Res No 133-20-15573RESOLUTION NO.133-20-15573
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Commissioners of the City of South
Miami in support of siting a water park further south of the Zoo Miami pine
rocklands and so long as it is located on land that is not environmentally
sensitive.
WHEREAS, the "Miami Wilds" project, planned to be located next to Zoo Miami, on
Miami -Dade County -owned land at 12400 SW 152 Street, includes a water park, a boutique
hotel, an interpretative learning environment and a small number of retail shops and restaurants;
and
WHEREAS, the planned location for Miami Wilds will be near the last significant tract
of pine rockland in the Miami -Dade County (County); and
WHEREAS, pine rocklands are unique to southern Florida and the South Florida
Rocklands support the only true tropical forest on the U.S. mainland; and
WHEREAS, pine rocklands also provide critical foraging and nesting habitat for a
diverse array of wildlife, including numerous endangered plant and animal species and five
federally endangered Bartram's Hairstreak butterflies 2; and
WHEREAS, less than 2% of pine rockland habitat remains in Miami -Dade County3
making it one of the most endangered of ecoregionO; and
WHEREAS, the City of South Miami Mayor and Commissioners do not oppose the idea
of the full version of a water-themed park in South Dade, but do NOT support one alongside Zoo
Miami; and
WHEREAS, in 2006 the Miami -Dade County Board of County Commissioners
approved the following ballot question:
Provided that revenues will be used to expand Metrozoo facilities and educational
and conservation programs, shall the County be allowed to contract to develop and
operate an entertainment district to include commercial uses and structures such as
water park rides, attractions, food and beverage establishments, a hotel, a family
entertainment center, and gift shops and other concessions on Metrozoo property on
land that is not environmentally sensitive and is outside the animal attractions?
WHEREAS, the intentions of the voters, based on the ballot question from the 2006
election, were that profits from this park would go to Zoo Miami and for educational &
conservation programs; and
I https://www.fws.gov/southeastfire/documents/MSRP PineRocldands
z https://www.zoomiami.org/pine-rockland-programs
3htW://www.tropicalaudubon.org/conservation/12ine-rocklands
4 https�//www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/nt0164
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Res. No. 133-20-15573
WHEREAS, the ballot also clearly stated that this park would NOT be built on land that
is environmentally sensitive; and
WHEREAS, the pine rocklands is NOT the place for the full version of "Miami Wilds";
and
WHEREAS, the current plan is to construct a scaled -down version of "Miami Wilds" on
an existing paved area used for parking on the Zoo Miami property but there are plans for future
expansion into areas that may endanger the pine rockland.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are hereby ratified and confirmed as being true and they
are incorporated into this resolution by reference as if set forth in full herein.
Section 2. The City of South Miami Mayor and Commission are in agreement and
support siting a water park further South of the pine rocklands, including the original concept of
a 130-plus acre theme park that will truly be the envy of the country, rather than the scaled -down
miniaturized version that is being proposed, so long as it is located on land that is not
environmentally sensitive. We support efforts to site a world -class destination in a location that
protects the environment and honors the will of the voters. Current citizens today have become
more and more educated about the need to preserve the limited sensitive and special areas that
we still have left. To this end, we encourage the City of Homestead and Florida City to explore
and report back to the County the options for land that will accommodate this project. This will
accomplish two very important goals. The first is creating the original dream for "Miami Wilds"
and the second is saving the pine rocklands. We encourage the Miami -Dade Board of County
Commissioners to stand with all of us as we work together to protect our resources and find a
new and appropriate home for "Miami Wilds".
Section 3. Corrections. Conforming language or technical scrivener -type corrections
may be made by the City Attorney for any conforming amendments to be incorporated into the
final resolution for signature.
Section 4. Severability. If any section clause, sentence, or phrase of this resolution is for
any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the holding shall
not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this resolution.
Section 5. Effective Date. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon
adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 6th day of October, 2020.
ATTEST:
APPROVED:
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Res. No. 133-20-15573
it I
READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM,
LANGUAGE, LEGALITY AND
EXECUTION THERWIF
ATTOR
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MAYOR
COMMISSION VOTE: 5-0
Mayor Philips:
Yea
Vice Mayor Welsh:
Yea
Commissioner Harris:
Yea
Commissioner Liebman:
Yea
Commissioner Gil:
Yea
Agenda Item No:9.
City Commission Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: October 6, 2020
Submitted by: Thomas Pepe
Submitting Department: City Attorney
Item Type: Resolution
Agenda Section:
Subject:
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Commissioners of the City of South Miami in support of siting a water park
further south of the Zoo Miami pine rocklands and so long as it is located on land that is not environmentally
sensitive. 3/5 (Vice Mayor Welsh)
Suggested Action:
Attachments:
Reso re Miami Wilds Theme Park (2).doc