HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal 3ERAN SPIRO & ASSOCIATES INC
URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN
431 NE 53rd ST.
Miami, Florida 33137-3042
Miami City Commission
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, Florida
March 10, 2005
Re: Proposed development to 5301 and 5501 Biscayne Boulevard
Honorable Commissioners;
I have been Practicing Urban Planning & Design since my graduation
with a Master of Urban Planning in 1968. I have a long career in
working for both Government and private enterprise and I whole-
heartedly support informed and rational Urban Development. The
growth of our cities is unquestionable and should proceed in a proper and
sensible manner.
It so happens that I reside in 431 NE 53rd street in Morningside some 300
fppl from the proposed development. It is out of scale with our
noghborhood as you can see from the scaled drawings hereby presented.
The proposed development not only ignores the community scale but
contextually would create environmental hardships to its neighbors in
Morningside. It would block sea breezes from the bay and create an air
inversion resulting in increased heat and glare in the community. The
microclimate of Morningside will be altered and naturally then 'will be
an increase in noise and air pollution.
The proposed high rise development merely considers its position on
Biscayne Boulevard while disregarding its relationship to the adjacent
historical residential community a mere seven feet away. Not only will
such a building create an unsightly visual and physical barrier, but
introduce an oppressive tone to a community that has peacefully co-
existed with nature and its neighbors for many years. Additionally, the
cumulative effect of overloading Biscayne Boulevard with high rise
buildings, especially in its narrow junctures, will result in a traffic
nightmare. The consequences of such an ill-considered plan, or lack of it,
are at best unsightly, and potentially disruptive to the residential fabric of
the Biscayne corridor.
45--DDD/5/- �¢-1
I appeal to you to please follow the recommendation of our Planning
Department Master Plan for the Upper Eastside that was promulgated
and adopted by the City of Miami in 2001. It calls for buildings not
exceeding 35 feet in height to be constructed on Biscayne Blvd along its
eastern boundary with the historical Morningside community.
Thank you very much for your kind and favorable consideration.
Yours Truly
Eran Sp' + RA. Urban Planning and Design Consultant
Submitted Into the public
record in cc:rnnect on with
item Pz. on 3 _ )a _ 6s-
Priscilla A. Thompson
City Clerk
Permanent Residence and Office
Address:
Telephone:
Telefax:
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EMail:
Education
M.U.P. M.Sc
Eran Spiro
Curriculum Vitae
431 NE 53rd Street
Miami, Florida, 33137, USA
(305) 759-1619
(305) 759-1619
(305) 775-6490
eranspiro(abellsouth.net
Urban Planning & Design. State University of New York, USA. 1966 -
1968
B.SC. Architecture, Sociology & Economics. Colombia University, New York,
USA .1963 -1966
Key Qualifications
Chartered Member, American Institute of Planners. 1978
Registered Architect, Israel 05930, October 22, 1967
Registered Architect, Jamaica 078, March 1,1991
Professional Futurist, World Future Society. 1984
A professional Futurist, Urban Planner & Designer, Architect, Management Consultant,
and Teacher with 35 years of experience Eran has performed extensive Consultancy work
in Urban Planning and Design, Institutional Building, Management & Organizations,
Strategic Planning, Environmental Management, Land Use Planning, Comprehensive
Human Settlement Planning, and a large number of Architectural Design assignments.
As a Futurist and a Management Consultant, Eran has been using the Delphi method of
future forecasting, and other scientific means of designing preferred futures
private and public sector institutions.
Growth Management Systems inclusive of "Planning Programming Budgeting System"
and "Total Quality Management" have been used in the preparation of programs and
projects loan applications and business plans for Urban Renewal and Urban Mixed Use
developments. A Certified Urban Planner & Registered Architect, Eran has designed
many outstanding structures; residential, commercial, institutional and industrial for
clients in a number of countries. Most projects utilize both Geographic Information
Systems "GIS" and AutoCAD. Eran is computer literate and utilizes Information
Technology extensively in his work.
Submitted Into the public
record in connection p ith
item ? Z - 1 on
la A. Thompson
City Clerk
Prise"
A Sample of Projects Undertaken includes:
Evaluation of The international Institute for Communication and Development.MCD)
Member of an international evaluation team reviewing the operations of IICD in assisting
developing countries to realize locally -owned sustainable development by harnessing the
potential of Information and Communication Technologies. (ICTs). Evaluating and
reporting on the Institute capabilities both in the Netherlands and in Jamaica.
Comprehensive Land Use Plan for Laughlands. St. Ann. Jamaica.
Leading and Managing a Project Team in the preparation of a Comprehensive Land Use
Master Plan for a resort retirement community to be established on a 500 acre property.
Establishment of a Natural Resource Base inclusive of climatic condition and
Morphology. The delineation of critical areas to be conserved and developed in an
environmentally sustainable way. Development of a Growth Management Program based
on physical and socio-economic factors emanating from the region.
Preparation of a Land Use Plan and a real estate feasibility study for implementation.
