02-20-2007 Regular Meeting•
Barbara Estep, MMC
VILLAGE CLERK
MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
Office of the Village Clerk
10050 N.E.2nd Avenue
Miami Shores, Florida 33138
Tel: (305) 795.2207
Fax: (305) 756.8972
E-mail: EstepBeMiamiShoresVillage.com
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MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The Miami Shores Village Council held their regularly scheduled Council Meeting on Tuesday, February, 20, 2007 in
the Council Chambers of Village Hall. The Meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM with the following individuals
present:
PRESENT:
Al Davis
JC Rodriguez
Herta Holly
Steve Loffredo
Jim McCoy
ALSO PRESENT: Tom Benton, Village Manager
Barbara Estep, Village Clerk
Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney
CONSIDERATIONS
1) PLANNING & ZONING DEPARTMENT David Dacquisto
A) APPEAL OF A PLANNING & ZONING BOARD DECISION TO DENY SITE PLAN APPROVAL
FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A SIRIUS BACKYARD OBSERVATORY AT 352 N.E. 98TH STREET.
Mr. Loffredo indicated that he had previously done legal work for the appellant and due to that prior relationship, would
recuse himself from the discussion and vote. All other Council members disclosed that they had had conversations with
the Staff regarding the appeal. Mr. Sarafan reviewed the procedure for the appeal hearing, suggesting that the Council
hear from the appellant, then Staff, then the appellant once again.
Mrs. Nobili, the property owner and appellant, explained her request to install a fiberglass observatory in her yard to
house her telescope. She stated that she applied for the building permit which the Village required in order to pour a
concrete slab to anchor the observatory to. She indicated that the Building Department, in consultation with the Planning
Director, would only issue the building permit subsequent to Planning & Zoning Board approval. Mrs. Nobili stated that
she had submitted engineering reports and wind load tests to substantiate the conservatory's structural integrity. The
Planning & Zoning Board denied the site plan approval/installation as the conservatory is of fiberglass material, not
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masonry construction, as required by Section 523.1 of the Village Code. Mrs. Nobili believes that it is unfair that she
cannot install the conservatory just because it is made of fiberglass.
Mr. David Dacquisto, the Village's Planning Director, reviewed the file, indicating that the Village Code allows for
concrete construction which includes accessory buildings. Mr. Dacquisto spoke of the few exceptions provided for in
the Code, i.e. a metal shed is permitted, but no fiberglass structures are permitted. Mr. Dacquisto reiterated that the
Building Official had denied the permit and the Planning & Zoning Board upheld the decision of the Building Official.
Individual Council Members posed questions to Mr. Dacquisto relating to the provisions set forth in the Code.
Mrs. Nobili spoke of her telescope and the fact that it cannot stay outdoors because it needs to be protected from the
elements. However, she said that because of its size and fragility, she cannot move it in and out of her home each time
she wants to view the skys. Mrs. Nobili again stated her belief that the Village is not being fair in their decision.
Mr. Sarafan read the section of the Code referring to the appeal process and clarified the Council's role in the process.
Mr. McCoy moved to uphold the determination of the Planning & Zoning Board. Mrs. Holly seconded the motion and
the vote was three to one, with Mr. Rodriguez dissenting and Mr. Loffredo not voting.
2) VILLAGE CLERK Barbara A. Estep
A) APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 6, 2007 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.
Mr. McCoy moved to approve the February 6, 2007 Council Meeting Minutes as submitted. Mr. Rodriguez seconded
the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
3) VILLAGE MANAGER Tom Benton
A) AWARD OF BID FOR JANITORIAL SERVICES TO CALVIN BUTLER'S CLEANING SERVICES.
Mr. Benton provided background information on the item, indicating that the yearly total for the cleaning services
exceeds his purchasing authority of $15,000. Mr. McCoy moved approval of janitorial services bid to Calvin Butler's
Cleaning Services. Mrs. Holly seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
4) ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Clerk read the announcements.
5) PUBLIC COMMENTS
No one present offered any comments.
6) COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Members spoke of the success of the Mayor's Task Force Ball which took place over the weekend.
7) ADJOURNMENT
Barbara A. Estep, MMC
Village Clerk
Al Davis, Mayor