Ordinance 99-3212 ORDINANCE NO. 99-3212
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING SUBPART B OF THE LAND
DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS OF THE CITY CODE; AMENDING CHAPTER 118,
ENTITLED "ADMINISTRATION AND REVIEW PROCEDURES" ; AMENDING
ARTICLE X, ENTITLED "HISTORIC PRESERVATION" ; AMENDING DIVISION
4, ENTITLED "DESIGNATION" ; AMENDING SECTION 118-593, ENTITLED
"HISTORIC PRESERVATION DESIGNATION" ; AMENDING SUBSECTION 118-
593 (E) , ENTITLED "DELINEATION ON ZONING MAP" BY DESIGNATING THE
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION (NOW KNOWN AS FIRE STATION #2) ,
LOCATED AT 2300 PINETREE DRIVE, AS AN HISTORIC SITE, AS MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN; PROVIDING THAT THE CITY' S ZONING
MAP SHALL BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE THE DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION
AS AN HISTORIC SITE; ADOPTING THE DESIGNATION REPORT ATTACHED
HERETO AS APPENDIX "A" ; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE LAND
DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS OF THE CITY CODE, REPEALER,
SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on September 9, 1999, the City' s Historic Preservation
Board held a public hearing and voted unanimously (7-0 ; 1 absence, 1
vacancy) in favor of recommending that the City Commission designate the
Dade Boulevard Fire Station (now known as Fire Station #2) , located at
2300 Pinetree Drive, as an Historic Site; and
WHEREAS, on September 28, 1999, the City' s Planning Board held a
public hearing and voted ( 7- 0) in favor of the proposed designation; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach Planning Department has recommended
this amendment to the Land Development Regulations of the City Code; and
WHEREAS, these recommendations of approval for the designation of
the Dade Boulevard Fire Station as an Historic Site were based upon the
information documented in the Designation Report prepared by the City of
Miami Beach Planning Department attached hereto as Appendix "A. "
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA:
SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF THE DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION AS AN
HISTORIC SITE.
That the certain area located on the Plat entitled DEDICATION OF
PORTION OF LIBERTY AVENUE AND WEST 24TH STREET, as recorded in Plat Book
26 , at Page 13 , Public Records of Miami-Dade County, Florida; and having
the legal description as described herein, is hereby designated as an
Historic Site of the City of Miami Beach and shall be known as the "Dade
Boulevard Fire Station. " That the Designation Report attached hereto as
Appendix "A" is hereby adopted.
SECTION 2 . AMENDMENT OF SUBSECTION 118-593 (E) .
That Subsection (e) , entitled "Delineation on Zoning Map, " of
Section 118-593 , entitled "Historic Preservation Designation, " of
Division 4 , entitled "Designation, " of Article X, entitled "Historic
Preservation, " of Chapter 118, entitled "Administration and Review
Procedures, " of Subpart B of the Land Development Regulations of the City
Code is hereby amended to read as follows :
Subpart B. Land Development Regulations
* * *
Chapter 118 . Administration and Review Procedures
* * *
Article X. Historic Preservation
* * *
Division 4 . Designation
* * *
Section 118-593 . Historic Preservation Designation.
* * *
(e) Delineation on zoning map. All sites and districts designated
as historic sites and districts shall be delineated on the
2
city' s zoning map, pursuant to section 142-71, as an overlay
district . Such sites and districts include :
(8) GU/HPS-8 : Dade Boulevard Fire Station, 2300 Pinetree
Drive, as more particularly described as follows :
Commence at the point of intersection of the south Right-
of-Way of 24th Street and the east Right-of-Way line of
Pinetree Drive, as shown in DEDICATION OF PORTION OF
LIBERTY AVENUE AND WEST 24TH STREET, recorded in Plat Book
26, at Page 13 , Public Records of Miami-Dade County,
Florida; thence South 11° 33 ' 30" East , along the east
Right-of-Way of Pinetree Drive for a distance of 100 . 00
feet ; thence South 78° 26 ' 30" West for a distance of
100 . 00 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING of the tract of land
herein described; thence continue South 78° 26 ' 30" West
for a distance of 256 . 02 feet ; thence South 27° 42 ' 00"
West for a distance of 172 . 82 feet ; thence South 41° 20 '
42" East for a distance of 253 . 53 feet to a point located
on the north Right-of-Way line of Dade Boulevard; thence
North 38° 39 ' 55" East, along the north Right-of Way line
of Dade Boulevard for a distance of 157 . 02 feet to a point
of tangency; thence run along the arc of a concave curve
to the northwest, having a central angle of 50° 13 ' 25"
and a radius of 329 . 70 feet for a distance of 289 . 00 feet
to the POINT OF BEGINNING. Said lands located, lying and
being in the City of Miami Beach, Florida, and containing
3
80, 949.47 square feet, more or less, or 1 . 8583 acres, more
or less .
SECTION 3 . INCLUSION IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS OF THE CITY
CODE.
It is the intention of the City Commission, and it is hereby
ordained that the provisions of this ordinance shall become and be made
part of the Land Development Regulations of the Code of the City of Miami
Beach as amended; and that the sections of this Ordinance may be
renumbered or relettered to accomplish such intention.
SECTION 4 . AMENDMENT OF ZONING MAP.
That the Mayor and City Commission hereby amend the Zoning Map of
the City of Miami Beach as contained in the Land Development Regulations
of the City Code by identifying the area described herein as HPS8,
Historic Preservation Site Eight .
SECTION 5. REPEALER.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith be and
the same are hereby repealed.
SECTION 6 . SEVERABILITY.
If any section, subsection, clause or provision of this Ordinance is
held invalid, the remainder shall not be affected by such invalidity.
4
SECTION 7 . EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Ordinance shall take effect on the 30th day of
October , 1999 .
PASSED and ADOPTED this 20th day of October , 1999 .
ATTEST:
MAYOR
CITY CLERK
adopted on 1st reading 10/20/99
APPROVED AS TO FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION:
CI Y� 41/4:2
A4'TORNEY DATE
F:\PLAN\$ALL\DRAFT OR\SPB\FIRESTAT.ORD
5
APPENDIX "A"
DADS BOULEVARD FIRE STATION
(2300 PI DRIVE)
DRIVE)
MIAMI BEACH HISTORIC SITE
DESIGNATION REPORT
t' 3
3 NE
, 7
ay
ma-6" -i4 ii
rtx
�
Fi
.., f 9...
,...,,.......„; _ .„,:. , 17,,,,,...:::,17eate.:„„„...„,..,;;z.,ii. ,„,,,,_, .„ ,
.. 6
:::;-:.4.,,,,,t,„::-;!,,,,,c,,,,,,",,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,I14.., 1,.„._i,,,,,: ,, ,,
Figure 1 Designed by Robert Law Weed and Edwin T. Reeder, the Dade Boulevard
Fire Station was constructed as a Public Works Administration project in 1939.
PREPARED BY:
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
PLANNING DEPAMENT
•
SEPTEMBER 9RT, 1999
(Revised September 28, 1999)
(Revised October 20, 1999)
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
FOR THE
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION
711
10.
•
Figure 2 This 1939
photograph displays the
fire station's unique drill
tower.
