Monday, January 3, 2011,
at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue
The Flamingo Park Neighborhood is the historic urban residential neighborhood in South Beach, from Washington Avenue to Alton Road, from Fifth Street to Lincoln Road. All residents of the neihborhood are invited to attend and participate.
The first meeting of the year will be held on Monday, January 3, 2011, 5:30pm, at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue. We meet regularly on the first Monday of each month at 5:30pm.
At this meeting we will be discussing important Planning and Preservation issues, including the lack of enforcement of the prohibition on Short Term Rental enacted by the City Commission and the Alton Road Historic District Overlay ordinance that is pending before the City Commission.
The Department of Culture and Tourism has requested to present ideas on South Beach hosting a major Air Show. Substantial issues have been raised on the impact and management of such a program.
We shall continue to work on the CMB Capital Improvement Projects in the Flamingo Neighborhood, including implementation of the Flamingo Park Masterplan and Neighborhood Infrastructure program -- water and waste distribution, stormwater drainage, and community pedestrian amenities.
12/31/2010
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association will begin the year with an Important Meeting
12/30/2010
Flamingo Neighborhood Meeting -- Monday, January 3rd, 5:30 pm, at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington to Alton, Fifth Street to Lincoln Road;
All residents are invited to attend and participate!!
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association
Monday, January 3, 2011, 5:30pm
at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue
Agenda
Preservation and Planning Matters Jeff Donnelly, Mark Needle
Short Term Rental
Alton Road Historic Overlay District
Presentation of Proposed Special Event – Air Show Dept of Culture and Tourism
Capital Improvement Projects
CIP N’hood Project – Encroachments -- J Robertson / T Vieria and R Saltrick
Flamingo Park – Project Priorities -- Wanda Mouzon
Other Matters
Invitation from Russell Galbut – Project Presentation
Crime Prevention and Pedestrian Safety -- Aaron Sugarman
Communication and Outreach -- Tammy Tibbles
12/09/2010
The Miami Beach City Commission -- Land use and Development Committee will discuss the proposed Alton Road ordinances on Monday, December 13th at their meeting which begins at 4 PM.
As you know this will be a very important meeting determining the likely outcome of crucial elements of the zoning overlay district and parking requirements.
Your attendance and participation will be important.
11/30/2010
Mondrian DRB application -- Tues, Dec 7th -- Public Bay Walk
On Tuesday, December 7, 2010, the Miami Beach Design Review Board (DRB) will consider the following application. The DRB meeting starts at 8:30 am and will take place in the City Commission Chambers at Miami Beach City Hall (1700 Convention Center Drive).
The applicant, 1100 West Properties, L.L.C., is requesting modifications to conditions of the Final Order for a previously issued Design Review Approval, which approved a new landscape plan for the entire site, as well as for alterations to the existing exterior elevations, including modifications to the windows, doors, and porte-cochere, and the construction of new 2-story cabanas at the rear of the site. Specifically, the applicant is proposing to modify the conditions of the Final Order relating to the release of funds held in escrow and completion of the public bay walk.
Flamingo Neighborhood Stakeholders Meeting, Mon, Dec 6, 3 to 6 pm, Mayor's Conference Room
FLAMINGO PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CIP / PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTS
FLAMINGO NEIGHBORHOOD
STAKEHOLDERS MEETING
Monday, December 6, 2010, 3:00 – 6:00 pm
in the Mayor’s Conference Room
Proposed Agenda
Key Resource: Richard Saltrick
- Presentation on Meridian Avenue -- Tree Canopy Parks
Recreation Department -- Oldenburg, Latt, Gracie - Flamingo Neighborhood – Southeast Section Thais Vieira
Washington to Meridian, 7th to 9th Streets Ric-Man
Overview of the Revised Plans
Travel Lane, Euclid Bike Lane, Parking Lane,
Swale, Trees & Landscaping, Sidewalk, Lighting,
Treatment at Intersections – Crosswalk, Bulbouts
Extension of CDBG Project Grant
De-classification of Pennsylvania as Collector - Treatment at Intersections Fire Department
Bulbouts and Turning Radius - Stormwater Masterplan Fred Beckman / Fernando Vazquez
Status of Work, Flamingo / West Ave Model - Capital Budget -- Funding Program Kathy Brooks / Jorge Gomez
- Consideration of Another Bike Facility Christine Bettin
(Bike Lane, Route, Sharrow, Boulevard) - Selection of Subsequent Work Areas Rick Saltrick
Size of Area / Proposed Target for Next Area - Further Consideration of Traffic Calming / Pedestrian Amenities
Residential Neighborhood Safety Zone
Jeff Cohen / David Henderson / Tammie Tibbles and Ben Batchelder
11/20/2010
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
CMB Commission Land Use Committee, Mon, Nov 22nd, 4pm, in City Manager's Conference Room, About the Skate Park in Flamingo Park
Land Use Committee
Mon, Nov 22, 4pm, in the City Manager's Conference Room
At its meeting on Wednesday the City Commission referred the Flamingo Park Skate Facility to its Land Use Committee for Discussion. The matter has been placed on the Agenda for Monday, November 22nd at 4:00 pm in the City Manager's Conference Room.
The Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association has been clear in opposition to the location of a Skate Park in Flamingo Park.
When the City Commission included a Skate Park in the Masterplan and the Administration initiated the design process we began to develop guidelines to proceed with a Skate Plaza rather than a Skate Park. The Plaza would be more low key, suitable for young and new skaters, and incorporate trees and grassy areas instead of being a solid mass of concrete with features that would create a regional attraction.
I totally agree with Jack's good advice in making a strong effort to present ourselves in solidarity and making remarks as individuals rather than as spokesman for Flamingo.
11/19/2010
Be Sure to Catch Donnelly, Robinson and Shulman this Sunday at the Book Fair as They Join Desilets in Featured Florida Architectural Session
Special Session on Miami / Miami Beach Architecture
This Sunday, November 21st, 10am
Building 7, 1st Floor, Room7128
Between 5th and 6th Streets, on NE Second Avenue
Congratulations to our very own: James F. Donnelly, Randall Robinson and Allan Shulman, who will be featured at an author's presentation this Sunday, November 21st, 10:00 am, at the Miami Book Fair International, on the campus of Miami Dade College, in Building 7, 1st Floor, Room 7128, on N.E. Second Avenue, between N.E. 5th Street and N.E. 6th Street, at the northern edge of the downtown campus.
Their book, Miami Architecture: An AIA Guide Featuring Downtown, the Beaches, and Coconut Grove (University Press of Florida, $29.95) provides an authoritative but accessible overview of Miami's notable buildings and is ideal for residents, professionals, vacationers, and day-trippers.
Our authors will share this special presentation session with another featured Miami Beach author and personality, the beautiful and brilliant Deborah Desilets, the author of Lapidus, Architecture of Joy (Rizzoli International Publishers). Desilets, also an architect, collaborated with Lapidus, and has lectured extensively on his work.
11/18/2010
CMB Land Use Committee will meet Monday to consider Skate Facility in Flamingo Park
Land Use Committee
Mon, Nov 22, 4pm, in the City Manager's Conference Room
At its meeting on Wednesday the City Commission referred the Flamingo Park Skate Facility to its Land Use Committee for Discussion. The matter has been placed on the Agenda for Monday, November 22nd at 4:00 pm in the City Manager's Conference Room.
It is timely for the Land Use Committee to give guidance on the program and vision for the Skate Facility.
As we move into the design process I agree with Wanda that while its apprpriate for us to guard that vision we also want to participate in a collegial and flexible way -- along with the design professionals, CIP and Parks & Recreation Staff. and other stakeholders.
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association Nov 18, 2010 Draft
The Skate Plaza in Flamingo Park
Description – should be designed to provide a safe and enjoyable family oriented recreational opportunity for wheeled sports for Miami Beach youth of all ages.
The Flamingo Park Skate Plaza might well be one of a series of such skate spots or skate plazas that would give young and new skaters a place to learn, practice, and cut their teeth, so to speak.
While Miami Beach could pursue development of a Skate Park elsewhere, that was not the vision of the City Commission for Flamingo Park. An advanced recreational facility with unique elements not found elsewhere in South Florida would become a regional attraction and should not be located within our residential area.
