Historic Preservation Board approves non-shingle roofs for two Sailboat Bend properties

The Historic Preservation Board on a split agenda approved two certificate-of-appropriateness requests to change roofing materials on contributing properties in the Sailboat Bend Historic District: a standing‑seam metal roof at 209 Southwest 11th Avenue (case UDPHP25008) and a composite polymeric cedar‑replica roof at 229 Southwest Second Avenue (case UDPHP25007).

Board members said long‑term durability and hurricane performance weighed heavily in their decisions. Lena, the case planner, told the board the staff recommendation for 209 Southwest 11th Avenue was denial because the permanent record lists a composition shingle roof and the proposed metal would “alter the architectural style” and did not meet the ULDR criteria cited in the staff report. Ashley Davis, permit coordinator for Action Roofing, told the board the metal choice was a practical one: “The warranty for metal is lifetime,” and that the product “can withstand 140 miles per hour.”

At 229 Southwest Second Avenue staff recommended approval of a Brava polymeric product that replicates cedar shake. The planner said the material met the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and National Park Service guidance when a substitute closely matches the visual and physical properties of the original material. Architect Art Benghachia, representing the applicant and identified in the record as a past president of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, said the material “is environmentally safe,” meets hurricane code and has produced results acceptable to neighbors on prior projects.

Board discussion referenced a recent related case and a broader desire by some members to consider code changes allowing metal in more circumstances. One board member said the board has previously approved metal roofs for similar homes and urged a faster code update to give clearer guidance. Jonathan, a board member who earlier recused himself on a separate item due to affiliation with the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, did not take part in the vote on at least one of these items.

For 209 Southwest 11th Avenue the board approved a motion to grant a certificate of appropriateness based on testimony presented at the hearing and made the approval subject to standard conditions: building, zoning and ULDR requirements. For 229 Southwest Second Avenue the board approved the staff‑recommended certificate of appropriateness, citing its finding that the proposed material “replicates the design, size, color, texture and overall visual qualities” of the existing cedar shake and meets the Secretary of the Interior’s standards.

Both approvals were entered as formal board action; the items will proceed to permitting and standard zoning and building review.