LTC 052-2005 900 Collins Avenue-Coral Rock Home Demolition Status Report CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No.
From:
Subject:
ii~ayor David Dermer and Date: February 18, 2005
~_Members of the City Commission
~;orge M. Gonzalez ~ ~,%.~'"'
City Manager f/v C)
900 COLLINS AVENUE - CORAL ROCK HOME DEMOLITION STATUS
REPORT
On January 19, 2005, the Miami-Dade County Unsafe Structures Board continued action on the
above noted structure to February 16, 2005, so that the independent structural engineer retained by
the City, Mr. Douglas Wood, could complete his investigation and submit plans to the City's Building
Official for temporary bracing, shoring, and full structural restoration. In order to allow such
additional time as might be necessary for Mr. Wood to complete his work, and have it fully reviewed
by the City's Building Official, the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board, on February 8, 2005,
invoked its full authority under County code section 16A-11 (VI)(b), and approved a Resolution to be
submitted to the Miami-Dade County Unsafe Structures Board, requesting that a grace period of no
less than 120 days be granted to obtain a permit to repair the property, as permitted and required by
such ordinance.
On February 14, 2005, the Mr. Wood submitted plans to the City's Building Official. After careful
review, the Building Official found the plans to be insufficient, and on February 16, 2005, provided a
written summary of eighteen points of concern for Mr. Wood's attention and response.
On February 16, 2005, the City's Building Official reported to the Miami-Dade County Unsafe
Structures Board that the plans submitted for the temporary bracing, shoring, and full structural
restoration of the subject structure were insufficient with respect to the requirements of the Florida
Building Code, and could not be approved. Mr. Wood then explained the plans to the Board and
responded to questions.
Following Mr. Wood's presentation, I addressed the Unsafe Structures Board, stating that although
the City does not own this building it does own an interest in the historic district, stressing that the
Avery Smith coral rock house is very important historically. Pursuant to the Resolution of the Miami
Beach Historic Preservation Board and the demonstrated intent of the Miami Beach Mayor and City
Commission, I requested the Unsafe Structures Board grant the additional time necessary for Mr.
Wood to review in detail and formally respond to and address the points of concern raised by the
City's Building Official.
After extensive additional testimony from the property owners, Dade Heritage Trust, and others, the
Unsafe Structures Board deliberated, and ultimately considered two separate motions to allow for
the time extension requested, ultimately each failed and they subsequently passed a motion finding
that there was no feasible alternative to demolition, and ordered that the subject structure be
demolished within sixty (60) days.
The Administration will further update the Commission on this matter at the February 23, 2005 City
Commission meeting. If you have any questions relative to this property, or need additional
information, please contact me.
JMG/CMC/JGG/WHC
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