Prepared By:
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
SEPTEMBER 9, 1999
(Revised September 28,1999)
(Revised October 20, 1999)
MIAMI BEACH CITY COMMISSION
Neisen O. Kasdin, Mayor
Martin Shapiro, Vice-Mayor
Commissioners:
Simon Cruz
David Dermer
Susan F. Gottlieb
Nancy Liebman
Jose Smith
Sergio Rodriguez, City Manager
Janet Gavarrete, Assistant City Manager
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD
Herb Sosa, Chair
Victor Diaz, Vice Chair
Emily Davis
Hope Fuller
Raul Garcia
William Medellin
Marilys Nepomechie
William Taylor
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH PLANNING BOARD
Melvyn Schlesser, Chair
Leonard Turkel, Vice Chair
Minette Benson
Carlos Capote
Roberto A. DaTorre
Henry Kay
Jean-Francois Lejeune
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Jorge G. Gomez, Director
PRINCIPAL AUTHORS
William H. Cary, Design and Preservation Manager NIL
Shannon McCartt, Planner
Carolyn Klepser, Historic Research ssistant
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
r
i..,,i 4Y1,.. , j :,-;‘,::,.'!'74...,:'''':, ,,,,,t-t)
if#
q 1,„,,, ,44,,, Ir ! 1 ., .
ti e-
9 v ‘ £ : /,,,,,, it al
Figure 3 Note the unique diamond shaped
window in the north wing's private residence
for the fire chief in this 1999 photograph.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. REQUEST 1
II. DESIGNATION PROCESS 1
III. RELATION TO ORDINANCE CRITERIA 3
IV. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BOUNDARIES 8
V. PRESENT OWNERS 8
VI. PRESENT USE 8
VII. PRESENT ZONING 8
VIII. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 9
IX. ARCHITECTURAL BACKGROUND 11
X. PLANNING CONTEXT 14
XI. PLANNING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 15
XII. FIGURE INDEX 17
XIII. BIBLIOGRAPHY 18
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
REQUEST
On June 8, 1999, the City of Miami Beach Planning Department requested the
Historic Preservation Board to consider directing staff to prepare a preliminary
evaluation report with recommendations regarding the possible designation of
the Dade Boulevard Fire Station (now known as Fire Station #2), located at
2300 Pinetree Drive, as a local historic site. This request was believed
appropriate by staff due to the unique design of the building; the high repute of
its architect, Robert Law Weed; and the visual landmark character of the
structure. At the same meeting, the Board reviewed said request and
unanimously approved a motion (8 to 0; 1 vacancy) to direct staff to prepare
a preliminary evaluation report with recommendations regarding the possible
designation of the Dade Boulevard Fire Station as a local historic site.
At its July 13, 1999, meeting, the Historic Preservation Board reviewed the
preliminary evaluation report with recommendations prepared by the staff of the
Planning Department regarding the designation of the Dade Boulevard Fire
Station as an historic site. The Board found the proposed historic site to be in
compliance with the criteria for designation listed in Sections 118-591 through
118-593 in the Land Development Regulations of the City Code and
unanimously approved a motion (5 to 0; 3 absences, 1 vacancy) to direct staff
to prepare a designation report and schedule a public hearing in a timely manner
relative to the designation of the Dade Boulevard Fire Station.
At its September 9, 1999, meeting, the Historic Preservation Board
unanimously approved a motion (7 to 0; 1 absence, 1 vacancy) to recommend
approval of the designation of the Dade Boulevard Fire Station as an historic site
in accordance with staff recommendations, as reflected in this designation
report.
On September 28, 1999, the Planning Board unanimously approved a motion
(7 to 0) to recommend approval of the designation of the Dade Boulevard Fire
Station as an historic site in accordance with staff recommendations, as
reflected in this designation report.
II. DESIGNATION PROCESS
The process of historic designation is delineated in Sections 118-591 through
118-593 in Subpart B of the Land Development Regulations of the City Code
(Chapter 118, Article X, Division 4). An outline of this process is delineated
1
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
below.
Step One: A request for designation is made either by the City Commission,
the Historic Preservation Board, other agencies and organizations
as listed in the Land Development Regulations of the City Code, or
the property owners involved. Proposals for designation shall
include a completed application form available from the Planning
Department.
Step Two: The Planning Department prepares a preliminary evaluation report
with recommendations for consideration by the Board.
Step Three: The Historic Preservation Board considers the preliminary
evaluation to determine if proceeding with a designation report is
warranted.
The designation report is an historical and architectural analysis of
the proposed district or site. The report:
1 ) describes the historic, architectural and/or archeological
significance of the property or subject area proposed for
Historical Site or District designation;
2) recommends Evaluation Guidelines to be used by the Board
to evaluate the appropriateness and compatibility of
proposed Developments affecting the designated Site or
District; and
3) will serve as an attachment to the Land Development
Regulations of the City Code.
Step Four: The designation report is presented to the Board at a public
hearing. If the Board determines that the proposed site or district
satisfies the requirements for designation as set forth in the Land
Development Regulations of the City Code, the Board transmits a
recommendation in favor of designation to the Planning Board and
City Commission.
Step Five: The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed
designation, and shall consider the proposed historic designation
2
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
as an amendment to the Land Development Regulations of the City
Code and, subsequently, transmit its recommendation to the City
Commission.
Step Six: The City Commission may adopt an amendment to the Land
Development Regulations of the City Code which thereby
designates the Historic Preservation Site or Historic District after
one (1 ) public hearing for a parcel of land less than ten (10)
contiguous acres or after two (2) public hearings for a parcel of
land which is more than ten (10) contiguous acres.
III. RELATION TO ORDINANCE CRITERIA
1 . In accordance with Section 118-592 in the Land Development
Regulations of the City Code, eligibility for designation is determined on
the basis of compliance with the listed criteria set forth below.
(a) The Historic Preservation Board shall have the authority to
recommend that properties be designated as historic buildings,
historic structures, historic improvements, historic landscape
features, historic interiors (architecturally significant public portions
only), historic sites or historic districts if they are significant in the
historical, architectural, cultural, aesthetic or archeological heritage
of the city, the county, state or nation. Such properties shall
possess an integrity of location, design, setting, materials,
workmanship, feeling or association and meet at least one (1 ) of
the following criteria:
(1 ) Association with events that have made a significant
contribution to the history of the city, the county, state or
nation;
(2) Association with the lives of persons significant in the city's
past history;
(3) Embody the distinctive characteristics of an historical
period, architectural or design style or method of
construction;
(4) Possesses high artistic values;
3
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
(5) Represent the work of a master, serve as an outstanding or
representative work of a master designer, architect or
builder who contributed to our historical, aesthetic or
architectural heritage;
(6) Have yielded, or are likely to yield information important in
pre-history or history;
(7) Be listed in the National Register of Historic Places;
(8) Consist of a geographically definable area that possesses a
significant concentration of sites, buildings or structures
united by historically significant past events or aesthetically
by plan or physical development, whose components may
lack individual distinction.
(b) A building, structure (including the public portions of the interior),
improvement or landscape feature may be designated historic even
if it has been altered if the alteration is reversible and the most
significant architectural elements are intact and repairable.
2. The Dade Boulevard Fire Station is eligible for designation as it complies
with the criteria as specified in Section 118-592 in the Land
Development Regulations of the City Code outlined above.
(a) Staff finds the Dade Boulevard Fire Station (now known as Fire
Station #2), located at 2300 Pinetree Drive, to be eligible for
historic designation and in conformance with the designation
criteria for the following reasons:
(1 ) Association with events that have made a significant
contribution to the history of the city, the county, state or
nation;
The Dade Boulevard Fire Station was constructed as a
Public Works Administration (PWA) project in 1939 under
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's pledge to the
American people for a New Deal. Located at the
intersection of Dade Boulevard and Pinetree Drive and
facing the bridge leading to 23rd Street, the building was
4
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
designed to provide then modern fire fighting facilities to
the community, a central training station, and a residence
for the fire chief.
(2) Association with the lives of persons significant in the city's
past history;
In addition to his notable architectural career in the Miami
area, Robert Law Weed served his country in World War I
and World War II as a planner who provided architectural
expertise to the Army Air Force. He was highly involved
with many civic affairs through his public service, served on
numerous juries for architectural awards, and participated
in advisory committees for the discussion of problems
relative to architecture and the building industry.
