HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — The heated controversy surrounding a proposed Jewish ritual bath, or Mikvah, at 1434 Monroe Street, is set to come to a head on Dec. 9 when the project goes before the Historic Preservation Board (HPB).
The meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Room 219 at Hollywood City Hall.
Despite months of vocal opposition from nearby residents who argue the project is an “inappropriate intrusion” that will generate traffic and undermine the historic neighborhood’s character, the City of Hollywood’s planning department has issued a report recommending full approval for demolition and new construction permits.
The proposal calls for tearing down a 1949 mid-century modern home and building a new, one-story religious facility. The plan has ignited a wave of backlash, sparking petitions, emails to city officials, and an organized neighborhood campaign to stop it.
The proposed construction is a 2,426-square-foot facility dedicated to the Mikvah ritual—a traditional Jewish pool used for full-body immersion to achieve spiritual purity. The detailed floor plan confirms the facility is built for privacy and controlled use.
The new structure will include a lobby/reception area and a beauty room, but its core is dedicated to the ritual process: two separate Mikvah immersion pools and eight private prep rooms for the pre-immersion cleansing. To ensure discretion, the facility is designed with one main entrance and a separate exit for Mikvah users.
Staff notes the facility will operate by appointment only, ensuring controlled and limited daily use.
Residents have repeatedly voiced their frustration over what they view as a non-residential intrusion into a quiet, historic area.
Michelle Lopate, who has lived in the neighborhood for three decades, helped launch a petition opposing the Mikvah, which now has more than 1,000 signatures.
“I am opposed to any non-residential intrusion,” Lopate said. “It looks like a doctor’s office, basically. And I think that’s wrong. That’s not what we want in our community.”
Rachel Mazer, a board member of the Hollywood Lakes Civic Association, echoed the concern.
“This location is like the worst place you could do this in the neighborhood,” Mazer said. “It was not designed for heavy traffic and lots of parking. Everyone’s horrified. It just doesn’t belong here.”
Attorney and long-time resident Adam Trop questioned the project’s transparency after attending a virtual meeting with the property owner and members of the Mikvah board.
“I had questions about how many people they anticipate would be using the Mikvah,” Trop said. “How many people would be parking there? They claim to have no idea. You know, they’re talking about building a parking lot in the back.”
Emails submitted to city staff ahead of the Dec. 9 HPB meeting reveal widespread opposition. Of the 10 unique communications reviewed by Local 10 News, all residents were firmly against demolishing the existing home and replacing it with a religious facility.
Hollywood property owner Alan Hochman wrote, “I’m writing as a Hollywood property owner and taxpayer to express total opposition to the proposal. To me, this is a huge transgression against the neighborhood and the feeling we want for our city and neighborhoods.”
Felice Schonfeld, who lives near South Lake, called the plan a zoning violation: “The owner admits he would be constructing a commercial facility complete with a parking lot, bright lighting, and signage right in the middle of a completely residential block.”
Another resident, Brenda Habibi, said the project “invades a residential neighborhood to install a business venture,” adding that “our property values will drop, and the safety of our families will be compromised.”
Several residents—Anthony Falsetta, Clare Merlo, Kevin Hayes, and Frank Menschner—submitted identical letters warning that approval would set a “dangerous precedent” and permanently compromise the historic integrity of the district.
The opposition has become highly organized. Members of the Hollywood Lakes Civic Association have urged neighbors to attend the hearing and “wear red” in solidarity.
In its official report (File: 25-CSV-58), the Planning Department recommends approval for all aspects of the Mikvah proposal, including a special exception for religious use, two variances for reduced setbacks, and a Certificate of Appropriateness for Design.
Staff planners argue the project has been revised to fit the neighborhood’s scale and style:
Residential Appearance: The design was modified to “read as a residential home” from the street, with parking relocated to the rear to preserve a pedestrian streetscape.
Low-Intensity Use: The Mikvah would operate by appointment only, serving a maximum of eight users per day.
Setbacks: Reduced setbacks—25 feet in front and 10 feet on the side—are described as consistent with new single-family homes in the area.
In an earlier written statement, the Hollywood Lakes Community Mikvah board defended the project, calling it a non-commercial facility used for a few hours each day by a limited number of people.
“While there has been some misinformation, we remain focused on transparency, community engagement, and building a project that reflects both legal compliance and shared values,” the board stated. The group declined an on-camera interview at the time.
The Historic Preservation Board will now face the challenge of weighing the staff’s positive recommendation and legal considerations against the deep-rooted opposition of nearby residents. The board’s decision could set a key precedent for how Hollywood handles future religious or institutional projects proposed within its historic residential neighborhoods.
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