
is much higher than R-3A. You can have only setbacks and build the rest solid
wall-to-wall. Here we are having larger setbacks than you will have in a single
family district. We are having more area use to allow for cars to come in and
for building on the site, so the end result is a project that has even a
lower type than a single family home. Single family homes,... 35 ft. high.
We could not have 35' high. So what we are trying to do is not to come in and
change the neighborhood but we are trying to accommodate the neighborhood and
improve on it. What is happening in that area, that strip of land on Brickell
Avenue is that the single family homes are being dilapidated. People are moving out.
The traffic situation in quality is very bad. The buildings that are happening
across the street are totally out of character with the single family neighborhood,
so it has been abandoned. It is slowly,-- not becoming a slum but it is not being
used. So we think that the best possible, --probably best use that we can have at
this site is what we are proposing, which is a group that we can have at
this site is what we are proposing, which is a group of attached single family
homes, separated by a buffer from the rear which is single family, separated by
the large areas of greenery and fences, fron-- the rear and the front, because
of the traffic creates a noise problem. We have created berms and we have to
create the wall to alleviate in some manner that problem. So what we are proposing
is a group of 17 single- family, attached homes in this area. We have been working
pretty closely with the Planning Department. We have been following all of their
recommendations. We think we have a very good project. We think that not only
our piece but the entire strip of land should follow the Planning Department
recommendation of 1970. Thank you.
Mr. Rice: We also would be prepared to accept this as a P.A.D. and use
this as the plan.
Mr. Barratto: Let me say something else. One of the reasons of goind to the
single family homes is that it allowed us the site flexibility so out of the
almost 50 trees that we have on that site, planing wise, we are saving all but
one.
MARCH 8, 1979
36
Mr. Barratto: (cont'd)
And if we have to, during the construction, to take any down, we will
move them to the rest of the property, because they are very nice
trees. You could not do that with anything else, but by having all those
possible designs, I have 10 more boards that we could show you of the steps
we have taken so we can save those traes that are there, and are going
to be the main asset, the sane thing as in Coconut (rove. This is what we
have,... preserve the trees. We want to save them. We do not want to go
over them. We don't want to take them down. We want to work around the trees
and that is why we have designed these homes that are quite different in
character, one from the other,... because we want to save the trees and
create a good enviroment.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Rice let me understand. Tou said you'd want to go to
a P.D.D. You are talking about P.A.D. under R-3A. You are not talking
a P.A.D. with R-1.
Mr. Rice: No, sir, I'm talking about doing this in a manner that it'll fly.
Mr. Davis: If I may Mr. Mayor this piece of land could not be applied for
un P.A.D.It does not comprise 3 acres, which is one of the requirements.
Mr. Barratto: However let me say something. You still have two more
restrictions or controls over what we do. If this property zoned R-3A,
we still have to go to two Boards to get approval. The Zoning Board will
have to hear this case, and there you probably have no control if you
zone it R-3A, and then just leave it like that. But if this is made into
part of the record, and we are made to follow this plan, you control to
the Zoning Board. Inaudible.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor is there anyone here in objection?
Mayor Ferre: Are the objectors here? All right, let's hear from the
objectors. Please step forward. State your name. How much time did they
take more or less? I'm sorry I didn't ask you to time them. I assume it
was about 15 minutes, or 20 minutes. So you'll have about the same time.
I'd be very grateful if you could keep your comments as short as possible.
Let's say that they have 20 minutes.
Mr. John Lucas: Mr. Mayor my name is John Lucas. I live at 1665 S.Miami
Avenue.I doubt very seriously that I can say everything that is pertinent
to be said on this issue in 15 or 20 minutes. I know the hour is late, and
I appreciate your staying here as long as you have. If we are to conclude
our testimony in 15 or 20 minutes after waiting a year to get back here,
your honor, I would suggest that we defer this to another hearing, start
us out in the middle of the after noon because we lave a very great issue
here and I would hate to be put under the pressure of trying to convince
this body of the problems that are created in this neighborhood in 15
minutes.
Mayor Ferre: You stet on with your presentation, sir. You've Rot 15 minutes.
MR. Lucas: Especially in view of the honorable Mrs. Gordon's remarks and
she's ready to take a vote now.
Mayor Ferre: I am too.
Mr. Lucas: Now, a year ago, the good Father said in his great wisdom,
for which I thank him, 'lets defer this item so that these men can get
together and come to some point of a solution', which again tonight,
The Reverend, you remarked upon. And Mrs. Gordon very wisely at that
time went along with that motion for a deferment and says I instruct
the Planning staff, you words to the effect were post haste, forthwith,
to meet with the individuals of the proponents for this Boning application,
the Planning Director's Staff and the citizens out there who wish to pro-
vide input into this issue and see if some resolution can be made. Mr. Mayor,
members of this Commission, that vas April 27, 1978. We are almost in April
of 1979. I have yet to receive the first inquiry or invitation to a visit
rn.
37
MARCH 8, 1979
'MAR 81979
0 / 4.
to discuss this issue, either by the City or by the applicant or by
anybody else in eleven months, except Mr. Barrotto's kind invitation
to me yesterday morning to come to his office to look at some plans
for development if I'm interested. I thank Mr. Barrotto and I notice
that here tonight there are plans. Mrs. Gordon and gentlemen of the
Commission, I remind you however that this agenda advertises a hearing
of a zoning change that was deferred, --not a site plan approval. To
wait an entire year and present plans a day before a hearing on a
zoning change I don't think is what Mrs. Gordon and Father Gibson had
in mind. Now I don't think that we as the neighbors in this area have
adequately treated in this one year lapse for this to come before us.
Knowing that the Mayor has requested me to limit my remarks to 15
minutes I will therefore save an awful lot of time. I will ask that
the Clerk then, so that I won't have to repeat everything that was said
before the Zoning Board who in their wisdom turned this down unanimously
and before this Commission last year, I will offer into the record these
various exhibits and I'll just discuss them as I ask the Clerk to read them.
Exhibit One will be a composite exhibit of 17 photographs that I provided
to the Commission at the last hearing, in color, that's objector's exhibit
0ne. Objector's exhibit Two, is a composite exhibit of seven 8 by 10 photo-
graphs along Brickell Avenue showing uses in the existing R-3A district.
Exhibit No. Three is a composite exhibit of six8 by 10 photographs along
S. Miami Avenue, to the rear of the proposed site sought for rezoning.
For the record, these are marked with a sticker which reads the date of
this hearing, City Commission Agenda No. 3 and objector's exhibits. Number
Five is the Miami Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan which is a study prepared
by, and on behalf of the City, entitled 'The Technical Report.' Exhibit
Number Six is the Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan, 1976 to 1986, Technical
Appendix,,,,(pardon me, economic). Exhibit Seven is the Miami Comprehensive
Neighborhood Plan, and Eight, is Miami Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan Sub
Study, Planning District Fee for Brickell. Number nine is a copy of the
Excerpts of the Minutes of the City Commission Meeting of April 27, 1978,
relative to Item 9 which is the subject property on that Agenda.Exhibit
Number 10 is the Excerpts of the Minutes of the City of Miami Planning
Board, March 6, 1978 in which this item was heard and unanimously recom-
mended for denial. Eleven is the Brickell South existing Zoning Map, Map (/6
prepared by the City of Miami Planning Department. Twelve is a zoning fact
sheet of two pages showing the subject property and immediate surrounding
neighborhood. Number thirteen is the courtesy notice, Miami City Commission
meeting for today of this item. One other item is 15 which is a composite
of three exhibits showing the property subject of this application. Now very
briefly I will attempt to address myself because there are other in the
audience who wish to be recognized and speak on this issue. May I say Mr.
Mayor and ladies and gentlemen of this Commission, that since we were not
invited to the meetings in which the Planning Department would have discussed
zoning, or would have discussed things that might be done with respect to
this application, or this district, we, meaning property owners and myself,
might suggest certain things might possibly have been done and what you
might do. The study on which the recommendation was based is contrary to
the recommendation. The general finding of the City of Miami Planning
Department's study of the Brickell Area was that this area more than any
other in South Florida possessed ingredients essential to a desirable
urban community. The South Miami Avenue neighborhood which includes a
row of single family residences fronting on Brickell, was found to be a nigh
quality, low density and stable neighborhood of large homes with high incomes.
Across Brickell Avenue is a bayfront neighborhood which consists of high rise
residential apartments and condominiums, whose residents for the most part
are professional employed and of high income. Between these two high -quality
neighborhood is Brickell Avenue, a wide well -landscaped street, retaining
both historical structures and environmental areas representative of Miami.
Mayor Ferre: Would the Clerk tell Mr. Lucas how such time there is left
of the 20 minutes, so that he'll be aware of it.
Ms. Hirai: A total of nine minutes.
rn.
38
'MAR 81979
Mr. Lucas: Are you suggesting that the time that I use will also be
applied to whoever else may wish to speak?
Mayor Ferre: That's right.
Mr. Lucas: May I register then an objection to the limitation of the time.
with which we are permitted. And go on to say this then.
Mr. Plummer: John, use the other microphone. That one's for the recorder.
Mr. Lucas: Thank you sir. I wish to take exception to the limitations placed
on time, and summarize very briefly so that other may speak by saying this,
we cannot rely on the altruistic motives of a developer, we cannot rely on
this type of improvement or whatever else is suggested for this evening to
continued throught balance of the district, and in fact Mr. Mayor my next
exhibit suggests what I am talking about. This is Exhibit Number four which
is a composite exhibit of three photographs taken of the Interterra property
subject of this hearing this evening, evidencing the fears that we have. I
hope I don't get emotional again tonight. These these two signs posted on
these two properties, if you will look at them say 'Interterra 358-5888.'
These are commercial signs in a single-family residential neighborhood that
I suggest are there illegally, and I also suggest that if they are not
illegal in the R-1 Distirct representing a sheer disregard for laws,
that they are suggesting a development sign, because the bottom sign on
that picture is the exactly the same configuration sign which appears
on the Interterra Development at 25th Road and Brickell Avenue. Either
this applicant is so sure that there are those ready to take an instant
vote because they can't understand why the Planning and Zoning Board in
their wisdom would recommend denial, that these signs indicating the
development are already in place prior to this hearing on this property.
Now Mr. Mayor, I have my final exhibit, Exhibit Number Fourteen, which
consists of 14 pages and these letters addressed to you, members of the
City Commission, dated March 7, 1979. 'The Honorable City of Miami Com-
missioners, City Hall, Miami Florida, --Dear Commissioners as an owner of
property in the vicinity of S. Miami Avenue and Brickell Avenue, please
be advised that I am opposed to the proposed rezoning of the westerly side
of Brickell Avenue from single family residential, to R-3A multiple family
residential use. Respectfully sumbitted.' The first letter is signed by
Dr. Gerald Ross, 1877 S. Miami.The second letter is signed by the Honorable
Irwin S. Christie, 1710 S. Miami Avenue. The next is Hilda Mae Young, 1565
S. Miami Avenue. The next is Mrs. Leona M. Skilling, 1805 S. Miami Avenue,
the next is Mrs. Nandez McLeod, 1835 S. Miami Avenue. The next is A.
Richmond Pollick, 2011 S. Miami Avenue. The next is Mrs.Glennis Head,
1601 S.Miami Avenue. The next is Lilly Sand, 2311 S. Miami Avenue. Next
is Dr. Rosen, 2255 S. Miami Avenue. The next is Mr. Espinosa, 2295 and
an owner at 1625 S. Miami Avenue. Barbara Nixon, 2055 S. Miami Avenue.
Dr. Dearman, 1895 S. Miami Avenue. Selma Alexander, 2322 S. Miami Avenue,
and Dr. Garcia, 2223 S. Miami Avenue. I would like to recognize Mrs. Alex-
ander, Mr. Puyanic, Ms. Lydia Fernandez and any others in the audience
who may wish to address this Commission with respect to this item.
Mrs. Selma Alexander requested deferral of the item, hopeful that the
Planning Department would come up with a plan that would satisfy the
developers and provide for good development.