(3) Embody the distinctive characteristics of an historical
period, architectural or design style or method of
construction;
Constructed in Miami Beach in the late 1930's prior to
World War II, the Dade Boulevard Fire Station represents a
highly unique example of a structure whose design is
influenced by the Streamline Modern, International style,
and Vernacular styles of architecture. In fact, the fire
station is a remarkably well designed one of a kind hybrid.
(4) Possess high artistic values;
Designed by architects Robert Law Weed and Edwin T.
Reeder, the central block and tower of the Dade Boulevard
Fire Station embody characteristics of both the Streamline
Moderne style of architecture and evolving International
style school of design, while the palladian flanking
structures are highly simplistic and evocative of a
Vernacular style. The original architectural design of the fire
station was influenced by the residential character of the
surrounding neighborhoods, as evidenced by its varied
building heights, tri-block massing, wood shutters,
brickwork, and classical central entrance with columns.
5
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
(5) Represent the work of a master, serve as an outstanding or
representative work of a master designer, architect or
builder who contributed to our historical, aesthetic or
architectural heritage;
Florida's most renowned world's fair submission was
probably Robert Law Weed's "Florida Tropical Home" for
the 1933 U.S. World's Fair, "A Century of Progress, " in
Chicago, Illinois. Notable architectural works among his
outstanding career include Miami Shores Elementary School
(1930), the Royal Palm Club (1937), numerous buildings at
the University of Miami, a residential aviation community
near Miami's airport (1947), the Paramount Theater in
Miami, and the Administration and Terminal Building at the
Miami International Airport. His commissions in Miami
Beach include the South Florida Art Center (originally known
as Burdine's Department Store)(800 Lincoln Road) in 1935,
Fire Station #4 (6860 Indian Creek Drive) in 1937, the
current Burdine's Department Store (1675 Meridian Avenue)
in 1937, and the Jorge B. Sanchez House (1700 Michigan
Avenue) in 1948. Weed's architectural work was published
in many national magazines which include Architectural
Forum, Architectural Record, Progressive Architecture, Life,
and the Saturday Evening Post.
(6) Have yielded, or are likely to yield information important in
pre-history or history;
Retention of the Dade Boulevard Fire Station promotes the
general welfare of the City by providing an opportunity for
the study and appreciation of a highly unique example of
the Streamline Moderne style of architecture with both
International and Vernacular style influences. The fire
station is representative of the evolutionary transition from
an early architectural style to a new architectural style on
the Beach.
(7) Be listed in the National Register of Historic Places;
Currently, the Dade Boulevard Fire Station is neither listed
6
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
individually as an historic site nor is it located within an
historic district in the National Register of Historic Places,
although it appears to have substantial potential to be
determined to be eligible for individual historic site
designation.
(8) Consist of a geographically definable area that possesses a
significant concentration of sites, buildings or structures
united by historically significant past events or aesthetically
by plan or physical development, whose components may
lack individual distinction;
This criterion is not applicable to an individual historic site
designation.
(b) A building, structure (including the public portions of the interior),
improvement or landscape feature may be designated historic even
if it has been altered if the alteration is reversible and the most
significant architectural elements are intact and repairable.
Although the Dade Boulevard Fire Station has been altered over
the years, it maintains much of its original architectural integrity.
Exterior restoration could be successfully completed by following
original architectural plans and available excellent historical
photographs. Despite alterations to this structure, it continues to
be representative of the architectural and cultural history of Miami
Beach.
7
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
IV. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BOUNDARIES
The Dade Boulevard Fire Station is located at 2300 Pinetree Drive (see Map 1);
a detailed legal description of the proposed historic site is as follows:
Commence at the point of intersection of the south Right-of-Way of 24th
Street and the east Right-of-Way line of Pinetree Drive, as shown in
DEDICATION OF PORTION OF LIBERTY AVENUE AND WEST 24TH
STREET, recorded in Plat Book 26, at Page 13, Public Records of Miami-
Dade County, Florida; thence South 1 1 ° 33' 30" East, along the east
Right-of-Way of Pinetree Drive for a distance of 100.00 feet; thence
South 78° 26' 30" West for a distance of 100.00 feet to the POINT OF
BEGINNING of the tract of land herein described; thence continue South
78° 26' 30" West for a distance of 256.02 feet; thence South 27° 42'
00" West for a distance of 172.82 feet; thence South 41 ° 20' 42" East
for a distance of 253.53 feet to a point located on the north Right-of-
Way line of Dade Boulevard; thence North 38° 39' 55" East, along the
north Right-of Way line of Dade Boulevard for a distance of 157.02 feet
to a point of tangency; thence run along the arc of a concave curve to
the northwest, having a central angle of 50° 13' 25" and a radius of
329.70 feet for a distance of 289.00 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING.
Said lands located, lying and being in the City of Miami Beach, Florida,
and containing 80,949.47 square feet, more or less, or 1 .8583 acres,
more or less.
V. PRESENT OWNERS
The City of Miami Beach is the current and original sole owner of the Dade
Boulevard Fire Station.
VI. PRESENT USE
The structure has been continuously operated as a fire station since it was
constructed in 1939.
VII. PRESENT ZONING
The proposed historic site is located within a GU or Municipal Use zoning
district (refer to Map 2).
8
PROPOSED DESIGNATION OF THE
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION (2300 PINETREE DRIVE)
(NOW KNOWN AS FIRESTATION # 2)
AS AN HISTORIC SITE
ftt CW-Ij g 17.mmi .'.
141.11 17*14: t
w
11••... 26 ya an4Mil c �w�
All I:1441r -jW
MEMNUM �z,� li
iat� ��/�o A t 1
�I♦ DADE BOULEVARD �de- ,- I
11111111111 g 11111411114e11111111 111111"
�� /trimax , lei - iy. j ir.„
amam go,
allail bl/C5 C fe 1 id 6- il ri/041i/4 I 1/lei
IIIIIIIIII
T ,) �_=MM. 0 0 L-1 M � � o
itrm
4, , t.; • ! ' 14 4
23 • ri." J! rA(, '_
_'4- ,,,,- "PP' 1%,
0 at
2 $ ,.&,, 4 4141:111, 41.46
I A d V .'4‘11 SI I I 1/SI 8‘1, /41
ifr/ crc*' * i lir* W ,ftt - lib
" 4.. -rftilk. 9 114, .. . _41..4 ...! la ri.., „.
,.„4,.. .7.- _ n 4 triri.7. , i 7 0
r
"W g tiaj 0 inilOtri kvii 41.- .1 I
4 li
a ii
7 'ir- -4,,taei 414 .1/4, ,
�
1 1!2 d Cl R741/1 : ,,. r _I• e
MAP 1
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION (2300 PINETREE DRIVE)
(NOW KNOWN AS FIRE STATION # 2)
AND SURROUNDING ZONING DISTRICTS
(A) '
sie 0:L0j
ty Aii _' /4 . i
110P k?. . lit.:11w4
..... _ 8.344 am 1 N / ,
au • ddrip ,a. um 21 1._,..........*,74,/,
MINIM ali:Vie alli , /*1
�
11111111
� DADE BOULEVARD IL! UI� Mil t 7
Rawfinal
Ur L , iiLt1 ` /j ' - V
Lana I rilif 0 13,1_,Qii
ilftw-
= i4111.7
- C7 ,Rip g /,
° sr111111.11 eri Nemail ,.,�ll= j \
(.9 eillift. 6-1 0 --•• t.- r..., ,(..,N ,
--4,.....
. 4„,,,, „, .,,, ,,,,,, ii.cr:34,4rP.-- .... ......„ -biz- .
