[Music] [Music] w [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] e [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] d [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] I is I was trying the other way it's like it's not working how [Music] fancy so easy I mean as long as I can zoom in I'm good okay technically we have porn but I'm going to wait for at least one more person so we're not just five I'm going to wait for pig to sit down so we're not just [Music] f um just say it and we'll put it in the record is there anyone that you want to [Music] [Music] [Music] hear good afternoon welcome to the regularly scheduled meeting of the city of KL Gables historic preservation board we are residents of KL Gables and are charged with the preservation and protection of historic architecturally worthy buildings structures sites neighborhoods and artifacts which impart a distinct historical Heritage of the city the board is comprised of nine members seven of whom are appointed by the commission one by the city manager and the ninth is selected by the board and confirmed by the commission five members of the board constitute a quorum and five affirmative votes are necessary for the adoption of any motion lobbyist registration any person who acts as a lobbyist pursuant to the city of K Gable's ordinance number 2006-11 must register with the city clerk prior to engaging in lobbying activities or presentations before City staff boards committees and or the city commission a copy of the ordinance is available in the office of the city clerk failure to register and provide proof of registration shall prohibit your ability to present to the historic preservation board an applications under consideration this afternoon a lobbyist is defined as an individual Corporation partnership or other legal entity employed or retained whether paid or Not by a principal who seeks to encourage the approval disapproval adoption repeal passage defeat or modifications of any ordinance resolution action or decision of any City Commissioner any action decision recommendation of the city manager any City board or committee including but not limited to quasi judicial Advisory Board trust Authority or counsel or any action decision or recommendation of City personnel during the time period of the entire decision-making process on the action decision or recommendation which foreseeably will be heard or reviewed by the city commission or a city board or committee including but not limited to quasi judicial Advisory Board trust Authority or Council presentations made to this board are subject to the city's false claims ordinance chapter 39 of the city of C Gable city code I now officially call the city of C GA historic preservation board meeting of of January the 24th 20 24 to order the time is 4:05 present today are Mr danana Mr Silva Miss dun Mr Arin half Miss Spain and Miss Rolando and me caesar Garcia ponds um the next item on the agenda is approval of the minutes I'm actually not going to call for the approval of the minutes uh we didn't get November and the December minutes that I have had a number of Corrections that I wanted to show to staff so I'm going to give it back to staff um inclusive of the resolution that was passed wasn't the right language so we'll get those at the next meeting that's okay with everyone great um so we're moving for the meetings to the next meeting notice regarding expart Communications please be advised that this board is a quasi judicial board and the the items on the agenda are Quasi judicial in nature which requires board members to disclose all expart Communications and expart communication is defined as any contact communication conversation correspondence memorandum or other written or verbal communication that takes place outside a public hearing between a member of the public and a member of a quasi judicial board regarding matters to be heard by the Quasi judicial board if anyone has made any contact with the board member when issue comes before the board the member must State on the record the existence of the ex parte communication the party who originated the communication and whether the communication will affect the board member's ability to impartially consider the evidence to be presented regarding the matter for staff deferrals are there any in items on the agenda that have been [Music] deferred okay per staff there are no items have been deferred swearing in if any persons in the audience will be testifying today please rise to be sworn in anybody on Zoom no hand up no okay thank you um so let's go to the first item rece for seconds Please Mr Aron have into the microphone please into the microphone [Music] please is is out for medical reasons so I wanted to remind that to to do an excused absence for him so let's let's do it right now um staff do we have any requests for excuse absences I have that's fine two requests for um Mr Gillis and Mr Maxwell okay is there a vote to a motion to approve the excuse by Mr Rando second by Mr Aaron half let's call the vote I know that and and just so to make an announcement uh Mr Dano will be leaving at 5 p.m. and Miss Rolando will be leaving at 5:30 but we will have Quorum with the five members that will be present just so everyone's aware no thank you um roll call please for the excus absence actually um Voice vote anybody opposed no all in favor I okay motion passes first case local historic designations case File lhd 2023 -010 consideration of the local historic designation of the property at 241 Romano Avenue legally described as Lots three and four block two cow Gables Coconut Grove section part one according to the plat thereof as recorded in plat book 14 at page 25 of the public records of my Mid County Florida um she just could we please before we do that I'm going to ask a quick question do any members of the board have any expart communication or site visits to close at this time with regards to this item no thank you thank you could we please swear in staff um who will be making the presentation missw who's on Zoom thank you do we need to see her yes she she can hear you yeah go ahead do you swear or affirm the testimony you're about to give should be the truth whole truth and nothing but the truth I do thank you so Elizabeth Gan the historic preservation coordinator and the following presentation is a brief summary of the historic designation report prepared by staff if you could play the PowerPoint please 41 Romano Avenue is before you for consideration for designation as a local Historic Landmark designation was initiated by City staff in response to code violations as per article 8 section 88-103 of the Coral Gable zoning code criteria for designation of local historic landmarks a local Landmark must have significant character interest or value as part of the historical cultural archaeological aesthetic or architectural Heritage of the city state or Nation for designation a property must meet one of the criteria outlined in the code 240 woro Avenue is eligible as a local Historic Landmark based on three criteria IIA historical cultural significance criteria 4 it exemplifies the historical cultural political economic or social trends of the community architectural significance criteria one it portrays the environment and era history characterized by one or more distinctive architectural style in criteria two it embodies those distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style or period or method of construction 241 Romano Avenue is in the C Gables Coconut Grove section south of s Sebastian between Salo Street and Pon Leon Boulevard it sits on an interior 50t by 110t lot the property contains a single family residence as well as a detached single car garage at the northeast corner both have had no additions and retain their original massing style and character World Gable was conceived originally as a Miami suburb and attracted investors from Across the Nation during the south Florida real estate boom of the 1920s founder George Merrick Drew from the Garden City and City beautiful movements of the 19th and early 20th century to create his vision for a fully conceived Mediterranean inspired City cor Gables is recognized as one of the first modern plan communities in the United States Coral Gable's developmental history is divided into three major historical periods the construction of the home at 241 Romano Avenue occurred during this initial phase simultaneous to the corporation of the city and it as representative of Merck's Vision nationally claimed landscape architect Frank button drew the first comprehensive maps of Coral Gables in 1921 and 1922 one of which is on the left side of the slide throughout the early 1920s mer continued to reinvest earnings in public amenities in land acquisition by late 1924 he had acquired large amounts of land to the North and the East and was expanding to the South as seen in the 1925 map on the right 241 Romano Avenue was constructed in the newly acquired Coconut Grove section whose location is pointed out in the bottom corner of the 1925 map with the unbridled Florida land boom the influx of new residents and winter visitors resulted in the housing shortage in South Florida by the mid 1920s as Coral grebles grew exponentially so did its Workforce and the construction of homes and Coral Gables could not keep Pace with their burgeoning numbers this coupled with the acute housing shortage in the region presented a challenge which by 1925 mer tried to meet headon meric began a multipronged approach to this issue he provided temporary housing in the form of tent city as seen in the photo on the upper left he commissioned the San Sebastian apartment hotel which would provide Apartments to company employees and their families and he reached out to ml Rosenberger an Atlanta Builder and a close personal friend who agreed to build 10 apartment buildings in the Douglas section which would accommodate 128 families mer also wanted to provide an option for single family homes as a result of the trip to Atlanta to broker the deal with Rosenberg Merck's investment opportunity and needs came to the attention of Lindsay Hopkins and Herbert Nichols Lindsay Hopkins who is pictured here was a nationally acclaimed investor he was the director of the Coca-Cola Company the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and the Reynolds Metal Company he was intensely interested in aviation Automobiles and road development as well as real estate all passion shared by merik but probably more important to Merck was what Hopkins with his partner Herbert Nichols a prominent Builder were responsible for most of the homes in Druid Hills Druid Hills an exclusive suburb of Atlanta was initially planned by the premier landscape architect Frederick Law almstead in 1893 in 1908 it was sold to Asa Candler the president of Coca-Cola and developed in large part by Hopkins and Nicholls between 1910 and 1936 jart Hills is now listed on the national register for historic places this was one of several high-profile and successful Endeavors Hopkins and Nichols undertook under their Builder finance and Mortgage Company Hopkins and Nichols approached Merck in early 1925 with a large building program it was to include the construction of 500 single family homes at this time Merck had several criteria he was asking potential investors to demonstrate the investors had to show ready Capital to undertake their contract and an understanding of his vision for the city they also had to have experience in building at a large scale in a planned Community as well as the ability to mobilized quickly and independently of construction currently underway in Coral Gables to meet the last requirement Hopkins shipped 10 Railway cards of building materials and submitted plans to build a concrete block planting Coral Gables which he did thus in April 1925 with the purchase of 50 lots and the submission of architectural drawings a contract was issued and the plan announced the 50 Lots they purchased were in undeveloped sections 30 of the homes were concentrated in the Coconut Grove section just south of the planned San Sebastian apartment hotel which broke ground a few months later and the other 20 were scattered over the country club sections wrapping around the southern portions of the builtmore golf course which was then under construction these 50 homes were designed either by Architects H George Fink or Frank Wyatt Woods who were both members of Merck's design team as agreed some of the homes were to be moderately priced Cottages that would be affordable for Mer's employees as seen in the article on the left the first 40 homes were underway by May of 1925 they were designed by architect H George and as the article stated included some departures in architecture with the general lines of structures being along the motif of coral Gables architecture the home at 241 Romano Avenue was amongst this Cadre located in Coral Gables Coconut Grove section it was designed in April 1925 and permitted in mid June by Mr Nichols the home was one of the departures in architecture as it was designed in the mission Revival Style versus the typical Mediterranean Revival style homes a home at 241 Romano venue designed in the mission Revival style a style first developed in the 19th century with due inspiration from Spanish Colonial Mission Heritage in the southwest the resulting Mission Revival style is characterized by silhouette at shape that mimic old span Spanish missions with stule facades punctuated by recessed windows and door openings arches without moldings and sparse ornamentation the most distinctive feature of the mission Revival style are the curved or the shaped parit features evoking bell towers and Bell Gable features roofs are commonly flat or low pit with Clay tiles in the 19th century the style never became popular outside the Southwest however in the early 20th century varant of the style were built in new suburbs throughout the country of which Coral Gables was one Merck's initial building campaign relied heavily on Spanish precedents and the mission Revival style fit his vision Hallmark features of the 20th century style are restrained ornamentation Square pillars the distinctive Spanish Colonial inspired parapets copings and chimneys and full facade front porches along with bell tower features this slide shows the general characteristics of the style with the features exhibited at 241 Romano Avenue called out in green specifically the character fighing features of the exterior of the home include but are not limited to its Bell Tower entry feature shallow pitched roof clad in Barrel tile with Cypress brackets in the extended Eve the full front entry porch and pork cusher with shallow segmental Archer openings springing from Square pillars with simple capitals The morish Inspired scroll on the pork CER the Slender Bell Tower chimney The butress Inspired Wing walls stucco with an adobe inspired texture masonry door surround grouped round Vents and deeply recessed windows with projecting masonry Sills the street presence of the home spans the full allowable width of the 50-ft lot the restrained ornamentation and the character defining features of the front facade exemplify the mission Revival style Alia with segmental arched opening runs the full width of the home home the loio flows into the POR cair which also has segmental arches the arched