Board recommends ad valorem tax exemption for restored home at North Greenway Drive

The Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board recommended the City grant ad valorem tax relief to a restored contributing resource located at 717 North Greenway Drive (the application and file were listed in the record as AV 2020‑01 and related to a contributing resource in the Country Club of Coral Gables historic district).

Staff reported the property is a contributing resource within the historic district and that a special certificate of appropriateness for design work had previously been granted. The owner and project team presented the restoration work and interior/exterior repairs, including restoration of original wood windows and doors, repair of wrought iron elements, restoration of marble and terrazzo flooring, and reestablishment of original interior volumes.

Owner Kathy Marlin spoke about the restoration as a ‘‘labor of love’’ and noted the house has been in only three families since construction; she said the project restored original features and won preservation awards from Dade Heritage Trust.

Board members praised the restoration. One member recused themself earlier in the discussion on this item (recorded recusal for conflict as the contractor on the project). A motion to recommend approval of the ad valorem tax exemption for the property was made and seconded; the roll call vote recorded all voting members in favor.

The board’s recommendation will be forwarded to the city commission as the advisory historic preservation body; final tax status is determined through the city’s established ad valorem exemption and tax review processes.