. v a 1=3 vliii-, IiikIM-i. 17
.,. .-4 ?lit, . -4,Vri,w, z !,
...- cr
0 ... 0., x..-- 4 4-0 .z..,N, ,i 0
.4 0
Q L• irt-.,, /11 *40; ,,, joilit:1
�
7-.... • :.' _40 .KAIII" ;1.-LgiA°/ 11-1 -7 '''°)IF
• , ._ titly ....- .-.; ir----ii-ity / 7 ar* ,_ --- --,4
,eni
- *.. .j, -ill I I I I 0 j 1 ;1 -••
ply_
: Virt-• tatjr4PAr 4t;" . sp.:
p r .� rrC.p I
� C
MAP 2
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
VIII. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Under President Franklin Delano __-
Roosevelt's pledge to the -- --- -
American people for a New Deal, `F ,-- {
the National Industrial Recovery s:::!:'
Act, passed by Congress on June l ���Q� � ��4 ,`"
13, 1933, created the Federal ' °" '4'
Emergency Administration of
111 117*:\:.
l(' i .' "`nom 1.,,, 1
.. _. Ili"f
ii
Public Works (the Public Works . ..� -
Administration - PWA), and thus , ,, a
-,:1,--D~,:,;: ', Th,,_
enabled the construction of the �.
Dade Boulevard Fire Station as a
PWA project in 1939.1 Designed Figure 4 This circa 1939 photograph shows the
by Robert Law Weed and Edwin original design of the Dade Boulevard Fire Station
T. Reeder, the fire station was with its classical palladian plan.
constructed by C.F. Wheeler at a
cost of $67,000.2
According to a 1940 article from the Architectural Record, the Dade Boulevard
Fire Station was designed to provide four (4) major services: (1 ) two fire
companies, (2) the City's fire-alarm central, (3) a central training station, and (4)
a residence for the fire chief. Located at the intersection of Dade Boulevard and
Pinetree Drive and facing the bridge leading to 23rd Street, the site was
strategically selected to meet these services. The original architectural design
of the fire station was influenced by the residential character of the surrounding
neighborhoods, as evidenced by its varied building heights, tri-block massing,
wood shutters, brickwork, and classical central entrance with columns.
Originally, the first floor of the central unit was occupied by the control office,
apparatus rooms, and storage room. The second floor of the central unit
consisted of the dormitory, captain's quarters, lounge room, and lockers. The
six (6) story drill tower, located at the rear of the central unit, was specially
designed for training. The south wing was occupied by the machine and repair
shop on the first floor and the alarm room on the second floor. The north wing
1 Laurence Conway Gerkens, American City Planning Since 1900 (Hilliard, Ohio: On-Call
Faculty Program, 1993), p. F-18.
2 City of Miami Beach, Florida, Building Department. Building Permit Card No. 32: 2300
Pinetree Drive.
9
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
was a compact two (2) story residence for the fire department chief.3
The Dade Boulevard Fire Station has ROBERT LAW WEED end EDWIN T. REEDER. Architects
served the needs of the community
for over 60 years. The visual4)r-'1°-
landmark character of the structure
Deck floor of tower
has been an asset to the A
surrounding neighborhood. The -- -_
building was specifically designed to 1:1 +11 —
meet the fire fighting needs of the li "'. "`
community and to easily fit into the •:-�:•• .Po, ' . it:2
•
I
low-scale residential character of the
area. The quality and detail of the ( I •
structure illustrates a rapidly ----- -___Ip Y Second floor
growing Miami Beach in the late
1930's which celebrated the
advancements of technology during i .
the Machine Age with its numerous
t1
public and private buildings designed
�,
in the Art Deco and Streamline 1
Moderne styles of architecture. L V:1::, ; . . . .. .
First floor
Figure 5 Original 1939 floor plan of the Dade
Boulevard Fire Station.
L i ,1 78
a ", ..,i_ to i
rit,,,,,,10,,,,,,,„''''i:14".,...'; ,2"'''' • 1°^41:1-4-.: :- 4" ‘, ; 1,474:;,...,:::::
JI f
Figure 6 Circa 1939 interior photograph of Figure 7 Circa 1939 photograph of the fire
the fire station's dormitory. station's truck room.
3 "New Multi-Use Fire Station at Miami Beach," Architectural Record, p. 44-48, April 1940.
10
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
IX. ARCHITECTURAL BACKGROUND
Designed by architects Robert Law Weed and ,,,.....2.°i ' " t
Edwin T. Reeder, the central block and tower of
the Dade Boulevard Fire Station embody '
characteristics of both the Streamline Moderne ,. E "
style of architecture and evolving International
style school of design, while the palladian flanking
structures are highly simplistic and evocative of a = ` 7 ..
Vernacular style. Architectural features of the
Dade Boulevard Fire Station which are typical of
the Streamline Moderne style and evolving -,
International style include a strong horizontal .° lig!,,Y' 7.:
design emphasis, a central tower with rounded , @� , ,,;
elements and glass block details, a flat roof with = : �,
shallow coping, a continuous curved eyebrow, ��� ��� ��
smooth wall surfaces, and a long ribbon of Figure-8 A 1941 photograph of
enframed louvered masonry openings; the fire station's classical
central entrance with columns.
characteristics of the Vernacular style as
evidenced in the flanking wings include wood
shutters, brickwork, and simple block massing. Of special note is the diamond
shaped window on the northern wing's front elevation
which distinguishes its original use as the private residence
for the fire chief.
qa
The Dade Boulevard Fire Station is representative of
I :r;,` .„ ` .—.1 E- .„„,°- tsir..-'I the evolutionary transition from an early architectural
style to a new architectural style on the Beach.
4: £ * While the cutting edge Streamline Moderne influence
-..,::::1,::17,;47.;;;,..:re ": in the design of the fire station creates a strong
s presence on the street, the characteristics of the
g' Vernacular style in the structure enable it to
=4 - comfortably fit into the context of the surrounding
4 AT
' low-scale residential neighborhood.
. .; '•. $ meq- 4-'
w"5 The fire station maintains much of its original
Figure 9 Note the unique architectural integrity even though it has been altered
diamond shaped window in over the years (refer to Sheets A2.01 and A2.02 for
the north wing's private
residence for the fire chief in floor plans showing the current existing conditions).
this 1940 photograph. In the early 1970's, two (2) small roof decks flanking
11
�, � t�‘i,,.0
•�;{ 1 opuc,_ 4D046 :wo!w Z J i. O
4‹oii irl a z 1j 1�-i;• 1_o ` '`j;! oN Uol D, !j yJD28 ILLDIW < -� Iil ''ill Vim
CV
F +�'1
a. Ihrthillati.i.
r6 CI
N t11.1- '
..os
Q.ill v
i* if.'I: O
c INOMB
m
s i It,
i_ s ; L
IF MOM ill
qD qD c _
5V iC 7 1 :
;it , ;�,
ym Y
N CI - i c ri r:r: gi PiIII
II 'IL ll 1 lli(I
1-k 1
Mill
g - I I
!i r ,, '
_I L a
. t
lL-LI T
AO T
L f-
?1 ;Ei .
a . o ft
LF �
•
�� �' -
t -
C' - _ - -
0
�
i
-- ■
v
tit
f,-L-J. ibi .- i )(
II
IL"------'Thi I 1.- 411 •Immor awl
v N_ O
,/IiIl
! iig ' >
�j I- 6
r.
I ,
1 ir- t - ., , 1
.,tip. 't. ,iil 111 !
