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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Public Comments Submitted Online for the September 22, 2022 City Commission MeetingPublic Comment Report for the Regular City Commission Meeting of 9-22-22 Public Comment for September 22, 2022, Regular City Commission Meeting September 23, 2022 6:47 AM MDT Public Comment motero@miamigov.com First Last Nam Nam e e Emil y O'M ahon ey Stre et Addr ess 2GH 0 1907 Com merc e Lane Suit e 101 Jupit er, Flori da 3458 Age nda Public Comment Item DI. 1 #116 70 Disc ussi on - Stor mwa ter September 20, 2022 City of Miami Commission Meeting of September 22, 2022 Re: Agenda Items D#1 and #3 Dear Commission, I am excited to see you address the two above referenced items in this week's agenda. Passing them would put the City at the forefront and leading the way for other communities and put Miami on par with other cities which are bringing in nature based infrastructure into making a better and more sustainable community including Houston New Orleans, San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia, London, Singapore, Shanghai, and Seoul. I am a landscape architect with over 40 years of practice in the South Florida area. I have been very active in our national organization, the American Society of Landscape Architects. I am including the ASLA Policies on Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability for your information. As you move forward in this direction, please know that you have the support of our design profession, those who can help your vision become reality, using a variety of tools and a big picture thought process. Please find the following point for consideration in discussion item #1: TO ADOPT A POLICY FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT ADDRESS STORMWATER MANAGEMENT OR FLOOD MITIGATION. TO CONSIDER AND ADDRESS AS APPROPRIATE, HEAT MITIGATION, HEAT AND STORMWATER MONITORING, GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION, AND FUTURE MOBILITY (WITH AN EMPHASIS ON NON -CARBON -EMITTING MODES OF TRANSPORTATION). o Stormwater infrastructure presents an opportunity for innovation in preparing the City for future climate related hazards and impacts; o The Resilient305 strategy, the Miami Forever Climate Ready Strategy, and the City's updated stormwater Masterplan call for integration of natural infrastructure: 'The synergistic effect of the installation of many green infrastructure systems spread throughout the city can become helpful for chronic flooding areas and allow each resident to participate in the flood solutions on their own sites.' o Neighboring counties, as well as cities around the country and around the woad are incorporating nature -based infrastructure to alleviate flooding that include massive infrastructure projects. Miami should be among this List. o There are numerous grant opportunities that can be leveraged to incorporate green infrastructure into our local projects. o This legislation will help staff evaluate the potential for additional 'resilience benefits' that can help protect residents and infrastructure from multiple climate impacts and take advantage of existing grants. While discussion item #3 is minor in scope and potential impact compared to policies which could be set in discussion #1, this does set the groundwork and direction which forwards Miami in a sustainable direction: Discussion #3: TO ELIMINATE THE PROHIBITION OF PLANTING MANGROVES ALONG THE MIAMI BAYWALK GREENWAY ALONG BISCAYNE BAY. o It is important for the City to have a range of options for managing the effects of climate change. The Climate Resilience Committee has passed this resolution so that Miami does not limit options by banning mangroves in the Baywalk. o In our area, Mangroves are part of a Living Shoreliine palette of plants, a major contributor to marine life. o Weaving Mangroves into an urban water walkway along with various other strategies is a way to make the walk, the urban/water's edge, more sustainable and able to combat sea level rise and eco diversity. As we go up the coast, I am seeing communities develop strategies to mitigate the affects of climate change. Creating strong policy is a great start and necessary create those projects which can make a difference. Sincerely, 2GHO, Landscape Architects, Planners, Environmental Consultants Emily M. O'Mahoney, FASLA, PLA, LEED®AP Partner 12635 Submittal -Public Comments Submitted Online for the September 22, 2022 City Commission Meeting First Last Nam Nam e e Emit y Stre et Addr ess 2GH 0 1907 Com merc e O'M Lane ahon ey Suit e 101 Jupit er, Flori da 1000 Nan Griffi Vene cy n tian Way Age nda Public Comment Item September 20, 2022 City of Miami Commission Meeting of September 22, 2022 Re: Agenda Items DI. #1 and DI. #3 Dear Commission, I am excited to see you address the two above referenced items in this week's agenda. Passing them would put the City at the forefront and leading the way for other communities and put Miami on par with other cities which are bringing in nature based infrastructure into making a better and more sustainable community including Houston New