Are you okay? Okay. Uh, thank you for your patience. It's 6:54 and I'm calling uh the Monday, February 2nd 6 the uh meeting uh together. So, uh,
agenda on number one, call to order. Number two, roll call, please. >> Chairperson Miski, >> here. Miss Howlet here, >> Miss Kaplan here, >> Mr. Kadina is absent. >> Okay, thank you. Uh, quasi judicial
announcement and swearing in of speakers. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. Uh, this is a quasi judicial proceeding where the Heritage Preservation Board acts in a quasi judicial rather than a legislative capacity. At a quasi judicial hearing,
it is not the board's function to make law, but rather to apply law that has already been established. In a quasi judicial hearing, the board is required by law to make findings of fact based upon the evidence presented at the hearing and apply those f findings of fact to previously established criteria
contained in the code of ordinances in order to make a legal decision regarding the application before it. The board may only consider evidence at this hearing that the law considers competent, substantial, and relevant to the issues. If the competent, substantial, and relevant evidence at the hearing
demonstrates that the applicant has met the criteria established in the code of ordinance, then the board is required by law to find in favor of the applicant. By the same token, if the competent, substantial, and relevant evidence at the hearing demonstrates that the applicant has failed to meet the criteria established in the code of
ordinance, then the board is required by law to find against the will. Anybody who intends to speak tonight please stand and raise your right hand to be sworn in. >> Thank you all. Um, do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth in your testimony in these proceedings this evening? >> Thank you all. You may be seated. >> Okay. But can you make the statement about >> Oh, I'm sorry. And the last uh this would be for the applicants. We don't have a full board tonight. Uh we do have
quorum with three members. However, you are as an applicant entitled to have your case and your application heard before the full board. So, it's your option to have your uh application heard tonight in front of the three members
that we have. You also have the right to essentially continue your application to the next meeting um when five uh members would be here or full board would be here. Um those applicants tonight, is there anybody who wishes to
continue their applications? >> I think we need to clear say that it needs to be unanimous. Oh, and that's the that would be the last thing is one, you have the right to defer u hearing. And the other thing to be aware of, three votes are required for your
application to be granted. Uh considering there's only three board members here tonight, you would need a unanimous vote for your application to pass. Thank you. Thank you, chairman. That's a very important point. So with with that said, do any applicants uh wish to continue their
hearing to next month's meeting? Hearing none, I believe we can proceed. >> Okay, great. Thank you so much. Um okay, let's start with application 25102, uh certificate of appropriateness for
signage at 100 North Ring Avenue. Caroline Lamford, principal planner, the planning and zoning department. Um, this slide is showing you the location and context of the subject property. This slide is showing you the location
of the subject property within the national register and local historic district. Um they are requesting a certificate of appropriateness to uh erect uh new uh non-illuminated wall signs on the north
side of the property and on the western elevation of the property. Uh this is the 1919 Sandborn map showing the property as the Scotia Hotel. Uh this structure received a CA for significant
renovations in March of 2023. uh with the condition to return to the HPB for approval of a detailed sign plan. Uh this slide is showing the picture from the Florida master site file. Uh and I'll just run through some pictures of the property today,
a site plan for the property, and uh here are the signs that are being proposed at the property and a rendering of the sign. These are just showing some context of the area. Uh this is showing some context of signs
in the vicinity. Uh with our standards for review, we have a new con new new construction consistency, the neighborhood and district context, adherence to the secretary's guidelines, and conformance with other city code requirements. Um
uh the the height and width of the proposed new signs are consistent with signs uh of sim similar character in the vicinity uh with respect to the neighborhood and district context. Uh the addition of the proposed signs would slightly alter the streetscape uh and
the HPV should satisfy themselves that these impacts are not significantly adverse. Um the with respect to criteria number nine uh the project adheres to the secretary's guidelines and uh
conforms with uh city code and other code requirements um in keeping with our guideline design review guidelines manual. This slide is just showing you um the relevant sections of the code that it's
in compliance with. And with that, staff is recommending approval of application 25102 as presented um with a condition that the certificate of appropriateness would expire in three years if the building permit has not been issued for the project. And with that, I can take any
questions. >> Thank you. You have any questions for Caroline? So these signs meet requirements and distance from the meet all.
All right, let's let's hear from the >> full name. >> Oh, Bridget Doll. I'm the hospitality manager. Oh, >> my name is Bridget. >> Well, only if you had anything to say to explain what you're doing if it was
different than what Yeah, we're just trying to get approval. >> Okay. Um, does the board have any questions for her? Um, any public comments?