Mrs. Lydia Fernandez, 1642 Brickell stated she questioned the good faith
of the developers, and requested the City Commission to preserve this area
of Brickell Avenue. She requested the matter be deferred and hoped the
Planning Department would come up with a better plan.
Mr. Max Puyanic, 1820 S. Miami Avenue, appeared for the first time on this
matter. He stated he was not anti -development. He agreed with the Mayor
in recognizing the blight R-3A has caused on the west side of Brickell
and thought it was not consistent with the east side projects.
39
rn.
lip 81979
Mayor Ferre: Thank you. We have now been here 15 hours ladies and
gentlemen and I think we are all kind of tired, so I want to thank
you for your patience. We've heard both sides and I'll lead off by
making a simple statement into the record. And I'd like to mention to
the members of the Commission that the very same considerations that
we in play in S. Bayshore Drive are in play here. The people of South
Bayshore Drive want to protect that street and their neighborhood. I
think you see the neighbors of this area wanting to do the same thing.
Now there's no question that this particular piece of property, that
little green piece surrounded by yellow speaks for itself. The color
around it tells you exactly what it is. It's spot zoning. Now it doesn't
matter whether or not the Planning Department recommended that whole
strip be zoned R-3A. That's not before us. Now, I might take a different
approach if the whole thing were R-3A. I think that we cannot inadvertently,
because we have a very nice picture before us, take this type of a spot
zoning posture. Now I think the best statement made so far is Selma
Alexander's which is that I hope we take rational approach, not the
hamper the proper development of the area, but that it be uniform and
that it be a protective device. With regards to R-3A I will say on the
record what I have said many times before, it is a monstruosity. Now for-
tunately is has not been applied as a monstruosity here, but what we are
faced with is not this project but the other projects that will follow it
and that may not have the capacity of architects like Barrotto and Lee,it
may not have the sensitivity of Mr. Rice and Mr. Morley and the other
people that are involved whoever they may be in this development. I would
therefore recommend that we approach this somewhat differently. And I
certainly am voting no today,tonight,--whatever. I'll move it if somebody
else doesn't.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Whipple would you come to the mircophone and give this
Commission the benefit of your professional opinion on this item.
Mr. Whipple: Commissioner Gordon, Mr. Mayor, I thought in my opening
remarks that I had indicated to you the Department's position, and let
me just quickly do it again. In several studies, going back even prior
to 1970,1970 happened to be the Brickell Avenue study where we talked
about the R-5A, the north Brickell and South Brickell and things like
that. The Department feels that the R-3A type of approach to zoning
as a if you will, buffer zone between the high-rise and high -density
zoning that exists on the bay side and the very high class, low density
residential that exists on Miami Avenue with the R-3A zoning, is a proper
zoning,providing a reasonable and economic use, providing a development
which would maintain, which does maintain in our opinion, as opposed to
some of the opinions on the Commission. The character that exists on
Brickell, there is one development in my opinion that we keep pointing
our finger at saying that this is the instant alum, therefore all of the
R-3A zoning is bad. With all due respect to this Commission, there are
approximately 6 or 7 R-3A development that are built, and out of those
one is still under construction, not counting the Interterra as a Brickell
forest, which we feel are reasonable and basically 000i development.
Mayor Ferre: Let me understand that again. You say that you think of the
seven that are up, many that are good, I want to tell into the record
that I know each one and every one, and have walked every one of them.
In my opinion all of the are monstrosities except the one that is now
being developed by Mr. Green. They are all absolutely horrible.
Mr. Whipple: There are designs in there Mr. Mayor that were done by
other good architects in my opinion. Wayne Williams for instance, who
did one. Now it may not be our particular taste, but in my opinion, these
are the proper developments save the one that was the first R-3A development
that occured in that area.And since then, if you may remember, we have
modified the R-3A zoning district two different times to accomplish many
additional things that weren't being accomplished when R-3A first went in.
So the Department's position is we feel that the transitional type of
approach to a zoning between high density and low density is appropriate,
to the bebt of our ability we think the R-3A is doing it and we would be
rn.
40
'YAR 81979
0
glad to entertain any other ideas and suggestions that this Commission,has.
Mayor Ferre: Why don't you institute a departmental proposal to
rezone the whole area R-3A?
Mr. Whipple: Sir, we did that and this Commission declined to initiate
or take our recommendation to rezone it, or we would not be here this
evening.
Mayor Ferre: I might point out to this Commission that there occasions
I respect a professional opinion that, Mrs. Gordon for example, doesn't
pay attention to the professional opinion that we've just requested for
example. Professional opinion was to go to 70 ft. I might remind you,
that you were rather strongly opposed to the professional opinion on
that particular instance. So you know, we have our differences. We all
are entitled to them.
Mrs. Gordon: Oh, Mr. Mayor, come on, don't make personalities a thing
for this hearing. I have my feelings and Mr. Whipple has his feelings
and you have your feelings with regard to the 70 foot. If you want to
go back to that hearing I am willing to start that one over again. But
if you don't want that one, and you want to talk to this one we are on
right now, let's continue. Mr. Whipple I want to ask you a question.
In order to be able to try to control the type of development that is
going to be applied if the zoning does change into a uniform zoning,
could we figure that you might develop some kind of overlay which then
would r'quire site approval or plan approval?
Mr. Whipple: In discussing this with Mr. Reid this evening, there is that
distinct possibility. The suggestion was made.
Mrs. Gordon: I didn't know you talked to Mr. Reid, so you and I have
not talked about this. Okay.
Mr. Whipple: We were just discussing it as matter of fact. His suggestion
was made pursuant to some of the comments that the Commission made that
perhaps we could ask the Urban Development Review Board to be a review
body on all development in the R-3A district. In other words,the present
time the site plan approval by the department, if you wanted to consider
legislation that would make the Urban Development Review Board respond
to site plan review and approval, this would be an added perhaps safe-
guard if you will. And with perhaps more expertise with the architects,
and landscape architects that we have on board. This could be done, yes.
Mrs. Gordon: This is an instance Mr. Mayor where we have to try to find
a proper kind of solution to the problem. And the problem is that the kind
of development that has been taking place is unsatisfactory to you and the
neighbors of the area. Not that then are opposed to uniform zoning,...
they're not. I don't think they are. They are scared of what might be
developed on the property. I would not want to see us deny this because
I think that would be a promiscuous denial. I think we need to go forward
in a positive way and we have to provide for safeguards and we have to
provide for either Urban REview Board recommendations or an overlay or
a mechanism that will control the development in the future. And Mr Mayor
I haven't heard a motion on the floor, but I'm going to move one. And I
would move for approval on this site.
Mayor Ferre: Is there a second to the motion? Is there a second to the
motion? Father, go ahead.
Rev. Gibson: I guess I have to second in order to get it, --get to
discuss?
Mayor Ferre: Well, you can do anything you want. But I think you are
for approval, then I recommend that you second it. If you are not, then
I'll recognize you after the motion dies.Its up to you.
Rev. Gibson: I want to make a comment so you all go ahead.
rn.
41
! UAR 8 1419
Mayor Ferre: Is there a second to the motion? Bearing none, the motion
dies.
Rev. Gibson: To the developer. You too, Mr. Barrotto. You too, sir. What
I really don't understand is I thought we were getting together to have
citizens come to us after approximately a year, --not quite a year, April
to April, is that the way it is? Eleven months. Okay. And to tell us
that you all didn't see fit. If I'm wrong, you tell me. You all didn't
see fit to call these peop:,• together and to talk with them, and when you
left here you gave us that assurance. I don't understand. The least,..let
me tell you something, --you know what's wrong with Egypt and Israel today?
Tell them I told you this. I was in Israel. You know what's wrong there?
Nobody wants to talk. And my brother if you ever stop talking you are in
trouble. As long as you are talking, the likeliness is you may solve the
problem.
Mr. Rice: Father Gibson I don't have total recall but I've got a pretty
good memory, and I had hoped that we were going to be able to have a
transcript of the meeting in which you made your fine suggestion, that
perhaps if we would get together and talk perhaps this could all be worked
out. Mr. Lucas at the time said that he felt such a meeting would be useless,
that his objection was not what kind of R-3A zoning or what parameters would
be established, but rather that he thought that the property that we were
trying to rezone should be retained as single-family residential,and he
felt that that was the only way that he would ever accomodated in any
discussions with us. I complimented Mr. Lucas on his intellectual honesty
and you will find that in the meeting transcript. And I again compliment
the man for his intellectual honesty. But pursuant to your recommendations
we very quickly talked to the Planning Department and asked them if they
wouldn't come up with some new recommendations for R-3A zoning. We were
advised over some period of time that they were studying it. I spoke to
Mr. Whipple. I'm sure he'll confirm what I said and after some period
passed he said that really they had not been able to come up with anything
and they really felt that the R-3A zoning as it was then constituted was
the way that it should stay and that it was working well and could be
adjusted to produce the desirable projects. We have doing a lot of work
in this City and I am one of the people that does that work. I have had
several discussions with people that try to find the architect that could
be sympatico to the environment that they are trying to maintain on South
Miami Avenue and not create something on Brickell that would do violence
to it. Its been just a few months ago that I talked to Mr. Barrotto about
this project, and at the time I gave him the survey, and I told him the
background of our meetings and I said please, you go out and design some-
thing. I think that it was last week that I saw these plans, --last week.
I advised him of Mr. Lucas. I said this gentleman has said that he didn't
care to see anything, that he wanted R-3A but please do him the courtesy
of calling him and letting him see what we are planning to do so he'll
know what he's opposing. He is not opposing this plan. He's opposing
numbers. He's opposing R-3A, R-5A,--intangibles, abstractions. And I think
we've really cooperated with the spirit of what you wanted us to do.
Mr. Barrotto: Mr. Gibson I finished these plans today and we have been
working overtime, day and night for the past week. And one question I would
like to ask from Mr. Mayor, as a planner, I'd like to know because I do
not know, if this property which I think cannot remain R-1, it cannot
be R-5A, what is it going to be?
Mayor Ferre: R-3A you mean?
Mr. Barrotto: R-3A, that's what we are requesting.
Mayor Ferre: You said R-5A just a second ago.
Mr. Barrotto: I am saying it cannot be R-5A, obviously. It cannot be R-1,
what is it supposed to be?
Mayor Ferre: You're asking an opinion?
Mr. Barrotto: I am asking your opinion, yes.
rn.
42
'MAR 81979
Mayor Ferre: I think my position is that we have to approach that whole
strip as a unit. I think we have to safeguard that the projects that go
on that particular strip be of a high quality. R-5A has shown time and
time again that it does not have proper safeguards built into it, and
I beg to differ with my colleague over here. He and I went to school
together and we went to the same school, to many of the same classes
together, and I guess the things that I learned than what he learned
might be different. I don't know. But I don't see that R-3A has been
a success. I think it has been a dismal failure. I think there isn't a
pretty building there with the exception of the one that is being built
now by Mr. Greene, who I think has a chance of being a nice project.
I just think it would be really a detriment to the welfare of the
neighbors and the community and they are entitled to the same consider-
ation that the people along South Bayshore Drive have gotten tonight
for the exact same reasons. I would use the same arguments that were
previously used on South Bayshore, both the 100 ft. setbacks and on
that property that that Doctor wanted to develop, I would use it on this.
Its absolutely the same argument.
Rev. Gibson: Let me ask this. Again, there is no question, --I don't
think you question the desire. Do you sir?
Mr. Lucas inaudible.
Rev.Gibson: Let me say this. You see it and I see it. You saw it about
the same time as I. What I am trying to get you all to see is, --you know
you fool around here, --don't do what the other group did now. I hope you
don't force this issue that way. I suggested that you all talk. You also
heard the developer say that there was an effort made. At least it showed
you,..
Mayor Ferre: Don't interrupt.
Rev.Gibson: Go ahead dear.
Mr. Hernandez: I've been jumping in my seat because I would like to take
exception to Mr. Rice's comment. I was here at the meeting a month ago. I
gave my name and address. I am not invisible. I am not Mr. Lucas. I own
a separate piece of property. I am right next door to the development. I
was never contacted. Mr. Lucas is one property owner.There's many property
owners that are opposed to this.
