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01.11.90A 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