C4B - Living Seawall Incentives

Committee Referrals - C4 {{item.number}}

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

Please place the above item on the City Commission meeting agenda as a referral to the Land Use and Sustainability Committee (“LUSC”).

Living seawalls are manmade installations that attach to existing hard seawalls to improve coastal resiliency and more effectively prevent floods. Additionally, living seawalls’ natural design properties make them useful habitats for marine life. Living seawalls are an opportunity to advance sustainable flood management along Miami Beach’s approximately 55 miles of seawalls.

Currently, seawall construction requires a permit from the City’s Building Department and approval from the Miami-Dade County Division of Environmental Resources Management (“DERM”). State and federal permits may also be required.

I would like the LUSC to discuss and consider potential incentives for the installation of living seawalls on private property via expedited permitting, permit fee waivers or abatements, and expedited processing of permit applications for living seawall enhancements. For instance, the Building Department’s application review can be streamlined, and fees can be discounted to facilitate faster and less expensive approvals. Some of these incentives may require amendments to the City Code.

Additionally, I would like the LUSC to consider ways to incorporate living seawalls into the City’s capital improvement projects. I ask that the City Administration develop preferred vendor policies to identify and promote the use of environmentally sustainable and cost-friendly living seawalls, including companies that use 3D-printing or install living seawall components.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

ANALYSIS

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONCLUSION

Applicable Area

Citywide

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Office of Commissioner Alex Fernandez

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Alex Fernandez

Co-sponsor(s)

Commissioner Laura Dominguez

Condensed Title

Ref: LUSC - Living Seawall Incentives. (Fernandez/Dominguez)

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)