2025-4-16 HPB MINUTES approved1
Mayor Jerome Charles
Vice Mayor Neil Cantor
Councilmember George Burch
Councilmember Jesse Valinsky
Councilmember Patrick Devaney
Esmond Scott, Village Manager
Chanae Wood, Village Attorney
Ysabely Rodriguez, Village Clerk
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING
WEDNESDAY, April 16th, 2025
VILLAGE HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
6:30 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER- By Mr. Saadeh at 6:38 PM
2. ROLL CALL
Present:
Mr. Saadeh
Mr. Serrano
Chair Bonaduce (Via Phone)
Ms. Spirk-Correa
Not Present:
Ms. Headley
Also Present:
Eddy Nuñez - Interim Planning and Zoning Director (Corradino Group)
Jerome "Jeb" Ross - Interim Planner (Corradino Group)
3. ORDER OF BUSINESS (Additions, Deletions and Deferrals)
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS 3-MINUTE TIME LIMIT (Non-Item Specific)
5. ACTION ITEM(S)
6. MINUTES
5. A. Approval of Minutes March 19th, 2025.
Move to approve the Minutes by Mr. Saadeh, Seconded by
Mr. Serrano, All in Favor - 4-0.
2
7. DISCUSSION ITEM(S)
7.A. PROPOSED CODE TEXT AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 11 HISTORIC PRESERVATION
6:39 PM
Mr. Saadeh elected to start on page 3 regarding the wording on the power and authority of
the Board, and questioned if the language was current or proposed changes. Mr. Nuñez
explained that they were the current.
Mr. Saadeh moved to exhibit 4 and stated that he believes the edits to this section will be to
make the code reflect Miami-Dade County. Mr. Bittner (Via Phone) stated that the change to
mirror the County code is correct, but that it has some minor differences.
Mr. Saadeh then directs that they begin to go through each line where there are proposed
changes.
Mr. Serrano questions what the change in the definition of historic properties entails, if it
would cover various structures, to which Mr. Saadeh confirms.
Mr. Saadeh asks Mr. Bittner to clarify what "code designation for a Shoreland Blvd." is. Mr.
Bittner describes that it has not been performed for some time, but the Board used to
designate streets and roadways as historic.
Mr. Nuñez questions what item number 6 meant within the proposed code. Mr. Saadeh
followed that he may not agree that it should be included. Ms. Spirk-Correa states that the
code could be used for the Board to help recommend against changes to a historic home.
Mr. Saadeh stated that it is not the Board position to affect changes in zoning. Ms. Spirk-
Correa followed that it could be used for a historic district.
Mr. Nuñez followed that each Village department and Board has their own code and that
item number 6 would create a conflict between other Village departments and respective
Boards.
Ms. Spirk-Correa elects that this (number 6) item be tabled pending further research. Mr.
Bittner follows that the Board should want to have this power on the Historic Preser vation
Board as it gives them more standing to make recommendations against certain building
applications being brought to the Planning and Zoning Board.
Ms. Spirk-Correa asks that Mr. Bittner if the wording in this proposed ordinance is original.
Mr. Bittner said that this Code is copied entirely from Miami-Dade Code.
Mr. Bittner addresses that item number 11 should need some attention. He followed that
there used to be a large and extensive collection of records and now there is only records
that date back five years. He believes this item will help get the older archives made public.
Mr. Saadeh states that the older archives may have been sent to the library to which Chair
Bonaduce confirmed.
Ms. Spirk-Correa stresses that this may place unneeded stress on the Village staff but
agrees to leave it in the Code.
Item D:
Mr. Saadeh reads off the current wording of the code and then asks for clarity on the first
new addition with regards to designated the interior spaces of their home as historic.
3
Mr. Bittner describes and states that it could help individuals like him to get their interior
homes designated as historic and states that Miami Beach has a similar code for older
hotels.
Mr. Saadeh asks that if this would mean that future homeowners would not be able to
renovate the interior of your home. Mr. Bittner states that is correct. Mr. Saadeh follows that
he would not support this as it could discourage homeowners from wanting to seek local
historic status for their homes.
Ms. Spirk-Correa states that this would be for very few homes, and that any potential home
buyer would already be aware of this status prior to purchasing a home. She believes it
could be for interior beams.
Mr. Serrano states that he does not agree with the language of the ordinance as it would be
every item within the interior. Mr. Saadeh agrees that the current language is too restrictive.
Ms. Spirk-Correa elects to just have it be for certain physical items within homes. Mr.