Um, I've seen this structure for like 100 years and looking at the rendering really impressive just a sign and the real meaning is what kind of new use
do we think this is reallying. some place used to be a flop house by the dead. Really impressive caring for that generating. >> Good. Thank you.
[clears throat] Any other uh comments from the public? Okay, I'm going to close those comments then. And anything else from you? >> No more comments. Any discussion from
the board? Any ideas or anybody want to make I move to save the 252. Yes. Okay. as read as presented. I move to accept
the nominee as read. >> So you're for approval. >> For approval. Uh >> okay. Second. >> Okay. All right. We have a motion. A first and a second. Any other
discussion? >> Let's vote. >> Yes. Miss Hall. >> Yes. >> Chairperson Morzinski. >> Uh, yes. All right. Thank you for your uh patience.
All right. Uh, the second application 26.03, 3 certificate of approval for window replacement at 400 Grand Boulevard. >> Uh yes, this slide shows the the location and land use context of the
subject property. Um this slide is showing the location of the property at the edge of our local historic district. Uh this slide um gives some information about the property. Uh it is a
craftsman. It is contributing This is showing the subject property on the 1919 Sandborn and the applicant is requesting a certificate of appropriateness to replace original windows with impact vinyl impact windows. This the photo from the Florida master
site file. Uh the facade of the subject property. South elevation, north elevation, east elevation. Context survey of the subject property.
Uh this is the product sheets for the proposed project. Um with respect to um our standards for review criterion two um which relates to the width and height of the windows. Uh the proposed replacement windows would
retain the historic dimensions consistent with the original architecture. Uh and replacement windows if approved should replicate the style of the historic windows. Um Criterion three. Um
go to criterion seven. Um with respect to distinctive architectural features, uh the proposed project would replace original wood windows with vinyl windows. Uh the applicant has expressed that continued maintenance of the wood windows is not feasible due to continuing problems with rot and
significant costs associated with replacing with new wood windows. And should the HPB approve replacement windows, the replacements um should replicate the visual qualities of the original wood windows.
U with respect to criterion nine, adherence to the secretary's guidelines, the project is not uh fully um strictly comply with the secretary standards. In particular, um it would
include removal of distinctive materials um which should be preserved um and then historic features that should be repaired rather than replaced. Uh that being said, uh the proposed project would conform with other requirements of
the code um and is generally in compliance with the ethical goals, objectives, and policies of the comprehensive plan. by furthering u the continuation the continuing existence of the structure. So um these are just some relevant
guidelines from our design review manual on um my recommendation is if the AFB approves the project um I would I would recommend the following conditions. one that tinted glass would
not be used, that mutton and mullion profiles would replicate the existing windows and that the certificate of appropriateness would expire within three years if a building permit has not been issued for the project. With that, I can take any questions.
>> Okay. Um, I actually have one. In the packet, it shows company uh that they want to purchase their windows from, but it really doesn't, unless I'm missing it, I don't see
anything showing what they want. >> Yes. Um so this is what was provided by the applicant. Um which is why I am suggesting that if this project is approved. Um the HPV would condition
that approval with u the requirement that they be one over one. Um I I believe there may be a casement window as well. Just that um condition approval that the style of the window would match the existing style.
>> Is that what's double? I I I think I would let the applicant speak on what's there now, but it looks to me that the majority of the windows seem to be single hung one over one. Uh my concern would be more about the
visual qualities of the window that they look like they look now. I would just suggest that if you the board decides to approve this project, just condition it um that they need to replicate the visual qualities of the
existing windows, the applicant can get me the the specific product sheets and and I can approve it through administrative. Any other questions for Okay. Um let's have the applicant
Hi, my name is Renee Torres and I am a retired historic preservation architect who has restored this house. I bought it in 2010 when it was
uh let's say not what it is and uh I have put it back lovingly but the windows um are just beyond. This weekend I have been freezing in
there because everything leaks the windows are racked as the house it's old settled and put new windows of wood
nature would be in excess of thousand and I did not pay that for the house. Um, I am, as I said, retired and I have singlehandedly removed all the additions
that have brought this house back. alliance has have restored that porch singlehanded with timbers from the Unitarian Church down the block when we managed to
demolish uh another piece of altered and added architecture. So this house is put together with love and I have no intentions of doing anything other than that for it. Uh, and
although there is a basement aluminum window that was added somewhere along the line, all the other windows um are double hung, but they might as well be single hung because some of them
are, you know, sealed in time and I've opened up only the necessary ones just to keep a house more breath free. So, uh, the projects sheet that I provided. The Simon window is really
the best window in the market and it's just being shown as a sheet. I they will be one light over one light as they were originally and I was even talking to the manufacturer if they could incorporate my original glass but alas that's not to
be. So you you would be comfortable with uh obviously replacing as they are right now. >> Oh >> the same design. No tinting. >> No, of course not. [laughter]
>> I had Okay. Um any questions for him? We're not there yet. Uh, okay. Any questions for the applicant?
