CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE Historic Architectural Review Board Regular Meeting February 21, 2013

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1 CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE Regular Meeting The met in formal session at 2:00 P.M., Thursday,, in the Alcazar Room at City Hall, St. Augustine, Florida. Fred Halback, Chairperson, called the meeting to order, and the following were present: 1. ROLL CALL: Fred Halback, Chairperson Len Weeks, Vice Chairperson Leslie Thomas H. Randal Roark Paul Weaver, III City Staff: Jenny Wolfe, Historic Preservation Planner David Birchim, Planning Manager Ron Brown, City Attorney Isabelle Lopez, Assistant City Attorney Carly Mason, Recording Secretary 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the November 15, 2012 Regular HARB meeting were approved as presented. 3. Opinion of Appropriateness Item 3 (a) F Nonnas Trattoria Applicant TEP, Inc. Owner 17 King Street 1 To alter the storefront by removing the front plate glass windows and install iron fencing to provide open air seating. Ms. Wolfe said based on a review of the Architectural Guidelines for Historic Preservation (AGHP) and without the support of evidence to the contrary, staff found that the board could DENY the request for an Opinion of Appropriateness. Akram Farhan, applicant, explained that the building would be used to operate a piano/wine restaurant bar with outdoor seating. He requested to move and recess 1 Staff report attached to original minutes the glass 25 foot in order to create outdoor seating. He said the existing glass would be replaced with iron fencing and Spanish flooring. Mr. Weeks said the concept was very creative; however, expressed concern regarding the appearance and recessing the façade back into the building. Mr. Farhan said he would abide by the code and rules of the city. Charles Shanks explained that he was the Operating Manager for Trinity Episcopal Parish (TEP), Inc. He understood the board s concern regarding the outdoor feature and noted that he was not in agreement with the outcome of the staff recommendation. He explained that retail and more recently restaurants had occupied the building. He concluded that recessing the glass would be an asset to the business. Mr. Farhan explained that the building previously had a movie theater with awnings and requested to add awnings to the proposed project. Public hearing; however, there was no response. 1

2 Mr. Halback explained that the building had been designed by Morris Lapidus founder of the Fontainebleau hotel. He expressed concern regarding the illustration of the building and suggested a new set of renderings be created and presented. Mr. Weaver explained that the building could be listed in the National Register, due to the association with Morris Lapidus and the Civil Rights. He referenced the Architectural guidelines and noted that taking away the entrance, pushing the entrance back, removing the storefront and creating a patio would clearly violate the guidelines. He concluded that the proposal would destroy the storefront character, which was associated with the Historic and Civil Rights use of the building. Mr. Weeks said a restaurant would serve as a good location; however, questioned whether the recessing of the glass was necessary and noted that the proposal would significantly change the outlook of the building. Mr. Roark said the glass storefront should be retained and suggested that the outdoor dining portion be located on Aviles Street. Mr. Farhan said the essence of using the sidewalk would be the authority of the city. He noted that the sidewalk was currently in use by the city. Mr. Shanks explained that the landlord wanted the highest and best use of the structure. He questioned whether modifications could be made to the guidelines. Isabelle Lopez, Assistant City Attorney, explained that the AGHP guidelines were used for decision making and noted that the AGHP had been called out in the Comp Plan. She said the board was comprised of a group of the people with specialty knowledge. Mr. Weaver noted that the National Interior had a set of guidelines in which the applicant could research similar photos of his proposal and present those findings to the board. After a brief discussion the board decided to table the item. Mr. Weaver MOVED to TABLE Opinion of Appropriateness application F to the March 21, 2013 meeting. Motion SECONDED by Mr. Weeks. VOTE ON : AYES: Weaver, Weeks, Roark, Halback CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Mr. Weeks asked that the applicant provide a more detailed rendering at the subsequent meeting. 4. Certificates of Appropriateness Item 4 (a) F Agustin Inn, LLC Applicant 29 Cuna Street, LLC 29 Cuna Street 2 To apply a color palette for trim colors outside of the architectural style of the pre-approved paint colors. Application has been formally withdrawn. Item 4 (b) F John Valdes and Associates, Inc. Applicant Jerome V. Jacalone and Angelo R. Torricini Owner 53 Marine Street 3 2 Staff report attached to original minutes 3 Staff report attached to original minutes 2

