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Board approves 22‑unit workforce housing project in Normandy Isles; waivers narrowed
Summary
The Historic Preservation Board unanimously approved June 15 a four‑story, 22‑unit workforce housing building at 1144 Marseille Drive, saying the design respects the Normandy Isles historic district while adding long‑term affordable housing.
The Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board voted unanimously June 15 to approve a certificate of appropriateness for a four‑story workforce housing building at 1144 Marseille Drive, in the Normandy Isles historic district.
The project, filed as HPB210459, is led by the Housing Authority of the City of Miami Beach (HACM). Staff described the design as “well conceived” and recommended approval with conditions to enhance compatibility with nearby contributing buildings. The proposed building will include a community room, roof terrace, 12 parking spaces, one ground‑floor residential unit and 21 units above, for a total of 22 residential units. HACM told the board the project targets households at up to 80 percent of area median income and includes a 50‑year affordability period.
Two technical waiver requests were discussed: a waiver previously requested for a conservation overlay height limit in the front 25 feet was withdrawn by the applicant after staff and the design team modified the plans to comply, and a second waiver was sought to reduce a garage clear height requirement by six inches; staff supported the minor reduction. Staff also asked the applicant to explore shifting one front massing element slightly east to create a small landscaped separation between front volumes; the applicant agreed to study that change further with staff.
Public comment included support from the Miami Design Preservation League and the city’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. Board members praised the design’s sensitivity to scale, its courtyard and community room, and the project’s potential to add workforce units in a historically‑sensitive manner.
The applicant provided assurances about ramping and flood‑elevation requirements and proffered to remove the earlier height waiver request. The board voted to approve the project with conditions to refine the eastern‑front massing and to return final materials and minor detailing to staff for administrative review.
Why it matters: The project will add 22 workforce housing units in a recently designated local historic district; board members and staff said the design balances affordability, flood‑resiliency and historic‑district compatibility.
The board’s vote: Roll call showed unanimous support; staff will continue to work with the applicant on the final design and documentation.