Design Guidelines –
• appropriate for Neighborhood Park, not a world class facility that becomes a regional attraction and neighborhood nuisance;
• examine opportunities to include skatable art;
• discourage high speed / high elevation;
• aim at a skate circuit / path rather than more randomly placed unorganized group of elements on a large slab of concrete.
A skate plaza is designed for street skateboarding by incorporating urban terrain elements such as benches, rails, stairs and ledges of varying difficulty. Unlike most modern day skate parks that consist of stark vertical ramps, and bowls, the skate plaza resembles a public square in a town or city by incorporating landscaping and art to create a multi-use park that is aesthetically pleasing.
Elements -- no bowl, no quarter pipes, no half pipes; steps or stairs, rails, ramps and benches should be of appropriate height, perhaps no higher than 2 feet;
Landscaping -- landscaped surroundings and integrated shaded landscaping incorporated within the skateboard facility. Aim for an appropriate hardscape to landscape ratio, perhaps of 3:1 or 2:1 as determined desirable.
Operation / Maintenance -- not fenced, not supervised; not lit; free of charge.
Friends of Flamingo Park
Nov 18, 2010 Draft
Skate Facility -- Design Guidelines
The new skate plaza will be designed to provide a safe and enjoyable family oriented recreational opportunity for Miami Beach youth of all ages. The design philosophy will be in keeping with the overall vision of the park as an open, accessible, area. Furthermore, the skate plaza will be dotted with patches of green space.
Our skate plaza will incorporate the favorite features of an urban skater like stairs, rails, curbs, and ledges while still retaining a landscaped park-feel which is aesthetically pleasing. Unlike most modern day skate parks that consist of one large block of concrete and bowls, the skate plaza resembles a public square in a town or city by incorporating landscaping.
Our skate plaza will be a skater and park user oasis, serving a dual purpose for skate boarders enjoyment and exercise, and when not in use a desirable place to stroll through or sit and rest under a tree. Our skate plaza will be further enhanced with skate-able art, an appealing feature and an opportunity to showoff our unique South Beach personality.
Design Guidelines of Flamingo Skate Plaza:
* include steps, stairs, ramps, rails, benches no more than 2 feet high.
* no bowl, no half pipe, no quarter pipe
* a path with continuous flow to allow skater to complete a full circuit
* mostly ground level, with minimal elevated features not to exceed 2 feet
* no fence
* free of charge
11/13/2010
On Our Agenda -- To Become Florida's Most Pedestrian Friendly Neighborhood
Ben Batchelder will present the final product of our Workshop Meetings aimed at becoming Florida's Most Pedestrian Friendly Neighborhood.
FPNA Pedestrian Initiative
•FPNA met for Feb. 1st 2010 brainstorming
–Mission: To become FL’s most pedestrian-friendly neighborhood
–Primary strategies:
•To modify behavior of drivers & pedestrians
•To influence policy and opinion-makers
–Primary tactics:
•Engineering
•Enforcement
•Education (engagement/encouragement)
•Evaluation
–FPNA initiative the result of FPN’s inclusion in US DOT pedestrian-safety project
FPNA Pedestrian Initiative
•Analysis of current conditions
–Rampant aggressive driving puts all pedestrians at risk
–Street signage is deficient
•No signage warning visiting drivers of pedestrian-oriented culture unique to South Beach
•The dozen or so “Yield to Pedestrians, $83 fine”* signs are small, and usually warn re turning off major roads (e.g. Alton)
–Many drivers when questioned are unaware of signs or the Florida state law
•No signage warns noisy drivers of residential neighborhood
–Spill-over streets, such at 6th, and corridor streets, such as 16th, suffer
–Pedestrian-friendly crosswalks are rare
•Many residential intersections are without crosswalk stripes at all
•Most street crossing lights are pedestrian-unfriendly, which incentivizes people to ignore them
–Many pedestrian-intensive intersections, e.g. 11th & Meridian, give priority to turning cars (i.e. instead of automatically giving white-walk light, they stay red-stop), forcing pedestrians to ignore or activate crosswalk.
–Pedestrian activation, with the exception of a few actual on-demand crosswalks, is very slow or car-friendly (e.g. crossing button pressed less than 7-8 seconds before turn of lights does not activate, and pedestrian must wait another full cycle of light changing to safely cross).
