Neighbors press board and city about demolition‑by‑neglect at 1021 Hardy Road; board asks staff for an update

Residents of the French Village neighborhood told the Historic Preservation Board on Sept. 18 that the landmark house at 1021 Hardy Road is deteriorating and asked the board to take further action.

Stephanie Schmidt, who lives adjacent to the property, described a combination of privacy, safety and water‑intrusion problems she said stem from demolition‑by‑neglect activity at the neighboring house: "We have never heard back from anyone with regard to what happened with those variances that had conditions," she told the board, and urged staff to re‑examine approvals and extensions from 2021. Neighbors provided photographs and alleged variances with conditions had lapsed or gone unmonitored. Amy Schwartz, an adjoining owner, said the shared wall and recurring water intrusion have caused mold and structural concerns inside her home.

Victor Diaz, who said he had previously chaired the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board, said he was "appalled" at suggestions the Coral Gables board was powerless and asked the board to place a discussion item on a future agenda so neighbors can discuss enforcement and what more the city can do to avoid loss of the historic landmark.

Board members acknowledged the seriousness of the complaints and that multiple city processes are active: staff reported that the property has been the subject of building‑official orders, stop‑work notices and code‑enforcement and construction‑regulation cases; the city has had contractors brace and shore up the structure to prevent immediate collapse. The board requested a staff update at the next meeting and asked staff to coordinate with the city manager and building official on whether additional temporary measures (for example, waterproofing or further shoring) could be taken to protect adjacent historic properties.

Board and staff also described limits on the board’s formal authority: building permits and variances follow administrative timetables; code enforcement and the construction regulation board control certain remedies; and the building official can reactivate permits at his discretion. Still, members said they would use the board’s reporting and advisory channels to press for more timely coordination and to get clearer answers from administration and enforcement teams.

The board scheduled a discussion update for the next meeting and instructed staff to report back on the status of permits and variances, what city expenditures have been used to stabilize the property, and whether additional temporary protections or liens are planned.