City of Miami

Sea Level Rise Committee

Meeting Notes March 29, 2018

6:00 PM Miami City Hall Commission Chambers

3500 Pan American Drive Miami, Florida

MISSION

To study sea level rise and its effect on the City of Miami, incorporating all available information on the

subject; and make recommendations and help to frame legislation to be considered by the City

Commission, for enhancing the resilience and sustainability of all the City’s communities from the impact

of sea level rise

Wayne Pathman, Chair Jose Regalado, Vice Chair

Kilan Ashad-Bishop, Member Reinaldo Borges, Member

Albert Gomez, Member Pete Gomez, Member

David Martin, Member James Murley, Member

In attendance: Wayne Pathman, Jose Regalado, James Murley, Reinaldo Borges, Pete Gomez, Albert, Gomez, Patrick Rynne Absent: Kilan Ashad-Bishop, David Martin

Office of Resilience Update - Jane Gilbert

Stormwater Master Plan: Commission approved contract for SWMP. Will meet with new Director of Capital Improvements to see what work from the contract can be used in the Economic Risk Analysis report which will identify cost of inaction as well as cost/benefits of various mitigation strategies for the City.

o SWMP has to consult with SLRC throughout the process and get approval. o Jose Regalado will serve as a liaison.

Miami Forever Bond Citizen’s Oversight Board: Commission approved Citizen’s Oversight Board. Next step is appointing members. Timeline: should be set up by the summer.

Greater Miami and the Beaches Resilience Strategy: In Phase II of GM&B and identifying actions to go into the resilience strategy.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program: State funding was cut back and City of Miami allocation got cut back to $13Mil for one project.

Bloomberg Mayors Challenge: Awarded to the City for communication platform and Ajani is working with Innovation office on this. Project is very early stages, will return to present on it in the future.

Resilient Infrastructure Working Group: Drafted a formal format and sent it to the City Manager. There is interest in a public aspect of this working group but public meetings would compromise the functionality of the group since they directors wouldn’t be able to discuss projects openly.

40-year Sea Level Rise Action Plan for City – Wayne Pathman

Create a document outlining the City of Miami’s response to sea level rise over the next 40 years. This document will show the City takes the threat seriously and will provide answers to those looking to make long term investments.

This plan would be supplemental to the Comprehensive Plan since that Plan addresses a 20 year time horizon.

Other places such as City of New York, Norfolk and Washington (state) have already come up with similar plans.

First workshop to address has been set for Wednesday, April 25th at 10:30am. Recap February 22 Quarterly Commission Appearance – Jane Gilbert

Updates on the Economic Risk Analysis as well as the results of Reinaldo’s Architect workshop were relayed to the Commission.

The Commission has asked for clear resolutions to work on. o Ajani is drafting the Adaptation Action Districts resolution. o Reinaldo is working on Design Guidelines informed by the Architect workshop.

Pay Up Climate Polluters, Miami Climate Alliance – Maggie Fernandez

The Pay Up Polluters campaign was produced by Miami Climate Alliance in association with the Center for Climate Integrity

The campaign is meant to educate lawmakers and taxpayers on climate liability. Local government and taxpayers are responsible for paying for resilience measures and they believe it is unjust that oil and utility companies have no obligation to help pay for resilience projects.

Miami Climate Alliance would like the Sea Level Rise Committee to pass a resolution for all the costs of climate adaptation and mitigation to be itemized/inventoried going forward.

o The Board is interested in passing a resolution but would like MCA/Maggie to meet with Office of Resilience to flesh out how this fits into the scope of the Sea Level Rise Committee as well as what should be included as a climate expenditure.

More information can be found at www.miamiclimatecost.com Adaptation Action Districts – Albert Gomez

Adaptation Action Districts create a short-term solution to addressing the resilience of already approved projects that are in the City’s pipeline.

Resolution would not counter the Comprehensive Plan, would expedite Building Code updates, and create benchmark/demonstration projects that can inform more formal code changes.

Albert’s Report will be made public and Ajani is currently drafting this resolution.

Miami-Dade County Sea Level Rise Story Map – Jess Foley

Miami-Dade County Office of Resilience produced a sea level rise story map that outlines current and future impacts of sea level rise, what is being done to combat sea level rise, and individual actions that residents can take.

Recommendations from the Committee: let people know what the data sources and assumptions are; stronger focus on action/response; add health impacts information.

Public Comments

Joyce Nelson: Why is underground parking being considered for the Center St project? o The site is roughly 23 feet above sea level and many parts of Coconut Grove are on high

ground. Height above sea level and distance to the water table is being considered for any underground parking project.

Luis Belmonte: As a potential long term investor, where can I go to find out what is currently being done to combat sea level rise and what concerns are for the future?

o Online resources: Capital Improvements GIS portal and upcoming Office of Resilience website. Making this information more publicly assessable is something City of Miami is working on.

o Stormwater Master Plan will define our capital improvements plan for the next 10 years. o Contact a City employee if you have specific questions.

