Board tables demolition request for 311 Goldstein Street after applicant absent, requests engineer/homeowner appear

The Punta Gorda Historic Preservation Advisory Board tabled consideration of a demolition request for a 1910 Folk Victorian house at 311 Goldstein Street after the applicant and the structural engineer were not present to answer board questions.

Staff presented the application and a structural report by James Bush (P.E.) that concluded the building sits 4 feet below the currently required flood‑plain elevation for a habitable first floor and that repair costs exceeded 50 percent of the building’s value. Staff recommended approval of a certificate of appropriateness for demolition to the zoning official.

Several board members said they inspected the exterior and windows and expressed concern that the engineer’s cost‑based rationale (50 percent rule) does not automatically make a historic structure unsalvageable. “The 50% rule does not apply,” one member said, urging the board not to rely solely on the cost statement. Members asked whether the house could be elevated and whether the owners had applied to Elevate Florida; staff did not know whether an application had been submitted.

Board member Beth Magden said decision making would be easier if the applicant or engineer were present. With neither at the meeting, the board voted to table the certificate of appropriateness for 311 Goldstein Street until the applicant and/or structural engineer can attend and answer questions.

Rachel Berry, the city zoning official, noted procedural requirements for applicants to appear and staff will contact the homeowner; the item is scheduled to return to the board agenda on July 24 if the applicant can attend.