2017-29926 Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 2017-29926
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, RECOMMEND THAT THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (FDOT) WORK WITH THE CITY'S
URBAN FORESTER TO DETERMINE WHICH TREES BETWEEN ALTON
ROAD FROM MICHIGAN AVENUE TO 63RD STREET ARE HEALTHY AND
NOT INTERFERING WITH UTILITIES; TO REMOVE UNHEALTHY OR
MATURE TREES THAT INTERFERE WITH INFRASTRUCTURE; AND TO
INCREASE THE HEIGHT OF ALTON ROAD TO 3.7 NAVD, WHILE
MITIGATING THE EFFECTS TO EXISTING TREES.
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is in the late design stages
for the reconstruction of Alton Road (SR 907) from Michigan Avenue to 63rd Street with
construction expected to begin in 2020; and,
WHEREAS, during the design of the project, the City had requested that FDOT save all
of the existing canopy trees along this roadway and also that FDOT raise the roadway to a
minimum crown elevation of 3.7 NAVD, in accordance with the City Commission amended
Storm Water Management Master Plan; and,
WHEREAS, FDOT conducted an inventory of the existing trees and determined that
many trees will be significantly impacted by the new roadway elevation; and,
WHEREAS, FDOT staff is requesting direction from the City to proceed in one of two
directions:
1) Save all of the existing trees to the maximum extent practicable which may limit
the extent of increasing the roadway elevation during the reconstruction; or
2) Allow many of the existing mature trees to be removed. Due to the overhead
power lines, replacement trees of similar type may not be allowed to be replanted in
the location of where the mature large canopy trees existed; and,
WHEREAS, to gauge the residents' opinion with regards to this project, project
information has been distributed door-to-door by the City to inform residents and address
any of their issues or questions and conduct a public meeting on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at
6 pm, at the Miami Beach Golf Club at 2301 Alton Road to discuss the project and take
questions from the public; and,
WHEREAS, following the meeting, a survey was conducted which results were
inconclusive; and,
WHEREAS, this item was briefly discussed at the Neighborhood/Community Affairs
Committee (NCAC) meeting of June 23, 2017, and referred to the Joint Workshop of the
NCAC and the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Sea Level Rise, which took place on July 12,
2017; and,
WHEREAS, the workshop discussion did generate a few ideas: there is a distinguishable
difference between upper and lower Alton Road with regards to the swale width; the two
directions do not have to be mutually exclusive; undergrounding of FPL lines would negate
the need for pruning the trees which result in their early demise however it is something that
is a lengthy process and would require a significant amount of funding; and raising the
roadway should be the priority as trees have a limited life span; and,
WHEREAS, the members of the Committee and Panel requested that the City's Urban
Forester review the existing trees along the corridor and provide his professional
recommendation using the results of the GIS Tree Inventory, identify trees that must be
removed because they are in conflict with overhead utilities or in poor health and, therefore,
are not projected to have a long lifespan; and,
WHEREAS, the FDOT Alton Road project presents an opportunity to replace these trees
with new, healthy trees that are shorter and will not need to be excessively pruned to
maintain utility clearance, the Urban Forester should work with the FDOT and City
engineers in developing a design that preserves as many of the mature healthy trees as
possible, while meeting other project goals and the requirements set forth by FDOT; and
WHEREAS, mitigation measures could include the introduction of tree wells or retaining
walls or more moderate increases in roadway elevations provided that they are not in
currently low lying areas; and
WHEREAS, the Administration recommends that the Commission find that the general
direction of raising Alton Road to 3.7 feet NAVD to the extent possible with consideration
given for the introduction of mitigating measures to save those trees that have been deemed
mature canopy trees in good health.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, recommend that the Florida Department of
Transportation (FDOT) work with the City's urban forester to determine which trees between
Alton Road from Michigan Avenue to 63rd Street are healthy and not interfering with utilities; to
remove unhealthy or mature trees that interfere with infrastructure; and to increase the height of
Alton Road to 3.7 NAVD, while mitigating the effects to existing trees.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this o?y day of July, 2017. ill
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Resolutions-C7 Q
IAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: July 26, 2017
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, RECOMMEND THAT THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION (FDOT) WORK WITH THE CITY'S URBAN FORESTER TO
DETERMINE WHICH TREES BETWEEN ALTON ROAD FROM MICHIGAN
AVENUE TO 63RD STREET ARE HEALTHY AND NOT INTERFERING WITH
UTILITIES; TO REMOVE UNHEALTHY OR MATURE TREES THAT INTERFERE
WITH INFRASTRUCTURE; AND TO INCREASE THE HEIGHT OF ALTON ROAD
TO 3.7 NAVD, WHILE MITIGATING THE EFFECTS TO EXISTING TREES.
ANALYSIS
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is in the late design stages of the reconstruction
of Alton Road (SR 907) from Michigan Avenue to 63rd Street. Construction is expected to begin in
2020. During the design of the project, the City had requested that FDOT save all of the existing
canopy trees along this roadway. The City had also requested that FDOT raise the roadway to a
minimum crown elevation of 3.7 NAVD in accordance with the City Commission amended Storm
Water Management Master Plan.
