HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2000-050 RESOLUTION NO. 2000-050
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH,
FLORIDA, APPROVING THE ZONING APPEAL REQUEST
SUBMITTED BY MATTHEW ZIFRONY, ATTY.
'REPRESENTING TOM NAYLOR PROSPECTIVE
PURCHASER OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 400 SOUTH
FEDERAL HWY., DANIA BEACH (AKA "THE FROST
HOUSE"); PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; FURTHER,
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Article 10.30 of Chapter 28 Zoning of the Code of Ordinances of the City of
Dania Beach, Florida, states that the City Commission shall hear and decide appeals where it is
alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by an
administrative official in the enforcement of this chapter; and
WHEREAS, Matthew Zifrony,Attorney representing Tom Nalor a prospective purchaser for
property located at 400 South Federal Hwy., Dania Beach, has requested a zoning appeal of the
decision of the Growth Management Director that site plan approval, various parking, wall, and/or
landscape variances, and a determination of accessory parking are necessary for the proposed
retail use ("Dania Beach Water Gardens") at 400 South Federal Hwy., aka `The Frost House'; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA:
Section 1. That that certain application letter dated March 15, 2000 (ZA-002-00) for a
zoning appeal request, a copy of which is attached and made a part of this Resolution as Exhibit
"A", is approved with the following conditions:
a) Preserving all existing trees, including mango/citrus trees in the rear yard by:
i) reducing off-street parking from 8 to 6 spaces to preserve an existing mango
tree;
ii) moving the greenhouse so as to preserve the citrus tree in the southwest
corner of the site, and; (Petitioner requests relief if the greenhouse cannot be
reduced to a 28' x 50' structure.)
r-za-002-00 frost.doc 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2000- 050
iii) adjusting the proposed retention area so as to preserve the mango tree in the
® center of the site.
b) Restricting RD-6000 parking to non-commercial vehicles only.
c) Providing a unity of title to the satisfaction of the City Attorney linking the front and back
parcels in perpetuity. This item should be completed prior to issuance of a certificate of
occupancy.
d) Petitioner agrees to provide a 10 year deed restriction limiting the use of the property to
the existing uses (Frost house and garage/guest quarters ), said deed restriction to continue for
10 years regardless of property ownership. This item to be completed prior to an issuance of a
certificate of occupancy.
e) Petitioner agrees to grant the City the first right of refusal if the property is ever placed
on the market for sale. This item to be completed prior to an issuance of a certificate of
occupancy.
e) Petitioner agrees to maintain Palm Trees in the front yard.
Section 2. That all resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict with this resolution are
repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 3. That this resolution shall be in force and take effect immediately upon its
passage and adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 28" DAY OF MARCH, 2000.
r
AY0 -b d1M M I SPfONER
ATTEST: ROLL CALL:
MAYOR McELYEA - YES
�� - VICE-MAYOR BERTINO- NO
SHERYL HAPMA COMMISSIONER ETLING - YES
ACTING CITY CLERK COMMISSIONER CALI - YES
COMMISSIONER MIKES- YES
APPROVED AS TO FOR19 AND CORRECTNESS:
BY:
THOMI J. ANSBRO
CITY ATTORNEY
r-Za-ooz-oo frost.doc 2 RESOLUTION NO. 2000- 050
G I'). L U U U Y i i it U. J i l U
Iscs
TRIPP SCOTT
At '01kNEYS AT LAW
IZErunl.rt I owfil,Fir i EENTII F1 tma
MATTHEW LFROW I u.Suu ruensT S-x 1 r,STREET
(954)760-4918 Foiz i LAU11[0.11A1 P. FL(IMPA 111111
email:mzz@trippscott.com
1'.0,Ut)X 14245
Fora i LAU1j[1ki)A1�,Fmikn A 33102
I'I'. PHONL 954.5:5.7500
March 15, 2000 TLIeI1,PIER e50 7ti1.4475
VIA FACSIMILE: 922-2687
City of Dania Beach
Attn: Mr. Laurence Leeds
100 West Dania Beach Blvd.
Dania Beach, Florida 33004
RE: Naylor Acquisition of Frost Property
Appeal of Requirement for Site Plan Approval and Variances
Dear Larry:
This letter should serve as a follow-up to our recent meeting and telephone conversations. As we
discussed,my client, Mr. Tom Naylor. desires to acquire the above property and operate same in
a manner which preserves the property's historical nature. By so doing, the City of Dania Beach
would be able to achieve its goat of guarantying that the historical nature of the property is
preserved without having to expend the amounts necessary to do so on its own.
