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Design Review Board approves Laderiel School pavilion with minor height and tree conditions
Summary
The City of South Miami Design Review Board approved a detached pavilion ("Sky Terrace") for Laderiel School at 5960 SW 71st St, conditioned on reducing the structure by 2 inches and obtaining a tree removal permit for palms in the footprint.
The Design Review Board on Tuesday approved DRB‑2024‑039, an exterior renovation and detached pavilion — branded by the applicant as the "Sky Terrace" — at Laderiel School, 5960 Southwest 71st Street. Staff recommended approval with conditions after noting the proposed accessory structure exceeds the 15‑foot height limit by 2 inches and requires a tree removal permit for palms inside the pavilion footprint.
Architect Mark (speaker 10) described the pavilion as a minimal steel-and-glass structure intended to bring children "up in the trees" while preserving the site's mango canopy. He said the design uses glass guardrails and steel columns and that the ground level under the deck will be turf to make the area more child‑friendly. Staff (speaker 1) said the application includes grading, erosion control, electrical and structural plans and that the submittal is a new design prepared by the current project team.
Board members asked technical questions about stormwater and maintenance. Mariano Carrel (board member) recommended considering a dry retention well or berming so roof runoff does not overload existing grades; architect and staff said the deck will be guttered and spill to landscaped areas, and the project team will coordinate with engineer Ken Grosch on any needed drainage solution. Carrel also raised a maintenance concern about mango fruit falling on the deck; the board noted that only palms within the pavilion footprint are slated for removal under staff conditions.
After discussion, a board member made a motion to approve DRB‑2024‑039 with staff comments and the board's suggestions; the motion passed unanimously. The approval is conditioned on reducing the pavilion height by 2 inches to meet the accessory‑structure maximum and on submitting the required tree removal permit.
