16th Street Community Design Workshop, Rescheduled Oct, Sep 13, 1 to 5 pm, Hice Hall, Mia Bch Community Church

Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association
City of Miami Beach – Capital Improvement Projects
Sixteenth Street Improvement Program
Community Design Workshop Meeting

Saturday, September 15, 2012, 10:00 am
Saturday, October 13, 2012, 1:00-5:00 pm,
Hice Hall, Miami Beach Community Church
1620 Drexel Avenue, South of Lincoln Road

The Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association announces that it will host a Community Design Workshop Meeting to consider community input regarding the design of the Sixteenth Street Improvement Program, to be held on Saturday, September 15, 2012, 10:00 am, at Hice Hall, Miami Beach Community Church, 1620 Drexel Avenue, just south of Lincoln Road.

The purpose of this Design Workshop Session is to review, discuss, and develop community consensus on the further Design Development of the 16th Street Improvement Project.  Issues to be addressed include: 

• Goal and Objectives of the Sixteenth Street Improvement Program
• Review of Existing 30% Plans; Review Survey of Existing Conditions
• Assure the narrowing of the street width of North / South Avenues
• Encroachments [Policy; Contributing vs. Diminishing]
• Configuration of the Right of Way -- sidewalk, swale, parking, bike lane, travel lane street furniture zone
• Green space
•  Landscaping, Lighting, and Signage
• Inquiry into the difference between area north of Espanola and south of Espanola

 Target Participants -- invited to attend and participate include --

Residents, Property Owners and other Stakeholders of Sixteenth Street
Residents, Property Owens and other Stakeholders of the Neighborhood
Residents, Property Owens and other Stakeholders of the City
Representatives of CIP Department, Public Works Department, and Other City Staff

 

 

Good News: On the Installation of Four Way Stop Controls and Pedestrian Crosswalks at Meridian Avenue Intersections

We have received very encouraging news on the installation of four way Stop Controls and the positive resolution of ramps and crosswalks at Meridian Avenue Intersections.  Many thanks for the steadfast advancement of this project goes to FPNA advocates --  Tammy Young, Ben Batchelder, Jeff Donnelly, Adam Shedroff, Judy Robinson and Jack Johnson!

Stop signs and crosswalks are planned to be installed on Meridian Avenue at Seventh and Ninth Streets within the next four weeks.  The City will also address the correction of intersection ramps at the bump-outs.

Further the City and County will continue the effort to tally traffic counts, review and analyze the data, and determine the appropriateness of four way stops at seven other intersections in the neighborhood.  The results of this review are expected by the end of February.

We appreciate the continued focus of City and County personnel on this project, including -- Rick Saltrick, Josiel Ferrer-Diaz, Jose Gonzalez, Fred Beckman, and Duncan Ballantyne  from the City of Miami Beach  and Ayman Elbermawy, Pedro Cueto, Joan Shen and Esther Calas from Miami-Dade County.  Thank you so much for your attention to this issue as we strive to make Flamingo the most pedestrian-friendly neighborhood in Florida!

From: Saltrick, Richard

Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 4:15 PM
To: Denis Russ
Subject: Installation of Stop Control at Meridian Avenue Intersections

Denis,
Hope all is well with you. Thought you might like some good news. The warrant studies on Meridian Avenue at 7th and 9th have determined that multi-way stops are needed. The County will be installing the stop signs in a month or so. We will also address the ramps and crosswalks.  The analyses of the remaining intersections should be completed by the end of February.


Richard SaltrickI
MIAMI BEACH PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

From: Ferrer, Josiel
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 11:42 AM
To: Saltrick, Richard
Subject: Installation of Stop Control at Meridian Avenue Intersections

FYI

Josiel Ferrer-Diaz, Civil Engineer Engineering/Transportation Division
MIAMI BEACH PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT,




From: Calas, Esther (PWWM) 
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 11:36 AM
To: Gonzalez, Jose
Cc: Denis@miamibeachcdc.org;
Subject: Installation of Stop Control at Meridian Avenue Intersections

Good Morning Jose,

In response to the subject request, Miami-Dade County Public Works Department (PWWM) staff conducted a traffic study to evaluate the existing traffic conditions and physical characteristics of these locations. As a result, it was determined that both locations warrant “Multi-Way” stop controls. Therefore, these controls will be installed by our Traffic Signals and Signs Division within the next four (4) weeks.

Furthermore, PWWM staff is currently studying the remaining seven (7) locations within the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association for “Multi-Way” stop controls, with results expected by the end of February 2012. These locations include:


Pennsylvania Avenue and 10 Street; Euclid Avenue and 9 Street; Jefferson Avenue and 9 Street; Michigan Avenue and 9 Street; Lenox Avenue and 9 Street; Michigan Avenue and 6 Street; Michigan Avenue and 8 Street


Furthermore, if the City wishes to collect traffic counts at these seven locations, we will review and analyze the data and provide a written response. Should you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact Dr. Joan Shen, P.E., PTOE, Assistant Chief, Traffic Engineering Division, at (305) 375-2030.

Thank you,
Esther L. Calas, P.E., Chief County Engineer
Public Works and Waste Management Department

Flamingo Streetscape Improvements: Fire Department Challenges Bulbouts at the Intersections; Field Test and Stakeholder Meeting

Special Notice
 

City of Miami Beach -- Fire Department
will Field Test Proposed Intersection Bulb-outs
Monday, November 22nd, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
at the Intersection of Euclid Ave and Eighth Street
 
Findings and Recommendations will be Presented and Discussed
at Flamingo Park Neighborhood Stakeholders' Meeting
Monday, December 6th, 3:00 - 6:00 pm in Mayor's Conference Room
Miami Beach City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive, 4th Floor

 
As I hope you already are aware, the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association has been largely successful in advancing a program for the improvement of the neighborhood infrastructure.  The program includes basic upgrades to infrasturcure such as water, sewer, and storm water drainage.  It also includes an ambitious program to develop a more attractive, more pedestrian friendly stretscape.  
 
The program calls for narrower traffic lanes, wider sidewalks and swales, increased shade trees,  and bulb-outs at the intersection to reduce the walking distance across traffic lanes.  The proposed bulbouts has drawn the attention of the Fire Department and concern about the turning radius.  This represents a significant challenge by the Fire Department to the use and design of bulbouts at the intersection.  The Administration has called for a Field Test to examine the concerns raised.  We will more fully discuss the matter at the Stakeholders Meeting on December 6th.
 
Your presence is cordially invited.  Your advice and counsel is earnestly sought.
 
Denis Russ --  Direct Line 305-672-4782
Community Development Director
Miami Beach Community Development Corporation

 

 

The Historic Preservation Board Approved Narrowing Pennsylvania Ave and the Bike Lane on Euclid, subject to further analysis of safety issues on Euclid; HPB will return to Euclid Bike Lane Next Month

---
Results from HPB Meeting

The City of Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board met this morning to consider an amendment to the Flamingo Streetscape BODR -- Basis of Design Report.  The amendment was limited to Euclid Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue.  Some three hours of discussion occurred by the Board.

 The HPB clearly approved of the narrowing of Pennsylvania Avenue.  This would result in 11'  travel lanes -- shared by autos and bikes, an 8' parking lane, and the balance for sidewalk and planting swale.  Thiis was the recommendation of the City staff and was supported by the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association.

With respect to the Euclid Avenue bike lane, the HPB wanted more analysis of the pedestrian safety concerns in crossing Euclid.  While the Board approved the request, it required that City staff report back in one month on further safety measures.  The Board also requested further consideration of a variety of bike facilities throughout the Flamingo neighborhood -- including bike routes, bike paths, bike lanes and the shared travel lanes, termed sharrow.

It was extremely encouraging that the Board carefully considered and actively discuss the proposals, that there was unanimous support for narrowing Pennsylvania, and that there was very careful concern for safety on Pennsylvania.