FDOT conducted an inventory of the existing trees. During design it was determined that many trees
will be significantly impacted by the new roadway elevation. FDOT staff is requesting direction from
the City to proceed in one of two directions:
1) Save all of the existing trees to the maximum extent practicable which may limit the extent of
increasing the roadway elevation during the reconstruction; or
2) Allow many of the existing mature trees to be removed. Due to the overhead power lines,
replacement trees of similar type may not be allowed to be replanted in the location of where the
mature large canopy trees existed.
Regardless, the Department of Public Works will work with FDOT to save as many trees as possible
during the process but in the event that they must make a choice, FDOT has requested some
direction on this matter.
To gauge the residents' opinion with regards to this project, the attached project information (Exhibit
A) has been distributed door-to-door by the City to inform residents and address any of their issues
or questions. In addition, there was a public meeting on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 6 pm at the Miami
Beach Golf Club at 2301 Alton Road to discuss the project and take questions from the public.
Page 993 of 2495
Following the meeting, a survey was conducted. The survey results and opinions expressed are
attached as Exhibit B.
To summarize the public outreach efforts completed to date:
- Physical letter/meeting invites sent to(352) homes: May 1
- Door to door outreach to(352) homes: May 3, 4, 5
- Digital outreach via email by HML
- Digital meeting invite via NextDoor website
- Public Meeting: May 22 at Miami Beach Golf Club
- Physical mailer/survey call to action sent to (352)homes: May 25
This item was briefly discussed at the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee (NCAC) meeting
of June 23, 2017 and referred to be brought up at the Joint Workshop of the NCAC and the Mayor's
Blue Ribbon Panel on Sea Level Rise. That workshop took place on July 12, 2017. While the
results from the extensive public surveys were inconclusive, the workshop discussion did generate a
few ideas: there is a distinguishable difference between upper and lower Alton Road with regards to
the swale width; the two directions do not have to be mutually exclusive; undergrounding of FPL lines
would negate the need for pruning the trees which result in their early demise however it is something
that is a lengthy process and would require a significant amount of funding; and raising the roadway
should be the priority as trees have a limited life span.
FDOT has expressed that they are intending on increasing the roadway elevation by one foot and
there may be instances where some trees that may be desirable to save would be at conflict. It was
also explained that there are mitigating steps that could be taken to save such trees as the
installation of tree wells or retaining walls.
Taking these ideas into consideration, the members of the Committee and Panel requested that the
City's Urban Forester review the existing trees along the corridor and provide his professional
recommendation. Using the results of the GIS Tree Inventory, the review will first identify trees that
must be removed because they are in conflict with overhead utilities or in poor health and therefore
are not projected to have a long lifespan. This project presents an opportunity to replace these trees
with new, healthy trees that are shorter and will not need to be excessively pruned to maintain utility
clearance. The next step is for the Urban Forester to work with the FDOT and City engineers in
developing a design that preserves as many of the mature trees as possible, while meeting other
project goals and the requirements set forth by F DOT.
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends that the Commission find that the general direction of raising Alton
Road to 3.7 feet NAVD to the extent possible with consideration given for the introduction of
mitigating measures to save those trees that have been deemed mature canopy trees in good health.
Mitigation measures could include the introduction of tree wells or retaining walls or more moderate
increases in roadway elevations provided that they are not in currently low lying areas.
Legislative Tracking
Public Works
Page 994 of 2495
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
❑ Afton Road Trees Survey Fact Sheet
❑ Alton Road Trees Responses
❑ Resolution
Page 995 of 2495
PI a nnedProgree
MIAMIBEA H
Upcoming FDOT Alton Road Projects
Work from Michigan Avenue to east of Allison Road
Project Overview Timeline and Estimated Cost
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)is These projects are currently anticipated to begin construction
developing the design for two roadway and drainage in the fall of 2020.The combined estimated construction cost is
reconstruction projects along State Road (SR)907/Alton approximately$60 million.
Road from Michigan Avenue to east of Allison Road.
Please note this schedule may change due to unforeseen
The City of Miami Beach is reaching out to its residents to circumstances.
inform them of the upcoming FDOT projects and to collect
feedback from the community.The City will be hosting Additional information on the FDOT Alton Road projects may be
a public meeting in several weeks to answer additional found at:
questions regarding the work. http://www.fdotmiamidade.com/design-projects/beaches.html
Scope of Work Sea Level Rise Mitigation
Michigan Avenue to 43 Street: and Landscaping
• Repaving and restriping of the roadway The City and FDOT are preparing for sea level rise through
• Changing the roadway elevation and minor widening elevating roads and implementing storm water pumps.
• Adding two new pump stations with new inlets and Mitigating sea level rise includes the need to harmonize the new
upgrades to the existing drainage roadway to private properties and will impact the existing tree
• Updating pedestrian ramps, signage, pavement canopy.
markings, and lighting to meet the current standards
• Adding bicycle markings along both sides of Alton Road It has been determined that many of the existing trees may
• Enhancing landscape not survive the roadway reconstruction at a higher elevation
because their root systems and trunks would be covered.
