Category: City Commission Meetings

Preserve historic districts to protect North Beach’s future.

Our long, hard fight to achieve local designation for North Beach’s historic districts is almost over, but we need you to make another stand.

On December 5 at 3:00, the City Commission is holding a “special meeting” designed to undermine these districts—and the years of collaborative work they represent.

Against the recommendations of the Master Plan, City Planning has suggested eliminating South Shore Drive and the Tatum Waterway from local designation, cutting large chunks out of our National Registry Districts. The Historic Preservation Board reviewed their arguments and rejected these cuts.

Now, Commissioner Aleman, apparently under pressure from outside development interests, has called for a “special meeting” to discuss the boundaries of the local districts. Their arguments focus on sea level rise, but of course that’s not the whole story.

Without preservation of the waterfront, developers would be able to amass plots to build oversized developments in the middle of our historic neighborhoods.

After this meeting, the Commission will decide whether to support the local designation as put forth by HPB and the Master Plan or suggest reduced boundaries.

We know, it feels like we’ve all been working on this for ages… and this is our big moment. Sea level rise cannot be used as a reason to reject local preservation.  What will happen to the already designated areas throughout Miami Beach if this argument wins?

North Beach demands that the Mayor and City Commission stand by their word—and respect the (expensive) expertise of Dover, Kohl & Partners—by confirming designation of our local historic districts as defined by the Master Plan.

We’ve provided some background and talking points below.  Please come out on Monday, December 5 at 3:00 at City Hall (1700 Convention Center Drive, 3rd Floor). Whether you can attend or not, please call and email your Mayor and City Commissioners to make sure they hear from as many of us as possible.  All info for contact below image.

The Mayor and Commissioners are on record in support of the Master Plan and local designations. Now they need to stand by that promise—and we need you to hold them to it.

The Background

  • In 2014, the Historic Preservation Board voted unanimously in favor of local designation. The Commission blocked this, deferring the decision until the Master Plan.
  • The North Beach Master Plan was crafted based on a full year of community engagement and expert evaluation. It calls for local designation of these districts as well as conservation of surrounding areas, with unanimous support by the Steering Committee.
  • In July, the promise of local designation was used to support a height increase in TC-1, the area along 71st street from the Normandy fountain to the beach.
  • In August, the Mayor and Commission unanimously approved the Master Plan and stated (on video) their intention to support local designation.
  • In September, the Historic Preservation Board voted unanimously in favor of local designation as laid out in the Master Plan.
  • Now, in December, the boundaries of the districts are being challenged under the pretense of concern over sea-level rise.

The Talking Points

Respect the Balance of the Master Plan

  • The Master Plan was a genuine consensus among residents and stakeholders regarding where to develop and what to preserve. It’s a good-faith compromise, and local designation is a central feature in that balance to counter height increases that are already being pushed through based on the promise of local designation.
  • The Master Planners dealt extensively with sea-level rise, and they recommended local designation of these entire districts. The plan’s balance of development and preservation are in accordance with FEMA recommendations: Massing should happen in higher areas, like Town Center. Vulnerable areas should have lower density and less new development, not more.

Sea Level Rise: Adapt and Preserve

  • SLR cannot be used to invalidate all local preservation designations. Climate change adaptation is complex and multifaceted. It requires many complementary strategies that are not incompatible with preservation.
  • Yes, areas of our waterfront will need higher and/or stronger sea walls and drainage. But the structures in those areas are reinforced concrete, which is sturdy. Many, if not most, have crawl spaces and there are numerous remedies in practice which can be applied to adapt many or all of the significant architectural components that contribute to the historic allure and authenticity of our National Register districts. What’s needed now are design guidelines that account for the realities of local preservation given the need to adapt for resilience.
  • Again, the Master Plan considered this: FEMA recommends lower density and less new development in vulnerable areas, not more. Massing should happen in higher areas, like Town Center.

