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Historic Preservation Board

September 18, 2025 ·4:00 PM Final

City Hall, Commission Chambers

Agenda PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 41 items

  1. 1 The Historic Preservation Board will be holding its Regular Meeting on Thursday, September 18, 2025, commencing at 4:00 pm EST. Pursuant to Resolution No. 2021-118, the City of Coral Gables has returned to traditional in-person meetings. Accordingly, any individual wishing to provide sworn testimony shall be present physically in the Commission Chambers. However, the Historic Preservation Board has established the ability for the public to provide comments (non-sworn and without evidentiary value) virtually. In addition, a dedicated phone line will be available so that any individual who does not wish (or is unable) to use Zoom may listen to and participate in the meeting. Members of the public may join the meeting via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88413827534. Meeting ID: 884 1382 7534 One tap mobile +17866351003,,88413827534# US (Miami) +16465189805,,88413827534# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 786 635 1003 US (Miami) +1 646 518 9805 US (New York) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 470 381 2552 US (Atlanta) Meeting ID: 884 1382 7534 Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kbrgrILN6G / 305-461-6769 (Coral Gables local number) To speak to the Historic Preservation Board on an Agenda Item, please “Raise your Hand” or send a message to one of the meeting hosts using the Zoom Platform. If you joined the meeting via telephone, you can “Raise your hand” by pressing *9.
  2. 2 PAGE BREAK
  3. I. CALL TO ORDER
  4. II. ROLL CALL
  5. 4 This meeting was Called to Order at 4:05 PM.
  6. III. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
  7. 1. Historic Preservation Board Meeting Minutes for July 10, 2025 - AMENDED 25-9771
  8. 6 Board Members In Person: Dona Spain Cesar Garcia-Pons Alex Silva Michelle Dunaj Kelley Schild Marlin Ebbert Ana Alvarez Board Members Absent: Margaret Rolando Michael Maxwell
  9. 2. Historic Preservation Board Meeting Minutes for August 14, 2025 - AMENDED 25-9773
  10. IV. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
  11. V. PUBLIC HEARING
  12. 9 A motion was made by Board member Dunaj, seconded by Board member Ebbert, to approve the meeting minutes for the July 10, 2025, Historic Preservation Board meeting. This motion passed unanimously.
  13. VI. SPECIAL CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS
  14. 1. CASE FILE COA (SP) 2025-013: An application for the issuance of a Special Certificate of Appropriateness for the property at 1210 Sevilla Avenue, a Local Historic Landmark, legally described as Lot 12, Block 8, Coral Gables Country Club Section Part One, according to the Plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 8, at Page 108, of the Public Records of Miami-Dade County, Florida. The application requests design approval for an addition to the residence. 25-9138
  15. 11 A motion was made by Board member Garcia-Pons, seconded by Board member Dunaj, to approve the meeting minutes for the August 14, 2025, Historic Preservation Board meeting. This motion passed unanimously.
  16. 2. CASE FILE COA (SP) 2025-019: An application for the issuance of a Special Certificate of Appropriateness for the property at 547 Alcazar Avenue, a Contributing Resource within the “Alcazar Avenue Historic District,” legally described as Lot 24, Block 13, Section Coral Gables Section “B,” according to the Plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 5, at Page 111, of the Public Records of Miami-Dade County, Florida. The application requests design approval for the enclosure of the open front porch with impact-resistant windows and doors. 25-9752
  17. 3. CASE FILE COA (SP) 2025-020: An application for the issuance of a Special Certificate of Appropriateness for the property at 721 Alhambra Circle, a Contributing Resource within the “Alhambra Circle Historic District,” legally described as Lot 14, Block 24, Coral Gables Section “B,” according to the Plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 5, at Page 111, of the Public Records of Miami-Dade County, Florida. The application requests design approval for the installation of an S-tile roof. 25-9753
  18. 1. CASE FILE COA (SP) 2025-020 721 Alhambra Circle HAS BEEN DEFERRED.
  19. 4. CASE FILE COA (SP) 2025-017: An application for the issuance of a Special Certificate of Appropriateness for the property at 415 Aragon Avenue, a Local Historic Landmark, legally described as Lot 16 & W1/2 Lot 15, Block 7, Section Coral Gables Section B, according to the Plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 5, at Page 11, of the Public Records of Miami-Dade County, Florida. The application requests design approval to correct work without a permit with additions and alterations to the residence and detached garage, and sitework. 25-9137
  20. 5. CASE FILE COA (SP) 2024-027: An application for the issuance of a Special Certificate of Appropriateness for the property at 1258 Obispo Avenue, a Contributing Resource within the “Obispo Avenue Historic District,” legally described as Lots 1 and 2, Block 3, Coral Gables Section “E,” according to the Plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 8, at Page 13 of the Public Records of Miami-Dade County, Florida. The application requests design approval for the demolition of the existing residence. The applicant is claiming economic hardship. 25-9508
  21. 15 Public Comments on 1021 Hardee Road (In Person): Stephanie Schmidt, 1028 Cotorro Avenue Victor Diaz, 1025 Hardee Road Amy Schwartz, 1017 Hardee Road Public Comments (Zoom): Karelia Carbonell, President of the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables The neighbors attended the Historic Preservation Board meeting requesting to speak on 1021 Hardee Road. They expressed their concern of the state of the property and the ongoing code violations. They requested additional information on the status of the Special Certificate of Appropriateness and Variances granted by the Historic Preservation Board. Neighbors provided handouts that have been attached as Exhibit A. Acting Chair Silva agreed that further Board discussion would occur at the end of the meeting.
  22. VII. OLD BUSINESS
  23. VIII. NEW BUSINESS
  24. IX. CITY COMMISSION ITEMS
