Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Remember Javier? >> I knew you would. It's more of convincing Callum that you would. >> You over here, team? >> I was just thinking about that when you sat down.
>> Oh my god, remember Javier? >> Who knows, I might know your mother. >> Sorry we're ready, Eva Longoria. >> Yeah. >> Is everyone in the audience ready to begin the meeting? Is the court reporter ready? Okay. Everybody good? Okay, we're going to go
ahead and start the meeting. Okay. Uh good afternoon. Welcome to the regularly scheduled meeting of the city of Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board. We are residents of Coral >> Recording in progress. >> That's good to know. We are residents of Coral Gables and are
charged with the preservation protection of historic or architecturally worthy buildings, structures, sites, neighborhoods, and artifacts which impart a distinct historical heritage to the city. The board is comprised of nine members, seven of whom are appointed by the commission, one by the city manager, and
the ninth is selected by the board and confirmed by the commission. Five members of the board constitute a quorum and five affirmative votes are necessary for the adoption of any motion. Any person who acts as a lobbyist pursuant to the city of Coral Gables ordinance number 2006-11
must register with the city clerk prior to engaging in lobbying activities or presentations before city staff, boards, committees, and or the city commission. A copy of the ordinance is available in the office of the city clerk. Failure to register and provide proof of registration shall prohibit your ability
to present to the Historic Preservation Board on applications under consideration this afternoon. Lobbyist is defined as defined as an individual, corporation, partnership, or other legal entity employed or retained, whether paid or not, by a principal who seeks to encourage the approval,
disapproval, adoption, repeal, passage, defeat, or modification of any ordinance, resolution, action, or decision of any city commissioner, any action, decision, recommendation of the city manager, any city board or committee, including, but not limited
to, quasi-judicial, advisory board, trust, authority, or council. Or any action, decision, or recommendation of city personnel during the time period of the entire decision-making process on the action,
decision, or recommendation which foreseeably will be heard or reviewed by the city commission or a city board or committee, including, but not limited to, quasi-judicial, advisory board, trust, authority, or council.
Presentations made to this board are subject to the city's false claims ordinance, chapter 39 of the city of Coral Gables City Code. I now officially call the city of Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board meeting of June 18th,
2026, to order. The time is 4:10. Present today are all the way to my right, Ms. Alvarez, next to her, Ms. Spain, Mr. Garcia Pons, I'm Mr. Maxwell, and this is Ms. Denay, and Mr. Silva.
So, welcome, everyone. The next item on the agenda Oh, wait a minute. And we have approval or not approval, we have two new members here who are joining us. Ms. Perness, would you like to introduce your new assistant? >> Yes. Um good afternoon. Uh we are happy
to welcome Natalie Delgado, our new assistant preservation officer in the office. Uh she just started on Monday and is learning the hectic life of historic resources and cultural arts. >> Well, thank you. Welcome. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Maxwell. Um I just wanted
to introduce you all to Yesenia Alfonso, who's our new assistant city attorney. She joins us. Um we had a vacancy in our office, and so we're so pleased. She actually was an intern with our office almost a decade ago, and so we're so happy to bring her back to the city of Coral Gables. Um you will still have me as your main counsel for the immediate
future, but we're have Yesenia here to learn so we can step in and make sure that um everyone in our office can um serve this board as needed. >> Well, welcome to you both. We're very pleased to have you, and thank you for coming and being with us. Okay, our next item's going to be the approval of the minutes and for the
meeting held on um May 12th, I believe it was. 20 >> 21 >> 21. I'm sorry, I don't have that in front of me. Are there any changes or corrections? >> Um were Was a correction made?
Was a correction made? Okay. Eve, I'm sorry. Could you please Okay, thank you. Apologies. The corrections were made, and the minutes that are attached to the current agenda have the corrections. Thank you.
>> All right. Do I have a motion for approval? >> I'll move approval. >> We have a motion for approval by Mr. Silva. Do I have a second, please? >> Second. >> Mr. Garcia Pons, is there any further discussion?
If not, please signify your um when call the roll or just >> I >> I >> I >> I >> Any dissension? Hearing none, unanimously passed. Okay. Next is notice regarding ex parte
communications. Please be advised that this board is a quasi-judicial board, and the items on the agenda are quasi-judicial in nature, which requires board members to disclose all ex parte communications. An ex parte communication is defined as any contact,
communication, conversation, correspondence, memorandum, or other written or verbal communication that takes place outside a public hearing between a member of the public and a member of the quasi-judicial board regarding matters to be heard by the quasi-judicial board.