–Many sidewalks are unsafe and/or unpleasant
•Many residential sidewalks are unsafe for seniors & strollers due to buckling & bike riding
•Most sidewalks are too narrow for walking 2-abreast or accommodating multiple use (e.g. bike + ped.)
•Many sidewalks are without shade trees
* Fine raised to $112
FPNA Pedestrian Initiative
•Recommendations
–Combat/reduce aggressive driving
•Reduce neighborhood speed limit from 30mph to 25mph
•Reduce speeding by providing constrained & visual-rich environment
–Narrow auto lanes on residential streets to 10’
–Add sidewalk bump-outs
–Thicken green space (i.e. plant more trees)
•Enforce laws
–Improve street signage
•Large welcome signs to South Beach, such as “Welcome to South Beach, Florida’s most pedestrian-friendly neighborhood. Please yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, it’s the law!”
•Various, smaller 25mph neighborhood speed limit signs
•More “Yield to Pedestrians, $112 fine” signs, placed more strategically
•Stand-alone “Yield to Pedestrians in Crosswalks” cones at hi-volume zebra crossings, e.g. Collins
•Noise-abatement “Quiet zone, punishable by fine” signs on spillover & corridor streets
•Combine above signage where feasible to limit visual pollution
–Make crosswalks pedestrian-friendly
•Recalibrate all South Beach intersection lights to pedestrian-friendly
–Automatic white-walk for pedestrians at light change
–Incentivize activation button use by making more on-demand/rapid response (reduce wait time)
•Paint (and maintain fresh) as many neighborhood crosswalks as feasible
–Prioritize dangerous crosswalk-less intersections (e.g. Dade & N. Michigan nr High School, Bay Rd. & Dade)
–Paint all-4 crosswalks at every residential intersection
–Move towards crosswalk standardization
•Add bump-outs and more Stop sign intersections, ideally every other neighborhood block
FPNA Pedestrian Initiative
•Recommendations (continued)
–Implement further traffic calming/reducing measures
•Install speed cushions (currently used mid-beach) along hi-risk roads (e.g. bordering parks)
•Encourage tourist and residential walking programs
–MDPL tourist walking maps including Flamingo Park
–Parks Dept. walking program
–City Walk to Work days
•Encourage all city, police & other official cars to obey speed limits (e.g. pace cars)
•Improve Local Shuttle Bus signage & simplify complicated routing to encourage use
•Study accessible public parking for mainlanders to park & ride
–Improve sidewalks
•Widen sidewalks to 6’ and remove obstacles
–Better enforce encroachments
•Level bumps, improve night lighting & plant more shade trees
•Improve dog-owner behavior, including better enforcement
–More “Clean up after your dog, it’s the law!” signs at eye level attached to parking sign posts
–More dog bag dispensers & public trash bins
On Our Agenda -- Proposed Re-zoning of The Temple House Would Preclude Entertainment Use
From: Cineo
Date: November 13, 2010 5:10:27 PM EST
To: Denis Russ
Subject: FPNA Meeting
Dear Mr. Russ:
My many thanks for your time earlier. As a follow-up to our conversation, please find below the language that resulted from a meeting with Mr. Lorber (Zoning and Planning) and Mr. Gomez (Assistant City Manager). Our collective objective was to find a way to recognize the "highest and best" use of the property (which for over 70 years served as an assembly area) as well as be mindful of the needs and desires of the residents.
The language, while quite restrictive, is something that I can live with. In short it would allow, subject to approval by both Commission and the Planning Board, NON-ENTERTAINMENT assembly use of the space for such things as the showing of art, education lectures, seminars and presentations. Again, what is important to note here is that even with Commission approval, I will still need to sit before the Planning Board for their support as well.
The language reads....
(9) Notwithstanding (7) and (8) above, bed and breakfast inns that have had historic prior assembly use may be permitted to have limited non-entertainment (entertainment as defined in section 142-1361) assembly uses (such as art showing, corporate seminars, educational lectures and presentations) if approved by the Planning Board as a conditional use subject to the following limitations:
a) Consisting of private events by invitation only, and
b) Not open to members of the general public, and
c) Ending no later than 11:30 PM, and
d) Invite must indicate no street parking. Guests must be directed to city parking lots or licensed private parking lots.
e) No delivery shall occur before 9:00 AM or after 5:00 PM during weekdays, and
f) No delivery shall occur before 10:00 AM or after 3:00 PM during weekends.