Respect North Beach’s Historical Value

  • North Beach has been distinguished by its two National Register District nominations. These districts are unlike any other – with their rich, extensive and cohesive concentration of Mid Century Modernist tropical architecture that is representative of the exuberant postwar golden age of American innovation in one of the nation’s most sublime resort cities.
  • Local designation would give the Historic Preservation Board the authority to ensure that the quality and integrity of these neighborhoods are respected. Without local designation, they’re likely to be demolished and incompatibly overdeveloped under the Design Review Board.
  • North Beach has waited long enough to share in the cultural legacy and economic boom that has made Miami Beach (and the MiMo Biscayne district for that matter) a thriving global destination and an internationally renowned brand by virtue of its preservation efforts. Lack of local designation would threaten the genuine character that comprises the allure and economic viability of our beautiful historic neighborhood.
  • What makes North Beach any less worthy of local historic designation than Flamingo Park, the Art Deco district, MiMo Biscayne, Coral Gables, Savannah, Charleston, St. Augustine, Key West, etc. where adaptation and resilience are no less pressing?

The Big Finale

This is a momentous time for North Beach. The community has talked and listened and compromised and come up with a balanced plan for our future. We can’t lose this opportunity. This last-ditch fear mongering seems like a calculated attempt to undermining the thoughtful outreach, widespread neighborhood engagement, care, advisement and compromise that has gone into developing the Master Plan—and a convenient justification to thwart the interests of the community and subvert this balanced plan in favor of incompatible development.

The Mayor and Commissioners are on record in support of the Master Plan and local designations. Now they need to stand by that promise — and we need you to hold them to it.

Actions (in order of effectiveness)

Come: City Hall Commission Chambers, December 5 at 3:00

Call

  • Mayor Philip Levine: 305.673.7035
  • Commissioner Micky Steinberg: 305.673.7103
  • Commissioner Michael Greico: 305.673.7104
  • Commissioner Joy Malakoff: 305.673.7106
  • Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez: 305.673.7030 Ext 6854
  • Commissioner Ricky Arriola: 305.673.7030 Ext 6274
  • Commissioner John Aleman: 305.673.7102

Write: philiplevine@miamibeachfl.gov; johnaleman@miamibeachfl.gov; micky@miamibeachfl.gov; michaelgrieco@miamibeachfl.gov; kristenrosengonzalez@miamibeachfl.gov; rickyarriola@miamibeachfl.gov; joymalakoff@miamibeachfl.gov

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High-Stakes City Agenda Items for North Beach, June 8

Reassuring news that should come as no surprise: our collective voices are being heard—and making a difference. We have learned over the past few months how the Commission, Mayor and City take what residents say seriously. You matter.

Please take the time to attend, email, and/or call the Mayor and Commission regarding the items coming up at this week’s Commission meeting—Wednesday, June 8th starting at 8:30AM at City Hall. Click here to access agenda.

Two items—the demolition moratorium ordinance affecting  the historic districts of North Beach and the 2nd public reading of the Ocean Terrace ordinance—have specified discussion times, which makes speaking in support much easier.

A vocal presence sends the most powerful message. But if you can’t come, write and call!

Here’s a rundown of the items important to North Beachers. (In a hurry? Note our suggested request in blue text included with each item.)

Support the temporary Demolition Moratorium for North Beach

ITEM R5G @ 10:30AM, co-sponsored by Commissioners Ricky Arriola and Joy Malakoff, proposes a temporary moratorium on demolitions of contributing historic structures within the North Shore National Register and the Normandy Isles National Register Districts until the in-progress Master Plan by Dover, Kohl and Partners is completed and implemented by the Commission.

We’re seeing strong resistance for this item from members of North Beach Now, including the Chair of the Master Plan Steering Committee. Their position is incomprehensible: Why would they not want to protect the integrity of the Master Plan as well as these local resources?

Whatever their motives, such maneuvers seem to confirm the importance of this protection. Although those who oppose a moratorium state it will slow down development in North Beach, this ordinance will last only 180 days and simply ensure future development is framed by the Master Plan that residents have invested $400,000 to create. Tell the Commissioners and Mayor you value North Beach’s historic buildings and support the demolition moratorium.