If anyone has made any contact with a board member when the issue comes before the board, the member must state on the record the existence of the ex parte communication, the party who originated the communication, and whether the communication will affect the board member's ability to impartially consider
the evidence to be presented regarding the matter. All right. Next, we're going to go to deferrals, and I believe there are several. Um for the record, uh we are deferring uh case file COASP 2025-
019, which is 547 Alcazar Avenue. We're deferring as I'm sorry. >> That one will be deferred to a date certain to July 17th 16th. We have to do >> Okay. Thank you. We're also deferring case file LDH 2025006 [clears throat]
and case file COASP 20 26-007 or 439 Majorca. And that's a local historic designation. Excuse me, I got a little out of order. And also under special certificates of appropriateness,
we have a deferral for case file COASP 2026-016 at 4400 Palmerito Street. Are there any other deferrals or changes? Okay, very good. Then we'll proceed forward. Okay. Okay, we're going to have our first item
then will be local historic designation which will be case file LDH 2026-03 consideration of the local historic designation of the property at 1624 Granada Boulevard legally described as
lots 23 and the south 7 feet of lot 22 and lot 24 and the south 10 feet of lot 21 block 1 Coral Gables section C plat book 8 page 26 Miami-Dade County. Are there any
ex ex partes or anything that anyone needs to disclose? Wonderful. Then can we have the presentation, please? >> If we could have um Elizabeth Gwyn introduce the item and then we also need to be sworn in. >> Yeah.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. If we could have everybody who will be testifying today on person or on Zoom No No worries. Um rise and raise their right hand for the court reporter to swear them in. Also, if there's anyone on Zoom, please turn your camera on and um maybe Eve can have the court reporter
swear those people in as well. Thank you very much. I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. >> Raise your right hands, please. The The persons in Zoom Thank you. Um do you swear to tell the truth, the
whole truth and nothing but the truth? Okay, thank you. >> Let the record reflect that uh Margaret Orlando has joined the board. >> Good afternoon. Can you all hear me? >> Yes. >> Yes. Hello everyone. Elizabeth Fearon,
Historic Preservation Planner. In the following presentation is a summary of the Historic Preservation Designation Report that was prepared by staff. Can you play the PowerPoint, please? >> Will do. >> Seems like >> The 1925 home, designed by architect
Martin Hampton, at 1624 Granada Boulevard, is before you for consideration for designation as a local historic landmark. The application was filed by the owners for historic significance determination. As per Article 8, Section 8-103 of the
Coral Gables Zoning Code, a local historic landmark must have significant character, interest, or value as part of the historical, cultural, archaeological, aesthetic, or architectural heritage of the city, state, or nation. For designation, a property must meet one of the criteria outlined in the
code. 1624 Granada Boulevard is eligible as a local historic landmark based on three criteria. Historical cultural significance, criteria four. It exemplifies the historical, cultural, political, economic, or social trends of
the community. Architectural significance, criteria one, it portrays the environment and era of history characterized by one or more distinctive architectural style. And criteria two, it embodies those distinguishing characteristics of an architectural
style or period or method of construction. The property at 1624 Granada Boulevard is 107 by 200 ft lot at the northwest corner of Granada Boulevard and Sorolla Avenue. The single-family residence, built in
1925, is amongst the first houses on the street. Also on the site and is a on auxiliary building built in 1972. George Merrick founded Coral Gables in the early 1920s based on his vision for a fully conceived Mediterranean-inspired
city. The city's developmental history is divided into three major historical periods. 1624 Granada Boulevard was built during the city's first phase and it exemplifies the city's founding ideals. Coral Gables was originally conceived as
a suburb of Miami and attracting investors from across the nation during the South Florida real estate boom of the 1920s. Merrick drew from the Garden City and City Beautiful movements of the 19th and early 20th century to create his vision for a Mediterranean-inspired city, which is
now considered one of the first modern planned communities in the United States. Nationally acclaimed landscape architect Frank Button presented the first comprehensive maps of Coral Gables in 1921 and 1922 with Granada Boulevard and Coral Way as
the major end-to-end thoroughfares. When Merrick opened Coral Gables for lot sales in 1921, he highlighted a series of coral rock residences along Coral Way to illustrate his initial vision. And he heavily encouraged investors to
build the longer Granada Boulevard, which he envisioned as a prominent thoroughfare. Architect H. George Fink, a member of Merrick's original design team, shared their vision for Granada Boulevard as part of a full-page article in the Miami Herald entitled "A Coral
Gables Home", an excerpt of which is shown here. It was Merrick's goal for Coral Gables to be the premier suburb of Miami, and he built a grand gateway called the Miami entrance, where Granada Boulevard
met Miami at the Tamiami Trail. Merrick spent several years expanding his land holdings north to the Tamiami Trail in this area, and he named it the Granada section. At this time, he changed the entryway to be called the Granada Gateway.
While portions of the Granada section were platted for smaller one-story homes, Granada Boulevard remained a grand thoroughfare intended for larger prominent homes. The residence at 1624 Granada Boulevard was clearly in accordance with Merrick's
plan. Constructed in 1925 on a corner lot with a 100-ft frontage along the boulevard, the two-story home was designed in the Mediterranean Revival style by Martin L. Hampton, a member of Merrick's design team.
In 1930, the property was described as a large Spanish-type mansion, four bedrooms, tile baths, full electrical equipment throughout, two-car garage, servants' quarters, spacious grounds, a complete home,
even with a billiard room. Merrick developed Coral Gables as a Mediterranean-inspired city because he felt it best harmonize with South Florida's climate and lifestyle. During the initial developmental period, designs combined elements commonly used in Spanish, Moorish, and Italian
architecture and has come to be known as the Mediterranean Revival style. The home at 1624 Granada Boulevard has many character-defining features of Mediterranean Revival style, which include but are not limited to those shown here and discussed in the
designation report. Of note are the projecting and recessed bays of varying heights, a variety of barrel tile pitched roofs, the front entry stair hall evocative of a bell tower, a belfry-inspired chimney, balconies, metalwork, arched elements,
twisted entry columns, applied cast features, urns, decoratively arranged round vents, and wing walls. The home exhibits the typical fine construction, the extensive wall masses, and the beautifully proportioned details of the prominent residence built in
Coral Gables during the 1920s. The two-story house sits above a crawl space and is built of cement block units covered with textured stucco. Projecting facade planes create the juxtaposition of one and two-story elements under a variety of barrel
tile pitched roofs. The roofs are currently clad in cap and pan two-piece barrel tile installed in 2007 and they are in keeping with the original tile. The approximately 4,800 square foot living space is primarily under
two-story cross gable core, which is relatively narrow to accommodate cross ventilation. The original divided light wood casement windows were set in recessed openings. As verified by Google Earth, the current hurricane impact windows were installed
in 2019. Permit drawings for the work have not been located to date. Many of the original casement windows were replaced with horizontal sliding windows with high profile muntins in a divided light pattern.