Orleans, San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia, London, Singapore, Shanghai, and Seoul. I am a landscape architect with over 40 years of practice in the South Florida area. I have been very active in our national organization, the American Society of Landscape Architects. I am including the ASLA Policies on Climate Change and Environmental Sustainabitity for your information. As you move forward in this direction, please know that you have the support of our design profession, those who can help your vision become reality, using a DI. 3 variety of tools and a big picture thought process. Please find the following point for consideration in #125 discussion item #1: TO ADOPT A POLICY FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT ADDRESS STORMWATER 07 MANAGEMENT OR FLOOD MITIGATION. TO CONSIDER AND ADDRESS AS APPROPRIATE, HEAT Disc MITIGATION, HEAT AND STORMWATER MONITORING, GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION, AND ussi FUTURE MOBILITY (WITH AN EMPHASIS ON NON -CARBON -EMITTING MODES OF on - TRANSPORTATION). o Stormwater infrastructure presents an opportunity for innovation in preparing the Plan City for future climate related hazards and impacts; o The Resitient305 strategy, the Miami Forever ting Climate Ready Strategy, and the City's updated stormwater Masterplan call for integration of natural Man infrastructure: 'The synergistic effect of the installation of many green infrastructure systems spread grov throughout the city can become helpful for chronic flooding areas and allow each resident to participate in es - the flood solutions on their own sites.' o Neighboring counties, as well as cities around the country and Mia around the world are incorporating nature -based infrastructure to alleviate flooding that include massive mi infrastructure projects. Miami should be among this list. o There are numerous grant opportunities that can Bay be leveraged to incorporate green infrastructure into our local projects. o This legislation wilt help staff walk evaluate the potential for additional' resilience benefits' that can help protect residents and infrastructure Gree from multiple climate impacts and take advantage of existing grants. While discussion item #3 is minor in nwa scope and potential impact compared to policies which could be set in discussion #1, this does set the y groundwork and direction which forwards Miami in a sustainable direction: Discussion #3: TO ELIMINATE THE PROHIBITION OF PLANTING MANGROVES ALONG THE MIAMI BAYWALK GREENWAY ALONG BISCAYNE BAY. o It is important for the City to have a range of options for managing the effects of climate change. The Climate Resilience Committee has passed this resolution so that Miami does not limit options by banning mangroves in the Baywalk. o In our area, Mangroves are part of a Living Shoreliine palette of plants, a major contributor to marine life. o Weaving Mangroves into an urban water walkway along with various other strategies is a way to make the walk, the urban/water's edge, more sustainable and able to combat sea level rise and eco diversity. As we go up the coast, I am seeing communities develop strategies to mitigate the affects of climate change. Creating strong policy is a great start and necessary create those projects which can make a difference. Sincerely, 2GHO, Landscape Architects, Planners, Environmental Consultants Emily M. O'Mahoney, FASLA, PLA, LEED®AP Partner FR. 4 Mr. Mayor and City Commissioners, I am writing to express my support for future legislation 12215 #122 revoking the noise ordinance exemptions for tenants on city -owned property. As a resident of the Venetian 15 Causeway, my family and I have been directly impacted by tenants of the city repeatedly abusing the Ame noise ordinance exemptions. We have experienced many sleepless nights due to the noise level from nd nearby Joia Beach, Jungle Gardens, and nearby venues. Most recently Sept. 22,23,24 when the Cod extremely bud music played until 3 am. We have noticed that the marine life we used to enjoy seeing, e - such as dolphins, manatees, and stingrays, are very rarely present now due to the often present noise. I Cha am certain the sub -base from the music has adversely affected marine life. There is no reason for venues pter that lease and from the city to be governed by different rules than everyone else, white making it 36 - impossible for thousands of residents to sleep at night. I am begging you to please vote to remove these Nois exemptions from the city's noise ordinance. Thank you for your consideration. Nancy Griffin e Stre First Last et Age Nam Nam Addr nda Public Comment e e Item ess DI. 3 1477 #125 Good morning. My name is Kevin White and I'm a Landscape Architect in Northeast Florida. I'm a Florida 5 07 native and have witnessed the destruction of our coastlines from storm damage for my entire Life. My OLd Disc family is spread aLL over the state and we've Lost homes and businesses through hurricane Andrew, Charley, and most recently Hurricane Michael. Please consider the importance of Living ShoreLines as this St. ussi Aug on - directly relates to your mangrove planting discussion item. Our profession is