Greg Bloom: Works for 211 hotline and felt that communications during Hurricane Irma were disconnected, outdated and often conflicting. Wants to help and produce a platform that can direct people where to go when they need help.

o Chief Gomez from City of Miami Emergency Management and the Robust Recovery Resilient Greater Miami and the Beaches working group would like to discuss this further.

o Greg expressed the need to address the psychological aspects of sea level rise such especially as it comes to matters such as retreat.

Linda Ching and Alexandra: Before It’s Too Late and Miami Mural Project are hosting a hackathon to come up with creative solutions to help people prepare for sea level rise. They are looking for sponsors as well as in-kind donations.

o Ajani will share information about the hackathon with SLRC members.

Linda Alger: Tatum Waterway on Miami Beach has a moratorium on construction due to historic designation. Historic designation prevents any updates but some buildings are vulnerable to sea level rise – what is City of Miami going to do in cases like this?

o Historic Preservation and resilience are not mutually exclusive and the City is looking at what Miami 21 will allow as well as eliminating barriers in historic designation areas to save buildings that are at-risk.

Maggie Fernandez: This Committee does not address climate change enough. Also, there are not enough women behind the desk at this meeting and across the City.

o Note: Kilan was absent from the meeting.

Linda Alger: Excited that the City’s Moody’s rating improved due to the bond. The City is in a better financial place since it has decided to address resilience.

The City of Miami Commission, the Sea Level Rise Committee, City of Miami Planning and Zoning department and the future of Miami 21.

Understanding Miami 21 Code and existing constructs and tool sets that are available for application of sea level rise ordinances, innovation zones, code changes and design guidelines.

Developing a transparent, inclusive and outwardly engaged project review committee or board to address in real-time all active public/private projects and related pipelines that could be benefited by code changes and innovation opportunities that resolve key code linchpins that hinder resilient neighborhood-centric design.

Word farming the current Miami 21 code for Sea Level Rise impact, threats and vulnerability to existing and future developments.

Strength Weakness Opportunity Threat

Base Elevation Base Elevation

Curb Corridors (Green)

Density & Intensity

Elevation Elevation

Entrance Entrance

Exceptions Frontage (various)

Function Function FEMA Maps

Open Spaces Habitable Spaces Habitable Spaces Habitable Spaces

Height Height Height

Mitigation Mitigation Mitigation

Transit Oriented Development (TOD)

Historic Preservation Ordinance

Pedestrian Shed Marina

Layer Layer Layer Marine -related Industrial Facilities

Marina Retail Front Line Parking, Underground

Special Purpose Plan

Special Purpose Plan

Marine -related Commercial Facilities

NCDʼs Scale Scale Scale

NRDʼs Navigable waterways

Street scape Navigable waterways

NET Street Screen

Structure Thoroughfare

Structure Thoroughfare

Urban Zones Urban Zones

3.10 TRANSECT ZONES Transect Zones can be catalyst for redefining the density and intensity area designation. If SLR resiliency can be increased by re-evaluation of these zones, it should be considered as open for modification, as long as the integrity of the existing community negatively impacted by the rezoning.

3.20 PHASING Phasing should 3.30 LOTS AND FRONTAGES Opportunities for creating SLR and Storm

Surge Hardening.3.40 DENSITY AND INTENSITY

CALCULATIONSFocus on layering district conservation and development strengths and opportunities, along with scaling threats and vulnerabilities to help determine best calculation for future proofing the district and/or zone.

3.50 MEASUREMENT OF HEIGHT

Setting flexible height standards based on lifespan of existing or potential development. Set new standard for development time scale to assure reduced transfer of risk.

3.60 OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING STANDARDS

Transit Oriented Development will fit into the advancing a density and intensity directive that benefits SLR Land Use directives. It will also open up opportunities for flexible ground floor spaces that can be adjusted over time due to changing impacts.

3.70 FENCES AND WALLS Fences and walls should be conceived in a Safe-to-Fail design and in support of protecting vulnerable water front or flood prone properties.

3.80 THOROUGHFARES Thoroughfares should be considered as both evacuation routes, but also flood zones to help contain water and keep it away from properties. This holistic approach must consider where the water will go during severe flood, tidal or storm surge events.

3.90 SPECIAL AREA PLANS Special Area Plans define a construct for development of neighborhood master plans that supports SLR future proofing. If a similar designation can be considered for SLR, it can be used as a vehicle within Miami 21 to harmonize both NCD’s and NRD’s, along with zonal and cross-district vulnerabilities.

3.10 HISTORIC PRESERVATION STANDARDS

Historic Preservation Standards must be considered as is, and utilize easements, set backs, street scapes, street screens, walls and open spaces in support of SLR mitigation. Ultimately, the value of saving something versus modifying it will need to be considered within the auspice of conservation and preservation.

3.11 WATERFRONT STANDARDS

Right now New York is implementing a new WEDG Waterfront Edge Design Guideline that could be considered for benchmarking in South Florida. Since Florida’s ecosystem and geology is different we should consider taking New York’s benchmarks and apply our unique solutions. Creating a South Florida Waterfront Edge Design Guideline (SWEDG) uniquely balancing our built and natural environment in a value matrix which considers the true burden of vulnerabilities and threats for defining the points system will be key to successful future proofing and resilience building. Understanding our time scales for building and their current state will be necessary moving forward.

