Miami Beach DRB approves paver and elevator variances but rejects aluminum trellis; air‑conditioning request withdrawn

The Miami Beach Design Review Board on Nov. 20 approved two of four variances sought for a revised large residence at 94 Palm Avenue, rejected one and accepted the applicant’s withdrawal of a fourth after prolonged questioning over code intent and precedent.

Staff introduced the continued application for the two‑story waterfront home, which included requests to enclose a mechanical/storage area in the understory, to install a reinforced perforated concrete grid under pervious pavers, to use an aluminum retractable trellis rather than canvas, and to increase the elevator bulkhead height by three feet. The board heard technical presentations from the applicant’s team, including attorney Matt Amster and architect Reynaldo Borgens, who said the understory area would house equipment such as a 35,000‑gallon cistern, water‑filtration systems and HVAC air‑handlers elevated above…