openings are supported by large Square pillars with simple capitals the squat Mission inspired Tower is a Hallmark feature of the home the tower semicircular Archway serves as the entry point to the home the masonry coin door surround was an original feature it was removed in 2022 during new window installation while the window work was permanent the removal of the door surround was noted its removal contributed to the issuance of a code violation that is still active to date here are details of some of the homes Hallmark features the tower is clad in two-piece Barrel tile and within the E overhangs are Cypress carved brackets round vents are decoratively arranged in a line around the tower face on the right is the morish inspired scroll this masonry ornamental feature is centered above the POR CER opening and extends above its parit on the east side facade is a slender chimney reminiscent of a Spanish mission Bell Tower and like those Towers it's clad in two-piece Barrel tile the windows throughout the home are recessed with protruding Sills and were originally casement and type as seen in the bottom photo dating to 2022 at an unknown date the windows were changed to single hung some windows were infilled and others reduced in height the original cells were left intact and the location and size of the original Windows was clear in 2022 a window permit was issued with the note seen here that the new windows were to be of the same size as the windows they were replacing and that the Sills and historic elements were to remain as seen here this was not occurring and a code violation was issued at the northwest corner of the original home was a screen sleeping porch the silary bins and the differences in the stule clearly DeMark this infill a detached single carb G sits at the northeast corner of the property it retains its original configuration note the parapets on the front and the sides 241 Romano Avenue remains as one of approximately 100 homes built by Hopkins and nichels after the 1926 hurricane due to the declining economy Hopkins and Nichols reduced their contract with Merck in return Hopkins had provided the final financing for the San Sebastian and eventually he purchased it in 1928 in the Coconut Grove section there were very few homes built after 1928 until the early 1940s the blue boxes Mark the sites of the pre1 1935 single family homes most were permanent prior to the September 1926 hurricane this image coupled with the 1938 aerial photograph provides a sense of how quickly mer developed the Coconut Grove section most of these homes were built over an 18-month period prior to the hurricane hence the property exemplifies the historical cultural political economic and social trends of the initial development history of the community in conclusion 241 Romano Avenue exemplifies the Spanish inspired building archetype upon which Coral Gables was found and it is also significant as one of a handful of the examples of the adaptation of the mission Revival style architecture in George Merck's plan Community it was designed by architect H George and was financed and constructed by the nationally acclaimed team of Lindsay Hopkins and HW Nichols it represents an integral piece of how mer developed Coral Gables hence the property at 241 Romano Avenue is part of a collection of quality buildings that serves as a visible reminder of the history and the cultural heritage of the city it retains its architectural integrity and significantly contributes to the historic fabric of the City of Coral Gables staff recommends approval of the local historic designation of the property at 241 Romano Avenue based on its historical cultural and Architectural significance thank you is there anything [Music] anything additional from staff we did receive a letter of support from the historic preservation Association of Coral Gables um I also do want to say the rep the owners are not here today but we had a meeting with them about a month ago um to discuss the designation procedures that were triggered by these code violations and they were understanding of the designation and I guess are not here today but they were aware of the meeting thank you um any questions for staff before we go to public hearing it is now is it on now yes okay um if we go forward and vote uh to designate this property we're assuming that the surround and also the railing is going to be put back as part of the code violation is that right yes because that work was done without a permit so it will need to be corrected and it will have to meet the criteria they understand that and they were planning on my next question so they are going to do that yes they in the meeting that we had they mentioned that that was all removed as part of reinforcing the openings for the new windows um but we explained to them that the notes and the drawings did not include any of that demo work and so they need to make sure that all the drawings are accurate and that everything goes back in place any other questions for staff uh yes what about the windows can you put your mic on so the window uh proposal was approved before this process had started so that permit does stand and they'll be able to move it um complete it but the windows approved as noted are to as you saw in the photos the but there the note says to the size of the existing windows or openings yes so there's that's where we have a little bit of a issue with the front elevation where they've added kind of like this um sill to the front porch opening so we're working that was not permitted in the original proposal so we will be working with them to see how we can get a full-size window within that opening so that they don't have to modify the I think it's a 3in sill that was being added Mr Lando does that answer your question yes okay question Windows Alex can you put the mic on [Music] now yes have to get closer um so the the last sheet in our package is the approved window submitt right it just has horizontal Ms there's no verticals correct and that's that's the approved version that will be installed so we didn't review this so that's the pro the pro that get permitted through the building department bar of Architects and um uh the rest of Staff that's required zoning I think um what when we got flag was when they exceeded that scope of work and that additional demo okay so it would be a repair and restoration of the of the stule work to match existing then yes and you guys will supervise yes and the restoration of the railings and the surround on the door and the Sills right thank yeah and then we explain that any future modifications to the house would require us and we talked about Cottage designation all the other incentives and things so mram um yeah I W I was not sure this has to do with just observations about the surround on the drawer door so if you look at the 1925 permit drawing P Sor uh on page 12 of the the report so the top drawing is the elevation as conceived in 1925 and it shows the tile work uh surrounding the the door then on page 12 we have a black and white photograph that is I believe 1940 and I cannot tell whether it's because of the painting of the the building or whether those tiles had not although in in in the original original ele I think it's a contrast of the printing contrast of the print but if you look to like the left side where the buganvilia starts to crawl over the building there's a little bit of that corner you could see the the edge of the surround so is the point of that was sometimes things that are in the designs originally don't don't happen but then so then we see that by uh 2016 the building is is is kind of taupe and and this the the tiles around that are painted brown and then on page 16 they've completely painted them the same color as the house and then by 2023 they've demolished the correct the tiles so our are you going to require that that tiles of appropriate materials be reinstalled to replicate as closely as possible correct okay yeah thank you you I I went down that path because I was not sure whether it was an unexecuted no I think we just need to mess with the contrast but it it was it is there in that photo thank you thank you any additional questions for staff all right let's open it up to public hearing does anybody in the audience wish to speak in favor of this proposal either live or on Zoom anybody opposed anyone speak opposed to this either live or on Zoom okay closing public hearing bring it back to the board um for discussion or motion Mr Sol I would move approval uh I would move approval for the local historic designation of the property at 241 Romano Avenue based on its historical cultural and Architectural significance is there a second yes I would second okay we have um a motion by Mr Sila signed by Miss D can we call the role please okay Miss Rando yes Mr arft yes Mr danana yes Miss Spain yes Miss da yes and Mr Silva yes and Mr Garcia Pon yes motion passes 70 thank you next item special certificates of appropriateness this is case File COA 2023-24 5 an application for the issuance of a special certificate of appropriateness for the property at 902 South Greenway Drive a contributing resource within the Country Club of coral Gable's historic district and the Coral Rock residences thematic group legally described as Lots 14 and 15 black 36 Coral Gable section B according to the plat thereof as recorded in plat book 5 at page 111 of the public records of Miami day County County Florida the application requests design approval for the construction of a one-story detached auxiliary structure and site work thank you Anna perus um historic preservation officer uh the home located at 902 South Greenway Drive is a contributing resource within the Country Club of coral Gable's historic district and the Coral Rock residence thematic group The Home was constructed in 19 1922 oh there we go um the application requests design approval for an addition of the detached auxiliary structure to the property the freestanding structure is located to the southeast of the residence and will be visible from both South Greenway Drive and Toledo Street the auxiliary structure consists of a two-car garage under a roof that is primarily flat with a shed roof portion facing Toledo the structure is clad in stucko with a coral Rock oite base on the garage volume and is fully CLA in Coral Rock at the Cabana storage portion the proposed alterations to the residents include the removal of existing steps at the rear and side doors to be replaced with large semicircular Landings the original front steps are proposed to be removed as well and replaced with a longer landing and new steps the site improvements include a new gravel driveway new swimming pool and deck new driveway and walkways a fountain feature and new perimeter Fring uh there there's minimal impact on the Integrity of the existing historic Resource as an addition is fully detached of the proposal and the proposal respects the importance of this very early Coral Rock residence the structure differentiates itself with materials window type and mutton pattern staff supports the project as presented apart from the reconfiguration of the front steps staff requests that the following conditions be incorporated windows window and doors are receive high-profile muttons and glasses to be clear no tint or reflectivity roof tiles to be true two-piece Barrel tile existing auxiliary structure is to remain as storage the specify the paving material of for the new driveway provide a detail of the rafter ends of the existing house and those proposed for the auxiliary structure to differentiate the two and a separate standard certificate of appropriateness will be required for the pool and pool deck and staff will handle administratively um um the staff recommends that uh the following get approved with the conditions noted above and then and the applicant is here to make a presentation thank you Miss panas good afternoon guys uh Peter kigan with the PPKs Architects were the Architects for the project um good to see you all again today let me see as staff mentioned the property is at the corner of Toledo and Greenway uh the immediate neighborhood as you know you might be familiar with is larger Lots with a cores Mediterranean predominant type of homes on the golf course this is a fink another Fink structure uh so today is a f day the thing about this lot is it's a large lot but the house sits kind of empty on the lot so we really saw this as an opportunity to Define the edge of the lot especially on the Eastern side so that uh kind of drove the orientation and the placement of the detached structure here you see the the house itself and again our intent is to really harmonize with the house and respect it to to its fullest extent it's a beautiful house and our client the owner is in love with it he just moved here so we're moving forward uh keeping it beautiful again and so the the challenge again is incorporating the the program which is a two-car garage a cabana storage um a rear porch or Terrace and then some site work which has to do with a pool pool deck and then we we felt that it would be nice to uh create some part of part of the thing that the site has that has very little organization so we we started working with some Garden spaces and thought about creating a garden that overlooks the golf course and you know defining with a very low wall it's kind of just uh a very elegant you know simple gesture but again it starts to define the property that's the view from Toledo here we have the existing site plan and the proposed side plan showing that the garage is parallel to Toledo the garden kind of anchors the composition of the existing house with the garage there's the blow up of the of the site plan again and we're creating you know uh a series of you know uh Garden spaces and and walkways and throughout throughout the the rear yard and part of the front these are your our zoning diagrams which and here you can see how lonely the house feels on that lot this is the floor plan of the existing house right it's uh you know it's kind of searching for for help to Define it so we again we thought it was a great opportunity to uh to kind of incorporate these elements and and really minimally impact the existing structure blow blow up of the the actual floor plans and then again being respectful not only in the materiality but also in the Heights and the massing of the of the intervention you know staying below all Ridge lines this is a straight on elevation from Toledo again and you can see that you know the garage structure has been dealt with with different roof types to to minimize the massing and and to really harmonize with the with the existing home that's a southern elevation the west and that's kind of the feel in the here we uh be honest we took a lot of inspiration from the house on the packing um packing uh house site uh to the east of us the way that the materiality of the of the stone is it's a way to bring in the Stone from the from the original house but not overwhelm it and so we have met with several uh Stone contractors out there and we're kind of discussing which is the best way to go about it looks like we're going to platter it in stone and then Stu over and and uh work it that way it looks like it's going to be the the most effective way but um you know we're here to answer any questions I think uh we feel