Council reviews ordinance to give historic-home owners an avenue to seek substantial-damage determinations

A proposed local ordinance intended to create a local pathway for owners of historic homes to pursue substantial-damage determinations drew detailed questions from the Punta Gorda City Council during a first-reading discussion.

Unidentified Staff/Presenter, who introduced the measure, said the draft would not override the Florida Building Code or FEMA rules but would add an option in the city’s flood ordinance so owners who want to raise and preserve historic houses can seek the determinations that open access to mitigation funds. "Once they get that letter, they're they're kinda stuck on a on a avenue at that point," the presenter said, describing the practical consequence of accepting a substantial-damage determination.

Council members pressed for clarifications. One member (speaker 8) asked whether the draft would conflict with state law (referred to as SB 250 in the discussion) and whether a variance pathway should be available for owners who prefer remodeling rather than seeking the substantial-damage route. The presenter repeatedly emphasized that the draft applies only when an owner requests the determination; owners who do not seek that finding would retain the existing historic exemption.

Several members recommended routing the draft through the Historic Preservation Board for language and policy input so preservation interests can weigh in on criteria and safeguards. The chair asked City Attorney Leskovich to review the ordinance before the council's next meeting.

The council did not hold a vote during the meeting; staff and the city attorney were asked to review and refine the language for further consideration.