Open Letter to the Cedar Key Commissioners, LPA and residents of Cedar Key, There were so many legitimate concerns raised about the expansion of the "Historic District" last evening, 1/31/08, at the Comprehensive Plan Workshop that, after a rather sleepless night, I decided to see if I could express what I thought I heard both last night and at the Charette when we all gathered to start this process in the Spring of 2004. It seems easiest to me, to describe what we don't want.... We don't want everything to look alike (cute little, matchy-matchy, packed in, color coordinated buildings like the towns of Seaside or Watercolor, FL) We don't want Mediterranean villas or McMansions sprouting up on vacant lots or the results of a major remodel in the historic areas of Cedar Key. Whether it be large houses on small lots, or multiple lots combined (like the way properties developed along Gulf Blvd, just north of "The Pier" in Old Naples, FL) Importantly, we don't want the whole town to look like 2nd Street, either (all "historic," old appearing like Charleston, SC). So, maybe calling the proposed expanded district a "Historic District" is a mistake, perhaps it should be called Old Cedar Key District, and leave the Historic District to the presently designated area. AND, finally, we don't want residents who own existing property in an effected area to be subject to an expensive or complicated review process each time his/her house needs a new window/door, deck/porch, awning, roof, etc. (Please note that, although this was not discussed as such at the Charette, I strongly believe those of us who agreed with the idea of expanding the "historic district area," did not mean that the strict regulations required of "all properties within the Historic District, as outlined in Article III of the Laws of Cedar Key" should be applied to this expanded area).
So what do we want?
We do want to protect what we have
We do want Cedar Key to keep its relaxed small town feel where residents and visitors can both relax and work in one of the most pristine natural environments in the US.
So, what do we do?
We should consider calling the expanded area something other than "Historic District" in order to avoid the burdens this potentially places on residents of that area. As suggested, if a resident outside our existing Historic District, wanted their property to be placed on the Historic Registry (and subject to whatever benefits or restrictions that entails) they could pursue that designation independently. Perhaps this expanded area could simply be called "Old Cedar Key" as mentioned above. We have to keep working on this (and thanks to the Commission and LPA who have been doing just that for the last 4 years). Without taking the time and effort, to put into words what we want (or don't want, if it's easier), the inevitable change that will happen may erase what we're trying to preserve before we know it.
Thank you for listening and considering my thoughts. I really don't think we are all that far apart in what we want for Cedar Key.
Beverly Ringenberg, Resident CK | 