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Does the City have a
list of buildings that are historically designated?
Yes,
the City has a list of approximately 180 locally designated buildings.
These buildings and sites are identified by an 8 x 8 bronze plaque
installed in a highly visible location. Local Register of Historic Places
How do
I know if my house is eligible for historical designation?
Generally,
houses are eligible for historic designation in the City of Sarasota once they are
at least 50 years old. The City also recognizes the importance of younger
structures associated with the Sarasota School of Architecture. A structure
or site has to meet one of the six specific criteria in the Zoning Code.
How can I get my house (or
other building) historically designated?
Getting
a home or other structure historically designated is a permitting process
that can take several months. The Historic Designation of a property is achieved
only after a public hearing before the Historic Preservation Board, a
second public hearing before the City Commission and approval of an
ordinance designating the property in question. See the Historic Designation Information Page.
How does historic
designation benefit a property owner?
Historic
designation entitles an owner to a variety of programs to encourage the
preservation of significant historical resources. These range from
incentives to promote sensitive historical rehabilitation by offering some
relief from building and zoning code regulations, and an ad-valorem tax exemption for qualifying
improvements to historic structures. More information on the benefits of local historic designation is available from the
City Planning and Redevelopment Department. The City Auditor and Clerk is
also authorized to pay for the installation of an official bronze plaque to
identify designated historical resources.
I need to make repairs (or
renovations) to my historically designated house?
Making
an exterior changes to a locally designated structure requires a Certificate
of Appropriateness. There is an application form that must be
submitted to Clerk's Office for hearing before the Preservation Board. Your
application should include clear building plans and other relevant
information. For more information on the Certificate of Appropriateness process,
see COA Process.
When
does the City's Historic Preservation Board meet and how can I have my item
or issues considered by the Board?
The Historic Preservation Board has a deadline for submission
of materials for presentations. It is one week before the meeting.
Applications for Historic Designation, and Demolition of Historic
Structures must be submitted approximately 6 weeks in advance
due to the legal notice requirements that apply to these quasi-judicial
hearing matters. Certificate of Appropriateness, applications
can be submitted as late as two weeks before the meeting in
order to be placed on the agenda. (Please refer to the table
of HP Meeting Schedule & Submission Deadlines for
2008.)
As
with all of the City's Citizen Advisory Boards, the Historic Preservation
Board offers the opportunity for citizen input at all meetings. Citizens
may address the Board for 3 minutes relative to any topic not already on
the agenda at any regularly-scheduled Board meeting.
What are the City's plans
for historic preservation in the future?
The
City of Sarasota
has adopted an Historic Preservation Chapter as part of its
comprehensive plan, the Sarasota City Plan. That Chapter specifies certain
goals, objectives and action strategies that the City would like to achieve
related to historic preservation.
At
this time, the City is actively involved in updating the inventory of
historic resources within the City limits. With the help of state/federal
matching grants, the City has hired consultants to review and catalog all structures
that may be of historic interest within the City. The survey has been
completed in the downtown area and is underway north of 10th Street. Future phases are
expected to cover the neighborhoods to the south and east of downtown.
Where can I learn more
about historic preservation in the City and in Sarasota County?
Reference
books are available at the Sarasota County History Center Library, 701 N. Tamiami Trail in
Sarasota.
They can be reached at (941) 861-1183.
Sample
designation reports are available in the City Planning Department located
in the City Hall Annex Building at 1565 First Street on the third floor.
Please contact Clifford Smith,
Senior Planner at (941) 954-4195 for more information about designation
reports.
Are
there any state sources for information about historic structures and sites
in the City of Sarasota?
The
State of Florida
maintains a comprehensive statewide list of locations and structures that
are of historic and archeological interest. That list is called the Florida
Master Site File. The City of Sarasota
is in the process of updating the survey records in the Florida Master Site
File using state/federal grant funds.
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