Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal MemoLuft Consulting, Inc. 1717 Windward Way Sanibel Island Florida, 33957 Ph, 239-395-2215 Fax. 239-395-1787 Memo To: Lucia Dougherty, Esq. From: Jack Luft CC: Date: May 17, 2006 Re Consistency of Herald Square MUSP with Miami Comprehensive Neighborhood Development Plan In reviewing the Herald Square development proposal of the Terra Group for the Miami Herald property, I find that in my best professional opinion, the proposal is consistent with the following Goals, Objectives and Policies of the Miami Comprehensive Neighborhood Development Plan: Future Land Use Element Goal LU-1: Maintain a land use pattern that (1) protects and enhances the quality of life in the city's residential neighborhoods; (2) fosters redevelopment and revitalization of blighted or declining areas; (3) promotes and facilitates economic development and the growth of job opportunities in the city; (4) fosters the growth and development of downtown as a regional center of domestic and international commerce, culture and entertainment; (5) promotes the efficient use of land and minimizes land use conflicts; and (6) protects and conserves the city's significant natural and coastal resources. Policy LU-1.1.1: Development orders authorizing new development or redevelopment that results in an increase in the density or intensity of land use shall be contingopt upon the availability of public facilities and services that meet or exceed the minimum LOS standards adopted in the CIE. Policy LU-1.1.7: Land development regulations and policies will allow for the provision of adequate neighborhood shopping, recreation, day care, entertainment, and other neighborhood oriented support activities. Policy LU-1.1.11: The City hereby adopts designation of the City, excluding Virginia Key, Watson Island and the uninhabited islands of Biscayne Bay that have a land use and zoning classification of Conservation, as shown on "Attachment A," as an Urban Infill Area pursuant to Miami -Dade County's designation of an Urban Infill Area lying generally east of the Palmetto Expressway and including all of tie, F3 • Within this area, the concentration and intensification of develo • Page 1 lEDiNTO THE PUBLIC RECORD FOR ITEMpQON? D�- activity shall be emphasized with the goals of enhancing the livability of residential neighborhoods and the viability of commercial areas. Priority will be given to infill development on vacant parcels, adaptive reuse of underutilized land and structures, and the redevelopment of substandard sites. Maintenance of transportation levels of service within this designated Urban Infill Transportation Concurrency Exception Area shall be in accordance with the adopted Transportation Corridors level of service standards set forth in Policies TR-1.1.2 and 1.1.3 of the Transportation Element of the MCNP. Objective LU-1.2: Promote the redevelopment and revitalization of blighted, declining or threatened residential, commercial and industrial areas. Policy LU-1.2.1: The City defines blighted neighborhoods as areas characterized by the prevalence of older structures with major deficiencies and deterioration, high residential vacancies, widespread abandonment of property, litter and poor maintenance of real property. Declining neighborhoods are defined as areas characterized by the prevalence of structures having minor deficiencies, a general need for improvements in real property, significant declines in real property values, high vacancy rates in commercial structuresand increasing difficulty in obtaining insurance. Neighborhoods threatened with decline are defined as areas characterized by significant but infrequent property maintenance neglect, an aging housing stock, declining property values, general exodus of traditional residents and influx of lower income households. Policy LU-1.2.3: The City's residential, commercial and industrial revitalization programs will continue to place highest priority on protecting neighborhoods threatened with declining conditions, second priority to reversing trends in declining areas, and third priority to removing blighted conditions, and the City will continue its efforts to secure federal and state aid in developing comprehensive redevelopment programs Policy LU-1.2.4: The City will continue to adhere to its established policies regarding Community Redevelopment Districts and will continue to implement plans for the Omni and Southeast Overtown/Park West as Community Redevelopment Districts. Objective LU-1.3: The City will continue to encourage commercial, office and industrial development within existing commercial, office and industrial areas; increase the utilization and enhance the physical character and appearance of existing buildings; and concentrate new commercial and industrial activity in areas where the capacity of existing public facilities can meet or exceed the minimum standards for Level of Service (LOS) adopted in the Capital Improvement Element (CIE). Submitted Into the public record in conne fscn ith item p2.30 on o Priscilla . Thompson City Clerk Policy LU-1.3.1: The City will continue to provide incentives for commercial redevelopment and new construction in the Edison Center, Latin Quarter, Little Haiti, Little River Industrial District, River Corridor, Design District, Grand