At the center of the board’s discussions was a presentation by principal planner Stephanie Strereer regarding the demolition of the historic site on Minnesota Avenue. Built in 1910 and located within the central business district, the property had been classified as non-contributing in a 2020 survey due to various improvements over the years. After sustaining damage from Hurricane Ian in September 2022, it was inspected by Rebuild Florida, which deemed it eligible for demolition and rebuilding.

The proposed new construction plans for the site include a stick-frame house with cementation lap siding, architectural asphalt shingles, vinyl single-hung windows, and fiberglass exterior doors. Strereer presented various elevations of both the existing and proposed structures, noting that the designs had been reviewed by staff and aligned with historic preservation standards.

While the board recommended approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for the project, they imposed conditions mandated by the state. These stipulations require that if prehistoric or historic artifacts are discovered during construction, all work must cease immediately. The Florida Department of State must be contacted before resuming any activity. Similarly, if unmarked human remains are found, construction must halt, and the appropriate authorities must be notified in accordance with relevant state statutes.

The board’s discussion included concerns about the feasibility of the proposed slab-on-grade foundation due to the property’s topography and drainage requirements. The need for elevation above the crown of the road was highlighted. Strereer acknowledged these concerns but deferred to building regulations for detailed decisions regarding foundation design.

Attention also turned to the potential discovery of historical artifacts during excavation. A suggestion was made to consider recommending archaeological oversight for projects involving significant ground disturbance. The idea was to ensure the protection of heritage and artifacts, drawing parallels to practices in other counties like St. Augustine and Orlando, where pre-construction inspections are conducted. The proposal emphasized that any oversight should be conducted by qualified individuals to ensure compliance with legal standards and avoid potential costs to the applicant.

The meeting further delved into the architectural details of the proposed project, with particular focus on the design and elevation of windows and doors. There was a preference for a specific elevation, described as having a “more historical look,” which matched the aesthetics of the surrounding neighborhood. The board considered making this preference a condition of approval, which led to a dialogue with a representative of DSW Homes. The representative sought clarification on whether the condition would apply solely to the front elevation or extend to the entire property, expressing a desire to expedite the project to return the homeowner to their residence quickly.

Concerns were also raised about roofing materials, specifically the appropriateness of shingle roofs versus metal roofs for new builds in the historic district. This conversation tied back to previous discussions on the topic.

The board ultimately approved the COA, incorporating the conditions outlined in the staff report along with the preferred architectural elevation, emphasizing that their purview was limited to street-facing elements. This decision allowed the applicant more flexibility with other windows not visible from the street. The motion for approval received unanimous support from those present.

Following the approval, the board shifted focus to future initiatives, notably an upcoming workshop scheduled for June 23. This session will address a potential development within the historic district, a topic confirmed by the deputy community development director for board review due to its location. With no further questions or audience members, the meeting adjourned with unanimous consent.