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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistoric And Environmental Board`","'" e, Fink � iaa ore raar�a u n January 2, 20118 Daniel J. Alfonso, City Manager City of Miami 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 RE. 2017 Historic and Environmental 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 designated three historic sites and reviewed three preliminary designation reports based on criteria set forth in the Historic Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 23). The Board also reviewed and approved two parking waivers and two waivers of the underlying zoning district requirements to allow for the rehabilitation of historic buildings. 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 2017, the HEPB held 11 meetings and made a total of 57 resolutions for the following items Three preliminary reviews to designate historic resources o Office in the Grove, 2699 S. Bayshore Dr. a Ewanton Heights Historic District o Morningside Park, 5215 NE 7 Ave. 2. Three final historic resource designations o Legion Park, 6447 NE 7 Ave. o Little Havana House, 1016 SW 13 Ct. o Wharton Bauder Residence, 1695 Tigertail Ave. 3. Forty Special Certificates of Appropriateness for alterations to historic resources and districts 4. Two parking waivers for a historic resource 5. Two waivers for the underlying zoning requirements of a historic resource 6. Two recommendations to amend the City Code and Miami 21 Code for Art in Public places One amendment to Chapter 23 to allow for Multiple Property Designations in NCD -2 and NCD -3, 9. Four Tree Removal Permit Appeals 2 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. Should the ordinance creating the board be amended to better enable the board to serve the purpose for which it was created? Chapter 23 of the City of Miami Code of Ordinances was revised to provide a mechanism for Multiple Property Designations in the NCD -2 and NCD -3 areas. Further revisions are being considered with regard to the demolition and the Transfer of Development Rights for Density. 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. Should you need further information, please contact me through the Planning and Zoning Department, Historic Preservation Section at 305-416-1059. S icer 1, W liam E. Hopper, Ph.D. Chair, Historic and Environmental Preservation Board Respectfully submitted this 2nd day of January 2018.