Miami historic board approves demolition of contributing house at 888 NE 70th St., allows two new homes

The Miami Historic and Environmental Preservation Board voted 6–2 to approve a special certificate of appropriateness allowing demolition of a contributing structure at 888 Northeast 70 First Street and the construction of two new houses on the lot.

The board’s approval followed a staff recommendation that initially urged denial of demolition but offered conditions should the board authorize the change. Several neighbors and the applicant’s architect testified at the public hearing; neighbors described the existing building as dilapidated and a nuisance, while the applicant said the structure is structurally compromised and that prior attempts to restore it were blocked by permitting and elevation issues.

Staff planner Christina Zhang told the board the property had undergone alterations over decades — enclosed porches, changed massing and other changes — and that the applicant revised designs to address concerns about height, roof pitch and façade treatment. Zhang said staff still recommended denial of demolition of a contributing resource but offered a set of conditions for approval of the new construction if the board chose demolition.

Several neighbors urged demolition. “We desperately want this house to be demolished,” said Wendy Mendoza, who lives a few houses away, describing pervasive mold and repeated trespassing on the lot. Another neighbor, Madjuri Face, said the property had become a safety concern.

Opponents told the board the structure’s decline was the result of long-term neglect and urged preservation of contributing resources. Bayside Residents Association president William Arthur warned against setting a precedent that would encourage future demolition of contributing structures.

Applicant Sergio Rodriguez and architect Javier Cuellos described revisions made in response to board comments, including terracing at the front, lowering roof heights and turning a garage into a carport. “We believe the small changes made the project more part of the neighborhood,” Cuellos told the board.

After extended debate about preservation goals, practical constraints including flood elevation and insurance limits, and the difficulty of saving some aging structures, board member Najib Campbell moved to approve the special certificate of appropriateness to permit the demolition and the two new homes subject to staff conditions. The motion passed 6–2 on roll call; Robert Powers and Elvis Fuentes voted no.

Votes at a glance: special certificate of appropriateness to permit demolition of a contributing structure and approval of two replacement houses at 888 NE 70 First St.—Motion moved by Najib Campbell; second not specified in the record. Roll call: Robert Powers — no; Christopher Collie — yes; Jordan Trachtenberg — yes; Hugh Ryan — yes; Najib Campbell — yes; Luis Brito y Muñoz — yes; Elvis Fuentes — no; Dr. William Harper — yes. Outcome: approved (6–2).

Board members and several speakers emphasized this was a case-by-case decision and not a blanket signal to permit demolition across the city’s historic districts. The decision is appealable to the city’s hearing board within 15 days.

The approved resolution requires the applicant to comply with the conditions listed in the staff report (materials submittals at permitting, window specifications, design details for gable ornamentation, and compliance with Miami 21 and other applicable codes). The applicant was told the decision is final unless appealed within 15 days.