2633 Pinetree DriveMIAMIBEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Tel: 305-673-7550, Fax: 305-673-7559
November 22, 2005
Mr. Julian Arias
Lifestyle Investments
800 West Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Re:
2633 Pinetree Drive, Miami Beach
Request for a Determination of Architectural Significance
Dear Mr. Arias:
Pursuant to your request that was received on October 31, 2005 (see Attachment), the
Planning Department has evaluated the subject property at 2633 Pinetree Drive to determine
whether the single-family residence is architecturally significant. A site visit of the subject
property was conducted by staff on November 10, 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 1934 and designed by Carlos B. Schoeppl, the subject residence is a
good example of the Mediterranean Revival style of architecture with a modest influence
of Art Deco. It has an irregular plan with an attached single-car garage (now enclosed)
at its south end.
Characteristic of the Mediterranean Revival style, the residence has wooden raftertails;
attic gable vents; a sculptural chimney top; rusticated keystone on the front porch and
rearterrace; simulated heavy wooden lintels (since painted the same color as the house)
above the front entrance door and flanking windows (one has been infilled), the paired
garage doors (now removed and partially infilled) and adjacent window, as well as above
the picture window and flanking French doors on the rear terrace; and rusticated brick
columns (also since painted) that highlight the front entrance door as well as the three
French doors on the rear terrace.
Although its design is predominately Mediterranean Revival, the subject home also has
a modest Art Deco influence. Some of its architectural features reflective of this style
include a smooth stucco finish overthe body of the structure; wooden French doors with
a horizontal lite orientation (three remain on the east elevation); ziggurat-inspired,
stepped ledges with cantilevered shelves above at the south end of the recessed niche
at the front entrance; and stepped ledges at the north end of the attached masonry fence
wall that extends to the south of the garage. Together all of these architectural features
Re: 2633 Pinetree Drive
November 22, 2005
Page 2 of 3
.
contribute to the special character and architectural significance of this modest
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 exterfor of the subject home is clearly recognizable as an example of its
style and period with minor modifications. These modifications include the replacement
of the original roof tiles with fiat, white cement tile (the original was likely clay barrel tile or
may have been clay shingle tile); the replacement of the original casement windows with
a more contemporary window style with dark brown aluminum frames, darkertinting, and
a different lite configuration than the original design; a small, one-story addition on the
south side of the structure; the painting over of the three, simulated heavy wooden lintels
on the west and east elevations; the infill of the window to the north of the front entrance
door; and the removal and partial infill of the paired garage doors on the west elevation.
Collectively, these modifications do not have a significant negative impact on the
architectural integrity of the residence and could be easily reversed in the future.
.
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 one-story residence is compatible with the built context of the
surrounding single-family homes in terms of scale, character, and massing.
The Planning Department has determined that the subject building, although a modest
residence, 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 Anderton, 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: 2633 Pinetree Drive
November 22, 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.
SincerelY,
William H. Gary J
Assistant Planning Director
C;
Robert Parcher, City Clerk
Jorge G. Gomez, Planning Director
Thomas R. Mooney, Design and Preservation Manager
Shannon Anderton, Senior Planner
SFRRB File No. 61
JGG:WHC:TRM:SMA
F:\PLAN\$ALL\Single Family Homes\CorrespondenceS633 Pinetree Dr. sma.doc
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work, and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic
community.
Miami Beach, Florida
October 31, 2005
Attn:
Shannon Anderton
City of Miami Beach
1700 Convention Center Dr.
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Ref: Folio # 3226-002-0030
Dear Ms. Anderton:
We would like to get a Determination of Architectural significance for the house
located at 2633 Pine Tree Drive Miami Beach, Florida 33139.
Please find enclosed the following documents:
A copy of the building card for the property
Current color pictures of the home with elevations
Original microfilm provided by the City
Two sets of mailing labels
We are planning to build a new house. Those plans are not available yet.
If you have any questions, please give us a call at (305) 674-7474.
Could you please let us know what the next procedure will be?
Best regards,
Julian Arias
Management Member and Property Owner
800 West Avenue - Miami Beach - F1 33139 Phone: 305 674 7474 - Fax: 305 674 7411 e-mail: sabernal@aol.com