HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Memo-City Manager, CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Commissioner Marc Samoff DATE:
FROM:
Distr
Pedro G_
City Manager
ez, RE.
SUBJECT:
REFERENCES:
September2, 2009
FILE:
Biscayne Boulevard Royal Palm Tree
Removal Summary
ENCLOSURES: STC Designation Report
In response to your inquiry regarding the status of the Biscayne .Boulevard Corridor Project and .
its impact on the associated Royal Palm Trees, specifically any removals, key staff- with the
assistance of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) provides the following
summary:
Prior to the decision to remove any tree from the Biscayne Boulevard Reconstruction Corridor,
FDOT field reviewed every tree individually. In making the determination, several variables
were considered prior to determining which trees would remain, be relocated or be removed.
The criteria considered .are as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
:FDOT Horizontal Clearance Requirements to new curb .locations;
FDOT Clear Sight Requirements on Biscayne to intersections and alleys
ASHTO Stopping .Distance Sight requirements on Biscayne to intersections and
alleys;
Conflicts with new or existing underground utilities;
New pavement locations;
Existing and proposed Street Lighting locations;
Clear area code requirements on sides of driveways entering Biscayne Boulevard;
Mast arms and visual requirements of signalization;
General aesthetics and horticultural requirements, and;
Whether or not the Royal Palm showed signs of disease or distress
Likeliness of survival for the individual tree.
Based on the above criteria, FDOT determined that well over half of the existing trees on the
corridor were in violation of FDOT Engineering Standard Indexes_ The final approved plans for
the project affected the Royal Palm Trees as follows:
Number of Existing Royal Palms 324
Number Royal Palms to remain in place 175
Number of Royal Palms to be relocated 102
Number of Royal Palms to be removed 47
Number of New Royal Palms to be installed 58
01:9 WV 6- d3S 600Z
09- 00908- Memo - Clt ( v y9er
Biscayne Boulevard Royal Palm Tree Removal Summary
Page 2of2
FDOT consciously worked to preserve as many existing Royal Palms as possible. In this
regard, 175 royal palms were chosen to remain in place. To do this, FDOT was required to
obtain a design exception to keep 56 of the trees. In addition, of 102 palms that are slated for
relocation, the majority will be relocated within the project area It is important to note that final
placement has not yet been determined for all the tree :relocations.
Where possible, shade trees will be planted along the corridor once construction has been
completed. There will be 20 percent more trees and palms within the project limits_ Currently,
there are 400 trees, of all types, within the project limits_ At the end of construction, there will
be a total of 506 trees of all types and of this number 233 trees will be Royal Palms.
Both the new Royal Palms and Live Oaks will be installed at mature sizes. The palms are being
installed at a 26 ft. height and the oaks are being installed .at .a 20 ft. height_
In addition, our Historic Preservation office was asked to prepare a nomination to designate
Biscayne Boulevard from the river to NE 36th Street as a Scenic Transportation Corridor
(STC). ] have attached the Historic Preservation office's report, which concludes that the
Boulevard would be eligible for classification as a STC. The subject classification was taken to
the Historical and Environmental Preservation Board (HEP) yesterday and the board voted
unanimously in favor of recommending that Biscayne Boulevard become an STC. Now it must
first go the Planning Advisory Board (PAB) and then on to the City Commission for
consideration and approval.
if we can be of further assistance in this matter, please feel free to contact my office at 305-
.250-5400_
C: Honorable Manuel A. Diaz, Mayor
Honorable City Commission
Bill .Anido, RE., Assistant City Manager
Stephanie Grindell, Director, Public Works Department
Attachment