Mayor Ferre: Look, let's cut through all this. Mr. Plummer, wake up, here's
the gavel. I move that the Zoning Board be upheld.
Mr.Lacasa: Second.
Mr. Plummer: Further duscussion? Hearing none, call the roll. Don't call the
roll.
Rev. Gibson: You were talking about the Review Board and some things that
may go into this business,..this zoning, overlay business. What I'm trying
to avoid, I think the developers have a right to develop. I believe the
neighbors have a right to protect. If you were smart you would want to go
back with the full understanding that either you are going to alter, have
that Review Board make some changes so that you could live, or you will get
a denial, and in order to be heard again you'll have to pay that fee. If you
postpone and go back and talk, and hopefully come to an understanding, you'll
aave money. Okay? Otherwise you are in trouble.
Mr. Rice; Father Gibson,....
Mr. Plummer: Are you speaking to the motion?
Mr. Rice: Yes.
Mr. Plummer: A motion for denial.
Rev. Gibson:Let him speak to the motion.
rn.
MAR 81g79
Mr. Rice: I am speaking to it Father Gibson.
Mr. Plummer: Father Gibson request you speak. Speak.
Mr. Rice: Father if you could determine whether these people would be
agreeable to a multiple -family zoning, how do they feel about that? If
they say if all they are interested in is R-1 Single-family, then I sub-
mit there is no basis for us to talk. If they do feel that they would be
compatible with 12 multiple -family zoning, I would welcome the opportunity
to talk to them,and have a deferral.
Mayor Ferre: Mr Rice I think Selma Alexander was speaking, and if she wasn't ,
then stand up and say so, for the neighborhood when she said that what she
was interested in was a logical, reasonable approach to the development of
that whole strip rather than a single approach. Now isn't that what you said
Selma? And I subscribe to that theory. Now you have a different opinion.
Mr. Lucas: Mr. Mayor I was just going to respond to Mr. Rice's remark is
all. No, I am in accord with you that this area needs some special treatment,
but through the finesse, we the property owners who asked only to be left
alone are now suggested by Mr. Rice to be the proponents of things. What do
they want to do? What we want to do is to be left alone of course. But we
know that you are going to have to have something. But Mr. Rice, please don't
tell us that now we should come to set up meetings with you as to what to do.
We just want to be left along.
Rev. Gibson: Look. Listen to this. If I remember correctly, please somebody
correct me, when we were getting this zoning in that whole strip, I want
you to know why I am taking your time and trying to make you talk. The
people came to us. I think I was on the Commission at that time, and they
said to us, okay, you could have that zoning. That's all right. What is
it, R-3? But make sure, we don't want you to put it on ours because we
don't want that kind of tax. Wasn't it something like that? Now listen,
if you were smart, you go back, follow Mrs. Alexander's lead, let us
postpone, and you know what, so you can save some money. I like to offer a
substitute motion, and the substitute motion is, I give you 30 days at the
most, to get these people together. And my brother, it isn't if you want
to meet. Now if you don't want to meet you tell us now so I don't have to
waste that time and I don't think none of us need to start going into any
of these meetings with our minds closed before we open the door. Now if
that's the case, then we are wasting time. Let's answer.
Mr. Plummer: Is there a second to the substitute motion? There is a second
to the substitute motion. Does anyone want to speak to the substitute?
Mayor Ferre: Call the question.
Mr. Plummer; There has been a request to call the question on the sub-
stitute motion first. Motion understood. Call the roll.
Mrs.Gordon: Repeat the motion.
Ms. Hirai: To extend thirty days so that both groups can get together.
Rev. Gibson: Either fish or cut bait.
Ms. Hirai: Roll call. Rev. Gibson?
Rev. Gibson: Yes.
Ms. Hirai: Mrs. Gordon?
Mrs. Gordon: Yes.
Ms. Hirai: Mr. Lacasa?
Mr. Lacasa: No. 44
rn.
-_ %AR 81979
Mayor Ferre on roll call: I think that we have to approach this in
a different way and I don't think 30 days or speaking to four neighbors
is going to solve it, and therefore I vote no.
Mr. Plummer on roll call: Look I've been consistent all the way down the
line. I am totally opposed to the R-3. I vote no. The original motion,
a motion to deny. No further discussion call the roll on the original
motion.
Rev. Gibson on roll call: My brethren, I am going to vote no because I
still believe as long people talk they'll settle their differences.
Mr. Plummer: We sent Billy's brother over there to talk.
Rev. Gibson: Yes, but Billy's brother doesn't have the same thing at stake
as these people have at stake. And maybe the mentality may not be the same.
I don't mind if that gets in the record either.
The following motion was introduced by Mayor Ferre, who moved its
adoption:
MOTION NO. 79-181
A MOTION UPHOLDING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ZONING
BOARD TO DENY APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF ZONING CLASSI-
FICATION AT 1616-36 BRICKELL AVENUE FROM R-1 to R-3A
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Lacasa , the motion was passed
and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Plummer, Mr. Lacasa and Mayor Ferre.
NOES: Mrs. Gordon and Rev. Gibson .
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINING: None.
7. INSTRUCT PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO INITIATE ZONING STUDY
WEST SIDE OF BRICKELL AVENUE
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor I make a motion at this time that the Planning
Department be instructed to adopt a new study of the Brickell Avenue,
on the north side, that this Commission has pretty well expressed its
opinion that we are unhappy with that which exists. We feel that there
must be something that is compatible between the two and we ask the
Planning Department to report back to this Commission within 90 days.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor I am going to second the motion only because I
thought, the motion I was making might have accomplished the very thing
you are doing.
Mayor Ferre: It wouldn't Father because it spoke to only one piece of
property. That's not the way to approach it. As Mrs. Gordon has said on
many and many occasions, we've got to approach this from a community
viewpoint. Selma Alexander spoke very eloquently to the issue. If we
want to approach this we approach the whole area. And that way- we don't
get into spot zoning, and I think that is wise way to approach it.
Furthermore I think 90 days gives you enough time so they can do a
thorough job. And Mr. Whipple I want again to reiterate to you, I
think the majority of this Commission is not happy with R-3A. Now I
hope you understood that clearly. If not, you want me to make a motion
so that you understand the policy of the majority of this Commission?
Mr. Whipple: If the Commission has any specific suggestions. We under-
stand your unhappiness with it. If you have any other particular problems,
we'll be glad to,...
15
rn.
ma 8 t979
Mr. James Reid: I think that is a key point. I think it would be
useful to understand if its the buffering from the street, the
way the parking looks, the basic building design, architectural
height, bulk, --the specific way in what you wish might be accomo
dated.
Mayor Ferre: Why don't you on an interim basis between now and the end
of the 90 days come back with specific recommendations on a discussion
basis, at both the Planning level and at the City Commission level and
we will be happy to guide you along. I won't have any problem with that.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor let me ask this. Again, --you know I would have
been glad to make a motion for 90 days to do all of this and yet not
deny those people so that would have saved them. You would have done two
things, you would have saved them money and plus, what really bothers
me,...
Mayor Ferre: If we rezone, they can come up right away. If we rezone
that whole area to whatever it is that we are going to go to, they can
come up immediately on that,....
Rev. Gibson: Here's the thing Mr. Mayor, I say this to you all as I
said about another thing, if those people were really determined, and
I am sure they want to be friends, they'd go to court.
Mayor Ferre: Oh, but I am sure they won't because they have not finished
thier administrative remedies here. We are about to look at that whole
area and come up with a solution. See what this Commission has done since
you brought that point up, is we are not saying that this may not be an
acceptable solution. What we are saying is, that we want it applicable to
the whole strip in a uniform logical, reasoned out way, rather than in a
strip zoned way. I doubt very much if they could carry this to court if
we are being reasonable as I think we are by getting a review in 90 days
so that we can approach the whole strip uniformly.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor I believe that if your argument is to hold any
water if it went to court, I believe you would have to have something
specific to direct to the department because what you are saying to them
is very nebulous. And they don't know what you want them to do in 90 days
and you are not all specific. You want more density, less density, no
density. What do you want?
Mayor Ferre: I think as we indicated, it's 12:24, and I don't think this is
the occasion for that, and I said that I would ask that you come back to
this Commission and to the Planning Board and discuss with both of us so
that we can direct you as you go along before you make your conclusion in
90 days. There a motion, and a second.
Mr. Rice: Mr. Mayor is there any possibility that we could be protected
from the eventuality that the Planning Department does nothing in 90 days?
Mayor Ferre: I think this matter will come up before this Commission
in 90 days and we will discuss it at that time.
Mrs. Gordon: He's saying why don't you keep everything alive in
deferred status.
Mayor Ferre: Rose, I have already taken my position and this Commission
has voted on it. Now if you want one of the members who voted on the
prevailing side,can move for reconsideration. Aside from that, the decision
stands. Now is there further dsicussion on the motion? Its been moved and
seconded. If not, call the roll.
Mrs. Gordon on roll call: I'm not sure that the motion tells me what is
being deferred. To study what? Is it for a new zoning classification or
a restudy of the R-3A in itself. I'll know how to vote if you tell me what
I am voting on.
Mayor Ferre: Mrs. Gordon I think the thrust of the motion is exactly the
same as when we told the Planning Department to restudy certain parts of
rn 46
VAR 8 1979
Coconut Grove. I might remind you that at that time we did not tell
the Department what to come back with or what to conclude. What we
told the Department is that we were not happy with a status quo. Now
I don't see that, --I know how interested and involved you are,and I
know how knowledgeable you are over your many years of experience. I
don't think that this is any different in any way than what you voted
for on many occasions in Coconut Grove, other than the difference in
an area.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved its adoption:
MOTION NO. 79-182
A MOTION INSTRUCTING THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO INITIATE
A STUDY OF THE WEST SIDE OF BRICKELL AVENUE IN AN AREA
GENERALLY BOUNDED BY FEDERAL HIGHWAY ON THE SOUTH AND
S.W. 15TH ROAD ON THE NORTH WITH A VIEW TOWARD DEVELOPING
REGULATIONS MORE COMPATIBLE WITH THE ABUTTING AREAS
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gibson , the motion was passed
and adopted by the following vote -
AYES:
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre NOES: None.
8. GRANT ONE-YEAR EXTENSION FOR OPENING IN WALL -CENTRAL
SHOPPING PLAZA
Mayor Ferre: We are now on item 1/6 which is a review of City Commission
resolution 78-75 adopted January 24, 1978 which permitted an opening
in the wall along N.W. llth Street. Does anybody have any objections
to the opening of the wall?
Mr. Davis: The Building Department has inspected this property prior to
the meeting.
Mayor Ferre: Is there anybody opposed to it. Are you opposed? Okay, tell
us what your problem is.
Mrs. John Gentry: I am not opposed to this as such. Mrs. John Gentry,
I represent Grapeland Heights Civic Association. There are certain conditions
I'm opposed to. I saw George's pictures (inaudible) but what he doesn't
is that the gate is not closed. In December it was open 24 hours a day.
(Inaudible) and just since the time these notices went in the mail
have they been closing at 5, We are very opposed to that.
Rev. Gibson: We'll ask him to make sure to close it.
Mrs. Gentry: Either that or give us the key and we'll close it.
Mayor Ferre: Mrs. Gentry, I'll tell you what. You come back in the main
meeting,-- we are now in March. The first meeting of May and I'll take you
up the first thing in the morning. If that gate isn't closed properly you
let us know.
Mrs. Gentry: I'm sorry that the other members of the Board couldn't wait
(inaudible)
Mayor Ferre: I don't blame them.
rn.
17
'MAR 81979
A
Mrs. Gentry: But they keep a lock on it, and it's not just something
that I'm tell you. We are opposed to that and we wanted to request
that they close it and put the wall back the way it was.
Mayor Ferre: Is that what you are requesting, you want to close it?
Mrs. Gentry: I'd like you to consider that.
Mayor Ferre: In other words what you are saying you want it closed now.
That's what the Association wants?
Mrs. Gentry inaudible.
Mayor Ferre: Can you do that George?
