LTC 008-2024 City Land Use Boards - Existing VacanciesI\ I\ I I\ I\ I
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC# 008-2024 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
FROM:
Honorable Mayor Steven Meiner ��d_7mbers of the City Commission
Alina T. Hudak, City Manag4\_�
January 9, 2024 ur \DATE:
SUBJECT: City Land Use Boards -Existing Vacancies
The City has several vacancies and/or term expirations on the Board of Adjustment, Planning
Board, Historic Preservation Board, and Design Review Board. The following is a summary of the
vacant membership categories for each of these boards:
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
In accordance with Chapter 2 of the Land Development Regulations of the City Code (LDRs), all
members of the Board of Adjustment (or "BOA") must be either residents of or have their principal
place of business in the City. Additionally, each member of the board must be appointed by a 517th
vote of the City Commission. The BOA is composed of seven (7) regular voting members including
one (1) architect registered in the State of Florida, two (2) citizens at-large and four (4) members
who shall be appointed from each of the following categories (no more than one per category):
1.Law
2.Engineering
3.Real Estate Development
4.Certified Public Accounting5.Financial Consult ation
6.General Business
The members representing the professions of law, architecture, engineering and public accounting
shall be duly licensed by the State of Florida;
The member representing general business shall be of responsible standing in the community;
The member representing the field of financial consultation shall be a cert ified public accountant,
chart ered financial analyst, certified financial planner, a chartered financial consultant or
investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or someone
recognized as having similar credentials and duly licensed by the State of Florida.
The following are the vacancies on the Board of Adjustment as of December 31, 2023:
1.Law.
This position is currently held by Mr. Geoffrey Aaronson, whose term expired on December 31,
2023. Mr. Aaronson is eligible to be re-appointed.
2.General Business.
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This position is currently held by Mr. Michael Goldberg, whose term expired on December 31,
2023. Mr. Goldberg is eligible to be re-appointed.
3. Architect.
This position is currently held by Mr. James Silvers, whose term expired on December 31, 2023.
Mr. Silvers is eligible to be re-appointed.
4. Citizen At Large
The Citizen at Large position is currently vacant.
5. Engineering OR Certified Public Accounting OR Financial Consultation
Assuming the re-appointment of the members eligible for reappointment in their current positions,
there is a vacancy for ONE of the above noted positions.
PLANNING BOARD
In accordance with Chapter 2 of the LDRs, the Planning Board (or "PB ") shal l be composed of
seven (7) regular voting members. Each regular member shall be appointed with the concurrence
of at least four ( 4) members of the City Commission and shall serve for a term of two (2) years. All
regular voting members of the board shall have considerable experience in general business, land
development, land development practices or land use issues, and the board shall at a minimum
be comprised of:
1. One (1) architect registered in the State of Florida; or a member of the faculty of a school of
architecture in the state, with practical or academic expertise in the field of design, planning,
historic preservation or the history of architecture; or a landscape architect registered in the
State of Florida; or a professional practicing in the fields of architectural or urban design, or
urban planning;
2. One (1) developer who has experience in developing real property; or an attorney in good
standing licensed to practice law within the United States;
3. One (1) attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Florida who has considerable
experience in land use and zoning issues;
4. One (1) person who has education or experience in historic preservation issues. For purposes
of this section, the term "education or experience in historic preservation issues" shall be a
person who meets one (1) or more of the following criteria:
A. Has earned a college degree in historic preservation;
B. Is responsible for the preservation, revitalization or adaptive reuse of historic buildings; or
C. Is recognized by the City Commission for contributions to historic preservation, education
or planning;
5. Two (2) persons who are residents at-large and currently reside in the city and have resided in
the city for at least three consecutive years at the time of appointment or reappointment.
