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19 Star Island Jf' .. l C I 'rft (! LiiJ'tlC. F/ ~- I!H -II 50 7 - P ,fl!~ # 7/ "UJa,r tD ,.... MIAMI BEACH City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachlf.gov PLANNING DEPARTMENT Tel: 305-673-7550, Fax: 305-673.7559 November 7, 2006 a ~ ." - ~ .-\ -< a rt\ ("') ~ (") r- , rn f-r'\ :;:0 co - ~ -0 c::. <.,f) ':Jt en 0 - 0 -T1 .. -n ~ - CI rr' Dr. and Mrs. Phillip Frost 21 Star Island Miami Beach, Florida 33139 Re: 19 Star Island, Miami Beach Request for a Determination of Architectural Significance SFR File No. 68 Dear Dr. and Mrs. Frost: Pursuant to your request that was received on October 18, 2006, the Planning Department has evaluated the subject property at 19 Star Island to determine whether the pre-1942 single-family residence is architecturally significant. A site visit of the subject property was conducted by staff on October 17, 2006. In accordance with Section 142-108(1) of the Land Development Regulations of the Miami Beach City Code, the following criteria determine whether a home constructed prior to 1942 is architecturally significant: 1. The subject structure is characteristic of a specific architectural style constructed in the city prior to 1942, including, but not limited to, Vernacular, Mediterranean Revival, Art Deco, Streamline Moderne, or variations thereof. Not Satisfied. The subject home is no longer characteristic of a specific architectural style in the city prior to 1942. Although originally designed in 1938 by Robert Law Weed as a simple but dignified two story masonry residence with restrained Neoclassical and Italian Renaissance stylistic influences, the structure has been significantly altered and no longer maintains a high level of its original architectural integrity. After inspecting the residence and reviewing the Building Permit Card as well as early aerial photographs, it is clear that there have been numerous additions and exterior modifications made to the original two story rectangular volume of the structure between 1952 and 1972 and beyond. These include an incompatible single story porte cochere appendage to the east primary facade, a massive two story west portico with second floor loggia and random spherical finials, single story porches flanking the two story west portico, with a utilitarian concrete staircase leading to a second floor terrace at the north end, a large two story garage/solarium/spa addition with pyramidal glass roof unceremoniously appended to the original north elevation of the residence, and what appears to be a segmental arch applique adhered to the first floor level of the primary east faqade at its north end. Collectively, these additions and exterior alterations have substantially masked and altered the significant simplicity of the original 1938 architecture and caused the subject structure to be no longer characteristic of a specific architectural style in the city prior to 1942. 2. The exterior of the structure is recognizable as an example of its style and/or period, and its architectural design integrity has not been modified in a manner that cannot be Re: 19 Star Island November 7,2006 Page 2 of 2 reversed without unreasonable expense. Not Satisfied. The exterior of this residence is no longer recognizable as an example of a specific architectural style in Miami Beach, nor does it maintain its architectural design integrity, due to numerous alterations and additions over the years that could not be reversed without unreasonable expense. (Refer to staff analysis in Criterion No. 1 above.) 3. Significant exterior architectural characteristics, features, or details of the subject structure remain intact. Not Satisfied. Most of the structure's original exterior architectural features have been altered, obscured, inappropriately added onto, or removed over time. (Refer to staff analysis in Criterion No. 1 above.) 4. The subject structure embodies the scale, character, and massing of the built context of its immediate area. Not Satisfied. The comparative small scale of the two-story home is no longer consistent with the scale and massing of the surrounding neighborhood, and no longer embodies the historic character of the built context in the residential area. The Planning Department has determined that the subject building does not meet the criteria in Section 142-108(1) and, therefore, is not architecturally significant. An application for the demolition of the structure may therefore be approved administratively, subject to the requirements of the Building Department. Please be advised that no demolition permit may be issued within a ten (10) day appeal period of the rendering of this decision. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact myself or Thomas Mooney, Design and Preservation Manager, at 305-673-7550. Sincere~~a William H. Cary 7 Assistant Planning Director c: Robert Parcher, City Clerk Jorge G. Gomez, Planning Director Thomas R. Mooney, Design and Preservation Manager Shannon Anderton, Senior Planner Debbie Tackett, Senior Planner SFR File No. 68 F:\PLAN\$ALL\Single Family Homes\Correspondence\19 Star Island.whc.doc We ole ccommitted tu provI<j",y e"',-eilent pubftc service ol1d 501e~1 to 01/ who Iivp. work. and ploy in nur vlblont. /Iopical. his/ollc (ommul1It'y'.