Res No 199-14-14293RESOLUTION NO.199-14-1 4293
A Resolution opposing the Miami-Dade County Comprehensive Development
Master Plan change requested by FECI for the Ludlam Trail rail corridor.
WHEREAS,Florida EastCoastIndustries(FECI)ownsan abandoned railway corridor,
"theLudlamTrail",thatrunsbetweenDowntownKendallandtheMiamiInternationalAirport;
and
WHEREAS,greatcitiesthroughouttheUnitedStateshavebeautiful,landscapedlinear
parks,but greater Miami doesnot;and
WHEREAS,studiesshowthatcitizenswholivewithinahalf-mile of alinearparkare
muchmorelikelytoexercise,improvinghappinessofthecitizenryandreducingtheirhealthcare
costs;and
WHEREAS,theLudlamTrailistheonly mid-County tractthatcouldbe converted into
a new linear park;and
WHEREAS,thecitizens of Miami-DadeCountywouldobtainsignificanthealthbenefits
andpleasurefromtheconversion of theLudlamTrailintoarecreationaltrail;and
WHEREAS,aLudlamTrailbikewaywouldprovideadirect,safe,efficientroutefor
commuter cyclists,crossing a significant portion ofthe county thatis presently poorlyservedby
bike routes,encouraging more useof non-motorized transportation options and reducing the
burdensontheregion'scrowdedmotoringroutes;and
WHEREAS,a pedestrian transportation corridor along the Ludlam Trail would provide
safe transportation options for local students walking or biking to three adjacent public schools:
South Miami K-8 School,South Miami Middle School,and South Miami Senior High School,
reducingmorningtraffic congestion onarearoads;and
WHEREAS,the Ludlam Trail would connect withthe existing A.D.Barnes Park,
encouraging more County residents to safely bike to this County park and swimming pool
without adding toroad congestion or parking problems;and
WHEREAS,inpublic forums conducted overtheyears,residents ofSouthMiamiand
the surrounding unincorporated areas have expressed their strong desire to see the Ludlam Trail
converted into a linear park suitable for pedestrian use and bicycle transportation;and
WHEREAS,the Miami-Dade County comprehensive master plan currently designates
the Ludlam Trail corridor asa recreational and parks amenity;and
WHEREAS,FECI is seeking a change to the Miami-Dade County comprehensive
master plan that would pave the way for construction of more than 2300 housing units within the
100'wide abandoned rail corridor;and
WHEREAS,new development surrounding rails-to-trails conversions acrossAmerica
have provided greater return to thetax base than development within the abandoned rail beds;
and
Res.No.199-14-14293
WHEREAS,converting the Ludlam Trailintoa linear park would promote higher value,
mixed-use redevelopment inthe industrial and low-value retail districts between SW 44th St and
Flagler;and
WHEREAS,FECIhasnot conducted the appropriate public outreach prior to conceiving
theirplan,nor provided thepublicwithacompleteproposal showing whattheyplantoconstruct,
with dimensions for the entire corridor;and
WHEREAS,thelanduse change proposed by FECI doesnot guarantee the creation or
maintenance of a recreational trail;and
WHEREAS,overtwohundredcitizenshaveattendedrecentcommunitycouncil
meetings andexpressedtheirstrong opposition toFECFscurrentproposaldespiteminimal
notice bythe County.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA,THAT:
Section1.TheCity Commission hereby expresses itsoppositiontotheLudlamTrail
comprehensive master plan change currently sought by FECI and requests thatthe County deny
transmittal oftheproposedchangetothestateand regional agencies.
Section2.TheCity Commission authorizes theCityMayortowritemoredetailed
letters tothe County and the press presenting the City's opposition tothe proposed land use
change and supporting the creation ofa Ludlam Trail linear park.
Section 3.If any section clause,sentence,or phrase ofthis resolution is for any
reason held invalid or unconstitutional bya court of competent jurisdiction,the holding shall not
affectthevalidity of theremainingportionsofthis resolution.
Section 4.This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSEDANDADOPTEDthis 7th_dayof October 2014.
ATTEST:
id *»-J Jnivt^rtJljh
APPROVED:
bfirY CLERK ^7 f
READAK^l^PROVED/CS^rO^ORM,
LANQUAOKXEGALybY AND/
E^OTHpN THEREOF ~/
MAYOR
COMMISSION VOTE:
Mayor Stoddard:
Vice Mayor Harris:
Commissioner Edmond:
Commissioner Liebman:
Commissioner Welsh:
5-0
Yea
Yea
Yea
YeaCYY^KJ roRNgw ///Yea
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