West Miami planning board backs front-setback variance and recommends two-story special-use to commission

The West Miami Planning and Zoning Board on Oct. 29 recommended approval of a front-setback variance and a special-use permit for a proposed two-story single-family home at 1000 Southwest 50 Ninth Avenue.

Staff introduced Variance 2025-008, which would reduce the required 25-foot front setback to 15 feet, and Special Use Permit 2025-003 for a two-story residence in an R-1 zone. The board heard a combined presentation from the applicant and after questions voted to approve the variance by a 5-0 voice vote and then voted 5-0 to recommend the special-use to the City Commission.

The presenter, who identified himself on the record as Eric Desvedrone, described the plan as retaining roughly 1,000 sq ft of the original 1948/49 structure, demolishing an unfinished 1,400 sq ft rear addition, and building an approximately 2,000 sq ft front addition to create a roughly 3,001 sq ft, four-bedroom, three-bath home. He said the proposed front entrance and driveway will be on Tenth Street rather than 50 Ninth Avenue and that the requested 10-foot variance is necessary because of the original structure's siting on the lot. "This is my gonna be my homestead likely," he told the board when asked whether he intended to live in the house.

A neighbor, Anthony Oliva, asked about building materials and occupant intent; the applicant said the second floor will be concrete with impact windows and a barrel-tile roof. Staff and members discussed comparable corner-lot variances and confirmed similar relief has been granted in the past for unusual lot configurations.

The board recorded a 5-0 approval of the variance (Item 5a) and a 5-0 approval of the special-use recommendation (Item 5b). Staff announced that the special-use will be scheduled for the City Commission meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. for final action.

The board did not impose additional variances and the applicant said other code requirements would be addressed through the normal permitting review if the variance and special-use are upheld by the commission.

Next steps: the special-use will be considered by the City Commission on Nov. 5; building, structural and permitting review will follow any final approvals.