PUBLIC FEEDBACK – SUBMIT QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS

Question: Please emphasize the need for more green space and parks. I would like to see MS include a requirement to preserve trees, along with robust protections for our waterways. Protect Biscayne Canal for the continued breeding of manatees and sharks.

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Thank you for your feedback, also please stay connected for updated within our webpage since we will be sharing recommendations here. Your comments will be included on our report and during the amendment process.

Question: Please ensure that our tree canopy is preserved and enlarged.

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Thank you for bringing the item up and for the feedback.

Question: Hello- Annexed area should be designated Multi Family Residential, to create apts at affordable rents (NOT affordable housing). Mixed use residential - too little foot traffic for this to make financial sense to a developer (not even from students)

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As per your comment, what would be a density per acre that make sense and allow to keep prices affordable? Thank you for your feedback, your comments will be included on our report and during the amendment process.

Question: Why is this council pushing so hard for rezoning and changes to the comprehensive plan? What is their motive? We would all like to know.

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Thank you for your question regarding the timeline. The Village is required by Florida State Statutes to maintain a Comprehensive Plan consistent with its Land Development Regulations (Zoning Code). Therefore, there are areas of the Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Code that should be amended expeditiously to address consistency issues. In addition, the Village has paused all rezoning under the moratorium adopted during the February 15, 2022 Council meeting, allowing for proper analysis and public engagement. The next step, in this project, is to present recommendations to the public and to the Council to prepare a Comprehensive Plan amendment, not a rezoning. Please stay tune for the next step, and let us know if you have any addtional questions.

Question: There should be no changes to zoning on Biscayne or at the 105th lot

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Question: I have lived in Miami Shores for 21 years. it is important to me that 10500 Biscayne Blvd property remains zoned as multi-family/single Family. The proposed B2 zoning on this parcel adjacent to residential homes would allow inappropriately located businesses that no family wants to live next to and that would endanger Biscayne Canal which flows into the Bay. The Canal also flows into neighboring municipalities such as Biscayne Park, whose recent ordinance protests the proposed gas station on the canal allowed by changing to B2 zoning. Residential/commercial development on our Golf Course is an outrageously bad idea that must be turned down. Our green spaces need protection, not development. Mixed Use Zoning was considered a low priority by Shores residents on the recent Strategic Planning Survey. Building heights should be limited to 3 stories along 2nd Ave. Shores residents are interested in preserving our quality of life. Commercial development Interferes with that.

Answer:

Thank you for your feedback and comments. The balancing of uses, densities, and intensities on a mix-use land use district and a zoning classification should do exactly to your point, preserve the quality of life by providing strategic aspects, such as limitation on height, requirement of open space and landscaping, lot coverage maximum and many other specifications. In addition, existing single-family and open spaces areas should be protected and improved. All your comments will be part of the Village’s consultant and staff recommendations.

Question: I would like to request that there are no existing zone changes, especially not a change to “B-2”. I don’t want any business like those approved in that zone on our waterway.

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Question: As a resident and Shores taxpayer for more than a decade, and with two young children at home, I would like to request that there are no existing zone changes, especially not a change to “B-2” which would ensure that no further businesses impede on our quiet and safe neighborhood. I live along the “fence” behind the former KMart and those new businesses bring unwanted noise at all hours (4am, etc.), pollution as their trash and shopping bags end up in our yard, pests, loitering and more. I would not want to see this persist along the rest of Biscayne or anywhere near us in the Shores. Please protect our neighborhood, our future here and more importantly the children.

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Question: Regarding the parcel of land on 105th Street and Biscayne Blvd, as a resident directly affected by any development at that site, I would like to request that there is no zone change to a B-2 designation, and no gas station. Certain establishments such as gas stations and fast food restaurants are a disaster waiting to happen for the wellbeing of both our community and the greater environment of Biscayne Bay. I would prefer to see the area developed for single or multi-family use. Regarding the golf course and our historic country club, I would not welcome any changes in the existing green spaces that would result in developing the land for any purpose outside of parks and recreation. Thank you for considering feedback and comments from our community.

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Question: While resolving the improper use issue, provide regular progress updates. We don't know the full story impact story because we aren't being told. Second, communicate more frequently and transparently. Control the narrative rather than allowing citizens to do that. If you need help, call me- I have significant experience in this area and I'm so convinced of the need for this, I would almost volunteer to do it. The village needs to balance citizen feedback with preparations and protections for future threats including rising sea levels, etc. Develop the kind of businesses that keep Miami Shores money in Miami Shores. This means a vibrant and diversified downtown with dining and shopping that has capacity and appeals to individuals and families. Focus on diversified development that minimizes harm to the environment. While some are weary if zoning for areas near waterways includes the possibility for gas stations and add more grocery store capacity.

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Question: Common sense should prevail in land use in a small residential municipality such as MSV. Do not change zoning to allow for this. We do not need a gas station butting up against an ocean access canal. We are concerned with toxin leakage into the neighborhood especially with sea level rise and King Tides. Aesthetically it would be an abomination and negatively impact our property values. Whose interest is in mind with this? Let’s see comparative models about the taxes that can be procured yearly with different uses. We really need conscious forward thinking and not in the moment grab for low hanging fruit. Everyone lives downstream so to speak. We can all do better. I trust that heads and hearts will harmonize for the greater good. We would like MS to continue to be a decent place to live.

