MDPL’s Advocacy Committee has reviewed the following projects on the upcoming Historic Preservation Board agenda and offers our positions below. Have a comment about a project you would like to share with our committee? Contact us.
Please note: the lack of a position on a project does not indicate support for or opposition to that project. To review the Historic Preservation Board Agenda, including public participation information: Click Here
- 7410 Collins Avenue
- 1455 Ocean Drive
- 1020 Ocean Drive (Proposal to convert the Clevelander to a residential project)
NEW APPLICATIONS
HPB23-0580, 7410 Collins Avenue
Current Site
Proposed Structure
Click to view the full City of Miami Beach Staff Report
An application has been filed requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness for the substantial demolition and partial restoration of the existing Contributing building and the construction of a new mixed-use addition.
MDPL Position: We support the project subject to the City of Miami Beach staff recommendations.
HPB24-0611, 1455 Ocean Drive.
Current Site
Proposed Structure
Click to view the full City of Miami Beach Staff Report
An application has been filed requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness for the introduction of a canopy structure along 15th Street and a variance from the required setbacks.
MDPL Position: N/A
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Proposal to convert the Clevelander to a residential project with no outdoor bar/entertainment. [Referred by the Land Use and Sustainability Committee]
Massing Study (June 2024)
Massing Study (May 2024)
MDPL Position: We appreciate the Clevelander undertaking a study regarding adding additional massing and height above the currently allowed zoning limitations within the National Register Architectural District. According to Clevelander, the purpose would be to exchange additional massing and height for its outside liquor license. The proposal would include luxury residential housing.
After various meetings with the applicant, we remain greatly concerned regarding the overall massing and compatibility of the new proposed structure to the surrounding historic structures on the site as well as the surrounding historic district.
The current zoning allows for 50′ maximum height, and the Clevelander has yet to propose anything close to the allowed height and FAR. We’re also not sure by the latest renderings about exactly how much extra floor area and height the applicant is suggesting.
Basic questions also remain – is luxury residential compatible with an entertainment district? How would operations such as parking and other services be handled under the new use? Would short term rentals be prohibited? If the project is approved, could it be used as a precedent for other zoning or state preemption? Could incompatible new construction lead to a potential delisting on the National Register of Historic Places? Does Miami Beach and Ocean Drive have the infrastructure to handle the added density and height?
For these reasons, we remain opposed to this effort to rezone the property and urge the historic preservation board to transmit an unfavorable recommendation to the City Commission.
