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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.02.2021 HISTORICAL COMMISSION ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA Regular Meeting February 2, 2021 Convened: 4:04pm Adjourned: 4:42 pm 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 4:04 PM by Chair McAfoos 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair McAfoos led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL Chair Richard McAfoos, Vice Chair Melanie Trewyn (virtual), Board Member Betty Starke, Board member Mike Middlebrook, Board Member Mike Menard, Board Member Krissta King, Board Member Judy Biglin Excused None. Others Present Heather Young, Asst. County Attorney (virtual), Caroline Valentin, Asst. County Attorney, Kori Benton, Historic Preservation Officer, Bethany Grubbs, Acting Staff Secretary, Alexander Hensley, Property Owner and Nelson Garcia, Project Manager (1901 S. 33rd St. Demo Request) 4. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair McAfoos invited all to silence their devices. 5. PUBLIC COMMENT None. Historical Commission Tuesday, February 2, 2021 4:00 PM 2 | Page 6. MINUTES A. Approval of the October 13, 2020 Historical Commission Meeting Minutes. RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Board Member Betty Starke SECONDER: Board Member Judy Biglin AYES: Chair Richard McAfoos, Betty Starke, Mike Middlebrook, Vice-Chair Melanie Trewyn, Mike Menard, Krissta King, Judy Biglin NAYS: None EXCUSED: None 7. ELECTION OF OFFICIALS 2021 A. Chair Ms. Starke nominated Mr. McAfoos as Chair Ms. Biglin seconded. RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Board Member Betty Starke SECONDER: Board Member Judy Biglin AYES: Chair Richard McAfoos, Betty Starke, Mike Middlebrook, Vice-Chair Melanie Trewyn, Mike Menard, Krissta King, Judy Biglin NAYS: None EXCUSED: None B. Board Vice-Chairperson Ms. Starke nominated Vice-Chair Trewyn. Seconded by Ms. Biglin. RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Board Member Betty Starke Historical Commission Tuesday, February 2, 2021 4:00 PM 3 | Page SECONDER: Board Member Judy Biglin AYES: Chair Richard McAfoos, Betty Starke, Mike Middlebrook, Vice- Chair Melanie Trewyn, Mike Menard, Krissta King, Judy Biglin NAYS: None EXCUSED: None 8. ITEMS FOR ACTION / CONSIDERATION A. OLD BUSINESS None. B. NEW BUSINESS 1. Demolition Request Petitioned by Property Owner - 1901 South 33rd Street, Fort Pierce, FL STAFF PRESENTATION Kori Benton, Assistant Manager, Planning SLC, gave an overview of Demolition Request Petitioned by Property Owner - 1901 South 33rd Street, Fort Pierce, FL. Constructed in 1928, Alterations in 50's and 70's. Photographs of 2006, 2012-2018 of property were presented. Applicants would present alternatives for site as submitted post staff report completion. Structure meets local criteria for designation if rehabilitated. Staff recommends the Commission evaluate the historic significance and current condition of the subject structure and consider whether to pursue designation of the structure as historic or release the request for demolition. If the demolition is released, staff requests the action be conditioned upon thorough documentation of the structure’s location and design—via photographs. BOARD DISCUSSION Ms. King stated she drove by the subject property and believed it to be in bad shape. Ms. Biglin was called by the owner for an opinion of value years back and deemed it salvageable and an investor was willing to pay a small sum for it and was declined. Vice Chair Trewyn inquired regarding salvageable parts if any. APPLICANT PRESENTATION Alexander Hensley, Property Owner and Nelson Garcia, Project Manager presented. Project manager explained history of code enforcement involvement. Increase in vandalism and termite invasion all throughout the home as time went on. Engineer assessed situation and needing $250,000 needing to remodel. Home settled about six inches and worse in the Historical Commission Tuesday, February 2, 2021 4:00 PM 4 | Page middle of the home. Applicant then considered potentially building a new home to increase home values in neighborhood. BOARD DISCUSSION Mr. Benton inquired if applicant would be willing to work with staff to reflect more historic design pattern such as a side loaded or rear garage. The applicant is open to doing so. Mr. Menard requested to see photos of termite damage again. Mr. Benton recommends the Commission release approval for demolition guiding applicant to document existing structure for record and working with staff in historical design of new construction. Alternately if denied the applicant to work with staff on the rehabilitation process. Ms. Starke so moves to approve. Ms. King seconded. Vice-Chair Trewyn commented on the salvageable parts like windows. Mr. Benton stated the windows are not original, but the other parts may recommend to applicant to salvage for future use. RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Board Member Betty Starke SECONDER: Board Member Krissta King AYES: Chair Richard McAfoos, Betty Starke, Mike Middlebrook, Vice-Chair Melanie Trewyn, Mike Menard, Krissta King, Judy Biglin NAYS: None EXCUSED: None 2. Demolition Request Petitioned by Building Official - 2083 W Midway Rd., Fort Pierce, FL STAFF PRESENTATION Mr. Benton presented the property. The applicant is the SLC Building Official, Doug Harvey. Land was impacted by FDOT widening of Midway Road. Owners are based out of Boca Raton. Built in 1945 alterations in 1950 & 1960. Staff deemed structure to be unsafe and cannot be repaired of rehabilitated. The Commission shall evaluate the historic significance and current condition of the subject structure and consider whether to pursue designation of the structure as historic or release the request for demolition. Staff recommends release of the demolition, unless definitive steps are taken toward rehabilitation within 60 days, if eligible under Florida Building/FEMA Codes. BOARD DISCUSSION Ms. Biglin inquired whether SLC as the applicant or the owner pay for the demolition. Mr. Benton stated that the code enforcement has cited the property owners and cost applied to owners by fine or lien of property to reimburse costs. Ms. Biglin inquired if the county considered purchasing property. Mr. Benton stated they have not. Ms. Starke inquired about the draining swale. Mr. Benton stated that staff recommends the release of the demolition, unless definitive steps are taken toward rehabilitation within 60 days, if eligible Historical Commission Tuesday, February 2, 2021 4:00 PM 5 | Page under Florida Building/FEMA Codes. Vice-Chair Trewyn so moved. Ms. Starke seconded. RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Board Member Melanie Trewyn SECONDER: Board Member Betty Starke AYES: Chair Richard McAfoos, Betty Starke, Mike Middlebrook, Vice-Chair Melanie Trewyn, Mike Menard, Krissta King, Judy Biglin NAYS: None EXCUSED: None 9. MEMBER MATTERS Mr. Benton did mention about the subcommittee. To be deferred to the next meeting. 10. DISCUSSION Vice-Chair Trewyn thanked staff for all the safety measures. Chair McAfoos requested Ms. Heather Young, Assistant County Attorney, to provide a brief overview of her credentials relating to history. Ms. Young grew up in Indiana and was a history teacher. Has BA in history from Vanderbilt University. With the county since 1986 with retirement by end of July. She also thanked the service of the committee. 11. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to be brought before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned. RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Board Member Betty Starke SECONDER: Board Member Mike Middlebrook AYES: Chair Richard McAfoos, Betty Starke, Mike Middlebrook, Vice-Chair Melanie Trewyn, Mike Menard, Krissta King, Judy Biglin NAYS: None EXCUSED: None