>> Any public comment? That was my godfather and I'm an antique and I have to congratulate this tremendous job in bringing back the house just as has done a beautiful job and he
has really tested what he's done and uh I can understand about these windows and if the glasses lot of money because we have lost these windows up town the buildings were some
of the new businesses gone in even though they were sold and they went ahead and without permission. So he has really gone above and beyond doing what he had to do for preservation of that home. Thank you. Certainly has
said area that is and I hope that I will go ahead and let him do this weather. I'm awful. >> Thank you. Any other comments?
>> More emphasis on the fact that windows place are required to be impact. That's for weather. Hope that's a little bit of lenency. >> Um that's
>> [clears throat] >> Uh, okay. Thank you. Any other public comment? Uh, okay. Carolyn, anything else? >> No further comments. >> Any other questions here from the board?
Carolyn. I I agree about these windows. I know it's tough. You always want to um in the historic district, you want to try to replace
with what's there. I understand we're in Florida. I understand there's hurricanes. I understand rot. Uh, as long as things look the same, I I personally am comfortable with that.
If that's what you're telling us you're going to be doing, that's good. Okay. Any discussion here at board level? No. Thank you. Great. Okay.
Okay. I move to accept the motion as presented on number 26.03 as presented and recommended by staff and the
recommendations by the staff. Um they have to adhere to that and that's it. Okay, I guess that sounded like a motion. Uh, so you're approval.
>> For approval. Yes. >> We have a motion and a second. Any more discussion? If not, let's call for a vote. >> Miss Kaplan, >> yes. >> Miss Howlet? >> Yes. >> Chairperson Rosinski? >> Yes. Uh, again, thank you for your
patience. Do a good job. It is a great house. Thank you. >> All right. Number six, discussion items. 25 96 certificate of approval for demolition, 17 West Orange Street. Now,
this is listed as [snorts] a discussion item. So, there will be no action taken on this item tonight. This is discussion only. You want to open it up, Carol? >> Sure. I just wanted to give uh some
background on the property and um this >> Yes. I just wanted to give some background on uh the um discussion item and the subject property. Um the the the owner uh agent um approached us in
November of 2025 looking for a potential conditional certificate of appropriateness uh to demolish the contributing structure uh at 17 West Orange Street uh a circa 1909 residential frame vernacular
structure. Um the Florida master site file for this property notes the rectangular plan residence has a full width se separate hip roof porch that wraps three sides of the structure and features square wood columns with simple
capitals. Uh architectural features of the structure include eve returns a front gable roof windows set in pairs and triple sets corner boards triangle wood gable lube vents and wood surrounds. Uh the structure also
features two brick corbelled chimneys and offcenter French door entry. Um the contributing structure has undergone some minor reser minor alterations over time but it retains ent architectural integrity um and is contributing as an
example of Spanishame war era uh residential vernacular architecture and uh community planning and development in Tarpon Springs. And that's pretty much all I want to say at this time uh with regard to the
structure kind of uh the process. Um so I noted that um the uh owner's agent approached us in November of 2025. At that time they submitted um the materials that are in your agenda
packet. Um I felt that there was enough there to go ahead and advertise uh for a certificate of appropriateness. Um although I advised the applicant that additional materials uh and some uh revisions would be required before the
case could be heard. Um there was some back and forth um and in discussion it was determined that uh it may be best to just proceed with this as a discussion item at this time and the the owner and his agent can discuss uh what you
discuss and then potentially come back to us in the future for a full application. Um and with that I can answer any questions you might have and then I would turn it over to the owner and his agent. >> Yeah. Again this is discussion unless
you guys have any specific questions for my name is Daniel Edgel um Sandbar Architecture uh located at 123 East Harpon venue. Um, excuse me. I'm [clears throat] the agent for this project here, working with the AEPA, who
is the owner of the property. Um, we did the study that you have in your hands here. This property is unique in that it's continuous with the AEPA club that it currently operates on on
Tarpon Avenue. and um it's owned by the national heepa who is interested in this site for both the location and for the cultural significance of tarpon springs. In the study of the property um we found
that it would be inordinately expensive to rehab the property due to uh structural damage um insect infestation um you know outdated util And the list goes on and on.
