HPB continues 829 Fourth Street renovation and four‑story rear addition to June 13 for further design work

The Historic Preservation Board continued action on an application for 829 Fourth Street, a post‑war modern contributing building in the Ocean Beach Local Historic District, asking the project team to return on June 13 with revisions to materials and massing.

The proposal would retain roughly 25% of the existing 1952 single‑story façade facing Fourth Street and construct a contiguous four‑story addition behind it containing nine residential units with a rooftop amenity deck. The applicant also requested a variance to reduce the required 10‑foot rear setback to five feet. Staff supported the general approach, noting the lot is undersized under current code (the property has roughly 5,000 square feet where 6,000 is now typical) and that pushing mass away from the historic façade led staff to recommend the requested setback relief. Staff recommended the board require the applicant to address the new building’s strong vertical articulation, lighten the proposed cladding color to harmonize with the existing stone, and break up a large expanse on the north elevation.

Board members and public commenters raised concerns that retaining a small front fragment while building an imposing volume behind it could fail to protect the district’s character. The Miami Design Preservation League urged a green‑wall buffer above the preserved portion, and staff recommended the applicant remove or reduce the dark vertical aluminum cladding. After discussion the board voted to continue the item to the June 13 meeting so the applicant could return with revised materials and elevation studies.