The original taller group casements had transoms. Unfortunately, this feature was not maintained with the 2019 replacements. During the 1920s, the Mediterranean-inspired houses had verandas, covered porches, and patios that were used extensively to capitalize
on the hospitable climate. 1624 Granada Boulevard was designed with two second-story verandas, a large back patio area, and a covered front sunroom with arched openings. Merrick designed Coral Gables with the
automobile in mind, and as was typical of the 1920s houses, this home has both a porte cochere and a detached garage. Records indicate that the property remained relatively unchanged for 19 years under its first owner, Fred Armstrong.
In subsequent years, there were two primary additions. The first occurred in 1947, a few years after Armstrong sold the property. As seen here, it was a one-room second-story addition within the footprint of the original terrace.
Its permit has not been located, but inspection records document its completion in 1947. As seen in the bottom photo, the windows of the addition did not have transoms. This provided a differentiation between the original and the addition.
However, the 2019 hurricane impact windows did not retain the original transom feature, and this differentiation has been lost. The second addition occurred in 1980. A covered terrace with a second-story veranda was added over the original rear
patio. The masonry addition was clad in textured stucco meant to blend with the historic home, and its large openings maintain views of the original rear facade. The terrace was recently enclosed with French doors. A permit for the work has not been
located, but Google Street View images show that it was done in 2019. For the purposes of this designation, the 1947 second story addition is considered historic fabric, while the 1980 terrace is not.
The front front facade has four distinct bays. At the northeast corner is a small one-story bay whose roof is an open-air terrace. Adjacent is the visually dominant two-story entry tower. Flanking that is the one-story arched windowed sunroom with the second story
1947 addition recessed above. Anchoring the south end of the front facade is the arched porte cochere. At each end of the facade, wing walls extend its street presence. A character-defining feature of the Mediterranean Revival style in Coral
Gables is the extruded bell tower-inspired feature on the front facade. In this home, that feature serves as the front entry and stair hall. The two-story tower has a pyramidal roof clad in barrel tile.
Centered on the second story of the front and the north facades is a window evoking the intended belfry. It retains its original metal Juliet balcony railings. The tower expands to the south with a narrow one and a half-story section
under a barrel-tiled shed roof. Centered between the stories is a slender arched windows with matching metal railing. Its stepped placement broadcasts the tower's function as a stair hall. Other decorative features include the applied cast niche filled with the shell
and a line of round vents at the cornice level. On the first story is the front entry ensemble. The original arched wooden door with the chevron pattern, seen in the 1925 permit, is extant behind the metal security gate.
Entry to the home is shaded by the barrel tiled shed roof with pecky cypress framing and exposed rafter tails and is supported by twisted columns. To the south of the entry is a decorative cast wall fountain niche. Another character defining feature of
the Mediterranean Revival style is a series of arched openings on the front facade. There are several arches on the tower and its adjacent sunroom has a prominent arcade. Three wide semicircular arches span the one-story sunroom.
Under barrel tiled shed roof, the sunroom, like the verandas, capitalize on South Florida's climate, thus honoring one of Merrick's goal in choosing this style. As mentioned, Merrick recognized that automobiles were becoming mainstreamed
in the early 1920s and designed Coral Gables accordingly. 1624 Granada Boulevard was typical in that had a porte cochere at the southeast corner of the home and a rear detached garage. Throughout the 20th century, a semicircular driveway off Sorolla Avenue
provided access to them. Under barrel tiled gable roof, the openings of the porte cochere are distinctively swagged and are flanked by urns. It is clad in textured stucco and wing walls flare from its corners. Both side facades remain relatively
intact. As discussed, on the south side, a 1947 second story addition extended the original gable end to enclose an open-air terrace. Projecting west from this two-story bay is a one-story cross-gabled wing, which
originally housed the kitchen and a screened back porch. In 1980, the porch was enclosed for a larger kitchen. The north facade is under two stories under a cross gable. It features include a continued use of
metal Juliet balconies on the second story, a curved transition element to the parapet of the open-air terrace, and curved wing walls. The rear is roughly U-shaped. A character-defining feature of the home is the belfry-inspired chimney at the
center of the facade. This element was often prominent in 1920s homes in Coral Gables. With its barrel tile cap, slender form, and cutout openings, it is an eye-catching focal point from Sorolla Avenue. Another feature of note is the original
exterior masonry stairway. Also notice the second-story balcony with its metal railing and the decoratively arranged round tiles in the gable apex. As described earlier, the covered terrace was added in 1980 and enclosed in 2019.
The original back entry is still extant within the enclosed terrace. On the second-story veranda, an applied masonry pack remains on its original facade near the floor. It adorns the chimney stack and was originally an ornamental element of the
rear facade. Most residences built in Coral Gables during the 1920s had both the porte cochere and detached garage. The original garage for 1624 Granada Boulevard faced Sorolla Avenue in the same location as the current auxiliary building.
It was a two-story two-car garage with a second-story servants' quarters, which was accessed by an exterior staircase. As seen in the drawings here, it was designed in the Mediterranean Revival style complementing the home. It was demolished in 1972
and this one-story gable roof two-car garage on the right was built and converted into a rental unit at an unspecified date. While the fabric of the auxiliary building is not considered historic, the location of the structure as a detached
garage remains true to the intention of the 1920s design of the property and plays a role in demonstrating Merrick's vision. In conclusion, the 1925 single-family residence retains its integrity. Designed by architect Martin Hampton, a
member of founder George Merrick's design team, it is in keeping with Merrick's vision for both Granada Boulevard as a prominent streetscape in particular and Coral Gables in general. This clearly reads as a 1920s home designed in the style that evolved into
the Coral Gables version of the Mediterranean Revival. Most of the original character-defining features of the style remain intact. The 1947 second-story addition is considered part of the historic fabric of the home.
