Resolution 2024-32935 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-32935
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING, FOLLOWING A DULY NOTICED
• PUBLIC HEARING,THE TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECT RECOMMENDED BY
THE ADMINISTRATION FOR THE CENTRAL BAYSHORE NEIGHBORHOOD,
INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF ONE (1) TRAFFIC CIRCLE AT THE
INTERSECTION OF PRAIRIE AVENUE AND 34TH STREET, FINDING THAT
THE PROPOSED TRAFFIC CIRCLE WILL REDUCE THE SPEED OF THE
MOTOR VEHICLES TRAVELING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND
THEREFORE SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST OF PEDESTRIAN AND
VEHICULAR SAFETY IN THE CITY'S RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS;
AND FURTHER REQUESTING THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS ("DTPW")TO APPROVE THE
AFOREMENTIONED TRAFFIC CALMING FEATURES.
WHEREAS, the main objectives of a traffic calming project include: 1) discouraging the
use of local residential streets by heavy vehicles and cut-through traffic; 2) improving the quality
of life in a neighborhood; 3) improving roadway safety and reducing accidents; 4) improving
safety for pedestrians and bicyclists; 5) changing the attitude of drivers towards speed; and 6)
reducing noise and disturbance in the neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, speeding and cut-through traffic in the Central Bayshore neighborhood has
been a concern of the community for some time; and
WHEREAS, staff has been working with a traffic engineering consultant("Consultant")to
develop traffic calming improvements throughout the neighborhood to address community safety
and traffic concerns; and
WHEREAS,the Consultant is proposing the installation of various traffic calming devices
throughout the neighborhood, including sixteen (16) speed tables, two (2) raised crosswalks,
four(4)traffic circles, and one (1) intersection improvement; and
WHEREAS, per DTPW's guidelines, in lieu of 100% approval from all property owners
directly adjacent to the locations where the recommended traffic calming devices are proposed
to be installed,the City may adopt a resolution after a public hearing requesting DTPW to consider
the proposed traffic calming devices; and
WHEREAS, at the October 18, 2023 City Commission meeting, following a duly noticed
public hearing, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2023-32762 approving the
installation of four(4)traffic calming devices: two(2)speed tables, one(1) raised crosswalk, and
(1)traffic circle; and
WHEREAS, Prairie Avenue was identified in the traffic study as a roadway in need of
traffic calming due to the observed speeding, often exceeding the posted speed limit; and
WHEREAS, the roundabout or traffic circle is recognized by the Federal Highway
Administration as an effective speed-reducing device; and
WHEREAS, City staff and the consultant team have determined that the proposed traffic
circle at Prairie Avenue and 34th Street is the optimal device to provide the intended traffic
calming benefit of reduced speeds and lower cut-through volumes throughout the neighborhood,
and, in particular, at this intersection adjacent to a proposed shared-use path.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND THE CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby approve, following a duly noticed public hearing, the traffic calming project
recommended by the Administration for the Central Bayshore neighborhood, including the
installation of one (1) traffic circle at the intersection of Prairie Avenue and 34th Street, finding
that the proposed traffic circle will reduce the speed of the motor vehicles traveling through the
neighborhood and therefore serve the public interest of pedestrian and vehicular safety in the
city's residential neighborhoods; and further request the Miami-Dade County Department of
Transportation and Public Works ("DTPW') to approve the aforementioned traffic calming
features.
PASSED and ADOPTED this Al day Februart 202 y,
ATTEST: .A21414°"4 ".
Steven Meiner, Mayor
FFB 2 3 2024
Rafael E. Granado, City 40:44814
(sponsored by Commissioner Alex Fernandez) I 'W-
Co-Sponsored by Commissioner Tanya K Bhatt EINCORP ORATE y:
Co-Sponsored by Commissioner Joseph Magazine ''9' ®.•• 9
• APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
lArX- 8, 23
City Attorney Date
Resolutions- R7 D
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Aline T. Hudak, City Manager
DATE: February 21, 2024
2:15 p.m. Public Hearing
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING, FOLLOWING A DULY
NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING, THE TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECT
RECOMMENDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION FOR THE CENTRAL
BAYSHORE NEIGHBORHOOD, INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF ONE
(1) TRAFFIC CIRCLE AT THE INTERSECTION OF PRAIRIE AVENUE AND
34TH STREET, FINDING THAT THE PROPOSED TRAFFIC CIRCLE WILL
REDUCE THE SPEED OF THE MOTOR VEHICLES TRAVELING
THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THEREFORE SERVE THE
PUBLIC INTEREST OF PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR SAFETY IN THE
CITY'S RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS; AND FURTHER REQUESTING
THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND
PUBLIC WORKS ("DTPW") TO APPROVE THE AFOREMENTIONED
•
TRAFFIC CALMING FEATURES.
