HARB approves multiple renovations and demolitions, denies after‑the‑fact driveway; orders protections for archaeology

The St. Augustine Historic Architecture Review Board on April 16 approved a batch of building‑by‑building requests while ordering salvage, documentation and installation details to reduce harm to the city’s historic fabric.

At the opening of the meeting the board approved a certificate of demolition for 51 Florida Avenue, finding the 1959 house is not locally designated and stipulating that replacement plans be submitted before a demolition permit is issued. Applicant Kevin Priester said the house was his childhood home and asked the board to allow salvage of flooring where possible. The board recommended salvaging “any nice older materials that can be reused.”

The board also approved a certificate of appropriateness for 44 Spanish Street to convert a rear laundry closet into an ADA‑accessible bathroom and to relocate a porch post so the new walkway meets code. Don Critchlow, the project applicant, agreed to submit door hardware and light fixture specifications for administrative approval; the board required the owner to salvage an existing front window for reuse.

A demolition request for 65 Buesom Street was approved with conditions: the applicant must document the building with plan‑level site drawings, elevation photos and focused research to update the Florida Master Site File, and salvage any significant materials. Staff reminded the applicant that the site is in an archaeological zone and that demolition permit submittal will trigger archaeological review.

In a high‑profile after‑the‑fact case, the board denied a certificate of appropriateness for a recently installed landscape‑block paver driveway at 308 Saint George Street. Staff had noted inconsistent application materials and a larger actual paved area than the applicant’s submittal; multiple board members and public commenters said the material and prominence are inappropriate for the HP‑1 zone. The board’s motion required removal of the pavers and that any new driveway design and material be reviewed by staff.

On alterations, the board approved a modification at 16 South Castillo Drive to add an ADA lift, provided the lift’s screening wall be extended to the second‑floor roof and staff and the applicant investigate steel panel doors to avoid visible elevator operator equipment. At 142 Washington Street the board approved a partial demolition to allow replacement windows but required that applied muntins across the house be profiled (raised) rather than flat so the elevations read as a consistent whole.

Where wholesale fenestration changes at 27 Saragossa Street raised multiple concerns about window proportions, casing details and installation technique, the board continued that application to the May 21 meeting and requested detailed drawings showing how vinyl windows would be cased to replicate the depth and shadow lines of historic wood frames, plus waterproofing/installation details and justification for any altered window sizes.

Finally, the board issued an opinion of appropriateness for conceptual landscape work at the Fernandez (Longbius/Lambius) House garden and separately approved a city‑led King Street/Cathedral Place streetscape certificate on condition that construction methods minimize vibration and other impacts to archaeological deposits in the plaza area.

The board’s actions were narrowly tailored: approvals commonly carried conditions to salvage materials, submit additional details for staff review, or protect archaeological resources. The meeting ended after staff presented a permit report and an update on a National Register nomination outreach effort.