HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.11.90A r F N D A
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD
Meeting January 11, 1990
Commission Conference Room, Sanford City Hall,
Sanford, Florida
4:30 P.M.
I. Call to Order and Roll Call
II. National Register Listing of Residential
District
III. Approval of Minutes of December 18, 1989
IV. Other Business
ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC: If a person decides to appeal a decision made with
respect to any matter considered at the above meeting or hearing, he may
need a verbatim record of the proceedings, including the testimony and
evidence, which record is not provided by the City of Sanford, (FS 285.0105)
M I N i] T E S
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD
JANUARY 11, 1990
4:30 P.M.
Commission Conference Room, Sanford City Hall,
Sanford, Florida
Members Present:
Cal Conklin, Chairman
William "Duke" Adamson
Kay Bartholomew
Ron Fiorelli
William Forbes
Nancy Gunning
Jerry Mills
Donald Moore
Monte Olinger
Members Absent:
Edward Blacksheare
Glenn Domen
Others in Attendance:
Mayor Bettye D. Smith
Commissioner Lon K. Howell
Bill Simmons, City Liaison
Penny Davis, Secretary
The Meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Cal Conklin at
4:30 P.M.
A brief discussion was held regarding Glenn Domen's status on the
Board. Mrs. Davis stated that Mr. Domen had not submitted a
letter of resignation. Due to several conflicting reports by
other Board members, Mr. Conklin requested a letter be sent to
Mr. Domen inquiring as to his current status and intent.
Mr. Conklin introduced Mayor Bettye D. Smith, who stated she was
very excited to have received the letter from George W. Percy the
State Historic Preservation Officer, notifying the City of
Sanford that as of December 15, 1989, it's Residential Historic
District had been placed on the National Register of Historic
Places.
Mr. Conklin stated the local newspapers were given a press
package of background information leading up to this designation.
He further stated that in the future, the Historic District will
hopefully develop its own distinguishable characteristics.
Bill Simmons, City Engineer and City Liaison, has prepared a map
showing the new residential district. The map, together with a
copy of the submitted application, are on file at the City
Planning Department for any interested parties.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING, con't. Page 2
Mr. Adamson stated that he remembered when the Board first
approached this subject, and as an ardent supporter, felt it
important to remember that the Board did not seek any policing
powers in the district, but rather that people take pride in
their historic homes and encourage all homeowner's within the
district to improve the homes and keep them in proper order.
Mr. Conklin stated that several members of the Historic Trust
were invited and in attendance and would be welcome to speak if
they so desired.
Mr. Mills gave a presentation on the designated National Register
Residential District. He showed two other designated districts,
the National Register Commercial District and the Ordinance
District, explaining the owners in this district must come before
the board when they wish to make changes to any of the exterior
facades of their buildings. He further explained that the
designated National Register Residential District is a non -
ordinanced, non- policed power area, being more a social and
cultural designation. Currently, owners can still do just about
anything they want to their residences, and as a part of the
negotiations with the City Commission in having this area
designated by the National Register, the Board promised not to
seek police power for this area. If police power is requested,
an Ordinance would have to be submitted and approved by the City
Commission. Mr. Mills stated one -half of the fee for a
consultant hired to survey a 70 block area was funded by a grant
from the State, with the balance funded by the City and Historic
Preservation Board. There are over 500 buildings in the area and
434 are contributing, some 59 buildings are not contributing.
The buildings that are not contributing, even though they are of
some architectural significance, are usually much younger. In
addition to residential construction, there are a few commercial
buildings, three historic school buildings, four churches, an old
library building, and four parks. Mr. Mills explained the
architecture styles for the district is Vernacular, Bungalow,
Colonial Revival, Mission, Spanish Colonial Revival, and Queen
Anne.