working with Legislators on ustin Plan the state and federal Level to help protect and replant these Living systems. The funding is in place and e ting more is on the way. The day of sheet piling, and engineering concrete bulkheads have shown to fait with scouring once these barriers are compromised by storm surges. Science and testing has been done with Kevi Whit Roa Man n e d grov multiple Living systems throughout the state. IFAS (Institute of Food and Agricultural Science) has several es - examples of these with pre and post imagery showing the resiliency of these Living systems. We (ASLA- JackAmerican Society of Landscape Architecture) also have system test data on historical conventional sonv Mia iLLe, mi systems that fait time and time again. In fact, our recent state conference this past August in Panama City Beach went through several projects that are implementing these systems along the gulf coast. I FLori Bay da walk encourage you to use the test data and Lean on your Local Landscape Architects for expertise in handling 3225 Gree shoreline planting; as welt as manmade reef systems displaced offshore to aid in this effort. The science is proven and it's the wisest use of taxpayer money. Thank you. Sincerely, Kevin White whitek@etminc.com 9 nwa 904-803-4539 y PZ. 2 #121 95 ReLe ase of Ded 8252 arati HeLto! I am a resident of Oakland Grove, the potential future home of Pelican Harbor. I've seen and on waked the Land where they wilt build plenty of times and think it wilt be a great addition to an already Dary Men ne dez 3rd of quaint and quiet neighborhood. There were plenty of other things that could have been built here that were Rest not going to materially contribute to the environment or our community. I am writing this in support of their ct rictiv efforts and in appreciation of the work they do. e Cov enan t- 399 NE 82 Ter DI. 3 #125 07 Disc 115 Paussi lo on - ma Plan Dr, ting I fully support removing the Limitation of deploying mangroves for shoreline protection and ecosystem Cora Dieg Lirm Man enhancement along our shore Lines. We need mangroves to enhance shoreline protection and improve o an GabL grov ecosystem services. We do not have the Luxury of not using any ad all available restoration tools to es - maximize coastal resilience. es, Mia FL mi 3314 3 Bay wa Lk Gree nwa y First Last Nam Nam e e VaLer ie Paul Hern Gina ande z Sam Stre et Addr ess 540 Mad eira Ave Cora Gab es Flori da 3313 4 30 27 Oak Ave 3313 3 1000 vene Robi tian n Way TH 112 Age nda Public Comment Item DI. 4 #125 49 Disc ussi on Item I want the Virginia Key Recreation Center reopened immediately. I am handicapped and kayaking is my only excercise which helps me exercise my core. The staff is helpful and the restroom facilities and launch Hom facilities are necessary to help me access and utilize the natural world. If this is not the right agenda item eLes please direct my comments to keep Virginia Key for natural recreation, not homeless small houses. Please s restore the business Tran sitio n Zone Loca tion DI. 4 #125 49 Disc ussi on Item I went the recreation center reopened and the Virginia key preserved as a public park!!! Stop stealing our Hom green space and"Selling off all of our trees" to be chopped down by developers greasing your pockets. It's eLes disgusting! s Tran sitio n Zone Loca tion FR. 4 #122 15 Ame I've been a resident of 1000 Venetian Way for 36 years I live in the west facing townhouse and the noise nd coming from Joia is intolerable we hear heavy bass coming across the water through the night I Cod understand that this is a state property but this is ridiculous the law pertaining to all other venues needs to e - pertain to this one. It is made our Lives miserable here the noise is not tolerable we pay high taxes for Cha valuable properties whose values are decreasing because of the noise. Please do something to stop this. pter 36 - Nois e First Last Nam Nam e e Noa h Stre et Addr ess Age nda Public Comment Item PZ. 2 #121 95 Rele ase 8279 of NE Decl My name is Noah Youngstrom, President of the Oakland Grove Neighborhood Association. Our small 3rd arati community feels honored to have Pelican Harbor Seabird Station move in as our neighbor. Their plans for Youn Ct. on the property, mission as an organization and the cooperative collaborative partner they have proven gstro Mia of themselves to be these past few years wilt be a proud addition to our neighborhood. Leadership from m mi Rest PHSS attends our community meetings, sponsors our annual river cleanup and shows up to volunteer at FL rictiv community events. We would appreciate the commission advancing their plans and appreciate your 3313 e consideration of this comment 8 Cov enan t- 399 NE 82 Ter Aida Curti 7901 DI. 1 Op -Ed: A Unique Moment for Landscape Architects By Torey Carter-Conneen I recently joined American s SW #116 Society of Landscape Architects President Eugenia Martin, FASLA, and hundreds of other global leaders in 58 70 landscape architecture in Gwangju, South Korea, at the International Federation of Landscape Architects Aven Disc World Council Meeting. IFLA represents landscape architects worldwide, with 77 member