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Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board Meeting of June 18, 2015.
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DEFERRALS: None.
REQUEST BY TEMPLE JUDEA TO WAIVE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES FEE:
Ms. Spain explained that the Board needed to determine if it would recommend the waiver to the City Commission. Mr. Parsley recused himself as he is the landscape architect for the project.
Continuing, Ms. Spain stated staff’s recommendation of Board approval of its recommendation to the City Commission to approve the waiver of the Art in Public Places fee according to Section 3-2103 (B)(3) - Waiver of the Art in Public Places Fee. Ms. Spain read the pertinent section of code.
A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval by the City Commission of the Art in Public Places fee waiver pursuant to Article 3, Section 3-2103 (B)(3). (Ayes: 6, Nays: 0)
LOCAL HISTORIC DESIGNATIONS:
CASE FILE LHD 2015-01: Consideration of the local historic designation of the property at 102 Menores Avenue, legally described as Lot 11, Block 36, Coral Gables Douglas Section, according to the Plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 25, at Page 69 of the Public Records of Miami-Dade County, Florida.
A motion was made and seconded to approve local historic designation of the property at 102 Menores Avenue. (Ayes: 7, Nays: 0)
CASE FILE LHD 2015-02: Consideration of the local historic designation of the property at 114 Menores Avenue, legally described as Lot 8 & W ½ Lot 9, Block 36, Coral Gables Douglas Section, according to the Plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 25, at Page 69 of the Public Records of Miami-Dade County, Florida.
A motion was made and seconded to approve local historic designation of the property at 114 Menores Avenue. (Ayes: 7, Nays: 0)
CASE FILE LHD 2015-03: Consideration of the local historic designation of the property at 118 Menores Avenue, legally described as Lot 7, Block 36, Coral Gables Douglas Section, according to the Plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 25, at Page 69 of the Public Records of Miami-Dade County, Florida.
A motion was made and seconded to local historic designation for the property at 118 Menores Avenue. (Ayes: 7, Nays: 0)
122 MENORES AVENUE: Ms. Kautz asked if the Board would consider asking staff to review this vacant property to determine its eligibility for historic designation, currently red tagged by the City.
A motion was made and seconded for staff to research the property at 122 Menores Avenue to determine if it is eligible for local historic designation and, if so, to prepare a historic significance report.
(Ayes: 7, Nays: 0)
CORAL GABLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECT UPDATE: City Attorney Craig Leen
At the request of Ms. Spain, Mr. Leen updated the Board regarding Coral Gables Elementary School’s project to replace the historic building’s windows, an issue of great concern to the City and the Historic Preservation Board. He reviewed immediate action taken by the City Manager and him when they learned about the circumstances from Historical Resources staff. He comprehensively described each step already taken by the City, which had authority to red tag and halt the project as local government takes precedence in matters of zoning. Mr. Leen said the City will continue to respectfully and firmly encourage the School Board to cooperate with the City to resolve all issues; however, the City is prepared to use all means necessary to ensure the School Board complies with the law. To that end, the City has hired outside counsel to represent its interests along with Mr. Leen. He assured the Board that he and the City Manager were committed to this effort.
A motion was made and seconded to adopt a resolution stating the Board strongly supports that the School Board should comply with the zoning procedures of the City of Coral Gables as related to historic preservation. (Ayes: 6, Nays: 0)
SPECIAL CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS:
CASE FILE COA (SP) 2015-005: An application for the issuance of a Special Certificate of Appropriateness for the property at 4209 Santa Maria Street, a Local Historic Landmark and a contributing structure within the “Santa Maria Street Historic District,” legally described as Lots 11 and 12, Block 96, Coral Gables Country Club Section Part Five, according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 23, at Page 55, of the Public Records of Miami-Dade County, Florida. The application requests design approval for addition and alterations to the residence.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the design proposal for the one-story addition to the building on the property at 4209 Santa Maria Street, and to approve issuance of a Special Certificate of Appropriateness with the following conditions: 1) separate the water feature from the main structure; 2) all tile on the new portions of the roof will be true barrel tile, and if the tile on the existing roof is not replaced during construction of the addition with true barrel tile, there needs to be a restrictive covenant recorded against the property requiring that when the roof on the existing portions of the house needs to be replaced, they will be replaced with true barrel tile; 3) window sills will not be added to the historic portions of the structure; 4) stucco on the new portions of the structure will be differentiated from the existing historic structure by either a difference in the texture or a vertical line in the stucco; 5) the window in the gardener’s storage/potting room shall have a decorative feature of turned wood. (Ayes: 6, Nays: 0)
CASE FILE COA (SP) 2015-009: An application for the issuance of a Special Certificate of Appropriateness for the property at 97 Campina Court, a contributing resource within the “Campina Court Historic District,” legally described as Lot 1 & W ½ Lot 2, Block 3, Coral Gables Flagler Street Section, according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 10, at Page 12, of the Public Records of Miami-Dade County, Florida and Lots 25 & 26 Less W 95 FT, Stadler Grove Addition #1, according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 12, at Page 42, of the Public Records of Miami-Dade County, Florida. The application requests design approval for addition and alterations to the residence.
A motion was made and seconded to approve issuance of a Special Certificate of Appropriateness for the property at 97 and to approve the design with modification to the roof, removing the notch and matching the east elevation with the west elevation, and the parapet on the west side against the true barrel tile. (Ayes: 6, Nays: 0)
ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY:
Dedication to Honor Sarah Anderson:
July 13, 2015, 10:30 a.m. at Fewell Park. Invitations were given to each Board member.
Historic Preservationist Applications:
Thus far, 63 applications have been received for the Historical Resources Department position vacated by Emily Ahouse.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Douglas Entrance Update:
Mr. Torre referenced the Douglas Entrance window replacement project brought before the Board five years ago, and commented that nothing has been done and the windows are deteriorating. Ms. Spain and Ms. Kautz advised that Douglas Entrance is under new ownership, relayed information learned by staff during a recent meeting with the owner, who agreed to develop and furnish staff with a master plan that includes all the windows.
OLD BUSINESS:
Restoration of City Hall: Ms. Spain reported that the windows in City Hall will be restored along with other aspects of the restoration project. There is money set aside in the upcoming budget for restoration of the building.
Historic Plaques: Ms. Spain reported that a letter was sent to the artist’s husband, stating the City’s intention to proceed with the project. They are seeking an artist who can create a mold using the sole plaque on hand to replicate the design.
NEW BUSINESS:
Board Position: Ms. Thomson said this would be her last meeting with the Board after eight years. On behalf of the Board, Mr. Torre praised her contributions and historical observations over the years. Ms. Spain asked her to attend the next Board meeting for a formal farewell.