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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.09.2021 HISTORICAL COMMISSION ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA Regular Meeting August 9, 2021 Convened: 4:00 pm Adjourned: 5:19 pm 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 4:00 PM by Chair McAfoos. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Pledge led by Chair McAfoos. 3. ROLL CALL Present Chair Richard McAfoos, Commission Member Krissta King, Commission Member Mike Menard, Construction Judy Biglin, Commission Member Betty Starke Absent Commission Member Mike Middlebrook, Vice-Chair Melanie Trewyn Others Present STAFF: Caroline Valentin, Asst. County Attorney, Kori Benton, Historic Preservation Officer, Nadege Pierre, Acting Staff Secretary. APPLICANT: Dr. Linda Ash-Jackson 4. ANNOUNCEMENTS None. 5. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 6. MINUTES Historical Commission Monday, August 9, 2021, 4:00 PM 2 | Page A. Approval of the June 22, 2021 Historical Commission Meeting Minutes RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Commission Member Betty Starke SECONDER: Commission Member Mike Menard AYES: Chair Richard McAfoos, Betty Starke, Mike Menard, Krissta King, Judy Biglin NAYS: None ABSTAIN: None 7. ITEMS FOR ACTION / CONSIDERATION A. OLD BUSINESS None. B. NEW BUSINESS 1. Request for Demolition of the Structures at 9809 South Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce. STAFF PRESENTATION: Kori Benton, SLC Planning Assistant Manager, made a presentation. The applicants are requesting to demolish the primary residence, guest house and garage to pursue a redevelopment project including subdivision. The applicant met with the St. Lucie County Development Review Committee (DRC) to explore subdivision of the roughly 3.93-acre parcel into two (2) or four (4) lots. The applicant has presented preliminary plans for redevelopment, however; their viability has not been verified. A private street, paved to county standards – including a cul-de-sac or similar is presumed to be required to serve four (4) lots, with frontage. A “Lot Split” application, to divide the parcel into two lots is active with St. Lucie County. A copy of the 2021 Pre-application Report for the proposed redevelopment is attached for review. Staff recommends the Commission evaluate the historic significance of the subject structures, and consider whether to pursue designation of the structures as historic or release the request for demolition. COMMISSION DISCUSSION: Mr.. Benton provided clarification to the suggested motions. Mr. Menard inquired about an ingress/egress on the north side of the lot and doing a lot split in the back. Mr. Benton responded that the two new lots would require a minor site plan unless the site is historically designated. One additional flag lot in the rear preserving the structure may be viable although discouraged in the Indian River Drive Area. APPLICANT PRESENTATION: Historical Commission Monday, August 9, 2021, 4:00 PM 3 | Page Dr. Linda Ash-Jackson, applicant, gave an overview of her history of living in Florida. Stated that it is impossible to restore the structure and tried to mortgage the property because of the roof. They also explained that they would like to preserve materials. Wanted to move the house and guest house with bids as high as $300,000. The main house cannot go up Indian River Drive. Hoping to demolish the garage and main house and keep the guest house to use it as an office or art studio. In the lot split, the goal is also so that all can have great views. Maybe we will look into splitting into four in the future, depending on demand. Mr. Menard inquired if consideration was made to make it a historical designation. She responded that they would like to split the lot. A lot of research had been done and she met with a land use attorney. Many issues were brought up regarding lot width. Mr. Benton clarified that the structure is eligible to be historically designated but not currently designated as an application and a process is required to do so. Ms. Starke made a statement about providing a historical designation, the termite infested garage, impacts to scrub area/potential habitat and maximizing development profit. The applicant emphasized that although there would be a profit involved, she is doing her due diligence in staying environmentally friendly. COMMISSION DISCUSSION: Chair McAfoos stated that our focus is to decide on a motion for this petition. Mr. Benton clarified that the second motion would allow for demolition of the main structure and to keep the garage and additional structure. Ms. Starke would want to preserve the primary home instead of the accessory home and the garage. Mr. Benton responded that the applicant is requesting today to demolish all three structures. The primary structure had such significant renovations that the historical features are no longer there to preserve. COMMISSION MOTION: Ms. Biglin advanced a motion to disapprove: “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 St. Lucie County Land Development Code, I hereby move that the St. Lucie County Historical Commission disapprove the demolition request(s), in favor of initiating an emergency action to designate the subject structure(s) with a recommendation that the owner is able to divide the subject parcel to allow an additional home / proposed infill project while precluding demolition to this historic resource. The motion is intending to support reasonable dimensional and design criteria concessions necessary to preserve the structure(s) because the owner wants to remove them to add additional homes.” RESULT: DISAPPROVE MOVER: Commission Member Judy Biglin SECONDER: Commission Member Betty Starke AYES: Betty Starke, Mike Menard, Krissta King, Judy Biglin NAYS: Chair Richard McAfoos Historical Commission Monday, August 9, 2021, 4:00 PM 4 | Page ABSTAIN: None Mr. Benton stated that as a result of this Commission, staff will request an emergency designation and the project will be presented again before the Commission prior to being presented before the Board of County Commissioners. It would not be designated historic unless there is action by the Board of County Commissioners. Mr. Benton encourages Sunshine rules to be adhered to by the members as this petition may be returned to the Commission. 2. Review application to name a proposed Artificial Reef in St. Lucie County - Blake Charron Memorial Reef STAFF PRESENTATION: Kori Benton, SLC Planning Assistant Manager, made a presentation. The request is to name a new Artificial Reef, the deployment of the Tug Singleton, in recognition of the Blake Charron Foundation and the $25,000 contribution for the project. Staff recommends the Commission forward an approval recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners based upon the financial contribution presented for this new artificial reef, in accordance with the St. Lucie County naming policies enclosed. COMMISSION DISCUSSION: Ms. Biglin inquired about the cost. Mr. Benton excused Mr. Alan Charron, the applicant that would have more information in this regard. It depends on the vessels, from $5,000 to $100,000, based on the vessel. The applicant provides updates in an email newsletter and requests a lot of community outreach. COMMISSION MOTION: Ms. Biglin advanced a motion for approval: “After considering the application documents, staff comments & testimony presented during the public meeting and the policies set forth in Resolution 19-201, I hereby move that St. Lucie County Historical Commission forward a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners to approve the artificial reef naming request.” RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Commission Member Judy Biglin SECONDER: Commission Member Betty Starke AYES: Chair Richard McAfoos, Betty Starke, Mike Menard, Krissta King, Judy Biglin NAYS: None ABSTAIN: None Historical Commission Monday, August 9, 2021, 4:00 PM 5 | Page 8. MEMBER MATTERS Mr. Benton announced that Assistant County Attorney Ms. Heather Young is now retired and that Assistant County Attorney Ms. Caroline Valentin will be the Commission’s attorney. 9. DISCUSSION None 10. ADJOURNMENT Meeting Adjourned at 5:19 pm. RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Commission Member Mike Menard SECONDER: Commission Member Krissta King AYES: Chair Richard McAfoos, Betty Starke, Mike Menard, Krissta King, Judy Biglin NAYS: None ABSTAIN: None