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Commission approves alternate architectural style for 109 SE Fifth Ave, directs staff coordination
Summary
After debate over whether a proposed design constituted a distinct, well-defined style, the commission approved the applicant's request by treating the design as masonry modern for the project at 109 Southeast Fifth Avenue and asked the applicant and staff to continue coordinating design details.
The City Commission approved a request on June 3 allowing a proposed design approach for a multi-family project at 109 Southeast Fifth Avenue, while directing applicant and staff to continue refining details. The applicant proposed a style they called "contemporary functionalism," which prompted a detailed discussion about whether the proposal constituted a documented, reproducible architectural style appropriate for downtown.
Neil Schiller and architect Peggy Fitzgerald presented the design and a written justification, arguing the building uses simple geometric forms, a tripartite composition (base, middle, top), modern materials and fenestration, and climate-responsive elements. Examples from South Florida were cited to illustrate contemporary functionalist traits.
Staff and several commissioners cautioned that the city's Architectural Design Guidelines, adopted after a 2015 code update, intentionally defined a set of seven design styles to create predictability for downtown. Staff noted that some recent approvals had already stretched those definitions and recommended close scrutiny before adding a broadly defined new category. Planning & Zoning recommended approval 4-2; staff recommended working with the applicant to clarify elements.
The commission debated whether approving a broadly defined style would erode predictability in future reviews. After discussion the applicant agreed to work with staff to refine details; commissioners ultimately approved a motion that treated the design as masonry modern for the purpose of the review so the site plan process can continue, with staff and applicant to coordinate additional design refinement and bring final site plan materials back through the standard administrative and board review process. A roll-call vote approved the action.
Ending
The applicant will continue working with staff on facade and material refinements. The commission's action allowed the project to proceed through the next steps of the city review process; additional design details will be reviewed administratively and at subsequent hearings if needed.
