Joint Meeting of Historic Preservation Board and Planning & Development Board - September 9, 2025
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Joint Meeting of Historic Preservation Board and Planning & Development Board - September 9, 2025
The joint meeting of the Historic Preservation Board and Planning & Development Board convened on September 9, 2025, at 5:00 PM at Hollywood City Hall. The sole agenda item was a quasi-judicial application (File No. 24-ZJDP-67) for a proposed Planned Development (PD) at 4220 & 4231 N 58th Ave. The request included a rezoning from North Mixed Use (N-MU) to Planned Development (PD), waivers and modifications, a certificate of appropriateness for demolition and design, and site plan review for an 8-story multifamily building with 470 units, 3,500 sq ft place of worship, and rehabilitation of the historic Bryan House. The meeting included staff presentation, applicant testimony, public comments, and board deliberation. The transcript ends before the board's final decision, so the outcome is not recorded.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Pilar Jancula (resident of Oak Street, speaking via WebEx) opposed the development, citing the massive scale incompatible with the neighborhood, loss of light from an 8-story parking garage, destruction of mature trees (including oak and lychee trees), increased traffic, and questioned the developer's commitment to preserving the Bryan House. She noted that tree removal occurred on a weekend without notice.
- Daniel Patajesik (same address, speaking via WebEx) echoed opposition, focusing on the proximity of the parking garage to neighboring homes, loss of sunlight, noise, light pollution, and traffic concerns.
Discussion Items
- Staff Presentation (Reggie White, Planner): Detailed the 5.74-acre site, existing zoning (N-MU), and the proposed PD. Key modifications included a reduction in parking to 1.5 spaces per unit (vs. code-required 2), a 15-foot reduction in setback from 25 feet, and partial demolition of a non-historic addition to the Bryan House. The 1916 farmhouse would be rehabilitated as a resident library. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including a waiver of the 10-acre minimum for PDs outside the CRA, a traffic signal study at 50% occupancy, road widening to 22 feet, and a structural engineer's report for demolition.
- Board Questions: Members raised concerns about the narrow Oak Street (18 feet), traffic impacts on State Road 7, removal of oak trees, public access to the Bryan House, and the rationale for the 10-acre waiver. Staff clarified that the road would be widened to 22 feet, tree removal was of invasive species with city consent, and the waiver was justified by community benefits (historic preservation, workforce housing, place of worship).
- Applicant Response (Keith Polycall, Stephanie Toothacre, and Joe Kaler): Polycall described a three-year planning process, partnerships with Emerald Hills residents, and agreements for 10% workforce housing at 120% AMI. He noted the synagogue would be open to the public and that the Bryan House would be available for monthly tours via the Hollywood Historical Society. Architect Joe Kaler explained the restoration plan: partial demolition of a later-added shed, preservation of original features, ADA upgrades, and a two-story volume interior. The applicant emphasized that the PD allowed the city to negotiate conditions not possible under standard zoning.
- Traffic Engineer (Joaquin Vargas): Addressed concerns about Oak Street and State Road 7, stating that the focus was on Sterling Road improvements. A traffic signal warrant study would be conducted at 50% occupancy, with median access modifications on Sterling Road. He noted that the 18-foot road would be widened to 22 feet and that traffic counts accounted for existing commercial uses.
Key Outcomes
- The staff recommended approval of the rezoning, master plan, certificate of demolition (with structural engineer report), certificate of design (with improved garage screening), and site plan (with conditions including road widening, traffic signal study, and plat approval).
- The board heard public testimony from two opponents and then proceeded to further questions. The transcript ends before any motion or vote. No final decision is recorded in the provided materials.
- Note: The applicant objected to WebEx testimony as contrary to Florida law, but the board allowed the remote speakers to proceed.
Meeting Transcript
To the flag of the United States of America. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right, and our roll call, please. Stephanie Bendoyam. Present. Bob Glickman. Here. Fred Baylors Furze. Present. Terry Contrell. Present. Diana Pitorelli. Kathleen Debona. Present. Joseph Stadlin. Present. Richard Blatner. Present. Oh, Dallas Delgado. Okay, thank you very much. We have a quorum. Uh additions to lesions and withdrawals and continuance of the staff. No additions, solutions or withdrawals. That's good to hear. Um City Attorney announcements. Miss Fan. Kim Fon, board attorney, have an announcement regarding quasi judicial proceedings. Florida courts have determined that certain matters, primarily land use matters, such as those heard before the board this afternoon should be heard quasi judicially. This means that items are brought before the board for approval through a process conducted similar to a court proceeding. The board acts like a judge and conducts the hearing as a trial. Do we get meeting minutes? I don't recall we in our package. So if there's a motion needed, I'll entertain a motion for uh me to be the chair. Turn on your mic, uh push for mic button. Left side. Is that on? Is it on now? Okay, thank you. I'll make a motion for Terry Crantchell to be the chair for the um joint meeting of the historic preservation board and the planning development board. I'll second. All right. Any discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Thank you. Do we need a co-chair for this meeting? Okay. I think we can proceed.
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