MDPL’s Advocacy Committee has reviewed the following applications and offers our below positions. Please note, the lack of a position on a project does not indicate support or opposition to that project.
Editors Note: Items with blue highlighting were shared previously, while items with yellow highlight are new/updated positions.
Full HPB Board Agenda link, including public participation information: click here.
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Other Business
4. HPB20-0446, 7275 Collins Avenue, North Beach Bandshell – Designation of an Historic Site
MDPL Advocacy Position 3/8/21
MDPL is fully supportive of the local designation of the North Beach Bandshell. It is an important landmark of North Beach and we have been actively advocating for its local designation for the last several years. In addition, we encourage the city to look at National Register nomination after the local designation is completed.
Continued Items
5. HPB20-0431, 880 71st Street
An application has been filed requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness for the construction of a mixed use development project on a vacant lot and variances from the requirements to provide residential or commercial use to screen parking at the ground level, from the required rear setback, minimum average apartment size, open space requirements in rear yard, and maximum allowable projection in required yards.
MDPL Advocacy Position 1/12/21
We support the Staff Recommendations. We would like to request that the final order for approval include a requirement that a plaque be placed on a publicly accessible wall denoting the Tropicaire, the MiMo building that was left to neglect and demolished just before the historic designation of the neighborhood. Such plaque should include a brief history and historically accurate image of the original building
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Discussion Items
6. RM-3 Oceanfront Properties within the Architectural District, height for additions – Ordinance
MDPL Advocacy Position 3/8/21
We are generally supportive of the zoning proposal as it relates to a small height increase to allow a rooftop addition.
We do think that the contextuality and compatibility of the design within the historic district needs to be further explored, and that this will happen during the design review process at the HPB. Unfortunately, the adjacent Setai hi-rise is overwhelming to the Seagull property.
We are in general concerned about the vacation of public property, we believe this should be measured and on a case-by-case basis. However, given the situation of this property and it being overwhelmed, and the proposed plans for revitalization of this MiMo landmark, we are generally supportive of the zoning proposal.
7. Process for the survey of single-family properties within the City
MDPL Advocacy Position 3/8/21
We reiterate our long-standing position that single-family homes within Miami Beach continue to be at risk of demolition. The alarming spike in recent demolition requests, related to a flight of capital from north to south, is once again putting our built heritage at risk of speculator-driven demolition.
MDPL continues to support the adoption of the Coral Gables demolition review process, for buildings located outside of historic districts that are more than 50 years old. In addition, we believe a demolition fee per square foot should be explored. Such fee could be put into an account at the city that may be used for surveying of historic properties and ongoing preservation efforts.
The Historic Preservation Board should continue to focus on this issue, starting with a surveying effort of architecturally significant waterfront homes. MDPL is committed to helping with the survey process and all future steps.