Mr. Mills then explained some of the tax credits available to
residents within the Residential Historic District. He cited as
an example the following: suppose a person paid a hundred
thousand dollars for a building within the district and follows
the Secretary of Interior Standards, a person can receive up to
$20,000 in tax credit, right off the income tax that you owe,
provided you do a pure restoration in accordance with the
Secretary of Interior Standard, also provided that the property
be income producing (rental property). According to the Federal
Government, certain grants are available for restoration of these
properties.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD FETING, con't. Page 3
Mr. Mills further stated that the real advantages will be derived
from the comradery and closeness among people that are in that
neighborhood, such as was evident during the construction of the
Park on Park Playground, and further stated that this was the
most cohesive endeavor he has seen in the 35 years he has lived
in Sanford. Endeavors such as this help provide a sense of pride
in ownership in the buildings, and at times has a tendency of
raising property values because people have a greater amount of
pride and try to increase the value of their home by trying to
make it look as good as their neighbors. Mr. Mills stated that
the disadvantage for this area is the fact that the Seminole
County Tax Assessor has not reassessed properties in this area
for the last three years, and this is the year Seminole County is
planning to make their reassessments. Mr. Adamson stated the
reassessment was not brought on by the designation of the
National Register Residential District.
Mr. Conklin expressed his appreciation for the work and
contributions Alicia Clarke has made as the City Liaison to the
Historic Preservation Board over the last year or so. He also
presented Ms. Clarke with a Certificate of Appreciation for a job
well done.
Mr. Mills stated Steve Provost, a Restoration Architect, is in
the process of preparing Design Guidelines for the downtown
Commercial District through another matching Grant obtained by
the Board.
The Mayor stated she, along with the City
with the process this Board has made,
Historic Trust for their contribution to
further stated that the walking tour was
group could be the nucleus for getting all
that area together, she expected great
district.
commission, was pleased
and also thanked the
the walking tour. She
fantastic, and if the
the other residents in
things of the whole
Laura Straehl, of the Historic Trust, stated that they were
beginning a revolving trust and that they were preparing to start
buying some properties or to accept donated properties. She
thanked the press from the Central Florida area for the excellent
coverage of the Walking Tour.
Mr. Conklin stated another reason for promoting the Residential
Historic District was to promote Sanford. He further stated that
the Board had put together a brochure of 22 buildings that were
on the National Register in the Commercial District. This
brochure was distributed in time for the St. Lucia Festival.
Commissioner Lon Howell stated it was nice to see that the
plaques are up, the result of a project the Board has been
working on since it was formed.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING, con't. Page 4
John Mercer thanked the Board for its endeavors, and stated
property owners in the district really appreciated their
efforts.
Mr. Mills requested that the Historic Trust be placed on the
agenda for the next meeting so that this Board can learn about
them and their goals and expectations.
Duke Adamson moved to approve the minutes of December 18, 1989.
Seconded by Monte Olinger and carried by unanimous vote.
Mr. Simmons reported that Steve Provost and his partner Yielding,
were planning to attend the next meeting and talk about the
contract for the Design Guidelines. Mr. Provost attended todays
meeting as he is interested in the Historic District, and further
stated that he is under contract with Orange County Historic
Society to assist them in the study of early black settlements,
and will be studying the early black settlements, including the
area that Orange County encompassed at the turn of the Century,
which included Seminole County. This will be done in phases, the
first to be Seminole County black communities, i.e., Georgetown
and Goldsboro. Mr. Conklin suggested he contact Ms. Bentley and
Alfreda Wallace for their insight into history.
Mr. Mills questioned what the ultimate result of Provost &
Yieldings contract with Orange County would be - -a brochure, or a
book? Mr. Provost stated that it will be a book, with historian
Brenda Elliott of the Historic Commission preparing the historic
part and he would prepare the architectural part. He expects it
to be a little broader than the standard historic architectural
survey, and more socially oriented.
Mr. Mills stated that the Committee set up to work with them on
the Design Guidelines consisted of Jerry Mills, Ron Fiorelli, and
Chairman Cal Conklin. Mr. Provost affirmed that he will make a
presentation at the next meeting.
