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Miami Beach board approves odor‑control unit near Washington Avenue pump station with tile cladding and tree protection
Summary
The Historic Preservation Board voted May 13 to allow installation of a 9‑foot odor‑control unit in public right‑of‑way adjacent to 260 Washington Avenue, approving a tile‑clad enclosure and choosing the location that preserves two oak trees and minimizes construction impacts.
The Historic Preservation Board approved May 13 the installation of an above‑ground odor‑control unit at the wastewater lift station near Washington Avenue and Third Street after staff and the contractor outlined the system and neighbors expressed support.
The system is a biofilter unit roughly 15 by 12 feet and 9 feet tall with an exhaust stack that will vent treated air through a 15‑foot stack. Public Works and the vendor, BioREM Technologies, said the technology uses biological media to eliminate odorous gases and requires little maintenance; the concrete enclosure and acoustical measures are intended to reduce noise. The city offered two placement options in the right‑of‑way; staff and the project team recommended the location that preserves two existing oak trees.
Why it matters: Residents and businesses in the immediate area have reported recurring sewer‑related odors. City staff said the unit is part of ongoing mitigation steps, following earlier sewer main rehabilitation and sealed access hatches. The board emphasized aesthetics and neighborhood fit: the unit will be clad in tile to mirror nearby art installations and landscaping will be preserved or replaced.
Public discussion and board points: Public commenters and the Miami Design Preservation League supported the unit so long as the visual facades were treated and landscaping preserved. Board members requested the unit be sited to preserve the larger oak tree and asked for corrosion‑resistant finishes on the exhaust stack. Project engineers confirmed the preferred site preserves the oak and minimizes underground utility conflicts.
Decision: The board approved the project with a condition to locate the unit in the preferred position (option 1) to preserve the trees and to use the proposed tile cladding and noise‑mitigation features. The vote approved staff’s recommendation.
Next steps: Public Works will finalize the exact location, submit final construction details and plantings, and proceed with the installation. Staff said the unit type has been successfully used elsewhere in the city and the contractor provided material samples to staff and board members.