Request Revisions that Tighten the Ocean Terrace Ordinance to Prevent a *Third* Tower on 73rd-74th Block

The language of the current ordinance (ITEM R5H @ 5:01PM) would permit yet another tower on the south end of Ocean Terrace. This could be easily prevented by adjusting the aggregation requirements on Ocean Terrace. Whatever your feelings about the current OT plan, it’s important to consider the broader context. Please encourage city officials to call for a revision of the ordinance to include language that limits aggregation on 73rd and 74th blocks to prevent an additional tower.

Request Ocean Terrace Covenant to Secure Project Details

Also worthy of mention within ITEM R5H @ 5:01PM: Many of the most popular elements in the presented plans for Ocean Terrace—street-level activation with cafes and hospitality outlets, retention of hotel use, and preservation of MiMo facades—are not fully addressed within the ordinance.

The developer, as well as city officials, have repeatedly expressed a willingness to include these elements in a binding covenant that would be attached to the deed of the properties so that any future owners are legally obligated to uphold. Please encourage city officials to remain firm on these requests and require covenants that solidify our interest in the activation of shops and restaurants on Ocean Terrace; retention of MiMo facades; and ongoing operation of the Broadmoor/Days Inn and Alcan/Ocean Surf hotels.

Support Residents’ Rights to Know City Charter Amendment

ITEM R9P, put forward by Miami Beach United, is designed to ensure greater transparency on matters that potentially affect residents’ quality of life. Given the rapid pace (and risks) of development and zoning changes in our neighborhoods, this item is an important opportunity to ensure fair, clear, and inclusive procedures for decision-making. (See attached document for details.) Please encourage the Commission to seriously consider this item for the Miami Beach Ballot this November.  Also email any suggestions and feedback to Mark Needle at mdneedle@hotmail.com.

Support Skate Park Proposal and Discuss Location Considerations

ITEM R9L is an exciting proposal to bring a long-awaited skate/pump park to North Beach. During a recent meeting, the emphasis seemed to be on building in North Shore Open Space Park, due, in part, to the lengthy timeframe to building it in the West Lots given funding has already been secured. We’ve heard widespread support for this park, as well as certain key questions:

  • Wouldn’t the West Lots be the best location for this active community space? This seemed to be the consensus during the Master Plan Charrette, as shown in the work-in-progress draft presented by Dover, Kohl. One concern seems to be the timeline, but like NSOSP, the City controls and should be able to manage this land efficiently.  If this portion of the West Lots could be developed quickly, would that change the location conversation?
  • If it goes into NSOSP, how will the City evaluate and minimize environmental impact? Good design will be essential for effective stewardship of this rare, treasured green space.

Ask the Commission and Mayor to consider input from the Charrettes and MP, as well as the community meeting last week to present realistic location options and timelines for our valued pump park.

Your emails and calls truly do make a difference—and your vocal presence at meetings is even more valuable. However you can, please be sure to make your wishes known to your city officials.

Many thanks, as always, for your commitment and care for North Beach!

The Commissioners and Mayor can be reached as follows:

  • Mayor Philip Levine: philiplevine@miamibeachfl.gov Ph: 305.673.7035
  • Commissioner Micky Steinberg: micky@miamibeachfl.gov Ph: 305.673.7103
  • Commissioner Michael Grieco: michaelgrieco@miamibeachfl.gov Ph: 305.673.7104
  • Commissioner Joy Malakoff: joymalakoff@miamibeachfl.gov Ph: 305.673.7106
  • Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez: kristenrosengonzalez@miamibeachfl.gov Ph: 305.673.7030 Ext 6854
  • Commissioner Ricky Arriola: rickyarriola@miamibeachfl.gov Ph: 305.673.7030 Ext 6274
  • Commissioner John Aleman: johnaleman@miamibeachfl.gov Ph: 305.673.7102

Here is a handy email list to copy and paste:

philiplevine@miamibeachfl.gov, micky@miamibeachfl.gov, michaelgrieco@miamibeachfl.gov, joymalakoff@miamibeachfl.gov, kristenrosengonzalez@miamibeachfl.gov, rickyarriola@miamibeachfl.gov, johnaleman@miamibeachfl.gov