RECOMMENDATION
The City Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission ("City Commission")
approve the Resolution, sponsored by Commissioner Alex Fernandez.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
Traffic calming largely involves the application of physical measures on roadways to reduce the
negative effects of vehicular traffic, alter driver behavior, and improve conditions for pedestrians
and bicyclists. The main objectives of a traffic calming project include: 1) restoring communities
affected by speeding traffic; 2) discouraging the use of local residential streets by heavy
vehicles and cut-through traffic; 3) improving the quality of life in a neighborhood; 4) improving
roadway safety and reducing accidents; 5) improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists; 6)
changing the attitude of drivers towards speed; and 7) reducing noise and disturbance in the
neighborhood.
Speeding and cut-through traffic in the Central Bayshore neighborhood has been a concern of
the community for some time. As a result, City staff has been working with a traffic engineering
consultant ("consultant') to develop traffic calming improvements throughout the neighborhood
to address community safety and traffic concerns. Qn May 17, 2017 the City Commission
approved the Central Bayshore Neighborhood Traffic Calming Project("traffic calming project')
Page 740 of 1278
pursuant to Resolution No. 2017-29865. In addition, the traffic calming project was approved as
part of the 2018 General Obligation (G.O.) Bond - Project# 42. City Commission support for
proposed traffic calming improvements in the Bayshore neighborhood was further memorialized
via Resolution No. 2019-31036 adopted on October 16, 2019.
The Central Bayshore Traffic Study and the subsequent design of proposed traffic calming
devices is intended to address the community's concerns. The study, conducted by the City's
consultant, focused on vehicle speed and volume concerns in the area, and followed the
guidelines outlined in the City of Miami Beach Traffic Calming Manual ("Traffic Calming
Manual").
ANALYSIS
The data collection and analysis process took place during the fall of 2018 and involved the
assessment of speed and volume metrics. These metrics were then evaluated according to a
pre-defined point system, as specified in the Traffic Calming Manual. Any street that scores 2.5
points or greater is eligible for traffic calming. This analysis led to the proposal for the installation
of various traffic calming devices throughout the neighborhood, including sixteen (16) speed
tables, two (2) raised crosswalks, four (4) traffic circles, and one (1) intersection improvement
(Attachment).
As part of the traffic calming process, a ballot survey ("survey") is conducted to measure
community support for the proposed plan. Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation
and Public Works ("DTPW") requires 100% approval from all property owners directly adjacent
to the locations where the recommended traffic calming devices are proposed to be installed.
However, per DTPW's guidelines, in lieu of 100% approval from all property owners directly
adjacent to the locations where the recommended traffic calming devices are proposed to be
installed, the City may adopt a resolution, after a public hearing, requesting DTPW to consider
the proposed traffic calming devices in the interest of public safety.
Based on the results of the survey, a total of five (5) proposed traffic calming devices were not
supported by the directly affected property owners. At the October 18, 2023 City Commission
meeting, following a duly noticed public hearing, the City Commission adopted Resolution No.
2023-32762 approving the installation of four (4) of the opposed traffic calming devices. The
remaining traffic calming device is a proposed traffic circle at the intersection of Prairie Avenue
and 34 Street. Pursuant to recent meetings with an adjacent property owner who opposed the
traffic circle, City staff and the consultant have been exploring potential alternative traffic calming
devices for this intersection. However, City staff and the consultant team have determined that
the proposed traffic circle at Prairie Avenue and 34 Street is the optimal device to provide the
intended traffic calming benefit of reduced speeds and lower cut-through volumes throughout
the neighborhood, and, in particular, at this intersection adjacent to a proposed shared-use path.
It is important to note that Prairie Avenue was identified in the traffic study as a roadway in need
of traffic calming due to the observed speeding, often exceeding the posted speed limit. The
roundabout or traffic circle is recognized by the Federal Highway Administration as an effective
speed-reducing device.
The consultant has submitted the 90% design plans, which are currently being reviewed by City
staff. Comments provided to the consultant by City staff will be incorporated prior to submitting
the plans to DTPW and Miami-Dade County Division of Environmental Resources
Management("DERM")for review. DTPW and DERM will have approximately one (1)month to
provide comments that will be incorporated into the revised 100% design plans. The same
Page.741 of 1278
•
process will be followed for the 100% design plans. The final signed and sealed design plans
are anticipated to be completed in the first quarter of 2024.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
Based on the 2022 Miami Beach Community Survey, 81% of residents expressed concerns
with pedestrian safety (vehicles not yielding to pedestrians) when crossing the street at an
intersection. Over half of the residents surveyed (56.5%)walk as one of their primary modes of
transportation within the City. Furthermore, 52.2% of residents surveyed expressed that capital
projects that involve more walking/biking friendly streets, greenways, and paths are among the
top three most important types of capital projects.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The estimated cost for the design and construction phases of the traffic calming project is
$2,500,000. Funding in the amount$880,000 has been allocated under G.O. Bond Project#42
and $1,636,001 has been allocated under Capital Project No. 20118.