As an aside, the definition of "entertainment" (section 142-1361 of the Miami Beach City Code) is as follows: "Entertainment means any live show or live performance or music amplified or nonamplified. Exceptions: Indoor movie theater; big screen television and/or background music, amplified or nonamplified, played at a volume that does not interfere with normal conversation."
Because the language specifically precludes entertainment, it would mean no live shows, performances, etc. I've highlighted the additional reason for including the language, which is to insure that nothing would interfere with normal conversation.
Again, I believe that this language is fair for all, and provides a use of the building that will prevent its deterioration by allowing it to be self-sufficient and offset the extraordinary costs associated with mortgage, taxes, insurance and maintenance.
I hereby respectfully seek the support of the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association.
My many thanks,
Daniel
Daniel Davidson
1415 Euclid Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
P - 786-280-6565
F - 305-673-5175
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association will meet on this Monday, November 15, 2010, 5 - 7 pm, at The Seymour
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association
Meeting Notice Reminder and Agenda Highligts
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association will meet
on Monday, November 15th, 5:00 pm
at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue
Agenda Highlights –
1) Our Pedestrian-Safety Vision -- Becoming Florida’s Most Pedestrian Friendly Neighborhood
2) Temple House – Zoning Re-classification
3) Alton Road Overlay District
4) Enforcement of Short Term Renal Ordinance
5) Other Matters
a) Update on Flamingo Park Project Implementation
b) Skateboard Facility
c) Flamingo CIP Project Update -- Stakeholders Meeting – Mon, Dec 6th, 3 – 6pm
11/08/2010
Neighborhood News, Meetings and Events
Tuesday, November 9th, 9am
Historic Preservation Board
On Tuesday, November 9th, starting at 9am the Historic Preservation Board will meet in the City Commission Chambers. The Board will consider approval of the Flamingo Park revised masterplan and approval of the proposed skatepark within Flamingo Park. It is expected that these matters are likely to be heard at approximately 11 am.
Tuesday, November 9th, 5pm
MBCDC Community Development Committee
at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue
The Miami Beach CDC Community Development Committee will meet to further develop its program agenda. An important item will be a presentation by our neighbor and Flamingo resident Daniel Davidson who will demonstrate how social media can be used to heighten situational awareness to improve safety and combat crime. Members of Flamingo are invited to attend.
Thursday, November 11, 9am
Veterans Day Parade and Picnic
Join Flamingo Neighborhood in participating in the Veterans Day Parade and Picnic. The parade will begin at 9AM, Nov. 11, at the intersection of Washington Ave. and 17th street. Ceremonies will be held at 10:30 am, highlighted by the 11am Traditions, and followed by a picnic in Flamingo Park.
Monday, November 15th, 5pm
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Meeting
at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue
All residents of the Neighborhood are invited to attend our General Membership Meeting. Highlights will include:
Becoming Florida's Most Pedestrian-Friendly Neighborhood;
Consideration of Temple House as Bed and Breakfast;
Enforcement of Short Term Rental Ordinance; and
Flamingo CIP Streetscape Improvement Stakeholder Meeting to be convened on Monday, December 6th.
11/05/2010
Make plans to Join Us for the Veterans Day Parade and Picnic, Thursday, November 11th
Veterans Day Parade and Picnic
Thursday, November 11, starting at 9am
Commemorative Ceremonies at 11:00 am
Picnic to follow in Flamingo Park
The parade will begin at 9AM, Nov. 11, at the intersection of Washington Ave. and 17th street. The first group will line up at the intersection and subsequent groups will line up behind the first extending north on Washington Ave. Our tentative position is 22. All participants should arrive by 8:30AM.
Perhaps there’s still time to be in the parade! Contact Scott Needelman -- san1455@att.net -- 305-710-5584
Because we got distracted by other business and bright shiny objects, we will not have the T-Shirts for the Parade but we will definitely return to the project at our next meeting.
