Commission approves variances and conditions to allow modest lift for 820 S. Boulevard to meet FEMA DFE
Loading...
Summary
The commission approved two hardship variances and a certificate of appropriateness for 820 South Boulevard to elevate the house to FEMA DFE 12 ft, with conditions to keep a historic drip-cap datum and to reduce the height/mass of entry walls and to expose a guardrail after staff review.
The Tampa Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved variances and a certificate of appropriateness for 820 South Boulevard (ARC-25-0000318), allowing the owners to elevate the contributing 1916 house to the FEMA-required design flood elevation (DFE) of 12 feet while imposing conditions meant to preserve visible historic character.
Agent Matthew Lauren read hardship findings into the record, noting the side-yard nonconformity dated to the original construction (circa 1915–16) and arguing the front-yard projection for additional stairs is necessitated by the FEMA-compliant elevation. "The variance request is due to the proposed FEMA-compliant elevation of the home," the agent said when presenting the standard hardship criteria.
Owner Ted Slack described the risk: photos taken during the recent storm showed floodwater within inches of the first-floor entry, and he urged the commission to allow a modest elevation to avoid future damage. "Water came within 1 inch of getting on our front porch," Slack said.
Applicants proposed a roughly 3.38-foot lift to meet the DFE while preserving rooflines and upper trim. To reduce visible foundation massing, they proposed a datum or drip-cap molding and to use FEMA-rated siding below that line (applicant suggested a PVC-based product that staff said is compatible and meets flood mitigation requirements).
Commissioners focused on the visual impact of the required new steps and the welcome/entry walls that must accompany the raised porch. Several commissioners recommended reducing the height and mass of those walls and exposing a discrete guardrail rather than building disproportionately high masonry walls to hide handrails. The commission added two conditions to the certificate of appropriateness: (1) the applicant should retain the historic drip-cap datum and extend the weatherboard down to reduce visible new siding, and (2) the applicant should reduce the mass/height of the welcome wall and work with staff to select a guardrail material and detail that is period-appropriate and visually lighter.
Staff noted that the applicant has consulted the floodplain manager and that the building department preliminarily found the concept acceptable; final building and transportation permits will still be required before construction.