JOIN US at the Historic Preservation Board meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug 10, 2010, at 9:00 am

----
Flamingo Position Statement

From: Denis Russ
Sent: Monday, August 09, 2010 9:01 AM
To: Mr. William Cary; Thomas Mooney; michaelbelush; RicardoGuzman;  Ms. Joyce Meyers
Cc: Richard Saltrick; Xavier Falconi; Fred Beckmann; Jorge Gomez
Subject: To The Historic Preservation Board -- Aug 10, 2010 -- File No. 7192
 
 
The Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association supports the creation of a bike lane on Euclid Avenue -- upon agreement with the City to narrow all the other north/south Avenues, including Pennsylvania, Drexel, Jefferson, Michigan and Lennox, in order to achieve enhanced pedestrian environment, calm auto traffic, increase mobility and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, add more shade trees, and further build and sustain sense of place and quality of life of our neighborhood.
 
We understand that the Administration has agreed to a model street configuration of 8'-10'-10'-8' on the north /south avenues.  We understand that because of the mis-classification of Pennsylvania Avenue as a collector, the current proposal for 7th to 9th Street on Pennsylvania is 11' travel lane.  We understand that the City will work to de-classify Pennsylvania or seek a design exception so that the desired 10' travel lane width can be achieved.  We understand that If the City is successful in obtaining an extension of its grant and also the de-classification of Penn, the City will then implement the desired 10' lanes along Penn Ave from 7th to 9th Streets, as well.
 
We understand that this program will also include 
--bump-outs at all intersections to reduce the crossing distance for pedestrians;
--pedestrian friendly crosswalks at all intersections;
--flexible swale design to accommodate trees, ground cover, bike parking, street furniture, etc.;
--increased planting swale area and shade trees;
--removal of all obstructions from the sidewalks;
--increased unobstructed sidewalks of at least 6' width.  
 
We further submit 
--that the posted speed limit be reduced to 25 mph;
--that four way stop signs be installed at all intersections;
--that dog walking amenities be provided, i.e., waste disposal facilities, signage, etc.;
--that enforcement be stepped up on sidewalk encroachment;
--that a neighborhood street furniture and signage program be designed and implemented.
 
The Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association engaged The Street Plans Collaborative to provide counsel and guidance at our Workshop Meeting and to prepare the following report which we submit for consideration by the Historic Preservation Board and the City of Miami Beach.  
 
We wish to express appreciation to staff of the City and Miami-Dade County, to urban planners living in our neighborhood, and to our residents and membership for assistance and support in our consideration of these matters.      

 
Denis Russ --  Direct Line 305-672-4782
Community Development Director
Miami Beach Community Development Corporation

 

CIP and Public Works Departments will propose changes to BODR for Euclid and Pennsylvania Avenues; HPB Planning Department Staff recommends APPROVAL -- HPBoard meets on Tues, Aug 10, 2010, at 9:00 am

---
City of Miami Beach
PLANNING DEPARTMENT

HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD
STAFF REPORT

FROM: Richard G. Lorber, AICP, LEED AP
Acting Planning Director

DATE: August 10, 2010 Meeting

RE: Historic Preservation File No. 7192
Euclid Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue between 5th Street and Lincoln Road - Streetscape Improvements

The applicant, The City of Miami Beach is requesting revisions to the 2002 Basis of Design Report for portions of Euclid Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue in the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Streetscape Improvement Plan, including the introduction of bike lanes between 5th Street and Lincoln Road on Euclid Avenue, and narrowing of vehicular travel lanes and increased landscaped swale areas on Pennsylvania Avenue.


HISTORY:


On April 12, 2005, the Board approved streetscape improvements to the Flamingo / Lummus Neighborhood, including along Euclid Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue


EXISTING SITE:


The application includes rights-of-way improvements in portions of the Flamingo Park Local Historic District.


THE PROJECT:


The applicant has submitted plans entitled “Euclid Avenue Roadway Improvements“ and “Pennsylvania”, as prepared by the City’s Public Works Department, undated.


The City is proposing to modify the cross sections of both Euclid Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue, which were part of the overall Flamingo / Lummus Streetscape Improvements previously approved by the Board in 2005. The existing, previously approved, and currently proposed street section dimensions for travel lanes, parking and sidewalk and swale area, is provided in the charts below.


As indicated by the charts below, the overall paved width of Euclid Avenue will increase from the previously approved BODR dimensions of thirty-eight (38’) feet to forty-four (44’) feet with the introduction of bike lanes, for an overall increase in the paved street section of six (6’) feet.


The street section of Pennsylvania Avenue is also proposed to be revised as part of this application. Whereas the previously approved BODR indicated an overall paved street width of forty-eight (48’), the current proposal is to reduce the paved street section by eight (8’) feet to a width of forty (40’) feet.


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


COMPLIANCE WITH ZONING CODE:


The application, as proposed, appears to be consistent with the requirements of the City Code.


The above noted comments shall not be considered final zoning review or approval. These and all zoning matters shall require final review and verification by the Zoning Administrator prior to the issuance of a Building Permit.


ACCESSIBILITY COMPLIANCE:


Additional information will be required for a complete review for compliance with the Florida Building Code 2001 Edition, section 11 (Florida Accessibility Code for Building Construction.) The above noted comments shall not be considered final accessibility review or approval. These and all accessibility matters shall require final review and verification by the Building Department prior to the issuance of a Building Permit.


COMPLIANCE WITH CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS CRITERIA:


A decision on an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness shall be based upon the following:


I. Evaluation of the compatibility of the physical alteration or improvement with surrounding properties and where applicable, compliance with the following criteria pursuant to Section 118-564(a)(1) of the Miami Beach Code (it is recommended that the listed criteria be found Satisfied, Not Satisfied or Not Applicable, as so noted):


a. The Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings as revised from time to time.


Not Applicable


b. Other guidelines/policies/plans adopted or approved by Resolution or Ordinance by the City Commission.


Satisfied


II. In determining whether a particular application is compatible with surrounding properties, the Board shall consider the following criteria pursuant to Section 118-564(a)(2) of the Miami Beach Code (it is recommended that the listed criteria be found Satisfied, Not Satisfied or Not Applicable, as so noted):


a. Exterior architectural features.


Not Applicable


b. General design, scale, massing and arrangement.


Satisfied


c. Texture and material and color.


Satisfied


d. The relationship of a, b, c, above, to other structures and features of the district.


Satisfied


e. The purpose for which the district was created.


Satisfied


f. The relationship of the size, design and siting of any new or reconstructed structure to the landscape of the district.


Satisfied


g. An historic resources report, containing all available data and historic documentation regarding the building, site or feature.


Not Applicable


h. The original architectural design or any subsequent modifications that have acquired significance.


Not Applicable


III. The examination of architectural drawings for consistency with the criteria pursuant to Section 118-564(a)(3) of the Miami Beach Code and stated below, with regard to the aesthetics, appearances, safety, and function of any new or existing structure, public interior space and physical attributes of the project in relation to the site, adjacent structures and properties, and surrounding community. The criteria referenced above are as follows (it is recommended that the listed criteria be found Satisfied, Not Satisfied or Not Applicable, as so noted):


a. The location of all existing and proposed buildings, drives, parking spaces, walkways, means of ingress and egress, drainage facilities, utility services, landscaping structures, signs, and lighting and screening devices.


Satisfied


b. The dimensions of all buildings, structures, setbacks, parking spaces, floor area ratio, height, lot coverage and any other information that may be reasonably necessary to determine compliance with the requirements of the underlying zoning district, and any applicable overlays, for a particular application or project.


Satisfied


c. The color, design, surface finishes and selection of landscape materials and architectural elements of the exterior of all buildings and structures and primary public interior areas for developments requiring a building permit in areas of the city identified in section 118-503.


Satisfied


d. The proposed structure, and/or additions to an existing structure is appropriate to and compatible with the environment and adjacent structures, and enhances the appearance of the surrounding properties, or the purposes for which the district was created.


