Historic preservation board removes single‑family designation for Toledo Island home at owner's request

The Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board on May 9 voted to remove the voluntary historic single‑family designation for 603 East Toledo Drive, at the request of the current owner, Marjorie O'Neil Butler.

Staff recommended approval after finding the owner had not received typical designation incentives and that later additions had substantially obscured the original 1935 design. "Staff is supporting her request, and is recommending that the board, approve the application," said Debbie Tuckett, planning staff, during the board's summary of the file.

The order the board adopted follows an extended presentation by the property owner's counsel and design team and testimony from the owner. Michael Larkin, the applicant's attorney, said the designation was obtained amid faulty permitting advice and that Mrs. Butler never received an ad valorem tax exemption or a floodplain waiver tied to the designation. Architect Jose Gomez testified the house has been "engulfed" by later additions and showed photographs he said demonstrate structural concerns and that the original main entrance is obscured.

Mrs. Butler, identified at the meeting as the owner, described the property and her circumstances: "My original house was built as a small cottage, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, With a 1 car garage. It has been added to so much over the years. The original cottage doesn't even show from the street or the water." She told the board the house had 52 showings and said prospective buyers largely intended to tear the house down; she told members she must sell to pay for her husband's memory care and said the designation was preventing a sale that would support her finances.

The Miami Design Preservation League opposed the removal at public comment, arguing the early additions were by the same architect and that removal could set a precedent. "Removing the historic designation would set a dangerous precedent and potentially jeopardize the future of other historic properties in the community," said Matthew Goltanoff of the MDPL.

Board members discussed the balance between preservation incentives and the property's condition. After public comment and board discussion, a motion to remove the designation carried on a recorded roll call (Weinstein Berman, Ehrlich, Lovell, Stewart, Breslin, Lopez — all voting yes). Staff said the removal would also eliminate eligibility for incentives tied to the designation going forward.

The order directs staff to prepare the formal paperwork to remove the voluntary designation and to advise on any permit or code steps required for subsequent work on the site.

The board's action applies only to this property and does not change citywide designation policy; similar requests in the past have been handled on a case‑by‑case basis.