10/13/2010
Flamingos will march in the Veterans Day Parade
Veterans Day Parade and Picnic
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Perhaps you would like to join the Flamingos marching in the Veterans Day Parade on Thursday, Novembeer 11, 2010, from 9 to 11 am, culminating with a picnic celebration in Flamingo Park! Please contact Scott Needelman, who serves as our Flamingo Parade Marshall, SAN1455@ATT.net or Telephone 305-710-5584.
The Veterans Day Parade will begin at 9:00 am. Participants will line up along Convention Center Drive from 17th Street, marching east on Seventeenth Street to Washington Avenue and then south along Washington to Eleventh Street. They will then head west along 11th Street to Flamingo Park. There will be a brief ceremony in the park followed by a free picnic for all participants.
Commissioner Jerry Libbin has rallied support for the parade and picnic, noting "The men and women who serve our country with distinction deserve our appreciation every day. This event gives us an opportunity to come together as a community to thank them."
The wreath laying ceremony and 21-gun salute at Flamingo Park will begin at approximately 10:30 am following the parade. A moment of silence will be observed at 11:00 am in honor of the First World War Armistice Day tradition. Immediately following Commissioner Libbin will be hosting a picnic for parade participants.
Flamingo Parade Marshall -- Scott Needelman
SAN1455@ATT.net or Telephone 305-710-5584
10/06/2010
Join us in Planning for the Veterans Day Parade, Meeting on Mon, Oct 11, 5:30pm, at The Seymour -- with the Parade Just A Month Away
Monday, October 11, 2010, at 5:30pm
Meeting at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue
Veterans Day Parade and Picnic -- November 11, 2010
Scott Needleman invites all those interested in participating in the Veterans Day Parade to meet on this Monday, October 11th, at The Seymour to make plans for the Parade and help design a banner for the Flamingo Neighborhood Association that can be used for the parade and for other similar events and activities.
All residents of the Flamingo Neighborhood are encouraged to attend and participate in a day of commemoration and celebration that will culminate in the Commissioner Jerry Libbin Picnic to be held in Flamingo Park.
The Flamingo Neighborhood Association has agreed to participate in the day's activities. Since the route will go right through our neighborhood and be highlighted by the picnic in Flamingo Park, it's a great opportunity to increase our outreach in the community.
9/29/2010
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association -- Monday, Oct 4, 2010, 5:30 pm
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association
Monday, October 4, 2010, 5:30 pm
at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue
Agenda
1. Flamingo Park – Project Planning Update -- Wanda Mouzon
2. Planning & Preservation Issues -- Mark Needle / Jeff Donelly
Alton Road Overlay District / Proposed Parking Adjustments
3. Family Oriented Programs -- Adam Shedroff
Veterans Day Parade & Picnic -- Scott Needleman
4. Crime and Safety Program -- Aaron Sugarman
Pedestrian Safety Ben
5. Communications and Outreach -- Tammy Tibbles
6. Flamingo Neighborhood CIP Streetscape -- Judy Robertson / Denis Russ
Proposed Stakeholders Meeting / Mon, Nov 1, 4pm, City Hall
7. Other Matters
9/27/2010
Meridian Avenue Tree Canopy - An Update
Chris Latt, City of Miami Beach Urban Forester, sent the following email to update the Neighborhood Association regarding their plans for the Calophyllum trees on Meridian Avenue damaged by last winter's cold weather.
"The Parks and Recreation Department sent a Letter to the Commission (LTC) on [the] subject [of the Meridian Avenue tree canopy] to the City Commission in July, and remains very aware of and concerned about these trees. I will update and expand on the information in the LTC. The duration of the cold weather last winter was unprecedented, at least within the memory of most people, and this had results that could not be anticipated or prevented. The Parks and Recreation Department has five International Society of Arboriculture certified arborists on staff. We are members of the Tropical Arborists Guild, a South Florida professional organization that includes the region's top tree experts, including arborists and horticulturists from Fairchild Tropical Garden, Montgomery Botanic Garden, Vizcaya, Pinecrest Garden, and Jungle Gardens, as well as municipal arborists, University of Florida Extension personnel, tree company owners, and working arborists. This group has centuries of combined experience with the trees of S. Florida, but everyone was surprised by the extent of this year's damage to the region's calophyllum trees (the species on Meridian Ave.). A number of members remembered the record low temperatures of the 1970s, but did not see damage of this extent on calophyllum trees. The duration of the cold weather made the difference.