Not Applicable


e. The design and layout of the proposed site plan, as well as all new and existing buildings and public interior spaces shall be reviewed so as to provide an efficient arrangement of land uses. Particular attention shall be given to safety, crime prevention and fire protection, relationship to the surrounding neighborhood, impact on preserving historic character of the neighborhood and district, contiguous and adjacent buildings and lands, pedestrian sight lines and view corridors.


Satisfied


f. Pedestrian and vehicular traffic movement within and adjacent to the site shall be reviewed to ensure that clearly defined, segregated pedestrian access to the site and all buildings is provided for and that any driveways and parking spaces are usable, safely and conveniently arranged and have a minimal impact on pedestrian circulation throughout the site. Access to the site from adjacent roads shall be designed so as to interfere as little as possible with vehicular traffic flow on these roads and pedestrian movement onto and within the site, as well as permit both pedestrians and vehicles a safe ingress and egress to the site.


Satisfied


g. Lighting shall be reviewed to ensure safe movement of persons and vehicles and reflection on public property for security purposes and to minimize glare and reflection on adjacent properties and consistent with a City master plan, where applicable.


Satisfied


h. Landscape and paving materials shall be reviewed to ensure an adequate relationship with and enhancement of the overall site plan design.


Satisfied


i. Buffering materials shall be reviewed to ensure that headlights of vehicles, noise, and light from Structures are adequately shielded from public view, adjacent properties and pedestrian areas.


Not Applicable


j. Any proposed new structure shall have an orientation and massing which is sensitive to and compatible with the building site and surrounding area and which creates or maintains important view corridor(s).


Not Applicable


k. All buildings shall have, to the greatest extent possible, space in that part of the ground floor fronting a sidewalk, street or streets which is to be occupied for residential or commercial uses; likewise, the upper floors of the pedestal portion of the proposed building fronting a sidewalk street, or streets shall have residential or commercial spaces, or shall have the appearance of being a residential or commercial space or shall have an architectural treatment which shall buffer the appearance of a parking structure from the surrounding area and is integrated with the overall appearance of the project.


Not Applicable


l. All buildings shall have an appropriate and fully integrated rooftop architectural treatment which substantially screens all mechanical equipment, stairs and elevator towers.


Not Applicable


m. Any addition on a building site shall be designed, sited and massed in a manner which is sensitive to and compatible with the existing improvement(s).


Not Applicable


n. All portions of a project fronting a street or sidewalk shall incorporate an amount of transparency at the first level necessary to achieve pedestrian compatibility.


Not Applicable


o. The location, design, screening and buffering of all required service bays, delivery bays, trash and refuse receptacles, as well as trash rooms shall be arranged so as to have a minimal impact on adjacent properties.


Not Applicable


STAFF ANALYSIS:


At the time Euclid Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue were approved by the Board in 2005 as part of the streetscape improvements to the Flamingo Park neighborhood, there was not yet a Bikeways Masterplan in place. Such plan was approved by the City Commission on October 17, 2007, and Euclid Avenue was identified as one of the major north-south Avenues for the introduction of bike lanes to connect Fifth Street to Lincoln Road.


As indicated by the charts within the project description section of this report, as well as the street sections provided in the application, the overall paved width of Euclid Avenue will increase from the previously approved BODR dimensions of thirty-eight (38’) feet to forty-four (44’) feet with the introduction of bike lanes, for an overall increase in the paved street section of six (6’) feet. The overall width was mitigated by reducing the travel lanes from twelve (12’) feet to ten (10’) feet, which is an adequate width when dedicated adjacent bike lanes are provided. Staff believes that although the overall crossing distance will be increased by six (6’) feet, this is a modest increase that will allow for the creation of safe dedicated bike lanes, especially for families with children.


The street section of Pennsylvania Avenue is also proposed to be revised as part of this application. Whereas the previously approved BODR indicated an overall paved street width of forty-eight (48’), the current proposal is to reduce the paved street section by eight (8’) feet to a width of forty (40’) feet. Because there is not a dedicated bike lane on Pennsylvania Avenue and bikers will be sharing the roadway with vehicles, the reduction in vehicle travel lanes to ten (10’) feet would not be a safe roadway, when also considering the adjacent parallel parking. Staff believes that twelve (12’) foot travel lanes and eight (8’) foot parallel parking aisles, as proposed on Pennsylvania Avenue, will substantially increase the amount of swale area and landscaping, substantially reduce pedestrian crossing distances, and result in a safe, shared roadway for bicycles, vehicles, and pedestrians. Staff has no objections to the proposed modifications and recommends approval as noted below.


RECOMMENDATION:


In view of the foregoing analysis, staff recommends the application be approved, subject to the following conditions, which address the inconsistencies with the aforementioned Certificate of Appropriateness criteria:


1. Revised hardscape and landscape plans, prepared by a Professional Landscape Architect, registered in the State of Florida, shall be submitted to and approved by staff. The species type, quantity, dimensions, spacing, location and overall height of all plant material shall be clearly delineated and subject to the review and approval of staff. At a minimum, such plan shall incorporate the following:


a. A fully automatic irrigation system with 100% coverage and an automatic rain sensor in order to render the system inoperative in the event of rain.


b. Further study of the sidewalk and swale widths shall be required to ensure that sufficiently sized and appropriate street trees can be placed within the allowable landscaped areas, in a manner to be reviewed and approved by staff. At a minimum all sidewalks shall be 6’-0” in width, subject to the review and approval of staff.


c. The utilization of root barriers and/or structural soil, as applicable, shall be clearly delineated on the revised landscape plan.


2. All new and altered elements, spaces and areas shall meet the requirements of the Florida Accessibility Code (FAC).


3. At the time of completion of the project, only a Final Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or Final Certificate of Completion (CC) may be applied for; the staging and scheduling of the construction on site shall take this into account. All work on site must be completed in accordance with the plans approved herein, as well as by the Building, Fire, Planning, CIP and Public Works Departments, inclusive of all conditions imposed herein, and by other Development Review Boards, and any modifications required pursuant to field inspections, prior to the issuance of a CO or CC. This shall not prohibit the issuance of a Partial or Temporary CO, or a Partial or Temporary CC.


4. The Final Order shall be recorded in the Public Records of Miami-Dade County, prior to the issuance of a Building Permit.


5. The Final Order is not severable, and if any provision or condition hereof is held void or unconstitutional in a final decision by a court of competent jurisdiction, the order shall be returned to the Board for reconsideration as to whether the order meets the criteria for approval absent the stricken provision or condition, and/or it is appropriate to modify the remaining conditions or impose new conditions.


6. The conditions of approval herein are binding on the applicant, the property’s owners, operators, and all successors in interest and assigns.


7. Nothing in this order authorizes a violation of the City Code or other applicable law, nor allows a relaxation of any requirement or standard set forth in the City Code.

RGL:TRM:MAB
F:\PLAN\$HPB\10HPB\AugHPB10\7192.Aug10.doc

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

From: "Cary, William" WilliamCary@miamibeachfl.gov

Subject: RE: Euclid/Penn Ave Cross Section Mods Proposed

Please find HPB Agenda and Staff Report attached. Please be aware that the Staff Report does not reflect information regarding travel lane widths which Jeff Cohen just advised Rick Saltrick of. Our Report must be based upon the information contained in the application and drawings submitted and available for public inspection, not on information received at the last minute. I will ask Rick Saltrick to clarify the new lane width information provided by Jeff Cohen during the HPB meeting.
=========================

From: Saltrick, Richard [mailto:RichardSaltrick@miamibeachfl.gov]

Sent: Friday, August 06, 2010 4:28 PM
Subject: RE: Euclid/Penn Ave Cross Section Mods Proposed

Our presentation shows 7-foot parallel parking on Euclid, and Jeff is requiring 8 feet. We are also reducing the travel lane on Penn to 11 feet.