Overall, most of the alterations to the home are theoretically reversible and do not have a major impact on the historic integrity. Hence, 1624 Granada Boulevard significantly contributes to the historic fabric of Coral Gables and is part of a collection of quality
buildings that serves as a visible reminder of the history and the cultural heritage of the city. Therefore, staff recommends approval of the local historic designation of the property at 1624 Granada Boulevard based on its historical, cultural, and
architectural significance. >> Thank you. Let's see. Okay. Does the applicant wish to make a any presentation? Applicant's not here. Okay. Any questions from the board? >> I believe um there might be an owner's
rep on the Zoom. Uh they were aware of the meeting and had mentioned that they might not attend, but might be on Zoom. Um this application, like as mentioned, came before us as a historic significance determination letter. There's an '80s uh garage structure that was mentioned that um they were
proposing to remove for for future development. It'll come back to you all for a COA. We've been working with the applicants and they're going through the BOA process now for their um additions and renovation. So, um I when it came into the significance determination process, we mentioned that it would meet the
criteria. It's before you today for that. Um and um I'm not sure if they're on the Zoom, but they're if they have anything they want to say, they're welcome to speak. If not, we're good. Okay. Okay.
>> Yes. So, let me just She's going The architect is going to speak. >> Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Maddie Long Martinez from Lammar Design Group. Uh our client is looking forward to this proceeding and with the historical designation and
after the history, I I hope that that is your opinion as well. Thank you for allowing us this time. We will be back uh with some modifications that to we wish to make that they wish to make uh particularly to the uh
uh new garage area and another uh and porch sunporch area that they'd like to enclose and we'd like your opinion on that as well, but that is for a future date. Thank you so much for your consideration. >> Thank you. >> I I don't know if the owner's rep would like to speak as well.
>> Anyway, we can see these people? >> The it's the person under DK. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. CGTV, it's possible to have the um people speaking on the Zoom be um visible on the on the screen. That'd be
helpful. >> I guess he's >> If you can hear Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> I can hear you. I may have to dial in to the castle. I was uh actually had a little power failure and lost part of the meeting, so
I apologize for not hearing it all. Um So, yes, we are in the process of the BOA and there there is a matter of most of which we have discussed with the reviewer Anna and we have been going back and forth. And I know you were speaking prior to my coming on, but I
missed part of what you said. Um >> Oh, I had just mentioned how the application came before us and that you'd be working you have been working with staff on the modifications that will come at a later date for the certificate of appropriateness. >> Okay. And so, I guess at this point we're just
here for the designation and then we're waiting for your review of our latest uh present >> Yes. And then that will go before the Board of Architects and then back before this board once the Board of Architects has made a determination. >> Okay, so I guess I only have one question. I don't know if that's
appropriate for this moment, but so do we are we getting getting an answer from you in your opinion with respect to that latest iteration before we go back to the video way? >> Yes. Well, we can discuss that offline from this meeting cuz it's not part of
the the designation procedures. >> Okay, well then everything else sounds great and I'm sure they'll be happy to go along with whatever decision is made today. >> Thank you. >> Is there anyone else that would wish to speak for or against this application here in the in the meeting?
Hearing none, anything anyone else on Zoom for that? Okay, let's go back to the board here. We'll close that part of the meeting. Okay, board questions? Hearing none, do we want to take a vote? Okay. Have a motion? Who accept?
Let's not all rush. >> [laughter] >> Mr. Rolando? >> Um I move that uh for approval uh the property uh known as 1624 Granada Boulevard
legally described as lot 23 and the south 7 ft of lot 22 and lot 24 and the south 10 ft of lot 21 block
one Coral Gables section C of uh we uh that we approve it as a local historic designation. >> Make a friendly >> Mr. Chair, I believe you have a friendly
amendment. >> I'm sorry. >> Okay. Could could we add based upon section 8-103 in the criteria for one and two? Findings in staff report. >> I think we should add in and based upon
the presentation by staff and the staff report. >> Great. >> Wonderful. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> I'll second. >> Mr. Silva, did you second? I'm sorry. >> Ms. Alvarez second. >> Ms. [clears throat] Alvarez, wonderful. Okay, we have a motion by Ms. Rolando,
second by Ms. Alvarez. Would you call the roll, please? >> Mr. Chair, do you mind if I restate it just briefly with the amendment? It's in approving the historic designation of 1624 Granada under the historical cultural significance criteria as well as the architectural significance criteria and based on the presentations
made today and the report of staff. >> Thank you for adding that. >> All right, Ms. Spain. >> Yes. >> Mr. Garcia Pons. >> Yes. >> Mr. Silva. >> Yes. >> Ms. Alvarez. >> Yes. >> Ms. Rolando.
>> Yes. >> Ms. Denay. >> Yes. >> And Mr. Maxwell. >> Yes, motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Okay, we're going to go on to the next items which are going to be
case files LCOASP 2024-10. It's a renewal application for the issuance of a special certificate of appropriateness for the property located at 1256 South Greenway Drive, a non-contributing resource within the Country Club of Coral Gables Historic
District, legally described as lots three and four, block five, Coral Gables section E according to the plat recorded in plat book eight, page 13, public records, Miami-Dade. Application request design approval for the demolition of an
existing residence and the construction of a new single-family residence. Okay. Have the presentation, please. >> Um good afternoon. Anna Prenas, historic preservation officer. Um just to give a quick background here.