Additionally, strong preference shall be given to individuals who have previously served on a
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Miami Beach board or committee or completed the Miami Beach Leadership Academy course,
and to individuals not currently working in the fields of real estate development, real estate
brokerage/sales, real estate law, or architecture; and
6. One (1) of the following:
A. A licensed professional engineer, licensed professional architect, or licensed professional
landscape architect with expertise in water resources;
B. A person licensed by the State of Florida in hydrology, water or wastewater treatment;
C. A person with a degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study related
to water resources; or
D. A floodplain manager or a principal community administrator responsible for the daily
implementation of flood loss reduction activities including enforcing a community's flood
damage prevention ordinance, updating flood maps, plans, and policies of the community,
and any of the activities related to administration of the National Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP) (a "water management expert").
Except for the resident at large positions above, no person except a resident of the city, who has
resided in the city for at least one (1) year, shall be eligible for appointment to the planning board.
This residency requirement shall not apply to the water management expert position. Additionally,
the City Commission may waive the residency requirements by a 5/7" vote in the event a person
not meeting these requirements is available to serve on the board and is exceptionally qualified by
training and/or experience.
The following are the current vacancies on the Planning Board as of December 31, 2023.
1. Architecture / Urban Planning.
This position was previously held by Mr. Joe Magazine. Mr. Magazine was elected to the City
Commission and has resigned from the Board.
2. Developer/ Attorney.
This position is currently held by Mr. Jonathan Freidin, whose term expired on December 31, 2023.
Mr. Freidin is eligible for re-appointment.
3. Attorney.
This position is currently held by Mr. Brian Elias, whose term expired on December 31, 2023. Mr.
Elias is eligible for re-appointment.
4. Historic Preservation.
This position was previously held by Ms. Tanya Bhatt. Ms. Bhatt was elected to the City
Commission and has resigned from the Board.
5. Resident At Large/ General Business Category.
This position is currently held by Mr. Yechiel Ciment, whose term expired on December 31, 2023.
Mr. Ciment is eligible for re-appointment.
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6. Water Management Expert.
This position is currently held by Ms. Gayle Durham, whose term expired on December 31, 2023.
Ms. Durham is not seeking re-appointment.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD
In accordance w ith Chapter 2 of the LDRs, the Historic Preservation Board (or "HPB ") shall be
com posed of seven mem bers. There shall be a mem ber from each of the following categories:
(1) A representative from the M iam i Design Preservation League (MDPL), selected from
three(3) nam es nom inated by such organization.
(2) A representative fro m Dade Heritage Tr ust (DH T), selected from three (3) names
nom inated by such organization.
(3) Tw o (2) at-large mem bers, w ho have resided in one (1) of the city's historic districts for at
least one (1) year, and who have dem onstrated interest and knowledge in architectural
or urban design and the preservation of historic buildings.
( 4) An architect registered in the State of Florida with practical experience in the rehabilitation
of historic structures.
(5) (i) A licensed pro fessional engineer, licensed pro fessional architect, or licensed
pro fessional landscape architect w ith expertise in water resources;
(ii) A person licensed by the State of Florida in hydro logy, water or wastewater treatment;
(iii) A person w ith a degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study
related to water resources; or
(iv) A floodplain manager or a principal com m unity administrator responsible for the daily
im plem entation of flood loss reduction activities including enforcing a community's
flood dam age prevention ordinance, updating flood maps, plans, and policies of the
com m unity, and any of the activities related to administration of the National Flood
Insurance Pro gram (NFIP) (a "w ater managem ent expert"), each of the foregoing
w ith pro fessional experience and dem onstrated interest in historic preservation.
(6) A mem ber of the faculty of a school of architecture in the State of Florida, with academic
expertise in the field of design and historic preserv ation or the history of architecture, with
a preference fo r an individual w ith practical experience in architecture and the preservation
of historic structures.
A ll m em bers of the board except the architect, university faculty m ember, and water management
expert shall be residents of the city; pro vided, how ever, that the City Commission may waive the
residen cy requirem ent (if applicable) by a 5/7" vote, in th e even t a person not meeting the
residency requirem ents is available to serve on the board and is exceptionally qualified by training
and/or experience in historic preserv ation matters.
