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Punta Gorda historic board recommends approval of four certificates of appropriateness, including two demolitions
Summary
At its April 24 meeting the Punta Gorda Historic Preservation Advisory Board unanimously recommended that the zoning official approve four certificates of appropriateness: demolition requests for 527 Palm Avenue and 653 Mary Street and exterior work at 418 West Grama Street and 413 West Greta Esplanade.
The Punta Gorda Historic Preservation Advisory Board voted April 24 to recommend that the city zoning official approve four certificates of appropriateness, including demolition requests for two locally listed houses and exterior alterations at two others.
The board’s recommendation covers CA16-2025 (demolition of the residence at 527 Palm Avenue), CA19-2025 (replacement of exterior windows and doors at 418 West Grama Street), CA20-2025 (demolition of the residence at 653 Mary Street) and CA21-2025 (replacement of two doors and relocation/elevation of an air-conditioning unit at 413 West Greta Esplanade). All four items were presented by Hank Flores, urban design manager, and the board approved each item by voice vote.
Why it matters: two of the properties the board recommended for demolition are on the local register of historic places, making the board’s review a required step under the city’s code before the zoning official can authorize demolition or other work affecting listed structures.
CA16-2025 — 527 Palm Avenue: Flores said the structure was built in 1950 and is listed on the local register of historic places. He told the board the applicant provided a structural engineer’s report that details damage, repair costs and reasons for removal; that report appears in the staff packet. "The structure was constructed in 1950 and is listed on the local register of historic places," Flores said. After a motion and second, the board voted in favor on a voice vote; the board recommended the zoning official approve the certificate of appropriateness.
CA19-2025 — 418 West Grama Street: Staff reported the proposed windows and doors are consistent with the building’s historic character and that the application meets the standards of review in the land development code. A board member moved to approve, another seconded, and the board voted in favor by voice vote. The board’s recommendation will go to the zoning official for final action.
CA20-2025 — 653 Mary Street: Flores told the board the property, built about 1930 and listed on the local register, did not include a structural engineer’s report. He said the property previously was the subject of code-enforcement inspection and that Punta Gorda’s chief building official, Ron Kahalitz, provided an email to staff stating the building is "not only uninhabitable, it is also considered a dangerous structure." Flores added that portions of the roof are gone or collapsing, the electrical system is badly damaged, egress is blocked by debris and there is no heating or cooling. "It's very clear to the average eye that this building is dangerous and that an engineer would not be required," Flores said. A motion to recommend approval passed on a voice vote; the recommendation goes to the zoning official.
CA21-2025 — 413 West Greta Esplanade: The application covers two replacement doors and relocation/elevation of an air-conditioning unit on a single-family residence constructed in 1895 and listed on the local register. Staff advised that the proposal meets the applicable standards, and the board recommended approval by voice vote.
Votes at a glance: all four certificates were recommended for approval by the Historic Preservation Advisory Board on voice votes; the board recorded no roll-call tallies in the meeting minutes. The board made its recommendations to the zoning official; the zoning official’s final decisions were not recorded during this meeting.
Board process notes: For the 527 Palm Avenue item staff confirmed a structural engineer’s report was submitted; for 653 Mary Street staff said no structural report was provided and that the chief building official had classified the structure as dangerous. The board proceeded on the staff recommendations and did not request additional engineering for the 653 Mary Street case.
Next steps: The board’s recommendations will be forwarded to the city zoning official for administratively required action. The transcript does not record any final determinations by the zoning official.