Mr. Conklin requested an update on the usefulness of the Walking
Tour Brochure. Ms. Bartholomew stated she had a regular proposal
and would bring it to the meeting of February 8, 1990. The
proposal was to promote a media event out of the Walking Tour
Brochure and working with the City to clean up. the downtown
area. She elaborated stating that the Board could continue to
inform the public by inviting members of all the Historic groups
all over Seminole County, to come down for a guided tour and to
make it a media affair. Perhaps the Board could get a co- sponsor
from the Downtown Merchants, the Museum Board or the Sanford
Historic Trust; then have a reception at the Cultural Arts
Building afterwards.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING, con't. Page 5
Mr. Conklin reported that due to earlier discussions, the Board
directed him, as Chairman, to meet with the City Manager Frank
Faison on the clean -up of the downtown area. Mr. Conklin stated
that it is important to see it in both areas; the private and
public sector.
A discussion was held concerning the downtown Merchant's
promotion and distribution of the brochure. Mr. Adamson stated
he did not believe the merchants realized the significance of the
Historic District, and the interest that would be generated if
they would hand out the brochure and speak with customers
regarding the history of their building. He suggested the
perhaps a meeting should be scheduled with the Downtown
Merchant's Association, and a presentation be made on how to use
the brochure, how to keep it up front and in stock, and how to
keep interest alive. He further stated that by creating interest
in the historic district, patrons would return to the merchants,
thus increasing sale figures on their behalf.
Mr. Conklin stated he thought the idea was worthwhile, and the
main problem is how the Historic Preservation Board and the
districts are perceived. He felt more press coverage and
meetings with various groups would help in promotion of the
brochure.
A committee was appointed to work with Ms. Bartholomew to plan an
agenda to (1) promote the Walking Tour and brochures among the
downtown merchants; (2) and to schedule a clean --up day for the
downtown area. The committee consists of Kay Bartholomew, Monte
Olinger, Duke Adamson, Nancy Gunning, and Jerry Mills.
Mr. Conklin stated the Board was sorry to receive Alicia Clarke's .
resignation, but were pleased to have Bill Simmons back on the
Board, and wanted to officially welcome him.
Mr. Olinger stated he was concerned about the cluster mailboxes
being proposed for the Historic District. He further stated that
he felt the Board was in a sensitive position because the Board .
does not want to make itself known as a "watch dog" for the
district. Mr. Mills suggested the Historic Trust would probably
be the better organization to oversee the situation because they
are the private sector in that area. Mr. Forbes stated the Trust
has already started be distributing a form letter to everyone in
the district. Mr. Olinger further stated that he was informed by
the Postmaster that as long as 50% were against the mailboxes,
the Post Office would not promote their installation. Mr. Mills
stated the boxes should be designed to be in comformance with the
Secretary of Interior Guidelines.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING, con't. Page 6
Mr. Adamson asked for an update on the property owner who owned
6 multi- family dwellings and went bankrupt, and whose 6
properties were reverted back to single family dwellings.
Mr. Simmons stated the City Commission has been approached twice
by two different loan companies who now own the properties,
requesting that the properties be reinstated by the grandfather
clause to multi - family. On both occasions, the City Commission
denied their request. He further stated that upon the first
request, the City Attorney opined that he believed the owner, Dr.
Alexander, had the right and ability to give up the right of
multi - family use if he chose to without any agreement with he
mortgage company, and on this basis the City Commission denied
the request. Mr. Simmons further stated he was not sure whether
there is any case law on the subject, and that if the loan
companies were losing enough money, it could not prevent them
from approaching the City Commission again. He stated the house
are closed up and are being vandalized, and given another few
months, there may not be enough there to rebuild.
Mr. Mills questioned if the City can condemn, can't the City
seize the properties? Mr. Simmons stated that would be a
different process all together.
As there was no further business before the Board, the meeting
was adjourned at 5:30 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted: Penny L. Davis