Board approves COA for 513 North 14th Street with conditions to add historic‑style details

The Fort Pierce Historic Preservation Board on April 5 approved a certificate of appropriateness (PZCOA202400004) for a two‑bedroom, one‑bath single‑family residence at 513 North 14th Street in the Park Historic District, with conditions that the applicant add modest architectural details to better match neighborhood character and permit staff to administratively approve minor design refinements.

Planning staff told the board the proposed house meets technical aspects of the Secretary of the Interior standards for size, scale, materials and massing but recommended adding decorative details such as shutters, window trim, porch or entry features and a two‑tone paint scheme to improve compatibility with surrounding historic homes.

The applicant, introduced for the record as Daniel Jewels, said he operates a nonprofit that builds houses for single fathers and explained some design choices were driven by insurance and hurricane‑resilience concerns. "If we put a front porch on that, it's going to increase our insurance because it's a hip roof," he said, noting that a hip roof reduces uplift risk in storms and helps keep insurance costs lower. He agreed to add low‑cost features such as shutters, stucco trim or a railing/patio that would not require revising the home's structural footprint.

Board members suggested simple, inexpensive changes — shutters, window frames, a chair rail or small front railing and planters — that would make the rendering look "cozy and quaint" and more consistent with the block. Staff explained the board could make architectural features a condition and allow staff to confirm minor changes administratively at permitting so the applicant would not have to return to the board and delay construction.

A motion to approve the COA with staff recommendations and administrative approval authority for staff was moved and adopted by roll call vote. The approval allows the applicant to pursue building permits subject to the stated conditions and administrative review of modest design adjustments.

Staff also confirmed the applicant received a landscape card and a list of preferred native trees; the applicant asked about species preferences and staff noted local ordinances treat certain palms differently (in some cases multiple palms equal one required tree for tree‑count purposes). The board additionally discussed a local grant related to the nearby 77 Gables House and approved excused absences for two members before adjourning.