we've been sensitive to the existing house and it's a it's an interesting project thank you thank you Mr F does anybody from the board have a question for staff for the applicant any questions for staff for the applicant so um what's what's going on with the steps is that the steps especially the one at the front it's about a 20inch landing can you pull me see if I don't know if there's a real good example of it let or a good yeah here in the existing plan you can see that you know uh when you open the front door it goes over the landing right so it's it's become kind of a hazard originally we are we're we're also taking the opportunity to do some things with the steps in the back which I think staff's okay with and when we were in that mode we kind of expanded the front steps a little you know somewhat uh more than perhaps we need to but uh I think we're okay with mitigating it as you know just to get at least a 36 or 40 in landing and you know so maybe we're coming forward 12 more inches or something like that something that we can you know kind of mitigate with staff so it's not as you know I think right now we're coming forward almost uh yeah 3 ft so 3 ft is what's in the drawing now yeah okay so yeah that's no no no no no you're 48 we're 48 in the drawing right now okay so we would be coming I I think the steps now measure like 20 in the The Landing so we'll take it to 36 or 42 something like that you know I think one more step is all we need to do so in other words if we just run the steps forward One Step we'll be good okay but at least to cover the opening of the door I think it's it's a safety issue is that a new door that you're putting in the previous owners had uh I think did a window door package I assume that that is like that because it might have been an inswing door at the beginning but it's a recent impact door that was put in with a with a recent um um permit so yeah but even look even with the inswing door it's an uncomfortable Landing to be at so you know I our point is just to try to get it to be functional we don't need to redesign the front it's not our intent to to you know rework things workers you know we love the house any other questions for staff the material if if you do go forward with the with the alteration to the front steps uh what material are you considering I I I think right look there's there's something that and the the walkway to the steps right now is Terra Cotta I don't know if that's that's original to be honest with you so we need to research that um the steps I think are cloud in Terra Cotta let me see if here in the greenway front entrance so I think um if we can find what was there originally we can go back to that if not um you know either we do Terra Cotta again or do something else that we proposing you that that's still up in the air to be honest with you so we're open to yeah know we're flexible with that I guess if you if you did that if the board was okay doing that you would where would you stop the new material I guess is the question you would stop it at the at the walkway you would go all the way down all the steps well we could do it either way we do the steps and and you know hopefully in the material that it was originally and then the walkway maybe in a new light uh just like we're doing in the rear that's that would be you know my original or my first uh you know thought um yeah I I I would probably differentiate it from the walkway because you know it becomes kind of a massive monolithic uh event to like walk up and then the steps you know especially if it's Stone the stone is tricky as you know you know too much of it is is overwhelming and uh and I think right now the steps are they contrast with the stone so that might be a good thing to most likely if we do not find what it was originally we'll probably do something that's contrasting with the stone and it's a little bit more harmonious with the I don't know how that this Terra cot in in that's there now I don't know how that what year that is what how it fits it could is it from the 50s or 40s you know that kind of thing Mr Silva is that something that you would put as an addend to number six and let staff handle or do you have a comment that you'd like to make no I think I think if if if we're all okay with that I would I would let staff yeah and again we're flexible with that I mean it's it's one of those things that in all honesty we haven't like been in the weeds with it and we should be but but it's uh look and the intent here is to really do something beautiful this house is not there's not going to be it's not any uh cutting corners or anything like that it's really a yeah Mr in half Mr chair um I I'd simply like to I I understand the the issue of the safety and and the need for the depth of the first platform to come forward but if you look at P1 and P2 when I was looking at these drawings it was as if these new steps were greatly out of scale they I I perceive that they are also coming laterally out and going spreading out into the yard at least as far as the width of the the the the uh the boxes that were at the at the the side and uh I it it bothered me it just the the massiveness of that you you look at at least it may be the way these these These renderings are are are are made but it yeah I think the only thing I was seeing when I was looking at it first was those steps I wasn't even seeing the facade of the house so I would ask if you're working with staff if there's if staff you know guides you if they could make them less massive and not not become a new feature that is yeah beating its chest and say look at me I I think they should be the if possible the same width that they were in the original construction and then yeah and and I agree with your 100% And The the existing steps do do turn back and just go you know flow into the lawn but but uh I agree with you that again that was done we were doing the spirits of all the steps and that kind of got swept up in that but it's you know understandable and we're totally amable to that we have no issue with that thank you Mr an you I just have I have just have a couple of comments I would caution you on using the Keystone or uiic Limestone on a um surface yeah I had that in my old house and it was impossible it became slippery yeah it gets a lot of mold and mold and stuff like that and it was not a constant constant but it was impossible to to Really maintain um and also I think it's a beautiful job thank you thank you very much it'll be gorgeous I know this home very well I haven't been inside because the probably two or three owners ago didn't want me inside but uh uh it's a beautiful home but it's very quirky it's a very quirky home even the roof PL is you know something it's so nice that it hasn't really been touched yes yeah no no no we're we're uh really excited and it's going to be a showpiece so I think it'll be wonderful um so one note is the Limestone on the ground you can fill the cells and hone it down there things that you can do but it's it is a little tricky um of the staff requests 1 through six did you see them and do you agree with all of them that's fine with the addition of the front steps on number six to work with staff to come up with the decent the right size okay so um let me take it to public comment and then we'll come back and do a motion thank you anybody thank you okay thanks um does anybody in the audience wish to speak in favor of this project either live or in Zoom does anybody wish to speak in opposition live or in [Music] Zoom okay closing public hearing bringing it back to the board is there any board discussion or is anybody willing to entertain a motion or I'm willing to motion just another another point of discussion yes sir we were Haring on the entrance but I think the project overall is a beautiful project yes I think it's very well done I think the way that that you're handling the cor Ro on the house differentiates it or ties it all together and I really appreciate that kind of semiu private Garden moment towards the GOL course I think that that's that's a really excellent way of handling that corner ised kind of so What's um anybody else from the board any discussion okay I would agree it's beautiful project um I'm interested in staff's resolution of the quirky moments as the architect calls it um anybody willing to make a motion I'll make a motion okay moved by Miss Spain what's the motion the motion is to approve with the conditions noted in the staff report the six uh conditions the design proposal for the addition on alterations to the property and site work um and including the front step uh as was discussed uh at the board for the residents located 902 South Greenway Drive okay we have a motion by Miss Bain is there a second B second by Mr Dano let's call the role Mr Silva yes Mr yes Mr Arin haft yes Miss D yes Mr Dan yes Miss Spain yes Mr Garcia Pon yes motion passes 7 to Zer oh Mr chair the certificate of appropriateness I just want to make clear that that motion was for the certificate of appropriateness as well as the design proposal absolutely unless you want to have a second motion let's do that just because we didn't say it the first time uh all right I I'll make that motion also to make it easier for staff uh I'd like to make a motion to approve the application for the issuance of a special certificate of appropriateness for the property at uh 902 South Greenway Drive Mr Dan do you second yes okay we have a motion in a second let's call the role okay Mr Silva yes Miss Rando yes Mr arft yes Miss Den yes Mr danana yes Miss Spain yes Mr Garcia Pon yes motion passes 7 to zero thank you um case number two case File COA SP 2020 3-27 an application for the issuance of a special certificate of appropriateness for the property at 1216 Castile Avenue a contributing resource with the Castile Avenue historic district legally described as laty block 7 Carl Gable section e according to the plat thereof as recorded in plat book 8 at page 13 of the public records of miam County Florida the application requests design approval for alterations to the existing residents the construction of a freestanding gazebo and site work uh before staff begins is there anybody on the board that has an exper communication with regards to this matter um in the interest of full uh disclosure I've been in the house several times and miss Elles is a neighbor but that will not adversely impact my ability to make a decision impartially in this case thank you Miss D Miss peras thank you again Anna Peres preservation officer the property at 1216 Castile Avenue is considered a contributing resource within the sorry Castile Avenue historic district it was design designed by the renowned architect Marian Manley and constructed in 1936 7 the application requests design approval for alteration sight improvements new pool and gazebo in the rear yard sorry the new structure is located in the southwest corner of the rear yard and will be visible from the street the Gazebo was designed to complement the existing residents taking design cues from the arched open entryway roof pitch and material pallet the Gazebo is set back nearly 80 ft from the street but will be visible due to the existing sidey yard condition the staff request the following conditions be incorporated into the motion one the windows and doors at the South elevation are to receive high-profile muttons and glass to be clear no tint or reflectivity to match the existing windows on the site provide a note regarding the proposed materials and stucco texture on the permit drawings and provide P specifications for the new patio and deck staff recommends approval with the conditions noted above the applicant is present they'd like to make a presentation please was the Mr chair if we could please swear in thank you the applicant sworn in before you get started we need to make sure that you got sworn in you weren't here early on good afternoon my name is gardo benor architect and co-founder of Arco architecture at 2490 Coral Way suet 301 uh want to thank the board for taking the time to hear our presentation today uh the site is located at 126 Castile a and consists of a historical house built in 1937 here's what the house currently looks like uh today in the front and the rear which is where most of our project takes place which was approved by the board of Architects back in October of last year we are proposing a 255 ft gaso with a summer kitchen and a pool deck along with a modified opening and steps to access the backyard uh at the front facade we are replacing the existing walkway and driveway material with Limestone for it to match the new pool and deck in the rear here you can see the existing and proposed side plans side by side showing the new pool aligned with the gaso and the house this is the existing interior for Flor plan where we are renovating the kitchen and proposing a bigger access to the backyard through the den as well um the steps to the into the backyard turn the corner to accommodate the access into the pool deck in the before and after of the front elevations uh nothing is being modified on the house and the naso Arches and gable roof match the design of the existing house in the rear the existing then window is being converted into a double doors and we are adding a window above the new kitchen sink location to bring more light in uh The Arches are maintained on all four sides of the new G Evo and finally this view shows the extension of the existing steps turning the corner and with that I conclude my presentation and I can answer any questions that you may have thanks great thank you does anybody have any questions for staff of the applicant okay we don't have to um all right let me um thank you if we have any questions we'll call you back but let me open it up for public hearing does anybody wish to speak in favor of this project anybody wish to speak in opposition okay closing public hearing bring it back to the board does anybody want to talk about it any discussion or a motion want to be made see I just have a quick question for for staff this this includes the the Gazebo and the pool and the the uh papers correct right all in one for the certif yes the the pool pavers and the modification to the ENT the opening at the career will not be visible so we don't see it being an adverse effect but the most visible thing will be the um the Gazebo I'm comfortable delegating the material review and selection to staff any further discussion or a motion to be made um does the applicant have any objections to the conditions so for the record the architect said no no objection well I'll make another motion uh I'd like to make a a motion to approve with the conditions stated in the staff report uh the design proposal for side improvements a new gazebo and trellis Edition for the property located at 1216 Castile Avenue and the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness um is there a second second is there a need for CTIC appr on this no is there a need what no or at least not in the staff report wasn't in the last one yeah there should be I don't know thank you thank you Miss ban has a correct motion is was there a second and I miss it is there a second yeah Mr danana okay we have a motion and a second um before we call the role are we okay yes just confirming it's for the design proposal and the special certificate of appropriateness