Comprehensive Master Plan for Global Village. Hanover. Jamaica
Leading and Managing a Project Team for the preparation of a comprehensive Master
Plan for a resort development on 800 acre property for eco-tourism. Prepare all aspects of
the development inclusive of environmental resource audit, formulation of land
development programs, development guidelines, conservation, agricultural development,
agro-industry, residential, commercial and resort facilities: A Total Community.
The Jamaica Strategy for Poverty Alleviation.
Under contract to the Planning Institute of Jamaica, (PIOJ) and the United Nations
Development Program; (UNDP).prepared a policy document and strategic plan for
poverty alleviation in Jamaica. It entailed research on poverty alleviation programs
instituted internationally from 1945-1995. Out of this research, all programs were put
into a matrix whereby unsuccessful programs (92%of total) were eliminated, and
successful programs with further recommendations were prepared and submitted to the
PIOJ and UNDP.
National Rehabilitation Program for Texaco Caribbean Inc.. Jamaica/Cayman Islands.
Leading a Project Team to make Texaco Jamaica the No. 1 retailer in the country. Task
leader responsible for location analysis for retrofitting petrol service stations in an
environmentally and purposefully friendly manner. Architectural and signage
coordination. Landscaping, marketing and promotion. At the end of the one-year
contract, Texaco Jamaica became the No. 1 retailer in Jamaica (moving from No. 3).
National Land Use Plan. Town Planning Department. Jamaica.
Member of a Planning Team. Task leader responsible for urban growth and development,
conservation, coastal management, and land use elements of the National Development
Plan 1978-1998.
2
National Land Use Plan. Government of the Cayman Islands,
Management Consultant to the Executive Council engaged in the preparation of a
Sustainable long term Land Use Plan for Grand Cayman. Creating a vision for
environmentally safe tourism encompassing land, water, air and human settlements in wealth
creation. Also engaged as Infrastructure Consultant and Architectural Consultant for the
Airport Upgrading and with Texaco Caribbean Inc. designed the airport refueling station.
National Energy Plan. Ministry of Public Utilities and Transport. Government of Jamaica,
On behalf of the Energy Institute, Washington D.C., preparation of guidelines for a National
Energy Plan for Jamaica, encompassing Land Use, Transportation, Human Settlements,
Energy Auditing and Conservation and the development of Alternative Energy Resources.
Development Plan. "Kingston Free Zone" Jamaica.
Member of a project management team. Task leader responsible for environmental planning
and design, physical layout, infrastructure and building configuration. Responsible for all
aspects of the Free -zone plan development and production. Negotiating with World Bank
personnel for construction funding and supervision of construction to completion.
National Housing Trust. Jamaica.
For the National Planning Agency in Jamaica, prepared a conceptual idea using the Israeli
Shikun-ovdim concept of housing delivery, and the Brazilian Employer's Federation Housing
concept, thus creating a hybrid National Housing Trust for Jamaica where both the private
sector and the trade unions are represented "partners" with the Government, and a fund
established for the delivery of affordable dwelling units to a growing population.
Urban Development. Brooklyn. New York.
Coordinating architectural and engineering firms in redeveloping a major urban
development project in Brooklyn, New York City consisting of 4,000 dwelling units, a high
school, a university, 4 1/2 million square feet of commercial and light industrial space, and a
subway interchange relating to the project . Housing & Development Administration in the
office of the Mayor, New York City.
York College. Jamaica. Oueens.
Developing a conceptual plan and Urban Design guidelines for an educational institution
above an abandoned rail yard and adjacent to a new commercial and residential community,
for the Housing & Development Administration in the office of the Mayor, New York City.
Various Projects.
Urban Planning and Design, Construction drawings, Supervision and Managing building
sites; inclusive of private residences, multi -family high-rise residential buildings, hotels,
commercial, institutional, industrial and recreational facilities in Jamaica, Cayman Islands,
Bahamas, Israel and the United States of America.
Submitted Into the public
record in connection with,
item PZ•l on3-!o•o
Priscilla A. Thornps,r:"1
City C;
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE: -
UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, KINGSTON, JAMAICA
Lecturer on "Land Use, Zoning and Urban Planning"
Theoretical and practical aspects of their application in Human Settlement Development.
Lecturer on "Comprehensive Planning"
Practical application for using Multi -disciplinary Teams in Urban Development.
Invited Juror to Design Review Boards of 2°d, 3rd & 4th year Architectural Design Studio
Projects
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES, MONA, JAMAICA
Lecturer Department of Extra Mural on "Community Participation", "Citizen Participation"
and "Community Development":- Research Methodologies, Field Surveys and Analysis,
Report Preparation.
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK, USA
Research Assistant in the Bureau of Applied Social Research
Supervisor of research work on redevelopment of Run-down Communities in Connecticut.
LANGUAGES: -
Proficiency in Hebrew and English Languages: excellent speaking, reading and writing.
Signature: Eran Spiro Date;
February 10, 2005
4
Submitted Into the public
record in connection with
item r 2 • I on 3-I0-Q
Priscilla A. Thompsn
City C