Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zba23 0150 1800 W 20th topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves seawall-height variance and rear-trellis setback at 1800 W. 20th St.
Summary
The Miami Beach Zoning Board of Adjustment unanimously approved variances for a new seawall and a rear trellis at 1800 West 20th Street (ZBA23-0150). Staff recommended approval citing the house’s pre-1942 construction and site constraints; the board approved both variances in a single vote.
The Miami Beach Zoning Board of Adjustment approved, by voice and roll call on June 2, variances allowing a new seawall at 1800 West 20th Street to be built to 6.06 feet NGVD instead of the code-required 7.26 feet NGVD, and a rear trellis to be sited at 3 feet 1 inch from the rear property line instead of the required 13 feet 1½ inches.
City staff introduced the application, ZBA23-0150, saying the 1936 residence was designed by architect Martin L. Hampton and has a first-floor elevation of about 6.16 feet NGVD. Staff told the board the existing seawall sits at about 3.86 feet NGVD; the applicant’s proposed seawall at 6.06 NGVD would be structurally designed to accommodate raising to code-required elevation in the future. Staff recommended approval of both variances, citing the property’s historic home, elevation discrepancies, and physical constraints.
Applicant Peter Loria told the board he and his wife have lived in the house for more than 30 years and described the scope of the requests. “We are building a new seawall a half a foot higher than the minimum — ours will be at a height of 6.06 NGVD and it is designed to be able to add the additional height in the future,” Loria said. He also described a proposed open trellis that would replace an existing jacuzzi area and measure 10 by 20 feet with a 10-foot top height.
The trellis will sit above the existing pool deck (about 5.7 feet NGVD), producing a top elevation near 16 feet NGVD; staff noted that elevation is roughly 3 feet lower than what would be allowable for a new, elevated yard and accessory structure on a redeveloped lot. The applicant provided letters of neighbor support for the proposal and an Army Corps of Engineers permit process for a floating dock, which the applicant said delayed work.
Board members asked about precedent and neighborhood impact. Multiple members noted a recent, similar variance approval for a legacy home and said consistency with past decisions supported approval. Board member comments also emphasized that the trellis is proposed as an open structure and that a condition to prevent enclosure could be imposed.
Motion to approve both variances was made by Mr. Silvers and seconded by Ms. Malecoff. Roll-call votes recorded: Mr. Nagler (yes), Mr. Silvers (yes), Mr. Aronson (yes), Ms. Malecoff (yes), Mr. Goldberg (yes). The chair announced the motion passed unanimously and congratulated the applicants.
The board clerk and staff were directed to proceed with the permitting process; board members noted applicants who follow permitting procedures favorably compared with unpermitted work often observed in the area.