Saadeh states this will add to the current negative stigma of the Boards actions. Mr. Serrano
agrees.
Mr. Saadeh recommends the sentence that designates interior spaces be removed. Mr.
Saadeh, Mr. Serrano, and Chair Bonaduce voted in favor of removing this language. Ms.
Spirk-Correa believes that it should be reworded. Chair Bonaduce states that every new
home buyer changes the interior of their home and this would be too restrictive.
Ms. Spirk-Correa suggests that the line be rewritten to only include certain architectural
features that is decided by the owner. Mr. Saadeh follows that he does not agree to have
any authority over the interior of homes. Mr. Serrano follows that he cannot see it being
feasible.
Mr. Saadeh asks how would it be enforced, and Ms. Spirk-Correa states that it could be done
by the building department when they do their reviews. Mr. Saadeh and Mr. Serrano both
state that they are unchanged in their opinion.
Mr. Saadeh questions why "detailed designs" was being struck out of the ordinance,
questioning if it would give the Board authority to review interior plans. Mr. Bittner confirms
this and Mr. Saadeh elects to keep "detailed designs" in the ordinance.
Mr. Saadeh asks if the last line edit would remove the Boards advisory role in conflicts with
other Boards or Departments. Mr. Bittner states that this line was added in the mid-1990s
and he states that it goes against Florida law.
Mr. Saadeh asked Mr. Nuñez what the next step would be in this process. Mr. Nuñez states
the next step is that the boards and committees report form be filled out by the HPB Chair
and submitted to the Village Clerk. The Village Clerk will coordinate with Village Council on
their consideration and disrection of proposed text amendments.
Mr. Saadeh motions to accept the ordinance as amended
Mr. Serrano seconds.
All in favor
8. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
7:19 PM
4
Mr. Nuñez addressed that Chair Bonaduce had suggested to discuss her Historic Preservation
Board 2024 report.
Chair Bonaduce stated that before that is discussed she would like clarity if a property is to
be National designated, if the structure first had to be locally designated. Mr. Saadeh follows
that the current writing of the ordinance currently has this as a requirement but that they
want to change this wording to remove this requirement.
Chair Bonaduce follows that all the Boards are required to present an annual report to the
Village Council and that last year was a very big year for the Board and believes that the
report should be in the publics hands.
Mr. Saadeh and Ms. Spirk-Correa both state their fondness for the quality of work that Chair
Bonaduce placed into this report. Chair Bonaduce states that each Board members should
provide her with edits and asks Mr. Nuñez to include it in the next agenda. Mr. Nuñez states
this can be added if the edits are completed by May 14th.
Mr. Saadeh asks if the report may be edited by email or if these are required to be public.
Mr. Ross asked the Board if this was the first draft to which Mr. Saadeh confirmed. Mr. Ross
followed that since this report has not yet been made part of any official agenda, that edits
by email are fine until after its first reading.
Mr. Nuñez announces that the parks department is extending an invitation to the Historic
Board to attend their Green Day event to speak. Mr. Saadeh agrees that this would be a
great event to attend and asks if there will be a tent established for the Board. Mr. Saadeh
questions if the Village will be paying the fee to have a tent. Mr. Nuñez says that there is no
mention of a fee in the invitation.
Houses of the Month:
Chair Bonaduce discussed the Houses of the Month events and that she would like to make
plans for the June designation. Mr. Nuñez states that he has reached out to the owner about
the homeowner signing a covenant to which he has gotten no response.
9. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING- May 21, 2025
10. ADJOURNMENT –Motion to adjourn 7:34 PM.
Mr. Saadeh motions to adjourn the meeting.
Seconded by Mr. Serrano
All in Favor, 4-0.
Motion Passes
The board may consider and act upon such other business as may come before it. In the event this agenda must be revised, such revised
copies will be available to the public at Village Hall.
Pursuant to Chapter 286.0105, Florida Statutes, if a person decides to appeal any matter considered at such meeting or hearin g, the
individual may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon
which the appeal is based.
Miami Shores Village complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disability Act. If you are a disabled person requirin g any
accommodations or assistance, including materials in accessible format, a sign language interpreter, or assistive listening devices, please
notify the Village Clerk's office of such need at least 5 days in advance.
In accordance with Village Code and section 2-11.1(s) of the Miami-Dade County Code, any person engaging in lobbying activities, as
defined therein, must register at the Village Clerk’s Office before addressing said board.