On April 17th, 2024, the historic preservation board reviewed and approved COA SP 2024-010. The applicant has been working on permit drawings and the COA expired before the building permit could be issued. The applicant is seeking to renew the COA approval in order to receive the permit
and begin construction. Please refer to the original COA um below within the report. All conditions have been addressed in the permit drawings. Uh if the applicant is here, if they would like to make a presentation. >> The drawings are there if you need them,
but there's been no changes. It's the same drawings that were approved. This is a procedural thing by the code. Uh there's a expiration date and I can't administratively administratively renew it um without it coming back before you all for new construction. >> the renewal of the COA is the last thing
we need Please state your Please state your name for the >> Pratt. Uh 301 Almeria >> [snorts] >> Avenue, Suite 210. Uh the COA is the last thing that we need for uh obtaining the permit. Um that's uh all we're waiting for in order
to to take the permit out. >> Thank you. >> It had expired. Uh nothing has changed. Uh we have been working with Anna and historic and and for the issues that uh you had uh raised or some of the the minor things that you wanted. Um
and so all of those have been satisfied. >> Thank you very much. Okay, discussion board. >> Mine's not loading, but if that's something that was already approved by the board. >> Ms. Alvarez, I'm going to ask you to speak closely to your microphone.
>> My drawings are not loading, so can we have the presentation, please, um, for the record so that Thank you. >> Through the chair? >> Mr. Garcia Ponce. >> So, I I took a look at the The only thing that has changed in the drawings were the conditions that were requested
by this board. So, I don't know if you want to go through the whole thing, but I'm happy to move it based on what I've seen and what I've heard. >> move it. >> I'm asking the chair what you would like to do. >> Okay. I think that would be fine. Ms. Alvarez, did you have
>> No, no comments. If that was approved by the board before. The items incorporated had to do with prior review. >> No, I think we should just move. Make a motion and move it. If it's exactly what we looked at, I've been through the drawings. And so, I don't really think it's
necessary to discuss it. But that's up to you, sir. >> All right, good. Let's Let's continue on. Mr. Nadeau, do you have any comments? >> No. >> Mr. Silva. >> None. >> Okay. Ms. Rolando.
>> No, just move it. >> All right, thank you very much, Catherine. >> Mr. Chair, if we could just confirm there's nobody, um, nobody else from the public wanting to speak in person or on Zoom. I'm sure someone would be happy to make a motion. >> All right. Is there anyone else on Zoom?
Is there anyone else in the audience? Hearing none, we'll close that portion of the meeting. Okay. Mr. Garcia Ponce, I understand you'd like to make a motion. >> I can't. >> [laughter] >> Um, yes, I'd like to make a motion to
approve with conditions the design proposal for additions and alterations for the residence and site work at the property located at 1256 South Greenway Drive and approve the issuance of a special certificate of appropriateness with the conditions noted in the staff report.
>> All right, wonderful. We have a motion. May I have a second, please? >> I'll second it. >> We have a second by Ms. Spain. All right. Please call the roll. >> Ms. Alvarez? Yes. Mr. Silva? >> Yes. >> Ms. Rolando? >> Yes.
>> Mr. Garcia-Pons? >> Yes. >> Ms. Spain? >> Yes. >> Ms. Jané? >> Yes. >> And Mr. Maxwell? >> Yes, motion passes unanimously. Good luck. Thank you. All right, we're coming to our last
item. >> I just before we move forward, I'm sorry to interrupt. Um we did for the item at 1624 Granada Avenue, we did receive a letter of support for the designation um by Coral Gables Preservation Association of Coral Gables. Association of Coral Gables.
>> Thank you very much. Okay, we'll come to our final item then, case file COA-SP-2026-009, an application for the issuance of a special certificate of appropriateness for the property at 808 Mallorca Avenue, a local historic landmark, legally [clears throat] described as the east 25
ft of lot seven and all of lot eight, block 30, Coral Gables section B, according to the plat thereof, plat book five, page 111, Miami-Dade County. Application requests design approval for an addition and alterations to the residence and site work. A variance has
also been requested from article five, section five-502 of the Coral Gables zoning code for flat roof. >> Thank you. CGTB, if you can put the PowerPoint up, please. Thank you. This is a location map of the property
um on Majorca, just north of the uh Coral Gables Country Club. This is a 1940s photo of the house. This uh was built in 1923 in the Mediterranean Revival style, um definitely with mission attributes. The architect is um unknown and the
permits were not found, but the residence is attributed to H. George Fink. It was designated as a local historic landmark in March of 2024. Uh the application requests design approval for a one-story, approximately 700 square foot addition to the [clears throat]
uh west side of the residence, uh alterations and very minor site work. A variance has been requested um from the zoning code to allow a flat roof, more specifically to allow the entire structure to have a flat roof. Um the code requires that all roofs have
a portion of pitched roof. Um and because the style of this house does not warrant that and it already has no pitched area, uh we thought it was an appropriate variance to allow. >> [clears throat and cough] >> There are some conditions of approval um
that are uh on the last page of the report and also a recommendation that we can discuss after the architect um makes his presentation. >> Good evening, chairman of the board, members of the board. >> Please state your name. >> Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Danilo Lopez.
I'm the architect for this project. >> Thank you. >> Good evening, staff, also. I'm here with Mr. Juan Arce, the owner of the property. This is a project uh then to put an addition to the to the existing house. It's a one-story
single-family residence. And it's going to have a family room, master suite, some interior remodeling, selective demolition to connect to the addition, and some exterior updates with a flat roof as the
uh staff member was explaining. This is not too clear in here, but this is the existing versus the proposed. We did all the uh area analysis. We met with the um architectural board
several times. And they did a lot of actually very good recommendations. It was uh the original project was much bigger. It was reduced substantially to, you know, to be within the recommendations.