  25. 18 Ms. Pernas stated this application came before the board in June 2025 and it was deferred. It was a deferral to work with the Board of Architects and Staff on what separation would be appropriate. The 08/06/2025 proposal reflects updated drawings showing a 3-foot setback from the carport. Staff is in support of this. On Behalf of the Application: Pedro Bravo, Bravo Architecture Dayron Garcia, Consultant A motion was made by Board member Garcia-Pons, seconded by Board member Schild, to approve the design proposal with the updated set of 08/06/2025, for the additional to the property located at 1210 Sevilla Avenue and approve the issuance for a Special Certificate of Appropriateness. This motion passed unanimously.
  26. XI. DISCUSSION ITEMS
  27. XII. ADJOURNMENT
  28. 20 Ms. Pernas read from the staff report as the PowerPoint presentation played on screen. On Behalf of the Application: Carina Lorenzen, Owner Javier Diaz, Owner Dirk Lorenzen, Father of Owner Public Comments Received: Brett Gillis, Historian A motion was made by Board member Dunaj, seconded by Board member Garcia-Pons, to deny the design proposal for the enclosure of the open front porch with impact-resistant windows and doors on the property located at 547 Alcazar Avenue and to deny the issuance of the Special Certificate of Approval. This motion failed by the following vote: Yeas: Alvarez, Schild, Dunaj, Garcia-Pons Nays: Spain, Ebbert, Silva A motion was made by Board member Ebbert, seconded by Board member Spain, to approve the application and adopting the staff conditions that are set forth by the Historic Resources staff and approve the issuance of a Special Certificate of Appropriateness. This motion failed by the following vote: Yeas: Garcia-Pons, Spain, Ebbert, Silva Nays: Alvarez, Schild, Dunaj This item will be CONTINUED to the next meeting.
  29. 21 NOTE
  30. 22 This item is deferred.
  31. 24 Ms. Pernas read from the staff report as the PowerPoint presentation played on screen. On Behalf of the Application: Albert Poza, A.R. Poza Architect, Inc. A motion was made by Board member Alvarez, seconded by Board member Spain, to approve with conditions, a design proposal for an addition and alterations to the residence and site work at the property located at 415 Aragon Avenue and approve the issuance of a Special Certificate of Appropriateness with the following conditions: 1. In lieu of staff on the relocation of the carport connector, connector shown on plans is acceptable. 2. Front porch to remain open/unenclosed. Build the original columns back and railings per original drawings. 3. Acceptable per drawing. 4. Door glass to be clear/no tint.no reflectivity, no low e 5. Windowsill to remain 6. French doors with higher kick plate/bottom rails 7. Roof tiles to be true, two-piece barrel tile 8. Low relief arch panel at French door to remain 9. The house is not to be re-stuccoed in its entirety. Patching may occur with sample of stucco to be approved by Historic Preservation Staff prior to application 10. Turned columns shop drawing required. 11. Existing original front door to remain. 12. Provide details of repair/restoration work to be done on the original features of the residence. 13. Provide construction details of front door hood. If it cannot be built to match the original plans, a canvas awning would be acceptable. 14. The parapet to be simplified as described where you get a continuous height coming across to cover the beam beyond. 15. Stucco to be distinguished from the existing residence. 16. Recess on the original garage door can be done with a scoring. 17. To determine the finished floor at the garage and take appropriate action with the Building Official. 18. Keep staff informed on the forensics and structural assessment of the existing structure. This motion passed unanimously.
  32. 25 5:59 PM Meeting Break
  33. 26 6:10 PM Meeting Resumes
  34. 28 EXHIBIT B - 1258 Obispo Avenue - Verbatim Minutes 09/18/2025 25-1099
  35. 29 Ms. Throckmorton gave the board a brief overview of the process for applications of undue economic hardship. The applicant and his representative made a presentation to the board, followed by a presentation by Ms. Pernas. The full verbatim transcript is attached as Exhibit B. On Behalf of the Application: Ceasar Maestre, Jr. Esq. Oscar De La Rosa, Esq. Javier Avila & Jennifer Ruiz, Owners Public Comment Letters Received in Support of Denial: Brett Gillis, Historian Jaime & Zully Pardo, Residents Karelia Carbonell, Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables A motion was made by Board member Schild, seconded by Board member Dunaj, to reject the claim of undue economic hardship, it has not been established the owner has been denied all reasonable beneficial use or return on the property per the findings and staff report. This motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Board member Schild, seconded by Board member Dunaj, to deny the issuance of a Special Certificate of Appropriateness for demolition based on the staff report and findings and deny the design proposal. This motion passed unanimously. Board member Schild requested the Historical Resources staff and the building department staff to inspect the current condition of the property.
  36. 1. Gondola Building – Chairperson Silva will attend the City Commission on Thursday, September 25, 2025, to represent the board and support and speak on the Gondola item.
  37. X. ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY
  38. 1. Friday, October 17, 2025 – Is the date for the next “Boards & Committees Ethics Training.” This training will take place at the Public Safety Building, 2151 Salzedo Street, 9:00 AM – Noon. Board members expressed interest in having specific training for this board again.
  39. 1. EXHIBIT A - 1021 Hardee Road 25-1071
  40. 38 1021 Hardee Road - In July, this Board was informed the property had been cited for demolition by neglect. Staff provided an update on the conditions of the building and the actions taken. Due to the conditions, the City began to shore the property in late July. There is pending litigation that is scheduled to go court. Staff will continue to monitor the situation. The Board expressed their concern regarding the condition of the building and requested additional information from staff. The Board also had questions regarding the Certificate of Appropriateness approval from November 2021. In response to the public comment received and the requests of the Board, Chairperson Silva requested that a discussion item is added to the October Historic Preservation Board meeting.
  41. 40 This meeting was Adjourned at 7:55 PM.