3.12 DESIGN GUIDELINES AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

Both NCD’s and NRD’s, along with Urban Zones and SAP’s are all constructs and methodologies that fit a solutions approach to SLR. Right now, the districts have language that hinders height flexibility, base elevation and flex spaces. Developing an overlaying zone or district, such as a SLR District would allow for innovation, grant opportunities and harmonization of the existing districts and zone language. It will help develop a SLR design guideline and deliver a more disciplined area planning approach, one that raises up to match the concerns facing the most threatened and vulnerable areas.

3.13 SUSTAINABILITY Sustainability within Miami 21 should evolve into resiliency. This would not be difficult. A good solution for this would be through the upcoming UREx SRN program. The SETS approach to biome/ecosystem management would engage the whole of society and drive a more participatory scenario based modeling.

3.14 PUBLIC BENEFITS PROGRAM

Based on the recent SLR workshop, public benefits can be realized within the construct of SLR planning and zoning via incentive based models that drive change and innovation and support the development of more robust and long lasting structures that are safe to fail and can flex with the rising tide, while motivating development in the face of increasing threats and vulnerabilities.

3.15 AFFORDABLE HOUSING SPECIAL BENEFIT PROGRAM SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS

Since affordable housing is already driven by an incentive based model, it should lead with innovation. This should be the front line of Sea Level Rise Resilient design.

District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5

NDZ Allapattah Coconut Grove East Little Havana

West Little Havana

Edison/Little River/Little Haiti

Wynwood Overtown

NCD Village West Island District and Charles Avenue

Coral Gate

Coconut Grove

Neighborhood Development ZonesAnd

Neighborhood Conservation Districts

Appendix A - Neighborhood Conservation

District

Appendix B - Waterfront Design

Guidelines

Appendix C - Midtown Overlay

District

Appendix D - Miami Worldcenter

Appendix E - Brickell City Centre

Appendix F - Design District

Appendix G - River Landing

Appendix H - Ransom Everglades

Built Environment

Natural Environment

EconomyCommunity SLR

Utilization of Miami 21 Appendix Addendum's for the creation of districts and zones in support of code variances and exceptions that support SLR mitigation.

Flexible Zoning Techniques

SLR Application

Floating Zones It can be used as a tool while different solutions approaches are brought forward to mitigate the SLR threat to the property, development and neighborhood.

Overlay Zones This Overlay zone is the construct on how to develop a new SLR Zone or District designation within the current Miami 21. It can serve to harmonize existing special districts.

Incentive Zoning This should be used in the most vulnerable locations. Once a property or area receives this designation, it can free up developers to innovate for the overall benefit of the community. It must still harmonize with the existing conservation or development district guidelines.

Performance Requirements PRʼs can be implemented in easements and setbacks to help bring innovation to bear in support of reducing threats and vulnerabilities to properties.

Unified Development Ordinances A new UDO could be supported by a SWEDG SFL Waterfront Edge Design Guideline. The overlay zone and associated zoning modification to incorporate SLR resiliency could help develop the new Resilient UDO. This should be the goal of our efforts.

American Planning AssociationProperty Topics and Concepts

Growth Management Tools

SLR Application

Transfer of Development Rights We should empower communities to utilize TDRʼs for Natural Systems solution for Coastal defense. This could help realize SLR solutions in infills, open spaces and coastal waterways and waterfronts.

Inclusionary Housing Regulation Since districts, zones and potential Adaptation Action Areas are being defined to conserve or re-imagine more resilient neighborhoods, IHRʼs could be required to fit in the overall districts plan in support of beneficial density, incentivized amenities for the public and advancing the populations general resiliency. Since this low-income housing is subsidized federally, it should be the first to implement new standards.

Tax Increment Financing TIFʼs should be balanced with the future risk of insurability. As long, as overall resilience is achieved by the neighborhood plan it should be considered. Since true vulnerability mitigation could only occur with a comprehensive plan, TIFʼs should be incorporated in larger scale initiatives to incentivize more holistic planning.

Impact Fees Impact fees should be linked to density, Engineered Life span of buildings based on new modeling and should take into account the true risk of value in the development and the surrounding community. We are currently deficient in this area.

Review of the upcoming MIami - FIU - UREx SRN program in support of a SETS approach or Whole of Society Scenario based modeling and community engagement effort for the development of Sea Level Rise centric and Resilient Design Guidelines.

Integration of an equitable Community Oversight Board that supports the whole of society.

Appointment of a public advocate position within the Internal Resilient Infrastructure Review Committee, along with one committee elected representative which will also sit on the Internal Resilient Infrastructure Review Committee to ensure more public oversight.

Enable a 10 day open public comments period to any decisions brought forward from the Internal Resilient Infrastructure Review Committee.

Formalize a crowd-sourced program with P & Z, FIU and the general public in support of collecting active data on the state of our sea walls and coastal marine infrastructure.

Modify the development design points systems to incorporate a resilience and sea level rise metric of up-to 50% of the overall score.

Short Term Goals