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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.22.2021 HISTORICAL COMMISSION ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA Regular Meeting June 22, 2021 Convened: 4:00 pm Adjourned: 5:30 pm 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 4:00 PM by Chair McAfoos. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Pledge of Allegiance led by Chair McAfoos. 3. ROLL CALL Roll Call was conducted by Commission Secretary. Present Chair Richard McAfoos, Vice Chair Melanie Trewyn, Commission Member Judy Biglin, Commission Member Betty Starke, Commission Member Mike Menard, Commission Member Krissta King (arrived at 4:16 pm) Absent Mike Middlebrook, Commission Member Others Present STAFF: Heather Young, Asst. County Attorney, Caroline Valentin, Asst. County Attorney, Kori Benton, Historic Preservation Officer, Stephanie Guevara, Acting Staff Secretary, Doug Harvey, Building Official, Thondra Lanese, Business Navigator PRESENTERS: Chris Mass, Applicant, Georgia Wood, Owner. 4. ANNOUNCEMENTS None. 5. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 6. MINUTES Historical Commission Tuesday, June 22, 2021 4:00 PM 2 | P a g e A. Approval of the April 6, 2021 Historical Commission Meeting Minutes RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Vice Chair Melanie Trewyn SECONDER: Commission Member Betty Starke AYES: Chair Richard McAfoos, Betty Starke, Vice-Chair Melanie Trewyn, Mike Menard, Judy Biglin, NAYS: None ABSTAIN: None 7. ITEMS FOR ACTION / CONSIDERATION A. OLD BUSINESS None. B. NEW BUSINESS 1. Request for Demolition of the Wood Frame Structure situated at 1103 W Midway Road, Fort Pierce, for a proposed Redevelopment Project. STAFF PRESENTATION: Kori Benton, Historic Preservation Officer presented the Demolition Request for the "Stetcher House", located at 1103 W. Midway Road, and a conceptual re-development plan for a Frozen Custard Café. Mr. Benton noted the applicant is seeking demolition to develop a new neighborhood commercial establishment, presenting preliminary concepts for redevelopment, but not to the level of a Pre-application Meeting with the County’s Development Review Committee. He affirmed the County’s Community Architectural Standards contained in Land Development Code (LDC) Section 7.10.24 would apply to any new development, including theWhit's Custard restaurant. Mr. Benton displayed photos of the existing structure, discussed its history, current condition, past site visit, and the architectural themes intended for the redevelopment. 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. Staff provided potential motions. COMMISSION DISCUSSION: Mr. Menard inquired about options, and functionality, if the lot were to be split or cut off. Mr. Benton responded that the county's typical requirement is a minimum 10,000 sq. ft. of land, for a commercial neighborhood parcel,to accommodate access, parking and stormwater. Vice Chair Trewyn inquired if there are similar structures in the district, or surrounding area. Mr. Historical Commission Tuesday, June 22, 2021 4:00 PM 3 | P a g e Benton suggested there are structures of similar design and history, affirming that there could still be an opportunity for a local historic district even in the absence of this structure.. Starke inquired if the structure can be restored as there has been a lot of change in that area. Ms. Biglin inquired if she can ask questions after the applicant presentation and Chair McAfoos responded that she may. APPLICANT PRESENTATION: Chris Mass, 231 SE Cowrances Dr. PSL, FL 34984, current owner of Whit's custard three (3) locations. His vision is to keep the style of the district, to contribute to the White City heritage. The structure’s condition, location, cost to rehabilitate and redevelopment plan are the reasons for the request. The business supports local charities and provides 50% discount to all first responders. Also created the Scooper Stars program to reward elementary and middle school students for displaying acts of kindness with no limit or contingencies and receive a free scoop of custard. COMMISSION DISCUSSION: Mr. Menard inquired if the applicant would considered subdividing the parcel for someone to purchase the home. Mr. Mass responded that the location of the current structure would provide issues with ingress egress and visibility. Ms. Biglin expressed concerns for the residence and giving opportunity for the public to purchase it as a residence instead of commercial. Vice Chair Trewyn made