and the pool gazebo and Char's Edition that were requested thank you staff thank you Miss Spain uh let's call the role Mr Arin haft yes Miss D yes Mr Silva yes Mr orando yes uh Mr danana yes Miss Spen yes and Mr Garcia Pon yes motion passes 7 to zero all right last item it's after five okay thank you Mr Don oh it's 5' um starting number three case File COA 20230 29 an application for the issuance of a special certificate of appropriateness in accordance with article 8 section 8-14 D2 of the city of car Gable zoning code for the public right of way adjacent to 2016 and 20 and 224 Catalonia Avenue 3,00 ponon Boulevard 203 University Drive and 20 25 Malaga Avenue legally described as Lots 8 through 20 block 29 Carl Gables crafts section according to the plat thereof as recorded in plat book 10 at page 40 of the public records of mam day County Florida the applicant is requesting a recommendation of approval for an amendment to the city plan for the vacation of the alley and the abandonment and vacation of a portion of University Drive I'm going to continue reading the proposed development is also receiving is also a receiving site for transfer of development rights the following historically designated properties are within 500 ft of the proposed development historic white way street lights a local Historic Landmark located on Riviera Drive between Anastasia Avenue and University Drive and on University Drive between Bird Road and ponon Boulevard 2901 Pon Stan Boulevard legally described as track e Plaza Coral Gables according to the plat thereof as recorded in plat book 173 page 078 of the public record of Mi County Florida and 247 Malaga Avenue legally described as Lots 26 and 27 block 29 cor Gables Craft section according to the plat thereof as recorded in plat book 10 page 40 of the public record of miamia County Florida therefore per section 14-20 4.6 A3 of the corg zoning code the historic preservation board's review and approval of the proposed development is required to determine if the proposal adversely affects the historic architectural or aesthetic character of the historic properties does anybody have before we does anybody have any expart communication regarding this case no no Mr just before we begin Mr chair I I know that one of our board members has to leave at 5:30 I think um so that's going to leave just five voting members on the board um Miss peris could you refresh our memory again how many affirmative votes are required to F or okay yes Mr svet five votes are required um again this is just a recommendation to the city commission so I I if the applicant's fine going forward with a quorum of five then I think that's acceptable and and perfectly legal to do so okay that was give you my question is the applicant okay to proceed thank you Mr applicant Miss panas okay so as mentioned the application is request has three requests and I'll give a little background of the procedures and um the request and then the recommendation I'll go each item each P By Request apologies so an amendment to this to the Coral Gable zoning code to allow for the designation of the city plan as a historic work was adopted by the city Commission on April 24th 2018 the zoning code requires that any material amendments to the city plan shall be reviewed by the historic preservation board who will make a recommendation for the special certificate of appropriateness to the city commission the city commission will ultimately render the decision whether to Grant or deny the issuance of the special certificate of appropriateness per section 88-104 D2 uh the historic preservation board at a public hearing shall review and make recommendation for a special certificate of appropriateness of any proposed amendments to the city plan under the balancing interests weighing the following factors historic Integrity development and public purpose so request number one uh in accordance to section 88-104 D2 of the City of Coral Gable zoning code that the application requests a recommendation of approval to the city commission for an amendment to the city plan for the vacation of the 20 foot wide public alley that runs north south within the boundaries of the proposed project between Catalonia Avenue and University Drive and lying adjacent to the 216 Catalonia Avenue 3000 ponon and 203 University Avenue this apologies uh in planning the City of Coral Gables founder George Merck Incorporated the Garden City precepts of comprehensive planning which included defined areas for different uses quality housing for various income levels and a wealth of public facilities within those sections of the city dedicated within those sections of the city dedicated to business commercial use Alleyways were introduced as a mechanism to keep services such as garbage pickup or deliveries off the street allowing for a more pleasant and cohesive frontof house Street Experience the alley being proposed for vacation runs north south at the Eastern end of the block 29 bifurcating the assembled site the alley location is proposed to be a new pedestrian Paso that would provide a continued public pedestrian access the concern is by eliminating the alley in its entirety from block 29 the city plan loses a piece of its historic fabric the allei vacation is subsequent proposed handling of services at the southwest corner also necessitate the relocation of a Historic Landmark the extent white way street light located just south of the site the historic Department staff recommends the following a motion to deny the special certificate of appropriateness the the motion to deny the recommendation of a special certificate of appropriateness to the city commission for the amendment of the city plan for the vacation of the alley it's request number one moving on to request number two in accordance to section 88-104 of this Coral Gable the City of Coral Gable zoning code the application requests a recommendation of approval to the city commission for an amendment to the city plan for the abandonment and vacation of a portion of that segment of University Drive North of Malaga Avenue right of way and west of the pon Leon right of way the applicant's proposal includes the vacation of approximately 1,318 squ ft of University Drive that will slightly alter the curve of the University Drive at ponon Boulevard the applicant proposed to dedicate portions of the University Drive in Malaga Avenue totaling 1,725 Square ft which will result in an increase in the amount of Landscapes open space the diagonal Street and the boulevards cutting through the regular grid of the city street were an important feature of George Merck's plan for the city and will be maintained staff supports maintaining the slip lane open and finds a slight modification to the curve of the street do does not adversely affect this historic City plan the historic preservation staff recommends to approve the request for a recommendation of a special certificate of appropriateness to the city commission for an amendment of the city plan and request number three this is um an application to trans an application to transfer development rights to receive to a receiver's site shall be reviewed if the if the site is within 500 ft of a local Historic Landmark the historic preservation Board review and approval is required to determine if the proposal shall not adversely affect the historic architectural or aesthetic character of the property the historic preservation board's review and approval of the proposed development is required to determine if the proposal adversely affects the historic architectural or aesthetic character of the historic properties the historic properties are located within 500 ft are the historic white way light designated in 1981 2901 p ston Boulevard the Art Center building designated in 1987 and 247 Malaga Avenue designated in 2004 the proposed development does not adversely affect the historic Art Center building located at 2901 ponon Boulevard which has been absorbed into the plaza Coral Gables project surrounding it or the historic property at 247 Malaga Avenue however a historic white way street light is located on the right of way adjacent to 203 University Drive it's proposed to be relocated will be adversely affected by the development staff recommends that any new development should be designed in a way to retain the pole in its original location as proposed staff recommends a motion to determine that the proposal does adversely affect the historic architectural or aesthetic character of the historic properties located within 500 ft of the site namely the white way street light if relocation is considered per section 8-19 the historic preservation board May Grant a special certificate of appropriateness if it finds that no reasonable alternative is available for preserving the Improvement on its original site and the proposed location site is compatible with the historic and Architectural Integrity of the Improvement thank you Miss Bas Mr Fernandez Mr chairman good afternoon members of the board uh for the record Javier Fernandez with office at 2011 Al Hammer Circle sweet 125 in cor G Florida thank you uh for taking the time to hear this presentation today before you go ince a couple people how long do you think your presentation is going to go today I will try to keep it to no more than 15 minutes at the most appreciate it thank you sir we'll try to be even quicker if we can if we can have the PowerPoint please quicker there we go perfect thank you thanks so much uh I'm joined this afternoon by Amanda Brown with the alen Morris companies part of the development team and my associate alexo uh our owners U Mr Alan Morris and Spencer Morris extend their apologies they had planned to be here last week with the uh switching the were're not able to accommodate um today's meeting date um very briefly uh as you all probably know uh the site in question is just shy of an acre in size it's bounded on the North by catalon Avenue on the east by Pont and University or portions of University on the south Again by portions of University in Malaga Avenue and on the west by the 250 Catalonia office building the site was assembled uh between 2011 and 2018 and is comprised of about six folios um and the alley which is one of the subject of wether request is about 20 ft in width with a length of about 155 ft totaling that 1318 is incorrect I apologize that was a typo it's 3100 Square ft in size in approximate size uh contextually just some images to give you a sense of the reference points on our East we have the plaza about 15 stories to our North the zubie building which is about six stories in height to the West again 250 Catalonia which about seven stories and to South is the Coral Gable District Courthouse which has an MX3 zoning designation in part our proposed building uh currently is proposed to be nine stories in height this project has a long history which you all may be aware of uh I'll start with the reset which really began here last uh July at a public hearing we were allowed to leave to re amend the application at that time uh the ownership decided to reconstitute the design team we have Incorporated John Cunningham uh to be the lead designer on this project with zovich Architects a modernist firm but with a classical architect who helped us in a successful collaboration in the past in designing 121 alhamra Plaza our signature office building here in Coral Gables um following that we've been before the board Board of Architects which as recently as August of this year we Nally approved the project uh and we're before the Planning and Zoning Board this past de December um to give you a quick quick overview of the difference between the prior versions of the project and the current proposal the prior projects were as tall as 12 stories or 16 stories ranging between 149 and 179 ft 80 and 161 Apartments the current iteration is Nine Stories and 115 8 in to the eve of the building and it's supposed to be 57 Condominiums and as you'll see those will uh be an average size of about 2500 plus Square ft uh at the Planning and Zoning uh uh board uh they adopted the three items related to or recommended the adoption of the three items that are before you today the tentative plat the vacation of the alley and the utilization of about 23,500 ft of tdrs by a vote of 4ed two uh very quickly this gives you a sense of the site plan a tremendous amount of retail on the ground floor the project is anchored by this uh poo which will retains pretty much the historic footprint or exactly the historic footprint of the existing alley the service functions that were located in the alley are being pushed to the western side of the site and internalized within the building uh this gives you a sense of the one two and three bedroom units that'll be available a very limited amount of one-bedrooms just uh four in total of the 57 units uh we have multi-story units that we incorporated in the upper floors to help break up the massing of the building and give the facade significantly more movement which hopefully you'll appreciate in a minute an activated rooftop with uh a number of amenity areas for residents and a quick cross section the building has a center Atrium which was designed purposely that way so we could actually bring light to the Poo as opposed to it being an enclosed box actually get light to the ground floor and center of the project to enhance The Pedestrian experience uh here are some quick renderings this is a a Vista North uh from the south of the building in its context uh here is a building looking Northwest at the main entrance of the building you'll see the tower feature that kind of reflects the design of the bmore uh this is the corner end cap of the building uh facing west or Southwest uh this is the view along catalon Avenue of the building and then uh just an illustration of what the ground floor would look like at the entrance of the colonade and the plaza which we hope to uh redesign and uh substantially improve uh this will give you an image of what The Pedestrian experience will be like as you Traverse through the Poo uh at the entrance of the of the col at the entrance of the P you have a colonate that will provide for outdoor seating for we hope will be some active restaurant uses on the ground floor and again you can see the light coming through uh as a result of the center Atrium and again a perspective of the same space from the outside on the sidewalk at night uh as staff mentioned we're here for three reasons the vacation of the alleyway um uh it's again not 1318 there is a dedication or vacation of 1318 ft along University Drive with a companion dedication of 1725 ft again just to round out the geometry of that edge and lastly the approval of tdrs uh on the site with respect to the vacation of the public alley uh you all know the standards but I'll quickly restate them for you uh uh section 62 328 was reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board as I mentioned they recommended approval of the vacation under that criteria uh section 8-14 d2a of the zoning code is the province of this board and this basically requires this board to consider you know weighing a number of factors specifically the historic Integrity development and public purpose of the request to modify the historic Street plan and whether that balance tips in favor or against uh the request uh we the subject