® In order for Mr. Naylor to accomplish the foregoing,Mr.Naylor must be in a position of knowing that
his intended use of the property, and the manner in which he intends on operating the property,
is acceptable to the City of Dania Beach prior to closing on the property. Along these lines, Mr.
Naylor would need to receive from the City of Dania Beach any necessary site plan approval, any
necessary building permits, and certain variances before the closing is concluded. Unfortunately,
the time constraints imposed on Mr. Naylor by virtue of his purchase agreement only allows Mr.
Naylor until March 31,2000 to accomplish the foregoing,thereby making the typical 3-5 month site
plan approval and variance process an impossibility.
Because of the above,Mr. Naylor hereby appeals the City of Dania Beach's determination that the
City of Dania Beach must(i)approve a site plan for the property prior to Mr. Naylor being permitted
to construct the.improvements on.the.property as shown on the documents and drawings which
Mr. Naylor has provided to the City of Dania Beach simultaneously herewith and (ii) grant a
variance in order for Mr. Naylor to be permitted to(a) increase the height of the perimeter wall of
the property by two feet in accordance with the architectural drawings provided to the city
simultaneously herewith; (b)remove certain trees and landscaping as set forth in the landscaping
drawings provided to the city simultaneously herewith; and (c) obtain an exemption from the City
of Dania Beach's requirement that certain shrubbery be located on both sides of the perimeter wall
of the property. Please see that a determination of Mr. Naylor's appeals as set forth in this
paragraph are heard at the City of Dania Beach's March 28 2000 commission hearing.
Dow 211374 Vero:(M380 OM
EXHIBIT "All
• � . 1J. LUUU '1.YU1111 1A1: u'vVll IV U. J1�1 JJ
Mr. Laurence Leeds
March 15, 2000
,® Page 2
It remains Mr. Naylor's goal to acquire and operate the property in a manner that is economically
and reasonably feasible while also consistent with the needs and wishes of the City of Dania
Beach.Your assistance in-granting Mr.Naylor's appeal will allow for Mr.Naylor's goals and the City
of Dania Beach's needs and wishes to be met.
Very truly yours,
MA7rHEW ZIFRQ
For the Firm
MZ:kkb
cc: Tom Naylor
Dan Taylor, Esq.
Dm# 211374 veo:1 9903 90 0004
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
BY THE DANIA BEACH CITY COMMISSION
REGARDING THE FOLLOWING
ZONING APPEAL
Notice is hereby given of an appeal requested by Matthew Zifrony, Atty. representing
Tom Naylor prospective purchaser of property located at 400 South Federal Hwy.,
Dania Beach, Florida, aka "The Frost Property", from the decision made by Growth
Management Director on March 15, 2000, where it was determined that site plan
approval, various parking and/or landscape variances, and a determination of accessory
parking are required for property located at 400 South Federal Hwy., Dania Beach,
Florida.
The Dania Beach City Commission will hear this appeal on Monday, March 28, 2000 at
7:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter, in the City Commission Meeting Room of the Dania
Beach City Hall, 100 West Dania Beach Blvd., Dania Beach Florida.
All interested parties may appear at said meeting and be heard with respect to the
proposed petition(s). Copies of the proposed petition are available for viewing in the
Growth Management Department, 100 West Dania Beach Blvd., Dania Beach, Florida
between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. Interested parties may
appear at the public hearing and be heard with respect to the proposed petition.
• In accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, persons needing assistance to
participate in any of these proceedings should contact Sheryl Chapman, Administrative
Services Director, 100 W. Dania Beach Blvd, Dania Beach, FL 33004, (954) 924-3630,
at least 72 hours prior to meeting.
Any person who decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission with
regard to any matter considered at this meeting or hearing will need a record of the
proceedings and for such purpose 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 to based.
Mailed: Friday, March 17, 2000
77� O O JL
o3a ox AMENDED `' 1
d 7ERR. > os< �DALTON
ri � 0 5 MANOR 20 D T, I
13 SE
... .-. -,. ..
,nl n r a � IE�VV
N p
� 12 IJ 2DI.o 8
Ord PL. � ) aoe `�i
��,,JJ 7 ROYAL PALM
U)J7 a 17 CONDO O 14 56)
u �t ° o• O3 s= i9-43) 1
" ih aF V
G _
28 9 (�
NA s > 17 2 �Y
1 a 2 eDs
-� ton (9-4�
G
7 :R .. L
ST.
