Miami Beach zoning board approves beer-and-wine variance for Gelato Go near houses of worship

The Miami Beach Zoning Board of Adjustment voted unanimously Oct. 13 to approve a variance allowing Gelato Go to sell beer and wine at its existing 25‑seat restaurant in North Beach.

The board approved the distance‑separation variance after hearing a presentation from the applicant, who said the establishment is a table‑seated café without a bar counter, will operate from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and does not include a full kitchen. Staff told the board that the application requests relief from the minimum distance separation requirement that applies to alcoholic‑beverage establishments located within 300 feet of places of worship; staff recommended approval with conditions, including a progress report to the board within 90 days of issuance of the alcohol license to review hours and any complaints or violations.

Applicant Domenico (last name not specified in the record), who participated virtually, described nearly 10 months of renovations to the building, including adding a second restroom and installing a grease trap to meet current requirements. He said the business is a café/gelato shop that serves panini, pasta, pizza and similar food items and that adding beer and wine would pair with the food menu; he said the operation will not be a late‑night bar and that opening hours would generally not extend past 9 p.m.

Board members asked about outreach to nearby religious institutions; the applicant said attempts were made to contact at least one congregation but that staff or volunteers were not always present when visited. Staff confirmed there had been no opposition or comments from the nearby places of worship recorded in the meeting.

On conditions, staff clarified that the order will state the hours of alcohol service (no alcohol after 9 p.m.) and that if the operator later seeks to serve alcohol after 9 p.m. the owner must return to the board to request a modification. The board also asked staff to schedule the 90‑day progress report after the city issues the alcohol license.

The board recorded a unanimous vote in favor of the variance. The board's discussion also included brief promotion suggestions from a member about participating in Normandy Fountain events to raise the business's profile.

Other board business at the meeting included approval of the Sept. 8 minutes and a continuance (to the February meeting) of a separate application for 125–153 Collins Avenue; those items were handled before the Gelato Go hearing.