So what we have uh determined in discussions with the HEPA is that they would like to move this structure and to place a museum on site. Um the museum of course would be appropriate for the
neighborhood. It would bring the neighborhood closer to the zoning goals which have been set forth. um as a activity center currently and uh it would be more financially viable for
them to operate as a museum than as it currently stands either as a rental or to fix it up, sell it. So um with the information that you have in front of you, we wanted to begin the discussion of this property. Uh what you'd be
looking for from us, you know, both in the um in the documentation of the structure that's there and for the design of the new property so that that way we can uh work hand in hand to make
some positive progress. Um, you know, the the AEPA wants to, you know, make sure that the time and the money that they're putting into this project is is going to move us forward together. Um, we really don't want to get to the end
of a design and then find out that nobody likes it and have no chance of it ever being approved. that I'll um I'll let Basil here, the president of the National HEPA speak if he has anything to say. And then we have
John Lechus as well. Um he's he was um he's the most recent local chapter president um past president at this point, but uh he has a lot of history on this. Thank you, Daniel. Good evening. Uh, my
name is Basil Mercedes and I'm the executive director of the National Office in Washington, DC. Uh, the Order of AEPA is the largest and oldest uh, Greek American organization founded in 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia. and uh it was
founded to assist the Greek immigrant assimilate into uh becoming good Americans. Um throughout our 104 years of service to the community, we've uh been able to accomplish many milestones. Uh one of
the greatest ones is of course uh the work that we did with the federal government uh during World War II uh for our veterans. Uh we raised $500 million by 1945 selling war bonds. Uh the US government uh designated our
organization, the only one in that time period as an official organ of the United States treasury uh because of all the money that was raised for the war effort. Uh today the order of AHEPA has over 400 chapters uh in the world uh of
which 350 of them are in the United States. Uh these organizations these individual chapters like the one here in Tarpon Springs, chapter number 16, which is uh the back of 17 West Orange is uh
20 West Tarpon, right? And that's where the current chapter owned the home for many many years. A few years ago, John came to the national office and introduced himself and said, "Uh, here we are and we have a problem and we'd
like to talk to you about it." So, uh, we purchased uh that building, the HEPA home on Tarpon Avenue from the chapter and we allow them to uh to use it still because of the service that they perform in the community. I think we charge them
a dollar a year for for for that. But the national organization uh physically owns owns the property. So it was fitting we felt that uh we would get the property uh immediately behind it when John brought the owner at the time. I
forget the gentleman's name and uh he said it would be a natural thing for us to have it. So uh our board felt that it was appropriate for us to purchase the property. Um we did our due diligence. We we knew we knew going into it of the uh of the challenges that we would be
faced, but uh we wanted to work with with Tarpon Springs and see how we could develop the property uh uh to enhance it, upgrade it, make it uh uh a destination for the association because
uh like I was telling uh Daniel earlier, uh per capita, Tarpon Springs is the largest concentration of Greek Americans in in the United States has the most per capita uh Greek or Greek Americans that that live here. And it would be a natural place for us as we come every
year for the Epiphany celebrations uh beginning of January uh to make it a sort of a a pilgrimage for our people to come here every year and we would build a a museum to preserve our history in this country. And uh as a resident of
Tarpon Springs now myself, I I purchased a home with my wife here two years ago. Uh it's something that uh you know, I don't want you to feel like, oh, here comes this guy from Washington. He's going to, you know, do whatever he's doing. I I I want to be part of the community. I want this building to be part of the community. And this why I
asked John to come down because he's part of this. I mean, he grew up here and he knows the value of of what the AEPA has to offer uh for the neighborhood and and for the community. So, if I'd like to have John come up and introduce himself and tell you why he
feels this would also benefit us as an organization and of course for the local the local chapter. Anybody want to ask me any questions about a HEPA? >> Not about HEPA. >> No. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Oh. Oh, one more thing. I don't know if
this is important or not, but uh the the order of AHEPA itself is the largest single private developer of um old age homes in the United States. We manage 96 of them across the United States. Uh I'm I'm telling you this because it's a
community service, not because this is what we're going to do down here. Uh I'm telling you that we care about the communities that we invest our our effort in. So I just want to put that on the record. Thank you very much. >> Actually, you know what? I I do have a question for you if you can answer it.
