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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal - Morningside..r 1)11111. MUAIaNM II Una imes Morningside Civic Association MINUTES OF MEETING, THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 7:30 P.M. National Bank of Florida 5000 Biscayne Boulevard SUBMITTED INTO TF 1981PUBLIC RECORD FC ITEM ;./ ON 4'O—c Steve Heintz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Morningside Civic Association, called the meeting to order and asked'Dick Morgan, member of the Board of Directors of Morningside Civic Assn. to lead the Pledge of Allegience. Mary Munson, Secretary, read the minutes of the last meeting held on December 2, 1980, which were approved as read. Steve Heintz explained to new members that the Board of Directors was made up of three members. He introduced Dick Morgan and explained that Bob Gerrish was not present because of illness. New residents and members of the association were introduced. They are Michael and Betty Bowerman and Larry Lowe. It was announced that Maggie Horner, the elected Treasurer of the Association had resigned and that JoAnn Zapata had been appointed the new Treasurer. Steve Heintz expressed the Association's appreciation and thanks to the bank for hosting our meetings. He explained that Nell Smith had been the liaison for this arrangement and that she lives on 51st St. in Morningside. She is retiring on February 1, and she was presented with a bouquet of flowers. A placque reading "In Appreciation for Years of Servip�e:L. was presented to Lee Spaulding, who Steve explained was one man whd-held the neigh- borhood together singlehandedly. It was announced that new letterheads and stationery have been printed. They contain a logo executed by a Morningside artist, James Mastin. Bill Konchak arranged for the printing at cost . Arrangements may be made in the future for T-shirts to be made bearing the logo. Guests from the city Parks and Recreation Dept., John Connor and Jim Lynch were introduced. It was explained that they are very cooperative and helpful in keeping our neighborhood nice. Papers for the various committees were set out so that anyone who wished to do so might sign up to join after the meeting. 4 � c c q 15 Page 2 MI / i . WM =— — — — IMB I- '—" Morningside Civic Association Nefteloollooftso Minutes of Meeting, Thursday, Jan. 29, 1981 Committee reports were asked for. They were as follows: Beautification given by Pam Hernandez in the absence of Nora Shaeffer. It has been arranged with the City of Miami to obtain trees and for holes to be dug where the Morningside citizens want them if the citizens willdo the planting. The trees will be put between the sidewalk and the street,around the pro- perties of those who sign up. Street captains will bring lists around to be signed. Volunteers were asked for to do planting where the homeowner cannot do it. It was pointed out that trees make the neighborhood beautiful and then pro- perty values rise. Canopy type trees may be furnished by the city if asked for. Trees and hole -digging are furnished free. Median strips will be handled by the city. They want to plant palms there. Zoning Committee Dick Morgan introduced Mr. Mike Levinson, economist with City Zonil He explained that the small motels along Biscayne Boulevard were no longer economically feasible since people fly into Miami for the most part and do not go past that area. Con- sequently, to stay in business they have resorted to illicit activities in many cases. In order to get rid of them to be replaced by higher quality commercial buildings the zoning has been changed in July 1980. It is desired that developers be encouraged to build, but not to detract from the quality of the community. Quality buildings such as professional type with perhaps ground floor retail stores which would not have a street entry, would be desirable. As a result of these zoning changes, several developers are interested in the area, but right now the economic climate is not favorable. In answer to questions asked he explained that between 79th Street and 60th St. the zoning would allow buildings of 10 stories, but below that location smaller buildings of 4 or 5 stories only would be allowed. They can he built only if the two lots behind the Boulevard property are also acquired. These two lots can be used for parking, but no building would be allowed on them. 55th to 60th streets are zoned for residential -commercial - zoning remains the same. 50th Terr. to 55th Terr. the zoning is RC. He told of brochures being prepared to interest marketing firms in pprgmotin� )-.,. the ..ara, _and, he asked that Morninasi rp r,or,r,l VC)1 i)n par +• e_...._ Page 3 4001. ar 4 . 11111111 AM Ell All a Mk —al s- lim.Cgdalail' Morningside Civic Association Minutes of Meeting, Thursday, January 29, 1981 Dick Morgan thanked Mr. Levinson for coming and explained that he -had been invited for two reasons or purposes 1. to get a handle on what is being done on Biscayne Blvd. 2. to encourage residents not to abuse existing zoning laws, i.e. abandoned cars, prostitution. He pointed out that Mr. Levinson had indicated that if the residents of Morningside oppose something ,and so indicate, there is a good chance it won't get passed. So --please participate! Crime Watch Committee JoAnn Zapata reported. Committee members attended a PAC meeting at the Miami Police Dept. where police problems were pointed out. They also attended a meeting where police spoke regarding block security. In 3 or 4 months maps of the area of each block will be completed, and the committee will go block by block to look for violations and unsafe conditions. Social Committee also reported by JoAnn Zapata Wine and cheese party at her house was a pleasant and successful gathering. Christmas caroling was reported on. It has been suggested that a Mardi Gras be held on the roof of The Falls. She asked that anyone with an idea call her. Parks and Recreation Committee reported by Elvis Cruz There have been no meetings by the committee since the last meeting of the Association. He pointed out that gates to the park are now locked