43 Street to east of Allison Road: Additionally, many of the existing trees are in failing health or in
• Reconstructing the roadway throughout the length of the conflict with the power lines and may have to be removed.
corridor
• Elevating the roadway profile A landscaping plan is being evaluated along the Alton Road
• Widening existing parking lanes from 43 Street to Pine corridor that would remove the existing canopy and replace
Tree Drive it with a mix of smaller native trees and palms.Additional
• Installing new upgraded pavement markings for bicycle information on the landscaping impacts may be found on the
facilities throughout the corridor opposite side of this sheet.
• Designing and constructing a new drainage system
consisting of curb inlets, and three pump stations(one Public Meeting
will be designed and constructed by the City of Miami Please join City staff to further discuss the FDOT Alton Road
Beach),with three outfalls to the Intracoastal Waterway projects.
• Upgrading roadway lighting to LED
• Upgrading signal mast arms Tuesday, May 23,2017
• Providing signing and pavement markings
• Upgrading pedestrian ramps and sidewalks to current 6 p.m.
standards Miami Beach Golf CLub
• Providing American with Disabilities Act(ADA) 2301 Alton Road
Compliance
For more information on the public meeting, please contact us
at 305.673.7575.
To request this material in alternateformat,.sign language interpreter(jive-day notice required),informp�atic��onon access for persons with disabilities,and/or any accommodation to review any document or pm/inpate
in any city-sponsored proceedings,call 305.604.2489 and select 1 for English or 2 for SpanRage oP+�6f 24 may call via 711(Florida Relay Service).
City of Miami Beach 11700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139 1305.673.7575 mbplannedprogress.com
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Page 997 of 2495 O N
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ALTON ROAD OUTREACH RESPONSES
Were you aware of this Florida Department of
Transportation (FDOT) project before the City of Miami
Beach reached out to you?
Yes 23
No 9
Are you in favor of roadway improvement projects in your
neighborhood to mitigate sea level rise?
Yes 17
No 15
Do you feel adequately informed about this project?
Yes 8
No 24
Do you understand how this protect will affect your
property after learning this new information?
Yes 12
No 20
What aspect of the project are you most concerned about?
Roadway elevations 24
Pump station installation 13
Preservation of trees 16
Construction fatigue 13
OTHER:
Length of project
SEWER LINES
Water runoff onto my property
Page 998 of 2495
Changes in driveways and parking spots
Parking, turn around in Alton
Destruction of quality of life both long term and short term
Underground utilities
Too expensive and not a long-term solution
Being able to turn into my driveway safely with the new elevation when people are
speeding behind you; water from street draining onto my property; drop in property
value
damage done to homes by vibratory roller
Flooding to private property
Road widening; high speed limit of road-cars already going too fast
Road widening, too high speed limit
I don't think this project is worthy.
Insurance Implications, Reverse Condemnation
How much importance should be given to the preservation
of trees along the route of the project?
Take the necessary measures to mitigate sea level rise, despite tree loss and replant 9
where necessary.
Maintain the current trees and do not move forward with the elevation of the
roadway. 14
OTHER:
Elevate roads, bury power lines, replace existing trees with new, larger trees
LIKE TREES MUST BE REPLACED
Move forward but save as many trees possible
Provide adequate canopy species
trees should be replaced with healthy plants; the roadway should not be elevated
If you end up moving forward with project- if there is tree loss, it should be replanted
- not replant where necessary
Maintain trees and elevate roadway
If you plant large trees as replacement trees that is fine, but small short trees is not ok
If you plant large trees as replacement but small short trees is unacceptable
Page 999 of 2495
Are you in favor of the city further exploring the possibility
of undergrounding utility lines between Michigan Avenue
and 63 Street?
Yes 25
No 3
Maybe 4
If so, are you comfortable with a transformer device on an
easement within your property?
Yes 5
No 18
Maybe 9
If you answered "yes," are you aware of a total cost to
you of up to $20,000?
Yes 5
No 16
Maybe 2
Questions or Comments?
I don't understand why the City hasn't planned for putting electricity underground along with this project(it
seems to me to be common sense)with all of our tax dollars and now just because some people HAVE paid
for it--all of us have to pay for it???The city pulled the wool over our eyes on that one.
I have never seen a synopsis of this project so I cannot answer most of these questions with sufficient
knowledge.
Since the city continues to push more and more traffic to Alton ROAD NOT HIGHWAY,the cost for
undergrounding utilities, transformers, etc. should be shared by all roadway users. Put a toll or fee for
roadway use to pay for enhancements that all users will benefit from.
If you go ahead with the Iwo left turns, push the road widening into the golf course property and not the
swale on the southbound side of the road. Begin the left turn lanes from the turn (Looking south on the golf
course property) north of North Michigan Ave. on the northbound side of Alton Rd. You must identify where
these ugly pump stations go, make every effort NOT to put them in front of someone's property, DO NOT
butcher trees, REQUIRE FDOT to agree NOT TO USE a VIBRATORY ROLLER. And FINALLY Postpone the
project indefinitely, we are experiencing TO MUCH ROAD CONSTRUCTION
I would like to get more information about this project.
Page 1000 of 2495