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Board approves new elevated single‑family home at 305 Bath St with screening and material conditions
Summary
After hearing a post‑hurricane rebuild proposal, the Tarpon Springs Historic Preservation Board approved a new elevated single‑family house at 305 Bath Street, requiring the revised elevations submitted at the meeting to govern and adding screening and paving conditions for the under‑house parking area.
The Historic Preservation Board approved application 26.43 to build a new elevated single‑family home at 305 Bath Street on a vacant lot where a non‑contributing structure had been demolished. Samantha Bowers, representing the construction company, and owner Matt Trainer described a reconstruction following hurricane flooding and presented revised elevations that add historicizing trim and a small gable over the entry while meeting base flood elevation requirements.
Why it mattered: The property owner lost the prior structure to storm damage and sought to rebuild in a way that respects the district pattern while complying with flood elevation mandates. Staff advised that the proposed massing and window proportions are consistent with neighboring contributing buildings and suggested screening measures for the elevated parking area to reduce visual impact.
What the board decided: The board voted to approve the revised elevations presented at the meeting as the governing plans. The approval included three additional conditions: the applicant must provide lattice or landscaping screening along the front (from the entry to the south end) to mitigate the under‑house parking visual impact; the two vehicle parking stalls under the raised structure must be on concrete pads, while the remainder of the under‑house surface should use a permeable/alternative impervious material (e.g., paver blocks or turf pavers) to reduce runoff; and the applicant must submit the revised elevations into the record as the final governing drawings.
Key exchanges: Bowers and Trainer emphasized the emotional and financial burden of losing the prior house and the intent to match neighborhood character. Bowers said the team “did make quite a few adjustments … to accommodate the historic features,” and Trainer said he had been told when he purchased the property that two‑story accessory structures were allowed on portions of similar lots; the board pressed for screening, tree protection and permeable surfacing beneath the raised house.
What’s next: Applicant will file building permits consistent with the approved drawing set and conditions; staff reminded the board that detailed landscaping plans and flood‑elevation compliance will be checked at permitting.
Vote: Motion carried on roll call; conditions recorded and the approved elevations will be placed in the project record.
