CRA board overturns advisory committee and approves Haven Place façade grant appeal

The Winter Haven CRA board on March 10 approved an appeal by the Haven Place homeowners association for a commercial façade grant to cover common-area improvements.

Smeasly, CRA coordinator, presented the application on behalf of Melinda Calogridis, who applied for the grant for landscaping, signage, stucco and exterior repainting of common property. The estimates for the proposed work ranged in the application packet from $10,400 to $19,568, and the applicant requested reimbursement equal to 75% of the final cost up to the grant maximum of $10,000.

Smeasly told the board the downtown CRA advisory committee, at its Feb. 3 meeting, had voted against the commercial façade grant, prompting the application to be advanced to the board on appeal. Board members asked staff why the advisory committee had voted against the application. Smeasly and other staff explained the committee debated whether commercial façade incentives or individual residential façade grants were the appropriate program because the property is a condominium with both common areas and individually owned units. Staff said the current application covers only common-area elements and that individual unit owners could separately apply for residential façade grants for exterior items they own in fee simple if those items meet program criteria.

After discussion and no public comment, the board voted to approve the appeal. A staff member noted on the record that Florida Statute 112.3143(3)(b) allows individual CRA board members to vote on this matter and that no conflict of interest was present for voting purposes.

The board approved reimbursement of up to 75% of the final eligible cost for common-area improvements, capped at $10,000, as described in the applicant packet and staff presentation.