The Street Plans Collaborative is working with the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association to help articulate the vision for safer neighborhood streets in Miami Beach. Located in the heart the City's Art Deco historic district, Flamingo Park is home to an outdated automobile infrastructure that encourages motorists to speed in an otherwise highly walkable urban neighborhood. Working alongside local advocates, TSPC is recommending the City undertake a significant "road diets" approach to calm the neighborhood's north-south avenues, which currently feature 17' travel lanes. inadequate shade trees, and narrow 5' sidewalks.

--
The Street Plans Collaborative
Flamingo Park Street Redesign Workshop Initiative
Report Memorandum -- August 2, 2010

This memorandum is intended to summarize the results from the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association’s (FPNA) Better Street Design Advocacy Workshop held on August 2, 2010. The Street Plans Collaborative, Inc. is pleased to have contributed to these important efforts. We hope the FPNA will consider our firm as an ongoing resource as this important advocacy effort continues to move forward.

To be sure, numerous emails sent over the past few days have summarized the challenges involved with advocating for sensible street redesign solutions in the Flamingo Park Neighborhood. However, the success of the FPNA’s advocacy efforts --this week and the many leading up to it— have been well-documented by FPNA’s leaders, including Denis, Randall, Judy, Xavier, Adam, Wanda, Steve, Tammy, and several others. If one thing was clear, it’s that the City of Miami Beach understands the neighborhood’s well-organized position on the FPNA’s position on the myriad of issues at hand. What follows is a summary of this position, which is supported by our recommendations.

Recommendations:

Curb-to-curb street reconfiguration

While it is preferred that the neighborhood continue advocating for a 7’-10’ -10’– 7’ curb-to-curb configuration on all streets except for Euclid Avenue, 8’ parking will not greatly disturb the overall integrity of the street design so long as the movement lanes remain at 10’. To be clear, there are many examples of 7’ parking lanes proving to be safe and desirable. The Street Plans Collaborative is happy to furnish said examples upon request. Yet, our notes indicate that Jeff Cohen of Miami-Dade County stated that 7’ parking lanes would only be appropriate when complimented by a two-foot valley gutter, effectively making the total non-travel lane width 9’. See below for our opinion on this design solution.

Valley Gutter

Using a valley gutters to handle stormwater was proposed as a possible solution to keep parking lanes narrow (7’). The valley gutter would be placed between the travel lane and vehicular parking lane. We believe this to be an unnecessary solution because:

1) it causes the motorist to more frequently step into flowing water during a storm event;

2) it may be 7’ for the paved parking lane, but it adds a potential two feet to the parking lane, without taking away space from the travel lane; better to keep an 8’ parking lane with a traditional curb and gutter;

3) Motorists are apt to park squarely on the valley of the gutter

See the photos attached to the email to see how this is being applied in the downtown Miami.

Neighborhood Bikeways

The Street Plans Collaborative recognizes and supports the relative importance of dedicated bicycle facilities in supporting non-motorized transportation. Thus, it is our recommendation that the inclusion of a dedicated, well-designed north-south bikeway in the Flamingo Park Neighborhood remains on Euclid Avenue. This bikeway “spine” will help concentrate cyclists and provide an identifiable north-south corridor for bicycle travel between the SoFi and Flamingo Park neighborhoods. It will also provide needed connections to the existing 16th Street Bicycle Lane.

Alternatively, Shared Use Lane Markings (sharrows) may be considered on other streets, including 11th Street and Meridian Avenue where bicycle travel is common but ROW/context does not allow/require a dedicated bicycle lane facility. In conjunction with the proposed sharrows on Washington Avenue, and proposed bicycle lanes on Euclid and Alton, the neighborhood will be well-served by bikeways connecting important citywide destinations.

Finally, it is recommended that when a bicycle lane is placed between the parking lane and the travel lane, that the bicycle lane meet the minimum standard of 5’. Furthermore, it is recommended that the parking lane be 8’ wide, and not the 7’ as previously proposed. This is consistent with national best bikeway practices, and is supported by Miami-Dade County’s own standards.

We concur that the FPNA should support the Miami Beach City Commission in revising the BODR to include the above proposed 5’ bicycle lanes on Euclid Avenue,  in return for achieving a curb-to-curb configuration not in exceed a 8’-10’-10’-8’ (36’) section on all other north-south local neighborhood streets (Lenox, Michigan, Etc.)

Bulb-outs

It is our recommendation that the FPNA continue advocating for bulb-outs in the neighborhood. Significant research from around the country demonstrates that these traffic-calming devices not only calm traffic when implemented in conjunction with narrow travel lanes, but also reduce the crossing distance for pedestrians. Additionally, the added visibility and reduction in time required to cross the street is particularly important for our society’s most vulnerable street users: children and the elderly. Indeed, the City will only be better off if it actively fosters an environment in Miami Beach where it is increasingly safe to “age in place.”

Swales, sidewalks, encroachments

The swale-sidewalk configuration has yet to be determined in detail, as too many factors remain unknown. However, we concur with the FPNA that reorganizing the pedestrian zone and the planting zone to be conducive to walking and providing a shaded environment must be a priority. At a minimum, 6’+ of unobstructed sidewalk space is essential to creating an environment that is comfortable for pedestrian circulation within the neighborhood.

Per the comments of Steve Mouzon and other FPNA leaders, it seems the City should further study the required planting strip width for the planting of street trees that may reach the desired canopy.

Additionally, the planting zone should be designed flexibly so that the space between the tree/vegetation plantings accommodate a variety of amenities (street furniture, signs, bicycle parking, newspaper vending, etc.) This will help keep such elements out of the sidewalk and organize the street in a manner that maximizes walkability.

Finally, the issue of encroachment remains an issue that is unlikely to be solved without fervent debate. It is our opinion that rather than reclaiming the encroachments outright, a nuanced approach is necessary. Primarily we recommend that the City of Miami Beach begin enforcing the current ordinance requiring property owners to maintain their hedge and tree growth in a manner that minimizes their impact on the sidewalk. As other FPNA members have already pointed out, much of the neighborhood’s character is derived from the great variety of gates, walls, hedges, and plantings that help define the neighborhood’s public and private realm. While, some of the issues associated with hedge and other property encroachments may be alleviated by the eventual presence of wider sidewalks, reasonable enforcement could greatly improve the existing condition of the sidewalk.

The Re-Classification of Pennsylvania Avenue

Given its current function, the Collector Road’ classification bestowed upon Pennsylvania Avenue is unjustified. However, according to the Federal Highway Administration, a Collector Road:

“… provides access to property and traffic circulation within residential, commercial and industrial areas. Facilities on the collector system may penetrate residential neighborhoods. Collectors distribute trips from the arterials through the area to the ultimate destination. Collector streets collect traffic from local streets in residential neighborhoods and channel it into the arterial system. Collector systems may include the street grid which forms a logical entity for traffic circulation the street grid that forms a logical entity for traffic circulation.”

Pennsylvania Avenue has the same characteristics as all of the other north-south avenues, save for Meridian Avenue. Indeed, it maintains the same 70’ ROW and 50’ curb-to-curb section. However, because the above FHWA definition is so vague, it may be plausible by applying the definition alone to Pennsylvania to confirm its current status as a Collector Road. Thus, we recommend that the FPNA advocate for the City and County to undertake a real study of how the street is currently performing, especially as it relates to origin-destination data, as much of the traffic may indeed be coming from those simply circling the block and not from those using the street as thoroughfare for accessing other main east-west or north-south vehicular routes in Miami Beach.

For your reference, the text below is from the FHWA website on Functional classification, which may be of some interest when advocating for de-classifying Pennsylvania:

The importance of the functional classification process as it relates to highway design lies in the fact that functional classification decisions are made well before an individual project is selected to move into the design phase. Moreover, such decisions are made on a system-wide basis by city, county, or State DOTS or MPOs as part of their continuing long range transportation planning functions. Such systematic reassessments are typically undertaken on a relatively infrequent basis. Thus, the functional classification of a particular section of highway may well represent a decision made 10 or more years ago.

