Historic Preservation Board approves demolition of two deteriorated Fort Pierce homes on Cedar Place

The Fort Pierce Historic Preservation Board on April 5 approved a certificate of appropriateness (PZCOA202400005) to demolish two one‑story, two‑unit houses at 409 and 411 Cedar Place, finding the structures met the technical criteria for demolition within the historic district.

Staff told the board the pair of houses, built in 1947, show extensive exterior and rear deterioration. Planning staff recommended approval and urged that any new development on the cleared lots be compatible in scale and character with the surrounding historic district.

"This is the building that we're dealing with," said Jacques Chester, a real‑estate broker with Coldwell Banker Realty, who described the properties as blighted and "overrun by squatters, drug activities" and said he had pulled police records showing roughly 119 calls related to the properties over the last three years. Chester told the board demolition would allow the site to be stabilized and prepared for future redevelopment.

Chester also told the board the applicant is working through a portfolio of blighted properties and faces a practical barrier to redevelopment: spread liens across the owner's holdings. "There are still over 1,000,000 dollars in liens that accumulated from all the other properties attached to the owner's name," he said, and requested a letter of recommendation to city code enforcement and the building department to help expedite lien releases so financing and building could move forward.

Board members and staff cautioned about the limits of the Historic Preservation Board's authority to require other city departments to release liens. The board attorney explained that while the board may make recommendations, it cannot unilaterally direct other departments to alter lien positions or financing rules. Staff said it would notify relevant departments about the board's action.

A motion to approve the demolition carried on a roll‑call vote. The board recorded unanimous approval of the COA for demolition, and staff will proceed with the permit process consistent with the board's decision.

The board's action removes two deteriorated structures but does not itself authorize any particular redevelopment; staff recommended the applicant coordinate future designs with the historic district guidelines. The hearing record and staff reports list the COA as PZCOA202400005; the board's approval allows the applicant to pursue demolition permits and subsequent site work.

Next steps noted during the meeting: staff will notify building‑permitting and code enforcement offices of the board decision, and the applicant intends to continue working to clear liens before any construction financing is pursued.