Citrus County historic board clarifies advisory role under land-development code, ordinance path leads to county commission
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Summary
At its November meeting the Citrus County Historical Resource Advisory Board reviewed how the Land Development Code (LDC) triggers permit reviews by the advisory board while separate historic-designation applications under the county ordinance follow a public-hearing path that may proceed to the Board of County Commissioners.
The Citrus County Historical Resource Advisory Board on Monday reviewed when its recommendations are advisory and when a proposal must move to the Board of County Commissioners.
An advisory-board member explained the distinction between two county rules: the Land Development Code (the cited LDC sections discussed were listed in the meeting materials) requires an application that would alter a structure listed in the county inventory of historic and archaeological sites to come before the HRAB for review; that process is intended to assess consistency with historic records and offer preservation guidance.
By contrast, the board member said, an application seeking a formal local historic designation follows procedures under the county—s preservation ordinance (listed in the meeting packet as "ordinance 22 0 2 3 - a 0 7") and is scheduled for a public hearing by the advisory board; if all requirements are met the designation application would then proceed to the Board of County Commissioners.
The board emphasized the HRAB—s role is advisory for permit-review matters under the LDC and that designation is a separate process with state and county steps. The HRAB does not itself appoint or remove designated status; it provides findings and recommendations to the BOCC.
During discussion members asked how HRAB review applies to county-owned buildings. An HRAB member said that when a historic county-owned structure sits within a city—s limits (the example cited in the meeting was the historic courthouse within the City of Emeritus) the city—s building department handles permit applications and HRAB does not have jurisdiction over city permit reviews, even if the county owns the property.
Board members also discussed the nomination and appointment process for HRAB membership, noting legal advice that the HRAB should not screen or select its peers; appointments and final decisions are made by the BOCC.
The board said it will post nomination documents and other guidance on the county website and will prepare application materials to forward to the BOCC when vacancies are filled.