Even after the decision has been made to functionally classify a highway section, there is still a degree of flexibility in the major controlling factor of design speed. It is important to remember that there are no "cookie cutter" designs for arterial highways or collector streets. Because of the range of geometric design options available, arterials and collectors can vary considerably.

The Need To Update Highway Functional Classifications

Traffic service patterns on a roadway and the roadway's function can change over time. If the functional classification system for a specific jurisdiction is not updated on a regular basis, roadways may be designed using inappropriate design standards.

The Functional Classification Process Is Not an Exact Science

One of the difficulties surrounding the relationship between highway functional classification and design guidelines is that the classification process is not an exact science. The predominant traffic service associated with a particular route cannot be definitely determined without exhaustive surveys of traffic origin/destination patterns on each link of the road network. Engineering judgment based on experience must play a role in making design decisions.

It is recommended that the FPNA work with the City of Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County and the FDOT to redefine Pennsylvania Avenue as a local street. In the meantime, an 11’ lane and 8’ parking may have to be implemented, which is not recommended as an acceptable street section for the remaining segments of Pennsylvania Avenue, or any other north-south Avenues in the Flamingo Park Neighborhood. However, 11’ travel lanes will certainly present an improvement over the existing 17’ condition!

Finally, our preliminary research does not allow us to estimate how long the re-designation process is likely to take. Regardless, this is a fight worth fighting, and we expect that when further analysis will reveal that Pennsylvania Avenue truly functions as a local street and should be designed to the same standards as other local streets within the Flamingo Park neighborhood, as promised by the City of Miami Beach.

Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association -- Workshop Meeting -- Achieves Substantial Progress in Advancing Pedestrian Experience, Bicycle Safety, Sense of Place and Quality of Life

Workshop Meeting Report
Flamingo Neighborhood Streetscape

The Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association convened a special Workshop Meeting on Monday, August 2, 2010 in the City Manager's Conference Room at City Hall. The objectives of the meeting included review of the City's proposed design treatment for Euclid and Pennsylvania Avenues, formulation of the neighborhood response / alternatives, preparation for Historic Preservation Board review, and the development of a collaborative concensus among those in the room.

The program vision remains streetscape improvement that enhances the pedestrian experience, improves mobility and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, effectively calms automobile traffic, plants shade trees and builds and sustains  sense of place and quality of life.

The meeting was hosted by Assistant City Manager Jorge Gomez and included residents of the Flamingo neighborhood as well as staff from the City Agencies that are responsible for program development, implementation, guidance and review -- Planning Department, CIP Department, Public Works, Traffic and Pedestrian Division, Parks and Recreation Department..

The report of outcomes and results is in the form of the following letter from Denis Russ, who facilitated the Workshop Meeting --

Message from Denis Russ --

I want to share with you how very proud I am of the work of our team --  not just at the Workshop, but in the days and weeks and months that led up to this meeting with the City.  Our team was informed and studied, passionate and compelling,  disciplined and largely successful   --yes, I think successful 

...in making substantial progress on our agenda,
...in demonstrating the value of an inclusionary planning process, and
...in modeling an integrated design process.

I think our resource panel -- Mike, Tony, Steve, Xavier and the input from Lizz and Randall and the earlier contributions of Cesar Garcia Pons and others -- gave great credibility to our positions.

And the team meetings armed the resource panel as well as our neighborhood resident advocates with all the relevant background information and pertinent policy positions.  Jack and Judy and Wanda consistently collaborated with each other in spearheading our advocacy.  Aaron rigorously reviewed the literature; Adam never stopped empirical testing; and Tammy is Tammy.  

Results:

We conducted a very inclusive planning workshop and integrated design charrette with proponents, opponents, even skeptics all in the room and civilly participating well guided by design professionals from the required disciplines.

We achieved agreement that the model for n/s Avenues will be 10' travel + 8' parking lanes!

We continue to advance increased financial support for meeting our infrastructure requirements much beyond the original allocation!  [Certainly not yet a done deal.]

In the absence of a grant extension, I think we agreed to accept 11' + 8' on Penn from 7th to 9th, but the City agreed to seek reclassification and a design exception.  If successful, they agreed to implement our favored treatment for the balance of Pennsylvania Avenue!  [I've joined with the City in seeking a grant extension, with no final word as yet.]

We appropriately responded to the diversions of reclaiming encroachments and the valley gutter proposal:  Too tough to call today;  We'll look at it;  No promises made.  [And I'm very glad to get Xavier's and Steve's call on the valley gutter issue, which I will convey to the City.]  

With respect to the specific questions raised on outcomes --

1.  The City's proposal for Pennsylvania 7th to 9th Streets (collector) will be 11' travel + 8' parking lane.  They have agreed to seek re-designation and/or exception.  In which case the balance of Penn would become 10' + 8'.

2. The current BODR does indeed call for 12' lanes on Euclid.   On Aug 10th the City Administration will go to the HPB to seek approval to add the 5' bike lane.  It is likely (but not yet settled) that the City Administration will go to the City Commission for similar approval in September.   [I believe that we earlier agreed to support this position in return for narrowing all other n/s Avenues.]

3.  We have not yet approached the Commissioners.  As we have seen on the tennis court issue, City Commissioners are often difficult to predict and rely upon!  While I recognize the substantial concerns expressed, I continue to believe that we can shape a valuable partnership with the Administration which is the most likely way to garner support from the Commission and the required funding.

Finally, I want to thank you all for your considerable personal support.  While I suspect you know that I enjoy this facilitating role, I know it requires your support --at times your tolerance -- which I greatly appreciate.

I believe we have made substantial progress, but the challenges ahead will be even greater.  The next step is the HPB on Aug 10th at which the Administration will seek approvals of a revised BODR in accord with their commitments to us and at which we will be called upon to voice FPNA support.  The Board is likely to engage in very dynamic discussion.   

s/ Denis.

Euclid & Pennsylvania -- Community Meeting Workshop; Mon, Aug 2nd, 4pm, City Manager Conf Room, at City Hall

Community Meeting Notice
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association
Workshop Meeting to Consider
Euclid / Pennsylvania Ave Streetscape Design
Monday, August 2, 2010, 4:00 pm --
in the City Manager’s Conference Room
4th Floor City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach

Featured Guest – Mike Lydon – Co-Author of Smart Growth Manual
He wrote the book on street design that puts pedestrians + bicycles first and recognizes streets as public space, describing sense of place, not speedy auto pace! Mike Lydon – Bio -- http://www.streetplans.org/leadership_mike_lydon.php

The Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association will host an important Workshop Meeting to address details in the Euclid / Pennsylvania -- Flamingo Capital Improvement Streetscape Project -- Monday, August 2nd, 4:00 pm, City Manager's Conf Room, Miami Beach City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive, 4th Floor

The project vision is well set out in the Basis of Design Report adopted by the City Commission in 2002 -- Enhance the pedestrian experience, Calm Traffic, Increase Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobility, with a resulting positive impact on our Sense of Place! While Euclid Avenue was identified as the targeted model block, the Neighorhood has agreed to support the bicylce lane on Euclid in return for narrowing all other north/south Avenues. The discussion has now evolved into a consideration of Pennsylvania Avenue.

The public right of way is 70' and the current auto travel lane is 17', so there's plenty of room to work with. But if we accept 12' auto/bike shared lane, 8' for parking, 2' existing private encroachment, 7'planing area swale -- the yield only permits a 1' increase from 5' to 6' for the sidewalk. The neighborhood does not perceive that as a sufficient pedestrian enhancement. We are interested as well in appropriate tree and landscaping selection, the composition of the swale, appropriate signage and selection of other street amenities that contribute to a greener and safer environment.

