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06.20.91AGENDA HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD Meeting June 20, 1991 Cultural Arts Center 119 W. 5th Street Sanford, Florida 4:30 P.M. I. Call to Order and Roll Call II. Approval of Minutes of May 9, 1991 III. New Board Appointment IV. Application for Certificate of Appropriateness for demolition of the building at 200 South Oak Avenue V. Discussion regarding the building at 400 S. Palmetto - Robert Goff VI. Update on St. Augustine Presentation VII. Discussion regarding Budget VIII. 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 286.0105) M I N U T E S HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING June 20, 1991 4:30 P.M. Cultural Arts Center Sanford, Florida Members Present: Cal Conklin, Chairman Kay Bartholomew Jerry Mills H.L. "Lynn" Stogner Laura Straehla Hal Welch Members Absent: Edward Blacksheare Ron Fiorelli Joe Forbes John Mercer Monte Olinger Others in Attendance: Alicia Clarke, City Liaison Penny Turner, Secretary The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Cal Conklin, at 4:45 P.M. Jerry Mills moved to approve the Minutes of May 9, 1991. Seconded by Hal Welch and carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Conklin announced that John Mercer was the new board appointee. Lee P. Moore, representing Sunniland Corporation, was present and submitted an Application for Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the building at 200 South Oak Avenue. On June 7, 1991, members of the Board met with Mr. Moore, at 200 South Oak Avenue, to walk through the building. Mr. Moore and Mr. Pierce were present to discuss the request to demolish the building. Mr. Conklin asked Mr. Moore if he would like to open the discussion. Mr. Moore indicated during the walk through of the building it was suggested he secure the building for a reasonable period of time and then possibly refurbish the building, if a tenant could be found. Mr. Moore stated there was nothing unique about the building. Mr. Moore stated he had considered the suggestjorbut it would not be feasible and would appreciate the Board's approval for demolition. HISTORIC PRESERVATION HOARD MEETING, con't. Page 2 A discussion was held regarding the cost of minimum repairs versus the cost of demolition. Mr. Moore quoted approximately $16,000 for minimum repairs. The quote for minimum repairs included patching the roof and having the building secured. Two of the bids for demolition were $39,000; one $25,000; and another $24,000 plus., Mr. Mills suggested securing the building as an alternative to demolition. He proposed securing the crawl place openings, adding a security system with motion detectors, and carefully patching the roof instead of doing a complete re- roofing job. Mr. Mills suggested some possible uses for the building such as space for restaurants, offices, movie companies, or additional storage space for the Paulucci's. Mr. Mills stated the building was a contributing building within the Historic District and could be one of those that the State might look into for lease space. Mr. Conklin requested Mr. Mills to elaborate on his comment regarding the building being a contributing structure. Mr. Mills explained that although it is not listed in the National Register of Historic Places and not in the National Register District, it is one of two remaining brick warehouse structures in a town which had a very important railroad system and the building was built on an angle that complied with the railroad right of way. The building has very thick floors, strong second floor and roof structure, and unique heavy timbers that would not be found in new construction today. Mr. Mills stated he felt strongly that it was a contributing building in the Downtown Commercial Historic District and would like to see it remain. Mrs. Straehla commented Chase and Co. was historically significant to the City regardless whether or not the building had structural significance. Mr. Welch indicated that although the architecture of the building might be simple, that historic character is not only the architecture of the building but the environment of the street. Mr. Welch further stated an entire block would be removed not just a building out of the historic district. Mr. Welch asked Mr. Moore if he had any intentions of using the property in the future or would he eventually sell the property. Mr. Moore stated he had no plans at the current time. Mr. Welch stated he would prefer to have something on the same scale replace the building instead of a vacant parcel of land. Mrs. Straehla indicated that once something was rebuilt it would not have any historical significance and should be removed from the district. Mr. Mills explained that he was aware that the Board could deny the request to demolish the building and then the owner could go before the City Commission and if the City Commission choose to also deny the request, as far as he knew one could not keep an owner from tearing a building down anymore than 180 days. Mr. Moore informed the Board that Sunniland Corporation reacquired the property on June 13, 1991. The people who had bought the building from Sunniland in 1982 had not maintained it and it had been abandoned years ago. Mr. Moore indicated he could not find a tenant or a use for the building and there