5th _ 1 I NHL N S
(24- No.l2
.. ��. , ao• y W
S. FEDER1-1 L HWY - U.S. "/
---- --- --—- r ,<4 Je'G. L A14:
8'/L/K/PER. R/WMAP 86010-2/d3 (F007),1941
olaV7 o//0f/117e
40 -
R/w
a, I
LOT/ LOTZ LOTS
y
} � I
F 30.0 G3.O
a 'foofm��:;scretiierl' /�/ 1
kn
of a
2�sry e!w
th
J �
Conc..
A
COnC
Q dr,,e C85 I
o
1
v
I
r �
d I o
v
9
RIW 145,vV
LEGEND: O FIRE HYDRANT(F.H.) [FLLENCHMARK REFERENCE:
0 MANHOLE(M.H.) ❑ WATER METER(W.M.) IV A .
® CATCH BASIN(C.B.) ® CABLE T.V.(C.A.T.V)
E- ANCHOR 3GUY TELEPHONE(1ELE.) OOD ELEVATION INFORMATION:
o SET 5/8'IRON ROD k CAP#4278 +�-w METAL FENCE IN(+THE Ft FVATION C.FRTIFICATF INSTRUCTIONS.THE DIAGRAM NUMBER FOUND Ot
WOOD POWER POLE(WD.P.P.) .+ WOOD FFNCE IWTl4 A AND A mm BFBI TNSCRIRF4 TIIF SIIP.RCI 8mmiNO'4 RI I FRFNCE IFVFI 15 1
p CONCRETE POWER POLE(CONC.P.P) M LLECIRIC IMAN410MMI M M�
PERMANENT CONTROL POINT(P.C.P.) COMMUNITY le(X lJ4 I IRM INDEX OVERHEAD POWER ,�/d
�. PERMANENT REFERENCE MOUNMENT(P.R.M.) 0 CONCRETE BASE FLOOD EL FIRM ZONE X
ADDENDUM F.B./PG. DATE BY CK'D LOWEST FLOOR EL ' PANEL Q309
LOWEST ADJ.GRADE ��� SUFFIX f
LOT SQUARE FOOTAGE: 19 090 0.80!0 AC't
SCALE: 1" =JO' ISHEET 2 OF 2 SHEETS
Fence Sample
m
yP n 1 �
/ t U s scc� yn"� p 2s a r fi
NO
,j,k• ���� `Q��i � �i� i� � ���- a� �,,^�^'t,� � fi. „Sa ,cad 5,��� »Xi � .��
•, 'rim �,1 � R 4 � ':.. t ��<� �f...� �� (�„�y, }P'n� -x ,m ��� .y
,ice
4 ��� �,�"Y 8 .'k'' `` t; ��e h';;� 5` �an - r',,3�? �f���sya���l•�. a � .-� -
-, ti �A a�,.1Ke 7 .�•,, - �
••�'�'7°�:A '�F,r•�
� E•, � '� ,: Y� �k � 1 � ,fir e. im�,th. a s-� 4"}.>i y`�r� Fac �,p ..,:'� y�.Si,r �' �,ro �'��. n �.S
�?t, 2 a .g � ;k�``�f F`" '� a- �j r4 - i q�t `� w� Y 3• '` �;<� r yr `s r r si".G a --"�' .
.,y ` h§' ` ' e g.✓ rr M1l ,+r,J;{ t" `d Y {h �� s,•tF
-ccS' ��cF
nbfrc`°�e LcC .�.Jty� y s b stib��„ 3�
RR y � ��'�»�k�i'<'S
v> S s� k a° fJ��t d°} ;v � �s kr'ry p» �»> 'c`�" •r�"'�'"-"'�. � ets &� � ,,�, t {i 2 !^�
f ���� �* �,� tk;, j�.r..�, "���.�, H,•d: siv'+��t � �';,"�i�'�a�j }� ,`Bx�+ h� � 1 '� .����������'"� �}A'�, {����>�j''�y zs .
'+n �.'x�y ��^ "`3fi„��
i .. w F w r n
��
fi
3 Y�Jr
W,. `�`CN, �'�'Y G,: +,k$ �'`�i7"i�����,uf"�,�+c,.. .�8i'id��il, Y�' '� �� ht•'�7tir',. L 7 � .9 Y; �' k.r.
