St. Pete Beach95At its Oct. 2 meeting the Historic Preservation Board reviewed the design for a new small house proposed at 207 Gulf Way, a lot staff described as under 4,000 square feet with access tied to a private easement through neighboring property.

Staff described the proposal as meeting the "house small" design criteria with reduced front and rear setbacks and an existing private easement that will retain access from Third Street. The board99s design consultant recommended a modest facade change: "the secondary front element should have the support column step back to provide a more articulated massing," staff said while presenting the updated elevation.

Why it matters: narrow lots and private easements raise questions about landscaping in the frontage and how porch or column elements affect the street-facing appearance. Staff noted that required frontage landscaping must be inside the property boundary and that the current schematics placed some landscaping in the right of way; that will be addressed at building-permit review.

Details from the review

- Lot and access: the lot is under 4,000 square feet and uses an easement for access from Third Street. Staff said the masonry wall at the front will be maintained and that the structure is set back farther from the property line than it appears from the sidewalk.

- Design changes requested: consultant recommendations centered on stepping back a support column on the secondary (north) elevation and adding a railing to better break up massing. Staff said most consultant comments have been addressed in the updated drawings.

- Zoning compliance: staff pointed out the 5-foot setback used in the design (the code allows reductions under certain conditions) and reiterated that required frontage landscaping must be within property lines; any encroachments will be resolved at permit review.

Applicant and representation

Dan Warren, representing DHL Construction, was present for the applicant and briefly spoke to the board; he identified himself for the record saying, "My name is Dan Warren with DHL Construction. I'm representing you." The review was informational and no vote or formal action was required; staff and the applicant will resolve remaining permit-level details.

Next steps: the applicant will address the consultant's minor facade recommendation and finalize landscaping placement for building-permit review. The board did not set any conditions beyond the standard requirement that significant exterior alterations return for certificate-of-appropriateness review if proposed.