Historic and Architectural Preservation Board Meeting - August 28, 2025
Historic and Architectural Preservation Board Meeting - August 28, 2025
The Historic and Architectural Preservation Board of the City of Venice met on August 28, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers. The board approved previous meeting minutes, selected the 2025 Legacy Award recipient, reviewed a draft historic preservation brochure, and held a public hearing on a local register nomination. A key outcome was the decision to reduce regular meetings to once monthly starting in October 2025.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (May 22, 2025 and July 10, 2025): Approved unanimously by roll call vote.
Discussion Items
- Selection of 2025 Legacy Award Recipient: Staff presented voting results from board members: first place – Earl Midlam, tied for second – Ralph Twitchell and Venice Area Historical Society. The board discussed whether to award one or multiple recipients. A motion was made and seconded to nominate Earl Midlam as the recipient for 2025. The motion passed unanimously via roll call vote. The board also discussed establishing timelines and frequency criteria for future awards (e.g., a three-year gap before renomination for organizations). Staff will bring back a proposed timeline for the award process.
- Draft Historic Preservation Informational Brochure: Staff introduced a rough mock-up of a trifold brochure. Board members commented on the need for more concise language, eye-catching graphics, and branding. Suggestions included adding QR codes linking to the Venice Museum, reorganizing content order, and using more vibrant colors. Staff will incorporate feedback and work with an external graphic designer to produce a revised mock-up for a future meeting.
Public Hearing
- Local Register Nomination – 500 Nassau Street South: Staff presented the nomination for the property at 500 Nassau Street South to be placed on the City's Local Register of Historical Resources. The applicant proposed the property under criteria 1, 3, 4, 8, and 9. Staff recommended removal of criteria 3 and 9, citing that oral history linking the home to a notable resident was likely misattributed, and that the property meets criteria 1 (significance in city history), 4 (distinctive architectural style – Mediterranean Revival), and 8 (contributing structure to the Venice Park National Historic District). Board discussion centered on the property's future restoration plans. The public hearing was closed without testimony. A motion was made and seconded to recommend nomination to City Council based on criteria 1, 4, and 8. The motion passed unanimously via roll call vote.
Staff Comments & Updates
- Senate Bill 180 Extension: Roger Clark, Planning and Zoning Director, noted that the governor recently extended Senate Bill 180, which prohibits adopting more burdensome or prohibitive code language until at least October 1, 2027. This limits the board's ability to pursue previously discussed code changes.
- Meeting Schedule Change: Staff proposed switching from two meetings per month to one meeting per month due to a high cancellation rate (10 of 20 in 2024, 8 of 20 so far in 2025). After discussion, the board voted to hold one regular meeting per month on the second Thursday, starting in October 2025. Special meetings may be called if needed.
- Survey Grant for Edgewood and Seaboard Area: City Council authorized signing a contract with the state for a grant to survey these areas. Staff will issue an RFP for a consultant.
Key Outcomes
- Legacy Award 2025: Board selected Earl Midlam as the recipient. Staff will coordinate a presentation at a future City Council meeting.
- Local Register Nomination: Board voted 8-0 to recommend to City Council that 500 Nassau Street South be listed on the Local Register under criteria 1, 4, and 8.
- Meeting Schedule: Board voted unanimously to hold regular meetings on the second Thursday of each month starting October 2025, reducing from two meetings per month.
- Brochure Revisions: Staff will present a revised draft incorporating board feedback after working with a graphic designer.
- Code Changes: Due to Senate Bill 180, the board will not pursue more restrictive code amendments until at least October 2027.
Meeting Transcript
I see you're good for another three years. Yeah, I am. All right. Uh seeing that it's nine o'clock, we'll go ahead and call to order. The historic and architectural preservation board, August 28th, 2025. Um attendance right now. Yes. Chair Beebe? Here. Miss Trammell. Here. Miss Darryberry? Here. Mr. Stecketty. Here. Mr. Watkins. Mr. Green. Here. Mr. Barrick. Present. Present. All right. Thank you very much. The full house today. All right. We'll go ahead and move to approval of the minutes before you have uh the minutes for May 22nd, 25, and July 10th, 2025, the regular meeting minutes. Are there any revisions or adjustments? If not, the chair will entertain a motion. I move to approve. All right. Move to approve. Is there a second? Second. I think I heard John first. John seconds. All in favor? Aye. Opposed. All right. The minutes pass. Approved. Any general audience participation this morning. No, we do not have anyone signed up to speak. No one signed up. Thank you. All right, we'll go ahead and move to new business.
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