Mr. George DuBrieul: Mr. Mayor for the record, my name is George DuBrieul,
I represent the Shopping Center at Central Shopping Plaza. The Building
and Zoning Inspection Department has recommended for a one-year,...this
was supposed to come back to make sure,...Rev. Gibson requested at that
time that all the lines be put in. We have installed it. That's what the
pictures show. We have been abiding by it in every way. Now, the State,..
there is now built in the back there a complete practice area in the back
which the pictures will reflect. This is training area, that they now do
now have to go out on the streets. You see by the pictures also that the
signs were lowered so no trucks could go in or out. So the State was to
make sure, and they agreed before this Commission that they would have
the keys and see when they left that that gate was locked and so on.
Excuse me Mr. Mayor. I know its late, but I've been here since 6 o'clock
too just to hear this.
Mayor Ferre: You've been here since 9 in the morning.
Mr. DuBrieul: I know it. Anyway, I was not aware until Mrs. Gentry told
me about this tonight. We've repaired it 3 times since we put it up. Some
vandals have broke it, but we will see, and Dorothy we will give you a key,
and be happy to provide the Grapeland Heights, or the neighbors there at
any time,..but I will see, and before this Commission Dorothy,..I've asked
you before. I know you are busy woman as President of the Grapeland Heights
Association,but also we'll work with you in every way at any time if that
is not closed. If you will let me know we'll correct it immediately. By the
pictures you see, we've provided everything. Instead of us having to come
back every year Mr. Mayor for one-year extensions on this, you have an
inspection department, your Building and Zoning, at any time, if we are
not living up to the variance that we agreed upon, that's what I would
like to have approved.
Mayor Ferre: George I'll tell you, I'm sorry, these people in Grapeland
Heights are like the Northeast Improvement Association, people that are
fine and dear to our hearts. And I'll tell you, as long as they have these
kind of problems and they sit and wait here for hours and hours to speak
up on it, I've got a problem. My problem is this. I'm willing to go for
another one year, and I would give Mrs. Gentry the opportunity or the
neighborhood to come back and if they are not locking that place by May
then I would want to reconsider this whole thing. Otherwise, we will just
give them another year and hopefully by next year, they've been good
fellows perhaps we can give them a little bit longer than one year next
time.
Mr. DuBrieul: We think we have. We've tried, because this isn't only
just for the people in the area. This affects everybody in the City of
Miami. Its the only driving test area. We went two years of this and I
know its late but at least we are trying to live up to do everything that
we agreed upon.
Mayor Ferre: You are doing a good job and I hope that next year get
the Civic Association to come here and all these nice things and agree
with you. And I think you are going to be able to do that. Thank you
very much Mrs.Gentry. Is there a motion now? Mr. Plummer moves, Father
Gibson seconds, call the roll.
rn.
48
'BAR 8 1o79
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Plummer , who
moved its adoption:
MOTION NO. 79-183-A
A MOTION GRANTING A ONE YEAR EXTENSION OF PERMISSION FOR AN
OPENING IN THE WALL ALONG THE N.W. 11TH STREET SIDE OF THE
CENTRAL SHOPPING PLAZA SUBJECT TO REVIEW IN ONE YEAR
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gibson , the motion was passed
and adopted by the following vote -
AYES:
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre NOES: None.
9. DEFER CONSIDERATION PROPOSED AMENDMENT SECTION 62-20 OF THE
CITY CODE TO EXTEND TERM OF OFFICE OF MEMBERS OF THE
PLANNING ADVISORY AND ZONING BOARDS.
Mayor Ferre: Grace we are going to take your item up. I know you have
another thing you have to go to.(Namely to go home). Tell us what item it
was. Fourteen? Appointing members of the Miami Planning Advisory, --is
that what you wanted?
Mrs.Grace Rockafellar: On Item 15 Mr. Mayor on the time of appointments,
for the Board members. I am Grace Rockafellar, I live at 814 N.E. 71st
Street, a member of the Planning Advisory Board. Now I've been concerned
about the length of time that the various members of both the Planning
Advisory Board and the Zoning Board have been permitted to serve. And
as the ordinance is presently written, when the Boards were first split,
the two Boards were formed, those that were appointed for 3 years could
apply for another 3 years and then they were out. They couldn't apply for
any more. But if you were appointed for two years, you could apply for
two full-time terms, giving you 8 years. If you were appointed for 2
years and somebody resigned, you could be appointed to fill that vacancy
giving you 4 years and you could still apply for 6 full years. Now I am
not here just on my own. This was voted on by the Planning Advisory and
a majority of the Board favored it, and I'm also representing them. I felt
that the Zoning Board should be consulted since they are involved in this.
And in December when I first proposed this, I contacted every member of
the Zoning Board and they were very much for it. Now the way that Mr. Reid
brought up the ordinance, my ordinance, --I call it an equal opportunity
ordinance, --for each member of the Board would be given permission to
apply for an equal amount of time. And that time,as Mr. Reid suggested
was 9 years. We hope it isn't any less than 9 years, unless you want to
make it longer, --that's fine with us too.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Reid did you say?
Mrs. Rockafellar: Well, he wrote it up and presented to the Board. The
Planning Department was not involved in this at all, other than that he
drew up the ordinance. But the entire Zoning Board favored this. Their
only remark was that they didn't think there should be any limit at all.
And knowing that Rose Gordon was the mother of this ordinance, I contacted
her first to see what she thought about it, and she told me she could live
with it very nicely. And we've had quite a turnover on our Boards. When
the two Boards were first initiated, we started out, we had 8 members,
and at the end of 5 years we had on our Board,there were 3 of the original
members left. Mildred Callahan who is now Chairman of the Zoning Board told
me the other day that she didn't think that there's over one on the Zoning ,--
might be 2, but thought there was only one remaining of the original 8 that
were appointed. And she also told me that she has served 511 years and she
ra.
49
MAR - 8 1979
is still eligible to apply for two full terms, giving her 6 more years,
because she was appointed, and appointed to fill-in and appointed to
fill-in,but never appointed for a full three-year term. This is exactly
what she told me the other day. So what we are requesting is that each
member be allowed to apply for at least 9 years and the bottom line is
this Commission always has to say whether any of us are reappointed or
not.
Mayor Ferre: I'll tell you Grace, I would subscribe to this on the following
theory. You know this Commission has no limitation as to the terms that
we serve and ,neither does the County Commission, neither does a member
the State Legislature. I think 9 years is a reasonable figure.
Mrs. Rockefeller: Vice -Mayor Plummer told me that he didn't think we
should be restricted any more than they are. But when you look at it in
his point of view, you people sit here because we vote you in, and you
can sit here as long the citizens vote you in, and we can stay on the
Board as long you vote us in, within the required length of time. And
those that are opposed,...
Mayor Ferre: And you go to bat every 3 years. We go to bat, --the Commission
does, every four years.
Mrs. Rockafellar: Now, if I were opposed to this ordinance,as opposed to
the majority of the Board, then I could be satisfied by just not reapplying,
for another seat.And I think that anybody that is opposed to it, they don't
have to apply, or the Commission doesn't have to appoint them. But the majority
of the Planning Board and the Zoning Board, all the Zoning Board, are requesting
that this amendment be adopted.
Mrs. Selma Alexander stated the Zoning Board did not favor the proposed
ordinance, and that it was good policy for a Board to have rotation.
Ms. Marilyn Reed expressed the opinion that she would like to see the
ordinance remain as it is, that the intent of the ordinance is well-founded
and worthwhile and saw no reason to change it at this time.
Mrs. Rockefeller made a short rebuttal.
Mayor Ferre: What's the will of this Commission?
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I'm in a good position but a bad position. I am
between two friends and I can go right down the middle and express my
opinion, and I am going to say it very briefly. If I were to be bound by
the rule that states a nine-year maximum, that means that this October 8
I have no choice. Come October 8th this year I would not have a choice
of whether I wished to continue public service or not. I start my loth
year. Now, that even precludes the term that I am serving in. I just simply
feel that no Board that serves under this Commission should be bound by any
more nor any less than what we are bound by. If I wish in October of this
year to surrender my name to the public for a reconsideration of an additional
4 years, I personally feel I should have that consideration because the ulti-
mate answer is not mine, its the people. And I just feel that a person is doing
a good job should be allowed to continue a good job and that's also my belief
that the public are smart enough if they are not doing a good job they will
turn them out.
Mrs. Gordon: May I say something? I did talk with Grace regarding this
matter and I did say I could live with it. It was based upon having been
involved right from the very beginning in this ordinance's redevelopment.
I could live with an equalization of the amount of time that a person could
serve. Now, in the original appointment, some people had a one year, two year
and a three year, consequently its true that there are some people that are
serving and could serve 8 years and some only 6,--I think if we cap it at
9 years, I can't find anything drastic or terrible that's going to happen,
but at the other hand if we don't set a limit, we will then perpetuating
,;;pointments whether for whatever reason, political or otherwise. And I
believe that it is a good thing for the Community at large to have an
experience on these Boards. So therefore there would never be an opportunity
50
rn.
MAR 8 1g7g
w
to have new faces, new talents. I don't think anyone really wants to
serve more than 9 years. I would move 9 years to be the cap.
Rev. Gibson: You know, Mr. Mayor, I don't understand why we make these
laws in haste and then a year or two later we want to change them. You
know, I am a part of an institution that believes in perpetuity of office.
In other words once you get called to a church you stay there. You know
what they did? They demanded that every vestry, that's the governing board,
be on a rotating system, so as to get input, new knowledge, new vigor,
new leadership. I want to tell you this. At one time in your life, you
think you can't get along with the change. Once you go through the process,
you ask yourself why in the devil I waited so long. I am not opposed to
anybody that's on the Board, but it would appear to me, that when the
ordinance was drafted the only people who should repeat themsevles and
the exception should have been made, where it should have been the persons
who got the one-year term. They are the only people who should have
repeated. And they should have rotated off the others who had a two-year
term and a three-year term, rotate off for one year, and they could come
back, but they could not succeed themselves if they had a three-year term
or if they had a two-year term. They had input for two years. Mr. Mayor
I understand you. Look, I get up earlier then you, man. I just believe
we ought make these hasty decisions. We passed these laws, --I remember
when everybody wanted all this done, all this change, and now I want to
offer substitute motion to defer the matter.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Gibson , who
moved its adoption:
MOTION NO. 79-183-B
A MOTION DEFERRING CONSIDERATION OF A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO
SECTION 62-20 OF THE CITY CODE WHICH SOUGHT TO EXTEND TERMS
OF PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD AND ZONING BOARD MEMBERS AND FURTHER
INSTRUCTING THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO STUDY THE REQUEST AND
COME BACK WITH RECOMMENDATIONS WITHIN 30 DAYS FOR CONSIDERATION
BY THE CITY COMMISSION
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Plummer , the motion was passed
and adopted by the following vote -
AYES:
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre NOES: None.
0. DEFERRAL OF CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR VACATION AND CLOSE OF
N.W. 7TH CT. BETWEEN RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE N.W. 15TH ST.
AND N. RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE E/W EXPRESSWAY "BOAN SUB"
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor there's a party I recognize back there who's
been waiting all day on an item and I'm not sure which number it is but
it is closure of a street.
Mayor Ferre: Are you opponents?
Mt. Davis: This Boan Sub which is item #13.
Mayor Ferre: Is the applicant here,Mr. Boan? Why don't you come up
and see,...
Mr. Davis: There's a question that has come up today on this Mr. Mayor
that we should address at this point. There's a plat involved in this
which the street closure would be subject to the finalizing of the plat.
The plat consists of properties on each side of 7th Court. We discovered
late today the ownership of the lot opposite from Mr. Boan has changed
ownership and that the new owner does not agree to the plat. Has this
rn.
51
MAR _ 6 'gm
been solved Mr. Boan?
Mr. Jose Boan, 7435 SW 23rd Street. I applied,...
Mayor Ferre: Don't you understand Spanish?
Mr.Plummer: No, I don't understand,...in other words this property
not where you live?
Mayor Ferre: No. We asked him his address.
Mr. Jose Boan: It is an empty lot.
Mrs. Gordon: He owns one side. Is that right? Not two sides?
