Dade City board recommends renovation of 37718 Meridian Ave., asks owners to adopt compatible exterior stair

City staff presented plans for a renovation of the former Cosner (Costner) Apartments at 37718 Meridian Avenue during the March 9 meeting of the Dade City Historic Preservation Advisory Board. The structure, built about 1928, has a rear portion that staff said needed demolition for structural reasons; the applicant proposes rebuilding that area and relocating the stair to an exterior stairwell.

Staff described the building as having Mediterranean/Spanish revival elements — stucco, arches and red-tile-inspired features — and said the proposed work seeks to replicate the original façade as closely as feasible while meeting modern building and fire-safety requirements. "This used to be the formerly known the Costner Apartments, which were constructed around 1928," staff said. The applicant said the exterior stair is necessary for means of egress and fire code compliance.

Board members raised stylistic concerns about an exposed wood stair, saying that material is "alien to the... Spanish revival architecture" and asked that fenestration, molding and façade motifs be reflected in the new construction. One board member suggested alternatives such as a metal stair with a finish that echoes historic materials or a wrought-iron look if feasible. "It is intended to be a metal stairway with metal handrail," contractor Bill Beauregard told the board. Owner Leland Alston said they would "not be opposed to... a metal constructed staircase" but asked that it avoid an industrial appearance.

After discussion, a board member noted the applicants had agreed to a compromise stair option and a motion was offered to recommend approval with that condition. The motion (moved by Michelle; seconded by Vice Chair Sanders) was approved by voice vote and will be transmitted as the board's recommendation on the certificate of appropriateness. Chair Beagle praised the applicants for their investment and emphasized that the board values preserving original architectural language while complying with safety rules.

Next steps: staff will continue permit review and building-official procedures; the board's recommendation will be included in the record as the project proceeds through the city's permitting and code-review process.