Fort Pierce Historic Preservation Board approves three certificates of appropriateness, tables 8‑unit proposal

The Fort Pierce Historic Preservation Board approved three certificates of appropriateness and tabled a fourth item during its April 28, 2025, regular meeting at 2 p.m.

The board approved a new single‑family construction at 511 North Fourteenth Street (PZCOA202500008), a commercial‑to‑single‑family conversion at 317 South Second Street (PZCOA2025‑13) and a restoration with a second‑floor addition at 1238 Avenue D (PZCOA2025‑14). The board then voted to table a proposed eight‑unit development at 1204 Avenue E (PZCOA2025‑15) for up to 30 days, asking the applicant to return with a tree survey, a solid‑waste plan and clarified parking access.

Board members and city staff framed the approvals around the Secretary of the Interior’s standards for new construction and alterations in historic districts and included site‑specific conditions. City staff recommended that the 511 North Fourteenth Street design include architectural details (for example shutters and a picture‑frame window) and that a landscaping plan be submitted with building permit applications in accordance with the city’s landscaping standards. The board approved that certificate with those conditions and gave staff latitude to finalize modest façade details to keep costs affordable.

At 317 South Second Street, staff described the building as a contributing structure in the downtown historic district and recommended approval of a conversion that retains the building’s historic form while allowing interior modernization. Mike Menard, architect for the applicant, told the board the project will “be basically completely redoing everything, electric, air conditioning, plumbing,” and that the exterior siding will be replaced with fiber‑cement siding to resemble the original cladding. The board approved the certificate as presented.

For 1238 Avenue D, staff described the property as a non‑contributing building in the Lincoln Park Historic District and recommended approval of the proposed mixed‑use renovation and second‑floor addition, subject to a required access easement for parking. The board’s approval included the condition that an access agreement to allow rear parking be secured from the city or adjacent public parking areas before a building permit is issued.

The application for an eight‑unit building at 1204 Avenue E generated the most substantive deliberation. Staff noted the parcel is vacant, about 0.73 acres, and recommended several conditions if the board were to approve: that the applicant submit a landscaping plan consistent with the city’s code, complete a tree survey with mitigation measures, and coordinate with Public Works on solid‑waste collection (including whether an on‑site dumpster will be required). Board members expressed concern about preserving existing large trees, providing adequate dumpster access and meeting solid‑waste collection needs. Without the required tree survey and a solid‑waste/parking plan, the board voted to table the application for 30 days to the board’s next meeting on May 27, 2025.

Other routine business: the board approved minutes from the Feb. 24, 2025 meeting, excused a member absence, and elected Miss D’Andrea as chair for the next term.

Approved motions and the board’s conditions will be recorded in staff and permit files; several approvals require follow‑up at permitting to ensure landscaping, access easements and waste collection are addressed before construction or change of use proceeds.