City of Cedar Key
Historical Preservation Architectural Review Board
Meeting
November 9, 2006 5:00 P.M. 1. Call To Order Roll Call
George Sresovich, Ada Lang, Doctor John Andrews present. Elizabeth Ehrbar and Jack Tyson absent.
2. Adoption of Minutes for September 14, 2006 DR. ANDREWS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES, WITH A SECOND BY ADA LANG. ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Announcements Communications
George Sresovich GIS Survey from University (1994). We have a hard copy of the information, and we have a disk, which had been difficult to use. We have two ways of looking at the information. We are looking into buildings which should have a site number, but should have. . One is Herman Wells, and the other is the Key Motel. It is at least 50 years old,
Ada Lang: Does the building have historic significance?
George Sresovich: It was a Pentecostal church, and somehow missed being placed on the registry.
4. Old Business
Guidelines Gail Easley
Understand the Board wants some guidelines. Needs to know what the goals are towards regulation of structures in the (historic) district. Can be very strict in respecting the integrity of the structure, or can be lenient and allow for some latitude.
Ada Lang: We have a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Gail Easley: We can describe more clearly those things which apply to a Certificate.
Ada Lang: Agrees we need more clarity. The wording "rhythm of solids and voids" needs clarification. A Form Based Code would include more definitions, and thinks it is important to outline the different architectural styles of buildings.
Gail Easley: Crystal River has some guidelines, with architectural styles which are historical, and some that are not. Those that are not on the prohibited list will provide Some leeway. Will refer to the 2004 survey which Easley can use to write design guidelines.
Ada Lang: Have you written design guidelines before?
Gail Easley: I have written design guidelines before; I will follow the wishes of the Historical Preservation Architectural Review Board. I am not an architect.
Ada Lang: Key West has guidelines; this is not in the LDR. This is not legal standard, this is more educational.
Gail Easley: When speaking with Jackie and Maggi, it is my understanding that you want to develop a master architectural plan, and needs a better understanding of what the board wants, can beef up the Certificate of Appropriateness. I can help you get better at what you've got, if you want an architectural book, I cannot do that, but I can explain the concepts, such as the definition of façade and the rhythm of voids and solids.
George Sresovich: Elizabeth Ehrbar is not here, she is the one who is interested in the color code.
Ada Lang: There should be some restrictions on color. There are many paint manufacturers who provide the list of historic colors palettes.
Gail Easley: Color palette can show both colors and compatible hues which are not restrictive. You do not end up prohibiting a lot. You prohibit certain colors.
Ada Lang: Can we suggest some pre-approved lists which can be considered, and anything outside of the color pre-approved list needs consideration by the Board.
Gail Easley: What is your basis for deciding a color is okay? Think about what the person will propose. David Coffey would tell me you have to have a reason for why the color is not allowed.
Ada Lang: Nobody wants to be unreasonable, but the code needs to be tighter than it is.
Gail Easley: Alternative color can be considered if the applicant can demonstrate historic appropriateness. Dr. Andrews: Would like to ask Greg Lang for consideration of an historic district which has new construction. Is there oversight of new construction built into the comprehensive plan or the land development board?
Greg Lang: That is a yes or no question. Location of a site within historic, or it is a contributing structure outside of the historic district, it needs a COA (Certificate of Appropriateness. The charette is proposing an expansion of the district which would start at the school, It is recommended that we adopt guidelines, with consideration of FEMA guidelines; which would change the requirement to build up; They (the City Commission) are requiring screening which would require a Certificate of Appropriateness, This should not be too strict, and Cedar Key should maintain a permissible vernacular. The modest homes should be maintained as a strong component of what Cedar Key is. The design guidelines need to be flexible enough to allow for those modest homes. Our historic element needs a timeline of preservation of resources. As a builder, it is difficult to work within the subjective language; the code should build in some language which is more explicit and flexible. I am not sure how to delete the subjective language; without our government getting too restrictive, this is a concern of the citizens, who would not like to see the historic district being expanded. I would hope to get permission to do this. I would like to see the district expanded.
George Sresovich: Can we not educate the people to understand this is not a bad thing?
Greg Lang: That is why we need to change the language so people can understand what the regulations are. Accepting modest housing is one step in the right direction. People should not feel that they need to change their architectural style to fit some changes in the city code. Ultimately it is up to the elected officials to determine what those regulations are. Update components for now.
Gail Easley: When I write regulations, I include a range which the citizen can work within. I deal with compatibility. If the code does not have diagrams, I may not be able to interpret what the board has in mind. The regulations become guidelines when they are broadened to include a range of possibilities.
Greg Lang: Reference in the code a full range of houses and photos of contributing structures, we could use the photos from the code as a guidebook. Almost any applicant could find for a new construction or alteration, a desirable style within the photos for the book.
Dr. Andrews: Except we do not have pictures at this time
Greg Lang: A detailed form based code could include photos.
Ada Lang: Can e-mail more specific scale drawings to Gail Easley. We have an example in Cedar Key of a pumpkin colored house which was approved for elevation, this was very vague, and the resultant elevation is higher than approved.
