I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Transcription

1 CITY OF SARASOTA MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD Note: The City s Website address is sarasotagov.com. Select Videos on Demand from the Main Web Page to view agendas, videos of past meetings, and minutes. Historic Preservation Board Members Present: Historic Preservation Board Members Absent: City Staff Present: Sherry Svekis, Acting Chair Richard Allen Robert Dynan Dan Ionescu Christopher Wilson David Gurley, Chair Joyce Hart, Vice Chair Dr. Clifford Smith, Senior Planner Karen Grassett, Senior Planning Technician I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Acting Chair Svekis called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. and Senior Planner Smith (as Secretary to the Board) called the roll. Dr. Smith stated Mr. Gurley had notified him that he was in Miami and would not be able to attend the meeting, and Ms. Hart had notified him that due to a family emergency she would not be able to attend. II. III. CHANGES TO THE ORDERS OF THE DAY There were no changes to the Orders of the Day. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. September 9, 2014 HPB member Allen made a motion to approve the September 9, 2014 minutes as presented. Mr. Wilson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. IV. CITIZEN INPUT [Citizens may address the Board on items of interest including those matters on the regular agenda. Time Limits will be established by Historic Preservation Board members.] Mr. Shawn Pierson appeared, stated as a member of the Parks Recreation and Environmental Protection (PREP)Advisory Board he fills a seat representing Bobby Jones Golf Course; he, along with others, established a not-for-profit Friends of Bobby Jones Golf Course approximately 1 ½ years ago; one of the four initiatives of that group is to address the 1925 original golf course; the group is interested in submitting an application to the State for a Special Conditions Grant to restore the 1925 original golf course; discussed the history of the golf course, and requested the HPB authorize the Chair to provide a letter in support of the grant. Acting Chair Svekis questioned if

2 Page 2 of 7 the PREP Board had approved the request. Mr. Pierson stated he was representing the Friends of Bobby Jones Golf Course and due to timing issues he decided to appear at the HPB meeting to discuss the request. Acting Chair Svekis questioned if the request was within the HPB s purview. Dr. Smith stated it was and questioned if the City s Public Works Department had approved the request. Mr. Pierson stated the Public Works Department had not officially approved the request; stated he was in discussions with Public Works, the City Commission, and City Management; and noted a City Commission resolution would have to be submitted with the grant application. Dr. Smith stated the City of Sarasota is a Certified Local Government and the application would need to be submitted by the City. Mr. Pierson stated the Friends of Bobby Jones Golf Course could apply as a 501(c)(3) and noted the group s application for status as a 501(c)(3) was in process. Dr. Smith stated an applicant must be a municipality or a 501(c)(3). Mr. Pierson stated that was incorrect, the group only needed to provide the IRS with a certificate from the State of Florida verifying the group was a not-for-profit. Dr. Smith stated since the City owns the property the grant request would have to be approved by the City Commission, the funding would flow through the City, stated the HPB could provide a letter of recommendation once the Friends of Bobby Jones Golf Course had secured buy-in from the City and is formally submitting the grant application, and stated a letter of recommendation would be premature at this point. Acting Chair Svekis noted the grant application would fall in next year s cycle since the deadline for the current cycle is in three weeks. Mr. Pierson stated Tallahassee wanted the application sooner rather than later; stated he knew what the FY budget for Bobby Jones Golf Course was, what their balance in the bank was, what the operating and capital improvement plans for the fiscal year were, noted his request fit in with the current operating budget; and stated the not-for-profit was willing to take the time and effort to submit the grant application. Acting Chair Svekis stated while it was appropriate for the HPB to discuss the issue and ask questions at this time she agreed it would be premature to provide a letter of support. HPB member Allen questioned if the funds would be used for renovations. Mr. Pierson stated the funding would supplement the City s funding; stated the City has studies showing the necessary improvements; stated the grant funds would be used for historic preservation aspects of the improvements such as fees for a restoration architect, master planning, bringing the golf course up to technical standards, and construction documentation; and stated the difference was restoration versus renovation. HPB member Allen stated he supported the grant application. Acting Chair Svekis stated while the project sounds good the HPB needed to know who was applying and that the proper approvals had been obtained prior to stating their support for the grant application. Mr. Pierson stated the letter would be in support of the process rather than the entity applying. Acting Chair Svekis stated she was familiar with the process and noted the letters of support have to be in a certain format and be specific as to what the project is and who is applying. Mr. Pierson stated the State prefers personal rather than form letters; stated it would be conspicuous if Sarasota put a grant application forward for a historical preservation project without a letter of support from the HPB; stated he wanted to bring the issue to the HPB in a