• i
•
II 3'
� I , I
b �J
3'
AGENDA REQUEST FORM
CITY OF DANIA BEACH
IMF
do
AGENDA ITEM NO. • __T
1. DATE OF COMMISSION MEETING: 03/28/00
2. DESCRIPTION OF AGENDA ITEM: PUBLIC HEARING—ZONING APPEAL
ZA-002-00—FROST HOUSE
3. COMMISSION ACTION BEING REQUESTED: ADOPT RESOLUTION
4. SUMMARY EXPLANATION & BACKGROUND: ZONING APPEAL REQUESTED BY
MATTHEW ZIFRONY, ATTY. REPRESENTING TOM NAYLOR PROSPECTIVE
PURCHASER OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 400 SOUTH FEDERAL HWY., DANIA
BEACH, FLORIDA, AKA "THE FROST PROPERTY", FROM THE DECISION MADE BY
GROWTH MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR ON MARCH 15, 2000, WHERE IT WAS
DETERMINED THAT SITE PLAN APPROVAL, VARIOUS PARKING AND/OR
LANDSCAPE VARIANCES, AND A DETERMINATION OF ACCESSORY PARKING
ARE REQUIRED FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 400 SOUTH FEDERAL HWY., DANIA
BEACH, FLORIDA.
5. ATTACHED EXHIBITS AND ADDITIONAL BACKUP MATERIALS (PLEASE LIST):
Staff Report, Laurence Leeds, AICP, Director Growth Management
Analysis by William R. Adams, Historic Properties Associates
Zoning Appeal Request Letter from Attorney Matthew Zifrony.
Public Hearing Notice& Location Map
Site Plan/ Landscape Plans (Attachment)
6. FOR PURCHASING REQUESTS ONLY: Dept: Amount: $
7. REVIEWED AND APPROVED FOR ADDITION ON AGENDA:
Reviewed by Laurence Leeds,AICP, Director, Growth Management Department
Submitted by:
Laurence G. Leeds,AICP, Director Date 03/22/2000
Growth Management Department
City Manager Date
STAFF REPORT
GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
TO: Michael Smith, City Manager
FROM: Laurence Leeds, AICP, Director
Growth Management
RE: Item 1: Appeal From the Decision of the Growth Management
Director that Interior Renovation of the Frost House (First Floor) To
Retail Use Requires Site Plan Review
Items 2-5: Appeal From Decision of Growth Management
Director that it is necessary to Apply for Variances Relating to
Parking, Wall Height, and Landscaping
(Property Located At 400 South Federal Highway)
Date: March 22, 2000 (March 28, 2000 City Commission Meeting)
Applicant: Matthew Zifronly representing Tom Naylor
The Growth Management Department recently received a request to renovate the first
floor of the Martin Frost House for retail use and modify the surrounding grounds for
"small-scale aquaculture" (ie. outdoor lily pond pools). The Frost House and the
proposed lily pond pools are located in C-3 commercial zoning district. The remainder
of the property (RD-6000) contains the garage/servant's quarters, a new greenhouse,
and proposed retail parking area. Both the C-3 property in front and the RD-6000
property in back have an underlying Future Land Use Map designation of "Commercial".
Applicant has appealed the following:
1) the determination that the property must undergo site plan review,
2) the determination that the proposed retail use parking area is permitted in a RD-
6000 residential zoning district,
3) the maximum 4' fence height in the front and side yards (6' requested),
4) the maximum 60% impervious requirement (58% provided), and
5) the minimum parking requirement (8 required).
Frostappeal.001.doc
Site Plan Review: The only exceptions to Site Plan Review are single family homes
and additions less than 500 square feet. Historically, interior renovations which involve
both a change in use and an increase in parking require site plan review. Applicant is
proposing to change the first floor of the Frost House from residential to retail use,
triggering a requirement for additional parking. Applicant has chosen to appeal the site
plan review requirement.
Generally, staff is hard pressed to recommend the granting of appeals relating to site
plan review. However, the present situation is somewhat unique in that the City's
historic preservation consultant has designated this site as a "very high priority" historic
location (only seven other locations in the City are designated as such). As such, staff
does not object to applicants appeal to forego site plan review.
Accessory Off-Street Parking: The applicant is also appealing the determination by
staff that the proposed parking area is permitted only if"accessory to a residential use."
The RD-6000 (back portion of lot) permits "accessory off-street parking for non-
commercial vehicles." The Zoning Code is unclear whether the parking can be
accessory to residential use, commercial use, or both. However, the back lot could
potentially be developed for duplex use, and duplex use includes parking spaces.
