St. Pete Beach panel approves six local historic designations, four demolition permits

The St. Pete Beach Historic Preservation Board approved six local historic designations and authorized four demolitions at its Feb. 6 meeting.

Board members said staff had reviewed each application and brought owners forward to speak; staff recommended designation or described demolition criteria and any available preservation incentives. Brandon, a city planning staff member, summarized the staff view for several designation cases, saying, "we do support the application to locally designate the residence as a historic building." Several applicants and owners spoke in favor of designation before the roll-call votes.

Votes at a glance

- Case 25009 — 209 Gulf Way: Local historic designation of a two-story single‑family residence (applicant/owner Linda Walker). Staff found the building significant as mid‑20th‑century masonry vernacular and recommended approval. Outcome: Approved (roll call: Vice Chair Hockensmith — yes; Member Dashel — yes; Member Hurley — yes; Member Young — yes; Chair Lowery — yes). Note: staff reminded owners that local designation may affect incentives and notice periods and that a signed waiver accelerates listing.

- Case 24117 — 104 Eighth Avenue: Local historic designation of a two‑story mixed‑use building (applicant Nora Partnership LLC). Staff described the building as commercial vernacular significant to Eighth Avenue’s historic development. Outcome: Approved (roll call recorded as unanimous yes).

- Case 25005 — 3406 East DeBason/Boson Avenue: Local historic designation (applicant Leanne Mantos). Staff cited architectural significance and association with former St. Pete Beach mayor George Manthos. Outcome: Approved (roll call recorded as unanimous yes).

- Case 24090 — 4 Alhambra Street (Case 24090): Local historic designation of a single‑family residence associated with community service and a local “free beach ride” program (owner Dave Green). Outcome: Approved (roll call recorded as unanimous yes).

- Case 24101 — 3509 Casablanca Avenue: Local historic designation (owner Wilma Wasek). Staff documented the house’s mid‑century construction, historic associations with the Wasek family and supporting archival images. Outcome: Approved (roll call recorded as unanimous yes).

- Case 25008 — 3600 Casablanca Avenue: Local historic designation (applicant/owner Mona McFadden). Staff cited association with Captain Hubbard and good integrity of the original design. Outcome: Approved (roll call recorded as unanimous yes).

Demolition certificates (certificates of appropriateness for demolition)

- Case 25002 — 112 Fourth Avenue (3‑unit contributing structure): The city’s substantial‑damage assessment found the structure exceeded 50% of its depreciated value. Staff noted that local historic designation can allow a waiver of elevation/substantial‑improvement requirements and asked the applicant to acknowledge redevelopment limitations (units and developed square footage). The applicant’s agent provided testimony; the board approved demolition without invoking a 30‑day stay (roll call: unanimous yes).

- Case 25003 — 103 Tenth Avenue (3‑unit contributing structure): Staff reported an estimated 36.5% damage assessment (not substantial under the city’s numerical threshold) but noted redevelopment limits tied to the Pass‑a‑Grille overlay. The board approved demolition and waived the 30‑day stay (roll call: unanimous yes).

- Case 25004 — 804 PassaGrille Way (contributing single‑family structure): Staff reported county assessment indicating the structure sustained approximately 100% of its depreciated value in damage. The property is in the CRD/ Eighth Avenue zoning area; staff told the applicant that a single‑family residence could not be rebuilt on this lot under current zoning (mixed use or commercial or relocation of a locally designated structure would be required). The board approved demolition and waived the 30‑day stay (roll call: unanimous yes).

- Case 25006 — 205 Gulf Way (contributing single‑family structure): Staff and the applicant’s demolition contractor provided testimony and a zoning verification letter; staff noted the building was assessed as not substantially damaged by the city but encouraged discussion of preservation incentives. The board approved demolition and waived the 30‑day stay (roll call: Member Young — yes; Vice Chair Hockensmith — yes; Member DeShield — yes; Member Hurley — yes; Chair Lowery — yes).

Context and next steps

Board members repeatedly emphasized that demolition of contributing structures can trigger a 30‑day delay to pursue preservation incentives but that the delay can be waived by motion; in these cases the board chose to waive the delay. Staff repeatedly reminded owners that if a property is locally designated it may qualify for a substantial‑improvement waiver that affects floodplain elevation requirements and that the Pass‑a‑Grille overlay limits redevelopment to the same developed square footage in many cases. For one property in the CRD/Eighth Avenue district, staff warned a stand‑alone single‑family dwelling could not be reconstructed on the lot under current rules.

Several applicants signed local‑designation waivers and owners who testified described intentions to preserve interior features. A few board members urged staff to confirm owners understand redevelopment limits before demolition proceeds; staff said staff would follow up.

Ending

The board handled the votes in a single meeting block and approved every item on the agenda with unanimous roll‑call votes where recorded. Several owners thanked staff and board members after the votes; staff and the board noted follow‑up conversations and permits would be required before reconstruction or use of incentives.