were things to consider such as high insurance cost and problems with liability due to the transients. HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING, con't. Page 3 A discussion was held regarding whether or not the Board should consider the economic issue or strictly the historic preservation issue. Mr. Conklin stated he felt it the duty of the Board to consider the economic and the historic aspects in order to provide balance. Mr. Conklin said the decision depended on the building's character, condition, how valuable an asset, and economics. Mr. Moore informed the Board that he had explored the possibility of giving the building to the Board or someone else as a charitable deduction. He explained that the laws are such that one can only donate a certain percentage of property value. This would probably mean the money Sunniland donates on an annual basis to other institutions would be reduced. He expressed it is not economically feasible to leave the building in its present condition, or to refurbish a building in this market. Mr. Moore stated he would be willing to sell the building. Based on the circumstances Mr. Conklin felt Mr. Moore's request was not unreasonable. Mr. Mills stated the position of the Board is to try and maintain the integrity of the historic buildings in the historic district . +04dk Jerry Mills moved to deny demolition of the building at 200 South Oak Avenue. Seconded by Laura Straehla and carried by the vote as follows: Cal Conklin Nay Kay Bartholomew Aye Jerry Mills Aye Lynn Stogner Nay Laura Straehla Aye Hal Welch Aye Mr. Moore stated he understood why the Board had done what it did, but he felt there should be something said to being an obstructionist and causing people to go through unnecessary efforts to get something done that was inevitable. He further stated had he been in the same position, he may or may not have done the same thing. Mr. Mills stated that he had been in the position numerous times and each time the developer or demolition person had excellent reason, in their opinion, why a building should go and in lot of those cases, like when the old City Hall was torn down he folded and did not stand up for what he felt was right. He further stated he felt strongly about this issue and did not want to fold this time. HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING, con't. Page 4 Bob Goff and Richard Casselberry were present and requested recommendations from the Board on upgrading the exterior of the building at 400 South Palmetto. The Board recommended removal of the overgrowth, possibility of duplicating the banister design upstairs onto the lower floor and the porch, and use of three colors instead of two for the painting. Mr. Mills introduced Mr. Reggie Martin, owner of a professional cleaning company and janitorial service. Mr. Martin is cleaning the First Union Bank Building. Mr. Mills recommended he attend the meeting to discuss whether or not pressure cleaning applied to the section in the Ordinance under ordinary maintenance. The Board concurred that it was ordinary maintenance and would not need an Application for Certificate of Appropriateness. Mr. Conklin updated the Board on the St. Augustine Presentation. to the city. A discussion was held regarding the section in the budget pertaining to the participation in the survey in the Goldsboro area and the Hopper Academy Project. The City does not have contractual (` obligations to the projects.. The Board felt an obligation to with the projects. The Board recommended Mr. Conklin continu a of budgeting funds for these projects. Mrs. Bartholomew informed the Board that the Seminole County Historic Commission had a metal dedication plaque from the Cultural Arts Building. The Commission wanted to know if the Historic Preservation Board was interested in having the plaque to mount on the building. Mr. Conklin suggested obtaining the plaque for the Board's recommendations. Mrs. Bartholomew expressed her concern regarding new businesses opening in the downtown Commercial District not obtaining information needed regarding the Board. She suggested the Board compile a list of needed information and come before the Downtown Merchants Association and give a presentation. Mrs. Bartholomew informed the Board that the tenants in the building at 108 Magnolia Avenue were opening a shop and wanted to paint the exterior of the building. A discussion was held regarding whether or not an Application for Certificate of Appropriateness would be needed. The Board concurred the colors Mrs. Bartholomew presented would change the exterior of the building and an application would be needed. Mr. Mills informed the Board that he had spoken with Ron Fiorelli and he stated he had sent a letter of resignation. At the current time the Board has not received the letter. Mr. Conklin recommended requesting the City Commission replace Mr. Fiorelli. HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING, con't. Page 5 Mr. Welch asked the Board if the City had any resources, such as, a small library of books about historic architecture designs, styles and colors. Mr. Welch recommended the Board obtain one or two general resources to keep at Mrs. Turner's desk for the public's use. As there was no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 6:20 P.M. Respectfully submitted by Penny L. Turner