5238 Alton RoadMIAMIBEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Flodda 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Tel: 305-673-7550, Fax: 305-673-7559
November 16, 2005
Mr. Michael J. Miarecki
Mr. Hipolito Diogo
5238 Alton Road
Miami Beach, Florida 33140
Re:
5238 Alton Road, Miami Beach
Request for a Determination of Architectural Significance
Dear Mr. Miarecki and Mr. Diogo:
Pursuant to your request that was received on October 20, 2005 (see Attachment), the
Planning Department has evaluated the subject property at 5238 Alton Road to determine
whether the single-family residence is architecturally significant. A site visit of the subject
property was conducted by staff on November 14, 2005. In accordance with Section 142-108(a)
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:
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.
Satisfied. Built in 1935 and designed by architect T. Hunter Henderson, the subject
residence is predominately two-stories in height with a one-story wing on its east side. It
also has a one-story connecting wing between the main residence and a rear garage
apartment on the west side of the property. The home has an irregular plan with the
main entrance at its southeast comer. It is a good example of the Mediterranean Revival
style of architecture with an influence of Art Deco.
Characteristic of the Mediterranean Revival style, the residence has multiple, Iow-pitched
roofs with clay tiles; a sculptural chimney top on the north side of the roof,' a projecting
balcony with a supporting bracket of stepped curves on the east elevation; a one-story,
curved entrance feature at the southeast corner with arched masonry openings; a heavy
wood paneled front door (now painted); and terra cotta tiles on the front terrace. The
Mediterranean Revival style is also reflected in the original screened porch (now
enclosed with jalousie windows) on the south elevation of the home with its wooden
rafter tails and carved wooden molding that flanks the door.
Although its design is predominately Mediterranean Revival, the subject home also has
an Art Deco influence. Some of its architectural features reflective of this style include a
smooth stucco finish over the body of the structure; original steel casement windows with
a horizontal lite orientation (a few remain on the south elevation); and horizontal stucco
banding that wraps the one-story wing on the east side of the home as well as highlights
the shaft of the chimney on the north elevation, the one-story curved entrance feature at
the southeast corner, and the lower edge of the second floor windows on the south and
east elevations. The subject home also has a pair of Art Deco-inspired columns that
Re: 5238 Alton Road
November 16, 2005
Page 2 of 3
flank the picture window on the south elevation. Together all of these architectural
features contribute to the special character and architectural significance of this
residence.
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
reversed without unreasonable expense.
Satisfied. The exterior of the subject home is clearly recognizable as an example of its
style and period with limited modifications. These modifications include the replacement
of the original clay barrel roof tiles with a compatible, clay Spanish tile; the enclosure of
the covered screen porch on the south elevation with jalousie windows; and the removal
and partial infill of one of the two garage door openings on the north elevation of the
garage apartment. Throughout the main residence and the attached garage apartment,
a majority of the original multi-lited steel casement windows have been removed and
replaced with a more contemporary window style with dark brown aluminum frames,
darker tinting, and a different lite configuration than the original design. These limited
modifications do not have a significant negative impact on the architectural integrity of
the residence.
Significant exterior architectural characteristics, features, or details of the subject
structure remain intact.
Satisfied. The subject home has not been significantly altered and appears to be
substantially consistent with its original architectural design.
The subject structure embodies the scale, character, and massing of the built context of
its immediate area.
Satisfied. The predominately two-story residence is compatible with the built context of
the surrounding single-family homes in terms of sca/e, character, and massing.
The Planning Department has determined that the subject building does meet the criteria in
Section 142-108(a) and, therefore, is architecturally significant. This determination relative to
architectural significance of the single-family home may be appealed within ten (10) days of
rendering such decision. The appeal must be in writing and shall be to the Design Review
Board.
In accordance with Section 142-108(d), a request for the total demolition of an architecturally
significant single-family home must be reviewed by the Design Review Board (DRB). A permit
for the demolition of an architecturally significant single-family home shall not be issued unless a
full building permit for new construction has been issued. In the event an architecturally
significant home is proposed to be demolished, the Design Review Board shall review and
approve all new construction on the subject site. If you wish to pursue the total demolition of the
subject structure and the construction of a new home, please contact Michael Belush, Senior
Planner, at 305-673-7000 extension 6258, in order to schedule a pre-application conference for
the Design Review Board.
Because staff has determined this single-family home to be architecturally significant, we would
like to suggest that you consider requesting that the Historic Preservation Board evaluate the
property for local individual historic structure designation. There can be significant tax and other
benefits to historic designation, and staff would be pleased to discuss these opportunities with
you and assist in this process. Please contact either myself or Shannon ^nderton, Senior
Planner, to schedule an appointment to discuss this matter further at 305-673-7550.
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work, and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic
community.
Re: 5238 Alton Road
November 16, 2005
Page 3 of 3
If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact myself or
Shannon Anderton, Senior Planner, at 305-673-7550.
William H. Cary ~
Assistant Planning Dir~Sr
c: Robert Parcher, City Clerk
Jorge G. Gomez, Planning Director
Thomas R. Mooney, Design and Preservation Manager
Shannon Anderton, Senior Planner
SFRRB File No. 59
Sean Jeffries, Jarosz Architect
Michael Larkin, Esquire
JGG:WHC:TRM:SMA
F:~PLAN~$ALL~Single Family Homes\Correspondence\5238 Alton Rd.sma.doc
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who five, work, and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic
community,
Michael J. Miarecki
Hipolito Diogo
5238 Alton Road
Miami Beach, Florida 33140
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
To Whom It May Concern,
Re:
Request for Determination of Architectural Siqnificance,
5238 Alton Road, Miami Beach, Florida.
Dear Sirs/Madams,
We are the owners of the above-referenced parcel (the "Property").
Please consider this letter our request for a determination of whether the
existing single family home on the Property is "architecturally significant."
Attached to this letter please find photographs of the exterior of the existing
home as well as the home's building card.
Description of Property. The Property is a single family lot originally
constructed in 1926 located on the west side of Alton Road located within a
single-family neighborhood. We are only the third owner of this property and,
while in need of considerable repairs and updating, the property retains much
of its original architectural integrity. It was our intent when purchasing the
property to restore and salvage as much of the property's original character as
possible.
Determination of Siqnificance. As you know, the City Commission
passed an amendment to the single family residential portions of the City's
Land Development Regulations in order to encourage the "preservation of
existing, architecturally significant single-family homes." The amendment
establishes a special review procedure for homes constructed prior to 1942
that are located outside a historic district.
Compliance with Code Criteria. As noted above, the new regulations
are intended to protect those older homes that are architecturally "significant."
We believe that the existing home does meet the requisite architectural
significance under the criteria set forth. Specifically, the home is architecturally
significant because it meets all of the following criteria:
(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;
(2)
The exterior of the structure is recognizable as an example of its style
and/or period.
5238 Alton Road, Miami Beach
October 20, 2005
Page 2 of 2
(3)
Significant exterior architectural characteristics, features, or details of
the subject structure remain intact.
(4)
The subject structure embodies the scale, character and massing of the
built context of its immediate area.
Conclusion. We may seek variances to permit us to make certain
additions to the property. The additions we may seek will not involve
demolition of any architectural elements or significantly alter the style,
characteristics or details of the structures, however, they will allow us to fully
utilize and enjoy the property. Accordingly, we respectfully request your
determination regarding the architectural significance of the existing home. We
believe in the goal of retaining architecturally significant single family homes on
Miami Beach, we believe that the design and condition of the existing home on
the Property do support a conclusion that it is "architecturally significant."
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me directly.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Miarecki
Hipolito Dio~b