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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 01.09.2024 HISTORICAL COMMISSION ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA Regular Meeting January 9, 2024 Convened:4:00 PM Adjourned: 4:50 PM 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 4:00 PM by Chair Richard McAfoos. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Pledge of Allegiance led by Chair McAfoos. 3. ROLL CALL Present Commission Member Krissta King, Commission Member Betty Jo Starke, Vice-Chair Trewyn, and Chair Richard McAfoos. Staff Kori Benton, Historic Preservation Officer, Rubi Dial, Esq., Assistant County Attorney, & Corey Barnes, Staff Secretary. Absent Commission Member Mike Menard & Commission Member Judy Biglin 4. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair McAfoos requested a discussion on the Sunshine Law and a quick refresher to ensure that all board members are well-informed. Mr. Benton explained that the Sunshine Law is designed to guarantee public access to the actions and dealings of local government, allowing them to observe, participate, and be involved in decision-making processes, as a body appointed by the Board of County Commissioners with specific roles and responsibilities outlined in the land development code, adherence to the Sunshine Law is crucial. All matters before the staff should be addressed in a public forum, with decisions made in front of the public and documented in minutes, ensuring transparency. Mr. Benton also advised against using text messages, emails, phone calls, lunch meetings, or discussions related to business matters. He clarified that anything beyond the scope of the Historical Commission will be okay with the Sunshine Law. Additionally, Mr. Benton provided a 12-page printout of a PowerPoint prepared previously by the County Attorney’s Office as a refresher. Historical Commission Tuesday, January 9, 2024 4:00 PM 2 | P a g e 5. PUBLIC COMMENT None 6. ELECTION OF OFFICIALS 2024 A. Election of Chair Commission Member Betty Jo Starke nominated Chair Richard McAfoos for re-election as the Historical Commission Chair, and Commission Member Krissta King seconded. Chair McAfoos accepted the nomination. With nominations closed, a voice vote was taken to re-elect Chair McAfoos. RESULT: Approve MOVER: Ms. Starke SECONDER: Ms. King AYES: Ms. Starke, Ms. King, Vice-Chair Trewyn, Chair McAfoos NAYS: None B. Election of Vice-Chair Commission Member Betty Jo Starke nominated Vice-Chair Melanie Trewyn for re-election as the Historical Commission Vice-Chair, and Member Krissta King seconded. Ms. Trewyn accepted the nomination. With nominations closed, a voice vote was taken to re-elect Vice- Chair Trewyn. RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Ms. Starke SECONDER: Ms. King AYES: Ms. Starke, Ms. King, Vice-Chair Trewyn, Chair McAfoos NAYS: None 7. MINUTES A. Approval of the 10/3/23 Meeting Minutes Ms. Starke wanted to highlight an error in the meeting minutes of 10-3-2023 on Page 5, 1st line, regarding taxes. Ms. Starke placed on record that she and Ms. Biglin expressed the opinion that the owners should not have to pay taxes when historically designated due to it falling under a special category. The first sentence on Page 5 should reflect the word “not”. Corrections have been made and adjusted to reflect edits. RESULT: Motion to Change MOVER: Ms. Starke Historical Commission Tuesday, January 9, 2024 4:00 PM 3 | P a g e SECONDER: Ms. King AYES: Ms. Starke, Ms. King, Vice-Chair Trewyn, Chair McAfoos NAYS: None 8. ITEMS FOR ACTION / CONSIDERATION A. OLD BUSINESS None. B. NEW BUSINESS 1. St. Lucie County Historical Commission Initiated Historic Designation - Edwin Binney Estate (AKA “Florindia”) at 6701 lndrio Road Mr. Benton delivered a presentation on the Historic Designation Request for the property located at 6701 Indrio Rd. He informed the committee that a local newspaper ad and mailing to all property owners within 1000 ft. had been sent out. Mr. Benton refreshed the Commission ’s memory, stating that back in late September, Patricia Christensen, Chairperson of the Port Saint Lucie Historical Society and former mayor of the City of Port Saint Lucie, presented a letter referring the Edwin Binney estate, the subject property, for consideration by the Commission for historic designation. Subsequently, the Commission initiated historic designation proceedings and guided staff to prepare a designation report. Mr. Benton explained that the property features a primary two-story residence constructed around 1919, along with a barn, an accessory guest home or living quarters, tennis courts, and a shed, showcasing various architectural styles and craftsmanship. The primary form of the structure remains intact. He elaborated on the various criteria considered when evaluating historical resources and whether the property is significant enough to be locally designated. This includes its relation to a significant person, such as Edwin Binney and his family, who are prominent figures in the county’s history and beyond. Mr. Benton noted that staff has reviewed the property and associated structures and deemed it eligible under the criteria of the county’s Land Development Code for criteria B, C, F, & G (code subsections). Additionally, staff evaluated whether preserving these structures would require modifications to the land development code such as setbacks or use, concluding that no modifications are necessary based on the property’s existing zoning designation. However, due to the absence of a survey providing specific setbacks of the barn and other structures, staff cannot determine if variances or concessions should be made for side setbacks. At this time, Mr. Benton clarified that staff is not recommending any particular zoning modifications or provisions necessary to support perpetual preservation of the property as part of this historic designation. Instead, he recommended that the Commission evaluate the historic significance of the property and its structures, considering any zoning guidelines. Historical Commission Tuesday, January 9, 2024 4:00 PM 4 | P a g e He