HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistoric and Environmental Preservation BoardJanuary 4, 2022
Arthur Noriega, City Manager
City of Miami
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
RE: 2020 Historic and Environmental Preservation Board Annual Report
Dear Mr. Manager:
The Historic and Environmental Preservation Board is pleased to present this annual
report in satisfaction of City Code Section 2-890-892, specifically responding to the
following questions:
Is the board serving the purpose for which it was created?
The Historic and Environmental Preservation Board (HEPB) is the City's authority on
historic preservation and environmental matters for designated historic resources, historic
districts, and environmental preservation districts. The board has fulfilled its responsibility
under Chapter 17, Chapter 23, and Chapter 62 of the City Code. Throughout the year, at
the monthly HEPB meetings, the Board has reviewed applications for Certificates of
Appropriateness for alterations to designated historic sites and districts, and tree appeals
regarding intended decisions to remove trees throughout the City. The Board also has
the authority to review Certificates to Dig for major ground -disturbing activity in
archaeological sites and zones, and Certificates of Approval for tree removal or
construction activity in an Environmental Preservation District or Scenic Transportation
Corridor.
This year the Board reviewed three preliminary designation reports based on criteria set
forth in the Historic Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 23). The Board also reviewed
seventeen Special Certificate of Appropriateness applications, two Ad Valorem Tax
Exemption applications, four waiver applications to allow for the rehabilitation of historic
buildings, and five tree removal permit appeals. In addition, the Board has advocated for
the preservation of historic properties by discussing the Unsafe Structures list, the City's
Demolition by Neglect Ordinance, zoning requirements, and landscaping requirements.
Is the board serving current community needs?
The HEPB is responsive to community needs by addressing petitions for construction
activity in Historic Sites and Districts, Environmental Preservation Districts, Scenic
Transportation Corridors, and Archaeological Conservation Zones, balancing the need
for progress with the need to preserve Miami's heritage. The Board responds to requests
by neighborhood associations and interest groups for historic designation of sites and
districts. It also is the official board for all of the City's tree removal permit appeals.
The HEPB has worked diligently this year to address the evolving needs of the City's
designated resources. Demolition without a permit, Demolition by Neglect, and Unsafe
Structures violations are threatening the integrity of many historic resources and historic
districts, impacting property values for the surrounding neighborhood and putting the
City's existing constructed heritage at risk. The Board has directed staff to enforce current
policies and procedures and to coordinate with Code Compliance and the Building
Department. The Board has also placed a greater emphasis on zoning and landscaping
requirements when reviewing Special Certificate of Appropriateness applications.
A list of the board's major accomplishments:
During 2021, the HEPB held ten meetings lasting approximately 38 hours and made a
total of 56 resolutions including the following items:
1. Three preliminary designation report reviews:
a. 3756 Carmen Ct.
b. 1021 NW 2 Av., Thomas Law Office
c. 471 NE 79 St ., The Emancipator
2. Seventeen Special Certificates of Appropriateness for alterations to historic
resources and districts
3. Two Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Applications
4. Two parking waivers for historic resources.
5. One setback waivers for historic resources.
6. Waiver granting an exception to permit alcohol service establishment in an
Individually Designated Historic Structure.
7. Five Tree Removal Permit Appeals
Is there any other board, either public or private, which would better serve the
function of the board?
No other City board members have the professional knowledge and experience in the
fields of history, architecture and planning to review projects pertaining to the Secretary
of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and the City's
environmental preservation and archaeological criteria. The HEPB continues to meet the
City's goal of creating a vibrant world class city and delivering an objective review of
proposed projects within these sensitive historical, archaeological, and environmental
areas.
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Should the ordinance creating the board be amended to better enable the board
to serve the purpose for which it was created?
No revisions are suggested at this time.
Should the board's membership requirements be modified?
The City of Miami was designated a Certified Local Government (CLG) by the State of
Florida in 1986. The program was initiated by the Congress to transfer some of the federal
government's responsibilities to qualified local governments. In order to become a CLG,
the unit of government must meet strict standards of performance, records maintenance,
and perhaps most importantly, the professional composition of the historic board in
reviewing applications. The CLG regulations call for the membership to include
professional members from the disciplines of architecture, history, architectural history,
planning, and archaeology. The City of Miami's requirements for membership on the
HEPB follows this mandate, however it would be prudent to require an archaeologist to
serve on the Board, a position that is not currently listed as required.
What are the costs, both direct and indirect, of maintaining the board?
A recent cost analysis has not been undertaken; however, a conservative estimated
cost of $15,000 per year was included in previous reports.
Should you need further information, please contact me through the Planning and
Zoning Department, Historic Preservation Section at 305-416-1059.
Sincerely,
4/"A--
William E. Hopper, Ph.D.
Chair, Historic and Environmental Preservation Board
Respectfully submitted this 4th day of January 2022.
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