We also met several times with the uh staff members. And they were also very helpful with the recommendations about the details of the house, the tiles, the uh arches, the flat roof. So, we appreciate also that guidance.
There is an existing fence that's going to be replaced with the addition, as you can see in this page. We're also going to remove this window to connect to the proposed addition. This is the uh elevation on the rear of
the property, existing and proposed. And we're going also to differentiate the existing stucco texture. Uh and the the new one will be more uh lighter in texture. That that is also a recommendation from the
board of architects. They have 11 recommendations, as you can see in the report and we're going to comply with all of them. This is the existing house as you as it is right now. These are some surrounding houses in the
area. We're going to be consistent with this architecture. And this is the proposal. As you can see we try to provide a seamless addition so you cannot differentiate what is existing and what is new.
And the flat roof helps a lot in that. We are preserving of course the the existing uh uh parapets. And that's what we have. I think you have everything in the report so if you have any questions I will be happy to
either me or Mr. Arsen. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Board, do you have questions of the architect, please? >> I do. >> Mr. Garcia Ponce. >> Mr. Lopez, a question. Uh number Well, two things. The comment, the addition that has the recess with the
connection, I really appreciate that differentiation between the two. It makes a big difference so thank you very much for whoever's idea that was. It was great. Um I did have a question on the addition on the windows addition. They have sills underneath. It says the condition to either modify or remove.
What are you guys doing? >> Yeah, we will do the sills the same as the existing so that we may not differentiate. Or the recommendation said we Actually, we're going to comply all the 11 recommendations. Yes. >> So the recommendation is to eliminate or differentiate. Do you have a plan yet as
to how you want to deal with those? >> Uh probably to differentiate. >> Okay, and you're going to work with staff to do this? >> Yes. Definitely, yes. >> Thank you. >> Sure. >> Is Alvarez, do you have any questions? >> Oh, there's one elevation labeled right um elevation and I know you said you
went to the BOA several times, but it um it seems to have very little fenestration um and usually um usually there's a request for more like a uh more composed elevation. >> Could you put the PowerPoint back up, please?
That's the right elevation? >> The one labeled right on the drawings. That one? Yes, you could see it also in the in the rendered elevation. Is there an opportunity to introduce more windows or openings there?
>> Actually, one of the recommendation from the board was to reduce this the window the size of the windows and the windows. Um but you know. >> There's only one window. Um >> In that area, we have a close a walking
closet and a bathroom. So, I don't know if we can put a window in a walking closet or more windows in a bathroom. It's I put for privacy, but also it was recommendation of the board to reduce the size of the windows.
>> And if you look at page A07 the plan, it shows the bathroom and the walking closet, the windows in the walking closet. >> Yes. >> Um maybe instead of fenestration, there could be some sort of articulation, but it's the plan doesn't really lend itself towards windows. >> But the window is in the walking closet.
>> they have one. >> Yeah. That's I've had that once in my life and I hated it. >> [laughter] >> I just I'm just telling you. I'm not I had to get blackout curtains and it was a mess with it with the clothes. Although I do appreciate uh
that you need more windows there, but >> Yeah. We have one in the bathroom for the shower and one in the walking closet that was reduced. >> And I don't know if there's a subtle there's an opportunity to do a subtle
difference in the in the parapet. I think that >> The parapet is existing. We are not allowed to touch it. >> No, I mean in the proposed addition. >> So one of one of our recommendations was that there um there be some differentiation in the parapet, so it's
not on like the front elevation dead center and then dead center. So maybe it's spaced out, so there are two or there's no barrel tile within the the recess or or something to that effect. If you all have a suggestion that you'd like to see implemented, we can do that, but if not, staff is happy to work with them.
>> Okay. >> It would be in the addition. >> Yeah, so >> There. >> Ms. Almaraz, does that answer your question? >> Yes. >> Okay. Ms. Spain, do you have any comments? >> So sir, have you have you read these conditions, all of the conditions that and you're okay with all of them?
>> All the 11 conditions, yes. >> Okay. >> We agree with those, yes. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. Mr. Garcia Ponce. >> Nope, I'm good. >> Thank you. Mr. Naim. Mr. Silva. >> Um yeah, I I agree um with the comments
that we've discussed about about the massing on the house, about it being very complimentary, doesn't overwhelm it, it's really set back from the street, so I appreciate that. Um, in terms of the variance, which we haven't really discussed, um, I think it is appropriate. I think it does comply with all the conditions for
granting the variance. I think that a sloped roof on this addition would be out of place, and I think it makes sense to to grant the variance. >> Agreed. Thank you. >> Ms. Rolando? >> I have no comment. >> All right, thank you. Okay. Is
>> Mr. Chair? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Just for the record, I want to just for all you to know for at your edification, the commission recently adopted an ordinance amending the section of the code regarding flat roofs. So, um, this is proceeding under the the old zoning code, and so the, um, the variance is
needed, but the code has been addressed to has been amended to address the situation like this. >> And what has it been amended to? >> Um, that a full flat roof is allowed provided it goes to the full board of architects. >> Oh. Okay. >> Excellent. Thank you.
Okay. Um, hearing no more questions, is there are there any comments or anything from the public on Zoom or in the audience? >> Actually, I have a I have a question for the board. Is there anyone on Zoom? >> No.