Historic Preserv ation Board mem bers shall be appointed for a term of tw o (2) years and with the
concurrence of at least fo ur (4) mem bers of the City Com mission. An eligibility list solicited from,
but not lim ited to, the fo llow ing organizations may be considered by the Commission in selecting
board mem bers:
(1) Am erican Institute of Architects, local chapter.
(2) Miam i D esign Preservation League.
(3) Miam i Beach Cham ber of Com m erce.
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(4) Miami Beach Development Corporation.
(5) Dade Heritage Trust.
(6) Florida Engineer Society, local chapter.
(7) Any other organization deemed appropriate by the City Commission.
The following are the current vacancies on the Historic Preservation Board as of December 31,
2023.
1. Registered Architect
This position is currently held by Mr. John Stuart, whose term expired on December 31, 2023. Mr.
Stuart is eligible to be re-appointed.
2. University Faculty Member
This position is currently held by Mr. Ricardo Lopez, whose term expired on December 31, 2023.
Mr. Lopez is termed-out and not eligible to be re-appointed.
3. Water Management Expert
This position is currently held by Mr. Stuart Reed, whose term expired on December 31, 2023. Mr.
Reed is eligible to be re-appointed.
4. At Large I Resident
This position is currently held by Mr. Ray Breslin, whose term expired on December 31, 2023. Mr.
Breslin is eligible to be re-appointed.
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
In accordance with Chapter 2 of the LO Rs, the Design Review Board (or "DRB") shal l be composed
of seven regular members, consisting of the following membership categories:
(1) One architect registered in the United States;
(2) An architect registered in the State of Florida or a member of the faculty of a school of
architecture, urban planning or urban design in the state, with practical or academic expertise
in the field of design, planning, historic preservation or the history of architecture; or a
pro fessional practicing in the fields of architectural design or urban planning;
(3) One landscape architect registered in the State of Florida;
( 4) One architect registered in the United States, or a professional practicing in the fields of
architectural or urban design, or urban planning; or resident with demonstrated interest or
background in design issues; or an attorney in good standing licensed to practice law within
the United States;
(5) Two persons who are residents at-large and who currently reside in the city and have resided
in the city for at least three consecutive years at the time of appointment or reappointment.
Additionally, strong preference shall be given to individuals who have previously served on a
Miami Beach board or committee and/or completed the Miami Beach Leadership Academy
course, and to individuals not currently working in the fields of real estate development, real
estate brokerage/sales, real estate law, or architecture; and
(6) (i) A licensed professional engineer, licensed professional architect, or licensed professional
landscape architect with expertise in water resources;
(ii) A person licensed by the State of Florida in hydrology, water or wastewater treatment;
L T C - L an d U s e B o a rd V a c a n c ie s
D a te : Ja n u a ry 9 , 2 0 2 4
P a g e : 6 o f 7
(i i i ) A p e r s o n w it h a d e g r e e f r o m a n a c c r e d i t e d c o l l e g e o r u n i v e r s it y in a fi e ld o f s t u d y r e la t e d
t o w a t e r r e s o u r c e s ; o r
(i v ) A fl o o d p l a i n m a n a g e r o r a p r i n c ip a l c o m m u n i t y a d m i n i s t r a t o r r e s p o n s i b le fo r t h e d a i l y
im p l e m e n t a t io n o f fl o o d lo s s r e d u c t io n a c t iv it ie s in c l u d i n g e n fo r c in g a c o m m u n it y 's f lo o d
d a m a g e p r e v e n t i o n o r d i n a n c e , u p d a t in g f lo o d m a p s , p l a n s , a n d p o l ic ie s o f t h e c o m m u n it y ,
a n d a n y o f t h e a c t iv it ie s r e l a t e d t o a d m i n i s t r a t io n o f t h e N a t io n a l F lo o d In s u r a n c e P ro g r a m
(N F I P ) (a "w a t e r m a n a g e m e n t e x p e rt ").
