10-25-2003 Workshop Meeting•
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MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD
WORKSHOP MEETING
OCTOBER 25, 2003
The workshop meeting was called to order by Chairman Fernandez. at 6:03
P. M.. A roll call showed the following persons present:
ROLL CALL:
Richard Fernandez, Chairman
W. Robert Abramitis
Timothy Crutchfield
Caesar Sastre
Donald Shockey — Absent
STAFF PRESENT: Al Berg, Planning and Zoning Director
The draft of the Miami Country Day Motion/Findings was not ready so Mr.
Berg requested that no action be taken on it at this time.
Mr. Berg gave a brief introduction of the draft zoning ordinance that was
previously handed out to the Board members. It was organized into different
chapters of administration, use districts, accessory structures, parking,
landscaping, signs, site plan review, and non -conformities. It was crafted
from the Miami Shores Zoning Code, Miami -Dade County Code, as well
other cities' codes where their definitions or graphics were helpful. When
the proposed code is different from the Miami Shores code, it will be noted
for the Board's information. Changes to the existing code will be explained
and the reasons for the change will be brought to the Board's attention. After
completing a chapter, we will review the existing Miami Shores version to
be sure we haven't missed anything.
Mr. Fernandez viewed the re -write as an opportunity to preserve the goals,
values, and characteristics of the community. He would like to use the draft
code as a resource to perform a cohesive re -write. He has had the benefit to
• attend several charettes on N. E. 2 Avenue redevelopment, as well as other
areas of the Village.
Mr. Crutchfield also indicated that he wanted to use the rewritten code as a
resource. He wanted to ensure design quality. He said that what makes the
Shores special is the decades of different development. He would like one or
two quick overviews for each subject area and then move on to different
sections in order to keep a flow going. He wondered if it would be better to
have a simpler code. Along N. E. 2 Avenue and in the downtown, he
recommended enhancements and design elements. He felt we should do
whatever we can to enhance the concept of a Village Center.
Mr. Sastre expressed appreciation for all the staff effort that went into the
code re -write. He felt the code should be consistent. The code has
established what Miami Shores has become and he wanted to see that
continue. We should look at certain parts of the code but if it isn't broken,
we should not look to fix it. He felt that possible future annexation issues
should also be considered. We now have a new Council and they might have
some areas of the code they want reviewed, but they haven't advised the
Board as of yet.
Mr. Abramitis expressed his concern of where the Village should go. By re-
shuffling the deck, so to speak, we have a chance to make the code more
. user friendly and things are easier to find. Ease of use is a goal. Greenspace
requirements should also be included as well as consistency and aesthetics of
signs. The pressures on the Village to build bigger homes are issues. Do we
want to increase commercialization or stay as we are? The focus of the code
should not be loose. A high degree of structure should be the emphasis.
As Chairman Fernandez understood it, there are four goals. Landscaping,
ease of use, modernization, and annexation are critical issues.
There being no further business before the Board, the urned at
7:25 P. M. .
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d Zoning Board