LTC 083-2006 4465 North Michigan Avenue - Status Report on Existing Single Family HomeMIAMI BEACH
OFF CE OF C TY
NO. LTG # LETTER TO COMMISSION
083-2006
TO: Mayor David Dermer and Members of the City Commission
FROM: City Manager Jorge M. Gonzalez
DATE: March 28, 2006
SUBJECT: 4465 North Michigan Avenue
Status Report on Existing Single Family Home
The purpose of this LTC is to update you and provide background information on the above
referenced property. You will recall that the owner of this property addressed the City
Commission dudng the Sutnick hour at the January 11,2006 Commission meeting.
Recently, the owners of a single family home located at 4465 North Michigan Avenue processed
a Building Permit application for the demolition of the existing home and the construction of a
new home. The existing home on the subject property was constructed in 1941 and has been
determined to be Architecturally Significant by the Planning Department.
The following is a summary of the permit history of the existing and proposed structures at the
subject site:
On December 21,2001, an application fora Demolition Permitwas filed with the Building
Department for the complete demolition of the existing single family home. Since the
Demolition Permit application was filed prior to the adoption of interim procedures
affecting single family homes constructed pdor to 1942, the Planning Department signed
the application. However, a Demolition permit was not issued and to date, no demolition
permit has ever been issued.
· On April 10, 2002, the City Commission adopted an Ordinance Amendment establishing
demolition procedures for single-family homes located outside of local histodc districts
and sites. Criteria were established for the Planning Director to make a determination as
to whether a home is architecturally significant and a cut-off date of 1942 was
established for the review of single-family homes.
· On December 27, 2002, a Building Permit application was filed with the Building
Department for a new single family home at the subject site; to date, no permit has been
issued.
· On December 8, 2004, the City Commission adopted revisions to the single family
demolition procedures ordinance. Such revisions included the requirement for approval
from the Design Review Board for new single family homes on lots where an
architecturally significant home is proposed to be demolished.
· On April 6, 2005, the Planning Department signed off on the zoning section of the
Building Permit application for the proposed new construction at the subject property.
The zoning official who reviewed the plans was not aware that there was an existing
home on the site.
We are committed to providing excellent public service to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic communi/y.
Page: 2
Date: March 28, 2006
LTC - 4465 North Michigan Avenue - Status Report
· On September 22, 2005, in response to the re-submission of the Demolition Permit
application, a letter was sent to the owner of the single family home, Mr. Gerald Tepler,
advising them that the demolition request was subject to the requirements of Section
142-108 of the City Code and that the Planning Department was required to make a
determination as to whether the subject single family home is architecturally significant.
On October 12, 2005, Planning Department staff met with Mrs. Joanne Tepler regarding the
demolition request. At that time, Mrs. Teplerwas advised that she could make an application to
the Design Review Board for the review of the proposed new home, or seek a formal
determination of architectural significance. Mr. and Mrs. Tepler submitted a request to the
Planning Department on October 20, 2005 to determine whether the single-family residence at
4465 Michigan Avenue was architecturally significant.
On November 14, 2005, Planning Department staff visited the subject property and reviewed the
request for a determination of architectural significance, in accordance with Section 142-108(a)
of the Land Development Regulations of the Miami Beach City Code. A formal determination of
Architectural Significance was rendered by the Planning Department on November 21, 2005.
On December 12, 2005, Planning Department staff met with Mrs. Tepler regarding the
determination of architectural significance, as well as her options with regard to the proposed
new home. At that time, Mrs. Tepler was advised that she could make an application to the
Design Review Board for the review of the proposed new home. Staff also advised Mrs. Tepler
that the DRB may require design changes to the proposed home, in order for it to be
contextually compatible with the built context of its immediate area. Staff also suggested that a
meeting be arranged with the project architect to discuss the design of the home and to go over
changes to address potential board concerns.
On January 11,2006, the owner of the subject home came before the City Commission dudng
the Sutnick hour to explain his predicament. Planning Department staff met with Mr. and Mrs.
Tepler on February 24, 2006 to discuss additional options. At that time Mr. Tepler explained that
the permitting of the home took much longer than they ever anticipated and that they were under
the assumption that a Demolition Permit had been issued and was still active.
At the suggestion of Planning Department staff, Mr. and Mrs. Tepler have filed an application
with the Design Review Board for the approval of the proposed new home. The application will
be considered by the Board on April 4, 2006.
In light of the fact that the Tepler's have completed nearly all phases of the permitting process,
and that they were under the impression that a Demolition Permit for the home was active, staff
is hopeful that the DRB will consider these unique and extenuating circumstances when
reviewing the project.
If you have any additional questions with regard to this matter, please do not hesitate to contact
me.
JMG: : GG:TRM ~-~ ~
F:\PLAN\$ALL\CM RESP\4465 North Michigan-mgrs-revision.ltc.doc : -~ ;;;~,..~.,
c: Murray Dubbin, City Attorney :i.' ..o
Gary Held, First Assistant City Attorney ~_. ~.~ L'~
Robert Parcher, City Clerk :~ ~o ~
Thomas Velazquez, Building Director ..... : ~> ~
Jorge G. Gomez, Planning Director "?~ -'.:,~
William Cary, Assistant Planning Director ~i~ ~ ?~'
Shannon Anderton, Senior Planner -~'~ ~