Like the Frost House, the back lot has a Future Land Use Map designation of
"Commercial" and is included within the "very high priority" historic designation. Based
these circumstance and the language in the Zoning Code, staff does not object to
applicant's appeal that the off-street parking area is accessory to retail use in the Frost
House.
Six Foot Fence: Applicant has indicated that the proposed six foot fence is
necessary to keep children out of the ponds on the property. Applicant should justify
the need (and design of) the 6 foot fence to the Commission before staff can
recommend approval. Applicant shall also explain the rationale behind removing two
palm trees in the front yard.
Maximum 60% Impervious: Applicant should be able to comply with the 60% with a
minor adjustment to the site plan.
Minimum 8 Space Parking Requirement: Staff has no objection to the reduction in
parking, since on-street parking is available, and the deletion of four parking spaces
allows the preservation of a mango tree and more green space.
2 of 3
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
® Approval of the applicant's appeal for items 1,2, 3, 4, and 5, subject to applicant:
a) preserving all existing trees, including mango/citrus trees in the rear yard by:
i) reducing off-street parking from 8 to 6 spaces to preserve an existing
mango tree,
ii) moving the greenhouse so as to preserve the citrus tree in the southwest
corner of the site, and
iii) adjusting the proposed retention area so as to preserve the mango tree in
the center of the site.
b) restricting RD-6000 parking to non-commercial vehicles only, and
c) providing a unity of title to the satisfaction of the City Attorney linking the front
and back parcels in perpetuity. This item should be completed prior to issuance
of a certificate of occupancy.
The City Attorney indicates that while the City Commission can support the 6' high
fence and reduced parking, applicant still has to apply for and obtain variances for both
• items.
•
3 of 3
Analysis of Historic and Architectural Significance
® The Martin Frost House
Dania Beach, Florida
Prepared by:
Historic Property Associates, Inc.
P.O.Box 1002
St. Augustine, Florida 32085-1002
Objective of This Report
This report offers the professional judgement of Historic Property Associates, Inc. regarding
the historical and architectural significance of the Martin Frost House in Dania Beach, Florida.
Criteria for Judgement
The accepted legal criterion in the United States for judging the historic/architectural
significance of a building is its eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The
criteria that we have applied to the Martin Frost House in judging its relative significance are taken
from those employed in preparing nominations for the National Register and in the judgements made
by state and federal reviewing boards and agencies in reviewing properties for listing. Those criteria
are spelled out in Bulletin 16 of the U.S. Department of the Interior, "Guideline for Completing
National Register of Historic Places Forms," (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior,
1977). Those same criteria have been almost universally adopted by municipalities to establish
architectural control districts under local ordinances. Courts at all levels have generally found the
criteria acceptable.
Criteria measures the quality of significance in American history and architecture that is
present in a building and its integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and
association, and:
A. Its association with events important in the community;
B. Its association with the lives of people significant in the city's past;
C. Its embodiment of distinctive characteristics of architectural style or as the representation
of the work of an individual important as an architect or builder.
Summary of the Building's Significance
The Martin Frost House at 400 South Federal Highway appears to be eligible under criteria
B and C at the local level in the area of architecture and community planning and development for
listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Possessing significance under criteria B, the house
is associated with Martin Frost, one of Florida's largest tomato farmers and a Dania politician and
•
developer. The residence stands in the Dania Heights subdivision, which Martin Frost opened for
development in October 1923. The dwelling was completed the following year by Edgar S. Tubbs,
a local contractor.
Under criteria C, the property possesses significance as one of largest and best executed
examples of the Mediterranean Revival style in the city. The residence typifies the exuberant
architecture of south Florida during the land boom of the 1920s. In addition, it stands as one of the
best preserved historic buildings in the city along Federal Highway. Indeed, few buildings in Dania
better portray the city's heritage than the Martin Frost House.
Architectural Significance
The two-story, hollow the dwelling stands in lots 1-3 and2 25-26 of Dania Heights
subdivision. The property measures 145 feet along Federal Highway and 250 feet deep along Fourth
Street SW. A masonry privacy wall finished with textured stucco surrounds the property. Orb finials
stand at the corners and entrance breaks in the wall.
The dwelling displays typical influences of the Mediterranean Revival style. Its complex roof
plan consists of flat and hip portions with shaped parapets, ceramic tile cresting, and pent roofs. The
pent roofs are finished with carved wooden brackets and ceramic tiles. A brick chimney projects high
above the roof system. The house displays arched vents and a gable roof protected by ceramic tiles.