This workshop meeting is intended to engage the neighborhood together with the responsible city and county officials, and other stakeholders in a collaborative discussion to reasonably meet the various competing needs. Your participation is very important to us.

Flamingo – the historic, urban neighborhood in South Beach
from Washington to Lincoln, from 5th Street to Lincoln Road
All residents of the the neighborhood are invited to attend and participate.

Denis Russ Direct Line -- 305-672-4782
Miami Beach CDC -- at The Seymour
945 Pennsylvania Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139
T-305-538-0090 --- F-305-538-2863
Denis@MiamiBeachCDC.org

Flamingo Southeast CIP Project Information -- Provided by City of Miami Beach

Flamingo Neighborhood Improvement Project
Construction Activity is currently underway.


The WATER MAIN IMPROVEMENTS for the Flamingo Neighborhood Improvement Project began on July 6, 2010 and are estimated to be completed by October 2010. Weather and other unforeseen circumstances may alter the anticipated schedule. The balance of underground utility and neighborhood improvements, which will consist of lighting, drainage, hardscape, landscaping and roadway improvements, are currently being designed/permitted, and will be forthcoming after the water main installations are complete.

CONTACT FOR PROJECT INFORMATION: 

Ric-Man International, Inc., Yarni Fernandez, Public Information Officer, 1210 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, Florida 33139,
8:00AM to 5:00PMPhone: (305) 535-1743, Fax: (305) 535-1745,
Email: yfernandez@ric-man.us

Project Limits: Washington to Meridian, 7th to 9th Streets -- The work will take place between the west side of Washington Avenue and the east side of Jefferson Avenue from 7th Street to 9the Street.



Maintenance of Traffic:  Throughout construction the contractor will strive to minimize impacts to area commuters and residents. The illustration above demonstrates a typical road closure during the improvements.



Pedestrian Impacts:  Pedestrian access will be maintained during construction; however, for safety purposes, the contractor may close sections of sidewalk and crosswalks at certain times while the work is underway. In such cases alternate pedestrian routes will be provided with proper signage.



Impacts During Construction:  Although the contractor strives to minimize all impacts associated with construction; motorists, businesses and pedestrians may experience one or more of the following inconveniences:

∙ Temporary impacts to on street parking
∙ Periods of dust and noise
∙ Pedestrian and vehicular traffic impacts
∙ Construction crews and equipment within work zone and adjacent neighborhood
∙ Storage of materials on site
∙ Temporary water service interruptions (Advanced notification will be provided)

Public Works Department / Capital Improvement Projects Department -- Develops Project Descriptioon

Project Coordinator Rick Saltrick
has provided this descriptive information
 
City of Miami Beach Public Works Department is developing a description of the Euclid Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue Roadway Improvements to guide and document the implementation of the project, provide information to the community, and for presentation to the Historic Preservation Board to modify the adopted BODR – Basis of Design Review. The work will be carried out by the Capital Improvements Project Department.


You may access the current draft from the following links:

Euclid Avenue Roadway Improvements -- http://flamingomb.org/3Q2010/EuclidPubWksDesc_07222010.pdf

Pennsylvania Avenue Roadway Improvements -- http://flamingomb.org/3Q2010/PennPubWksDesc_07222010.pdf



The Euclid Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue descriptive material includes the following information:

Euclid Avenue
Existing Conditions -- Section Depiction,  Roadway Images,  Sidewalk Images,  Intersections
Basis of Design Report -- Narrative Abstract,  BODR Section Depiction
Master Bicycle Plan -- South Beach Section Map,  Proposed Bike Lane Section,  Proposed Intersections
Proposed Landscaping Treatment  --  Proposed Tree and Landscape Selection

Pennsylvania Avenue
Existing Conditions -- Typical Section Depiction, Roadway Images, Sidewalk Images,  Intersections
Basis of Design Report -- BODR Section Depiction
Proposed Reduced Lane Width  -- Typical Section Depiction

Questions or concerns related to current construction now underway in the Flamingo Southeast Project Area (from Washington to Meridian, from 7th to 9th Streets) can be addressed to YAMI FERNANDEZ, Public Information Officer for the General Contractor -- 305-535-1743 or yfernandez@ric-man.us . 

Association Supports Bike Lane on Euclid; Calls for Urban Design Workshop Charrette to Narrow the other North/South Avenues

At its meeting on Monday evening, July 19th,
the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association---

-- Agreed to support the Euclid Avenue bike lane in return for the City moving to the appropriate narrowing of all other north/south avenues;

-- Asked that the City join us in conducting a design workshop charrette to address the design characteristics of Pennsylvania Avenue as a model for the other north/south avenues. Concern was expressed that 12' auto travel lane is too great; 6' sidewalk is too narrow; selection of appropriate n'hood signage is important.

There was general support of the enunciated vision:  reduce the travel lanes, in order to enhance the pedestrian experience, support an integrated bicycle network and calm traffic.   

But if we give 12' to the County for the bike sharrow, 7' to parks for trees, 8' for parking --  there's just a one foot yield to increase sidewalks from 5' to 6'.  Its just not a sufficient pedestrian enhancement!

We hope to conduct the design workshop charrettee on Monday, August 2nd, at 5;00pm, which will be sufficiently in advance of the scheduled Historic Preservation Board to have credible input into the final urban design program for the area.

Meeting Notice -- Monday, July 19, 2010, 5pm -- Project Information Kick-Off

Neighborhood Meeting Notice
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association
Community Information and General Meeting
Monday, July 19, 2010, 5:00 pm
at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue
5:00 pm – Southeast Flamingo Project -- Community Kick-off
6:00 pm – Regular, General Meeting

The Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association will meet on Monday, July 19, 2010, 5;00pm, at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue. Flamingo Park Neighborhood – from Fifth to Lincoln, from Washington to Alton – All residents of the neighborhood are invited to attend and participate.



At 5:00 pm representatives of the City of Miami Beach Capital Improvements Projects Department and Public Works Department will join with featured guest, the selected design/build contractor Ric-Man International, Inc. to provide information and answer questions about the commencement of the Southeast Flamingo Project. This is a long anticipated major construction project that will improve water distribution, stormwater drainage and streetscape improvement in the area – from Washington to Meridian, from 7th Street to 9th Street. Streetscape Improvements will include the beginning of a major program to address traffic calming and improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility throughout the neighborhood. Special feature of the program is bump-outs at the curbs and increased sidewalk and swale for planning shade trees.

This Community Presentation will be followed by the regular meeting at 6:00 pm with a focus upon Building and Sustaining Quality of Life in our historic urban residential neighborhood in South Beach. This will include final consideration and action by the Association on the Euclid Avenue Improvements as a part of the Flamingo Neighborhood Mobility Network to promote traffic calming and an improved pedestrian and bicycle network for the neighborhood. Other program elements include – Communication and Outreach, Preservation and Planning, Crime Prevention and Safety, Improvements to Flamingo Park, and continued Neighborhood Capital Improvement Projects. An additional area to be discussed at the meeting is promoting the neighborhood for families.

At the CIP Oversight Committee meeting it was recommended to move forward with the Southeast Flamingo Project with a bike lane on Euclid Avenue, but with narrowing Pennsylvania Avenue.  The Administration indicated its support for narrowing all other north-south Avenues!!

