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Historic Preservation Board approves two local designations, clears two demolitions and backs CRD height amendment
Summary
At its April 3 meeting the St. Pete Beach Historic Preservation Board voted unanimously to locally designate two properties, granted two demolition certificates (waiving the 30‑day stay in both cases) and voted to recommend an amendment to CRD Eighth Avenue height rules to the City Commission.
The St. Pete Beach Historic Preservation Board on April 3 approved two local historic designations, granted certificates of appropriateness for two demolitions and voted to recommend changes to the CRD Eighth Avenue height rules to the City Commission.
The votes came after staff presentations and brief public or owner remarks. The board approved local designation for a 1956 single‑family residence at 41080 Seventh Avenue and for the Passagrel Shores condominium at 103 Eighteenth Avenue. The board also granted demolition permits for 207 Gulf Way and for the contributing structures at 108 Twentieth Avenue, waiving the 30‑day stay on each demolition.
Board chair and members said the actions followed staff findings. Lynn Rossetti, contract planner for the City of St. Pete Beach, described the 41080 Seventh Avenue property as a mid‑century single‑family structure “constructed in 1956” and recommended designation for its contribution to the North Beach neighborhood. Staff presentation for 103 Eighteenth Avenue indicated the four‑unit Passagrel Shores building was historically significant and retained distinctive exterior character despite interior updates; applicant Carolyn Caddell spoke about family ownership and preservation of the building’s “good bones.”
On the demolition requests, city staff said state and local rules permit demolition but allow a temporary stay; in both cases staff recommended approval without a stay because the properties had sustained substantial storm damage. For 207 Gulf Way staff documented interior and roof damage and found the lot capable of supporting replacement construction. At 108 Twentieth Avenue, staff noted the property was picked up in multiple historic surveys but concluded the applicant demonstrated substantial damage; the owner, who identified himself as Walter Soma Jr., provided estimated repair and elevation costs and said rebuilding plans are being submitted for design review.
On the code amendment, planning staff presented proposed language for ordinance 2025‑08 addressing building height measurement in the CRD Eighth Avenue overlay. The draft ties maximum height to the “required lowest floor elevation” used in flood and building regulations and limits building height to 35 feet measured from that required lowest floor; where that measurement produces a structure taller than 35 feet measured from grade, the ordinance would require a 10‑foot stepback on stories above 35 feet. Planner Brandon Berry said the change restores the intent of the district’s original 2013 rules and avoids a loophole where base flood elevation alone could yield taller structures. The board voted to recommend ordinance 2025‑08 to the City Commission.
Votes at a glance - Case 24097, local historic designation, 41080 Seventh Avenue — Approved (roll call: Amber Young yes; Amber Hurley yes; Amber Dashiell yes; Vice Chair Hockensmith yes; Chair Lawrie yes). Outcome: approved. - Case 25028, local historic designation, 103 Eighteenth Avenue (Passagrel Shores condominiums) — Approved (roll call: Member Dashiell yes; Member Hurley yes; Member Young yes; Vice Chair Hockensmith yes; Chair Lawrie yes). Outcome: approved. - Case 25036, certificate of appropriateness for demolition, 207 Gulf Way — Approved; 30‑day stay waived (roll call: Amber Young yes; Amber Hurley yes; Amber Dashiell yes; Vice Chair Hockensmith yes; Chair Lawrie yes). Outcome: approved, waiver granted. - Case 25037, certificate of appropriateness for demolition, 108 Twentieth Avenue — Approved; 30‑day stay waived (roll call: Amber Young yes; Amber Hurley yes; Amber Dashiell yes; Vice Chair Hockensmith yes; Chair Lawrie yes). Outcome: approved, waiver granted. - Recommendation on ordinance 2025‑08 (CRD Eighth Avenue height language) — Motion to recommend to City Commission carried unanimously. Outcome: recommended to City Commission.
Why it matters: The board’s local designations add protections and recognition for two mid‑century properties in St. Pete Beach. The demolition approvals, taken without the optional 30‑day delay, clear the way for owners to pursue reconstruction and design review. The ordinance recommendation addresses a recurring planning issue on Eighth Avenue by tying building height to the flood‑related required lowest floor elevation and imposing a stepback where elevation requirements would otherwise increase visible height from grade.
What’s next: The designation cases will be processed through the city’s historic designation records; demolition applicants said they plan to submit design plans for review. Ordinance 2025‑08 proceeds to the City Commission for further review and public hearings.