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Question: Can we get a Kayak Launch this time? Please?

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Thank you for your feedback, the Village is pursuing grants to develop a Parks Master Plan, it is the Village desiree to provide inviting and safe areas for recreation so please stay tune for more information.

Question: The current B-1 multi-Family designation at 10500 Biscayne BLVD, goes with the existing character of the Village of Miami Shores. There is no reason to change to B-2, especially by the fact that the property is adjacent to and surrounded by single family residences.

Answer:

Thank you for your feedback, just for clarification purposes, the property at 10500 Biscanye Blvd is zoned A-2 (Multifamily and hotel), please check our interactive zoning map at https://msvfl.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=2a24715571174d1b9ea70bd8ca2ca1ae. Also please stay connected for updated within our webpage since we will be sharing recommendations here. Your comments will be included on our report and during the amendment process.

Question: The property is adjacent to Biscayne Canal, Part of the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve, and Outstanding Florida Water Body, that deserves the utmost protection according to state statutes. Endangered species(American crocodiles, small tooth sawfish, Manatees) use the waterway to breed and forage. Other options are also available to provide a park, greenspace, Village History Museum, or Environmental educational center in conjunction, with F-DEP, FWC, Miami-Dade County DERM, the SFWMD, FIND, the Village of Miami Shores and other agencies, to educate the public about the local environment and our natural resources and Biscayne Bay. The property is located on the Florida Ridge and the Biscayne Aquifer, with a rich history of the original pioneers (Julia Tuttle, Henry Flagler, etc.) who settled in our area.

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Question: What is the time frame for all suggestions? Please explain and clarify the statements made by others at the public meeting, that stated as fact that over 50% of the residences are out of compliance with FEMA and existing insurance coverage for single family residences. The those regulations would only impact homes damaged by more that 50% if a Catastrophic Category 5 hurricane made landfall in the Village. The Miami- Dade Feasibility Study (2015), the Miami Shores Village Environmental Vulnerability Study(2018), the FEMA and Flood Zone Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) data, does not support any of those inaccurate statements.

Answer:

Suggestions for recommendations will be open until June 1, 2022. Regarding the impacts due to non-conforming lot size, density, and others extend beyond flood and rebuilding after a catastrophic event, impacts to insurance, financing, and tax assess value are other considerations involving the comprehensive plan inconsistencies. Further analysis will be included as part of the recommendations so please so please stay connected for updated within our webpage since we will be sharing recommendations here. Your comments will be included on our report and during the amendment process.

Question: The golf course park and property were donated to the Village of Miami Shores many years ago and the reason was to provide park and greenspace for the residents of the Village. No FLUM Map or Comprehensive Plan changes should be allowed that would impact the existing character of our Village in favor of development over the Quality of life we have in the Village.

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Question: Residence are already being affected by flooding, air, noise, and groundwater pollution from the existing development approved by Miami-Dade County between NE 108st and the Village border on Biscayne BLVD. No remedies have been implemented to address these issues. The village code does not allow for those impacts to existing residences. Please provide us with your feedback and recommendations at the next meeting. T

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Question: This whole situation upsets me. Don't know why you have to go back to fix things, what about grandfathering in people and buildings that don't comply. Many of this houses and buildings were built in the 40's, 50's and 60's. Also please leave the country club alone. And the other open spaces as well. Do we really need more houses and apartments? The traffic is already awful. The country club adds class to Miami Shores. Why can't they just leave things the way they are.

Answer:

I understand your frustration and appreciate your feedback especially since it is an uncomfortable topic for you. Regarding the steps towards having to fix the Comprehensive Plan is due to past modifications done to the Village Comprehensive Plan, the modifications done are affecting a vast majority of single family and multi-family properties in the Village. Non-conformities can and should be apply to a small sub-set of property/uses/structures when a modification or update is occurring but it should the exception not the rule. Your comments will be included on our report and during the amendment process. Thank you and please let us know if you have any more questions or comments.

Question: Hi, I appreciate your attempt to get the citizens of Miami Shores involved in the Comp Plan amendments. Since I've attended most of the recent council meetings, as well as P&Z meetings and your recent planning session, it's clear to me that most of the village is not paying attention to this matter or your attempt at outreach. Some say that it's because people don't care. I believe that Villagers don't realize what's at stake. I think it's important to create more chances for people to get involved and understand the issues. If changes are made to the existing Comp Plan, than i believe that there should be a referendum on these changes. Changes to the comp Plan that will effect so many residents should not be left up to 5 councilmembers who were elected by so few residents. Respectfully, Carol Eannace Respondek

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Question: Hi Claudia. I would love to see more mixed use residential development in the Shores, however the septic-to-sewer issue is the most pressing one for me.. and probably impacts any new developments… when can we expect progress and a transition to begin? Funding mandates? Thanks.

Answer:

Thank you for your feedback, the Village is currenlty developing the scope to lay out the infrastructure planning and action tasks for such capital improvement project, therefore, please stay tune for more information.