Tampa ARC approves demolition of deteriorated Hyde Park garage, approves code‑compliant replacement with salvage requirement

The Tampa Architectural Review Commission on April 8 approved the demolition of a failing accessory structure at 1401 Nance Avenue in the Hyde Park Historic District and later granted a Certificate of Appropriateness for a replacement accessory building, while requiring the applicant to salvage any reusable historic fabric.

At the hearing, the applicant’s attorney Alex Shalter told the panel the structural engineer’s report shows the garage is “unsafe” and that “cost of repairs will be significantly more than the value of the building in its existing condition.” Shalter said retaining the garage in place would require replacing 80% or more of major roof, wall and foundation elements and effectively constructing a new building within the old shell. He presented a contractor’s rehab estimate of roughly $147,000 and appraisal materials showing a post‑renovation market value for the main property around $1.98 million; the applicant bought the property in early 2025 for $950,000, the agent said.

Patton Chillura, the property owner and applicant, told commissioners he intends to preserve and renovate the main Craftsman house and that demolishing the small, structurally compromised accessory building is a reluctant, site‑specific decision. “We are doing everything we can to bring [the house] back,” Chillura said, describing extensive prior neglect by earlier owners.

Ron Vila, staff planner, told the commission staff’s review concluded the demolition submission met Chapter 27 demolition criteria and that rehabilitation to meet the Florida Building Code would likely require replacement of 80–100% of the garage’s fabric. He noted staff had four letters of neighborhood support in the record.

Commissioners pressed the applicant on what could be salvaged; Commissioner John Prokop asked whether siding and historic paneling could be reused. The applicant and staff said some horizontal siding could be salvaged; the commission amended an initial demolition motion to explicitly require that any reusable siding or historic fabric be preserved and used where practicable.

After the demolition motion (moved by Commissioner Brian Hammond and seconded by Commissioner Carole Post) carried, the commission considered the proposed replacement accessory structure. Agent Alex Shalter presented site plans and elevations showing a two‑story accessory building that would meet current setbacks and maximum height limits, with a full‑length driveway extension to accommodate on‑site parking. Staff and commissioners requested detailed callouts for windows, a two‑inch sill, railing details, fence locations, gutter/downspout details, and a clear garage‑door specification.

Commissioner Dan Myers moved to grant Certificate of Appropriateness for the submitted replacement drawings with conditions requiring: specification of window and garage‑door materials; two‑inch window sills and trim details; railing and stair details; fence locations and designs; roofing materials; and that the replacement garage door, as feasible, resemble the character of the old doors while accommodating modern functionality. John Prokop seconded the motion; the item passed unanimously.

What happens next: the applicant will work with staff to provide the detailed window, railing, garage‑door, and fence specifications required by the conditions and to document salvage and reuse of materials where feasible. The commission’s approvals cover both the demolition (with a salvage requirement) and the replacement accessory structure subject to the noted conditions.

Votes and actions at a glance - Demolition (ARC‑26‑00000060): Motion to grant Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the accessory structure at 1401 Nance Avenue; motion by Brian Hammond; second by Carole Post; amendment accepted to require salvage/reuse of reusable fabric; approved (unanimous). - Replacement accessory structure (same case): Motion to grant Certificate of Appropriateness with conditions covering materials and details; motion by Dan Myers; second by John Prokop; approved (unanimous).