3 Page 3 of 7 public meeting due to Sunshine Laws; and requested support from the members present to work with the Chair to prepare the letter. There was no further discussion. Dr. Smith administered the oath to those wishing to speak. V. PRESENTATION 1. Presentation by Larry Starr, owner of the Westmore Tenant House & Smith/Freeman Home located at 1913 Datura Street, regarding a historical study of the property as required under the conditions of approval under 14-COA-04. Mr. Larry Starr and Ms. Mikki Hartig appeared. Mr. Starr stated he had been before the HPB in August; the HPB had approved his request with conditions; one of the conditions was to do a study of the neighborhood and developer; he hired Ms. Hartig to perform the study; his neighbor, Mr. John McGruder, had provided firsthand information on Logan & Currin as a descendant; noted in the fourth paragraph on page two of the study the sentence that reads Only the north side of Hyde Park Street appears on the plat should be corrected to read Only the south side and in the last paragraph of that page the statement The home built on that lot was originally occupied by the Brewer family should be corrected to read The home built on that lot was originally occupied by the Woolley family. Mr. Starr discussed the condition relating to a historic marker and the proposed wording; stated the marker would be 2 X 2 ; requested permission to include the City logo on the marker; stated one side of the marker would pertain to De Sota Park, the other side would pertain to Logan & Currin, and stated each side would reference the other side. Mr. Starr discussed the condition relating to listing the historic fabric and its disposition stating he had contracted with Sarasota Construction, Inc. and Sarasota Architectural Salvage who were working together; stated the items that are readily observable and can be salvaged have been listed; the two companies would work together to ensure nothing salvageable is destroyed during demolition; submitted documentation that everything had been paid in full including the installation of the marker; proposed placing a marker on the east side of the property on Datura Street; requested the marker on the property be approved and the stay be lifted since he could control that getting done; and requested the HPB approve markers at Hyde Park & Osprey Avenue and Hibiscus and Osprey Avenue instead of on Datura Street if he could get the approval of the property owners. Ms. Hartig discussed Sarasota County s program for erecting markers and noted there is a precedent for using the City s logo on the markers. Dr. Smith stated since the applicants had received the logo from the City no further permission was necessary; and stated the HPB s purview was to review the conditions and ensure those had been met. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed wording Sponsored by the Sarasota Historic Commission at the bottom of the marker; alternative wording; dedicating the marker; having a City Commissioner and the

4 Page 4 of 7 HPB members attend a dedication ceremony; and the ability of the applicant to get permission to erect the two markers on Osprey Avenue. Mr. Starr stated he was confident he could get the permission however if he was unable to he would erect the one marker on the property; stated he was requesting approval of both scenarios; and stated if only one of the property owners on Osprey gives permission he will place the marker on that property owner s property. Discussion ensued regarding revising the condition to reflect two markers. HPB member Dynan noted the condition regarding the demolition, Part D, stated will be and the letter from Sarasota Architectural Salvage states they will make a good faith effort. Ms. Hartig stated that was in case there were items that could not be salvaged due to termites, etc. Discussion ensued. Mr. John McGruder appeared and stated he had consulted with a roofer regarding salvaging the roof tiles and was informed that would be more costly than purchasing new roof tiles; stated he supported the concept and the wording regarding the markers noting he preferred sponsored ; stated the HPB should have a budget similar to that for impact fees so the full burden of the cost of markers and other required items would not be solely on the developers; and volunteered to participate as a citizen in a workshop regarding historic preservation. Acting Chair Svekis stated she would not be a member of the HPB as of December and she too would be interested in participating in a workshop; discussed the proposed wording for the markers stating on the Logan & Currin side there should be a semi-colon after the words distinguished builders in the first paragraph; in the second sentence of the third paragraph houses should be replaced with residences ; stated the statement in the last sentence in the first paragraph on the De Sota Park side The subdivision name was a slight alteration in the spelling of Hernando de Soto, Sarasota s first know explorer in 1539 was factually incorrect; noted that is not currently academically accepted; and proposed that be reworded to say.the spelling of Hernando de Soto, an early explorer of Florida. After discussion it was the consensus of the Board that the sentence would read The subdivision name is thought to be a slight alteration in the spelling of Hernando de Soto, an early Spanish explorer of Florida. Acting Chair Svekis stated her concerns regarding the statement which still stands today in the first sentence of the fourth paragraph on the De Sota Park side noting the house could be moved from the property in the future. After discussion it was the consensus of the Board that the sentence would read As a result, Frank Logan constructed his family home at 1937 Datura Street. Acting Chair Svekis recommended that after Mr. Starr has coordinated with his neighbors and the markers were ready to be installed he should contact Dr. Smith to schedule the dedication. Discussion ensued regarding the appropriate motion. Dr. Smith stated the motion should include that the report had been accepted, the marker, as revised,