Flamingo Neighborhood Project Report at CIP Oversight Committee -- Monday, July 12, 2010, 5:30pm

The Capital Improvement Projects Oversight Committee will meet Monday, July 12, 2010, 5:30 pm, in the Commission Chambers at City Hall. Join us for this important meeting. You may access the Agenda and the Flamingo Report at the following link:      http://flamingomb.org/3Q2010/CIP_OC_07122010.pdf

The Flamingo Report at the CIP Oversight Committee will include information and discussion on

• Stormwater Masterplan -- First task is to develop a model of the Flamingo Lummus West Ave N'hoods and develop design improvements for use in Neighborhood Capital Projects.
• Phase I Project 10E -- Washington to Meridian, 7th to 9th Streets.  This will include discussion of Euclid Avenue Improvements and the resolution of the conflict between the BODR and the Bicycle Masterplan.  This report and discussion will determine the manner of implementing the Euclid Avenue Improvements and the possible treatment of all other north/south Avenues in the Neighborhood.
• Flamingo Park Projects

Completed Projects -- perimeter fencing, playground equipment, dog park expansion
Additional Projects --
Football Field turf and scoreboard / Renovation of Running Track
Baseball Field restoration / Perimeter Landscaping
Community Garden / Handball Courts
New Restroom Building / Lodge Building Renovation
Renovate Softball Field Bathrooms / Skate Park Construction
Other Elements -- Park Grading, Hardscape, Furnishings and Signage, etc.

Meeting Notice:  The next meeting of the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association will be held on Monday, July 19, 2010, 5:00 pm, at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue.  All residents of the neighborhood are invited to attend and participate. 

The Flamingo Park Neighborhood -- Fifth Street to Lincoln Road, Washington Avenue to Alton Road -- the historic, urban residential neighborhood in South Beach.  Our Assoication works to build and sustain Quality of Life for those who live, work and visit our community. 

CIP Oversight Committee Meets on Monday Evening; Project Plan: Add Shade Trees, Calm Auto Traffic, Promote Neighbothood Mobility for Pedestrians and Bicyclists

We urge you to attend the Capital Improvements Projects Oversight Committee (the CIP OC) meeting this Monday, July 12, 2010, 5:30pm, in Commission Chambers at City Hall.

 CIP OC will receive a report on the current status of Flamingo Projects, including projects in Flamingo Park and in the Neighborhood – water distribution, stormwater drainage and streetscape projects.

 Substantial controversy has arisen with respect to Euclid Avenue Improvements due to a conflict between the Basis of Design Report (BODR) for Flamingo and the Bicycle Masterplan – both documents adopted by vote of the City Commission. The Flamingo Neighborhood Association has called for the implementation of Euclid Avenue Improvements as specified in the BODR – with 12’ travel lane, adequate swale for planting shade trees, and enlarged sidewalks, but without an additional 5’ bicycle lane as specified in the Bicycle Masterplan.

 In a meeting Friday with City Officials representatives of Flamingo made the point that proposed streetscape projects for Euclid were intended to serve as a model for reducing the asphalt throughout the neighborhood, increasing shade trees and landscaping, and enhancing pedestrian and bicycle mobility. City Officials expressed concern with removing the bike lane or even moving it to another street. Representatives of Flamingo expressed support for a Neighborhood Bicycle Network providing a hierarchy of bike facilities – including bike paths, lanes, boulevards and routes or sharrows where bikes and autos shared the roadway.

 Flamingo representatives made the point that if Euclid were to become a wide Avenue with separated 5’ bike lane and 10’ auto lane, then a commitment should be made to reduce the width of the roadways on all  other north/south Avenues and then they should be designated as sharrows and a part of the Flamingo Mobility Network.—providing adequate circulation for pedestrians, bicyclists and autos in that order of priority.

1. In this first section of the Flamingo CIP project, narrow the roadway on Pennsylvania Avenue to 10’ to 12’ providing increased sidewalk and swale.
2. Make the commitment to continue this narrowing treatment for Pennsylvania as the project moves northward in later stages.
3. Use the narrowing of Pennsylvania as a model and make a commitment to similarly narrow all of the other north / south Avenues in later states of the Flamingo CIP program.
4. Embrace the policy of a Flamingo Neighborhood Mobility Network that provides adequate circulation for pedestrians, bicyclists and autos in that order of priority, implement Euclid Avenue Bicycle Lane, and mark all other streets in Flamingo as Bicycle Routes with shared space for bikes and autos.

 Join us at Monday’s meeting to see just how this way of looking at the Neighborhood is developed and further presented.

 

Jeff Donnelly reports on Bikeways meeting; Historic Preservation Board Likely to Hear the Issue on August 10, 2010

Items learned or confirmed at the Bikeways Committee meeting on Wednesday June 23.


Euclid BODR

In 2002, the City Commission approved a BODR for the 70 foot Euclid right of way divided east to west as: 14 feet for sidewalk, swale, and encroachments; 9 feet for parking; 12 feet for one traffic (bikes and/or autos) lane; 12 feet for the reverse traffic lane; 9 feet of parking, and 14 feet for swale, sidewalk and encroachments on the other side of the street. The primary purpose of this design was to emulate Meridian Avenbue as the best pedestrian street in the neighborhood.   In addition to the exiting Meridian template, bump outs of approximately 9 feet were added to several corners, making the pedesatrian east-west crossing of Euclid at those points a maximum of 24 feet.

AGN Bikeways

Afterwards, the City Commission approved a bike ways plan for the City that named bicycle lanes as the only method of providing a bicyle facility or bicycle mode on Euclid. This approval, it turns out, conflicted with the 2002 EDAW BODR for Euclid that the Commission had previously approved. Specifically, the BODR called for a 24 foot moving vehicle space and the AGN bike lane proposal would require a minimum of 30 feet of moving vehicle space (20 for autos and 10 for bikes). Had the City Commission approved the bikeways proposal without specifying the bike lane mode, but allowed for the possibility of any of the three other modes -- bike paths/trails, bike boulevard, bike route -- there might not be a conflict. But the Commission, badly advised, failed to allow other bicycle modes or to resolve the conflict.

The City's application for changes in the BODR to accommodate the AGN Bikeway will come before the Historic Preservation Board on August 10, 2010.

On August 10, the Historic Preservation Baord can vote to maintain the BODR's 24 foot (two 12 ft travel lanes (bike and/or auto) with bump outs to limit pedestrian crossing distances and create a viable pedestrian north-south walkway or modify that BODR. Depending on the type of proposal, it may take 4 or 5 votes to modify the 2002 BODR.

Jeff Donnelly

Randall Robinson Reminder: Our vision for Euclid has always been to create a more-pedestrian oriented corridor, lowering the speed, calming the traffic and creating a safe shared roadway for cars and bikes.

The Smart Growth Manual
By Andres Duany, Jeff Speck, Mike Lydon


Bicycle Network

A proper bicycle network consists of four basic types of facilities: bicycle trails, bicycle lanes, bicycle boulevards, and share routes.

Bicycle trails are physically separated from higher speed traffic. Bicycle lanes are demarcated by striping within medium-speed roadways. Bicycle boulevards are streets with low traffic volumes in which priority is given to bicyclists by traffic-calming devices and signage. Finally, shared routes – the majority of thoroughfares – are low-speed streets in which cars and bikes mix comfortably.

The first step is to map the existing network, remembering that much of it will consist of unmarked shared routes within neighborhoods. This network should then be expanded by using the three other basic bikeway types, as contextually appropriate. . . .

Report on the CMB Bikeways Advisory Committee Meeting; Issue is Unresolved: Bike Lane vs Shared Roadway

Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association was invited to attend the June 23, 2010 meeting of the CMB Mayor's Blue Ribbon Bikeways Advisory Committee to discuss the plans for implementation of the Southeast Phase One Section of the Flamingo Neighborhood improvement program -- particularly improvements to Euclid Avenue.  Concern had been expressed that the narrowed 12 ft roadway would have to be expanded to 15 ft to accommodate a 10 ft auto lane and a 5 ft bike lane.  The view of the neighborhood was to implement the existing plans created by EDAW and approved by the City Commission in 2002.

The Committee indicated that they had not received any plans and could not discuss the matter until receiving plans.  Present at the meeting were David Henderson, the Bicycle / Pedestrian Coordinator for the County and Jeff County Traffic Engineer for the County who was pointed to as the responsible party for approving any plans.  Mr. Cohen spoke very strongly in favor of bike lanes separated from the auto lanes.  He indicated he had not seen any plans for Euclid Avenue Improvements, but upon receiving plans he would review them and likely suggest alternatives that would require separated bike lanes.