Mr.Boan: No, the other,..
is
Mr. Davis: The other owner is standing right behind me, and he whispered
in my ear that hasn't been able to get together with Mr. Boan and would
like it deferred.
Rev. Gibson: Well, I move to defer.
Mayor Ferre: There's a motion by Father Gibson to defer this item
for the reasons expressed.
Mrs. Gordon: Can I ask the opponent, do you want this deferred? Put
your name in the record.
Mr. Sydney Lerman: My name is Sydney Lerman, my address is 807 86th Street
Miami Beach. If the Commission wants to go along with the deferment,..
Mrs. Gordon: I'd like to know why we are deferring it.
Mr. Lerman: The subject property which contiguous on this proposed
closure we purchased by me on January 4th. The first I heard of the
proposed closure and vacation was yesterday when I walked over to the
property and found a notice on the telephone pole advising everybody in
the area that there was to be a meeting tonight. I was never notified by
mail, not at the last meeting which was subsequent to the time I closed
on that property. You folks had a meeting I believe on January 29,--22nd,
and I have not been notified in the interim. Had I not gone by there
yesterday, this whole thing would have been passed and I wouldn't have
anything to say about it.
Mrs. Gordon: I want to ask the Department, was this street included into
the new plat?
Mr. Davis: The Plat that Mr. Boan submitted includes the closure yes.
Mrs. Gordon: The entire street?
Mr. Davis: The part that extends to the Expressway. You see it in yellow.
Mrs. Gordon: I realize that, but are you talking about the full width of
that?
Mr. Davis: The Plat includes properties on both sides of the street. Mr.
Boan owns one side of it. This gentleman just purchased in January the
lot comprising the rest of the plat on the other side of the street. So
the plat was put in properly.
Mrs. Gordon: In other words this gentleman's property was being repl&tted
and he didn't even know about it?
Mr. Lerman: That's for sure.
rn.
52
MAR_81979
Mr. Davis: We we didn't know about it until late today. Obviously
we never notified him because we didn't have any record of the change
of ownership.
Mrs. Gordon: The previous who sold the property was involved in the plat
or not?
Mr. Davis: Yes, he was involved in the plat.
Mrs. Gordon: Okay.
Mr. Lerman: All I really want is to be able to get down to the Planning
Board, talk to them and find out what my rights are, find out what's
involved. That's all.
Mayor Ferre: There's a motion to defer by Father Gibson. Who seconds it?
Mrs. Gordon? Call the roll.
A motion to defer the matter was passed and adopted by a unanimous
vote of the Commission.
11. APPOINTING MEMBERS TO THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD.
Mayor Ferre: Would somebody help me on the history of this. We had previously
voted. There was a process that we voted on, we went trought the whold
thing. The two people that were voted upon were Mr. Luaces who is here
and,..
Mr. Davis: There were two gentlemen,..Mr. Rosichan,
the top two which were selected.That only applys
Mayor Ferre: That's what I'm getting to. See Martinez and Luaces were
both here, were the ones who were selected but we couldn't put them in
because they had only applied the day before, and what have you. So we
went back and readvertised the whole process. Now they of course and
many others who are entitled to apply have reapplied and I think whatever
our positions are, I think we ought to go ahead and vote on these people.
Mr. Davis: The positions that are open are ones shown here.
Mayor Ferre: Are Mrs. Fernandez and Mr. Borja, who were previously before them,
and I just,..
Mrs. Gordon: You know Richard Rosichan is an applicant because he wishes
to be appointed to a regular slot which then would leave open the alternate
slot.
Mr. Plummer: What did we do before? I don't even remember.
Mayor Ferre: We voted for, and Reboso was on the Commission and the vote
was for Mr. Martinez and Mr. Luaces. If they had been proper applicants
they would have been installed and it would have been all over. The problem
was that they had applied I think the night before, and there was some
question, I don't know what it was all about, but the fact is that there
was some confusion so the Commission itself order that this thing be reopened
and readvertised, and everybody reapply and we go through this process again.
Am I correct?
Mrs. Gordon: Yes.
53
rn.
MAR a 1979
011
Mayor Ferre: And that's where we are. So get you
got the list of candidates. I think we know most
thing to do here is to put the names down of the
be appointed and whoever gets the majority vote,
get it.
Rev. Gibson: What are those names?
papers out and you've
of them. I think the
people you think should
the top two vote getters
Mayor Ferre: You've got it in your packet. Item #114.
Ms. Hirai, Assistant City Clerk announced after the balloting the winners
were Mr. Luaces and Mr. Martinez.
Mrs. Gordon moves that the appointments be unanimous, and seconded by
Father Gibson.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gibson who
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 79-184
A RESOLUTION APPOINTING LORENZO L. LUACES AND LOUIS MARTINEZ
AS MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on
file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gibson , the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote -
AYES: Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Plummer, Mr. Lacasa, Rev. Gibson and Mayor Ferre.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINING: None.
12. DEFERRAL OF CONSIDERATION OF CONTINUED CONDITIONAL USE FOR
OFF STREET PARKING LOCATED AT 1570 N.W. 26 AVENUE
Mr. Davis: The applicants are here. This application is back for
review at your request after a year of further operation after the
requirements that you posted last year. The Building Department has
a verbal report at this time, as well a written report which you have
which will enter into the record.
•
Mr. Williams of the Building Department stated the problem was the size
of the trucks which was a disturbance to the people in the morning and during
the day, and if the problem of ti,e size of the trucks allowed in there was
solved, maybe they would have something that would be compatible.
Mr. Manuel Balado and Sergio Vidal, owners of the Shopping Center requested
the Commission to approve the Conditional Use.
Mayor Ferre: All right let's hear the objectors.
Mrs. Elizabeth Kincaid, 1500 N.W. 26th Avenue appeared in oppisition to.
the granting of the conditional use.
Mr. William Wood, 1601 N.W. 26th Avenue concurred with Mrs. Kincaid in
opposition.
rn.
54
MAP 8 1979
Mayor Ferre: Next speaker. Are there any other speakers in opposition?
Mr. Vidal do you want to make your concluding statement?
Mr. Vidal appeared again and requested the Commission to grant this
conditional use.
Mr. Plummer: Under questions, our professional people tell us that that
which we the Commission tried to accomplish has not been accomplished.
All right sir? Now, there is no question that the character of the street
has changed. I was over there the other day and I thought I saw a bus
cutting down 26th Avenue to get away from the traffic and then I found out
that in fact it was the route of the bus. Now, I think it behooves you sir,
number one, if there is a justifiable reason why that which the Commission
recommended was not done. And number two, what do you propose for this
Commission to consider other than the fact that the street has changed?
Mr. Vidal: Commissioner Plummer we complied fully with all that
resolution,..last year resolution, --for one speed bump, --we placed two
instead of one, plus more than 10 we have in the Shopping Center.A large sign
was installed April 20, 1978 saying no large trucks, which was knocked down
the same day. He said it was raised and had been in position ever since.
Mr. Plummer: Something else reminds me to the Department that there was
supposed to be a bar put across the top limiting the height. Was that
done?
Mr. Williams: Yes.
Mr. Vidal: You have the picture over there.
Mr. Plummer: It was done?
Mayor Ferre: The picture is right there.
Mr. Wood: Mr. Plummer it was done and like he said it wasn't up but
a short while and the trucks couldn't get through it so they raised
it a couple of feet now the trucks can drive through and leave the bar
up. Before they were knocking the bar down.
Mrs. Kincaid: May I speak to you on this point of ingress? Mr. Vidal
said I have never objected to the ingress. Actually the very fact that
a decision was made to allow ingress only was done as the result of
a compromise by the neighbors because it looked as though you were going
to approve the opening anyway, so the compromise was okay, use it for
entrance only but no exit from the commercial property onto the residential
area. (inaudible),...there is absolutely no control there. The speed bump
was simply an additional control device to see whether it works. It's not
working to keep people from driving out. It's become a through -way. The
sign that used to be in there saying no exit have been vandalized, torn
down or whatever. There's absolutly nothing there to keep people from
going through. I don't think they have tried enough to do what they were
supposed to do, because they don't want it that way. And furthermore when
I say it ought to be closed up, all I am talking about is closing it to
the vehicular traffic, not pedestrian because there's a lot of people from
the low projects housing center on Musa Isle who do walk in there to the
grocery store, to the drug store and what not. A lot of people on 26th Avenue
use it, so there's no objection to pedestrian walk-through, but I do think
it should be closed for the vehicular traffic.
Mayor Ferre: What's the will of this Commission?
Mr. Lacasa:Mr. Mayor I can understand the reservations of the neighbors
on the area of 26th Avenue however this so-called hole has existed there
for how many years now?
Unidentifed person: Six years.
55
rn.
MAP 6 19
Mr. Lacasa: Six years. So quite frankly I do not see why we should
discontinue this situation at this point. I feel that it is essential
for the Shopping Center,..I've been there many times and I know it
contributes to alleviate the situation of the traffic on 27th Avenue.
Therefore I move that this opening be kept in the same way that it has
been kept for the last six years.
Mayor Ferre; I think what you want is to grant a use to permit off-street
parking at approximately 1570 N.W. 26th Avenue subject to the limitations
that were previously moved. Is that right?
Mr. Davis: And a review, or not?
Mayor Ferre: What?
Mr. Davis: With a review, or not?
Mayor Ferre: He's the maker of the motion. You want a one-year review or
not? The one-year review, is that the sense of the motion? Is there a
second? No second. Who's next?
Mr. Lacasa: With a 1-year review.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor how the hell do you be brief on a 6-year fight?
Mayor Ferre: I can tell you.
Mr.Plummer: How?
Mayor Ferre: Just make a motion.
Mr. Plummer: To what?
Mayor Ferre: To whatever it is you are going to be brief about. You skip
all the preliminaries and just give us the last two sentences and then
make your motion.
Mr. Plummer: I'll tell you how I feel. I feel this Commission has done
every damn thing possible. I have come up with the idea of speed bumps,
of treadle gates, of silent policemen, of bars across the top, and I tell
you I think the shoe is on the other foot. Okay. Here's your motion. I
give the developer, --I am going to put the monkey on your back, I'm going
to give you 60 days,(I sound like a judge), --I am going to give you 60 days
for you develop a plan to bring back to me that I think will work, and if
you don't come back with a plan, --I tried. I'll give you 60 days, --I'll give
you 90 days. You develop a plan to accomplish what this Commission has tried
to do for 6 years. That plan is that opening is for egress and vechicular
traffic and no trucks, and ingress only. Now, you know, we are trying to
help you. God knows we've bent over backwards. I've got to go and let you
get an engineer, develop a plan, bring it back to this Commission and
this Commission says yes, we think its workable, or no, we are sorry, amen.
Mayor Ferre: Are you trying to make a motion?
Mr. Plummer: I'll make a motion, yes, sir,...
Mr. Vidal: Commissioner Plummer, please. This is the Middle East. This
gate, this hole, is the Middle East and you are President Carter right
now trying to arrange the problem.
Mr. Plummer: You mean Billy's brother?
Mr. Vidal: I'll tell you what, in 60 days we are not going to find a
solution at all, better than the one we have right now. If you keep that
one in the way it is, in a 10 ft. opening, no large trucks can go in or
out at all, --and 10 feet, --no trailer can go into a 10 foot openi::g. Any
driver around here knows that. I mean a van or a large truck in regard of
delivery truck, but not the big, boxcar truck. And if you want to close the
opening that's fine with us Commissioner. Let's do it.
Mr. Plummer: If that's what you want, all right. I'm trying to keep it open.
I am asking you, since I have tried every damn way in the world to help you,
help yourself.
rn.
MAR 8 1974
Mr. Vidal: We know, --we are working. We have communications,..you mean
to you or to the Commission?
Mr. Plummer: Sir, I only speak for one. I can't speak for others. I have
a hard enough time,..
Mr. Vidal: Okay sir, I'll get back to you in 60 days.
Mr. Plummer: As far as I'm concerned, I'll even go to the extent of 90
days. I am not trying to place an undue burden on you. But I guarantee
you it might cost you a few dollars. Okay I understand that. This has
cost you a few dollars. Get yourself a traffic engineer to design you
a system to allow to keep that opening. And I think you can do it. I
really do.