Since you were >> It seems that you were involved with the purchase. >> Yes. >> Property. >> When you purchased it, did you have it inspected? Did you know what condition it was in? Did you have
something in the back of your mind that you wanted there? Were you thinking all of demolition or were you thinking of rehabbing it, turning it into something else? You must have had some idea.
>> So, yes, we did do our due diligence. Like I said, we did look to see if it could be rehabbed and we got yes and no and yes and no from more than one one, you know, more than one or two people. Uh the the individual that uh owned the
property uh sort of rushed us to get it off of his plate. Uh, and I'm not saying that we're victims of ignorance or anything like that. Yes. Originally, I think we wanted to say, "Oh, we're going to rehab it and we're going to use it for blank, you know, ma make this, uh,
Hall of Fame, museum, whatever it is that we currently house in the HEPA house that's on tarpon. But, uh, as time went on and we got to see, you know, the nuts and bolts of really what it's going to take to rehab it, we said, well, perhaps we could build a a better
edifice, a better building, you know, something that would last longer and perhaps incorporate building an elevator for access to a second floor or something like that. So, I think originally we were going to go with let's rehab it, but it's morphed into
something a little bit more than just the rehab because of all of the work that it's going to take to do that. My name is John Lleis. Thank you. Standing here, I uh can't help but reflect on the days when I was going to
high school here with Anita. Uh we had the seventh through the 12th grade all in this same building and it was really a wonderful experience. You come in as a lad at se seventh grade and you look at the seniors, you think, "Wow." And here we are today at city hall. And I'm
grateful for that because this building is a building that uh we have a lot of cherished memories. When I spoke with AEA National years ago regarding the AEO home, I knew that it
was important to our community to maintain the AHEPA organization and the things that it does in our community. And I I was the president for five years. I'm no longer the president, but I'm active. And I'm also active
nationally with uh Basil and uh other officers in bringing other venues to Tarpon Springs like Senior Living. I'm a big proponent of that and I would certainly welcome anything I could do to make it happen.
What I've learned about and our our culture that we've tried to establish in Tarpon Springs is that our HEPA home is a community home. You can go to Gene Hungavville at the Chamber of Commerce and ask her anytime she's ever asked for the use of the
house at no charge. It was done. We've never charged her. The Mary Martini, I know you're all familiar with that. It happens every year around November. We've been doing it now for I think either four or five years, but the
merchants come in with Reggie Gibson, Carol Rodriguez, Sherry went back when I was the president and in one day they would just totally clean out a whole heap of a home of tables and chairs and put them outside and we didn't charge them one penny. When the veterans lost
their ability to meet somewhere, we went to them and they came and we sat down and we talked with them and now they meet every month at the AEP home at no charge. They have a bingo once a week, no charge. When uh other situations have
occurred, for example, either with the Shepherd Center or the Salvation Army, we again participate. Our home is open to anybody that is a nonprofit that benefits the citizens of this community.