alley as you all may know was created by plat uh for the craft section back in 1925 the alleys as noted in in the designation report for the historic plan were provided as a mechanism to provide service functions for the commercial properties located along ponds in this case uh business and Industrial Lots across many sections of the city had narrow internal streets alleys essentially at the rearer lots that serve that purpose uh in the designation report um we think that just wanted to highlight that the the report really focuses on the preservation of the street grid the diagonal the orthogonal streets perpendicular streets north south east and west and the diagonals that really provide the really interesting Parts uh and make for the possibility of interesting architecture we hope like this building you will agree across Coral Gables and there was an intentional hierarchy of streets uh broad boulevards uh narrow residential streets uh Al however were and and Vistas and then leftover areas that allowed for the creation of grand entrances plazas fountains and other features that really demarcate the difference in Coral Gables uh alleys were not a feature that were robustly discussed in the report they're detailed three times as elements that are part of the designation um the only reference of substance was related to their presence along the rear of commercially Zone lots for these back of houses functions we believe that given we believe that the takeaway in reading the report from my perspective is that the the focus of the discussion at the board was to uh focus on primarily the preservation of the historic Street grid alleys are important but they had a secondary importance relative to the preservation of the street of the street grid uh as part of the designation process therefore um again in terms of weighing the historic Integrity we think it's important for you to consider that distinction uh in in your discussions today with respect to the public purpose element of the weighing uh historically the alley has really just served to benefit the private property owner uh the one element of the alley that uh does provide I would say a public benefit is The Pedestrian potential pedestrian conductivity and I would submit to you that the condition of the alley really does not induce someone to want to kind of Traverse that segment and shorten their walk across the block it's not the most hospitable of environments we certainly believe that we have made an extraordinary effort to retain that public benefit through the incorporation of the poo and detailing it as as we will quickly highlight for you here in a way that will not just make it a passageway but a point of activity that will invite people both onto the site and welcome them to Traverse it as well to points Beyond so as you'll see here in the illustration the alley again runs Northwest and then North uh we have basically kept it the exact footprint uh through the utilization of the poo and expanded it somewhat and then our team has gone through a very elaborate effort to articulate that experience so it is a continuing engagement uh as you Traverse that section on the southern end from those the colonade with the outdoor seating and as you proceed North you'll see there are points of Engagement the lobby area for the building itself uh a Stairway to take you to the mezzanine level and then retail on the North End as well to kind of provide constant animation of that space with water features and natural light as well to make it both an auditory and Visually um positive experience again the image I shared with you earlier just to kind of reaffirm that point so in our opinion in weighing not no again we disagree with staff's recommendation for now we would hope that you would recommend the approval of the vacation we do believe that when you analyze both the public purpose and the historic Integrity points uh this building is going to be designed in a way that's going to embrace the geometry of the principal streets both on University and ponts reaffirm their Primacy of the buildings and their relationship to the street substantially enhance the pest experience both around the property and through the property and again we are going to take uh that Plaza if we are allowed and make it a spectacular public space which is consistent with Mar's great development plan for those leftover spaces that really set Coral Gables apart uh the RightWay vacation I will just quickly gloss over because we do have a a recommendation of approval there and so this is just to highlight to you what is being taken away what is being given back to hopefully make the geometry work better for both the public and and our client and then lastly with respect to the transfer development rights uh this these are tdrs that were uh a byproduct of a settlement agreement uh related to a uh some land use litigation by a third party our client acquired these tdrs and is sought to deploy a poor portion of the 50,000 tdrs at this location um it it appears that staff's objection relates to our desire to relocate uh a white white light that was recently uh it's it's a beautiful it's a beautiful light frankly um much better than the prior silver light that was at the location uh it's a very elegant piece that has now been introduced adjacent to our site uh in February of uh last year um our our ambition here is is very simple um where the site is currently located it's going to likely be in conflict with an eager store from one of our service areas for the back of house since we are moving we are vac hopefully we will be able to vacate the alley and relocate those services on the western edge what we want to do since we are widening the sidewalk with a varying width of between 72 to 44 ft at its Widing widest Dimension is to relocate it to place in a more prominent location to emphasize and actually protect the light from uh any damage that could result from that conflict here is just our preliminary thought thought on what that relocation would be from the current location where it if you can see barely there on the southwestern Edge I don't know if I can can we at the top there you go so yeah so right there is where it's currently located the idea would be to maybe move it here now beyond that we are actually excited to speak to staff about the possibility of introducing more whiteway lights along the segment of University and possibly the Plaza it's a conversation that we would welcome again like we said we believe they're very elegant uh light fixtures and given that we're trying to do now build a quintessentially Coral Gables architectural building we think it would nicely complement the aesthetic of the building as well so with that we'll end our presentation if you have any questions we're happy to take them at this time thank you very much thank you Mr Fernandez that was only 12 minutes you did great um so before we bring it back to the board and ask questions of staff and the applicant I'd like to take it in chunks so that we're not all over the place if we can do the first two items together and leave the third one for second so if you have questions on uh item number one or item number two for staff or the applicant let's do that now and save night number three for after Mr Silva oh any um did I ask for any expar already you haven't okay does any have any expar with regards to this project no okay Mr Silva just just a procedural question since this is not kind of our typical right process um you know typically we we make a determination that goes to the commission as an appeal if necessary in this case my understanding is the way the zoning code is written we are making only a recommendation which is then adopted or rejected by the commission correct as to numbers one and two that is correct yes um all right my third question is about number three so we'll deal with that one later okay any questions regarding request number one or request number two for staff or the applicant this is the alley vacation this is the alley vacation is one of them is number one it's the AL vacation and the University Drive shave just I just have one comment about the designation of the of the city plan we we don't really have a a hierarchy as far as importance of designation and so the alleys are absolutely part of the debation of of the overall City plan okay I'll jump in with it go ahead Mr is not a time for question to have discussion this is asking questions okay for any question so um Mr Fernandez on the slide for Planning and Zoning you had a number of approvals one of them was tied three to three which one was that yes so there were uh I didn't mention the uh future land use map change and the resoning since they're not related to this post board but uh the future land use map amendment was uh TI was a tie vote of three to three which will proceed to the commission as a recommendation for denial and the uh zoning change uh was also a three3 vote and I believe C correct me if I'm wrong will proceed as a no action on the part of the uh planning board that's correct thank you um second question is you said the poo is either pretty much or exactly where the alley is what is it is it all does a p Encompass the entire alley is it in the exact location yeah let me use the illustration to further clarify that point if we can bring up the the presentation again okay backward there we go sorry give me one second I'll get to that slide and hopefully it'll help illustrate my point so the area in purple on this diagram is actually the footprint of the alleyway the 3100 ft the area in green is the expanded poo and the colony so it's a slightly wider it's slightly wider yes sir and then my third question well four three of my for's questions um no the question is the alley excuse me is the P you mentioned it was going to be public yes sir public open to the public 247 yes that to my knowledge we have not discussed any restrictions with staff uh either planning staff or um or histor preservation staff so for staff is is that is it public 24/7 or can they or is it not so we'll have to look at the conditions that will be put on it eventually by by commission to the extent there are any conditions of approval that could be one of them at the commission level if it's not already a staff um or Planning and Zoning Board recommendation I'm not aware if it is it was not and Mr chairman just to kind of illustrate the point you'll see here um this is roughly the entrance of the lobby area uh that is going to be a secured entry point for for guests this is an entrance to the basically amuse that you could see the second floor amenities on that roof deck that would be secured as well uh these would be publicly accessible stairs to the mezine retail uh the rest would be uh again just windows for the adjoining retail and access points as well so uh We've designed it so that it could be open 247 in UNP Public Access Mr chair if I can just the zoning code does Define a poo as a publicly accessible space to the extent that answers any any questions for you I appreciate it thank you I have some discussion but I'll I'll wave it unless there's a question for Mr s one more question to piggyback actually on your question about the 33 um comprehensive plan revision um in reading the minutes of the of the Planning and Zoning Board I I know that we we need to look at this on its own merits um but to my understanding just so that I'm clear that that 33 um negative recommendation recommendation for Denial on that item if adopted by the commission that kills the project in this Incarnation is that correct I believe that is correct yes and it was a curious vote Mr Withers voted I believe and if you look at the record for the other the other items on the a 4 two basis and the first two U he voted against the fom and Zoning change so and Mr chair if I can Mr Sila the reason there's a distinction between one's a denial and one's a no recommendation is there's a quirk of them sitting as the local land use board and for that reason less than four is a denial even if it's would otherwise be considered a no recommendation like on the zoning code provision thank you any additional questions for staff for the applicant thank you Mr Fernandez if I can open it up to a public hearing does anybody in the addas wish to speak in favor or of the in favor we have somebody on Zoom yes I'm going to do this item of the two items in favor of the in favor of the alley vacation or the changing of the street grid on University Drive we have one person on Zoom I'm not sure if they're in favor or against it might not be clear but it's just one yeah and again Mr chair if they're going to be providing sworn testimony if they could please turn on their camera and be Sor in by the court reporter otherwise it will just be considered a public comment while we get them set up I'll just announce that we did receive four letters of opposition um from the historic preservation Board Association historic preservation Association Ellen Dyer Diana Vidal and Sandra Skidmore thank you hello yes hello hi this is carelia a president of the historic preservation Association I understand that um our letter is um has been submitted but I do want to make um just a few comments on this item we are in total opposition on um on the request and but before I I get into that I'd like to say that the whiteway light that should that is not a new light um for the person that was making the presentation for the project that is a restored light in its original Institute position the city has spent millions of dollars restoring and bringing back um the lights that um we have been able to recover so please this is not a new light these are these lights are not um you know uh again this is these are R this is a rare light that is in its position so we are 100% in opposition to move that light anyway it's been too long it's been over three decades and so I um I just want to make that distinction which this is not just an ordinary street light that I think the person that was making a presentation said in February it was a brand new light this is a carbel thank you can um with request number one or number two the alley vacation or the university yes let me let me let me get to the that please um hold on a second I have to get back into my to my phone um with that I we are as I said we are in opposition to this request deating the public alley and the abandonment and vacation of a portion of University Drive as per Coral Gable's historic City plan alleys are one of several protected historic resources as Miss Bain just um made that case please remember that back in October of 20121 your board this board upheld the historical significance of the city plan and rejected the Project's request to vacate the alley and portion of University Drive nothing has changed they're asking for the same thing yes the height has been reduced but they need the alley to proceed and University Drive is part of our city plan which is a protected plan um the other uh Additionally the project encroaches on public historic property as per The Landmark City plan and also obviously you you know which are these are but um one particular is our 1926 white waste three light which is going to be um absolutely uh affected the um the request um will encroach on the historic City plan it the city plan if you have if you don't have a copy of