Title
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Coral Gables, Florida, directing City Staff to Prepare an Ordinance creating a Notice Provision and Process in the Zoning Code, as well as a standard for evaluating amendments to the City Plan, and Authorizing the Historic Preservation Officer and City Attorney to proceed with Designation of the City Plan; providing for implementation and an effective date.
Body
This Resolution begins the process of designating the City Plan as historic which would result in historic preservation consideration being taken into account for all road and right-of-way, as well as new developments that may impact the historic integrity of the surrounding area. The City has many roadways with historic significance including Old Cutler Road, Coral Way and Sunset Drive, among many others. Further, historic City maps are illustrative of George’s Merrick’s vision for the City which included broad avenues and vast park land.
Historic preservation districts are recognized by both State law and the City’s Zoning Code. Aside from directing staff to begin the process of designating the City Plan as historic, this Resolution directs that an Ordinance be drafted that provides that any material amendments to the plan would be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Board for a special certificate of appropriateness and under a balancing of interests standard with an opportunity for review by the City Commission. It further directs that the Zoning Code be amended to provide notice by publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
The concept of designating the City Plan as historic was presented to the Historic Preservation Board on August 17, 2017 and the Board voted in favor of proceeding to do so.