Historic and Architectural Preservation Board Meeting - January 8, 2026

The Historic and Architectural Preservation Board met on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 9:00 AM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included a public hearing on an ad valorem tax exemption for a property on the local register and a pre-application discussion for a new commercial building.

Consent Calendar

• The board approved the minutes of the November 13, 2025 meeting unanimously.
• The board excused the absence of member Mr. Green.

Public Hearing: 500 Nassau Street South – Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Recommendation

• Staff: Harry Klinkhamer, Historical Resources Manager, presented the application for a 4-year ad valorem tax exemption for improvements to a property at 500 Nassau Street South, owned by Michael and Alice Jeromin. The property is on the Local Register of Historical Resources. The work had been previously approved via a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) and meets Secretary of the Interior standards.
• Applicant Michael Jeromin expressed gratitude and stated they are committed to a first-class restoration, noting the project is expensive but they aim to make the neighborhood proud.
• Board members commended the applicant for their preservation efforts and stated that the building is an example that even a deteriorated structure can be properly restored with care and financial backing.
• A motion to approve the application for recommendation to City Council was made, seconded, and passed unanimously via roll call: all board members present voted yes.
• Next steps: The recommendation will go to City Council for two readings and a city ordinance. Staff also will assist the applicants in applying for a similar county tax exemption.

Discussion Item: Pre-Application for 205 Harbor Drive North

• Staff: Brittany Smith, planner, introduced the pre-application for demolition and rebuild at 205 Harbor Drive North. The applicant is the Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida.
• Architect John Holtz presented a preliminary design for a 2,100 square foot one-story commercial building with a Venice theme aesthetic, including stucco, cast stone base, metal tile roof, arched elements, and ornamental tile. The site is not in a floodplain and proposed five parking spaces with a possible agreement for additional parking at the adjacent cathedral.
• Board members provided feedback:
  • Concern about window proportions: suggested more vertical proportions and divided lights to relate to the residential context of the street.
  • Recommended a more pronounced water table or base band (cast stone band currently too minimal).
  • Advised against shiny metal brackets; prefer wood or stucco with matte finish.
  • Requested more context in future submittals (site plan, aerial view, neighboring properties).
  • Noted that the design appropriately references the new cathedral across the street.
  • Expressed general approval of the roof material and rhythm of bays.
• The board encouraged the applicant to incorporate feedback and proceed with a formal Certificate of Appropriateness application.

Board Discussion & Staff Comments

• The board discussed the annual report to City Council, which must be prepared in the first quarter.
• Staff announced that a historic preservation brochure is now available at the museum and planning office.
• Staff reported the kickoff meeting for the Edgewood and Seaboard Historic Resources Survey project, which will be conducted by Chronicle Heritage.
• It was noted that the CBoard area master plan is moving forward with a technical working group meeting that afternoon.
• A code change was adopted to make a Main Street board membership preferred but not required.
• Update on expired approvals: Several projects (Venice Avenue, Miami Avenue, Comcast building, circus property) have expired approvals and will need to come back before the board. The circus project currently has a new application under review. The 219 building site development plan expires in June; potential buyers are informed.
• Discussion about a cleared lot on South Harbor Drive: staff will investigate if it is in the historic district.
• An educational seminar on the local register was discussed; staff mentioned a February roundtable hosted by the Sarasota Alliance featuring the Jeromins.
• The board expressed interest in repeating the local register seminar.

Key Outcomes

• Approved recommendation to City Council for ad valorem tax exemption for 500 Nassau Street South (unanimous).
• Provided guidance for the 205 Harbor Drive pre-application; formal application expected later.
• Staff to prepare annual report and continue outreach on historic preservation programs.