>> Okay. >> So, my my question from the board was was a recommendation, um, the existing house has a smooth stucco base that that, you know, sort of grounds the building. Um, and the rendering that you'd presented had shown it, but the drawings don't show it. So, I was it was a
question of whether or not the board wanted them to introduce that on the addition or to differentiate it and leave it out. >> In other words, it's a a water table? >> It's a yeah. >> Okay. >> And so, that's it was shown, like I said, not shown on the drawn elevations,
but shown in the rendering, and if you all have a preference with where it's removed as a differentiation or it ties helps tie it together. >> Board. >> So, I'm sorry. Carol, was that a question? Should it be added to the addition or are we going to keep it on the existing? >> Exactly.
If if that wasn't a condition of approval, it was just a recommendation. So, if you guys want to include that as a condition, yes. If you don't, that's fine. >> And you're saying on the renderings it doesn't show on the model you're looking at? >> It does show. >> Well, they're making that. I'm going to
make a recommendation to you Mr. owner on the painting. You know, don't paint everything out in one color. Historic buildings had lots of color to them. The water table was usually different, you know, particularly and away from the body, so it separated it. Windows were generally
darker. Um things like that. Uh details were cast details were never painted the same colors. Matter of fact, most of the stuff wasn't painted. So, it was all just the raw material. So, you know, if you would like to work with staff, they
have good color um you know, abilities to help you differentiate your house to make it beautiful and and much more a little more like it was. So. >> Oh, I see. >> Okay, let's go back to those questions on the water table, folks. >> I don't believe that that that um
condition at the base should be on the addition. That's a clear and easy differentiation. Uh you don't need to worry about anything else once you have that. And that in the stucco. >> Okay. >> And that could be 12. >> [cough] >> Okay, very good.
Okay. Any any other comments? Any other board member feel the same different? Okay. All right. Well, hearing none. All right. Is there any other comments or additions before I call for a a motion? Hearing none, let us have a motion. Mr. Garcia-Pons, would you like to make
some? >> [laughter] >> Um no. >> Okay, Ms. Spain or Ms. >> I'll make a motion. >> All right, Ms. Spain, thank you. >> Uh I'll make a motion to approve with the conditions noted in the staff report and in addition
uh um a 12th uh condition uh for the addition not to have that base detail. Um and and approve the design proposal for
the addition and alterations to the residence and site work at the property located at 808 Majorca Avenue. Um and approve the issuance of a special certificate of appropriateness with those conditions that I
uh noted. Am I able to also include the variance? >> Yes, you are. >> And a motion to approve a variance to allow the residence to be entirely flat roof versus all roof designs are to incorporate a combination of pitch and flat roof forms
as required by Article 5 Section 5-502 [clears throat] of the Coral Gables Zoning Code. >> All right, we have a motion. Do I have a second? Ms. Alvarez? >> Yes, I uh make a second. >> Have a second by Ms. Alvarez.
Would you please call the roll? >> Mr. Silva? >> Yes. >> Mr. Garcia-Pons? >> Yes. >> Ms. Rolando? >> Yes. >> Ms. Alvarez? >> Yes. >> Ms. Spain? >> Yes. >> Ms. Junay? >> Yes.
>> And Mr. Maxwell? >> Yes. Motion passes unanimously. Thank you very much. Good luck. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you and uh good luck on your development. Okay, folks, we're coming to the end and
so that you can be released into the sweltering heat. All right, is there any old business that we need to address, Ms. Parness? >> No. >> [laughter] >> Ms. Hotchkiss, is there anything you wish to
>> Is there something of the board? >> [clears throat] >> No, nothing from our office. Thank you all for meeting with us in these summer months and I think our next meeting is scheduled for July 6th. >> That was my next >> 10th? >> Yes. >> So, we're scheduled for July 16th. I know that the summer is a traveling
time, so I want to make sure that everybody is going to be available. >> I just redid a court date so that I can be with you. >> We appreciate that. >> I did too. I didn't want to be at the court. >> [laughter]
>> Okay, anybody else? >> I know some boards >> Ms. Payne, are you are you planning on being around? Hopefully. >> be around. We do have We always >> I'm glad that you're still going to be here. >> Yeah, we try to keep it scheduled. >> Ms. Dalborac, you you'll be you planning to be here? >> Yes. >> Okay, Mr. Garcia-Pons? >> Unknown.
>> Unknown, okay. Mr. Denay? Mr. Silva [clears throat] and Ms. Rolando? Okay, so I think we'll probably have a quorum. >> Mr. Chair, do you have a reminder from the clerk's office? You all should have received an email about disclosures, financial disclosures that are due shortly if not already, so please
follow up with the clerk's office if you haven't timely submitted those. >> By the way, from the clerk's office if they sent what they sent is not correct. >> But then they sent a second >> You have You have to go to the state side. So, what the what the clerk sent
was was not correct. So. >> But you don't we don't need to contact the clerk's office. >> No, but if you have questions, please do. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay, so is there any new business? >> I Mr. Chair, I did have a question just on the on on one of the previous items, the one where the certificate of
appropriateness expired. Sure. Where the certificate expired, um the a typical permit works if as long as you're keeping it active, it stays alive, right? Is there not a provision >> Our
Well, yeah, so ours also has that if the permit is issued, then our COA will kind of live with the permit's life. But in this case, the permit hadn't even been issued. So, they were at their last step when they realized that their COA actually expired in April.
And or March, I believe, and >> Just so >> 2 years. And so the way that the code is written, and it's a cleanup that I think we need to work on because it actually says that I could have administratively renewed it for 6 months had it been for a
rehabilitation or renovation. >> Um >> And but this is a demolition and new construction, so I didn't want to risk you know. >> And and Mr. Chair, we do also have to deal with the fact that um variances also have an expiration date, so we have to um
it's inconsistent to have a extension of a certificate of appropriateness with variances different than the variance extension. So, I just mean we need to be careful about >> is some little cleanups that we need to do because our variances actually expire quicker than our COAs.
