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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Letter-MiMo Biscayne Association, Inc.BISCAYNE IICULEVA. HISTORIC I 3TRICT SUBMITTED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD FOR ITEM Pn ON ups0e MIMO BISCAYNE ASSOCIATION, INC. "Progress through Preservation" November 13, 2008 Chairman Joe Sanchez Members of the Miami City Commission Dear Chairman and Members of the Miami City Commission: Re: AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY OF MIAMI LIQUOR ORDINANCE REGARDING THE MIMO BOULEVARD HISTORIC DISTRICT It is the opinion of the MiMo Biscayne Association that NONCONTRIBUTING buildings should be included in the proposed amendments to the City of Miami Liquor Ordinance regarding the MiMo Boulevard Historic District. When an historic district is created, there are always "CONTRIBUTING" and NONCONTRIBUTING buildings as part of the whole. The NONCONTRIBUTING buildings are designated as such because they have been altered or out of character with the District or not of age yet. However, those NONCONTRIBUTING buildings still have restrictions by virtue of the fact that they are part of an historic district. If they are demolished, or if they have new additions, they are restricted by historic preservation guidelines. They cannot build for "highest and best use" since they would be out of scale and character with the neighborhood. Yes, NONCONTRIBUTING BUILDINGS can be demolished, but their sites are still considered in the historic district and therefore they must be reviewed just like CONTRIBUTING buildings. Those NONCONTRIBUTING buildings can certainly be rehabilitated so the liquor ordinance should include them. In some cases, NONCONTRIBUTING buildings can be brought back to their original style. And someday soon, they will pass 50 years of age - the time required to be designated CONTRIBUTING according to Federal guidelines. If we go by the list of NONCONTRIBUTING buildings in the MIMO historic district, UVA, built in 1923 and Cafe Toscana built in 1945 are both in the NONCONTRIBUTING category. They both have thriving restaurants in buildings that have been "revitalized" according to the standards of the liquor ordinance. (UVA has a full liquor license, not Toscana) and both would meet all of the conditions of the proposed liquor ordinance yet both of these popular restaurants would be unable to take advantage of the new liquor regulations. Moonchine, another restaurant in a building built in 1939 is awaiting the privilege of obtaining a liquor license when this ordinance passes. Yet Moonchine is listed as NONCONTRIBUTING, but has been "revitalized" and would meet all other conditions of the proposed ordinance. We should be making every effort for all NONCONTRIBUTING buildings to be part of any incentive program available in the city including: tax abatement, liquor regulations, the recently adopted State Statute 193.503 regarding the tax assessments and other rules that may be adopted at a later date. To leave them dangling without hope in the historic district will prove to be a detriment to the collection of historic structures. Sincerely, JNancy Liebman Secretary Mission Statement For The MiMo Biscayne Association The MiMo Biscayne Association is a volunteer non-profit community organization created to generate appreciation and public awareness of the MiMo Biscayne Boulevard Historic District through education, promotion and cultural activities for community residents, business/property owners and visitors 686 N. E. 74' Street, Miami, Florida 33138 305 758-6144 email: MiMo-on-BiBo@comcast.net www.MiMoBoulevard.org os-0121z.xc-Submittal- Letter- m►n-0 '(,�iscatdne +Assoc:►at;on, �,�.