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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Robin Porter-Letter to CommissionersSubmitted into the public record foi ite (s) 5 on 5 / 1,4 (1 City Clerk BL`ENA VISTA F � s T HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION May 24, 2018 Esteemed City of Miami Commissioners, The Buena Vista East Historic Neighborhood board is in opposition to the appeal of a minority of Morningside residents to argue against historic designation, and potential removal of the loop road, and thereby most of the access to Morningside Park, a City of Miami public park. Chapter 23 of the City Code has specific criteria for determining if a property merits historic designation. Morningside Park meets that criteria, as proven by Dr. Paul George, the Staff Report, and the HEP Board decision. Many Buena Vista East residents and visitors visit Morningside Park to access multiple amenities, including the walking path, waterfront access for kayaks and paddleboards, tennis courts, basketball courts, various sports fields, the playground, picnic areas, various areas of green space, and the boat ramp. If the pool was in operation, we would access it as well. We bring our dogs, families, friends, blankets, picnic baskets, kayaks, paddleboards, and sports equipment to use within the park boundaries. Removal of the loop road would shut off access to most of the park and since we as a neighborhood are not within easy walking distance, would essentially shut our access off to many of the amenities, including the picnic area, as well as use of the kayak/paddleboard ramps, since gear and supplies would have to be carried at least the depth of the park. The appeals letter implies that many residents drive into the park and drive around, instead of parking and walking/bicycling/using the water access, which could not be farther from the truth. We find the appeal disingenuous in referring to the car culture of the 1950's and the argument for less vehicles by removing the loop road because residents want to disengage from their automobiles. The boat and kayak ramps allow many residents to disengage from their automobiles via access to the Intercoastal waterways, and due to the design of the park and surrounding neighborhoods, does require access to a vehicle. Most people also do need a vehicle to transport their families and all of the conveniences afforded to a car culture. 21st Century park design should be inclusive in its plan to invite all residents to explore nature, especially those who do not live within a 5 block radius. Additionally, the complaint about salt air corrosion must apply to hundreds, if not thousands of ��, \\\\ `` 4),(\ \-o 64\n\s5)me+-5 Submitted into the public record f r iter(s) P tj on 5i 1' / 15C . City Clerk .bitiild.intte South t. - ! h . k and The D ainteany - 'he -pool is an amenity for many Who do not have the luxury or space to have a pool, and if it reopens, would be used by a wide variety of City residents. We also are concerned that the remaining vehicular traffic would have minimal areas for parking and would place a burden on the surrounding neighborhood streets and minimal parking that is currently available next to the playground. Buena Vista East has always advocated for more green space in the City of Miami, and while this would not remove the green space, it would place such a burden of access on anyone not within a few blocks, or those who wish to access waterfront or green spaces with families, that it would render Morningside Park inaccessible. Furthermore, Buena Vista East is not served by a local park, as per the City Parks Master Plan. Please do NOT approve the appeal to remove the loop road and accompanying modifications. Respectfully, Robin Porter, President Buena Vista East Historic Neighborhood Association BUENA VISTA EAST HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION P.O. BOX 371067, MIAMI, FL 33137 Submitted into the public record for item(s) yL, 5 on 5/ ZH 19 . City Clerk BITENA VISTA e w s T HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION May 24, 2018 Esteemed City of Miami Commissioners, The Buena Vista East Historic Neighborhood board is in opposition to the appeal of a minority of Morningside residents to argue against historic designation, and potential removal of the loop road, and thereby most of the access to Morningside Park, a City of Miami public park. Chapter 23 of the City Code has specific criteria for determining if a property merits historic designation. Morningside Park meets that criteria, as proven by Dr. Paul George, the Staff Report, and the HEP Board decision. Many Buena Vista East residents and visitors visit Morningside Park to access multiple amenities, including the walking path, waterfront access for kayaks and paddleboards, tennis courts, basketball courts, various sports fields, the playground, picnic areas, various areas of green space, and the boat ramp. If the pool was in operation, we would access it as well. We bring our dogs, families, friends, blankets, picnic baskets, kayaks, paddleboards, and sports equipment to use within the park boundaries. Removal of the loop road would shut off access to most of the park and since we as a neighborhood are not within easy walking distance, would essentially shut our access off to many of the amenities, including the picnic area, as well as use of the kayak/paddleboard ramps, since gear and supplies would have to be carried at least the depth of the park. The appeals letter implies that many residents drive into the park and drive around, instead of parking and walking/bicycling/using the water access, which could not be farther from the truth. We find the appeal disingenuous in referring to the car culture of the 1950's and the argument for less vehicles by removing the loop road because residents want to disengage from their automobiles. The boat and kayak ramps allow many residents to disengage from their automobiles via access to the Intercoastal waterways, and due to the design of the park and surrounding neighborhoods, does require access to a vehicle. Most people also do need a vehicle to transport their families and all of the conveniences afforded to a car culture. 