..,4(. ; *!,1:14
r
Mt
0
_s
– – z
.51 2 ` ,rif:rlipopuo�� '4�Da� iwDiW J
r ii ri r 1110 .. :`-,- !;i.:.1,01.1
c'Ifi acts i;t i .• N
Cn; j 7 '.,,.,—,r,. ' ,�.'"( �e�,� ° uo��c sa:� oca �u.lo < i� 'a ;i;' 1 N
� l Z N u 8 w 62 g Q
. teem
t s
z 0-
H
Z r
r
iV I _
N h I O p
.\ J
tit LS p I^ i
_
II, , 101 iI' I
U,
u: ,n
? I T-
" 6i „ j
r L
§ i1 — i
/ ' \ � i
C �,a .EF
1§
I
LI Pet ID lig c$ 0-1 iti; III •
in
■ EN- c —NI •
.I III 6 ----6---Jiip 2 .:L. i ]
<.:E s...,t-1 2 ,E4 .=-7.
114 I o/ V
CC
11§1 M - �'
al .1 IRO f
:.4 i r I iSZ:
ri [ lin I I.�::�_:_ II ,I II
Ir
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
the drill tower were enclosed with concrete block and stucco. In the early to
mid 1980's, the classical central front entrance with columns was enclosed
with glass, and two (2), two-story infill additions were constructed between the
central block/drill tower and flanking wings.4 Restoration and appropriate
renovation could be successfully completed by careful analysis of original
architectural plans and available high-quality historical photographs. Despite
alterations to this building, it continues to be representative of the evolution of
the architectural and cultural history of Miami Beach.
a
4 i €
r 11 all
wy rt
_ , .
Figure 10 This 1999 photograph shows the current existing condition of the
Dade Boulevard Fire Station.
In addition to the original 1939 structure on the site, a detached two-story
structure is located at the southwestern corner of the property. It was
constructed in 1984 as a maintenance and training facility for the Fire
Department. Although the detached structure is compatible in scale, it is more
utilitarian in nature and does not possess any significant architectural
characteristics. Therefore, staff believes it is a noncontributing structure on the
site.
4 City of Miami Beach, Florida, Building Department. Building Permit Card No. 32: 2300
Pinetree Drive.
12
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
Robert Law Weed (1897-1961 ) was the architect of the "Florida Tropical
Home" for the 1933 U.S. World's Fair, "A Century of Progress," in Chicago,
Illinois. Based in Miami, Weed began his career as an architect of extravagant
Florida homes, but he eventually built his reputation on stripped Neoclassical,
International style, and Streamline Moderne structures. Notable architectural
works among his stellar career include Miami Shores Elementary School (1930),
the Royal Palm Club (1937), numerous buildings at the University of Miami, a
residential aviation community near Miami's airport (1947), the Paramount
Theater in Miami, and the Administration and Terminal Building at the Miami
International Airport. His commissions in Miami Beach include the South Florida
Art Center (originally known as Burdine's Department Store)(800 Lincoln Road)
in 1935, Fire Station #4 (6860 Indian Creek Drive) in 1937, the current
Burdine's Department Store (1675 Meridian Avenue) in 1937, the Beach
Theater (west end interior of 420 Lincoln Road) in 1940, and the Jorge B.
Sanchez House (1700 Michigan Avenue) in 1948. Weed's Florida Tropical
Home is probably Florida's most renowned world's fair submission. It was a
modest reinterpretation of Europe's International style villa, equipped with
eyebrows, large windows, rooftop decks, and a double-height living room
suitable to Florida's tropical climate.5
-", ate"owl*
``
4
,„0.... ,,,....r.:,...„.
_,
. ..„tr,..„,„,... __
, x ` v s f ;„---- . "t oKi .+
,g * "" .Nab K ,, 4
•
..4..,..lca, ,., ..,, ,....:.,,- „7.-_,...-,-1 ...„.20z,-,,,,, ',I '-.-- .':.:::,'"„: i J.14,:-40, . • • _ q --
pl4
» ,' r - if
Figure 11 Prior to designing the Dade Boulevard Figure 12 Florida's most renowned world's fair
Fire Station in 1939, Robert Law Weed and submission was probably Robert Law Weed's
Edwin T. Reeder designed Fire Station #4 (6860 "Florida Tropical Home" for the 1933 U.S. World's
Indian Creek Drive) in 1937. Fair in Chicago, Illinois.
S Joel M. Hoffman, "From Augustine to Tangerine: Florida at the U.S. World's Fairs," The
Wolfsonian/Florida International University Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts, Volume 23,
p. 64-66, 1998.
13
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
After attending the Carnegie Institute of Technology, Weed studied under
Florida architect Richard Kiehnel from 1921 until 1922. Kiehnel and his partner
Elliot are recognized for designing the Carlyle Hotel (1250 Ocean Drive) in 1939
and the Shorecrest Hotel (1535 Collins Avenue) in 1940. Weed began to
practice architecture in Florida in 1923. He temporarily gave up his professional
pursuit when he served his country in World War I (1917-1919) and World War
II (1942-1945) as a planner who provided architectural expertise to the Army
Air Force. During his architectural practice in Miami, Weed was highly involved
with many civic affairs; he served as chairman of the Greater Miami Emergency
Housing Executive Committee after World War II, chairman of the Committee
for Development of Airport Facilities (1946-1947), member of the City of Miami
Board of Appeals (1950-1951 ), and member of the Dade County Planning Board
(1935-1937). He also served on numerous juries for architectural awards and
participated in advisory committees for the discussion of problems relative to
architecture and the building industry. Weed's architectural work was published
in many national magazines which include Architectural Forum, Architectural
Record, Progressive Architecture, Life, and the Saturday Evening Post.6
X. PLANNING CONTEXT
Cities evolve and change over time due to an array of circumstances. Historic
site designation will aid in the achievement of preserving the character and
architectural integrity of historic buildings for future generations, and it will help
to protect historic buildings, streetscape, and open space from inappropriate or
undesirable alterations. The review and approval of projects for historic sites
under the City's Design Guidelines and the Historic Preservation Ordinance will
ensure smart development which is sensitive to the unique aesthetic character
of the sites and respectful of their early origins. Miami Beach has one of the
finest and most progressive historic preservation ordinances in the nation. It
was custom designed to address the special needs of a rapidly redeveloping
historic seaside resort community with a view toward wise management of
historic resources in tandem with well controlled appropriate new development.
6 American Institute of Architects, Miami Chapter, Office Records. Biographical Statistics of
Robert Law Weed, 1954.
14
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
Xl. PLANNING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
1 . Criteria for Designation: The Planning Department finds the Dade
Boulevard Fire Station to be in compliance with the Criteria for
Designation listed in Section 118-592 in the Land Development
Regulations of the City Code.
2. Site Boundaries: At its July 13, 1999, meeting, the Historic Preservation
Board reviewed the preliminary evaluation report and adopted the site
boundary recommendations of the Planning Department (which exclude
the City of Miami Beach Public Works Yard) for the proposed designation
of the Dade Boulevard Fire Station, as indicated in Section IV, General
Description of Boundaries.
At its September 9, 1999, meeting, the Historic Preservation Board
unanimously approved a motion (7 to 0; 1 absence, 1 vacancy) to
recommend approval of the designation of the Dade Boulevard Fire
Station as an historic site in accordance with staff recommendations, as
reflected in this designation report.
On September 28, 1999, the Planning Board unanimously approved a
motion (7 to 0) to recommend approval of the designation of the Dade
Boulevard Fire Station as an historic site in accordance with staff
recommendations, as reflected in this designation report.
3. Areas Subject to Review: The Planning Department recommends that the
areas subject to review shall include all exterior building elevations,
public interior spaces, and site and landscape features included within the
proposed site boundaries of the Dade Boulevard Fire Station.
4. Review Guidelines: The Planning Department recommends that a
decision on an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness shall be
based upon compatibility of the physical alteration or improvement with
surrounding properties and where deemed applicable in substantial
compliance with the following:
a. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and
Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings, as revised from
time to time;
15
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
b. Other guidelines/policies/plans adopted or approved by resolution
or ordinance by the City Commission;
c. All additional criteria as listed under Section 118-564 (b) in the
Land Development Regulations of the City Code;
d. City of Miami Beach Design Guidelines as adopted by the Joint
Design Review/Historic Preservation Board on October 12, 1993,
amended June 7, 1994, as may be revised from time to time.