the city plan please do it's on page two it talks about the rights of way Parkways Road ways alleys open space Parks sailes reservations sidewalks and waterways these are all protected um and and again it are are one particular Landmark will be adversely uh affected additionally um there is the the the this city plan is has an ordinance and a resolution to it and what I want to finally end with is that Coral Gables is among a limited number of municipalities whose City plan is a local Historic Landmark it was officially recognized in 2018 by a unanimous vote of the city commission it's resolution number 2217 240 and there's a ordinance that goes with it 201813 an ordinance is a law or decree by a municipality an ordinance is a local law usually ordinances forbid or restrict some type of activity the historic preservation board has the duty as they did back in 2021 to abide by the city's ordinances and forbid or RCT any activity that veers from this decree thus George Merrick's planned city with its right up ways Parkways roadways alleys open space Parks swailes reservations sidewalks and waterways is legally protected thank you so much for listening and please um go you know uphold your vote from thank you Miss carbonel okay um since part of the public comment included the whiteway lights we're going to consider that public comment um we're going to close public comment bring it back to the board for discussion if we can talk about items one and two that might be helpful and then we can go to item number three um any discussion amongst the board any thoughts that we want to share Miss Spain already mentioned a little bit her thoughts so if not I have discussion but Mr have well with with respect to specifically request two where they're asking to vacate a por University Drive I have concerns because if this were to be approved you're setting precedence where you're and and I I don't believe that be it an Alleyway or a a more major throw far should be vacated simply because a private development wishes to plan something of a certain scale and wants to encroach upon it and I think that the the thought of of saying we're going to dress it up and turn it into a park when it's also functioning as a walkway for the the the residents and the commercial uh vendors and people who are going to go there I don't think that the city should be accommodating those kinds of things those kinds of concerns need to be thought of in the planning stage scale Etc so I'm I'm personally not in favor of of of vacating the the University Drive actually let if you don't pause maybe since Bruce jumped in on number two um my comment is everything's on a case-by Case basis precedent may or may not take place here but any any thoughts on number two so we could sort of keep um our discussion on the similar item Mr Silva sure um well I was just going to say that that items one and two should kind of be tied together proceed um because I think if you're going to do one then you do two I think or you there's an there's an argument for two right um to me this is kind of a tricky situation because we're we're we're looking at at something at the city plan which is definitely designated historic um but trying to keep an open mind um you know what it's we're talking about the alley which provides services to a building right on one level um so in a sense they're pedestrianized that alley and making it publicly accessible they're making it I would argue much better than it is now um but we're balancing that right with with number one pushing Services out onto the street right which was the whole intent of the alley is is to have Services sort of away from the Maj IND stre it's away from University Drive Away from Catalonia um you know we've all driven around and we see those loading Bays that are right on the street and they're never used right the trucks just pull up on the street they do whatever they need to do so that that's an issue the alley alleviates that um but we were balancing against kind of this this public good of of this beautiful FAO that they're providing right which is which is really breaking up the block on a pedestrian level so on a pedestrian level this scheme I think works and it works better right and it sort of maintains that my my larger problem comes with the fact that that along with the plan are the buildings that go on that plan or are meant to go on that plan right so when this plan was designated there were two discrete buildings meant to go on this and this the cityscape this this beautiful swooping curve was meant to be two discrete buildings divided by a gap right and we are losing that if if we do this this is clearly one large building it memorializes that that alley um but but we're losing that Gap in the urban fabric that was originally there and originally intended to be there um so those are my thoughts on number one and I think number two if you're doing number one then number two is sort of inconsequential because all you're doing is changing slightly changing the curvature of University you're not closing it you're you're you're giving some and you're adapting some um so so I would I would look at those two in tandem those are my thoughts thank you Mr solo Miss D any thoughts Miss Bain Mr Arin you didn't get to talk about the request number one if you have well that's because my inclination was because it's it's recommending a denial from staff and I wanted to put up front that I had similar concerns with respect to two that's why I brought it up first yeah okay thank you so I had the same concerns that Alex had because you you really the whole point of an alley is to have the the services uh away from the street and yet it's now on the street which sort of defeats the purpose of keeping it as a p though although I think it it would be a beautiful you know except it has a ceiling so that would bother me Mr D anything well I'm a little confused about about the services issue because I thought the applicant mentioned that there was going to be some accommodation let me point you to a page and then we'll bring the architect okay um the services for the drawing on the booklet on [Music] page 1-14 page 14 okay going to look at that right now thank you so the B on the left uh-huh I see so there's like an internal space there where Fernandes is that correct and deliveries will be made sure Mr chair I'm happy to address the point thank you thank you for the opportunity the the idea was to take the service functions that would be visible on the street uh corridors for loading and unloading uh areas where you would reel wheel out trash onto the back of the alley and internalize those within the envelope of the building yes there are eages points that do face the street but we have those connections to the street right now with the alley but they're not shielded from from from one's View Corridor when they're walking down the adjoining pedestrian realm we think that we will improve the condition by internalizing those service areas so hopefully that addresses your concern thank you Mr Fernandez and then I also agree that when I was looking at the um the pictures as to uh request number two I agree with staff that it seems to be a slight uh modification and so um I wouldn't have a problem necessarily with that request this is just my thoughts of the moment thank you um so I'm going to agree with my board members uh we've seen things like this before but even in this particular case uh alleys are part of the hierarchy of the street grid um many of us believe it's an important part of the hierarchy of the street grid uh if indeed there is a hierarchy of a street grid but is definitely part of the street grid um I agree with Mr Silva that the creation of an alley is not just the use that's accompanied with it although the applicant is very good about talking how that would be handled in this project it also has to do with the buildings on that block that are created by that alley um this is a significant departure from what the plan would generally dictate um I think I've been on the record on this several times I don't I know it's a case-by case basis but the basis of that is um it changes the fabric of the city um because the street plan is lost um in this particular case I also agree with Mr D that I I disagree with Mr Silver Mr eraf that the curve on University Drive is so slight that I would be amenable to approving that particular piece because generally it seems within the pen length of the drawing um but the alley I think is is a major DV viation of of the city plan and that's just sort of my comment any additional comments from staff with the discussion is anybody opening to questions for staff or the AR just have a clarification the the leftover piece of land that's on the other side of where they they want to change the curvature that's staying there that's remaining as a separate piece of land to the appli Mr Fernandez to the chair thank you yes absolutely Spain it's remaining it'll remain publicly owned we're just proposing to improve it okay thank you excuse me are you talking about the portion that's University Drive or well that's that there is a leftover piece of the grid uh Mr Fernandez what page is that on do you know yes I can I can point you to the page if you give me a second yeah I can it's on page eight you'll see some of it is given and some of it is taken 108 I think the best illustration is on page 4-05 it's near the end of your packet no no no 108 that was okay I have 45 on my PL I apologize well one of the illustrations but it doesn't show what area is given and what area is no I think she's referring she was referring I'm sorry Mr chair I think she was referring to the triangle across from the slip lane I'm referring to this yeah so okay what you're referring to Mr I think you ref it looks as if it's part of your project but it but it's done definitely separate so I appreciate that yeah we we heard from the community that there had been a proposal before to close the slip lane uh as we reassessed that was a significant deviation from the city plan and we chose to respect it I think the de the difference will be there's more space dedicated to the public realm for walking as opposed to on street parking and may I direct a question to staff I think this is Mr Arin house question although the property line May um is the one that looks like it's and taking for the curve the curb for the road isn't changing no no staff right correct so the curve of the the curve is remaining the same it is the line of demarcation I think why it looks different is cu the parking spaces that are there now are no longer yes Park the parking spaces which are about 20 ft deep are being removed and so they're allowing for the substantial expansion of the sidewalk to about 44 ft at its widest Dimension so to clarify I'm sorry no if it help get us the diagram on the on the p on the screen cuz the remote's not working so we're looking at the right thing so Mr erft is it the question of where question is they're talking about taking a portion of University Drive and basically turning it into landscaped and pedestrian walkways is that correct no just to clarify through the chair if I may um the the it's really the edge of our property line uh where the base building line is M we are dedicating portions on the northeast corner and we are vacating portions in the center of the curve yes uh to create the geomet geometry that you see depicted in the renderings um the reason the the reason the sidewalks are substantially wider is that at our cost we're going to pay for the removal of the on street parking on either side of the slip lane so that space is given back to pedestrians as opposed to vehicles and so that creates a much wider geometry at the front of the building so you're taking away parking is functionally when this is done is University Drive going to remain open yes sir as a vehicular 100% that's been our commitment to the community just that it's they they're going to have to pass through not stop there's no parking they're losing parking along that space so but that's outside of the application correct or is that part of the application that's the parking spaces are not included in this application the application is for the dedication of the giving and taking space correct and the parking spaces I would say are not included in the designated City plan right yeah I'm just because they're that's why they're not included because you're calling them dedicated parking spaces but they're part of a street they are they are at some point in time got little boxes for people to stop and get out of their car for staff if I may ask a question for clarity from staff yes there's a difference between the platted lines and the street curbs this is about the platted lines not the street curbs correct so the things that we're reviewing is the plan is this curve not these guys but they're describing it as vacating portions of University Drive in part two okay keep that only the portion here yeah it's got nothing to do with outside of the planted line I just have one more question sorry Donna we're we're helping Mr Aron house I understand this I think will help him okay I'm listening okay that image right there yes sir Miss are there any cars that are able to go anywhere in that the area so the the the road base the slip lane that the diameter of the street where Vehicles Traverse is essentially untouched okay so where where it's paved there that's that still allows cars to go through absolutely that was one of the first things we talked to the neighbors about and that was a source of significant opposition the last time okay because that space was being appropriated to assist the building your questions yes okay so what you're seeing is that the slip Lan is just being paved with a different material cover okay so I want to be clear we're voting on the platted lines of the master plan that's the diagram yes I'm going to go back to that one yes oh Noe find the exact language be there in one second sorry there we go no no there we go right so I just want to be clear that what we're voting on right this is what we're asked to vote on everything outside of that we can can discuss but I don't believe it's what we're asked to vote on which is all just be clear when we take a vote we know what we're voting on Mr s just to clarify uh my comments earlier like I I I don't have an issue with request number two I think that's a minor change I just I think if we're going to reject number one number two kind of goes with it it doesn't make any sense but but I understand we're looking at three discret requests and we need to vote three discret different things thank you Mr and I wanted to I want to clarify my concern and what was a partial misinterpretation University Drive has great length and I was interpreting this as saying we are going to in front of this entire building truncate all of University Drive because that portion of University Drive that University Drive in front is what I thought you were saying a portion of it in other words it's your you're going to I thought it was going to truncate flow along that thank you Mr thank you thank you Mr Fernandez thank you all thank you um okay any more discussion on the board or I'm willing to entertain a motion for items one and two are we taking them separately we're taking them separately please