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Board allows taller perimeter fence for Talmudic University and new multifamily project at 3900–4000 Alton Road
Summary
The Design Review Board granted a variance to permit fences and gates up to 8 feet 11 inches along portions of a unified development at 3900–4000 Alton Road, citing grade differences between sidewalk and lot, security needs for the Talmudic University campus and a dog park amenity for the new multifamily building.
The Miami Beach Design Review Board voted unanimously to approve a variance allowing perimeter fences and gates up to approximately 8 feet 11 inches in height at 3900–4000 Alton Road, a unified site that includes the Talmudic University parcel and a newly constructed nine‑story multifamily building.
Staff summarized the request and told the board the site previously received a similar fence variance on Oct. 3, 2017, and design approval for the multifamily building on Dec. 17, 2021. Staff explained the underlying hardship is a 2.3‑foot difference between the sidewalk elevation and the yard elevation inside the property; without the variance the fence measured from the yard elevation would be about 3.3 feet tall, which staff said would insufficiently secure the university parcel and the dog‑park amenity. Staff recommended approval subject to the conditions in the draft order and suggested a final finish color of natural aluminum or silver‑gray to match existing fencing on site.
Nicholas Rodriguez, representing 3900 Alton Road LLC, said the fences are "the minimum that we can do to keep the site safe," noting the dog park is an amenity for residents and that the unified site uses covenants in lieu to manage circulation between parcels. Rodriguez told the board the project is nearing completion and that the team expects to seek temporary certificates of occupancy in the near term.
Board members commended the multifamily building’s appearance and asked clarifying questions about the dog park, tree replacement and pedestrian safety. An on‑record speaker from the applicant team said a crosswalk at the southeast corner of the site was included in prior traffic studies and had been constructed per discussions with the Florida Department of Transportation; the applicant also said mitigation for a removed roadside tree is being coordinated with FDOT and that the city's tree protection rules will require mitigation.
A motion to approve the variances passed 5‑0 (Diffenderfer, Killer Nelson, Lewin, Paez, Lester). The board’s approval includes the staff conditions and the finish‑color requirement. The applicant will proceed to finalize the fence details and to pursue outstanding permits.
