2002-027RESOLUTION NO. 2002-27
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA STRONGLY OPPOSING
THE OPENING OF THE NE 199TM STREET RAILROAD
CROSSING; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
TAKE NECESSARY AND EXPEDIENT ACTION TO
CARRY OUT THE AIMS OF THIS RESOLUTION; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Turnberry Associates has filed a petition with Miami-Dade County
Public Works Department and the State of Florida Department of Transportation
("FDOT") to open the NE 199th Street railroad crossing from Biscayne Boulevard to
West Dixie Highway to serve a planned shopping center to be located on Dixie
Highway; and
WHEREAS, Tinter Associates, Inc., on behalf of the City, conducted a traffic
engineering study of the proposed opening and concluded the following:
A comparison of data established in previous reports (Year 2000)
submitted by Turnberry Associates and collected by Tinter Associates Inc.
has shown that during the A.M. and P.M. peak hours, vehicular traffic has
increased 26 and 39 percent respectively. In addition, previous
reports/studies filed by Turnberry Associates did not evaluate effects of
future development on the crossing.
The railroad crossing as proposed will allow three additional maneuvers at
the studied intersection.
Although previous studies submitted by Turnberry Associates predicted
that the intersection of US 1 and NE 199th Street will operate satisfactorily
with the railroad crossing in place, peak season data and analyses show
extended queue lengths and unacceptable levels of service on several
approaches to the intersection. Several movements are expected to
operate at LOS F, including the southbound left turn, the westbound left
turn and through maneuver and the eastbound right turns.
If it is determined that an additional opening is necessary on Biscayne
Boulevard, the report recommends that the William Lehman Causeway be
utilized to connect to Dixie Highway.
WHEREAS, since the closing of NE 199th Street, the Aventura Police
Department has reported a 50% reduction in traffic accidents; and
WHEREAS, the crossing would negate the engineering efforts of FDOT with the
grade separation project at Ives Dairy and Biscayne Boulevard; and
Resolution No. 2002-27
Page 2
WHEREAS, safety concerns have not been adequately addressed with regard to
vehicles waiting for a train that would have to block the intersection, with little room to
stack vehicles; and
WHEREAS, the quality of life for Aventura residents would be adversely affected
due to additional traffic and congestion in the residential neighborhoods of the City; and
WHEREAS, it would be a grave injustice to the taxpayers of the State of Florida
for FDOT to approve an opening that would negatively impact the multi-million dollar
grade separation project recently completed at Ives Dairy Road and Biscayne
Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission does not oppose making the crossing available
for County emergency fire and rescue vehicles.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, THAT:
Section 1. The City Commission of the City of Aventura is strongly opposed to
the opening of ~'he NE 199th Street railroad crossing and respectfully requests Miami-
Dade County Public Works Department and FDOT to deny the petition filed by
Turnberry Associates.
Section 2. The City Manager is hereby authorized to do all things necessary and
expedient to carry out the aims of this Resolution, and is authorized to expend funds for
legal services and advertising to foster the City's position.
Section 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its
adoption.
The foregoing resolution was offered by Commissioner Rogers-Libert, who
moved its adoption. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cohen and upon
being put to a vote; the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Jay R. Beskin
Commissioner Ken Cohen
Commissioner Manny Grossman
Commissioner Harry Holzberg
Commissioner Patricia Rogers Libert
Vice Mayor Arthur Berger
Mayor Jeffrey M. Pedow
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Resolution No. 2002-27
Page 3
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 7th day of May, 2002.
,/'JECFIO, E~'rvl PERLOW, M,~YOR
C-/-~yleSA M. ~SOI~OKA~ CMC CLERK',--J
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
CITY ATTORNEY