so I I would make a motion uh let me get right to a motion to deny request number one which is the request for a recommendation of approval to the city commission for Amendment to the city plan for the vacation of the alley and the property adjacent to 216 and 224 Catalonia Avenue 3,000 pwn to Leon Boulevard 203 University Drive and 225 Malaga Avenue um and to deny the issuance of a special certificate of appropriateness recommend denial mhm he said it earlier MH I'll second that okay we have a motion by Mr Silva a second by Mrs Spain any discussion okay let's call the role Mr Arin haft so motion to deny the AL vacation so I say yes if I'm in favor of the motion to deny correct yes Mr yes Miss Rando oh sorry Mr Silva yes Miss Spain yes Mr Garcia Pon yes the motion for denial passes 5 to zero is there a motion for request number two I'd like to make a motion Mr n okay I'd like to move to approve the request for a recommendation of approval to the city commission for an amendment to the city plan for the abandonment and vacation of that segment and University Drive North of the Malika Avenue right away and west of the ponan boulevard right away and to recommend approval of the issuance of a special certificate of appropriateness um is there a second I'll second SEC uh a move by Miss D second by Mr Arin half any discussion let's call the RO Mr Silva yes Miss Spain yes Mr arft yes Miss Den yes and Mr Garcia Pon yes motion passes 5- Z and now request number three um any discussion on request number three which is the historic TDR approval and its relationship to the historic elements or designated properties within 500 ft any discussion any thoughts any questions just another question mrman um this is this is the regular process where we just we approve this as a receiving site and then later on a sending site would come back to us for approval I believe these tdrs were already approved in a separate process in a settlement agreement the yes this sending site is not on our under our review Mr Fernandez do you have any comment thank you and this one is not a recommendation this is an actual vote so sorry just a followup to that so the sending site came to this board already and we looked at the maintenance plan and all that that was so the are so through staff if I if I may clarify so since this was a bypro of a settlement agement it's a little bit odd that we're here on this request quite frankly um the the city commission appr initially approved the under the settlement agreement the use of tdrs at this application back in 2019 it will go back to them for final approval with the project um I believe it's this application is here before you on this item because of its potential impact on adjacent historic buildings and the landmark which is the whiteway light and if I may Mr sherff will I have the opportunity I didn't mean to imply that the light is not a traditional light or a historic light it was just a different one of the different whiteway lights uh that was on site uh prior to 2003 and we're excited to have it as on the property or near the property thank you thank you Mr Fernandez so are we clear on the vote do you uh staff want to clarify exactly what we're voting on I can re review it again if you want would like well actually I have a question now that we've already vote now that we've already voted on the one and item number two um does that affect the white way light that that that reconfiguration of the curve this is a question I should have had prior to that vote so the the plaza in the front of the building is going to still be larger than what's there now so the location of the whiteway light will still now be ins set from that edge of the street which I think is where your concern is going to be because even with without approving number two that would have happened there it the short answer is no because what we're looking at is the building line not the curb line so it's going to be the same impact so that front Plaza size isn't changing okay item three is separate and it's a matter of does this building negatively affect that light and the other elements and the location yeah right and the location light will still be okay kind of ins set from the edge of the street because of the I understand configuration and staff is saying that it does negatively impact and it should not be moved the applicant has said that we like the light and we'd like to move it a little bit and that's what I heard to give it the it might be helpful to put up the picture where you showed exactly where it is right now and where your proposal is to relocate thank you madam can thank you help us with that thank you it's the last slide here so it should be easy to get to and again this is just our first thought we're happy to work with staff to come up with an acceptable location again we just didn't think it was a proper treatment to have it up against the building near a service an Eis Corridor um the lights worthy we thought of a of a a more fitting treatment than that so Mr fernanz can you show the photograph that's two slides earlier just so we can see what existing so that's what it is the building line is more or less where the building line is there not including the awning correct right so it's at the building line so that's where it is staff is saying that any building it shouldn't be moved and then if you go to the picture you just did sure the applicant is saying can we scooch it over to the east a little bit yeah you had a pointer before where you pointed where it's yes ma'am so it's currently here our first conversation with staff was maybe this would be a better location again I I think the opportunity for us would be to incorporate more of them along this Frontage since we are remaking the whole streetcape but that's not what we're voting on now back to we shouldn't go there no no my apologies I just thank you thank you Mr Fernandez um back to the board for discussion so I have I have a question for staff uh the if the light is moved or is movable or if we vote to allow it to be moved does the motion to deny preclude that and does it must be must it stay in spa in place or can it be a motion to deny so the mo motion to it would be a motion to deny the receipt of tdrs you're not reviewing the relocation of the light today if you decide that it's okay to relocate the light then per the code they would you can grant a special certificate of appropriateness for that relocation right which is a separate application got it so if you can say that again because I think that there's two things that we can vote on we're voting on one of them today not the other right today you're reviewing the receive the property as a receiving site of tdrs and if they if those if that TDR would adversely affect any historic properties within 500 ft and namely if I may Mr chair it's if the proposal shall not adversely affect the historic architectural or aesthetic character of the property and in which case the staff's issue has brought up that the white way light is that historic property so so have another that's the test a followup for staff is is the TDR that we're voting is the impact to the light or the building we don't review the building we review if the tdrs and the development of the site would impact the light and any historic landmarks within 500 ft and this happens to be one the code says the proposal if the proposal affects yeah but isn't that the building not the Aesthetics of the building right so the development of the site pretty much is how that goes so in a scenario where there's a historic home and a 10-ft tall building would block the view of a historic home say that would that affect the historic architectural or aesthetic character of that historic property but it's not the tdrs that's doing that it's the proposal The Proposal itself the tdrs is is mainly height what tdrs are used for so so we don't have purview over the development of the site otherwise than the re then if there was a special certificate of appropriat in front of you that was to relocate the light and that could be done separately that would be one thing if let's say if there was no tdrs in this case if this property had no request for tdrs but they needed to relocate that light they would come here for a special certificate of appropriateness no but they would still come here if uh if it was within 500 ft right so that's where I'm getting so but because today we're looking at the rece regardless if they tbrs correct so we're looking at it and how that development of the prop the site would impact any historic landmarks within 500 ft and there are more than just the white way lights one isct but I think what you just said I think stated it clearly that is what is the impact of the development on the whiteway lights regardless of it's 5T or 495 ft away right okay thank you at least for me Mr Aram okay so I understand technically we're talking about one thing but we're really concerned about the light and whatever's going on if the if if a if there's approval and things go forward the first thing they're going to have to do is take the light out and store it just like you put a a barrier around trees it's going to have to be protected but the the the the question I I think that was raised was that it is so close to the access to where they're going to have waste trucks going in and out that that the light would best be moved some distance 5T or some some distance so it's it's protected is that correct or or or are you talking about the fact that there's a building that's going to be very close in proximity to it and affecting the chair if I'm going to read what I see here and you tell me if this is correct therefore per section 14- 2046 A3 of the corg zity code the hisor preservation board's review and approval of the proposed development is required to determine if the proposal adversely affects the historic architectural aesthetic character of the historic properties of which one of them is a light so if that is what we're voting on I think that is a clear sentence yes if I may yes um for Mr Aaron half clarification I think that two things were brought up in the presentation was that there is an egress path believe a pedestrian eagus path that's being proposed near where that light is and there is also the back of house um drive-thru that will be very close again to that location where it currently stands but that was brought up by you and your discussion wanting to protect the light who's you to reloc I'm sorry the I'm sorry who's you I'm sorry Mr Fernandez the app yeah the applicant I'm sorry so yes if I just may clarify our what our desire would be we we would we would love for you to prove this is a receiving site for the tdrs and if we could have direction to staff as a condition potentially to have us relocate to a location that's acceptable to staff so as to preserve its integrity and make sure it's not adversely affected by the building but the applicant mentioned that in discussion with respect to the light but if I think I think I hear you hear the discussion saying the explanation saying that it is the mass of the project itself the project The Proposal proposal includes everything every includes everything and is that going to affect the light in a way that that that this board feels is going to negatively impact it correct so if I can just so yeah okay sorry if I can just um clarify so the proposal is to relocate the light or we just been talking about that is part of the proposal not Mr staff what is before us today yes I'm reading uh the Midway of the paragraph under staff observations yes so there is is there was a proposal to relocate the light and that's why in the staff analysis there is a section of what the conditions are for relocation for consideration for relocation okay so that I'm just trying to be kind of technical so that is the proposal so when we're reading what we're supposed to do today then we're supposed to look at whether the proposal to relocate would okay so it actually is part of the proposal that we're looking at as to whether it adversely affects histor the character historic properties I Mr Sila I I'm I'm uh kind of torn by this too because my my problem with a project is is the vacation of the alley right we've already voted on that we've already talked about that I think if if this project was a standalone site that didn't change the street grid right and it was a and we were voting on whether it should it could be a receiving site for TDR that was going to increase the mass of the building do whatever it was going to do um we we are not reviewing the design of the building but in that situation I think we could maybe at least in my in my eyes I would say okay we'll approve it as a as a receiving side for tdrs and please make accommodations for the white weight light if it was if it was just the one site without changing the the this super important designated Street grit right the problem is that in my mind it's tied together with the overall project right like if it was if it was a standalone single site I wouldn't have an issue but the fact that it is tied together as one parcel and one thing is what's giving me pause I have a a question for staff um Mr Fernandez mentioned something about an approval or denial with a recommendation how would that work I don't I don't think you can deny deny with a recommendation it would be an approval with a recommendation it's my understanding that and correct me if I'm wrong Mr Fernandez that you could approve this as a receiving s it and find that the proposal to move the white way light which is the proposal subject to a certificate of appropriateness from this board does not adversely affect the historic architectural or aesthetic character of those nearby properties so to the you could if if I that that's what I'm understanding your proposal I think that's correct essentially condition it in that fashion so that there would be an alternate process to mitigate the potential impact on the light the extent that there is an impact and it's my understanding again correct me if I'm wrong but the proposal as depicted that's before you today suggests moving that light already so it already is in some ways a condition subject on your future action on a certificate of appropriateness correct so a special certificate of appropriateness for the relocation of the landmark would be required for review and it would be part of the next step in their process if the approval moves forward so the for their recommendation for the request apologies the actions that I have heard are deny approve or approve with the condition subject to a certificate special certificate of appropriateness if if you're approving the TDR receival as they are proposing it with the relocation of the light the special certificate of appropriateness will always will be required anyways you could just clarify I mean it would come at no matter what so okay got it I understand Mr Sol just one more and maybe this is going to muddle the waters even more but but could we request a a slight redesign of that ground floor to accommodate the light and it's exist existing condition and in a way that so i i w I don't want to speak for Mr Fernandez but this has been through many iterations and many boards already and this design is proposed has already been to board of Architects and planning and zoning board so to