Tampa ARC approves rear, second‑story addition for 907 S. Bruce St. in Hyde Park

The City of Tampa Architectural Review Commission on Nov. 6 granted a certificate of appropriateness for a rear and second‑story addition at 907 South Bruce Street in the Hyde Park Historic District, saying the proposal meets the Hyde Park design guidelines with conditions.

The project, presented by architect Hansel and reviewed by Ron Vila, planner with Historic Preservation, would add roughly 546 square feet at the rear of a 1924 cottage and remove several non‑historic accessory structures. Hansel said the work would reduce the site's impervious coverage from nearly 100 percent to about 53 percent by removing turf and accessory buildings and installing new landscape and sod. The applicant proposed matching historic features including exposed rafters, beadboard soffits and solid wood trim while differentiating the addition by recessing it on the rear one‑third of the house.

Vila told commissioners the application was generally consistent with Hyde Park design guidelines but requested changes to ensure historic character is preserved. Staff asked the applicant to replace any composite materials shown in the plans with wood, provide a wood or aluminum‑clad wood window specification for additions, show full wall sections from ridge to foundation, and clarify porch/column and railing details. Commissioners also asked the applicant to depict half‑round gutters and downspouts on elevations and to clarify the design and materials of the rear landing and pavers.

No members of the public spoke on the item. During questions the architect confirmed the applicant's willingness to use wood siding and wood railings and to provide wood‑clad or true wood windows on the portions of the house within the original footprint. The applicant said the current plan would maintain the principal facade and place the addition to the rear to limit visual impact.

John Prokop moved to grant final approval with conditions requiring clarified dimensions (overhangs, siding exposure), wood materials for siding/trim/railings, half‑round gutters and downspouts shown on the drawings, further detail and potential reconfiguration of the rear landing and pavers, verification or reduction of impervious area to meet city requirements, and a reworked column design to better match Craftsman‑style detailing. Tim Jones seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The commission's written conditions require the applicant to work with city staff to finalize materials and details before permit submittal.