A d d i t i o n a l l y , o n e p e r s o n a p p o i n t e d b y t h e C i t y M a n a g e r fr o m a n e lig i b i l i t y lis t p ro v id e d b y t h e
D i s a b i li t y A c c e s s C o m m i tt e e s h a ll s e rv e in a n a d v i s o ry c a p a c it y w it h n o v o t in g a u t h o r it y . T h is
p o s i t i o n is c u r r e n t l y v a c a n t b u t w a s p r e v io u s l y h e l d b y M s . S a b r i n a C o h e n .
O R B m e m b e r s s h a l l b e a p p o i n t e d fo r a tw o -y e a r t e r m a n d w it h t h e c o n c u r r e n c e o f a t le a s t fo u r (4 )
m e m b e r s o f t h e C it y C o m m i s s i o n . A n e l i g i b i l i t y li s t fo r t h e p ro f e s s i o n a l m e m b e r s h i p c a t e g o r ie s m a y
in cl u d e , b u t s h a ll n o t b e li m i t e d t o , s u g g e s t io n s fr o m t h e fo l l o w in g p r o f e s s io n a l a n d c iv ic
a s s o c i a t i o n s :
(1 ) A m e r i c a n I n s t it u t e o f A r c h i t e c t s , lo c a l c h a p t e r .
(2) A m erica n So cie ty of La n d scape A rchitects, local chapter.
(3) T h e M ia m i D e sig n A llian ce .
(4 ) A m erica n Pla n n in g A ssocia tio n , lo cal cha pter.
(5 ) T h e M ia m i D e sign Pre serv atio n Leag ue and D a de H eritage T rust.
(6 ) O the r city civic, ne ig h b o rho o d and pro pe rt y ow ner associations.
A ll re gu lar m em b e rs sha ll re sid e in or ha ve the ir prim ary place of business in the county, except
fo r th e w ate r m ana g e m e nt expert ap po inted pursuant to subsection (a)(6), w ho need not reside in
o r ha ve a princip a l pla ce of bu sine ss in the co unty, and except as otherw ise pro vided in subsection
(a )(5). T he tw o (2) residen t at-large m em be rs and one (1) of the registered landscape architects,
re g is te re d archite cts, or pro fessionals practicing in the fields of architectural or urban design or
urb a n plan n ing sh a ll be re sid ents of the ci ty.
T h e fo llo w in g are the curre n t vacancie s on the D e sig n Review Board as of D ecem ber 31, 2023.
1. Architect/ Faculty Member/ Design Professional / Urban Planner.
This position is currently held by Ms. Sarah Giller-Nelson, whose term expired on December 31,
2023. Ms. Gil/er-Nelson is eligible to be re-appointed.
2. Resident at Large.
One (1) of the two (2) positions is currently held by Mr. Scott Diffenderfer, whose term expired on
December 31, 2023. Mr. Diffenderfer is eligible to be re-appointed.
3. Water Management Expert.
This position is currently held by Mr. Jason Hagopian, whose term expired on December 31, 2023.
Mr. Hagopian is not seeking re-appointment.
4. Landscape Architect
This position was held by Mr. Orlando C om a s, whose term was scheduled to expire on December
31, 2 0 2 3. However, Mr. C o m a s was not able to attend the December 2023 ORB meeting, and was
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automatically removed from the Board after his third absence for the year. Mr. Comas is eligible to
be re-appointed to the Board.
The aforementioned Land Use Boards have between four (4) and six (6) vacancies. To maintain
quorums, the members of the boards whose terms have expired, and who have not resigned, can
be held over for a period not to exceed 60 days from December 31, 2023. This allows each board
to maintain a quorum in the event appointments are delayed, but only for the January 2024 and
February 2024 meetings. Consequently, the need to re-appoint existing members and/or appoint
new members is pressing for all the City's Land Use Boards, as none of the boards will be able to
field quorums after their February 2024 meetings if no new appointments or re-appointments are
made.
Rl ) -«e
ATH/RW/TRM
C: Rafael Paz, City Attorney
Rafael Granado, City Clerk
Joseph Centorino, Inspector General
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