Miami 21 a done deal
Yesterday, Miami 21 was finalized and passed by the City Commission, only one Commissioner, Tomás Regalado voted against it.
I guess we'll see if it works, it promises to make every part of Miami a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, protected from over-scaled and intrusive development. But let's see what happens -- when another developer or even Related comes back to the Mercy hospital land, will it be protected under Miami 21? That will be the real test.
When has anyone followed zoning around here? Case in point, The Grovernor House. That building should not be there.
There is talk that a developer or restaurant owner had his eyes on the Expo Center and that is one reason why some parties wanted to see Burn Notice gone. So really, does Miami 21 protect anything that we want protected? Will it save commercial development on the Grove waterfront?
The Grove would be another Brickell if it weren't for the neighbors who fight the developers (and Home Depot, etc.) and now it seems they want the whole City to be like the Grove? For the rest of the city, it's sort of like shutting the barn door after the horse is gone. Brickell and downtown are saturated with empty condos. They are too late for Miami 21.
Just recently a local politician told me that the Grove needs to be opened up to more development. So we honestly don't get the whole premise of Miami 21. Guess it's what you consider intrusive development. It's all relative.
I guess we'll see if it works, it promises to make every part of Miami a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, protected from over-scaled and intrusive development. But let's see what happens -- when another developer or even Related comes back to the Mercy hospital land, will it be protected under Miami 21? That will be the real test.
When has anyone followed zoning around here? Case in point, The Grovernor House. That building should not be there.
There is talk that a developer or restaurant owner had his eyes on the Expo Center and that is one reason why some parties wanted to see Burn Notice gone. So really, does Miami 21 protect anything that we want protected? Will it save commercial development on the Grove waterfront?
The Grove would be another Brickell if it weren't for the neighbors who fight the developers (and Home Depot, etc.) and now it seems they want the whole City to be like the Grove? For the rest of the city, it's sort of like shutting the barn door after the horse is gone. Brickell and downtown are saturated with empty condos. They are too late for Miami 21.
Just recently a local politician told me that the Grove needs to be opened up to more development. So we honestly don't get the whole premise of Miami 21. Guess it's what you consider intrusive development. It's all relative.
posted by Tom Falco at 8:00 AM
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11 Comments:
"Will it save commercial development on the Grove waterfront?"
Where's the Grove Waterfront? Can't see it, oh Seminole boat Ramp! CI
Grape, this is one of the reasons the Coconut Grove Waterfront Master Plan is so important. The plan was adopted by the Commission and incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan, which is filed with the state. The Expo Center site will one day be the location of Regatta Park, the Sailing Center that will house the Coconut Grove Sailing Club and the U.S. Sailing Center, and a community center building along Pan American Drive. There is no problem with Burn Notice being in the building until there is another filming location or they don't need it anymore. It will take a long time to get the funding to do Regatta Park and the Sailing Center.
Tomas Regalado voted against the waterfront plan and has said several times that it needs to be "revisited." This is our plan that the people of Coconut Grove created with the architects from Sasaki. It protects our waterfront land from being sold out from under us. Joe Sanchez is committed to protecting our public lands and to implementing the master plan. Please remember that when you vote next week.
Here's the Waterfront Master Plan:
http://www.miamigov.com/planning/pages/master_plans/Coconut_Grove_FINALREPORT-12_08_WEB.pdf
Will it take a decade for the actual work to commence, Phase 1 out of 5? I've repeatedly addressed that question to many of our official "representatives" in the City, to no avail thus far, just vague and evasive responses.
Also, I think the plan is flawed in certain aspects, a bit surreal or undoable in some areas, and that we should already start with micro-plans on specific Bayside areas to clear some strategic Water Views. For instance, the South-East corner of Peacock Park, "Amy Billig's Meditation Garden" (full of trash now, zero view with the overgrown Mangroves) or Kennedy Park, infested with detrimental, non-indegenous Seaside Mahoes, much like other places, along Shake'a'Leg or Kenneth M. park.
Those improvement could be effected almost immediately, until, hopefully, one bright day, the Master plan gets going.
Carlos
Carlos, there is FIND grant funding for removing non-natives in Kennedy Park and rebuilding a dock near near the US Sailing Center property, with funds committed by the City. We should see some improvements within the next year.
Early voting begins next Monday at City Hall. Please remember that Tomas Regalado is the only candidate for Mayor of Miami that supported Coconut Grove by opposing Home Depot entering Coconut Grove, he was against Mercy Hospital changing its GI zoning to accommodate three out of scale condo towers and he
was also against changing the 5 AM closing to 3 AM.
Part of the problem with all of these debates is that we all don't agree on what is wanted.
When you say "does Miami 21 protect anything that we want protected?" which 'we' are you talking about?
There are so many opposing interests here and I think people need to learn to compromise.
My neighbor didn't want Home Depot, but I go there all the time and love it. She wants to live in a high rise overlooking the water, but I don't want her building to block my view.
"We" all don't agree on what "we" want. I think this plan tried to balance many of the conflicting wants. Of course it will take years to see how it all sorts out. But at least the efforts were made.
"...zero view with the overgrown Mangroves..."
??? I thought the mangroves were native? And that wiping out the mangroves for "a good view" is what led to erosion, soil problems, etc in this state and here in Miami generally? Doesn't that sort of go against everything the grove stands for??
If turning the waterfront into a concrete patio is part of the master plan, count me out!
First of all, tree triming doesn't kill the tree. You can manage native species, and should eradicate the mahoes because they will likely out-compete the native mangroves and cause further damage.
However, the city claims no money for this. Yet somehow there's always money for more circles around Marc's house... hmmm
4813:
You are obviosly unfamiliar with the issue. Here's a peak of what's going on, by the City officials today:
"Mr. Iglesia,
We, Fermin Alvarez, Seymour Placide and I, met with DERM, (Department of Environmental Resources Management), today at Peacock Park to review the guidelines for permitted mangrove trimming in order to provide a better bay view and a safer environment for our park visitors.
A determination on how best to proceed has not been decided at this time; however, as soon as a plan of action is in place we'll be sure to advise you of such."
I would still relocate or just wipe out those few beneficial Mangroves on that specific corner.. to clear the View. Working on it.
Carlos
Miami 21 has cost the taxpayers over $4 mil so far, probably much more. It will be hard to implement. The winners will be the attorneys and the architects. At over 700 pages it is far too complicated for normal people and for most of the City's Planning Department.
Miami 21 cost the taxpayers well over $5 million, so far.
City facing a $117 mil budget deficit.
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