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Design Review Board approves two‑story Key West‑style home at 5753 SW 81st
Summary
The board approved a proposed two‑story residence at 5753 Southwest 81st St, finding it meets RS‑3 dimensional standards. Staff required an updated landscape plan legend and tree‑removal mitigation details; the applicant will incorporate board comments about driveway turning radius and plant selection.
The City of South Miami Design Review Board on Oct. 15 approved plans for a two‑story Key West–vernacular residence and detached accessory structure at 5753 Southwest 81st Street.
Staff planner Lourdes Cabrera told the board the 20,045‑square‑foot lot meets RS‑3 lot‑size and dimensional standards and that the application complies with building coverage, FAR and the city’s impervious‑surface limits. "The 1st item for review would be DRB2024‑027," Cabrera said, recommending approval with an updated landscape legend to show required mitigation.
Architect Cesar Molina said the design—originally drawn in 2007–08 and updated for code compliance—includes internal courtyards, a rear carriage house and Tesla solar roof tiles. "This is a product that actually was designed way back in 2007, 2008," Molina said, describing materials and native plantings. He added the scheme keeps the garage at the rear to preserve the streetscape and incorporates infiltration‑based drainage.
Board members praised the plan’s natural ventilation and landscaping while pressing for detail on driveway turning radii, the permeable/impervious treatment of gravel adjacent to the garage, and the tree mitigation plan. "The thing that struck me most is that most of the rooms have natural ventilation…which is very unusual these days," a board member said in support.
Mariano Corral moved to approve the project with board and staff comments; Vice Chair Ballena seconded and the motion passed on the record. Staff will require the updated landscape legend and any necessary tree‑removal permits and mitigation as conditions of approval.
The board recorded technical comments for staff follow‑up; the applicant said he would update the plans to address the board’s landscaping and driveway concerns.