Amount(s)/Acount(s):
N/A
CONCLUSION
Given that the proposed traffic circle at Prairie Avenue and 34 Street is deemed warranted and
strategically located to achieve the goal of effective traffic calming within the Central Bayshore
neighborhood, the City Administration'recommends that the City Commission consider and
adopt the Resolution, thereby approving the installation of the proposed traffic circle not
supported by the directly impacted property owners. The traffic circle is deemed necessary to
reduce the speed and volume of vehicles traveling through the neighborhood and ensure the
effectiveness of the Central Bayshore traffic calming project.
Applicable Area
Middle Beach_
Is this a"Residents Right Does this item utilize G.O.
to Know" item, pursuant to Bond Funds?
City Code Section 2-14?
Yes Yes
Strategic Connection
Neighborhoods -Work with partners to address regional safety issues.
Legislative Tracking
Transportation and Mobility
Sponsor
Commissioner Alex Fernandez and Co-sponsored by Commissioners Tanya K. Bhatt and
Joseph Magazine
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Page 742 of 1278
o Attachment—Map of Proposed Bayshore Neighborhood Traffic Calming Devices
o Resolution
o email of support from Bayshore HOA
D Proposed Amendment to Item R7 C - From Commissioner Fernandez
Page 743 of 1278
BAYSHORE NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING MAP .
LEGEND
• TRAFFIC CIRCLE(3)
• OPPOSED TRAFFIC CIRCLE 1 N
(1) Y
ARAISED CROSSWALK(2) • •
Mill .
SPEED TABLE(18)
■INTERSECTION
IMPROVEMENT(1) • -
IIISTREET SEGEMENT TO BE
ELIMINATED
IMMO
111
Iaft am Et
G •
O
r
nal
1111111
, % 1 ^.!`.
•
Mimi
a E3\a6
`O CO ,
. . ,r_.o e
• Page 744 of 1278 UPDATED 11/17/2023
Cardillo, Lilia
From: Fernandez,Alex
Sent: Tuesday, December 12,2023 10:14 AM
To: Granado, Rafael;Cardillo, Lilia
Cc: Matteo-Salinas, Monica;Williams, Rickelle;Gonzalez,Jose R.
Subject: FW: Bayshore HOA support of Item R7 C
Hi Lilia,
Please include the below email of support as a supplement to R7C.
Thanks
Alex
0 Alex Fernandez,Commissioner
City of Miami Beach
1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Tel:305-673-7106 I www.miamibeachfl.gov
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical,
historic community.
From:Bayshore Homeowners<bayshoreha@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, December 12, 2023 10:06 AM
To: Fernandez,Alex<Alex@miamibeachfl.gov>; Rosen Gonzalez, Kristen<Kristen@miamibeachfl.gov>; Meiner,Steven
<StevenMeiner@miamibeachfl.gov>; Dominguez, Laura<Laura@miamibeachfl.gov>; Bhatt,Tanya
<Tanya@miamibeachfl.gov>;Suarez,David<David@miamibeachfl.gov>; Magazine,Joe<Joe@miamibeachfl.gov>
Subject:Bayshore HOA support of Item R7 C
1 Some people who received this message don't often get email from bayshoreha@gmail.com.Learn why this is important
[THIS MESSAGE COMES FROM AN EXTERNAL EMAIL- USE CAUTION WHEN REPLYING AND OPENING LINKS OR
ATTACHMENTS I
Dear Mayor and Commissioners,
Traffic has been a widespread concern throughout the Bayshore neighborhood for many years now.
We appreciate the Commission's efforts to address this concern as presented in agenda item R7 C, sponsored by
Commissioner Fernandez.
The Bayshore Homeowners Association supports the traffic calming project. Our support of the traffic circle at 34th
Street and Prairie Avenue is based on the forthcoming amendment by Commissioner Fernandez to eliminate the
proposed sidewalk at the southeast corner of the traffic circle and its connecting crosswalks.
Page 74� of 1278
Sincerely
The Bayshore HOA Board
Bayshore Homeowners Association
P.O. Box 403596
Miami Beach, FL 33140-1596
bayshorehoa.com
Page 74g of 1278
COMMISSIONER ALEX J. FERNANDEZ
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ITEM R7C
In consultation with the Transportation and Mobility Department, and due to the
lack of any connecting sidewalks along the south side of W 34th Street (east of
Prairie Avenue) and along the east side of Prairie Avenue (south of 34th Street), I
would like to propose adoption of R7C with the removal of the proposed
crosswalks and sidewalk at the southeast corner of W 34 Street and Prairie
Avenue, highlighted below:
..._• ; Mara: >. Yw�'ra
I I�i : i rA I =
1TOP�1 A.., .a...: •
,wr
C
. I IR'0194
:s _
i • i�7r: - — ----..._
i r ;. o
•
4, I- . / - i . , . :...4,4.,
/�{-
m e o e a I C • I LEr 1
I It' r I!
I ar...Y.
IBRrYlora ! +� sI: I �.j .. a+a�oarwiRern��
TRIIFFC MIAOW•W TRAFFIC CIRCLE ' ' r rr r....r._. ;..-, wF. _ -—•w ...
Page 749 of 1278