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Council tables historic-preservation ordinance amendment after split debate
Summary
City staff sought changes to the city’s historic-preservation ordinance so Temple Terrace could qualify as a Certified Local Government (CLG). The requested revisions remove a 100% owner-consent prerequisite and add an objection process, but council split and voted to table the ordinance to Aug. 19 for further review.
The City Council on Tuesday heard a staff proposal to amend the city’s historic preservation ordinance so Temple Terrace can obtain Certified Local Government (CLG) status and qualify for certain state and federal preservation grants.
Senior Executive Assistant Jeanie Barlow explained the National Park Service would not concur with the city’s prior ordinance because it required unanimous owner consent — a 100% consent prerequisite — before the historic preservation board could consider a designation. The NPS told staff that requirement is incompatible with federal historic-preservation program standards and that a process allowing public participation and an objection procedure is necessary for CLG recognition.
Proposed changes and staff recommendation
Staff recommended removing section 12-11-60(a)(2) (the 100% consent requirement) and adding a provision that makes a nomination withdrawn if the owner of a property, or owners of more than 50% of properties within a proposed district, object in writing before or during the public hearing. Staff also proposed language giving council the option to approve a designation over an owner objection by majority vote or to modify district boundaries within the noticed area.
Why it matters: CLG status gives municipalities access to state and federal preservation resources including matching grants for surveys, nominations and rehabilitation work. The NPS said a 100% owner-consent prerequisite prevented adequate public participation and would bar CLG designation unless revised.
Council discussion and outcome
Council members expressed divided views. Some members said they supported the revisions so the city could secure CLG benefits, while others worried the language could make participation effectively mandatory for property owners and create burdens (regulatory and financial) for homeowners who do not want historic-designation oversight.
Councilmember Kravitz said she was "very conflicted" and opposed making participation mandatory; several other council members urged clarifying language and a public appeals mechanism. After extended discussion, Councilmember Kravitz moved to table the ordinance for further work; the motion to table to the August 19 meeting passed by voice vote.
Next steps: staff said it will prepare additional language and research other CLG ordinances (including Dunedin’s approach and Tampa’s historic-preservation manager’s input) and return with clarified options for handling owner objections and appeals. The ordinance (identified as Ordinance 1582 in the record) was placed on the agenda for future consideration, but no first-reading adoption occurred while the item is under review.