the extent that there's proposals that would necessitate going back to those boards I'm not sure if that's something the applicant is willing to consider well I think the the architectural board is a recommending board to us right the planning zoning board is not right so they would have to go back to Planning and Zoning but not necessarily the board of Architects yeah I'm not sure on this we don't respectfully disagree but we I think B would probably be implicated by that kind of a change certainly this is coming in a different manner to you it's coming as a TDR site rather than as a historic property for a COA so there's some nuances there we'd have to look at that's so so then our options are what you were saying either we approve it we deny it or we approve it with a condition to move the light we don't the approval requires an sea afterwards we don't have to condition it we can clarify a about need to be condition Miss B I'm sorry please it if we approve this and obviously it requires a certificate of appropriateness but if we've already approved it why wouldn't it be a standard certificate of appropriate that could be handled by staff if we're approving this by the way I'm going to vote against it if in fact so you don't have it because you need all five votes but if in fact we ended up all five voting for it couldn't it be by staff because we're approving what we've seen the section of the code for relocation says to Grant a special certificate of appropri okay thank you I think we all understand what we're voting for on okay thank you Mr Fernandez thank you Miss per thank you for your time um all right board members is there a motion to be had um I'll try to make a motion um I recommend a motion that determines the proposal does that adversely affect the historic architectural or aesthetic character of the historic property located within 500 ft of the site uh namely the white way street light a local Historic Landmark and um I make a motion to deny the proposal referred to as Pon Park residences with the understanding that it requires further review and approval by the city commiss thank you Miss ban is there a second to that motion sorry one more question so what happens if if they don't get five affirmative votes on the motion so if there's a failure to receive a majority if there's failure to receive a majority it's continued until a majority vote is achieved so it would unless the voting changes here on a subsequent motion it would go to the next meeting continue to the next meeting on this discrete issue is Mr City attorney majority or five well five so five is required for a for a vote so we five so if it doesn't have five it we're only five at theas so not majority unanimous yes and the code says a tie vote or the lack of a majority vote but it also clarifies that the affirmative vote of a majority of the full board shall be required which is five members okay Mr Sila I'm clear okay is there a second to Mrs Spain's motion I will second motion there is a motion by Miss Spain a second by Mr Silva any discussion on the motion um Mr I'm I'm just still concerned sure so I will just say that I'm I'm still concerned and and I would think maybe with at the next meeting it might be more appropriate when more members are here um I'm just concerned right now so we have a motion in a second the applicant's okay with proceeding with five members um you can't abstain unless you have a good reason so we're going to hear it the this board always has the option to defer this item or continue this item to a next meeting if that's acceptable um to the applicant or if we don't get a majority vote it will automatically be continued so either way so we have a motion in a second you want to proceed or you want to withdraw your motion I want to proceed okay we're going forward we have a motion in a second any discussion on the item okay so no so we want to proceed tonight and not defer to the next we have a motion in a second the motion does not want to okay resend her motion so we're proceeding with the vote okay the motion is to deny color roll Mr Aron haft yes Mr den no okay Mr Silva yes Miss Spain yes and Mr Garcia Pon no motion fails 3-2 um do we need to continue to do this or can we proceed no you could um make if if anybody wants to make a motion in the alternative a motion to accept you could do that and do a vote on that and um if we fail to get a majority vote on that motion I would say it would be continued to the next meeting okay does anybody wish to make a motion in the affirmative or for approval okay hearing none we'll live with the one that we have thank you for the record of I may Mr Garcia Pond this item will be continued to the next historic preservation board meeting um Anna I don't know if you know know the date of that meeting so we don't need to Ren notice we can continue the item to a date certain this a recomendation it's expensive to advertise in the herald these days so if you don't mind Mr absolutely February 21st okay we'd like to continue this motion continue this item to the February 21st meeting all right thank you very much to the applicants um back to staff do staff have any board item City commission or city projects update yes um first just so that um we were up to speed the motion that was made at the December hearing was presented to the city commission at the January 9th meeting by Mr Maxwell uh the motion was not adopted but the commission did direct that the historic preservation board and the landmarks Advisory Board have a joint meeting to discuss replacement and standards for street lights um we are looking at dates for this meeting um um and I will be circulating to get some um some input but right now it may likely be at the end of February on the 29th just to give everybody time to accommodate their schedules for that so miss pis we had spoken our board meeting is as we just mentioned on what day 21st the 21st so to be the following week instead of having a joint meeting at the same time that we have our regular meeting it was thought that perhaps The Joint meeting doesn't happen to have on our date if it happens the week after we can have a special joint meeting to have the board's talks were not dependent on our meeting is that seemed reasonable to me I think staff is going to give us a good date we had talked about the following Wednesday is that not an option there's other boards that are scheduled for this Chambers and the police station end um if you could as soon as you have a date send it out and take take a poll as to who can and cannot attend CU it would be a shame if we can't correct um and we did have that discussion on the landmarks board on Monday so they're aware too that we're looking at dates um and um Mr Arin haft and Mr Maxwell also attended the meeting and we were able to have a just a brief update of the motion that was made here and they're aware and they also um made a motion on behalf of their board to in the same vein of your motion just with their the resolution that we pass right was adopted yes by the land and they're going to they're also made their own resolution to go to the city commission So yeah thank you Mr um the other items just to go back to um some followup from the last meeting was for the street lights as well I know that um Miss Baine had requested a few things about the FPL catalog and so that was um for yesterday's uh recommend I mean presentation from FPL and Public Works uh FPL mentioned that in 2017 those lights were removed from the catalog by the Public Service Commission they presented and said that the city was primar their their only customer of silver light polls and so when they made the business decision to kind of streamline their polls it was removed from the catalog so I I think we need to clarify make sure that you we heard it right is yes the Public Service Commission did not do away with the silver lights they did away they made it led required there's an LED regulate tariff they did not get rid of the standard lights they changed the Lumen which FPL determined because of the light source they pulled it because they did not think that I don't not know what they thought or did not think um the metal the the light source is required to be led and it wasn't that doesn't mean that the pole or the silver Pole or the height of the pole or anything was judged or ruled by the Public Service Commission it was just the light that we weren't buying enough flights right but I mean it's it's slightly because remov of the directive of changing the light source yes okay that's clear and then um just for the agreement renewal that's something that's handled administratively so I think you asked for a resolution number but there was not one Associated to it um and then again back to the city plan it discusses the lights and the intent of the white way path but the lights were designated it also mentions the lights were designated in 81 so it's not part of that thank you m Bennis and from other items to come 55 hammock Park uh there was an appeal for that property um and they have requested a hearing date of March 12th for the city commission for the appeal so that has been um confirmed as of now um and then the other things that Mr Silva had asked about was working on a kind of map to Overlay the flood zones and the historic properties so I'm working with Mark aberer who does our GIS and he's provided me on Monday actually the uh flood zone maps that were used last year when this discussion had come up and there are two um items that may affect us that would be great um and also the just sorry just to give a a quick legislative update uh in the state senate um that that bill is moving through again that bill that would strip um anything in a flood zone from local historic designation protection um it's already been through one committee it already passed um I know that you guys are lobbying AA is lobbying against it um but just keep it on the radar it's got two more committees to go and then it gets heard before the full Senate I I received a um an email from Daniel Caldo I think probably all of us did uh and I forwarded that to the city Commission the City attorney and uh the um city manager just letting them know that it was out there and I and I and I said I'm sure you're already aware of this and you're doing something about it and the city manager emailed me back immediately uh that you all did and so did the mayor yes and through the chair that's all that issue has already been a part of our legislative agenda adopted by the commission for this year we're well aware of that the Coastal Construction line and like U Mr PNA said we're working with our it team to identify you know any vulnerabilities in the city with those bills but again they are a part of our legislative agenda and our team's working working on that as as a reminder did we pass a resolution last year for this item we did there was a a specific um item and the I believe the city commission also adopted a resolution so happy to entertain that and pass that along if that's something you want to make again or you know so Mr Silva we've done at once would you would you like to do it now again the a very similar resolution recommendation to the board although we're acting individually would we like to act as a board um sure you help me can you help me with a resolution no um so it's timely but it's not urgent today can we can you provide us the board with a copy of the resolution we did last year so that we can take a look at it for two next month's meeting certainly and and if if you all would like to direct us to we can draft a new resolu solution for your consideration if that's helpful or not um obviously subject to your comments and approval if it's helpful to have a draft with the current bill numbers Etc Mr Silva yes I would make a motion to do that so let's ask sta to bring that to the next Mee circulated and then we'll provide it so that an action can be taken at the next meeting thank you thank you and and Miss pis one more thing since you've done list excellent work and identified those two properties um that would that were affected by the law that was already passed um is can the city approach those two owners because willing uh willing designation is permitted it's unwilling designation that isn't is that something the city could do approach those owners and ask them if they would like to be so the two properties that um Mr Gillis had brought up no well you said there were two properties in the flood zone that may be affected by the law okay I will look into it and reach out to them yes okay thanks because that's the only kind of shot we have right it would only be I mean I if the building does change hands though it wouldn't no even if it changes hands if it does allow it I know there was some changes to it but we'll look at the most recent versions and see if that's something proactive the city can do I know sometimes it says prior to 2012 prior to I think the way it read was prior to X years you can do an unwilling designation but after those years you can do only a willing designation and then the designation stays and it's protected unless this new law passes and we could also um because there's there were changes to that that legislation and there's a new one we may want to request that maybe um the City attorney come and do a brief kind of update on it that way you're educated on any changes that were done and that'll give me time to kind of identify any other properties thank you so we could do that for the next meeting um Madam City attorney is that all right I mean I'm okay with just providing you with the language but I'm sure we we can certainly provide an update as well when we come bring that draft resolution Naomi Levy Garcia in our office the assistant City attorney is still working on our legislative with our legislative and lobbying team so thank you miss bnas any additional items that is it from me I I have something and I apologize I was contacted U by Dolly McIntyre who asked me about the maton hammock properties that rockoo did a report on um they were built by the WPA and somewhere in your office you have a report yeah we somebody reached out to us recently that they're working on an a survey of the Mathis and hammock and they wanted to come see our okay so you have a report that rockoo from the University of Miami did and Dolly was asking me whatever happened and are they being maintained and are they going to be restored and I had no idea so if you could just look into that yes uh they're owned by the county I believe uh and and so I don't know whether there's anything a foot to to do something about them but if you could get back to us yeah we've received a few uh requests from them lately but they were all on properties that were not part of the contributing historic fabric um so I think that they're taking another look at maybe the site in totality cuz we did get the request came from someone that's working with the county okay with a a um I believe a consultant so they're going to be meeting with Amanda but I'll look into that any additional old business or new business all right is there a motion to adjourn I'll make that motion motion by Miss Spain I'll second second by Mr Arin half all in favor I I okay any opposed no unanimous thank you meeting is adjourned 6:30 [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music]