Palatka board recommends Saint Augustine color palette, asks staff to draft code amendment and seeks enforcement guidance

The Palatka Historic Preservation Board voted Dec. 4 to recommend that the city adapt the Saint Augustine historic color palette for use in Palatka and directed planning staff to prepare a text amendment and package for the city commission to consider.

Chair Elizabeth Van Rensburg told the board she favors the Saint Augustine palette adapted for Palatka’s architectural variety, saying she dropped off a recommended palette at the city earlier. Members debated other palettes used by peer cities, including DeLand and Gainesville, and discussed whether to retain pre‑Civil War color categories; public commenters and board members noted a small number of pre‑Civil War buildings in the city (Bronson House, St. Mark’s Church and the Sanchez House).

Miss Brown and planning staff explained that adopting a city color palette will require a city code text amendment and two public hearings before the city commission. Staff cautioned the board about a recent state law limiting the ability of local governments to adopt regulations that are more restrictive than current state requirements; the city attorney and planning director were asked to brief the board at its next meeting about enforcement authority and legal limits.

Board members also pressed staff on follow‑up and COA compliance: code compliance staff described the department’s approach of sending a friendly reminder and allowing 15 days to resolve issues before issuing a notice of violation and added that staffing and case backlogs affect enforcement timing. The board asked staff to return on Jan. 8 with clarifying language and to discuss possible workshops to improve guidance and compliance tracking.

The motion to recommend the Saint Augustine palette passed by voice vote; staff will prepare an adapted palette and the required text‑amendment materials for the commission’s public‑hearing process.