Presenters and preservation board urge council to protect Levitt Road and other historic assets

Daryl Victor and Tom Hewitt told the council the city needs to take direct legislative action to protect Levitt Road and nearby historic structures after a review found Levitt Avenue was not included in the Florida master site file when the national district was filed.

Victor presented archival photographs and historical background tying prominent local families (the Levitts and Abigail Gunn) to several parcels on Levitt Road. He identified three addresses of interest (200, 244 and 209 Levitt Road), described photographic evidence and argued that North Levitt Avenue — while outside the current local historic district — should be included. He urged the council to pass local legislation to protect structures he said may otherwise be lost and said existing protections at county, state and federal levels are insufficient.

Tom Hewitt, chairman of the Orange City Historic Preservation Board, described the technical process for national designation and the Florida master site file, noting the master file's 50-year criterion and reporting that Levitt Avenue was not added to the Florida master site file in the 2004 submission. He urged the council to direct staff to compile and update the site file and to consider workshops and potential nominations for additional local or national historic districts.

Council members and staff agreed to have staff gather information and return with recommendations, including a possible workshop to review master site file updates and next steps for preservation. Several public commenters also raised the imminent demolition of Orange City Elementary and proposed a commemorative memorial wall and a community remembrance day to preserve artifacts and memories.

No ordinance or formal vote occurred on historic designation at the meeting; staff agreed to prepare information and to consider a workshop or future agenda item.