16
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
XII. FIGURE INDEX
Figure 1 : City of Miami Beach, Florida, City Archives. Dade Boulevard Fire
Station (2300 Pinetree Drive). Photograph, circa 1939.
Figure 2: City of Miami Beach, Florida, City Archives. Dade Boulevard Fire
Station (2300 Pinetree Drive). Photograph, circa 1939.
Figure 3: City of Miami Beach, Florida, Planning Department. Dade
Boulevard Fire Station (2300 Pinetree Drive). Photograph, 1999.
Figure 4: City of Miami Beach, Florida, City Archives. Dade Boulevard Fire
Station (2300 Pinetree Drive). Photograph, circa 1939.
Figure 5: "New Multi-Use Fire Station at Miami Beach," Architectural
Record, p. 47, April 1940.
Figure 6: City of Miami Beach, Florida, City Archives. Dade Boulevard Fire
Station (2300 Pinetree Drive). Photograph, circa 1939.
Figure 7: City of Miami Beach, Florida, City Archives. Dade Boulevard Fire
Station (2300 Pinetree Drive). Photograph, circa 1939.
Figure 8: "Dade Boulevard Fire Station, Miami Beach, Florida," Architecture
and Design, Volume 5, August 1941 .
Figure 9: "New Multi-Use Fire Station at Miami Beach," Architectural
Record, p. 48, April 1940.
Figure 10: City of Miami Beach, Florida, Planning Department. Dade
Boulevard Fire Station (2300 Pinetree Drive). Photograph, 1999.
Figure 11 : "69th Street Fire Station, Miami Beach Municipal Project, Miami
Beach, Florida," Florida Architecture, p. 51 , 1940.
Figure 12: Hoffman, Joel M. "From Augustine to Tangerine: Florida at the
U.S. World's Fairs," The Wolfsonian/Florida International
University Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts, Volume 23,
p. 65, 1998.
17
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
XIII. BIBLIOGRAPHY
"69th Street Fire Station, Miami Beach Municipal Project, Miami Beach, Florida,"
Florida Architecture, p. 51 , 1940.
American Institute of Architects, Miami Chapter, Office Records. Biographical
Statistics of Robert Law Weed, 1954.
City of Miami Beach, Florida, Building Department. Building Permit Card No. 32:
2300 Pinetree Drive.
City of Miami Beach, Florida, City Archives. Dade Boulevard Fire Station (2300
Pinetree Drive). Photographs, circa 1939.
City of Miami Beach, Florida, Planning Department. Dade Boulevard Fire Station
(2300 Pinetree Drive). Photographs, 1999.
"Dade Boulevard Fire Station, Miami Beach, Florida," Architecture and Design,
Volume 5, August 1941 .
Gerkens, Laurence Conway. American City Planning Since 1900 (Hilliard, Ohio:
On-Call Faculty Program, 1993), p. F-18.
Hoffman, Joel M. "From Augustine to Tangerine: Florida at the U.S. World's
Fairs," The Wolfsonian/Florida International University Journal of
Decorative and Propaganda Arts, Volume 23, p. 64-66, 1998.
"New Multi-Use Fire Station at Miami Beach," Architectural Record, p. 44-48,
April 1940.
"Preliminary Analysis and Recommendations: Renovation and Expansion/Master
Plan of Fire Station #2," STA Architectural Group in association with
Robert G. Currie Partnership, Sheets A.2.01 and A.2.02, December 11 ,
1996.
18
DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION
(2300 PINETREE DRIVE)
LETTER OF SUPPORT
G R E A T E R
MIAMI®
CONVENTION&VISITORS BUREAU
''Tourism is Everybody ' Business"
City of Miami Beach
City Commission
1700 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
August 9/1/99
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to express my support for the historic designation of the Dade Boulevard
Fire Station (now known as the Fire Station#2), located at 2300 Pine Tree Drive. In 1939
it was a Public Works Administration (PWA) project, designed by Robert Law Weed
and Edwin T. Reeder.
With combining both, the Streamline Modern style of architecture and the evolving
International style school of design, it is a beautiful example of the transition from an
early architectural style to a new architectural style on Miami Beach. Retention of the
Dade Boulevard Fire Station promotes the general welfare of the City by providing an
opportunity for the study of our architecture.
In addition, in 1939 it was a State of the Art fire fighting facility designed to fit into a
residential neighborhood. which addressed fire fighting and neighborhood quality of life.
I wholeheartedly support and endorse the Historic Preservation Board's historic
designation report for the Dade Boulevard Fire Station#2 as a local historic site.
Sincerely
George T. Neary
Director of Cultural Tourism
701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2700, Miami, Florida 33131
(305)539-3000, Fax(305) 539-3113
http://www.miamiandbeaches.com
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that public hearings will be held by the Mayor and City Commission of the
City of Miami Beach, Florida, in the Commission Chambers, 3rd floor, City Hall, 1700 Convention
Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida, on Wednesday, October 20, 1999, at the times listed below, to
consider the adoption of the following ordinances:
at 10:45 a.m. :
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER
2 ENTITLED "ADMINISTRATION, " BY AMENDING ARTICLE III ENTITLED "AGENCIES, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES" BY
CREATING SECTIONS 2-190.127 THROUGH 2-190.132 THEREOF ESTABLISHING THE COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY
EDUCATION IN MIAMI BEACH SCHOOLS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY, REPEALER AND AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Inquiries may be directed to the Legal Department at (305) 673-7470.
at 5:30 p.m. :
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING SUBPART
B OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS OF THE CITY CODE; AMENDING CHAPTER 118, ENTITLED
"ADMINISTRATION AND REVIEW PROCEDURES"; AMENDING ARTICLE X, ENTITLED "HISTORIC PRESERVATION" ;
AMENDING DIVISION 4, ENTITLED "DESIGNATION" ; AMENDING SECTION 118-593, ENTITLED "HISTORIC
PRESERVATION DESIGNATION"; AMENDING SUBSECTION 118-593 (E) , ENTITLED "DELINEATION ON ZONING MAP" BY
DESIGNATING BATH CLUB HISTORIC SITE; PROVIDING THAT THE CITY'S ZONING MAP SHALL BE AMENDED TO
INCLUDE THE BATH CLUB HISTORIC SITE; ADOPTING THE DESIGNATION REPORT AS APPENDIX "A"; PROVIDING FOR
INCLUSION IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS OF THE CITY CODE, REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, AND AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
at 6:00 p.m. :
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING SUBPART
B OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS OF THE CITY CODE; AMENDING CHAPTER 118, ENTITLED
"ADMINISTRATION AND REVIEW PROCEDURES"; AMENDING ARTICLE X, ENTITLED "HISTORIC PRESERVATION";
AMENDING DIVISION 4, ENTITLED "DESIGNATION"; AMENDING SECTION 118-593, ENTITLED "HISTORIC
PRESERVATION DESIGNATION"; AMENDING SUBSECTION 118-593 (E) , ENTITLED "DELINEATION ON ZONING MAP" BY
DESIGNATING THE DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION (NOW KNOWN AS FIRE STATION #2) , LOCATED AT 2300
PINETREE DRIVE, AS AN HISTORIC SITE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN; PROVIDING THAT THE
CITY'S ZONING MAP SHALL BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE THE DADE BOULEVARD FIRE STATION AS AN HISTORIC SITE;
ADOPTING THE DESIGNATION REPORT AS APPENDIX "A";1 PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS OF THE CITY CODE, REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Inquiries may be directed to the the Planning Department at (305) 673-7550.