Mr. Vidal: Commissioner Plummer, we consulted the City of Miami Police
Department. We asked for consultants, we asked for engineers,..we have
for everything,..nothing worked. Nobody respects signs anymore, Commissioner.
You know that.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor,...I tell you, it just angers me because I know
what an owner is going through in days like these. People just don't give
a happy hoot. I want to tell you if you think you have,...even the church
goes through that. You ought to see some of the gates we have, and you'd
wonder if anybody respects anybody anymore. I wish I knew what would be the
answer for the man. And I want to say this, if you have a Shopping Center
it is virtually impossible to talk about in a day like this, where people
move to close off an opening. People who shop will be very, very angry,
so all I am saying is, Plummer whoever knows the answer, tell the man what
the answer is. God knows its provoking.
Mr. Plummer: Mrs. Kincaid, and Mr. Wood, since you are the only two that
spoke, but I speak to the rest of you. Let me ask you this.
Mayor Ferre: All right, Mr. Carter.
Rev. Gibson: Billy.
Mr. Plummer: Am I the brother or the other?
Rev. Gibson: No, you are the brother.
Mr. Plummer: Wait a minute. I'll use the Wall. Let me ask you and please
be honest with me. Is your objection moreso the truck traffic than the
vehicle traffic?
Unidentified person: No.
Mr. Plummer: In other words you are objecting to the autos as well as
the trucks?
Unidentified: We want to minimize the traffic. In other words we expect
cars to go up and dawn the road.
Mr. Plummer: Not the road sir. I can't speak to the road. I can control
the opening but I can't speak to the road.
Unidentified: We don't expect this thing to not exist. What we are trying
to do is not create another commercial thoroughfare in front of our front -
yards.
Mr. Plummer: What I am saying is, if you had no objection to autos_going in
and out but prohibiting the trucks, I think that's workable.
Unidentified: Personally I think if the traffic doesn't increase, we could
live with the present. But you know .what is happening, when you let the automobile
in, then trucks in. I've had semis backed up there clean across the street.
rn.
57
MAR 8ig»
Nothing can move either way while he is trying to jockey his way back
to the gate. Its that simple. So yes, the vehicular traffic, by this
I mean automobiles, bicycles, --we are not utterly opposed to this. What
we are trying to do is minimize the heavy traffic on a very narrow street.
As like he says, the bus is there. And every morning when I go to work
usually I have to back off and give him the first 25 ft. so he get that
bus around the corner. But I can't see putting additional on there.
Mr.Plummer: I was thinking of a concrete arch sir.
Mr. Vidal again appeard in favor of the conditional use.
Mr. Plummer: My motion was very simple, as we said,..keep it simple. Give
them 90 days and put the monkey on the developer's back and come forth
with a proposal to this Commission if we find it acceptable or not.
Mayor Ferre: There's a motion and a second.
Mr. Plummer: Let me add one addendum to that, because I think if I
sense Mrs. Kincaid and Mr. Woods, I think if you can give assurances
that there will be no more trucks, I think you could even maybe convince
this Commission to let the automobiles go both ways. Okay? I don't think
they want that, but I think if they take the lesser of evils, the trucks
is what they are really objecting to.
Mayor Ferre: There is only one way you are going to keep trucks out of
there and that is to put a concrete arch.
Mr. Plummer: Then if that's the answer, so be it.
Mrs. Kincaid: All right, what about the cars that come through from
27th Avenue. They make it a through street. It is not supposed to be
a through street. But they do it.
Mr.Plummer: Ma'am, I can tell you how to do that. You readjust the parking
in the yard to where it is not a straight through. You have islands in
there where they've got to do a zig-zag to get through and they won't do
it. That's workable.
Rev. Gibson: J.L. you know, --we live in times,..people aren't going to,..
Mrs. Kincaid again appeared in objection to the conditional use.
Mr. Vidal: Mayor last year you said you would help to erect a wall again.
Let's put the wall again and close the door. I am sick and tired of this
every year. I know you too, and I know all the Commissioners,...no major
accidents,..nothing happened in 26th Avenue for the last three years, and
that means something to me. Right, Mayor?
Mayor Ferre: We've been going around this thing for 6 years. Every year
we come up, every year we have the same argument, every year there the
same discussion, and every year there's the same vote. Now I don't know
that this has changed at all. Ever.
Mr. Vidal: We complied,...one year, less than one year,...
Mayor Ferre: Look we have a motion that's been made by Commissioner Plummer,
seconded by Commissioner Gibson. Now, there was a previous motion made by
Commissioner Lacasa and nobody seconded his vote. Nobody here seconded the
vote. Now, as the Chairman of this Board I have to accept the motions as
they come, and when they have seconds, then they get put on. There was no
second. Now we have a motion that has a second,and the motion is that you
go back and you think this thing through, and you come back to this Commission
with recommendations as to how you can best solve the problem. I don't know
that that is the solution to it. Maybe next time in 60 days, somebody will
second his motion, or maybe you'll come up with a solution and convince the
neighborhood that you are dealing good faith and that what you are going to
do is going to be functional. I don't know. I wish I knew the answer.
rn,
58
MAR g 'qt9
Rev. Gibson:Mr. Mayor, I call for the vote to give the man even 90
days to try to solve this problem. Let me tell you, people today don't
give a happy -hoot about law. I want to tell you this. And I sympathize
with what you are saying. I live in a neighborhood that doesn't have
quite the traffic,..and I just want you to know. I call for the vote
for 90 days.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Plummer , who
moved its adoption:
MOTION NO. 79-185
A MOTION INSTRUCTING THE APPLICANT FOR PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF
RESOLUTION 78-179 WHICH GRANTED CONDITIONAL USE FOR OFF-STREET
PARKING AT 1570 N.W. 26 AVENUE TO DEVISE A PLAN THAT WOULD PROVE
TO BE EFFECTIVE IN ALLEVIATING CONTINUING PROBLEMS TO NEIGHBORS
CAUSED BY INGRESS AND EGRESS AND TO SUBMIT SAID PLAN TO THE CITY
COMMISSION WITHIN 90 DAYS
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gibson , the motion was passed
and adopted by the following vote -
AYES:
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre NOES: None.
Ms. Anna Riviero: My name is Anna Riviero, I live at 631 N.W. loth Avenue.
I happen to own two building in that place, in the Shopping Center. What
would be the situation if I could prove to you that just a few people is
against us.And I could bring you a lot of letter and a lot of ladies that
live around the neighborhood that would be glad that the Plaza will be
back,...
Mayor Ferre: I think it would be very helpful if there are people who
are residents of that immediate neighborhood,..I think you are entitled
to bring people who live in that neighborhood and I think that is important.
If these people obviously think enough of it to stay here until 2 o'clock
in the morning, and stay here for 10 hours, then you know you have to
be impressed that these people are very strong in their opinions. If you
feel as strongly then I think you have to do the same thing, and bring
as many, or bring the signatures of as many as you can. But they have to
be people who live there. Now that doesn't mean that this Commission is
going to vote on a popularity contest as to how many signatures you bring
and how many signatures they bring, but I think it is always important to
see the feelings of the community.
13. DENIAL OF APPLICATION FOR A VARIANCE OF REAR YARD SETBACK
2722 N.W. 5th Street.
Mr. Davis: I wish to remind the Mayor and Commission on Item 8 that
this variance was petitioned for as a result of the inspections which
revealed an illegal building situation without permit.
Mayor Ferre: All right. I remember that. Yes, the poor lady has been here
all afternoon. Mr. Armesto you are the translator I assume. A11 right
Mrs. Albo.
rn.
39
Mr. Armesto: Yes, Mrs. Albo asked me to inform the Commission that
she is going to obey the law and all she wants is that she be given about
90 days to comply with the law and she will make arrangements with the proper
department to tear down whatever she did wrong.
Mayor Ferre: Well, that's a nice concession. Can we give he 90 days?
Mr. Davis: Well she doesn't need to come back if she won't need the
variance.
Mr. Plummer: If she is going to tear it down, there's no problem.
Mr. Davis: The only reason she is here is to make the unit legal. If she
is going to tear it down obviously she doesn't need the variance.
Mr. Armesto: Okay, she changed her mind now, and she wants to hide.
Mrs. Gordon: She wants to what?
Mr. Armesto: To go ahead and ask you for the variance.
Mrs. Gordon: Okay. I am going to move that we uphold the Board and
the Planning Department.
Mayor Ferre; There's a motion that the Department and the Board be upheld.
Is there a second?
Rev. Gibson: Second.
Mayor Ferre: Further discussion. Call the roll.
Mr. Plummer: I hope the woman understands what she is doing.
Mr. Armesto: That's what she said. She wants to take out the 7 ft. arch
outside the land.
Mr. Plummer: She wants to tear it down?
Mr. Armesto: Its is 7 ft. only.
Mr. Plummer: If she does that, is she in compliance?
Mr. Davis: I am not sure what she wants to tear down, Mr. Plummer.
Mr. Armesto: She was told by Mr. Perez or somebody else there that she
has to take out 7 foot of property.
Mr. Davis: I was just checking this. If she takes off the rear 71 ft.
of this addition it would be legal.
Mr. Armesto: That will be legal.
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor I suggest she get a permit for this work.
Mr. Armesto: That's okay. She will get a permit.
Mayor Ferre: What is it we are going to do now.
Mr. Plummer: The roll is being called to deny.
Mrs. Gordon: Deny the variance. That has nothing to do with what she is
going to do to make it legal. She can still make it legal. She has to
make it legal.
Mr. Davis: She has to have a permit to make it legal.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Williams, you are not going to expeditiously move on
this particular item are you. You are going to give her some time to
get the permit taken out and get drawings?
rn.
30
-11111111111101=1.-
Mr. Williams: When she gets the
good for 90 days. At that point
Mayor Ferre: Call the roll. Let'
Mrs. Gordon;
Mr. Plummer:
give her the
permit, and its accepted, that permit is
I will expeditiously move.
s go.
It only hurts for a little while J.L.
It's not a matter of that. I'd rather
time. I vote yes.
move to defer,
and
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Gordon, who
moved its adoption:
MOTION NO. 79-186
A MOTION UPHOLDING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING
DEPARTMENT AND THE ZONING BOARD TO DENY APPLICATION FOR
VARIANCE OF REAR YARD SETBACK ON AN ADDITION TO THE REAR
DWELLING UNIT AT 2722 N.W. 5TH STREET.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gordon , the motion was passed
and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Plummer, Rev. Gibson.
NOES: Mr. Lacasa, Mayor Ferre.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINING: None.
31
�iAR 8 lye
tape XXI - 3-8th
Mayor Ferre(cont'd): All right, I hope they are going to give you some time
to do this.
(MAYOR FERRE ADDRESSES MRS. ALBO IN SPANISH TRYING TO CLARIFY THE COMMISSION'S
ACTION ON THIS ISSUE: "En otras palabras, Senora, usted va a tener algun tiempo,
no se que tiempo le dara el...(INDIVIDUO NO IDENTIFICADO INDICA QUE EL PERIODO
SERA DE 90 DIAS)..okay, 90 dias para guitar los siete pies, okay?"
All right, is there anything else that we need to do tonight?
Mr. Bob Davis: There are several more items.
Mayor Ferre: All right, so let's hurry up.
14. AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 6371, ARTICLE IV, SECTION 11.1 -
"PRIVATE ROADS."
Mrs. Gordon: I move deferment on Agenda item no. 10, defer.
Mayor Ferre: All right, there is a motion to defer 10. Is there a second?
Mr. Lacasa: Second.
Mr. Plummer:
Mrs. Gordon:
start one.
Mayor Ferre:
Why are we deferring it?
Because I want to have a discussion on it and it is too late to
There is a second, further discussion, call the roll.
WHEREUPON, on motion by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner
Lacasa, the above matter was deferred by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore R. Gibson
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
Commissioner (Vice Mayor) J. L. Plummer, Jr.
None.
15(A).
FIRST READING ORDINANCE: Change Zoning classifica-
tion 183-185 N.E. 80th Terrace from C-2 to PR.
