HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Commission Fact SheetCITY COMMISSION FACT SHEET
File ID: 16562
Title: A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION TO RECONSIDER
RESOLUTION NO. R-24-0212, WHICH DENIED THE APPEAL FILED BY
ARTHUR NORIEGA V, CITY OF MIAMI CITY MANAGER, AND MIGUEL
FERRO, THE THEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BAYFRONT PARK,
("APPELLANT") OF THE DECISION OF THE PLANNING, ZONING, AND
APPEALS BOARD THEREBY REVERSING THE CITY OF MIAMI
PLANNING DEPARTMENT'S ISSUANCE OF WARRANT NO. PZ-23-
16544 ISSUED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 4, TABLE 12, AND ARTICLE 7,
SECTIONS 7.1.1.2 AND 7.1.2.4 OF ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE
ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), TO ALLOW FOR THE RECREATIONAL
FACILITY USE ON A PARCEL ZONED "CS," CIVIC SPACE TRANSECT
ZONE, LOCATED AT 1095 BISCAYNE BOULEVARD, MIAMI, FLORIDA;
MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 16562 Final Action Date:1/22/2026
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION TO RECONSIDER
RESOLUTION NO. R-24-0212, WHICH DENIED THE APPEAL FILED BY ARTHUR
NORIEGA V, CITY OF MIAMI CITY MANAGER, AND MIGUEL FERRO, THE THEN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BAYFRONT PARK, ("APPELLANT") OF THE DECISION
OF THE PLANNING, ZONING, AND APPEALS BOARD THEREBY REVERSING THE
CITY OF MIAMI PLANNING DEPARTMENT'S ISSUANCE OF WARRANT NO. PZ-23-
16544 ISSUED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 4, TABLE 12, AND ARTICLE 7, SECTIONS
7.1.1.2 AND 7.1.2.4 OF ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), TO ALLOW FOR THE
RECREATIONAL FACILITY USE ON A PARCEL ZONED "CS," CIVIC SPACE
TRANSECT ZONE, LOCATED AT 1095 BISCAYNE BOULEVARD, MIAMI, FLORIDA;
MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Nelson Fonseca, on behalf of Leadex Corporation ("Applicant") applied to
the City of Miami ("City") for a Warrant pursuant to Article 4, Table 12, and Article 7, Sections
7.1.1.2 and 7.1.2.4 of Ordinance No. 13114, the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Miami, Florida,
as amended, ("Miami 21 Code") to allow for Recreational Facility Use ("Project") for the property
located at approximately 1095 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida, also known as 1075
Biscayne Boulevard, which is the address historically used for Maurice A. Ferre Park permitting
("Property"); and
WHEREAS, on September 7, 2023, the City's Planning Department approved Warrant
No. PZ-23-16544 for the Project on the Property pursuant to the applicable review criteria of the
Miami 21 Code; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Department's approval of Warrant No. PZ-23-16544 included
the following conditions:
1. As per Environmental Resources Review Group condition, the applicant will need to
adhere to the guidance provided within the latest certified arborist report, dated
8/30/23. Namely, that no ground disturbing activity is to be done within 20' of tree #1
nor is to be done within 16' of tree #2. The applicant must also utilize structural soil
and permeable materials.
2. Pursuant to Miami 21 Code, Section 7.1.2.4(c) 4 this Warrant shall be valid for a
period of two (2) years during which a building permit or Certificate of Use must be
obtained. This excludes a demolition or landscape permit and a one-time extension,
for a period not to exceed an additional year, may be obtained if approved by the
Planning Director.
3. The City reserves the right to inspect the site to ensure compliance with the
conditions as listed.
Review and approval by Environmental Resources is required prior to issuance of a
building permit.
Failure to comply with the conditions herein may result in the immediate revocation
of this Warrant and shall be subject to any fines and penalties pursuant to City Code;
WHEREAS, on September 22, 2023, Steven Smith, President of the Board of Directors
of 900 Biscayne Condo, ("PZAB Appellant") filed an appeal to the Planning, Zoning, and
Appeals Board ("PZAB") of the approval of Warrant No. PZ-23-16544 with the Office of Hearing
Boards; and
WHEREAS, the PZAB Appellant's appeal to the PZAB claims that the Warrant is
inconsistent with the 2007 and 2023 Parks Master Plans; and
WHEREAS, the PZAB Appellant's appeal to the PZAB claims that the Warrant is
inconsistent with various Goals, Objectives, and Policies of the Miami Comprehensive
Neighborhood Plan's ("MCNP") Parks, Recreation and Open Space element; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Department found that pursuant to Goal PR-1 of the MCNP,
the Project advances the goal of providing sufficient opportunities for active and passive
recreation to all City residents based on access to parks, recreation and open space, per capita
park funding, and regular surveys of residents on park and recreation needs; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Department found pursuant to Objective PR-3.3 of the MCNP,
that the park and recreational facilities will be accessible to handicapped persons and provide
opportunities for special needs groups; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Department found that the Project advances Goal PR-7 of the
MCNP, to develop public parks and open spaces that are aesthetically appealing and enhance
the character and image of the City; and
WHEREAS, on November 15, 2023, the PZAB, based on the testimony and evidence
presented and after due notice and an opportunity to be heard was afforded to all parties and
members of the public, found that there was competent substantial evidence in the record to
grant the appeal, thereby reversing the decision of the Planning Director to approve Warrant No.
PZ-23-16544; and
WHEREAS, on November 21, 2023, Arthur Noriega V, City Manager of the City, and the
then Interim Executive Director of the Bayfront Park Management Trust, Miguel Ferro (together,
"Appellant") timely appealed PZAB's approval of the appeal to the City Commission and claims,
in sum, that the Warrant meets all requirements of the Miami 21 Code, the MCNP, and all other
legal requirements; and
WHEREAS, on May 9, 2024, the City Commission approved for a ballot question to be
submitted to the city electorate at the August 20, 2024 election, which read, "Shall the City of
Miami keep already installed outdoor gym equipment like in many of our parks at the city park
located at 1075 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida 33132, also known as Maurice A. Ferre
park, to enhance recreational facilities and promote community health and fitness for all our
residents?"; and
WHEREAS, on May 23, 2024, based on the testimony and evidence on the record, after
due notice and an opportunity to be heard has been afforded to all parties and members of the
public, the City Commission heard the City's appeal from November 21, 2023 and affirmed the
decision of the PZAB, which reversed the Planning Director's approval of Warrant No. PZ-23-
16544; and
WHEREAS, on August 20, 2024, seventy-nine percent (79.34%, to be exact) of the City
electorate voted in the affirmative to keep the installed gym equipment at Maurice A. Ferre Park;
and
WHEREAS, in light of the extraordinary and substantial change in circumstances and
demonstrated public need and interest, such as the August 20, 2024 referendum, the City
Commission wishes to reconsider the appeal from the City Manager;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The Miami City Commission hereby moves to reconsider the appeal filed by
the Appellant for Warrant No. PZ-23-16544.
Section 3. If any section, part of a section, paragraph, clause, phrase, or word of this
Resolution is declared invalid, the remaining provisions of this Resolution shall not be affected.
Section 4. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its adoption and
signature of the Mayor.'
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
rge Wyy ng III, C ty ttor -y 9/3/2024
1 This Resolution shall become effective as specified herein unless vetoed by the Mayor within ten (10)
days from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become
effective immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission or upon the effective date stated
herein, whichever is later.