Miami Historic and Environmental Preservation Board Meeting – April 7, 2026

The Miami Historic and Environmental Preservation Board (HEP) convened on April 7, 2026, at 7:45 PM to consider eight agenda items, including certificates of appropriateness, a board appointment ordinance, and a preliminary de-designation request. The board also received a quarterly archaeological update. Seven members were present, and all votes were unanimous (7-0).

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar items were presented; all items received individual discussion and votes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 4 (634 NE 57th St): Elvis Cruz, a neighbor (631 NE 57th St), expressed strong support for the project, praising the retention of historic elements and the restoration of the decorative woodwork railing. He noted a concern about the second-floor window pattern, which he hoped would be made more compatible.
• Item 5 (765 NE 70th St): Elvis Cruz opposed the modern design, stating it was incompatible with the Bayside Historic District and that the design could be built anywhere. He urged the applicant to consider a more compatible design.
• Item 7 (5966 NE 6th Ave): Robert Edel (5944 NE 6th Ave) voiced support for the rear addition as a neighbor.
• Item 8 (1016 SW 13th Ct): Bob Delafuente, representing applicant Sasan Kimiavi, argued that the owner was an innocent purchaser of a vacant lot and should not be penalized for the demolition of the Little Havana House. He offered voluntary mitigation measures including a commemorative plaque, a $10,000 donation, and architectural drawings. Mr. Kimiavi also testified about his lack of knowledge of the historic designation.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 (16802 – Spring Garden Historic District): The applicant was absent for a deferred project. Staff reported no changes since the previous deferral. The board denied the special certificate of appropriateness, noting that the proposed drawings were materially unchanged from prior submissions and were detrimental to the historic district. (Vote: 7-0)
• Item 2 (18995 – Board Appointment Ordinance): Staff presented a resolution to amend Chapter 62 to modify board appointments for the Historic and Environmental Preservation Board and Art in Public Places Board. Changes include eliminating the 30-day notice requirement, increasing HEP board membership from 9 to 10 (with each commissioner appointing two members and the mayor appointing an alternate), and aligning with quarterly appointments. The board approved the resolution. (Vote: 7-0)
• Item 3 (19021 – After-the-fact alterations, 337 SW 10th Ave): The applicant sought retention of non-conforming stucco, windows, and doors. The board discussed the loss of historic fabric and the applicant’s due diligence failures. After extensive debate, the board approved with seven conditions: compliance with permits, installation of mullions on windows, restoration of ornamentation (signage, sills, pilasters, banding) with stucco texture to be determined by staff, removal of existing fence, restoration of cheek walls, installation of a rectilinear fabric awning at the entrance, and submission of final photographs for staff approval. (Vote: 7-0)
• Item 4 (19024 – Morningside Historic District, 634 NE 57th St): The applicant proposed a rear addition and second floor. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including a restudy of the window-to-wall ratio on the second floor. The board praised the design and approved with seven staff conditions, allowing staff to finalize window details. (Vote: 7-0)
• Item 5 (19025 – Bayside Historic District, 765 NE 70th St): The applicant sought approval for a modern single-family home on a vacant lot. Board members expressed concerns about the contemporary design’s compatibility with the historic district, particularly the prominent shed roof, massing, and lack of landscape screening. The board deferred the item to June 2, 2026, with guidance to restudy the roof form, incorporate horizontal and vertical elements, improve materiality, and provide a robust landscape plan with documentation of neighbor meetings. (Vote: 7-0 to defer)
• Item 6 (19026 – Morningside Historic District, 5944 NE 6th Ave): The applicant requested after-the-fact approval for French doors on an ancillary building. Staff recommended approval with one condition. The board approved without further discussion. (Vote: 7-0)
• Item 7 (19027 – Morningside Historic District, 5966 NE 6th Ave): The applicant proposed a rear addition to a non-contributing structure. Staff recommended approval with conditions. Board members suggested adding keystone elements to the rear to match the front and discussed window placement. The board approved with staff conditions. (Vote: 7-0)
• Item 8 (19028 – Little Havana House, 1016 SW 13th Ct): The applicant requested preliminary evaluation for rescission of the historic designation of a property where the house was destroyed by fire in 2021. The board discussed the rarity of individually designated sites, the owner’s lack of knowledge, and potential mitigation. The board deferred the item to June 2, 2026, to allow the applicant to work with staff on a design evocative of the original house. The applicant agreed to waive the 60-day decision deadline. (Vote: 7-0 to defer)

Key Outcomes

• Denials: Item 1 (Spring Garden) was denied 7-0.
• Approvals: Items 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 were approved with conditions (7-0 each).
• Deferrals: Items 5 and 8 were deferred to the June 2, 2026 meeting (7-0 each).
• Directives: The board directed staff to work with applicants on conditions for Items 3, 4, and 8. The archaeological update was received without action.

Quarterly Archaeological Update

• Carlos Diaz presented a 12-month update on the Brickell One project (77 SE 5th St). The archaeological assessment is on track for November 2026. The exhibition space permit has been approved, with completion expected in Q2 2028. The final artifact repository is still under review by the state and tribes. The board discussed connections to the Miami Circle and a potential Tequesta trail. No action was taken.