ALL INTERESTED PARTIES are invited to appear at this meeting, or be represented by an agent, or
to express their views in writing addressed to the City Commission, c/o the City Clerk, 1700
Convention Center Drive, 1st Floor, City Hall, Miami Beach, Florida 33139. Copies of these
ordinances are available for public inspection during normal business hours in the City Clerk's
Office, 1700 Convention Center Drive, 1st Floor, City Hall, Miami Beach, Florida 33139. This
meeting may be continued and under such circumstances additional legal notice would not be
provided.
Robert E. Parcher, City Clerk
City of Miami Beach
Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Fla. Stat. , the City hereby advises the public that: if a person
decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission with respect to any matter considered
at its meeting or its hearing, such person must ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings
is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
This notice does not constitute consent by the City for the introduction or admission of otherwise
inadmissible or irrelevant evidence, nor does it authorize challenges or appeals not otherwise
allowed by law.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, persons needing special
accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the City Clerk's office. Telephone
(305) 673-7411 for assistance; if hearing impaired, telephone the Florida Relay Service numbers,
(800) 955-8771 (TDD) or (800) 955-8770 (VOICE) , for assistance.
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH,FLORIDA 33139
http:\\ci.miami-beach.fl.us
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM NO.7 23- 9
TO: Mayor Nelsen O.Kasdin and DATE:October 20,1999
Members of the City C' i ission
FROM: Sergio Rodriguez //
City Manager
SUBJECT: Historic Pr:.ervation Designation - Dade Boulevard Fire Station
An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach,
Florida, Amending Subpart B of the Land Development Regulations of the
City Code; Amending Chapter 118, Entitled "Administration and Review
Procedures"; Amending Article X, Entitled "Historic Preservation";
Amending Division 4, Entitled "Designation"; Amending Section 118-593,
Entitled "Historic Preservation Designation"; Amending Subsection 118-
593(e), Entitled "Delineation on Zoning Map" by Designating the Dade
Boulevard Fire Station (Now Known as Fire Station #2), Located at 2300
Pinetree Drive, as an Historic Site, as More Particularly Described Herein;
Providing That the City's Zoning Map Shall Be Amended to Include the Dade
Boulevard Fire Station as an Historic Site; Adopting the Designation Report
Attached Hereto as Appendix "A"; Providing for Inclusion in the Land
Development Regulations of the City Code, Repealer, Severability, and an
Effective Date.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the City Commission adopt the attached Designation Report
and the proposed amending Ordinance creating the Dade Boulevard Fire Station Historic Site.
BACKGROUND
On June 8, 1999, the City of Miami Beach Planning Department requested the Historic
Preservation Board to consider directing staff to prepare a preliminary evaluation report with
recommendations regarding the possible designation of the Dade Boulevard Fire Station (now
known as Fire Station#2), located at 2300 Pinetree Drive,as a local historic site. This request was
believed appropriate by staff due to the unique design of the building; the high repute of its
architect, Robert Law Weed; and the visual landmark character of the structure. At the same
meeting, the Board reviewed said request and unanimously approved a motion to direct staff to
prepare a preliminary evaluation report with recommendations regarding the possible designation
of the Dade Boulevard Fire Station as a local historic site.
AGENDA ITEM
_e_45_8
DATE 1 O -2.0'�1
At its July 13, 1999,meeting,the Historic Preservation Board reviewed the preliminary evaluation
report with recommendations prepared by the staff of the Planning Department regarding the
designation of the Dade Boulevard Fire Station as an historic site. The Board found the proposed
historic site to be in compliance with the criteria for designation listed in Sections 118-591 through
118-593 in the Land Development Regulations of the City Code and unanimously approved a
motion to direct staff to prepare a designation report and schedule a public hearing in a timely
manner relative to the designation of the Dade Boulevard Fire Station.
At its September 9, 1999, meeting, the Historic Preservation Board unanimously approved a
motion to recommend approval of the designation of the Dade Boulevard Fire Station as an historic
site in accordance with staff recommendations, as reflected in the attached designation report.
Subsequently, at its September 28, 1999 meeting, the Planning Board voted 7-0 to recommend •
approval of the designation.
ANALYSIS
Designation Process
The designation report for a proposed historic site is required to be presented to the Historic
Preservation Board and the Planning Board at public hearings. Following public input,the Historic
Preservation Board votes on whether or not the proposed historic site meets the criteria listed in
the Land Development Regulations of the City Code and transmits a recommendation on historic
designation to the Planning Board and City Commission. If the Historic Preservation Board votes
against the designation, no further action is required. If the Historic Preservation Board votes in
favor of designation, the Planning Board reviews the designation report and formulates its own
recommendation. The recommendations of both Boards, along with the designation report, are
presented to the City Commission. Because in this instance the proposed ordinance involves an
area of less than ten(10)contiguous acres,the City Commission must hold one (1)public hearing
on the designation. Upon conclusion of the hearing,the City Commission can immediately adopt
the ordinance with a 5/7 vote.
Relation to Ordinance Criteria
1. In accordance with Section 118-592 in the Land Development Regulations of the
City Code,eligibility for designation is determined on the basis of compliance with
the listed criteria set forth below.
(a) The Historic Preservation Board shall have the authority to recommend that
properties be designated as historic buildings, historic structures, historic
improvements,historic landscape features,historic interiors(architecturally
significant public portions only),historic sites or historic districts if they are
significant in the historical,architectural,cultural,aesthetic or archeological
heritage of the city, the county, state or nation. Such properties shall
possess an integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship,
feeling or association and meet at least one (1) of the following criteria:
(1) Association with events that have made a significant contribution to
the history of the city,the county, state or nation;
(2) Association with the lives of persons significant in the city's past
history;
(3) Embody the distinctive characteristics of an historical period,
architectural or design style or method of construction;
(4) Possesses high artistic values;
(5) Represent the work of a master, serve as an outstanding or
representative work of a master designer, architect or builder who
contributed to our historical, aesthetic or architectural heritage;
(6) Have yielded, or are likely to yield information important in pre-
history or history;
(7) Be listed in the National Register of Historic Places;
(8) Consist of a geographically definable area that possesses a
significant concentration of sites, buildings or structures united by
historically significant past events or aesthetically by plan or
physical development, whose components may lack individual
distinction.
(b) A building, structure (including the public portions of the interior),
improvement or landscape feature may be designated historic even if it has
been altered if the alteration is reversible and the most significant
architectural elements are intact and repairable.
2. The Dade Boulevard Fire Station is eligible for designation as it complies with the
criteria as specified in Section 11,8-592 in the Land Development Regulations of the
City Code outlined above.
(a) Staff finds the Dade Boulevard Fire Station(now known as Fire Station#2),
located at 2300 Pinetree Drive,to be eligible for historic designation and in
conformance with the designation criteria for the following reasons:
(1) Association with events that have made a significant contribution to
the history of the city, the county, state or nation;
The Dade Boulevard Fire Station was constructed as a Public
Works Administration (PWA) project in 1939 under President
Franklin Delano Roosevelt's pledge to the American people for a
New Deal. Located at the intersection of Dade Boulevard and
Pinetree Drive and facing the bridge leading to 23rd Street, the
building was designed to provide then modern fire fighting facilities
to the community, a central training station, and a residence for the
fire chief
(2) Association with the lives of persons significant in the city's past
history;
In addition to his notable architectural career in the Miami area,
Robert Law Weed served his country in World War I and World War
II as a planner who provided architectural expertise to the Army Air
Force. He was highly involved with many civic affairs through his
public service, served on numerous juries for architectural awards,
and participated in advisory committees for the discussion of
problems relative to architecture and the building industry.
(3) Embody the distinctive characteristics of an historical period,,
architectural or design style or method of construction;
Constructed in Miami Beach in the late 1930's prior to World War
II, the Dade Boulevard Fire Station represents a highly unique
example of a structure whose design is influenced by the Streamline
Modern, International style, and Vernacular styles of architecture.
