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