suggested advancing the designation action to the Board of County Commissioners based on a finding of consistency with the criteria for historic designation. Commission Motion: RESULT: Forward a recommendation of historic designation approval to BOCC MOVER: Ms. Starke SECONDER: Vice-Chair Trewyn AYES: Ms. King, Ms. Starke, Vice-Chair Trewyn, and Chair McAfoos. NAYS: None 2. Owner Initiated Historic Designation Request – Edwin Binney Estate (AKA “Florindia”) at 6701 lndrio Road Mr. Benton presented on the Historic Designation, which is a similar request. He provided a brief overview of actions taken at the previous meeting. Mr. Benton acknowledged that staff had received a property-owner-initiated request for historic designation of the same property at 6701 Indrio Rd. He clarified that both items are before the Historical Commission because the Commission had already taken action to proceed with their designation request based on a referral from the Port Saint Lucie Historical Society. He explained that theoretically, during the process, a privately initiated property owner request can be withdrawn, but there is no harm or foul in both designation requests making their way to the Board of County Commissioners, as requested by the (SLC Historical) Commission. The Board would have the latitude to grant two independent resolutions or a consolidated resolution, essentially taking action on the collective petitions. Mr. Benton explained that the property owners are exploring designation on the National Register of Historic Places based on the level of significance associated with significant individuals and the architectural significance. He described the location of the property as south of Indrio Rd., east of Kings Highway, and west of Taylor Dairy Rd. He mentioned undeveloped property surrounding the land on the west, south, and east sides, previously split or divided, with undeveloped property to the north that was previously considered for a planned unit development but is currently inactive. Displaying images of the primary two-story residence constructed around 1919, Mr. Benton addressed Land Development Code section 4.11.06 criteria A1, highlighting the criteria for considering a historically significant property, including its association with history, significant individuals, architectural significance, and aesthetic value. With criteria B, C, F, & G met for the subject property, staff recommended that the Commission recommend the Board of County Commissioners to designate the property as locally significant, based on meeting the established criteria. Historical Commission Tuesday, January 9, 2024 4:00 PM 5 | P a g e Applicant Presentation: Janie Baugh and Dennis Jurkiewicz provided a brief overview and expressed their readiness to start restoring the residences, emphasizing their desire to protect the property for many years to come. Ms. Baugh discussed recent upgrades made to the house prior to the Historical Commission Meeting, including the most recent roofing and balcony project. She also mentioned how the house had been vandalized in the past, resulting in all the windows being broken. Ms. Starke inquired about the guesthouse located on the property. Ms. Baugh explained that they plan to restore the guesthouse as it is the original house, along with the original red barn. Chair McAfoos acknowledged the significance of the property, and the parallel efforts to honor Mr. Binney, noting Cynthia Putnam’s contributions, working behind the scenes with Mr. Benton and assisting with kiosk text and installation efforts. Mr. Benton expressed that the staff recommendation is for this body to advance the designation action to the Board of County Commissioners with a recommendation of approval based on consistency with Land Development Code section 4.11.06, criteria A1. Commission Motion: RESULT: Forward a recommendation of historic designation approval to BOCC MOVER: Ms. Starke SECONDER: Vice-Chair Trewyn AYES: Ms. King, Ms. Starke, Vice-Chair Trewyn, and Chair McAfoos. NAYS: None 9. MEMBER MATTERS & DISCUSSION Mr. Benton took the opportunity to discuss the Regional History Center and museum after observing the Edwin Binney sign kiosk. Mr. Benton mentioned that staff would be working to bring it back to the originating sign fabricator to shave off about 1/4 of an inch so it fits snugly on its display panel. Additionally, he noted that the concrete display area and sidewalk around the pedestal need some pressure washing. Mr. Benton also addressed the watering trough, an artifact from Edwin Binney, suggesting installing some type of water circulation pump (like a fountain) to enhance the exhibit experience. He also noted the deteriorated condition of the watering trough and need for restoration work on it. Chair McAfoos inquired about the timeline for the Schoolhouse project and the White City Project. He requested placing the Schoolhouse project kiosk first. Mr. Benton explained that although the Edwin Binney sign took longer than anticipated, staff expects progress in the first six months of the year. He said by the next Commission meeting (04.02.24) staff would firm up the Schoolhouse kiosk’ content and display, ensuring funding for the pedestal and fabrication. Funding options include county budgets and potential private partners’ projects in the area. Regarding timelines, Mr. Benton proposed review of the Schoolhouse kiosk at the April meeting and installing the pedestal in July/October. As for the White City project, he suggested aiming for completion by the end of the year at latest. Historical Commission Tuesday, January 9, 2024 4:00 PM 6 | P a g e Chair McAfoos raised the topic of Commission member terms, noting that some are set to expire. Mr. Benton mentioned the extension put in place due to the network outage the county experienced, with staff still regaining access to applications and files. He assured that staff understands the need for action on appointments and reappointments soon. 10. ADJOURNMENT Adjournment at 4:50pm RESULT: Approve MOVER: Ms. Starke SECONDER: Ms. King AYES: Ms. King, Ms. Starke, Vice-Chair Trewyn, and Chair McAfoos. NAYS: None e