CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE
Regular City Commission Meeting
May 12, 2003
The City Commission met in a formal session Monday, May 12, 2003, at 5:00 p.m. in The Alcazar Room at City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor George Gardner, and the following were present:
1. Roll Call:
George Gardner, Mayor/City Commissioner
Susan Burk, City Commissioner
William Lennon, City Commissioner
Errol D. Jones, City Commissioner
Donald A. Crichlow, City Commissioner
William B. Harriss, City Manager
Jack E. Cubbedge, Assistant City Manager
James P. Wilson, City Attorney
Timothy A. Burchfield, Director, General Services/Acting City Clerk
Mark Knight, Director, Planning and Building Department
Mark Litzinger, Director, Financial Services
Dr. William Adams, Director, Heritage Tourism
Paul Williamson, Director, Public Affairs
William H. Harding, Director, Public Works
John Regan, Director, Utilities
James Whitehouse, Staff Attorney
David Shoar, Chief of Police
James Owens, Fire Chief
Orfeo Paolini, Sound Technician
Karen Rogers, Recording Secretary
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2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
Pastor James Lee, New Jerusalem Worship Ministries, presented the invocation, and Commissioner Lennon led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
3.A/ Modification of Agenda
Completion of the April 28, 2003 Agenda Items:
RESOLUTIONS
3.A.1/ Consideration of Resolution 2003-01, amending the Architectural Guidelines for Historic Preservation to allow new construction in HP-1 an alternative to colonial architectural design.
Commissioner Crichlow stated that the resolution would allow the listed styles of architecture in HP-1, which currently allowed only Spanish Colonial Architecture. He explained that HP-1 was composed predominately of styles other than Spanish Colonial. He clarified that any style chosen would have to be
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from the list included in the resolution and in the style of the predominant architecture that was immediately adjacent to the proposed new building. He said that immediately adjacent was defined as along the same street or when considering corner lots, the opposite corners. He said that the resolution had been remanded to HARB for reconsideration, and the board had agreed unanimously to move the resolution to the Commission.
Dana Ste. Claire, Chairman HARB, said the board felt strongly that other types of architectural styles should be allowed in HP-1, because a Spanish Colonial home would be out of place in a neighborhood of bungalows and framed vernacular buildings. He added that the board still felt that it would be necessary to review each new construction.
Commissioner Lennon stated that he had received quite a few complaints from citizens who did not believe the guidelines should be amended.
Mr. Ste. Claire replied that the topic had been opened to public hearing, and the only person that disagreed with the resolution had been Hildegard Pacetti. He added that the board had extensive discussion prior to voting in support of the resolution, and Ms. Pacetti had taken part in the discussion. He stated that the board felt strongly that the resolution was in the best interest of the HP-1 community and the architectural landscape of St. Augustine.
Commissioner Lennon questioned whether a year after demolition a property owner had to build the pre-existing architectural design.
Mr. Ste. Claire replied that the property owner could choose from the list of styles. He noted that Spanish Colonial was still allowed; moreover, the HARB was not trying to prevent construction of Spanish Colonial style architecture. He said that the resolution would allow a broader range of architectural styles that would be more compatible with the surrounding landscape.
Commissioner Jones questioned the definition of immediately adjacent.
Mr. Ste. Claire replied that it was a general context, but there could be legal parameters included.
Commissioner Jones questioned whether he foresaw any problem with the wording.
Mr. Ste. Claire replied that he did not believe there would be a problem, as the City had evolved architecturally with pockets of different architectural styles
A brief discussion resulted in which Commissioner Crichlow read the details of the resolution to clarify immediately adjacent.
Mr. Ste. Claire pointed out that construction required HARB’s review for an Opinion of Appropriateness prior to a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Mayor Gardner questioned what framed vernacular meant.
Commissioner Crichlow replied that it meant architecture that was common to the area.
Dr. William Adams, Director, Heritage Tourism, explained that framed meant wood and vernacular meant of, from or by the people. He said the style would not be associated with a particular school or architect, but a building designed and constructed by a person
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without reference to a formal architectural style.
Mayor Gardner noted that he had received an e-mail from Nancy Sykes-Kline opposing the resolution, because HP-1 was part of the National Historic Landmark District watch list with a threatened status for new and incompatible construction. He said that Ms. Sykes-Kline’s idea was that if any area should be Spanish Colonial it was the walled City areas; therefore, the architecture should evolve in that direction over the next 100-years.
Dr. Adams stated that the Colonial Historic District encompassed HP-1-2-3; furthermore, he had no idea why it was on the so called watch list, because he could not think of a single contributing structure in those districts that had been demolished since 1971. He suggested that the watch list was manufactured, artificial and produced by someone, which he had argued with the people in the National Park Service about.
Dr. Adams said that although he was not totally familiar with Commissioner Crichlow’s resolution he would agree with it philosophically, because there were areas of the Colonial Historic District with contributing buildings that were constructed in the 19-20th century; therefore, the colonial period extended from 1565 until 1935.
