301 NE 98 St (3)PLANNING BOARD AGENDA OF
Name of Owner /Applicant Elizabeth Steele
cShores9'IIage
F L OR 10 A
September 16, 1999
Address of Property, and/or Legal Description 301 NE 98th Street
Nature of Request Approval of portable hot tub placement.
ITEM NO.
4
Phone No. 751 -6266 Home
821 - 2460 Ext. 250 work
Name of Architect/Contractor Phone No.
Present Zoning R - 18.5
Area of Present Building
Area of Proposed Addition
Total Area
Parking Spaces Provided
Parking Spaces Required with Addition
Setbacks as per Code : Front Side Rear
Setbacks Provided : Front Side Rear
Variances/Zoning Change
NOTE: This item was tabled at August meeting.
Council Action Required
Planning Board Action THE BOARD DETERMINED THAT NO PERMIT WAS REQUIRED
FOR A PORTABLE HOT TUB, THEREFORE NO ACTION WAS REQUIRED. 9/16/99
Council Action
Director of Building and Zoning
Planning & Zoning Meeting
ITEM #8 REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF PORTABLE HOT TUB
PLACEMENT.
Ms. Elizabeth Steele 301 NE 98 Street
Mr. LuBien stated that he received a letter from Ms. Steele stating that she
would not be able to appear before the Board this evening and that Mr.
Gallant would represent her. Mr. Gallant introduced himself as a good
friend of Ms. Steeles'. Upon further discussion, it was determined that Mr.
Gallant was not an appropriate candidate to represent Ms. Steele in this
matter. Mr. McCoy moved to table this item until Ms. Steele would be able
to appear before the Board at a future meeting. Mr. Crutchfield seconded
the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
- 4 - August 19, 1999
=
Section 523. [Quality of buildings generally.]
All buildings shall be generally harmonious in character and
appearance, including exterior color, with existing buildings in
the neighborhood and shall be appropriate to their surroundings.
In the event that an application is made for a building permit for
the construction of a building, .or the performance of work on an
existing building, that, prima facie, would be inharmonious or
inappropriate in the manner indicated above, such permit shall
not be issued except on recommendation by the planning board
and approval by the village council, as provided in Article VI.
(Ord. No. 503, § 2, 1 -6-87)
8/10/99
Elizabeth Steele
301 NE 98 street
Miami Shores Fl,
33138
Dear Ladies and Gentleman of the Board,
I kindly request a moment of your time to consider the following request.
It is my desire to purchase a portable hot tub and I am presently
considering potential sites on my property for its placement. After
consulting Mr. LuBien, I have been made aware of the restrictions governing
this project. However, because of the unusual layout of my property and the
corresponding configuration of my home, I would like to request that I be
granted permission to place the hot tub in one of two places that may
require a slight easing of the restrictions.
The particularity of my property's layout is as follows: what is considered
the "front yard" of my property, that which faces 3rd Avenue, corresponds
to what is considered the side yards of all of my neighbors' properties.
The opposite is also true, that is what is considered the "side yard" of my
property, that which faces 98th Street, corresponds to the front yards of
my neighbors' properties. As a consequence, the non - restricted and
suggested location for the placement of the hot tub, the side yard facing
98th street, would actually place it in full view of their front doors little more
than 12 1 /2 feet from the sidewalk. I believe this placement, albeit legal, would
prove much less aesthetically pleasing, would not be appreciated by my
neighbors, and would ultimately detract from the beauty of the
neighborhood. Additionally, this placement, as it is the least accessible
area from my home but most accessible from the street, causes me concern
for the safety not only of my seven - year -old daughter, but also of all the
neighborhood children.
It is due to these circumstances that I kindly request your permission to
place the hot tub in one of the following two locations:
The first and preferred option would be to place it within the confines of
a small courtyard at the front of my home, which is enclosed by a cement
wall three feet in height. This courtyard is well camouflaged with trees
and bushes and I am considering further landscaping to increase its privacy
and to reduce its visibility from the street. Since the hot tub itself,
with dimensions of 7'L x 7'W x 32 "H, is 4" shorter than the wall, it would not be
visible from the side walk. The courtyard rests approximately at the center
point of my property with its outer wall approximately 23 feet from
the front sidewalk and almost double that length from the side yard.
This distance provides an ample buffer zone from the sidewalk, so that
the hot tub would not represent either a visual or auditory annoyance
to my neighbors and other areas of public access. Finally, in this location,
I can see the hot tub from three different rooms of my home and is
readily accessible from the front door, which therefore makes it a much
safer location than the one previously mentioned.
The second possible option would be to place it in my backyard
two feet in from the property line that runs between my home and the
neighbor directly to the east of me. The reason for its proximity is again
due to the unusual layout of my property that has left me with a backyard
of less than 19 feet in depth. My neighbor has offered to sign a
contract of agreement stating that placement of the portable hot tub in this
location would not pose a problem. This is made all the more agreeable
since it would border his side garage and a narrow strip of unused side -
yard where his air conditioning unit is kept. If, however, any future
homeowners were to find the placement of the hot tub in this location
troublesome, it would always be possible to move it. The benefits of this
location are that a cement wall, a grove of palm trees and bushes border
the property, giving it complete privacy from neighbors and strangers. In
this location, it is visible from two different rooms in my home and is
easily accessible from the patio doors of the back room. This, coupled with
the fact that this location is within the confines of my wood fence provides
security and safety.
As I am not capable of producing professional and technical drawings, it
is my hope that you, the members of the board, will accept this letter, the
enclosed photocopies of my property's layout with my sketches, as well as
the enclosed photographs as sufficient documentation upon which to make a
decision. I also hope that it will satisfactorily answer any concerns you
may have, and will therefore allow you to decide favorably.
]. am a working single mother of a seven - year -old daughter, and I am trying
to find a simple form of relaxation. The idea of a portable hot tub was a
solution that both my daughter and I found exciting and we hope that you
will see the wisdom in allowing us to place in one of the above mentioned
locations.
] you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call. I thank you for
your time and consideration.
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Borrower /Client ELIZABETH J STEELE
Property Address 301 NE 98 STREET
City MIAMI SHORES Courtly MIAMI DADE
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• PHOTOGRAPH ADDENDUM
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File No.0499208 Page #
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Zip Code 33138
Subject Front
Subject Rear
Prepared using °FotoFree 2000° digital imaging software by a la mode, inc. -- 1-800-ALAMODE
Subject Street