Our Positions at the May 14th, 2024 Historic Preservation Board

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MDPL’s Advocacy Committee has reviewed the following project on the upcoming Historic Preservation Board agenda and offers our positions below.

Please note: the lack of a position on a project does not indicate support for or opposition to that project. Have a comment about a project you would like to share with our committee? Contact us.

To review the Historic Preservation Board Agenda, including public participation information: Click Here

  1. Citywide Digital Information Kiosks.
  2. The Lincoln Road right-of-way generally bounded by Lincoln Lane North to the north, Washington Avenue to the east, Lincoln Lane South to the south and Lenox Avenue to the west, Lincoln Road Master Plan
  3. 1709 Jefferson Avenue
  4. 1776 Collins Avenue and 1775 James Avenue
  5. 947 Lincoln Road

CONTINUED ITEMS

HPB23-0590, Citywide Digital Information Kiosks

Current Site

Proposed Structures

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An application has been filed requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness for the design of Digital Information Kiosks to be installed within the right-of-way.

MDPL Position:  We are thankful to the applicant for their continued refinement of the digital kiosks, taking into account Historic Preservation Board feedback from their March meeting. We are supportive of the refined design and support the application subject to staff conditions.

Previous MDPL Position [From March 12, 2024]: : We are thankful to the applicant for retaining local architect William Lane to further customize the kiosks to fit the “Miami Beach” aesthetic, based on feedback from the community and HPB members. We believe with the refined design alternatives, the kiosks will have a unique aesthetic different from other municipalities.

We are also excited to partner with Ike on the Miami Beach tours app, which will showcase historic landmarks nearby, based on the location of the kiosk, and help educate locals and visitors alike about the architectural history of Miami Beach.

The applicants have reached out to adjacent property owners and have adjusted locations based upon their feedback. We are appreciate of the continued outreach and support the application subject to staff conditions.

Previous MDPL Position [From December 12, 2023]: MDPL has previously held a position in opposition to digital kiosks similar to those in the application. However, understanding that the kiosk contract has been approved by the City of Miami Beach, we are focusing our position on the appearance and impact of the structures on the adjacent historic surroundings.

We appreciate the reduction in size of the kiosk by the applicant, and that they have proposed to highlight local businesses and cultural programming as part of the kiosks. With many of our existing wayfinding in a state of deterioration, we look forward to better maintained and more informative wayfinding than currently exists on our city streets.

We do have some concerns regarding the siting of some of the kiosk locations – in particular to ensure that kiosks are not placed in close proximity to historic structures. We shared this feedback with the applicants during their presentation to the advocacy committee. Aside from that, we are generally supportive of the proposal and look forward to the HPB members deliberations.

HPB23-0595, The Lincoln Road right-of-way generally bounded by Lincoln Lane North to the north, Washington Avenue to the east, Lincoln Lane South to the south and Lenox Avenue to the west, Lincoln Road Master Plan.

Current Site

Proposed Structure

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An application has been filed requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness for the design of the Lincoln Road Master Plan.

MDPL Position:  We continue to support the proposal subject to City of Miami Beach staff recommendations

MDPL Position [From February 14, 2024]:  We support the proposal according to City of Miami Beach staff recommendations.

NEW APPLICATIONS

HPB23-0604, 1709 Jefferson Avenue

Current Site

Proposed Structure

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An application has been filed requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness for the construction of a new townhouse development to replace an existing surface parking lot, one or more waivers, and a variance to exceed to the maximum permitted fence height.

MDPL Position: MDPL is supportive of the project subject to City of Miami Beach staff recommendations. We are excited to see a surface parking lot transformed into housing.

HPB24-0607, 1776 Collins Avenue and 1775 James Avenue

Current Site

Proposed Structure

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An application has been filed requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness for the introduction of a ground level covered breezeway structure.

MDPL Position:  We are supportive of the proposal subject to City of Miami Beach staff recommendations.

HPB24-0608, 947 Lincoln Road

Current Site

Proposed Structure

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An application has been filed requesting a Preliminary Evaluation for exterior façade modifications.

MDPL Position:  MDPL is excited with the prospect that the property will be reinvigorated with a new tenant. We thank the tenant for presenting to our advocacy committee. The general consensus of the project is very positive. We would like to encourage the introduction of awnings to the window openings, similar to the historical documentation.

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