Avenue, Flagler • Page 2 Street, the River Quadrant, the Omni Area Redevelopment District, and Southeast Overtown/Park West (N.W. 3 Avenue) and other areas where such redevelopment will contribute to the improvement in the built environment. Such incentives may be offered through the building facade treatment program, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, and other redevelopment assistance programs. Policy LU-1.3.5: The City will continue to promote through land development regulations, the creation of high intensity activity centers which may be characterized by mixed -use and specialty center development, particularly in, but not limited to, the Edison Center, Grove Center, Latin Quarter, Little Haiti, River Corridor, Design District and the Civic Center. The extension of commercial land uses along the entire length of significantly traveled roadways will be discouraged. Policy LU-1.3.7: The City will continue to use the City's Enterprise Zone and Tax Increment Financing district strategies to stimulate economic revitalization, and encourage employment opportunities. Objective LU-1.4: Continue the growth of Downtown Miami, expand its role as a center of domestic and international commerce, further its development as a regional center for the performing arts and other cultural and entertainment activities and develop an urban residential base. Policy LU-1.4.1: The City will continue to identify special use districts and direct public sector regulatory, financial and promotional efforts toward reinforcing the identity and cohesiveness of each district. Policy LU-1.4.3: The City will continue to promote an active pedestrian sidewalk environment along the ground floor frontage of buildings on "pedestrian streets" through land development regulations. Policy LU-1.4.4: The City will continue to support Miami -Dade County in construction of a regional performing arts center in downtown. Policy LU-1.4.10: The City will continue to develop modifications to existing regulations with the intent of providing greater flexibility in the design and implementation of mixed -use developments within the general downtown area and particularly along the Miami River. Policy LU-1.4.12: The City will continue to implement the Downtown DRI development orders for downtown and Southeast Overtown/Park West, and seek approval for future increments of development in a timely manner. Policy LU-1.5.1: Development orders in the city will be consistent with the goals, objectives and policies contained in the Natural Resource Conservation and Coastal Management elements of the Miami Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan. Submitted Into ' e public record in connocti,,n ith item P2o� • Page 3 Priscilla A. Thompson Clerk Goal 3: Encourage urban redevelopment in identified Urban Infi11 Areas and Urban Redevelopment Areas. Objective 3-1: Promptly review and act on petitions for land use plan amendments and rezoning of property in Urban Infil1 Areas or Urban Redevelopment Areas to facilitate redevelopment. Policy LU-3.1.2: Create Regional Activity Centers if appropriate in Urban Infill Areas and Urban Redevelopment Areas to facilitate mixed -use development, encourage mass transit, reduce the need for automobile travel, provide incentives for quality development and give definition to the urban form. The permitted uses and density and intensity of uses within a RAC shall be governed by the underlying future land use map designations of the subject property, except as otherwise limited by the designation of the RAC in the comprehensive plan. A designated RAC shall routinely provide service to, or be regularly used by, a significant number of citizens of more than one county; contain adequate existing public facilities as defined in Rule 9J-5, F.A.C., or committed public facilities, as identified in the capital improvements element of the City's comprehensive plan; and shall be proximate and accessible to interstate or major arterial roadways. Regional Activity Centers Regional Activity Center (RAC). A Regional Activity Center designation is intended to encourage and promote large-scale development and redevelopment as well as small parcel infill development and redevelopment that facilitates a balanced mix of land uses by providing maximum flexibility for development and redevelopment activities. In accordance with Chapter 28-24.014(10)(b)2, F.A.C., a Regional Activity Center in the City of Miami shall be a compact, high intensity, high density multi -use area designated as appropriate for intensive growth as an urban infill or urban redevelopment area by the City and may include: residential use; commercial; office; cultural and community facilities; recreational and entertainment facilities; hotels or motels; transportation facilities; utilities; and appropriate industrial activities. The major purposes of this designation are to facilitate mixed -use development, encourage mass transit, reduce the need for automobile travel, provide incentives for quality development and give definition to the urban form. High Density Multifamily Residential: Areas designated as "High Density Multifamily Residential" allow residential structures to a maximum density of 150 dwelling units per acre, subject to the detailed provisions of the applicable land development