CORAL GABLES
Coral Gables and UM move forward with growth plan
Gables commissioners and UM administrators are making progress on a long-range plan for campus development.
BY TANIA VALDEMORO
TVALDEMORO@MIAMIHERALD.COM
The University of Miami and Coral Gables officials moved a step closer Tuesday toward forging a wide-ranging 20-year pact that spells out the rules for future development on campus and provides new cultural, athletic and medical programs for city residents.
The Coral Gables City Commission unanimously gave its preliminary approval for the development agreement in front of a packed audience, mostly of university supporters.
``I've been waiting a long time to see a proposed development agreement,'' said Gables Mayor Don Slesnick. ``I feel this is a step forward for the university and the city and its residents. It paves the way for an organized future.''
University of Miami President Donna Shalala echoed the mayor's comments on the agreement, which both sides have discussed for the past six or seven years.
``Great cities deserve great universities,'' Shalala said. ``The agreement sets us on a course for appropriate and thoughtful development. I consider this agreement to be the most important accomplishment of my presidency.''
Still, commissioners and residents expressed some concerns. Among them: How much development would be allowed along a new ``campus multi-use area'' along Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Who would own the storm sewers beneath streets being transferred to UM's control? And is it wise to allow alcohol sales at the BankUnited Center?
These issues would be discussed again before a final vote on Sept. 28 -- the same day the City Commission will consider related comprehensive plan amendments, which the state's Department of Community Affairs recently approved.
The development agreement brings all the city's regulatory rules under one document and will eventually replace UM's campus master plan, which was approved in 1991, said Charles Siemon, the city's special counsel.
Here are some of the key features of the pact:
• Creates a new zoning district, known as the ``university campus,'' that is made up of three zones, each with different rules for land use. These are: a buffer zone that includes the first outlying 75 feet of the campus. A transition zone that includes the buffer and the next 225 feet of land; and the core, or innermost part of the campus.
• Creates a new ``campus multi-use area'' along Ponce de Leon Boulevard near the Metrorail Station. Here, the university can build facilities such as a conference center, a hotel, offices, medical and commercial buildings to serve the needs of UM and the public. While commercial development is allowed, retail projects, such as a Gap store, would have to come before the City Commission.
• Adds the university to the city's ``Gables Redevelopment and Infill District'' or GRID, an area designed for high traffic roads that is exempt from certain traffic mitigation rules.
UM has to submit a mobility plan that shows how they would reduce vehicular trips in and out of the campus and how they promote using alternative transportation modes such as the Metrorail.
• Allows UM to increase the number of seats at the BankUnited Center allowed -- from 7,200 to 9,830 seats.
• Allows the university to sell alcohol at the BankUnited Center at adult-oriented events, such as rock concerts.
• Transfers ownership of at least five city streets, a lake and a canal to UM. The city also would convey land once meant for a city fire station back to UM. The university would pay $22 million over 20 years. The money would cover these properties and other development-related fees.
• Establishes a monitoring plan if UM's undergraduate student enrollment exceeds 12,000 students. Jeffrey Bass, an attorney for UM, told commissioners the university has no intention of increasing student enrollment.
• Beautifies a stretch of Ponce de Leon Boulevard between Le Jeune and Red roads. Coral Gables will design and install improvements; UM will pay up to $100,000 for the project between Red Road and Granada Boulevard.
• Stipulates that UM must submit construction plans for a mandated internal road by Dec. 31, 2015 or before the university builds new facilities linked to that road.
Siemon also said the development agreement would not increase the university's development rights to build out 6.8 6.8 million square feet -- that the city has approved for UM's development for uses such as research facilities, dorms, theaters, athletic facilities and parking lots.
But Richard Namon, a local resident, told commissioners that city and UM documents did not indicate where exactly the 6.8 million square feet could be developed. He said he feared the university could build up the Ponce de Leon campus multi-use area, making it resemble one side of Miracle Mile.
Bass, the UM attorney, disputed Namon's comments.
``There's been one million square feet authorized for development in the multi-use area. It is not a commercial district,'' he said.
The development agreement also provides a slew of new university programs to locals. For example, during football season, residents can get tickets to one home football game under a ``buy 1, get 2'' free program. UM also will give 1,000 free tickets to residents to select home games in men's and women's basketball and men's baseball.
Residents also will get free tickets to events at the BankUnited Center.
Throughout the year, there will be six lectures from UM faculty, thanks to the new Coral Gables Lecture Series. There will be four concerts presented by the Frost School of Music, as well as two cultural programs.
The city and UM have agreed to establish a new internship program at City Hall, which gives two students each year experience in government.
Additionally, the university is starting a new ``Meet the Docs'' program, where faculty from the UM Miller School of Medicine would present four lectures on a range of medical issues.
Said Shalala: ``This brings our most popular athletic and cultural programs to the residents of Coral Gables.''
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/14/v-fullstory/1825136/coral-gables-and-um-move-forward.html#ixzz14FcmyF5N
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