3 To convert a flat roof breezeway to a gable roof breezeway and cover with clay tiles that match the primary structure. Ms. Wolfe said based on the review of the AGHP and support of evidence to the contrary. Staff found that the board could APPROVE a Certificate of Appropriateness to change the roofing system and material on the breezeway at 53 Marine Street. John Valdes, applicant, requested to convert the breezeway and extend the tile roof. Public hearing opened; however, there was no response. Mr. Weeks MOVED to APPROVE Certificate of Appropriateness application F as submitted. Motion SECONDED by Mr. Weaver. VOTE ON : AYES: Weeks, Weaver, Roark, Halback CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Item 4 (c) F City of St. Augustine Public Works Dept. Applicant City of St. Augustine Owner Seawall, south of Bridge of Lions 4 To revise the previously approved design by adding a coquina shell dash finish to the parapet wall and portions of the promenade, to add granite tiles to the promenade and merlons, redesign of the restaurant crossing and intersections at Bravo Lane and St. Francis Street. Exparte Communication: Each board member met separately with the applicant. Mr. Halback disclosed that he had met with Glenn Herbert, project consultant to visit the site and discuss possible solutions. Martha Graham, Director, Public Works Department, explained that the city had revisited the construction of the site and noted that the city was under a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with FEMA and SHPO. She said once the board approved the request the approval would be sent to FEMA for approval. Glenn Herbert, Project Manager, explained that the project would include the following: A gap between 2 to 12 inches would exist between the old seawall and the new promenade New promenade would be 11 foot wide Loose chipped granite would be used to fill in gaps Precast coquina aggregate would be used to wrap the merlons Bravo Lane handicap ramp would extend to the end of the landing, coquina would be utilized on the opposite side of the road and tabling the end of the road to achieve a leveled appearance that would slope down in either direction Paving removed width of the parking spaces to provide a narrower crossing path of traffic lanes Granite caps of the historic seawall would be highest elevation point Another pedestrian crossing would be located at St. Francis Public hearing opened; however, there was no response. Mr. Weeks questioned whether the wall would be six inches taller than the existing, and the response was affirmative. 4 Staff report attached to original minutes 3

4 Mr. Halback MOVED to APPROVE Certificate of Appropriateness application F as submitted. Motion SECONDED by Mr. Roark. VOTE ON : AYES: Halback, Roark, Weaver, Weeks CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 5. Planning and Building Department s Report 6. Other Business 6. (a) Discussion regarding the way finding signage project Ms. Wolfe requested feedback from the board regarding the following: Purpose and Intent of the signage program Historic place names Proper names of buildings (Master Site File, National Register, etc.) Review of the concepts presented Ms. Wolfe explained that the map diagram included a change that would include the branding logo colors. Mr. Halback said he was in favor of the proposal and was not in favor of the flat black panel option D would not be a good alternative. He said the way finding system should be about orientating someone and sending you to the civic realm of the community. He suggested the orientation of map would determine the direction that one would take. Mr. Roark questioned whether the map would be double-sided, and the response was affirmative. Mr. Halback said he preferred option B and C. Mr. Weaver questioned the selection of the color palette. Ms. Wolfe replied that the color palette had been chosen by a consultant using HARB approved colors. Mr. Knight asked if the board had any concerns regarding the list. Mr. Weaver suggested that the Obelisk and Tolomato Cemetery be added. Ms. Lopez explained that staff had been working from an itemized list of criteria. Mr. Halback noted that an App for smartphones would be a great option to assist visitors. Mr. Knight noted that the intention was to make the map available by hyper screens. 6. (b) Discussion regarding the schedule of the CLG and FLTHP conference Ms. Wolfe explained that the May 14 through May 18, 2013 would offer both the CLG and FLTHP conferences. 6. (c) Discussion regarding the DHR update to the NRHD for reconstruction Ms. Wolfe mentioned that the State was continuing to work on an update to add the Colonial Reconstruction buildings to the existing National Register District. Mr. Weaver commented that another area that had been discussed was Civil Rights Era properties, such as the Woolworth Building, 17 King Street and noted that the majority of the buildings were located in Lincolnville, which would be outside of the historic district. Ms. Wolfe noted that an update of the districts would be required. Mr. Weaver noted that he had provided a letter in regards to the Tovar House and 4

5 asked for the board s approval to speak on behalf as a member of HARB. He asked staff whether the letter could be drafted on letterhead or should he proceed as an individual. After a brief the discussion the following Motion was made. Mr. Halback MOVED to APPROVE a letter of support for the Preservation Award from the Florida Trust for the Tovar House to be signed by Paul Weaver. Motion SECONDED by Mr. Weeks. VOTE ON : CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Mr. Halback explained that his firm Marquis Halback had been retained by the City in the Transit and Parks Grant Program and would be providing a presentation at the March 21, 2013 HARB meeting at 1:00 p.m. 7. Review of Conflict Statements from Previous Meetings 8. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:25 P.M. 5 Len Weeks, Chairperson 6 5 Transcribed by Carly Mason 6 Fred Halback s term expired and new chairperson chosen 5