Reso 2024-3770 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Overview of the Structure and Current Conditions The residential structure, along with the "Pergola"' were first designated individual historic sites in 1984 through County Resolution No. 8401. In 2005, following incorporation and formation of the Historic Preservation Board, the City of Sunny Isles Beach ("City") redesignated the structure and the Pergola as individual historic sites through Resolution No. 2005-808, along with the Atlantic Isles Entrance Bridge, Atlantic Isles Lake Bridge, and the Sunny Isles Beach Pier. Since purchasing the Property in 1993, Owner has invested substantial amounts of time and money into repairing and maintaining the structure in accordance with the City's historic preservation guidelines. However, as thirty years has gone by and the home reaches an age of 87, South Florida's climate is changing and sea levels have risen. It is now apparent that the residential structure, which is located adjacent to the water's edge in a high-risk flood zone, exposed to salt air and subject to periodic flooding, runs the risk of hurricane damage and further structural deterioration. According to Youssef Hachem Consulting Engineering, the professional structural engineer hired by this Firm, the building "is in poor condition and does not comply with current building code..." and "has some deficiencies that might compromise the integrity of the structure in case of a hurricane or storm scenario." A copy of the Engineering Report is attached hereto as Exhibit A. Structurally, the "roof connections for wind uplift forces and wind lateral resistance are non-existent"; the building has "several linear cracking on the walls, concrete spalling, clay masonry walls that are unreinforced with linear cracking"; and "CMU reinforcing is also non-existent." Due to the structural deficiencies, it is not feasible to elevate or move the structure. Compounding these issues, Owner was recently informed that the windstorm and flood portions of their homeowners insurance would be increased from $76,916 per year to $121,584 per year, making it economically unfeasible to fully insure the structure. Considering these grim realities, Owner respectfully requests that the Board issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the structure. Board Review of Certificate of Appropriateness Applications When reviewing an application for certification of appropriateness, the Board's decision must be based on "an evaluation of the compatibility of the physical alteration or improvement with surrounding properties" and, where applicable, compliance with (A) "The Secretary of Interior's Standard for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings, as revised from time to time"; and (B) "Other guidelines/policies/plans 2 The Pergola existed on a separate, abutting parcel owned by the Applicant and was demolished following the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness from the City's Historic Preservation Board (HPB Resolution 2007-05). Page 15 of 98 26