>> The variance expiration was uh matching the Board of Adjustment. >> Right. >> Okay. >> But it >> So, it whatever you do, you should have it be >> Consistent. >> the same as the Board of Adjustment on the non-historic properties. >> and and that was my concern is that that period of time is shorter than the
certificate of appropriateness time. So, if you have a certificate of appropriateness without variances, it lasts longer than a certificate of appropriateness with variances. And so, um extending them or allowing administrative approvals for either sort of we we run up against those deadlines
that when you get a regular variance through the Board of Adjustment, you don't get. So, we're looking at that internally. >> the same as a non-historic property or easier. >> Understood. >> Because otherwise, uh it's a uh
people won't want to designate their homes. >> Well, then that's the issue is that by keeping it the same, it's harder. >> Right. Right. >> So, it might be easier to just keep it in line with the COA's life. The The historic variance lives with the COA versus the C- The variance lives with BOA or Board
of Adjustments, and then we have the COA that's active. >> So, so we're looking at that um cleanup internally to see if there's a a way to make the renewal process or um it whatever time extensions um more favorable. >> I remember when all variances went to
the city commission. >> Yeah, we're trying to make [laughter] this a smooth and easy process for the applicants since our variances are an incentive for homeowners when we are moving forward with designations and development and everything else. >> All right, I have a question. Uh how are
we how are we and where are we on the north area study? >> So, the north areas, we just got the her submittals 2 weeks ago, and uh we're reviewing that internally, um and we'll be presenting to you in the summer or at the at the beginning of fall. So, there
is a there is a a presentation coming before you all. >> Wonderful. We'll look forward to that. Are there any city commission items? Don't think so. >> Nope, we have our budget items that are coming up over the summer. Um
we are getting some funding hopefully for the proposals for the design historic um design guidelines, which I think I had mentioned at the last meeting. So, we'll work on getting a consultant to do some you know, a revamp of the design guidelines that we do have.
Um, and that was our only request. A lot of historic preservation projects happening obviously with City Hall. We have the Alhambra water tower. We have the DeSoto fountain right now is under an assessment with Heisman Bottles office, Richard Heisman Bottle office. So, um
>> It took me 3 years to get it running. >> Well >> It wasn't functioning at all when I started working on >> Yeah, at least the water runs and the lights work. So, I'm starting it from a better spot, I think. >> [laughter] >> Um, but because they're also working on that street improvement project that had come before you all
>> Oh, months ago. >> Months, years ago. >> Well, the first one, yeah. >> Yeah. So, there's a DeSoto fountain street improvement project that's going to be happening. So, we wanted to get the assessment of it done and whatever work needed to be done to the fountain before they start doing any road work.
>> Yeah, the last time the fountain was redone, I want to say it was about '83. >> No, no, no, sooner. That's not true. >> It's been >> 20 years. >> in '94 and uh actually Peter Iglesias and I went to Tallahassee uh
That was a fun trip. And uh and presented uh at a grant application. And they said it was too far gone um to repair. And so, we then the next year went for uh an assessment of it and they gave
that to us and once they granted that, then the next year we went back and they gave us money for the for the restoration. >> You had to prove to them that it was >> to prove to them >> Yeah, but we had repairs to it back in the '80s because uh when Charlie, I'll think of his name in a minute, was the
you know, city architect. Yeah, they were working on cuz the ball was unlevel at the time. Um, pretty interesting. Yeah, I mean, I look at it every day. It's one of my favorite >> I I do a question on the city hall. Uh >> Yes. >> Uh
where will this board meet after the restoration of city hall? >> I don't know that that's been determined yet. >> I'm asking because I don't think there's room for us in in the commission. >> Oh, oh, I was like, what do you mean? The meetings are planned to be held in that room.
And we wouldn't be staying in this room. The way that it's set up, yes, you're right that there's going to be I think there's six seats facing the audience, and then there are seats on either side that are meant for like the city clerk and the city attorney's office and the city manager. So, there will be enough
seating. We actually specifically told them that our biggest board was nine people. I think we are the biggest We're one of the bigger >> You're the biggest. >> Yeah. So, I think us voting in force is >> with Richard >> Yeah, yeah, Richard Heisler's office was aware of that. So, that you might not be sitting straight across all in at the
dais, but there will be seating enough for you all. >> So, I think it's very important for the board of architects, I mean, that's just me, and the historic preservation board to meet in that elegant room. Because very often is the it's the
person the board of architects is important. >> The board of architects meets in the first floor of the new 427 building with the large screens. >> So, maybe they'll want to move into the nice beautiful revamped Very often the residents that come before these boards, it's their first
time uh having anything to do with the city. And it it's such an impressive building to walk into. So, I I Mhm. I realized it in my I don't pound anymore, but I think it's really important.
>> for our board is to go back in and part of the discussion for the planning of that room and how the furniture was going to work was having enough seats for our bigger boards. Anna and I might not have a seat, but you guys will all have a seat. >> be in the audience. >> [laughter] >> Is there any further discussion any members of the board would like to have?
You know, down here Mr. Rolando, Mr. Silva, Mr. Naing. Okay, any any anything further down here? >> Okay, well >> then we call for adjournment. >> Motion to adjourn. >> We have a motion. We're adjourned. Oh, and by the way
>> Don't forget to dinner. >> Welcome to the two new staff members. Thank you and I want you to know this is a short meeting. >> Yeah. >> Have a big lunch before you come next time and bring snacks. You're going to need them.