Davie council approves site-plan amendment allowing metal roof for Pataki home; decision sets precedent for Forest Ridge

The Town of Davie Town Council voted unanimously to approve a site-plan amendment for a standing-seam metal roof for a home at 2843 East Aviado (SP24-052), the council decided after testimony from the applicants, a planning expert and town staff.

The amendment, moved by Council Member Lewis and seconded by Council Member Starkey, was approved 5-0. Mayor Paul presided.

Council members and the applicants framed the issue as an administrative and technical review that turned on local code criteria. Planning expert Thuy Turner testified that, in her professional planning judgment, the change met the town’s site-plan amendment standards and “is deemed a non material change to the site plan.” Town planning staff and the applicants disputed whether the change required council action or could be handled administratively; town staff’s position emphasized that “the applicant be the landowner. They can have an agent act on their behalf, but the landowner has to sign the application.”

Applicants Morris (Moe) Pataki and Randy Pataki told the council they had pursued the HOA approval first and said the Forest Ridge Master Association and the Ridge on Nob Hill sub-association had amended their rules to allow metal roofs. Morris Pataki said the household had already “spent thousands of dollars” on the process and asked the council to approve the amendment so the family could obtain a building permit.

Several residents spoke for and against the change. Supporters cited longevity, hurricane resistance and energy efficiency; one constituent referenced recent state legislation affecting homeowners associations and said a metal roof could not be prohibited by an HOA under that law. Opponents focused on neighborhood appearance: resident Chris Trapani said the proposed roof would be “horrible” and urged council to preserve the existing aesthetic that he said supported long-term property values.

Town building official William Diaz confirmed for the council that both concrete/barrel tile roofs and the proposed metal roof would meet South Florida building-code requirements and must be permitted and inspected under the building code.

Council members weighed community sentiment, code criteria and building-safety issues in deliberations. Several members said trends in roofing technology and the applicants’ evidence about other Davie neighborhoods that already have mixed roof types influenced their view. After deliberation, the council approved the site-plan amendment; the town attorney advised the council that the vote would be precedent-setting for Forest Ridge and that other homeowners in that sub-association would thereafter be able to pursue building permits under the same approach.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Approve site-plan amendment SP24-052 (Pataki) to permit a standing-seam metal roof on the property at 2843 East Aviado Circle. - Mover: Council Member Lewis. Second: Council Member Starkey. - Vote: Mayor Paul — yes; Vice Mayor Hatton — yes; Council Member Wittman — yes; Council Member Starkey — yes; Council Member Lewis — yes. Outcome: approved (5-0).

The council also indicated it will schedule a workshop with staff to review the process and consider whether code clarifications or procedure changes are needed to avoid similar disputes. The applicants and staff will proceed with permitting steps required by the building division.

Ending

Council members and town staff said they hoped a forthcoming workshop would clarify the distinction between HOA rules and town code and reduce future disputes about whether material changes to model elevations require council-level site-plan amendments. The Patakis said they would seek a building permit now that the amendment has been approved.