There did indeed appear to be an adversarial quality of the meeting with the bikeway members favoring separated 4 ft bikelanes on Euclid as was designated in the Bikeways Masterplan and representatives of Flamingo Neighborhood continuing to advocate for implementation of the plan for Euclid adopted by the City Commission as a part of the CIP Basis of Design Report.  It is likely that we will need to identify other venues for the resolution of the conflict, i.e.,

• Designated Responsible Departments -- CIP;  Public Works
• Assistant City Manager Jorge Gomez / City Manager Jorge Conzalez
• CIP Oversight Committee
• Historic Preservation Board
• City Commission

EPZ joins us at Flamingo Park Neighborhood Meeting and offers advice and cousel on streetscape plans

Subject: Euclid Avenue Improvements


Dear Denis,

This follows yesterday's meeting of the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association about the Euclid Avenue improvements. It now looks like I will be unable to attend Wednesday's meeting in City Hall, due to meetings at the University I could not reschedule, so I am providing some comments emerging from our discussion. . . .
As you know, my questions and comments emerge from many years of involvement nationally with urban design and streetscape design, including studies for the City of Miami Beach for the area south of Fifth Street. Also, for the past two years I have chaired the Built Environment Adaptation Committee of the Miami-Dade Climate Change Task Force and I am thoroughly sensitized to the anticipated effects on South Florida such as sea level rise. For this discussion there are two relevant responses to climate change: mitigation (of human impact on global temperature) including reducing carbon emissions and urban heat; and adaptation (to the effects of climate change) that for South Florida includes learning to live with more frequent flooding as a result of sea level rise. There is of course much more to be said about both mitigation and adaptation, but I am focusing on those points that might affect the street design decisions.

With regard to an impending phase of street improvements south of Flamingo Park, it is my understanding that there are several guiding documents that have had public input and yet are not entirely compatible in terms of street width dimensions. These include the Basis of Design Report (BODR) of 2002, and the more recent Bicycle Master Plan, as well as more recent resident advocacy for narrower lanes and more attention to pedestrian mobility. While I understand that there is urgency to begin the project, I would suggest adding to the discussion the element of climate change and sea level rise, as it may provide the overriding rationale for choosing among the various options. Street flooding will intensify with time, so public expenditures for infrastructure should be as forward thinking and adaptable for evolving conditions as possible.

In our meeting we were looking at 2004 engineering drawings for Euclid, and we could not fully understand the street section, and potential changes in elevation. We raised several concerns related to the narrowing of the pavement and the extending of the curb into the existing cartway:

1) Will the crown of the road remain where it is? Presumably one would not plan to lower it as high water is already a concern. In which case, will the storm water system be moved (with the curb and gutter, and sewer inlets) closer to the center of the right-of-way to take advantage of a somewhat higher elevation?

2) Maintaining the crown has implications for extending the curb, requiring a somewhat higher curb elevation and the swale to slope from the sidewalk up to the curb, so a careful study of the geometry in section of crown, curb location and elevation, swale slope and sidewalk width, should inform the decision about dimensions. Here we are assuming the sidewalk remains at its current elevation.

3) Mitigation goals point to a street design with more green area and less pavement. This in turn suggests designating Euclid a bicycle route (or sharrow or shared street) to avoid additional pavement for a bike lane. While I believe the argument can be made for even narrower lane and parking dimensions, the BODR dimensions of 12' lane and 9' parking (total 21') would provide generous space for bicycles in the roadway as well a generous swale to accommodate shade trees.

4) Adaptation goals also point to such a narrower street section, as this will bring up the curb elevation, and position parked cars closer to the crown diminishing some of the flood risk. The wider swale will provide more permeable ground for storm water absorption. (As flood events intensify, a simple street section of 21' per side, would even allow a future use of the roadway with cars parked on the crown, with the driving lanes designated at curbside, as long as bumpouts are not installed.)

I hope this is helpful in advancing the discussion. As a property owner in the neighborhood, I look forward to the long awaited improvements to the public space, and I hope that this investment will serve the public goals of sustainability, resilience, and adaptability.

Lizz
Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk

Last Minute Proposal to change the Euclid Avenue Plan to add 5 foot concrete bike lane: Oh Say it Ain't So, Joe

The City is on the verge of implementing Phase 1 of the Flamingo Improvements – the Southeast Section from 7th to 9th Streets, from Washington to Meridian. (Likely the next phases will be 2 to 5 years down the line.) A contract has been let with Ric-Man International, Inc. and they will begin with the water distribution portion by early July. Later portion of this first Phase will be the Stormwater Drainage and Streetscape Improvements.

Seemingly at the last minute, County and City staff recommend changing the plan to add a 5ft bicycle lane along Euclid Avenue—taking the space from the pedestrian sidewalk and green planting swale. While we were hoping to model the new Euclid after Meridian, this change would result in a Euclid that more closely resembles 16th Street. We favor a bicycle route with bikes and autos sharing the roadway. So the FPNA is pushing back to retain the adopted plan – to create a better, cleaner, greener, safer, more pedestrian-oriented Euclid Avenue. 

These matters will be discussed at a meeting of the City Bikeway Committee tomorrow, Wed, June 23, 2010, 3:00pm, in the Mayor's Conference Room, 4th Floor, City Hall.


Some background information --

The proposed capital improvement program for the Flamingo Pak Neighborhood puts a priority on addressing improvements to Euclid Avenue. The existing plan – fully supported by the Flamingo N’hood Association -- includes the following explanation and treatment for Euclid:


Euclid Avenue (see Figure 3-18 thru 3-20): Euclid Avenue is a heavily traveled North/South vehicular corridor through the Flamingo neighborhood that connects 5th Street to Lincoln Road. The existing section of the Avenue consists of two 17’-0" wide travel lanes with +/- 2’-6" planting strips and 5’-0" sidewalks on either side. The Avenue was identified by residents as being the least pedestrian friendly Avenue in the neighborhood due to the speed of traffic and the lack of shade along the sidewalks. 
The proposed improvement is to modify the existing section to match that of the "preferred" Meridian Avenue section. This would require relocating the existing curb & gutter to allow for +/- 7’-6" planting strips with a continuous shade tree canopy. This would also "calm" the traffic by reducing the travel lanes widths to +/- 12’-0". To further improve the pedestrian experience, the existing sidewalks will be widened to +/- 6’-0" where possible (Appendix "B" – Sheet 21).

The Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association continues to be guided by the following principles:

1. We favor implementation of the Flamingo Cap;ital Improvement streetscape projects in a manner compatible with the adopted Basis of Ddeisgn Report.  We believe that the public space needs to adequately accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists and autos  -- in that order of priority!
2. We continue to support a 12ft roadway shared by bicyclists and autos -- with appropriate traffic calming, including crosswalks and 4 way stop signs at every intersection. 
3. We think that the Atlantic Greenway Network can best be implemented in South Beach by a Bike Route along Euclid.
4. We oppose increased asphalt along Euclid at the expense of the pedestrian-oriented sidewalk and green swale.  We need an increased tree canopy and shade.
5. We support moving forward with the Southeast Phae 1 portion of the project.  Nonetheless, it is imperative for the City to sit down with the community and review the detail plans currently being developed. 
6. We continue to favor moving forward with the development of the Stormwater Master Plan.  Nonetheless and in the meantime, it is important to review with the city the proposed elevation and geometry of the roadway, the slope of the sidewalk and swale, the elevation of the outlet pipes and the opportunity to encourage private property owners to replace concrete with pervious materials.
7. We continue to favor greenery over asphalt and a pedestrian, bicycle friendly public space that substantially slows auto traffic along neighborhood streets.

It seems clear to us that the Flamingo Park Neighborhood does not need more concrete nor another Sixteenth Street corridor.