Commissioners say school mural can proceed via variance; city won’t change code for single wall

Commissioners discussed at length on Aug. 21 how to restore a mural on the wall across from the Sunny Isles Beach K‑8 school and agreed that the quickest path is a variance application rather than changing city code. Commissioner Joseph asked that the mural wall be exempted from the city’s mural/sign rules. The city attorney explained the code cannot be amended to exempt a single wall without creating a city‑wide change; instead, staff recommended the sign‑ordinance variance process as the path of least resistance. Under that approach the property owner (identified in the discussion as RK) would submit the variance application, sign the application as owner, and obtain the approval that would allow the mural to return. The attorney said this is a standard, relatively simple sign variance with three variables that are “relatively easy to meet.” Commissioner Joseph said he had spoken with RK and the school and that RK indicated he would sign if there were no cost to him. He said senior citizens had provided funding for the program previously and school staff supported continuing the mural project. The city attorney and planning staff said the application would go through the regular process and ultimately be presented to the commission if a variance is requested. No code change or ordinance was initiated by the commission at the Aug. 21 meeting. The commission’s direction was procedural: encourage RK and the school to submit a variance application; if they do, staff will process it through planning and zoning and bring it forward for approval. Next: city staff will await a formal variance application from RK and the school; if submitted, staff will place the request on a future agenda for the commission to consider.