a comment regarding setting a precedent with a family centered business because if not we would get more commercial type buildings. Mr. Menard inquired about demolition approval and the new design, whether it would come back before the historical commission for approval or just DRC approval. Mr. Benton stated that it would be approved by DRC with arch designs of the Land Development Code for the County. Mr. Mass responded that corporate is a family of three and has freedom to build as he would like. Chair McAfoos stated that the second approval motion would entail that request. Mr. Benton responded that it does entail arch requirements. Vice Chair Trewyn inquired if there are parts of the original structure can be used for the new development. Mr. Mass walked the structure with SLC staff and noted that there is nothing really salvageable – beyond some windows, but an alternative may be adding a monument in recognition of the previous structure and White City. Ms. Biglin wanted to clarify what would happen if another business were to purchase the land. Mr. Benton responded that a motion could allow for demolition, contingent upon the applicant working with their architect to meet the architectural design requirements, however as the motion is currently presented there’s nothing to prevent the project from being abandoned. The motion could support the demolition on the premise of this specific infill project versus a modified application. Vice Chair Trewyn clarified that the applicant is going to present his structure and gets approved, then the current structure would be demolished. Mr. Benton stated that a modification to the second published motion to include content stated by the Vice Chair may be pursued. OWNER PRESENTATION: Georgia Wood, 5006 Citrus Avenue, is the owner of the structure. The structure is beyond repair and expensive to restore it. It has been for sale for 2 years with no offers. Historical Commission Tuesday, June 22, 2021 4:00 PM 4 | P a g e COMMISSION DISCUSSION: Mr. Benton presented modified motion. Ms. Starke commented in regards to making the decision based on building material costs. Ms. Young clarified that the project would come back to the historical commission only if the current owner does not proceed and the subsequent owner wanted to go thru the demolition process again. Mr. Mass responded to Ms. Starke stating the decision for demolition was not based on cost but scope of the work involved and is unsalvageable. COMMISSION DECISION: Vice Chair Ms. Trewyn read the motion as follows: After considering the application documents, the staff report, staff comments & testimony presented during the public meeting and the standards set forth in sections 4.11.06. - Designation process and procedure and 4.11.07. - Emergency actions of the St. Lucie county land development code, I hereby move that the St. Lucie county historical commission approve the demolition request (not initiating an emergency action) on the premise the presented infill project receives a site development permit from the St. Lucie county Development Review Committee (DRC), including strict adherence with the community architectural standards of LDC section 7.10.24 prior to the demolition action, and further requesting a method to commemorate the subject structure within the proposed new establishment. RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Vice Chair Melanie Trewyn SECONDER: Commission Member Krissta King AYES: Chair Richard McAfoos, Betty Starke, Vice Chair Melanie Trewyn, Mike Menard, Krissta King, Judy Biglin NAYS: None ABSTAIN: None 8. MEMBER MATTERS Ms. Biglin inquired about forming the committee to be proactive to save these homes. Mr. Benton responded that with limited county resources it is challenging to create this plan but we will take the feedback into consideration. Ms. Starke requested guidelines for saving historical structures and take action into that regards. Vice Chair Trewyn spoke to the concerns and would look into benchmarking how things have been done in other places. Chair McAfoos inquired about other requests. Mr. Benton responded that there has been a designation request. 9. DISCUSSION None. 10. ADJOURNMENT Historical Commission Tuesday, June 22, 2021 4:00 PM 5 | P a g e RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Commission Member Mike Menard SECONDER: Commission Member Judy Biglin AYES: Richard McAfoos, Betty Starke, Melanie Trewyn, Mike Menard, Krissta King, Judy Biglin NAYS: None EXCUSED: None Meeting adjourned at 5:33pm .