Now, when it came time uh for selling the AHEPA home, I knew that Nashville was the best place to go because I think that Tarpon Springs, known as the Epiphany City, that then we changed our name to our chapter name to Epiphany
City because we wanted to reflect what a HEPA is nationally. We not only have that nationally, but we have now moved down as the executive director. We also have two people that are on the national board of governors have moved
in the area in Panelis County. And so what's happening is that it appears that we're going to become the mega center, the the epicenter of the south for national hea here in Tarpon Springs. And I know that when they do something, they
do it culturally minded. now and looking at the home right there that the Status home and the fossil home. I've known both of the families all my life. I've known of him. Matis was my attorney when I was president of the parish council in
Tarpon Springs of St. Nicholas. He uh he was uh he was my main man from an attorney perspective. And when I looked at the house, I not only looked at the house, but I looked at the property and I said, "What can be done better for the city of Tarpon
Springs?" I know a HEPA Nationals culture and they allow us to do this in their home is to whatever that the community needs. Why don't we do it at a HEPA? We do that for any nonprofit organization in Tarpon Springs or any
organization that is affiliated in any form or fashion with the city of Tarpon Springs. So my vision is to take use of that entire piece of property, make it so that if they have a museum where it's
large enough to turn around and let's say have 100 or 150 people be able to come and have a nice uh situation or an event, they can do it there. And I guarantee you if it's for a nonprofit or for the city's benefit, it will be done
at no charge because that's who who they are and what they stand for. So I speak in behalf of u making that property a piece of property that complements the
historic value of Tarpon Springs and complements the core values that we have as heavens. Thank you. Any questions? maybe a similar one that I gentlemen. So
you were involved sounds like also in the purchase but it also you know You mentioned and mentioned a couple other things which sound wonderful, but do you know what I'm asking? >> I I know what you're asking. You're
asking what my intent was. >> Yeah. >> When I looked at that property and saw not only the home, but also the empty property next to it. My mind went, what is the best use of that property? What can we do with that property to make it
valuable and beneficial to not only AEA but also to Tarpon Springs? When I went into the house and walked up I think it's 19 steps to the second floor. I said who's going to who's going to be able to walk up 19 steps? That's a long
way. Okay. And so I looking at the property it's it's a it was beautiful in it time and I think we can still things to preserve that memory uh while we make active use of that property. So I saw it
as an opportunity to expand the HEPA, make it something that is beneficial to not only the uh HEA family, but the city of Parkman Springs and to the visitors that come, especially during Epiphany where they'll have a place to be able to
meet and greet as uh because he draws an awful lot of people throughout the country on on the Epiphany day and you know also on Independence Day. So, that's that that was my intent.
Any other questions? Thank you. Because I want to open it up to the public at this time. We want to know what your comments and concerns are. So that way next time we
come in front of you to the information that we've given you tonightifications as you need process. Um I I had sort of a a comment. I was
looking at your presentation. Excuse me. I'm getting over a cold. Um it was it was number whether the building is one of the last remaining examples of its kind and you gave uh four U examples and I agree with those four
being similar but I'm also looking at the four West Orange the 29 West Orange the 28 West center could you imagine if those people came in front of us and wanted to tear down those houses
wonderful wonderful houses and I just wanted to throw that out there that kind of grabbed me when I was looking at your presentation. Um, where where do we stop tearing down and
where do we make or suggest rehabilitation or reuse? I'm just this is discussion. I'm just throwing that out. Sir, if you can go to the microphone just because it's recorded.
>> Can I say just to add to that 26 North exact house? >> Yeah. So, um what was the address? Uh I think it's 226 North Gross. So, it's the Hanks res
that that one has been And and that one we're rebuilding as it is, you know, that's client wants. They want to put the money into um floor plan very similar layout is
very just like just like 19 orange as well. We've got a few few of the exact same house sprinkled out throughout Tarpon Springs. I didn't do an exhaustive, but
they are relatively common in this area, >> but I but I think you get what I mean how tough something like this is when when especially that one at four West Orange. It's incredible what they did there. It's just gorgeous. And I could
not imagine that being empty right now. So, you do understand kind of >> I understand both sides. Okay. All right. Thank you. Um, how about the public? You guys have been here for a while. 199 we went out 100%
make district because we knew what the value my grandfather was president But we're missing the number one historic
Florida over the missing houses. realtor should uh advertise them like they have in South Carolina
St. all the uh south for lawyers doctor's office you don't have any fossil uh fossil
also brought his family there. That's where family they call me. way and we've lost some history and they've changed like a and
with the hurricane people if we lose our his understand what the good idea but not there. That house not be torn down. That lot
goes in there parking over house and my daughter. Never really house or change house in anything. what they want to do
because we are a historic Greek community. But you can't kill and that's what we're doing. When you let these houses go, the virus cancel.
You are the protector from spring. They have a building down in Greek town that they do something with a museum where all the tourists go to and they
can see. I want us to think what do we let this house and what what's going to happen that's in the main part of town once that house
goes I take Eddie Hoffman's house they're all going to go I have a lot to say and I have a lot of Frogg husband. how they and there are grants. Whoever
buys that home, the grants are we worked with Kathy Mon and and uh uh by Kenny Henderson. We went after
Grant's Grant we got for the Greek battle. town is missing out. Let's not add to it on the save early. That is a jewel. That is a jewel. And
you can't compare that. That's the number one. I've got a lot more and a lot more about that area, the house, and what has gone on in history. Thank you.
