Virginia Key Master Plan Public Meetings in July

A new (and hopefully improved) Virginia Key Master Plan is scheduled to make the rounds of City advisory boards beginning July 13 and culminating with the Miami City Commission July 22, 2010, according to Luciana Gonzalez at the City’s planning department.

One caveat: it’s only a “tentative” schedule:
 
•     July 13, 2010- Waterfront Advisory Board
•     July 15, 2010- Parks Advisory Board
•     July 21, 2010- Planning Zoning and Appeals Board
•     July 22, 2010- City Commission
  

No telling what the new proposed Virginia Key Master Plan looks like just yet - nothing has been posted on any website and there have been no public hearings, workshops or information meetings since the City of Miami Commission deferred approval of the last plan in October 2009.

At the time, the City Commission said they wanted to defer approval of the plan to give more time for public input.

Hopefully, the new proposal will be posted on the City's website before it gets to the Waterfront Advisory Board to give the public - which, after all, owns Virginia Key, - a chance to see it and the time to prepare constructive comments.

Here's what the City of Miami Planning Department has posted on its Virginia Key site to date:

The City of Miami is seeking to implement a master planning process that studies Virginia Key in its entirety. It is the Master Plan’s intent to develop meaningful waterfront and public open space areas; offer policies for the use, development, and management of land; the protection and enhancement of natural resources while providing the necessary infrastructure and traffic flow to serve future improvements to the island.

The City’s population growth, coupled with current urban development trends and demands for waterfront access and recreation has created the need for a comprehensive master plan study. The proposed Virginia Key Master Plan will emphasize the opportunities for mixed-use waterfront development, integrate and preserve the historic Virginia Key Beach Park, as well as make recommendations for future island wide improvements and protection of remaining public beaches, parks, and conservation areas.

The City is directing all questions -- (WHAT IS THE PLAN? comes to mind) -- to the Planning Department, email: planning@ci.miami.fl.us or Fax (305) 416-2156 or P.O. Box 330708, Miami, FL 331233.



Resources:
http://ci.miami.fl.us/planning/pages/master_plans/VKey.asp
http://www.virginiakeymasterplan.com/ (website created by EDSA, the City of Miami’s consultant on Virginia Key)