Mr. Ste. Claire pointed out the newest member of HARB, Paul Weaver, was involved with the original and rewriting of the National Register of Historic Places; moreover, he was in favor of the amendment to the ordinance. He said the archeological dig revealed the original Spanish Colonial walled city, and south of Bridge Street there was less of the original 1572 town plan. He said that the resolution also recognized the architectural evolution and diversity of St. Augustine. He pointed out that the varied historic architectural styles were just as important to the contribution of the architectural history of the City as Spanish Colonial. He said that although it was a good idea to develop a Spanish Colonial landscape in residential areas, he was not sure how feasible the idea was for some of the residential communities that were currently bungalows and framed vernacular styles etc.
Commission Crichlow said that although there was concern that the resolution would permanently alter the visual character of HP-1, it had been his intent to do the opposite by assuring that the character of the neighborhoods remained the same.
Mr. Ste. Claire agreed that allowing the architectural styles would improve the architectural landscape through compatibility.
Mayor Gardner expressed concern about the definition of immediately adjacent, and he suggested using the language buildings in the vicinity.
Mr. Ste. Claire said that language had not been discussed, but the language used would be opened to interpretation and discussion.
Hildegard Pacetti, 305 St. George Street, stated that she had spoken on the issue several times and written two letters to the Commissioners and to the HARB members, but she felt that her concerns had been completely ignored. She questioned whether the Commission wanted HP-1 to look like the oldest city in the United States. She said that there were few Spanish Colonial homes remaining in St. Augustine; therefore, by requiring new development to be
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constructed in the Spanish Colonial style a balance could be achieved toward the City’s history. She stated that the resolution would make St. Augustine look like any other city in the United States. She said that the resolution was a waste of time, a stupid proposal for the benefit of Commissioner Crichlow.
Henry Whetstone, 282 St. George Street, delivered background regarding HP-1 and pointed out that there were many Spanish Colonial structures both old and new. He said that when the HARB guidelines were created in 1984 the focus had been on Spanish Colonial development. He said at that time the board had some authority regarding density, but the board no longer had authority regarding mass, scale and density, as the authority had been given to the PZB. He stated that by instituting another type of architecture there would be no guidelines and each development would have to be handled on a case-by-case basis. He indicated that could result in an unfair system where a friend could get a project approved but someone else could not. He stated that guidelines were necessary for the architect to do his/her job.
Mr. Whetstone said that he would like another set of guidelines for HP-2 also, because he did not want to build in the Spanish style when he built the office on his motel. He added that he did not want to build in the Spanish style, because he would have to use wood windows which could not be double paned for insulation and a wood shingled roof.
Mr. Whetstone stated that there was a 22-foot lot that Commissioner Crichlow was the architect for, and that situation had generated the resolution. He said that the property owner in question wanted to build a garage, which was not allowed in the Manucy Spanish style architecture; therefore, another architectural style would allow the property owner to have a garage. He suggested that the resolution represented a conflict of interest for Commissioner Crichlow.
Mayor Gardner questioned who would be best suited to review and set updated guidelines.
Mr. Whetstone said that power had been removed from HARB, which had lead to over extended lot coverage and density throughout the City. He suggested a solution to Commissioner Crichlow’s problem for the 22-foot lot that would not alter the HARB guidelines.
Mayor Gardner stated that he was not quick to judge Commissioner Crichlow, as the resolution had withstood a thorough examination by the Commission and HARB. He questioned whether there was a conflict.
Commissioner Crichlow noted that he had brought the property at 103½ Marine Street before the HARB to get HARB’s perspective regarding demolishing the existing structure and to determine whether the structure was in fact historical. He said that HARB had determined that the structure was contributing; therefore, the owner decided not to pursue demolition and sold the property. He explained that that new owner had no intention of demolishing the structure, but planned to restore the building in the existing style. He maintained that he had nothing personal to gain from the proposed resolution, except that if his house burned down he would not have to build in the Spanish Colonial style. He added that he had the best interest of St. Augustine in mind when introducing the resolution, as there were no Spanish Colonial buildings in HP-1, and the
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appearance would be of a fake historical development.
Mr. Whetstone stated that there appeared to be more interest in the airport authority than in restoration in St. Augustine. He said the residents were being taxed for the airport when that money could be used for the preservation and restoration of existing homes in the City or incentives for preservation and restoration.
Commissioner Jones stated that he had been prepared to support the resolution; however, public comment had disturbed him; therefore, in light of the new information he would not support the resolution. He said the perception weighed far more than what was actually occurring.
Commissioner Crichlow further defended his position regarding the resolution.
Commissioner Burk stated that Commissioner Crichlow would have to deal with the perception, and she was certain that he was prepared to do so. She said that she had lived in HP-1 and seen an example of a new Spanish Colonial structure built in the district, which proved ridiculous considering the surrounding architecture. She stated that the resolution solved that problem.
Mayor Gardner supported the resolution with the consideration of creating an urban design review board composed of architects, planners, developers and living city experts to advise the Commission and update the guidelines.
MOTION
Commissioner Crichlow MOVED to approve Resolution 2003-01. Commissioner Burk SECONDED the motion.
Commissioner Lennon requested the Commission’s input regarding Mr. Whetstones suggestion of including HP-2 in the resolution.
Commissioner Burk said that was a whole other can of worms that could be addressed at a later date.
VOTE ON MOTION
AYES: Crichlow, Burk, Gardner
NAYES: Jones, Lennon
MOTION CARRIED 3/2
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