associations ue ussi globally, including ASLA in the United States. The time together was a reaffirmation that the global Mia on - community of landscape architects share goals to promote and diversify the profession, set high mi , Stor professional standards, and exchange knowledge and best practices across cultures and communities. FL mwa One of my big takeaways from the gathering is that advocacy and education efforts for landscape ter architecture at national, regional, and local levels are critical. As a profession, landscape architecture remains misunderstood by policy -makers and municipalities across the globe. In response, to better understand the work of landscape architects globally, IFLA partnered with the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) to launch a global survey of the profession. I believe engaging with decision -makers at every level of government and having more landscape architects elected or appointed to public office must be a central strategy to influence how our communities are designed, how projects are prioritized, and how funding is allocated. In my remarks to the IFLA World Council, I discussed the important role advocacy plays in our industry, and I shared ASLA's perspective and influence on two huge pieces of federal legislation: the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. As a profession, landscape architecture remains misunderstood by policy -makers and municipalities across the globe. When Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), we at ASLA quickly honed in on the allocation of funds for projects that landscape architects are uniquely qualified to Lead. Landscape architects can help tip the balance in the buift environment from 'carbon -neutral' to carbon -positive, which is what we wilt need for a truly resilient future. There is no doubt that the climate change provision of the IRA wilt transform our economy into a cleaner one, as evidenced by the $30 billion in production tax credits to accelerate U.S. manufacturing of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and critical minerals processing. It also allocates another $30 billion in tax credits for dean sources of electricity and energy storage and provides targeted grant and loan programs for states and electric utilities to accelerate the transition to dean electricity. And particularly important for landscape architects and professionals in related fields, the IRA recognizes and funds landscape architecture approaches to address climate change — from active transportation projects like recreational traits in large, urban metros to nature -based water infrastructure, community tree planting, and ecosystem restoration. Additionally, the legislation makes significant strides in advancing environmental and climate justice by ensuring underserved communities receive resources to adapt to a changing climate. Some of the programs and projects traditionally led by landscape architects, such as active transportation infrastructure, include $3 billion for a Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program that wilt help to improve walkabitity, safety, and affordable transportation access through projects that are "context -sensitive." In other words, Landscape architects wilt be enabled to build or improve complete streets, mufti -use trails, regional greenways, active transportation networks or provide affordable access to essential destinations, public spaces, transportation links and hubs. This grant program wilt remove high-speed and other transportation projects and facilities that are barriers to connectivity within communities, as well as remove transportation projects and facilities that are a source of air pollution, noise pollution, stormwater, or other burdens in underserved communities. Solutions could include natural infrastructure, permeable or porous pavement, First Last Nam Nam e e Stre et Addr ess Age nda Public Comment Item or protective features to reduce or manage stormwater run-off and even heat island mitigation projects. Landscape architects can help tip the balance in the built environment from 'carbon -neutral.' to carbon - positive, which is what we will need for a truly resilient future. As we know, the IPCC report released earlier this year stated that efforts to integrate nature in cities should be the backbone of future urban development and planning to improve resilience to climate impacts. So now, with confidence, we can tell our pofiticaf Leaders and Lawmakers that it's wise and important to bring in a Landscape architect at the beginning of a development project because they can analyze the conditions to determine the best way to orient buildings, source water, and protect natural resources we wilt need for future resilience. Landscape architects consider how aft the pieces of a community "puzzle" fit together because they see how entire communities can be designed as a holistic system to reduce energy use and vehicle emissions. Frankly, housing emissions cannot easily be decoupLed from transportation emissions, which account for a third of total global emissions. We have also found that investment in tree canopies not only mitigates against rising heat Levels but can also support community -wide efforts to reduce energy use. And why is this important? We can see that communities heavily made up of concrete and asphalt — and planned with no space for trees — are actually creating heat islands. It's also important to note that communities that have experienced redlining and disinvestment are the communities with the fewest trees and the most dangerous heat islands. We have to mitigate heat, not exacerbate it. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by President Biden Last fait also makes significant investments in our nation's transportation, water, renewable energy, and broadband infrastructure, including action on 13 of the transportation, water, and natural resource policy measures supported by ASLA. The infrastructure Legislation is also profound in its scope because it allows the United States to take the first steps to address the Legacy of environmental and social inequities in cities created by highways that have divided communities for decades. Specifically, the "Reconnecting Communities" program provides $1 billion to remove highways and reconnect communities through mufti -modal transportation options, boulevard -Like green spaces, and new connections to economic opportunity. I'm proud of the fact that even before the enactment of this Legislation, ASLA recognized the urgent need by honoring Landscape architecture firms, through our annual Professional Awards program, for their work to reconnect neighborhoods in their cities. Communities that have experienced redlining and disinvestment are the communities with the fewest trees and the most dangerous heat islands. We have to mitigate heat, not exacerbate it. In addition, water and smart water management have become an even greater imperative because of climate change. So, we were pleased to see that the infrastructure Legislation included $25 million for five new Stormwater Centers of Excellence throughout the country. The EPA wilt administer an application process for colleges and universities, research organizations, and nonprofit groups to become centers of excellence. These centers wilt explore new types of nature -based green infrastructure, methods to improve existing designs, and strategies for financing and rate -setting, public outreach, and professional training. I dosed my remarks at IFLA by inviting global delegates to join us in San Francisco at the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture this November, where we wilt release our Climate Action Plan and feature more than 120 hours of courses that showcase how Landscape architects are actually a secret weapon to solving many of our biggest challenges Networking and Learning from other Leaders from across the world, and sharing some of our Lessons Learned and opportunities here in the U.S., is an invigorating and challenging opportunity. As a profession, Landscape architects are energized and ready to make a difference in our communities. We Look forward to deepening our collaborations with our allied professions and government Leaders at every Level to design stronger communities here at home and around the world. First Last Nam Nam e e Stre et Addr ess 1300 little river Muri Oliv drive el ares mia mi FL 3316 1 hele n ada m Sim on koffl er Age nda Public Comment Item PZ. 2 #121 95 Rele ase of Decl arati on Our family has lived in the little river area since 2010 and we are more than thrilled about Pelican Harbor of moving into the neighborhood. We think the property on ne 4th Ave is great for them and it'll help to Rest preserve green space. It's a win win win! rictiv e Cov enan t- 399 NE 82 Ter FR. 4 1000 #122 Vene 15 tian Ame Way nd Apt, Cod 1802 e - Cha 1802 pter 1802 36 - Nois e The residential community at 1000 Venetian is requesting that the completion of the legislation FR4 12215 evoking the noise ordinance exemptions for both future and existing on city- owned property be done immediately as our families have been terribly impacted by the constant blasting noise . Jungle Island commercial businesses need to respect the families that live in the area -The inability to enjoy the beauty of our environment -to rest and enjoy family time - the need for quiet time for rest and sleep . Thank you for your help in making our home the beautiful environment it was before . FR. 1000 4 Vene #122 tian 15 Way, Ame This amendment is vitally important to the Venetian Island residential neighborhoods. Our lives continue to Apt nd be disrupted by the exceptional intrusion of high levels of noise being generated on City leased property. 801 Cod Just this past week, a September 17th event at Jungle Island blasted heavy bass "music" at concert level Mia e - volumes until3 a.m. We urge the Commissioners to support FR4 12215 - First Reading. Thank you Adam mi Cha H Koffler FL pter 3313 36 - 9 Nois e First Last Nam Nam e e Stre et Addr ess 950 Ken Gord N.Ve neth on netia n Dr. Joha Kno nnes dt 2620 Hilol a Stre et Age nda Public Comment Item FR. 4 #122 15 Ame nd Cod N/A e- Cha pter 36 - Nois e FR. 9 #125 67 Ame nd Cod e- Cha pter 38 - Nam ing of J org e Mas Can osa Park N/A End of Report