regulations and the maintenance of required levels of service for facilities and services included in the City's adopted concurrency management requirements. Higher densities may be allowed as shown for these specially -designated areas: Little Havana Target Area 200 units per acre Southeast Overtown/Park West 300 units per acre Submitted lc�: public Brickell, Omni, and River Quadrant 500 units per acre record in connectif wi h item 1'Z-30 on oL Priscilla A. Tho pson City Clerk • Page 4 Policy HO-1.1.9: The City's land development regulations will encourage high -density residential development and redevelopment in close proximity to Metrorail and Metromover stations, consistent with the Station Area Design and Development Plan for each station. (See Land Use Policy LU-1.1.10 and Transportation Policy TR-1.5.2.) Policy HO-1.1.10: The City will continue to develop policies and procedures, including the provision of zoning bonuses, which aid the private sector in assembling land for major residential projects, and develop informational programs that promote the awareness of redevelopment opportunities. Goal HO-2: Achieve a livable city center with a variety of urban housing types for persons of all income levels. Objective HO-2.1: Achieve a livable downtown with a variety of urban housing types for persons of all income levels. Policy HO-2.1.1: The City will continue to protect and enhance existing viable neighborhoods by retaining existing residential zoning. Policy HO-2.1.2: The City will continue to revise residential zoning district regulations to provide greater flexibility for the design and development of a variety of contemporary housing types and mixed -use development with the application of new higher density zoning. Policy HO-2.1.3: The City will continue to assure that necessary support services, institutions and amenities are available to existing neighborhoods. Policy HO-2.1.4: The City will continue to promote development of new, high quality, dense urban neighborhoods along the Miami River, in Central Brickell and in Southeast Overtown/Park West through Special District (SD) zoning. Objective PW-1.1: Land development regulations will ensure that approval of development or redevelopment will not be granted unless and until there exists adequate potable water transmission capacity to serve that development. Goal TR-1: Maintain an effective and cost efficient traffic circulation network within the City of Miami that provides transportation for all persons and facilitates commercial activity, and which is consistent with, and furthers, neighborhood plans, supports economic development, conserves energy, and protects and enhances the natural environment. • Page 5 Submitted Into the public record in connectin ►ith item PZ . 3o on o Priscilla A. Th s mpson City Clerk Objective TR-1.1: All arterial and collector roadways under County and State jurisdiction that lie within the City's boundaries will operate at levels of service established by the respective agency. All other City streets will operate at levels of service that are consistent with an urban center possessing an extensive urban public transit system and characterized by compact development and moderate -to -high residential densities and land use intensities, and within a transportation concurrency exception area (TCEA). The City will monitor the levels of service of all arterial and collector roadways to continue to develop and enhance transportation strategies that promote public transit and minimize the impacts of the TCEA. Policy TR-1.1.1: The City hereby adopts designation of the City, excluding Virginia Key, Watson Island and the uninhabited islands of Biscayne Bay that have a land use and zoning classification of Conservation, as an Urban Infill Area pursuant to Miami -Dade County's designation of an Urban Infill Area lying generally east of the Palmetto Expressway and including all of the City of Miami. Within this area, the concentration and intensification of development around centers of activity shall be emphasized with the goals of enhancing the livability of residential neighborhoods and the viability of commercial areas. Priority will be given to infill development on vacant parcels, adaptive reuse of underutilized land and structures, and the redevelopment of substandard sites. Maintenance of transportation levels of service within this designated Urban Infill Transportation Concurrency Exception Area shall be in accordance with the adopted Transportation Corridors level of service standards set forth in Policies TR-1.1.2 and TR- 1.1.3 of the Transportation Element of the MCNP. (See Land Use Policy LU-1.1.11.) 1.1.2.3: Where express bus transit and/or rapid rail transit service on minimum 20- minute headways is available parallel to and within'/2 mile of the facility, the facility shall operate at no greater than 150 percent of capacity. Policy TR-1.1.13: New development in downtown shall be required to contribute its fair share toward the mitigation of regional roadway impacts as provided for by the Development Order implementing the downtown and Southeast Overtown/Park West Developments of Regional Impact. Policy TR-1.4.2: The City will develop a streetscape design program that will guide landscaping, lighting and construction of sidewalks and bicycle paths along city streets, and such improvements will be coordinated with major repairs and renovation of city streets. Policy TR-1.5.8: Prior to the submittal of the 2005 EAR, the City will amend its land development regulations and public facility improvements to ensure a stronger interface between the development or redevelopment of neighborhood activity centers and the Submitted Into the public record in connec on ith • Page item?2. 