Venice preservation board backs tax-exemption recommendation for 500 Nassau St. S.

The City of Venice Historic and Architectural Preservation Board voted Jan. 8 to recommend that City Council place 500 Nassau Street South (PLAR00314) on the local register and consider an ad valorem tax exemption tied to planned restoration work.

Chair Beebe closed the public hearing on the application and the board approved the recommendation by roll call. Staff member Harry Klinghammer said the property is already on the local register and that the proposed work follows the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.

Applicant Michael Jermyn, who spoke at the hearing, thanked the board for its review, saying, “Anything that you know you guys can do as far as recommending the tax abatement, would be greatly appreciated.” Chair Beebe praised the applicants’ approach to historic preservation and told them the board would help where it could.

Klinghammer noted that the board’s recommendation is advisory to City Council and that council approval will require an ordinance with two readings. He said city staff will work with the applicants and the city clerk to place the ordinance on the soonest available City Council agenda and that staff will also help applicants pursue a similar ad valorem exemption at the county level.

The board recorded a roll-call vote in which Mister Watkins, Miss Trammell, Mister Barrack, Mister Steckenney and Chair Beebe voted yes; the recommendation carried. The board’s action sends the local-register placement and the ad valorem tax-exemption request to the City Council for its consideration.

Next steps: City Council will consider the matter as an ordinance requiring two readings; no final tax-exemption or county action has been approved by the council as of the board meeting.