06-27-1985 Regular MeetingPUBLIC HEARING - MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MEETING
JUNE 27, 1985
A regular meeting of the Miami Shores Village Planning & Zoning
Board was held on June 27, 1985, at the Miami Shores Village Hall. Mr. Stobs
called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m., with the following members present:
J. Robert Stobs, II, Chairman
Patrick Duffy
Thomas Laubenthal
Robert J. Rossi
J. Leslie Wiesen
Absent: None
Also present: Frank J. LuBien, Director of Building & Zoning
1. MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of June 13, 1985 were approved, as written,
by a motion made by Mr. Rossi, seconded by Mr. Laubenthal, and
carried unanimously.
2. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF PLANS FOR ADDITIONS
JOHN MILITANA
8801 BISCAYNE BLVD.
Mr. LuBien enclosed for Members review a site sketch, showing the
existing building of 1,600 sq ft and proposed addition of 2,593
sq ft, also a complete set of plans and a sketch of the front
elevation was provided. He indicated the eleven parking spaces
required are provided, and the setbacks are according to the Code.
Mr. LuBien also informed the Board, this is not buildable as is,
until the applicant obtains title to the alley right of way. The
previous request of Mr. Militana, for alley -way abandment was
approved by Planning & Zoning Board and the Village Council. The
Council must now issue a resolution of vacation.
Mr. Militana stated, the Village Council.has approved his request
for annexation of the alley -way. The resolution has not yet been
prepared, and there seems to be some confusion as to who should
execute same, Mr. Militana or Mr. Fann, Village Attorney.
Mr. Militana agreed to prepare the resolution if it would expedite
matters, further stating that he is anxious to proceed with building.
Mr. Stobs noted, the decision today is to address plans for the
addition in B-2 zone, pending issuance of the resolution. No variance
is required, but addition must be approved by Council.
Mr. Rossi noted that the addition shows a wood shingle mansart to
match the existing building, which is not according to code.
Following discussion, Mr. Militana agreed to change the new and the
existing mansart to cement tile.
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MEETING -2- 6/27/85
Mr. Rossi moved to approve the plans based on the proper docu-
mention for dedication of the alley -way, and the one change on
the plans, that all mansart roof, new and existing be changed to
cement tile. Motion was seconded by Mr. Wiesen and passed unanimously.
3. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF NON -CONFORMING PORCH ENCLOSURE
LEO GRANDA
9326 N. E. 2nd CT.
Mr. LuBien noted that he and the Code Enforcement inspector found
this violation on a routine check. He included floor plan and
photographs for members to review.
Mr. Granda stated, he bought the house in December, the porch was
enclosed when he purchased the property, and that he replaced
deteriorated windows and material only. He further stated that he
has been harassed concerning trash, clippings, etc. since the
purchase.
Members concurred with Mr. Stobs and Mr. Rossi's explanation to
Mr. Granda, of procedure to obtain a permit for whatever work is to
be done, and approval of materials used. Mr Rossi explained that
the Ordinance gives us a standard to live by and we must maintain
the integrity.
Following further discussion, Mr. Wiesen moved to deny the request,
seconded by Mr. Laubenthal, and passed unanimously.
Mr. Stobs recommended Mr. LuBien contact. Mr. Granda and explain his
right of appeal to the Village Council.
4. PUBLIC HEARING
AMENDMENT TO CODE, LIMITING SIZE, NUMBER, LOCATION,
CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL AND USE OF SIGNS IN R DISTRICTS
Mr. Stobs, Chairman noted that the Planning & Zoning Board held a
Public Hearing on this matter March 28, 1985. At that time the Real
Estate Community turned out but there was little input from the
residents of Miami Shores. The recommendation of the Planning & Zoning
Board, with no change in size and color, was referred.to Council, who
passed it on first reading, but sent it back to Planning & Zoning for
review, at its second reading. Hence this Public Hearing. Mr. Stobs
read a letter from the Real Estate Community with thein. recommendations.
4111 There was some discussion regarding the letter and the addition of the
last sentence as recommended by the Code Enforcement Director.
The Public Hearing was then opened forthose in attendance to address
the issue.
Mr. Russ Marchner, Political Consultant to the Real:Estate Action
Council of Dade, stated the letter is the consensus of a meetiiig.of
Real Estate Brokers in the area.
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MEETING. -3- 6/28/85
Mr. Ralph Bowen, stated that personally he would like to see Real
Estate For Sale signs banned, since that is not legal he is opposed
to change beyond the recommendations at the last Public Hearing.
Mr. George Frix, noted that he is not in favor of a change, he voted
with the Real,Estate Brokers at the above mentioned meeting, because
he was under the impression that this recommendation was the lesser
of the evils, that iso if we do not regulate ourselves the Council
will do the job for us.