Mrs. Gordon:
Mayor Ferre:
Rev. Gibson:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mr. Whipple:
Mr. Plummer:
I move approval on 11(A).
any objectors?
Second.
The item has been moved and seconded, further discussion.
Has this been through the Planning Board.
The Planning Advisory, yes sir.
What's the vote?
mh 32
Mr. Davis: 5 - 0, on both items, sir.
Mr. Plummer: How come it is not on the agenda?
Mr. Davis: It is sir, it ought to be.
Mr. Plummer: Oh.
Mayor Ferre: Call the roll.
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 6871, THE COMPREHENSIVE
ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI, BY CHANGING THE
ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY
183-185 N.E. 80TH TERRACE, UNPLATTED, BEING S. 61.6' OF N.226.6'
OF E. 157' OF S.E. OF S.E. OF N.E. 14, SECTION 12-53-41, LESS
E. 15' THEREOF, FROM C-2 (COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL) TO PR (PUBLIC
PARK AND RECREATIONAL USE); BY MAKING THE NECESSARY CHANGES
IN THE DISTRICT ZONING MAP MADE A PART OF THE SAID ORDINANCE
NO. 6871, BY REFERENCE AND DESCRIPTION IN ARTICLE III, SECTION
2, THEREOF; BY REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES, CODE SECTIONS, OR PARTS
THEREOF IN CONFLICT; AND CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY PROVISION.
Was introduced by Commissioner Gordon and seconded by Commissioner
Gibson and passed on its first reading by title by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore R. Gibson
Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Vice Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
NOES: None.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and
announced that copies were available to the members of the City Com-
mission and to the public.
15(B). Permit construction of RECREATIONAL FACILITIES at:
183-185 N.E. 80th Terrace.
Mrs. Gordon: I move 11(b).
Rev. Gibson: Second.
Mayor Ferre: A11 right, Mrs. Gordon moves and Father Gibson seconds, further
discussion, call the roll.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gordon, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 79-187
A RESOLUTION CONDITIONALLY GRANTING PERMISSION TO CONSTRUCT AND
OPERATE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES PURSUANT TO COMPREHENSIVE ZONING
ORDINANCE NO. 6871, ARTICLE XVIII-1, PUBLIC PARK AND RECREATIONAL
USE, PR DISTRICT SECTION 4(1-3) ON SOUTH 61.6' OF NuRTH 226.6' OF
157' OF SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF NORTHEAST 1/4, SECTION
12-53-41, LESS THE EAST 15' THEREOF, UNPLATTED, BEING APPROXIMATELY
183-185 N.E. 80TH TERRACE PER PLAN ON FILE SUBJECT TO SAID AREA
BEING REZONED FROM C-2 COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL TO PR -PUBLIC PARK AND
RECREATIONAL USE.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the Office of the City Clerk).
Upon being seconded by Commissioner (Rev.) Gibson, the resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore R. Gibson
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Vice Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
NOES: None.
16. VACATE AND CLOSE ALLEY E/W abut other property line of
Tract A -TENTATIVE PLAT 1024 "HICKMAN PARK."
Mrs. Gordon: Move 12.
Rev. Gibson: Second.
Mayor Ferre: All right, now we are on item 12, Public Works Department
application, moved and seconded, further discussion, call the roll.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gordon, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 79-188
A RESOLUTION OFFICIALLY VACATING AND CLOSING THE ALLEY RUNNING
EAST -WEST AND ABUTTING THE NORTH PROPERTY LINE OF TRACT "A" FOR
A DISTANCE OF + 133.78 FEET AS PER TRACT "A" TENTATIVE PLAT
NO. 1024 "HICKMAN PARK", BEING N.W. CORNER OF N.W. 7TH STREET
AT 41ST AVENUE.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the Office of the City Clerk).
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gibson, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore R. Gibson
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Vice Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
NOES: None.
17. ACCEPT PLAT: "L'HERMITAGE"
Mayor Ferre: Accepting the Plat entitled "L'Hermitage" and so on...Agenda
item 16, any problems with that?
Mr. Plummer: What about 15?
Mr. Davis: 15 has been deferred, sir.
mh
34
Mr. Plummer: It was?
Mr. Davis: Yes, sir.
Mayor Ferre: Well, is there any reason why we cannot approve the Plat?
The Plat Committee has recommended it as long as the laws have been complied
with and so forth. Everything has been complied with and we are all set to go.
Who makes the motion?
Rev. Gibson: Move.
Mr. Lacasa: Second.
Mayor Ferre: It's been moved and seconded, further discussion....
(INAUDIBLE STATEMENT MADE OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mr. Davis: Item 17 has been withdrawn, sir.
Mayor Ferre: Sixteen, we are on sixteen, call the roll.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gibson, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 79-189
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE PLAT ENTITLED L'HERMITAGE, A
SUBDIVISION IN THE CITY OF MIAMI; AND ACCEPTING THE DEDICA-
TIONS SHOWN ON SAID PLAT; AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE
CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE PLAT.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the Office of the City Clerk).
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Lacasa, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore R. Gibson
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Vice Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
NOES: None.
Mayor Ferre: Frank D. Hall...
Mr. Davis: 17 has been withdrawn, sir, they got their building permit this
morning.
Mayor Ferre: Okay.
Mayor Ferre: Agenda item 18. Any problems on that?
Rev. Gibson: Move.
Lacasa: Second.
Mayor Ferre: Father Gibson moves, Lacasa seconds, call the roll.
mh
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gibson, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 79-190
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE PLAT ENTITLED "DOUGLAS GROVE", A
SUBDIVISION IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA; AND ACCEPTING THE
DEDICATIONS SHOWN ON SAID PLAT; AND ACCEPTING THE COVENANT TO
RUN WITH THE LAND POSTPONING THE IMMEDIATE CONSTRUCTION OF
FULL WIDTH IMPROVEMENTS AND LANDSCAPING UNTIL REQUIRED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS; AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE
CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE PLAT.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the Office of the City Clerk).
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Lacasa, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore R. Gibson
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Vice Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
NOES: None.
Mayor Ferre: Is there anything else in the Planning and Zoning agenda? All
right now, we re -open the Regular portion of the Agenda.
WHEREUPON THE CITY COMMISSION PROCEEDED TO ADJOURN THE
PLANNING AND ZONING PORTION OF THE DAY'S AGENDA AND RE-
OPENED THE REGULAR PROTION IN ORDER THAT THEY COULD
COMPLETE SOME UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Mayor Ferre: All right, now, on the Regular Agenda. I think we are going to
defer all of these items unless it is an emergency and you have a problem, please
tell me.
We start with Item G, all right, tell us about item G.
Mr.Fosmoen: Mr. Mayor, there is a Citizens' Committee scheduled next week for
your next meeting. We want to make the Commission aware of plans that are being
presented for stationary development and next week the citizens are going to make
a recommendation to the Board.
Mrs. Gordon: I wish you would take this up tomorrow after the other meeting that
we are going to be attending.
(STATEMENT MADE OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mrs. Gordon: Yes. Because I cannot listen to what you are going to have to
propose to us now.
Mr. Fosmoen: We already have told you what we are going to do.
Mrs. Gordon: Tomorrow?
Mr. Fosmoen: Tonight.
Mrs. Gordon: Today, it isn't really tomorrow.
Mr. Plummer: Well, Rose, just for the record now I must leave that meeting
in the morning no later than 11:30 A.M.
Mayor Ferre: Well, let's leave it this way, we'll take up as much as we can.
Mr. Fosmoen: Can we review this with you individually before the meeting?
Mayor Ferre: Yes. Now, is there anything else?
m b 36
t..
Mayor Ferre: We have item 18, which Mr. Armesto has been waiting on all day,
which is the appointment of members to the Parking Lot Review Board and there
is a motion that Herb Lee Simon and Mr. Armesto....
Mrs. Gordon: How many do we have to appoint?..Three or four, don't we?
Mayor Ferre: Five, no four, I'm sorry.
Mrs. Gordon: And isn't there another guy called Carlos...something or other...
Nunez?
Mayor Ferre: Yes, Nunez.
Mrs. Gordon: And I don't know who else is on that list.
Mayor Ferre: There was a black...
Mrs. Gordon: Somebody got the list?
Mayor Ferre: Yes, I have the list, Fausto gave it to me and I had it all lined
up here. We had a black gentleman and..(PAUSE) Herbert Lee Simon, Carlos
Nunez and Eladio Armesto. Well, let's appoint those three anyway.
All right, there is a motion by Rose Gordon that the following three be
appointed: Herb Simon, Eladio Armesto and Mr. Carlos Nunez. Now, there is a
fourth vacancy that we will appoint tomorrow...
Mrs. Gordon: Billie Rolle.
Mr. Lacasa: I second.
Mayor Ferre: All right, and Billie Rolle, as the fourth member. All right,
those are the nominees, those four, further discussion, call the roll.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gordon, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 79-191
A RESOLUTION APPOINTING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS TO THE PARKING
LOT REVIEW BOARD. (Appointees' names contained in body of Resolution)
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the Office of the City Clerk).
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Lacasa, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore R. Gibson
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Vice Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
NOES: None.
mh
67
20. CONSENT AGENDA (Regular Portion of Agenda)
Mayor Ferre: A11 right, is there anyone here who wants to object to the
Consent Agenda. If not Rose Gordon moves, Armando Lacasa seconds it, further
discussion on the Consent Agenda., call the roll
Mrs. Gordon: I don't know what is in the Consent Agenda.
Mayor Ferre: It non -controversial.
Mrs. Gordon: I don't know what's on the Consent Agenda.
Mayor Ferre: We've been asking all day, Plummer has been asking... Father
do you want to vote on the Consent Agenda?
Mrs. Gordon: I don't want to vote on something that I don't know what I am
voting for. (COMMISSIONER GORDON LEAVES THE CHAMBERS AT 2:00 A.M.)
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, CONTAINED IN THE CONSENT
AGENDA, WERE INTRODUCED BY COMMISSIONER GIBSON AND
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LACASA, AND WERE PASSED AND
ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore R. Gibson
Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Vice Mayor J.L. Plummer, Jr.
20.1 WAIVING REQUIREMENTS OF ART.V, SECTION 2-102 (CONFLICT OF INTEREST)
PERMIT BERNARD L. ROBERTS (PARK DEPARTMENT) TO PARTICIPATE IN CITY'S
REHABILITATION LOAN PROGRAM.
RESOLUTION NO. 79-192
A RESOLUTION WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS OF ARTICLE V, SECTION 2-102
(CONFLICT OF INTEREST) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED, BY FINDING THAT IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY
TO PERMIT BERNARD L. ROBERTS, AN EMPLOYEE OF THE PARKS DEPARMENT,
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CITY'S REHABILITATION LOAN PROGRAM ADMINISTERED
BY METROPOLITAN DADE COUNTY.
20.2 ACCEPT BID OF GARCIA ALLEN CONSTRUCTION CO.INC. (BUENA VISTA COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT PAVING PROJECT -PHASE III AND BUENA VISTA SANITARY SEWER
MODIFICATIONS -PHASE III BID "A")
RESOLUTION NO. 79-193
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID OF GARCIA-ALLEN CONSTRUCTION CO.INC.
IN THE PROPOSED AMOUNT OF $206,922.20 FOR BUENA VISTA COMMUNITY DE-
VELOPMENT PAVING PROJECT -PHASE III AND BUENA VISTA SANITARY SEWER
MODIFICATIONS -PHASE III, BID "A" OF THE PROPOSAL: WITH FUNDS
ALLOCATED FROM THE 4TH YEAR FEDERAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $206,922.20 TO COVER THE CONTRACT COST:
ALLOCATING FROM SAID FUND THE AMOUNT OF $22,761.80 TO COVER THE COST
OF PROJECT EXPENSE: ALLOCATING FROM SAID FUND THE AMOUNT OF $4,138.00
TO COVER THE COST OF SUCH ITEMS AS ADVERTISING, TESTING LABORATORIES
AND POSTAGE: AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT
WITH SAID FIRM.