5 Page 5 of 7 had been accepted, and the salvage conditions had been met. Further discussion ensued. HPB member Dynan made a motion to approve that the applicant had met Condition B as they have undertaken the historical study of the neighborhood development and surrounding properties and had presented that to the Board; Condition C had been met as the applicant had presented the Board with a historic marker to be placed on the property and had presented an additional option regarding the historic marker that it would be placed on the corners of Hyde Park Street and Osprey Avenue and Hibiscus Street and Osprey Avenue; and Condition D had been met as the applicant had done a study of the historical structure, its demolition, and the salvage of materials; and the motion is the conditions have been met. HPB member Wilson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. VI. TOPICS BY BOARD MEMBERS HPB member Wilson discussed the Cocoon House stating he had brought the issue of the structure being in disrepair to the HPB at a previous meeting; he took photographs so that the HPB could notify the property owners of the problems; stated he is on the Board of the Sarasota Architectural Foundation; stated the Sarasota Architectural Foundation wished to approach the owners regarding having an event where volunteers from their group would make the repairs; and stated as a result the Sarasota Architectural Foundation requested the HPB not proceed. HPB member Wilson discussed the Municipal Auditorium building noting the lettering on the building was not consistent with the art deco style and questioned if it was within the HPB s purview to notify the City. Dr. Smith stated the building had undergone major renovations in the 1990 s funded by the State through a Special Category grant; that if the lettering had not changed since then it must have met the standards at the time; if the lettering had been changed since then the HPB could recommend to the City that it consider replacing the signage with more appropriate lettering; noted the building is historically designated both locally and nationally, contributes to the Bayfront Historic District, and is listed on the Florida Master Site File (FMSF) so the signage and lettering is critically important; and stated he would review the reports from when the building was renovated and report back to the HPB. HPB member Allen stated there had been an article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune recently regarding raising funds for the renovation of the old Sarasota High School being sponsored by the Ringling College of Art & Design; stated the article mentioned the Vision Works building was being purchased as part of those efforts and questioned what that property would be used for; stated the underlying building was designed by Victor Lundy and should be preserved;

6 Page 6 of 7 and questioned if the building was proposed to be demolished would that come before the HPB. Dr. Smith stated if the building was not listed on the FMSF or wasn t historically designated if would not come before the HPB and noted due to alterations that had been made the building would not meet the criteria any longer. HPB member Allen stated the HPB should take a proactive stand. Dr. Smith stated he would research the issue. HPB member Allen questioned the status of the Belle Haven Apartments noting he thought the building was to be preserved. Dr. Smith stated he had been monitoring the structure; stated the City s Code Enforcement staff notifies him if there are any problems; he then notifies the bank that owns the property, and then follows up to ensure the problems have been addressed. HPB member Allen discussed the School Board s proposed demolition of the old Sarasota High School building and questioned if that would come before the HPB. Dr. Smith stated that since the building is not locally designated the proposed demolition would not come before the HPB and noted projects initiated by the School Board are exempt from City and County permitting requirements however the City does provide advisory comments. Acting Chair Svekis stated that based upon the discussion at the last meeting regarding the Rosemary Cemetery sign she had obtained quotes; presented samples of the laminate that would be used noting it was the same material used by numerous agencies for both indoor and outdoor signage; stated the sign would be constructed in two panels; the quote she received was $555; an additional maximum of $200 would be required for shipping; stated she had consulted with a graphic designer who provided a work sample and quoted $1,000 - $1,200 to produce new graphics; stated she had not obtained a quote for installation as that needed to be addressed through the City; noted the installation would have to be determined prior to ordering the signage so the holes would be drilled properly; stated the total estimated cost is $2,000 - $2,500; noted the signage is guaranteed for ten years; and requested a motion. Discussion ensued regarding funding for the project. Dr. Smith stated funding was available in a demolition fund; the permitted uses for those funds includes educational project which this would fall under; stated an appropriate motion and vote would be that the HPB supports the signage at Rosemary Cemetery, the type of signage would be specified, and the budget would not exceed $2,500; and stated if approved the request would be presented for approval by the City Commission in the form of a Board Report from the HPB. Acting Chair Svekis passed the gavel to HPB member Wilson. HPB member Svekis made a motion that the Historic Preservation Board requests a budget from the demolition fund for an educational sign at Rosemary

7 Page 7 of 7 VII. TOPICS BY STAFF VIII. ADJOURNMENT Cemetery that will be a high pressure laminate construction sign with a new graphic design based upon the text provide by Dr. Uzi Baram at New College that interprets the history and cultural significance of Rosemary Cemetery for an amount of up to $2,500 for this project. HPB member Dynan seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Dr. Smith stated he would prepare the agenda request for the City Commission meeting. HPB member Svekis stated she would be available to make the presentation to the City Commission. Dr. Smith noted the item may not be considered by the City Commission prior to December when HPB member Svekis term on the HPB ends. There were no topics by staff. The meeting adjourned at 4:50 PM. David Gurley, Chair Historic Preservation Board Clifford Smith, Senior Planner Secretary to the Historic Preservation Board