The Historic Preservation Board on Sept. 4 approved certificates of appropriateness allowing the demolition of several storm-damaged houses in Pass-a-Grille and adjacent neighborhoods after staff assessments and applicant testimony. Board members voted unanimously on each case.

Board consideration matters because several of the properties are contributing resources in the city's historic survey and one previously carried a local designation; the board can, under city criteria, impose temporary stays of demolition (up to 90 days for locally designated resources, shorter periods otherwise) but staff recommended approval without stays in these cases following damage reviews.

Staff member Brandon Berry presented the first demolition case, for 110 Fourth Avenue (case 25091), noting the primary residence had been designated as a local historic resource and showed “extensive damage.” Berry told the board the city’s post-storm practice had not generally been to require stays, but that the board could impose up to a 90-day stay for a locally designated property. The applicant, Susan Hatton speaking on behalf of Richard Hatton and Janice Davis, confirmed the owner intends to sell the lot. The board approved the demolition without a stay; the clerk recorded all present members voting yes.

The board then heard two additional demolition requests from the same applicant for 10820 Second Avenue (case 25092) and for 2505 Pasquale Way (case 25110). For 10820 Second Avenue Berry said staff’s exterior assessment had found damage below the city’s 50% “substantial damage” threshold but the applicant described extensive interior flooding and cleanup costs that made repair impractical. Hatton described interior inundation and repair estimates. The board approved the certificate for 10820 Second Avenue without a stay.

For 2505 Pasquale Way (case 25110) staff said the house remained a contributing resource but had sustained extensive interior damage; an on-site designer who spoke for the owners said structural rot and the family’s desire for more space made demolition and a new build the preferred option. The board approved demolition without a stay.

A fourth demolition, for 108 Thirteenth Avenue (case 25116), also a contributing resource, was presented with staff findings that estimated restoration costs exceeded the depreciated value of the structure; the owner, Michael Gilbertson, said the property had been a rental and they had not decided whether to sell or rebuild. The board approved that demolition without a stay.

Throughout the discussion board members and staff reiterated that demolition approvals do not prevent future redevelopment; staff noted zoning and overlay requirements would govern any new construction on the lots and that applicants would be subject to the Pass-a-Grille overlay rules when they return with designs. The board’s approvals were recorded as motions with unanimous votes in favor; no stays were imposed in these cases.

The board’s actions clear owners to remove severely damaged structures but preserve the city’s ability to review future redevelopment designs under the historic overlay.