GB
20.3 ACCEPT BID, GOLDEN EAGLE ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS,/NC. (BUENA
VISTA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PAVING PROJECT -PHASE III AND BUENA
VISTA SANITARY SEWER MODIFICATIONS -PHASE III, BID "B"
20.4
RESOLUTION NO. 79-194
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID OF GOLDEN EAGLE ENGINEERING CONTRAC-
TORS, INC. IN THE PROPOSED AMOUNT OF $113,709 FOR BUENA VISTA COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT PAVING PROJECT -PHASE III AND BUENA VISTA SANITARY SEWER
MODIFICATIONS -PHASE III, BID "B" OF THE PROPOSAL: WITH FUNDS ALLO-
CATED FROM THE 4TH YEAR FEDERAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUND
IN THE AMOUNT OF $113,709 TO COVER THE CONTRACT COST; ALLOCATING FROM
SAID FUND THE AMOUNT OF $12,508 TO COVER THE COST OF PROJECT EXPENSE:
ALLOCATING FROM SAID FUND THE AMOUNT OF $2,274 TO COVER THE COST OF
SUCH ITEMS AS ADVERTISING, TESTING LABORATORIES, AND POSTAGE; AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH SAID FIRM.
ACCEPT BID-MIRI CONSTRUCTION,INC.(BUENA VISTA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PAVING PROJECT -PHASE III AND BUENA VISTA SANITARY SEWER MODIFICATIONS
PHASE III BID "C".
RESOLUTION NO. 79-195
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID OF MIRI CONSTRUCTION,INC. IN THE
PROPOSED AMOUNT OF $25,240.00 FOR BUENA VISTA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PAVING PROJECT -PHASE III AND BUENA VISTA SANITARY SEWER MODIFICATIONS -
PHASE III, BID "C" OF THE PROPOSAL: WITH FUNDS ALLOCATED FROM
THE 4TH YEAR FEDERAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUND IN
THE AMOUNT OF $25,240.00 TO COVER THE CONTRACT COST: ALLOCATING
FROM SAID FUND THE AMOUNT OF $2,776.00 TO COVER THE COST OF PRO-
JECT EXPENSE; ALLOCATING FROM SAID FUND THE AMOUNT OF $506.00 TO
COVER THE COST OF SUCH ITEMS AS ADVERTISING, TESTING LABORATORIIES,
AND POSTAGE: AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT
WITH SUCH FIRM.
20.5 ACCEPT BID-ROSSER ELECTRIC CO.INC. (NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL -
FIELD LIGHTING)
RESOLUTION NO. 79-196
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID OF ROSSER ELECTRIC CO.,INC IN THE
PROPOSED AMOUNT OF $105,375 FOR NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL -FIELD
LIGHTING; WITH FUNDS ALLOCATED FROM THE 2ND AND 4TH YEAR FEDERAL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $105,375
TO COVER THE CONTRACT COST;ALLOCATING FROM SAID FUND THE AMOUNT
OF $11,591 TO COVER THE COST OF PROJECT EXPENSE; ALLOCATING FROM
SAID FUND THE AMOUNT OF $2,104 TO COVER THE COST OF SUCH ITEMS AS
ADVERTISING, TESTING LABORATORIES, AND POSTAGE; AND AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH SAID FIRM.
20.6 ACCEPT COMPLETED WORK OF TAMIAMI PLANT SYSTEMS,INC. FOR THE
WYNDWOOD N.E. 2ND AVENUE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BEAUTIFICATION
1978 2ND BIDDING.
RESOLUTION NO. 79-197
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING TEH COMPLETED WORK OF TAMIAMI PLANT SYSTEMS,
INC. FOR THE WYNDWOOD N.E. 2ND AVENUE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BEAUTI-
FICATION-1978 (2ND BIDDING) AT A TOTAL COST OF $24,703.05; AUTHOR-
IZING AN INCREASE IN THE SCOPE OF THE CONTRACT IN THE NET AMOUNT OF
$124.75; ALLOCATING THE ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF $124.75 FROM THE AC-
COUNT ENTITLED "3RD YEAR FEDERAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
FUND"; AND AUTHORIZING A FINAL PAYMENT OF $2,582.58.
20.7 ACCEPT COMPLETED WORK-WILLIAMS PAVING COMPANY,INC.-GRAND AVENUE PARK
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
RESOLUTION NO. 79-198
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE COLLETED WORK PERFORMED BY WILLIAMS
PAVING COMPANY,INC. AT A TOTAL COST OF $163,575 FOR GRAND AVENUE
PARK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - COURTS AND PARKING LOT; AND AUTHORIZING
A FINAL PAYME"T OF $16, 267.50.
47
21. APPROVE AMEzDMENT NO. 1 TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT:
"MORTON, WOLFBERG, ALVAREZ, TARACIDO, SEIGLE 6 FRESE, INC."-
NEW STRUCTURE DESIGN FOR SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT.
Mr. Vince Grimm: Item 19 is the Incinerator.
Mayor Ferre: Well, Plummer is against the incinerator,..Plummer...where
are you?
Mr. Grimm: I think I changed his mind, Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Ferre: Well, he has to
mind and I'll vote with you.
come over here and tell me that he
(INAUDIBLE STATEMENT MADE OUTSIDE THE
Rev. Gibson: I move.
Mayor Ferre: All right, Commissioner
seconds, further discussion, call the
PUBLIC RECORD)
changed his
Gibson moves 19, Commissioner Lacasa
roll on item 19.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gibson, who moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 79-199
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ATTACHED AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT, DATED DECEMBER 26, 1978,
BETWEEN THE CITY AND MORTON, WOLFBERG, ALVAREZ, TARACIDO,
SEIGLE 6 FRESE, INC., WHEREBY THE FACILITIES FOR THE DEPARTMENT
OF SOLID WASTE WILL BE DESIGNED AS A NEW STRUCTURE TO BE LOCATED
AT THE WESTERLY PORTION OF THE SITE WITH A CONSEQUENT REDUCTION
IN THE TOTAL PROJECT COST FROM $1,460,000 TO $1,100,000, INCLUDING
REDUCING THE LUMP SUM FEE TO BE PAID TO SAID FIRM AND REVISING
CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE AGREEMENT, ACCORDINGLY, WITH FUNDS
THEREFOR TO BE PROVIDED FROM THE POLLUTION CONTROL AND
INCINERATOR FACILITIES BONDS; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAID AMENDMENT. (Designated R-79-199.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file
in the Office of the City Clerk).
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Lacasa, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore
Vice Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Commissioner Rose Gordon.
R. Gibson
* (NOTE: Vice Mayor J. L. Plummer,
though not present on roll call,
requested to be shown as voting "aye"
on this issue).
AFTER ROLL CALL:
Mayor Ferre: Would you please, Ms. Clerk let Mrs. Gordon know what we voted
on and....
(VICE MAYOR J. L. PLUMMER RE-ENTERS THE MEETING)
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
..We just voted on 19, do you want to vote for it?
For the incinerator?
Yes.
�0
Mr. Plummer: I am going to vote for it because this is for design. I am going
to protest very violently the proposal which shows hot water running in the
toilets which I think is an absolute absurdity, and I want to tell you some-
thing, I will be watching at these bids come in. Are you aware, Mr. Mayor, that
that is in the proposal? ...They have solar hot water running in the toilets.
Read your proposal.
Mayor Ferre: Well, you wanted to know how it got to be $1,000,000, now you know.
Right?
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Commission,
on motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 2:00 A.M.
ATTEST: RALPH G. ONGIE
City Clerk
MATTY HIRAI
Assistant City Clerk
mh
MAURICE A. FERRE
Mayor
CITY OF IWAMI
DOCUMENT
INDEX
MEETING OATS:
March 8, 1979
ITEM N0
•
DOCUMENT IDENTIFICATION
1 COMMISSION AGENDA AND CITY CLERK REPORT
2 GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE AS LISTED IN ORDINANCE NO.
6871, ARTICLE V, SECTION 1 (6)(h) TO APPROVE A RESIDEN-
TIAL DEVELOPMENT OF A PLANNED UNIT NATURE ON LOTS 1 AND
4, PRICE TERRACE.
3 AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 6871, THE COMPRIIHENSIVE ZONING
ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF MIANII, BY CHANGING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION OF LOTS 25 THROUGH 30, BLOCK 55,
FLAGLER MARY BRICKED.
4 AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 74-970
5 APPOINTING LORENZO L. LUACES AND LOUIS MARTINEZ AS
MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD
6 GRANTING VARIANCE FROM ORDINANCE NO. 6871, ARTICLE VI,
SECTION 3(3)(a) TO PERMIT ADDITION TO AND REMODELING
OF THE EXISTING REAR IlWELLING UNIT ON LOT 10, BLOCK 3
GROSSE POINTE HIGHLANDS
7 CONDITIONALLY GRANTING PERMISSION TO CONSTRUCT AND
OPERATE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES PURSUANT TO COMPREHEN-
SIVE ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 6871, ARTICLE XVIII-1, PUBLIC
PARK AND RECREATIONAL USE.
8 OFFICIALLY VACATING AND CLOSING THE ALLEY RUNNING EAST -
WEST AND ABUTTING THE NORTH PROPERTY LINE OF TRACT "A"
FOR A DISTANCE OF + 133.78 FEET AS PER TRACT "A" TEN-
TATIVE PLAT NO. 1024 "HICKMAN PARK".
9 ACCEPTING THE PLAT ENTITLED L'HERMITAGE, A SUBDIVISION
IN THE CITY OF MIAMI
10 ACCEPTING THE PLAT ENTITLED "DOUGLAS GROVE", A SUBDI-
VISION IN THE CITY OF MIAMI.
11 APPOINTING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS TO THE PARKING LOT
REVIEW BOARD
12 WAIVING THE REQUIREMENT OF ARTICLE V, SECTION 2-102
(CONFLICT OF INTEREST) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI
13 ACCEPTING THE BID OF GARCIA-ALLEN CONSTRUCTION CO.,
INC. IN THE PROPOSED AMOUNT OF $206.922.20 FOR
BUENA VISTA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PAVING PROJECT -
PHASE III AND BUENA VISTA SANITARY SEWER MODIFICATIONS
PHASE III, BID "A" OF THE PROPOSAL
1411 ACCEPTING THE BID OF GOLDEN EAGLE ENGINEERING CONTRAC-
TORS, INC. IN THE PROPOSED Ai4)UNT OF $113,709
COMMISSION
ACTION
RETRIEVAL
CODE N0.
0022
0023
0024
R-79-183-A 79-183-A
R-79-184 79-184
0025
R-79-187 79-187
R-79-188 79-188
R-79-189 79-189
R-79-190 79-190
R-79-191 79-191
R-79-192 79-192
R-79-193 79-193
R-79-194 79-194
DOCUMENT'INDEX
CONTINUED
IV NO.
•
DOCUMENT IDENTIFICATION
com Q5511N
ACTION
RETRIEVAL
CODE NO.
15 ACCEPTING THE BID OF MIRI CONSTRUCTION, INC. IN THE
PROPOSED AMOUNT OF $25,240.00 FOR BUENA VISTA COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT PAVING PROTECT -PHASE III AND BUENA VISTA
SANITARY SEWER MODIFICATIONS -PHASE III, BID "C" OF THE
PROPOSAL R-79-195 79-195
16 ACCEPTING THE BID OF ROSSER ELECTRIC CO., INC. R-79-196 79-196
17 ACCEYr1NG THE COMPLETED WORK OF TAMIAMI PLANT SYSTEMS,
INC R-79-197 79-197
18 ACCEPTING THE COMPLETED WORK PERFORMED BY WILLIAMS
PAVING COMPANY, INC. AT A TOTAL COST OF $163,575.00
FOR GRAND AVENUE PARK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT -COURTS AND
PARKING LOT R-79-198 79-198
19 APPROVING THE ATTACHED AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE PROFES-
SIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT DATED DECEMBER 26, 1978, BE-
TWEEN THE CITY AND MORTON, WOLFBERG, ALVAREZ,
TARACIDO, SEIGLE & FRESE, INC. R-79-199 79-199