Design Review Board approves awning for Board Cuban at 5812 Sunset Drive

The City of South Miami Design Review Board on an unstated meeting date approved an application to install a projecting canopy at 5812 Sunset Drive for Board Cuban, after staff said the plan did not increase an existing nonconformity but requires one additional dimension before final paperwork is complete.

Michelle Lopez of the Coronino Group, the consultant reporting the application, told the board the submission (DRB2026-006, filed Jan. 15) included plans and photographs and that the proposed canopy would be 30 feet, 2 inches wide and would project 4 feet, 6 inches from the storefront. "The proposed canopy is 30 feet 2 inches wide," Lopez said, and noted that while the building and canopy are legally nonconforming, "the extent of the nonconformity is not increased" under city code section 20-4.8(b. She recommended approval conditioned on the applicant providing the missing dimension that demonstrates a minimum one-foot break between adjacent canopies as required by city code section 20-8.1(d).

Board members asked for clarification on how the required one-foot break is measured. A board member asked whether the break is measured from the adjacent tenant's canopy or from the property line; staff clarified it is measured between canopies. The architect and presenter showed isometrics and photos of the existing storefront and proposed metal canopy, and the presenter said the canopy would align with the storefront windows and match the aluminum frame color of the windows.

After limited questioning and comments that the design packet could have used more project-specific drawings and clearer signage photos, the board moved to approve the canopy with the staff condition that the applicant submit the missing dimension between canopies. The motion passed by voice vote with all members recorded as voting "yes."