Historic preservation commission grants certificate for rooftop addition at 1607 N. 20 Second St.; owners must not enclose canopy

The City of Tampa Historic Preservation Commission granted a certificate of appropriateness for a rooftop addition at 1607 North 20 Second Street (case BLC-25-58) in Ybor City, approving design revisions and a condition that the canopy not be enclosed in the future.

Staff and the project team described a rooftop addition over an existing second-floor exterior deck totaling about 1,600 square feet. Jeff Shannon, agent for Casa Santo Stefano LLC, told the commission the applicants sought final approval after preliminary sign-offs in March and that the team had worked with staff to address four outstanding conditions. "We are here just to pursue and seek a final approval for this rooftop project," Shannon said.

Architect Joe Hafner of Hafner Architects said design changes reduced the visible mass of the rooftop edge and lowered structural member sizes. "What we've shown on the left is what we had on 03/25... The one on the right is modified type, which we've pulled the insulation back from the edge... and we've cut the thickness of the edge almost in half to 11 and a half inches," he said. Hafner described substituting W8 beams for the previously sized W12 beams, adding a concrete curb to carry roof loads so the existing parapet wall is not overburdened, and using four-inch steel columns centered on the beams.

Staff recommended final approval after the team addressed the outstanding items. Dennis Fernandez, Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Manager, told commissioners staff found the revised design "consistent for final approval moving forward" and remained available to answer questions.

Commission discussion centered on visual impacts, drainage and the roof profile. The project team said the flat roof will drain via two internal drains and an overflow; the roof will be sloped with tapered insulation to the drains and the insulation and roof edge were pulled back to remain outside the public sight line. Commissioners asked whether shifting drains could further slim the visible edge; the applicants replied moving drain locations would change slopes and likely increase thickness on one side, and the team said small changes would have negligible perceptual effect from ground level.

Shannon also told the commission the building previously went through an ad valorem tax exemption process; staff said that exemption was for a 10-year term and would have expired in 2022.

A commissioner moved to "grant a certificate of appropriateness for the drawings and documents presented at this public hearing in BLC-25-58 for the property located at 1607 North 20 Second Street," and later added a condition requiring the owner to state on plans that "the canopy shall not be enclosed in the future." The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. The chair asked, "All in favor?" and the record shows voices of approval; the motion passed.

The commission also voted to receive and file submitted documents and exhibits presented during the hearing. No public speakers testified for or against the project during the public comment period.

The approved plans call for a rooftop canopy set back from the front parapet so the visible roof edge measures about 11.5 inches, columns and curb details intended to avoid additional loading on the historic parapet, and internal drainage to the rear. The commission record includes the condition that the canopy not be enclosed without returning to the commission.