In fact, the fire station is a remarkably well-designed one-of-a-kind
hybrid.
(4) Possess high artistic values;
Designed by architects Robert Law Weed and Edwin T Reeder, the
central block and tower of the Dade Boulevard Fire Station embody
characteristics of both the Streamline Moderne style of architecture
and evolving International style school of design, while the
palladian flanking structures are highly simplistic and evocative of
a Vernacular style. The original architectural design of the fire
station was influenced by the residential character of the
surrounding neighborhoods, as evidenced by its varied building
heights, tri-block massing, wood shutters, brickwork, and classical
central entrance with columns.
(5) Represent the work of a master, serve as an outstanding or
representative work of a master designer, architect or builder who
contributed to our historical, aesthetic or architectural heritage;
Florida's most renowned world's fair submission was probably
Robert Law Weed's "Florida Tropical Home"for the 1933 U.S.
World's Fair, "A Century of Progress," in Chicago, Illinois.
Notable architectural works among his outstanding career include
Miami Shores Elementary School (1930), the Royal Palm Club
(1937), numerous buildings at the University of Miami, a residential
aviation community near Miami's airport (1947), the Paramount
Theater in Miami, and the Administration and Terminal Building at
the Miami International Airport. His commissions in Miami Beach
include the South Florida Art Center(originally known as Burdine's
Department Store)(800 Lincoln Road) in 1935, Fire Station #4
(6860 Indian Creek Drive) in 1937, the current Burdine's
Department Store (1675 Meridian Avenue) in 1937, and the Jorge
B. Sanchez House (1700 Michigan Avenue) in 1948. Weed's
architectural work was published in many national magazines
which include Architectural Forum, Architectural Record,
Progressive Architecture, Life, and the Saturday Evening Post.
(6) Have yielded, or are likely to yield information important in pre-
history or history;
Retention of the Dade Boulevard Fire Station promotes the general
welfare of the City by providing an opportunity for the study and
appreciation of a highly unique example of the Streamline Moderne
style of architecture with both International and Vernacular style
influences. The fire station is representative of the evolutionary
transition from an early architectural style to a new architectural
style on the Beach.
(7) Be listed in the National Register of Historic Places;
Currently, the Dade Boulevard Fire Station is neither listed
individually as an historic site nor is it located within an historic
district in the National Register of Historic Places, although it
appears to have substantial potential to be determined to be eligible
for individual historic site designation.
(8) Consist of a geographically definable area that possesses a
significant concentration of sites, buildings or structures united by
historically significant past events or aesthetically by plan or
physical development, whose components may lack individual
distinction;
This criterion is not applicable to an individual historic site
designation.
(b) A building, structure (including the public portions of the interior),
improvement or landscape feature may be designated historic, even if it has
been altered, if the alteration is reversible and the most significant
architectural elements are intact and repairable.
Although the Dade Boulevard Fire Station has been altered over the years,
it maintains much of its original architectural integrity. Exterior
restoration could be successfully completed by following original
architectural plans and available excellent historical photographs. Despite
alterations to this structure, it continues to be representative of the
architectural and cultural history of Miami Beach.
Analysis of the Amending Ordinance
In reviewing a request for an amendment to the Land Development Regulations of the City Code
or a change in land use, the City Commission shall consider the following:
1. Whether the proposed change is consistent and compatible with the Comprehensive
Plan and any applicable neighborhood or Redevelopment Plans;
Consistent- The proposed designation is consistent with the Comprehensive
Plan, specifically with the Historic Preservation Element of the
Comprehensive Plan's Objective No. 1 which, in part, states:
"...increase the total number of structures designated as historically
significant from that number of structures designated in 1988, either
individually or as a contributing structure within a National Register
Historic Preservation District or a local Historic Preservation
District."
2. Whether the proposed change would create an isolated district unrelated to adjacent
or nearby districts;
Consistent- The amendment would not change the underlying zoning district for
any areas within the City.
3. Whether the change suggested is out of scale with the needs of the neighborhood
or the City;
Consistent- The designation of the property as a historic site would help to
encourage redevelopment and rehabilitation that is compatible with
the scale,characteristics and needs of the surrounding neighborhood
and help to preserve the architectural character of the built
environment.
4. Whether the proposed change would tax the existing load on public facilities and
infrastructure;
Consistent- The LOS for the area public facilities and infrastructure should not
be negatively affected, if at all, by the proposed amending
ordinance.
5. Whether existing district boundaries are illogically drawn in relation to existing
conditions on the property proposed for change;
Consistent- The Dade Boulevard Fire Station is located at 2300 Pinetree Drive;
a detailed description of the proposed boundaries is delineated
within the attached designation report.
6. Whether changed or changing conditions make the passage of the proposed change
necessary;
Consistent- The success of historic preservation in the ongoing revitalization of
southern Miami Beach supports the protection of the proposed site.
Past demolition of historic structures demonstrates the necessity of
this amendment to maintain the architectural integrity of the area.
7. Whether the proposed change will adversely influence living conditions in the
neighborhood;
Consistent- The proposed change should not negatively effect living conditions
or the Quality of Life for the surrounding properties. Indeed, the
quality of living conditions in designated historic areas has •
significantly improved since the City started designating historic
districts. The thousands of Design Review approvals (both
substantial rehabilitation and minor improvements) within the
existing historic districts demonstrate this principle.
8. Whether the proposed change will create or excessively increase traffic congestion
beyond the Level Of Service as set forth in the Comprehensive Plan or otherwise
affect public safety;
Consistent- The levels of service set forth in the Comprehensive Plan will not
be affected by designation. Likewise, public safety will not be
affected.
9. Whether the proposed change will seriously reduce light and air to adjacent
properties;
Consistent- There should 1* no reduction in light and air either on site or to
adjacent properties.
10. Whether the proposed change will adversely affect property values in the adjacent
area;
Consistent- As property values and value of construction have historically
increased in the existing designated historic sites and districts,there
is no evidence to suggest that designation would adversely affect
property values in the area surrounding the proposed designation.
To the contrary,the designation of the site should help to reinforce
and promote continuous quality enhancement of the surrounding
neighborhood.
11. Whether the proposed change will be a deterrent to the improvement or
development of adjacent property in accordance with existing regulations;
Consistent- The proposed amendment will not change the development
regulations for adjacent sites which must comply with their own site
specific development regulations. Furthermore, the proposed
ordinance should not affect the ability for an adjacent property to be •
developed in accordance with said regulations.
12. Whether there are substantial reasons why the property cannot be used in
accordance with existing zoning;
Consistent- The permitted land uses are not affected since the proposed
amendment does not change the underlying zoning district for any
property.
13. Whether it is impossible to find other adequate Sites in the City for the proposed
Use in a district already permitting such Use;
Not Applicable - This review criteria is not applicable to this Zoning
Ordinance amendment.
CONCLUSION
The proposed designation of the Dade Boulevard Fire Station Historic Site is appropriate to protect
the aesthetic, architectural and historical importance of the site. The positive social and economic
impact that preservation has had on the revitalization of southern Miami Beach, as well as the
worldwide media recognition of Miami Beach, is well known. Local residents, as well as visitors
from around the world, are seeking the very special urban character of Miami Beach that the City
seeks to preserve and promote.
•
Based on the foregoing,the Administration has concluded that the City Commission should adopt
the Designation Report and the subject amending ordinance.
S' \JGG\ L\rgl
T:\AGENDA\1999\OCT2099\REGULAR\1421CMM WPD
.� "
N a U ' O
1-iw U x • C 4)
N �-. U = ..�. vn
c oo
o
4W ° w . o
A 0 (L) o
O • Q
" .Si
lid = haw - Q