Bonnie Poffenbarger, maintained that she speaks as a personal home-
owner in Miami Shores. She is not in favor of a change, she has no
problem with the 3 sq ft., the existing colors and the set back.
Mr. Duffy pointed out that the set back can become an issue if the
size of the sign is reduced.
Harriet Gilbreath, Laura McCarthy Realty. Mrs. Gilbreath noted that,
she had attended the Planning & Zoning Board Public Hearing and was
in favor of their recommendations. She was surprised at the change
of tone at the Council meeting and subsequent conversation and
phone calls therefore) voted for the recommendations presented by the
Real Estate Community. She is not in favor of a change.
Councilman Butler noted this issue wasreturned to the Planning &
Zoning Board in order to provide an opportunity for all people to be
heard, which it was felt had not been through.
Mr. Dick Lasch, agrees with the Ordinance as it was, and is not in
favor of a change.
Mrs. Betty Lasch, also agrees with the 1st Ordinance as it was, and
is not in favor of a change.
Peggy Hayward, of the Miami Shores Beautification Committee, is in
favor of a smaller sign. She likes the signs used in Coral Gables
and Bal Harbor.
Betty Phoenix, feels that Coral Gables and Bal Harbor are prospering,
with the smaller sign and feels Miami Shores can also. She speaks
both as a resident and a broker in Miami Shores.
Nedra Hodge, of Miami Shores Realty, feels the proposal of the realtors
in the areawas a compromise and she can live with either recommendation.
Charles. Chambers, attended the last Planning & Zoning Board Public
Hearing and was pleased with their recommendation the Board made.
Mrs. Chambers, speaking as a resident and Real Estate Associate, is
in favor of the Ordinance as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Board.
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MEETING -4- 6/27/85
Mr. Edward Harrington, Miami Shores resident feels Coral Gables is
a good city and has prospered with the smaller sign and there is
no reason why Miami Shores cannot also. Mr. Harrington feels to
allow Code Enforcement to remove the signs from private property is
a violation of due process.
Mr. Ralph Bowen, noted the Florida Law requires Realtors to display
full designated name with phone number, etcon all signs, and to
reduce sizeof signs would not allow space for-all.information as
required.
Mr. Rossi, expressed his views, stating first a reprimand to the
Realtors, that they could not express their true feeling and would.
allow themselves to be intimidated, thus presenting an alternate
resolution. There was no input from the residents at the last Public
Hearing nor at this one. He has heard the Realtors with their
financial interests, and the Beautification Committee with their
singular purpose, there has been no public outcry regarding the issue.
To eliminate or reduce the size of the sign would_ create a hardship
to the private homeowner who wishes to sell his own home. He is in
favor of charging a $5.00 fee for Real Estate For Sale signs at
which time all specifications could be outlined to the applicant.
Undecided about color. Mr. Rossi likes the stipulations as presented
to Council after the first Public Hearing.
Discussion followed.
Mr. Duffy, stated that Mr. Rossi expressed his sentiments very well.
He feels the homeowner who wants to sell his own home needs protection.
The Ordinance as now written should be enforced. He is in favor of
returning the Ordinance to Council for approvaland then a review in
six months. Mr. Duffy agrees that a permit and a one time fee could
be beneficial so that the specifications could be clearly explained
and understood by the applicant.
Mr. Wiesen, concurred with Mr. Rossi and Mr. Duffy. He wants to go
with the proposal from the Planning & Zoning Board which passed in
its first reading before Council. He like the 3 sq ft sign and the
various colors.
Mr. Laubenthal, is in agreement with the other members of the Board.
The size and scale and the orientation of the sign should be as
previously stated. We should pursue the Ordinance as constructed at
the previous Public Hearing.
Mr. Stobs, favors the determination of the Board at the 1st Public
Hearing. The Ordinance as written by the Planning & Zoning Board
should be adopted.
Mr. Wiesen moved to approve the Ordinance, agreeing to a 5 ft set-
back and exclusion of the sentence relating to Code Enforcement.
The motion died for lack of a second.
Mr. Rossi moved to approve the Ordinance as passed on first reading
by the Village Council, he does not want it rewritten. The motion
was seconded by Mr. Wiesen, and passed 4-1 with Mr. Duffy abstaining.
4-0
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MEETING -5- 6/27/85
A recommendation was made that a copy of the final Ordinance
adopted be sent to Mr. Russ Marchner for announcement to the
Real Estate Community.
All present were in agreement that Miami Shores is the Village
Beautiful and we will all work together to keep it so.
5. SET DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING
• AMENDMENT TO CODE REGULATING COMMERCIAL FILMING
July 25, 1985 was set as the date for this Public Hearing.
Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
•