from 6 P.M. to 7 A.M. He has a key to the gates if anyone has to get in between those hours. There was some discussion about the pedestrian gate on 55th Terr. and the overwhelming concensus was to keep it locked. A suggestion was made that there be no motor vehicles allowed in the park at all because of children there. However, vehicles would have to come in for the pool and the boat ramp. The City Commission denied our request for railroad ties to prevent parking on the grass because of the cost, and it was suggested that we go back and ask again. Maps of the park are available for $1.00 at the Zoning Dept. Betty McFarland in charge of park programs at Morningside wants "more customers". She is planning pre-school activities. The pool will open Feb. 1. See Elvis if you want a cabana. Elvis contacted the city park people about a raquet ball court in the park,and they seemed to like the idea. He pointed out a pamphlet regarding Citizens' Services which was on the table for people to take. Page 4 I �1► Ili MIANaMI- �■�M- -- airiatatal 111111,Morningside Civic Association Minutes of Meeting, Thursday, January 29, 1981 John Conner, Supt. of City of Miami Parks Dept. and Jim Lynch, Coordinator of Leisure Services, who had been introduced before, took part in discussions. Elvis introduced Ralph Gonzalez, Assistant Director of the Parks Dept. who explained that there has been no master plan in that department, but they are redoing the Morningside plan because the old system is not working. Ready in 3 mos. Want suggestions. Trees- the state is giving them lots of !palms, but'they are too young yet. Ready in about 2 years. Erno Rosa of Public Works is the person to see about wrong trees being planted , L.k.'°' They will begin to issue tow orders now when people are parked after hours in Morningside. They have given them 6 weeks before doing anything about it. Lights on the tennis court when there is no one there - sometimes they are set on a timer, but they might be put on a metered system They are looking into the idea of giving a check-out key to boat owners if they dock after the park is closed. There would be a large fine if the key is lost. It was suggested that large boulders be put opposite the park entrance across the street so that cars can't park there, as they are leaving trash there. It was moved, seconded and passed that the Morningisde Civic Assn. go on record as being against putting piers and mini -parks along the bay. It was moved, seconded and unanamously passed that the Morningside Civic Association go on record as opposed to the proposed amusement park on Watson Island. It was pointed out that Paul Barnett, who lives on 52nd Terr. and who has a stationery supply company, has donated the name tags as well as many other supplies. Pam Hernandez asked the street captains to stand up and thanked them; she said a few more are needed. She also reported that a newsletter is very hard to get started, but they have been trying. It was noted that the petition for the closing of the park at night had 471 signatures, and that the presentation before the City Commissio had had results. The motion was made and seconded and passed to adjourn. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Since the late 1980's, the residents and property owners of the Upper Eastside area have been trying to capture the attention of local government officials, private enterprise, and investors to recognize this community as an area of revitalization and redevelopment opportunities. On March 28, 1996, Mr lack I.uft, former director of the City of Miami's Department of Community Planning & Revitalization (CPR), convened the residents and property owners of the Upper Eastside to initiate developing a master plan for the future development of Biscayne Boulevard and the adjacent communities. After numerous neighborhood meetings, a community charrette was held in August 1996 The entire Upper Eastside community was invited to participate and give their input_ This study is the result of the charrette and supplemental community and neighborhood meetings. Numerous studies have been conducted prior to this latest initiative, and the past advancements toward revitalizing the Upper Eastside are encouraging. • Two historic districts have been established, and numerous homes have been restored to their original condition. Areas east of Biscayne Boulevard are being re -populated by individuals looking to take advantage of purchasing a medium or large home close to downtown Miami and Miami Beach at low, affordable prices. • The Design District is experience a resurgence of activities with the numerous investment made by Craig and Scott Robbins of Dacra Realty. Dacra is most known for their involvement in the revitalization of the Art Deco District of South Miami Beach (South Beach) • The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has recently focused their highway rebuilding efforts on the southern end of Biscayne Boulevard, from NE 38ch Street to NE 121" Street. The area of critical concern is within the Miami city limits. • There are a number of old motels along Biscayne Boulevard, which offers a great opportunities for new construction and adaptive reuse for residential, commercial. and mixed use structures. • The Biscayne Plaza. a 12+ acre, shopping/service center built in 1954, presents an opportunity to develop an urban activity center with region implications similar to Cocowalk, combined with neighborhood services for local residents and workers. It is within this context that the City of Miami, along with numerous agencies and organizations interested in the redevelopment of the area, begin to create a working master plan and action program that identifies the priorities and the visions of the area so that by the year 2005, "...Miami's Upper Eastside area will once again become the gateway to the City, a vibrant, cultural, and historic significant community with an identity that reflects the pride of the residents and property owners, and host to a variety of amenities including, arts, history, entertainment, and shopping/service facilities for visitors and residents." 1