As stated in the LTC, the trees on Meridian Ave. were fertilized to ensure they had the necessary nutrients to support new growth. Our strategy was to wait a full growing season before we removed any possibly dead branches, so the trees would have as much time as necessary to produce new growth. When the LTC was written, most of the Meridian Ave. trees were producing new buds and shoots on the bare branches. It now seems that production of new shoots has stopped or slowed, so we may not get much more new growth. The new shoots should continue to grow and fill-in the crowns, but it appears that many branches are dead or unable to produce new shoots. These will need to be trimmed. We will delay trimming until at least the end of this year or perhaps until next spring. Growing conditions are still favorable so it is possible that we will still get some new growth this year. The argument in favor of waiting until spring is that when branches are cut back, this can trigger shoot production from the cut branch ends. The new shoots are tender and can be killed by cold weather, so it would be safer to wait until spring when the risk of cold weather is past. Ms. Tibbles mentioned the risk of breaking branches. The large branches, even if they are dead, will retain strength for several years so are a low risk of failure. Small branches, when they dry out can break in heavy winds, but even these will take time before they lose strength. Since these branches lack leaves to catch the wind, they will not be moved or bent as much as live branches by the wind, reducing the risk of breakage. I don't think these branches will present a big risk between now and spring. We will notify the neighborhood association before tree trimming starts."
Planning Board meeting of Tuesday Sept 28 -- Alton Road Parking Ordinance
From: Mark Needle [mailto:mark.needle@protransit.org]
Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2010 10:50 PM
To: JoyceMeyers@miamibeachfl.gov
Cc: marcus_a@bellsouth.net
Subject: Alton Road Parking Ordinance (Planning Board meeting of Tuesday Sept 28)
Joyce, Thank you for meeting with myself and Arthur Marcus on Friday to explain some of the ramifications of the proposed Alton Road parking ordinance. Please relay this message to the Planning Board members?
Though Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association was not able to consider the ordinance at its September meeting, the matter is of great interest and this discussion will better enable the group to take a position at its next meeting. (I assume it will likewise help Arthur to develop a position with Miami Design Preservation League).
Speaking only for myself as a resident, I think that the ordinance is well-conceived and should be endorsed by the Planning Board on Tuesday, even if Flamingo Park wishes to modify some details when it goes before the Commission. The issues that we discussed include:
--The ordinance provides meaningful benefits for development that is compatible with a public transit corridor adjacent and with the historic district, such as smaller neighborhood-oriented commercial spaces, biking space, car-sharing, etc.
-- I believe that the ordinance should be amended to include an upper cap to take advantage of the 2,500 square foot parking exemption. Better targeting of this benefit will maximize the development of neighborhood-oriented uses and avoid parking reductions for large-scale, big box development that may not be in the public interest. I strongly urge such a cap for developments over 10,000, which tend to draw primarily auto traffic and could generate parking impacts (if on-site parking is inadequate) that extend into the neighborhood.
--Concerning the adequacy of proposed biking regulations, I think this neighborhood justifies standards that are higher than the national standards, but I am persuaded by the staff logic that LEED standards are a sound basis for establishing minimum standards (especially when there are incentives for going beyond the minimums).
--There has been serious discussion among the Flamingo group about whether the incentives of reduced parking should apply outside of the Alton Road Overlay district. My own belief is that the impact of parking reductions on the west of Alton depends largely on whether the incentives are adequately capped for larger-scale developments.
Thank you and the rest of the Planning Department for your careful research and hard work on this ordinance.
Mark Needle
914 Lenox Avenue #5
Miami Beach FL 33139
I will be out of town Tuesday, but I think it is only logical that the Commission should consider the Alton Road parking ordinance in tandem with the Alton Road Overlay district. The provision of parking relief for compatible development will make it clear that the form-based regulations are not anti-development but are part of a sound planning vision for Alton Road that is compatible with the unique character of this district.
9/21/2010
Fix A Feline - Sunday at Flamingo Park
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