21 st Century park design should be inclusive in its plan to invite all residents to explore nature, especially those who do not live within a 5 block radius. Additionally, the complaint about salt air corrosion must apply to hundreds, if not thousands of Submitted into the public record fo item s) YZ , 4) on City Clerk ; ;173 r - d - p€y t1 -rFr -ma - - he -pool is an amenity for many who do not have the luxury or space to have a pool; and if it reopens, would be used by a wide variety of City residents. We also are concerned that the remaining vehicular traffic would have minimal areas for parking and would place a burden on the surrounding neighborhood streets and minimal parking that is currently available next to the playground. Buena Vista East has always advocated for more green space in the City of Miami, and while this would not remove the green space, it would place such a burden of access on anyone not within a few blocks, or those who wish to access waterfront or green spaces with families, that it would render Morningside Park inaccessible. Furthermore, Buena Vista East is not served by a local park, as per the City Parks Master Plan. Please do NOT approve the appeal to remove the loop road and accompanying modifications. Respectfully, Robin Porter, President Buena Vista East Historic Neighborhood Association BUENA VISTA EAST HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION P.O. BOX 371067, MIAMI, FL 33137 Submitted into the publi record for itemsZ,. 6 on 5I q. tt . City Clerk BUENA VISTA e w s t HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION May 24, 2018 Esteemed City of Miami Commissioners, The Buena Vista East Historic Neighborhood board is in opposition to the appeal of a minority of Morningside residents to argue against historic designation, and potential removal of the loop road, and thereby most of the access to Morningside Park, a City of Miami public park. Chapter 23 of the City Code has specific criteria for determining if a property merits historic designation. Morningside Park meets that criteria, as proven by Dr. Paul George, the Staff Report, and the HEP Board decision. Many Buena Vista East residents and visitors visit Morningside Park to access multiple amenities, including the walking path, waterfront access for kayaks and paddleboards, tennis courts, basketball courts, various sports fields, the playground, picnic areas, various areas of green space, and the boat ramp. If the pool was in operation, we would access it as well. We bring our dogs, families, friends, blankets, picnic baskets, kayaks, paddleboards, and sports equipment to use within the park boundaries. Removal of the loop road would shut off access to most of the park and since we as a neighborhood are not within easy walking distance, would essentially shut our access off to many of the amenities, including the picnic area, as well as use of the kayak/paddleboard ramps, since gear and supplies would have to be carried at least the depth of the park. The appeals letter implies that many residents drive into the park and drive around, instead of parking and walking/bicycling/using the water access, which could not be farther from the truth. We find the appeal disingenuous in referring to the car culture of the 1950's and the argument for less vehicles by removing the loop road because residents want to disengage from their automobiles. The boat and kayak ramps allow many residents to disengage from their automobiles via access to the Intercoastal waterways, and due to the design of the park and surrounding neighborhoods, does require access to a vehicle. Most people also do need a vehicle to transport their families and all of the conveniences afforded to a car culture. 21' Century park design should be inclusive in its plan to invite all residents to explore nature, especially those who do not live within a 5 block radius. Additionally, the complaint about salt air corrosion must apply to hundreds, if not thousands of Submitted into the publi,c record fojj ite s C 7• , ') on SL City Clerk hil&ugs in the South Fibridailea that sattztir t;a tenan- T he pool is an amenity for many who do not have the luxury or space to have a pool, and if it reopens, would be used by a wide variety of City residents. We also are concerned that the remaining vehicular traffic would have minimal areas for parking and would place a burden on the surrounding neighborhood streets and minimal parking that is currently available next to the playground. Buena Vista East has always advocated for more green space in the City of Miami, and while this would not remove the green space, it would place such a burden of access on anyone not within a few blocks, or those who wish to access waterfront or green spaces with families, that it would render Morningside Park inaccessible. Furthermore, Buena Vista East is not served by a local park, as per the City Parks Master Plan. Please do NOT approve the appeal to remove the loop road and accompanying modifications. Respectfully, Robin Porter, President Buena Vista East Historic Neighborhood Association BUENA VISTA EAST HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION P.O. BOX 371067, MIAMI, FL 33137