® Fenestration is irregular and asymmetrical with six and eight light casement windows admitting
natural light into the interior. Many of the windows are protected by louvers. Textured stucco serves
as the exterior wall surfacing and contrasts with pine and cypress detailing employed on the doors,
windows, and frieze. An L-shape veranda wraps along the front facade and north elevation. French
doors opening leading from the veranda into the interior tend to blur the distinction between outside
and inside.
The front, or east, facade displays a central block with asymmetrical projecting wings. The
second story of the central block contains a series of nine-light casement windows set in arched
surrounds, divided by lighted sconces and bracketed by statuary niches. A paneled frieze highlights
the eave line of the hip roof. The.northernmost projecting wing has a balconet with a curved wrought-
iron baluster. Both projecting wings have pent roofs. The pent roof on the northern wing interrupts
the parapet;the pent roof on the southern wing is tightly held to the casement windows. Ceramic tiles
finish the corners of each wing.
Arched openings along the front part of the veranda are filled with cypress frames and turned
balusters.A small gable extension projects from the north elevation of the veranda.French doors with
fifteen and twelve lights open from the veranda into the interior spaces.
The south elevation has barrel tile cresting along the parapets and symmetrical fenestration.
The west, or rear, elevation has a one-story extension with shaped and stepped parapets. Its
® asymmetrical fenestration includes a leaded art-glass window set in the second story.
2
The interior of has a double fireplace, high ceilings finished with hewn beams, and spacious
rooms.
A two-story garage apartment stands near the southwest corner of the property. It has a
rectangular plan, and steps along the east elevation. A pair of garage doors opens along the north
elevation. The flat roof upon the garage features stepped parapets finished with barrel tile cresting.
Textured stucco serves as the exterior wall surfacing. The windows are protected by louvers.
Historical Significance
Born in Wisconsin in 1886, Martin Frost arrived in Dania in 1901 with his family. After
completing public school, Frost operated his father's general store and, for a brief period,worked in
the lumber industry in his native state. Then, in 1910, he returned to Florida to embark on a career
in farming, specializing in the cultivation and marketing of tomatoes. He acquired property west of
the Town of Modelo (the original name of Dania), where he began draining and clearing land for a
farm. In 1915, he formed a partnership with Miami businessman M.C. Hardee. Through their
association,named Hardee&Frost,the pair developed the East Marsh grove,a 200-acre tomato farm
at Hallandale. Hardee had arrived in Dania in 1905, but moved to Miami in 1919.
At East Marsh, the partners installed a pumped drainage system to remove excess water from
the fields during the rainy season, an innovative feature in south Florida. The system saved several
• large crops from ruin, and eventually the Hardee & Frost built packing houses in Dania and
Hallandale to market their vegetables. In 1922, the company harvested five hundred crates of
tomatoes per acre from its East Marsh fields, making Hardee & Frost the largest producer of
tomatoes in the state. The company's East Marsh variety of tomato became a standard in Florida's
truck crop industry.
Martin Frost success as a farmer spilled over into local politics. He first won election as an
alderman in November 1912. Two years later, he won the mayoral race, serving as mayor of Dania
between 1914 and 1917 and again, after a two-year hiatus, between 1919 and 1922. Nine years later,
in 1931, the voters of Dania returned him the mayor's office.
When Frost's father, A.C. Frost, left Florida in 1920, Martin inherited his position as a sales
representative for the Model Land Company in Broward County. Martin also represented the Florida
Atlantic Coast Canal and Transportation Company and served as a director of the Dania Bank. Frost
also succeeded his father on the Board of Commissioners for Broward County, winning election to
the county commission seat in 1922. The following year, near the peak of his business and political
careers, Martin Frost opened the Dania Heights subdivision and built the dwelling on South Federal
Highway. He retired from farming and politics soon thereafter, excepting his brief return to the
mayor's office in 1931. He also end his decade-long association with M.C. Hardee in 1923, though
he continued to serve as a director of the Dania Bank. Martin Frost died in 1965.
•
3
• Recommendation
The Martin Frost House meets prevailing criteria for consideration as a historic building. It
is associated with an early settler who played a prominent role in the community and it provides an
architectural expression of the Mediterranean Revival style, associated with an exuberant period of
growth in southeast Florida. Few buildings possessing equivalent historic-architectural significance
and quality remaining standing in the community. Its loss would deprive the city of a tangible link to
its historic origins and a visible reminder of its architectural legacy.
•
•
4