The Dunedin City Commission voted unanimously on Nov. 20 to approve first reading of Ordinance 25-10, which would designate the residential property at 558 Bel Tree Street as a local historic landmark.

Planner Frances Lyons presented the application and cited the house’s Craftsman-bungalow architectural features — fluted columns on the front porch, novelty siding, wood floors and interior beadboard — and told the commission the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee reviewed the application on Oct. 9, 2025 and recommended approval. "Staff also finds that the application had met the minimum criteria and is consistent with the review," Lyons said.

The property owners spoke in favor of designation and highlighted a front-yard live oak the town arborist said may be more than 200 years old. The owners asked the commission to preserve both the house and the tree; one owner said, "It's over 200 years old," when recounting the arborist’s comment about the live oak.

Commissioners asked staff to clarify that the local landmark designation applies to exterior features and does not restrict interior alterations; Lyons confirmed the ordinance focuses on the exterior. Commissioner Dugard made the motion to approve first reading, and Commissioner Walker seconded. The commission recorded unanimous ayes (Sandbergen, Walker, Dugard and Mayor Franey). Second reading is scheduled for Dec. 18.

If adopted on second reading, the designation will preserve the home’s exterior character under local historic-preservation rules and will be reflected in Dunedin’s official landmark register.