George Sresovich: The Board was misled in that when the house in question was reviewed, it was a request to raise the house three feet. The three feet became a measurement from street level, rather than ground level, which is what we had approved.
Gail Easley: Sometimes I can draw conclusions, from submittals of the applicant, but it should not be required. One thing I would like to see is a drawing of what the design looks like. The applicant should not have to hire a design consultant.
Ada Lang: There has been some talk of doing the design guidelines in house.
George: Yes.
Gail Easley: I can put together a simple scope and budget, and submit it to the city.
Ada Lang: Do you have any thoughts as to who could put together a pattern book?
Gail Easley: Could the University folks do this?
Ada Lang: Mr. Tilson from the University could; but there could be a problem with student projects, based upon my own experience teaching.
Gail Easley: It determines whether the professor and student have this as a priority.
Gail Easley: I can give you the name of the consultant from Long Boat Key has a pattern book. There is also a consultant from Fernandina Beach. This covers a very small area, with a wide array of acceptable designs. It is by a management consultant.
Ada Lang: What should be our next step?
Gail Easley: You should be there in two to three months; I can put together a solicitation for bids. I do not know if you are budgeted for this. I can ask for proposals. This may be a small enough item. I can put together a scope and budget. During that same time period you can be talking to consultants in the meantime. I do not know whether you have this budgeted.
Maggi: I am not sure; this is probably in the CRA budget already.
Gail Easley: The pattern book proposal can be started, if it is a small enough item.
Ada Lang: I would like to talk to people in towns where the pattern book had been adopted.
Gail Easley: People are very accepting of a pattern book where there are a wide range of choices. The inside out house in Waldo is an example of quaintness which is acceptable.
ADA LANG: MADE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COMMISSION TO HIRE GAIL EASLEY TO WORK ON CONSULTATION FOR DESIGN GUIDELINES.
MAGGI FUNCHION: You need to recommend that the City hire Gail Easley.
ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION PASSED.
Greg Lang: This motion needs to be contingent upon review of the proposal by Gail Easley.
Maggi: Do you need to withdraw the motion?
ADA LANG: I WITHDRAW THE MOTION. DR. ANDREWS WITHDREW HIS SECOND.
ADA LANG MADE A MOTION TO HAVE GAIL EASLEY: SET UP A PROPOSAL TO ALLOW FOR CHANGES TO THE LDR; AND FOR A PATTERN BOOK. SECOND BY DR. ANDREWS. ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION PASSED.
Ada Lang: To be reviewed at the next meeting.
Gail Easley: I can be at the next meeting, if there are any questions. 5. New Business
Ada Lang: Earlier, we were discussing contributing structures which included the Key Motel, Herman Wells' house, the house (a craft style) which is located across from the Blue Desert, and a structure which used to be the dentist office. I think in the interim between this meeting and next, we should think of any other structures which could be included in the Historic District as contributing structures. We need to address process and criteria.
George: Those buildings are outside of the historic district.
Greg Lang: If the building is within the city limits, and are outside of the historic district, they can be nominated as contributing structures. This needs to be checked with the City Attorney.
Ada Lang: It does not say they have to be in the Historic district. Look at page 28. It talks about whether it can be nominated if the changes have been made thus that the integrity of building must be intact, must represent a distinctive architectural type. Could have distinctive character, craftsmen style house is a recognizable historic building style.
Dr. Andrews and George will have some good input on that.
Dr. Andrews: The city attorney said there was the option of opting out, that the initial survey could have been the people's only opportunity to do so; if we find a building which does not have a historical designation, would it have to be requested by the building owner?
Ada Lang: Item C allows for the owner to opt out. The owner can refute the historic designation.
Greg Lang: The City Attorney questions whether the opt out list is legal however, in including the list in the Comprehensive Plan; There are some people who have opted out. This has not been challenged. The property owner can object to being nominated. After you put together a list of historic structures, give the property owners ample time. The City Attorney needs to clarify this.
Ada Lang: The property owner needs to get notice, so that they do not feel as if they are being railroaded.
Dr. Andrews: The property must be commercial, does it not?
Greg Lang: The proposed ordinances include both commercial and private property.
Ada Lang: The CRA money could be used to give the owner some incentive to retain the historic integrity of the property. Wants to keep the process going. Does not want to wake up a year from now, and discover a historic property is gone.
George Sresovich: Recommends Jenny Wolf, will take it upon himself to have her research buildings in Bronson, and can research (with compensation for her time and effort.) any structure which we propose as a contributing structure.
Ada Lang: Do we have a budget for this type of thing?
George directed Maggi to ask Jackie Gorman whether there is money in the budget for the Board to authorize Jenny Wolf to do research.
6. Member Topics
7. Public comment: None
8. Date for next meeting December 14, 2006
9. Adjourn ADA LANG MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY DR. ANDREWS. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. MEETING ADJOURNED.
Attest:
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George Sresovich, Chairman Minutes prepared by Amy Gernhardt |