30 on ote Priscilla A. Th mpson City Cierk public transportation system by establishing design guidelines for connectivity and transit infrastructure to be incorporated into the development/redevelopment. Policy TR-1.5.12: The City, through its Intergovernmental Coordination Policies, will support Miami -Dade County in its implementation of individual projects in order to achieve the Regional objective to increase the average daily share of transit ridership by 30 percent of total person trips In addition, by the 2005 EAR submittal, the City will coordinate with Miami -Dade Transit to develop the appropriate data collection needs of transit ridership to ensure a baseline can be established to support the City's person -trip capacity level of service measurements and to support Miami -Dade Transit's efforts to improve transit services. Objective PR-1.1: Increase public access to all identified recreation sites, facilities and open spaces including the Miami River and beaches and enhance the quality of recreational and educational opportunities for all age groups and handicapped persons within the city's neighborhoods. Policy PR-1.1.11: Where appropriate and in the interest of public safety and promotion of outdoor recreation opportunities on environmentally sensitive areas, future land development regulations will require non -water dependent or related development or redevelopment to maintain public access to the coastal and Miami River shorelines. (See Coastal Management Policy CM-2.1.1.) Objective PR-1.4: Ensure that future development and redevelopment pay an equitable, proportional share of the cost of public open space and recreational facilities required to maintain adopted LOS standards. Policy PR-1.4.1: The City will continue to use developer contributions, including development impact fees, to help fund the cost of public open space and recreational facilities needed to serve new development or redevelopment. Policy PR-1.5.6: As depicted in the Waterfront Master Plan and programmed in the CIE, the City will provide a continuous network of public parks and major attractions along the downtown waterfront. Policy PR-1.5.10: The City will continue to encourage development of urban street promenade linkages with widened sidewalks, high quality materials, landscaping, lighting, graphics and furnishings. Policy PR-1.5.11: The City will continue to work toward improvement of the landscaping and pedestrian -oriented amenities along major boulevards, including Biscayne Boulevard, Brickell Avenue, and North 1 Avenue, to create distinctive images and unifying elements between downtown districts. • Page 7 Submitted Into the public record in connecti^n th item •3b on oG Priscilla A. Tho psoh City Cleric Goal PR-3: Encourage the development of high quality cultural arts facilities and programs within the city. Objective PR-3.1: The city will continue to develop a clearly defined and functioning cultural arts district within the downtown area, and a world -class cultural performing arts facility is being built within the city and will be completed by the year 2001. Policy PR-3.1.1: Land development regulations within downtown permit and encourage the development of a cultural arts district within downtown as specified in the City's Downtown Master Plan, and the City will continue to support development of such a district. Policy PR-3.1.2: The City supports Miami -Dade County in construction of the new downtown Performing Arts Center, which is being built in conformity with the Downtown Master Plan, and with appropriate shares of state, county and private sector funding. Goal CM-2: Ensure adequate public access to Biscayne Bay and the city's shoreline. Objective CM-2.1: Prevent the net loss of, and, where feasible, increase, physical and visual public access to Biscayne Bay and the city's shoreline. Policy CM-2.1.1: Where appropriate and in the interest of public safety, future land use and land development regulations will require non -water dependent or related development or redevelopment to maintain public access to the shoreline. (See Parks, Recreation and Open Space Policy PR-1.1.11.) Policy NR-3.2.2: Support those elements of the Miami -Dade County Comprehensive Development Master Plan that encourage the use of Metrorail and Metromover by directing high density new development or redevelopment first to areas nearest Metrorail and Metromover stations, and those land use policies that do not foster the proliferation of employment centers in the suburban areas of the county. (See Transportation Objective TR-1.5 and associated policies.) Objective CI-1.3: Ensure that future development and redevelopment pay an equitable, proportional share of the cost of public facilities required to maintain adopted LOS standards. • Page 8 Submitted Into the public record in connect;.— `."v,'s1 item ,30on 7 Priscilla �� A. Th rn ysan City Clerk