>> Thank you. I live in the historic district >> and our neighborhood got devastated. I attempted to get some information about the zoning and land use and I'll exaggerate. It took me 2,000 opportunities to finally get an answer.
I had to go to the city clerk for public records. It was very difficult but their bottom line was you can't do anything modern and why don't I get a chance to have an application and you told me so that's why sometimes the
recommendations of of staff I don't agree with one of the things I endeavored to do I came down city planner on June 25th 1979 and I initiated the first historic preservation ordinance and it was a fight don't what color to paint my I
mean it was it was fight and slowly but surely we managed to get a historic preservation going and I think a he is great I think all these organizations are wonderful however issue is tearing down a historic
structure and as we have seen in the past year a lot of our monuments are being destroyed our white house is destroyed the rose garden is destroyed everything is being ruined and and thrown away and we can't do that here you know we are a diverse community.
We've got Jews, Hindus, Russian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Russian descent, Greek descent. We are a a melting pot of diversity and losing a historic structure should not be dependent on who the
applicant is and their nature. It should be the do we want another and I I don't know if you all received it, but I took a picture and I showed the yellow house and I took out the There you go. took it. All you have is a big vacant lot and if there's property beside it, you don't
have a problem with that. Leave the house alone and they say, "Well, it's too it's more expensive to take it down and get rid of all the stuff and then be left with a vacant lot." When you drive down from the bayou up, you see the house at the corner that Congressman
Bill Lacus was living in. You see the apartments then you see the in house and you see Colonel Sally's house and if you've been here long enough you remember those very very important
save what our history represents. Show it off with pride. Whenever you go to some of these other some of the rattiest looking houses have been remodeled and they They're impeccably done. That's what brings
more conscientious to I ended up because I didn't want to go through the difficult work here and I endeavored the people first and it used to be a much more pleasant
not that way. So, we have a lot of work to do, but I would recommend not allowing that house to be removed, giving them other options. That's all. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hi, George. Frances uh 15 Athens Street.
So um I want to begin uh by saying this very clearly that I respect the applicant uh the architect who's a friend and all the residents here who care really deeply about this structure. So I'm not here to take sides. Um I'm here more to talk about the process responsibility and what our city says it
stands for. So the city of Tarpon Springs mission and vision statements both explicitly include protecting and preserving our heritage. That's not aspirational language. It is a stated commitment. But this item is before you tonight is a discussion item and not an
approval. And that alone highlights a larger ongoing issue uh repeated miscommunications between applicants and staff and this board about what constitutes a complete and review ready demolition application. Over time, this board has received criticism oftentimes
very unfairly and often very publicly and often from commissioners. U when applications are denied, appealed or later overturned. So I want to say this plainly and on the record that that criticism is misplaced. When an application is incomplete, when standards are inconsistently applied, or
when an appeal later succeeds, that does not reflect the failure of this board, it reflects the failure of the city. Provide adequate training, procedural clarity, and institutional support to both its volunteer boards and to the applicants that are trying to navigate this process.
These are some of the most important decisions, as you can see by the public um opinion coming tonight, that a city can make, decisions that permanently affect historic structures. And yet, we provide very little formal training or support to the volunteers tasked with carrying out that responsibility.
Tonight's delayed start due to the lack of a quorum underscores how thinly stretched our volunteer boards already are and how much the city relies on a very small number of unpaid residents to carry out critical responsibilities. That disconnect is not fair to this board and it's not consistent with the
city's stated admission. This issue matters even more because Tarpon Springs is a certified local government. That's a CLG. That designation depends on having a functioning, trained, and respected preservation board that applies adopted criteria consistently
and independently. Anytime this board is undermined, bypassed or second guessed due to process failures failures, that puts our CLG status at risk and that risk belongs squarely with city leadership, not with volunteer boards serving on this board. So tonight, my
request is simple. Support this board, invest in meaningful training, clarify expectations for applicants, and stop placing the burden of systematic failures on volunteer members. Protecting our heritage is not something we should only talk about, especially in election season. It is something we must
actively support, fund, and stand behind. Supporting this board is not optional. It is essential to protecting our certified local government status and preserving the historic identity of Tarpon Springs. So, to the city leadership, when it comes to preserving our heritage, don't just talk about it,
be about it. And to the board, thank you for your service. >> Thank you. Well said. You've made some good points. Uh I appreciate them. Uh you Daniel, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Um you
asked a little while ago um what you could bring to another meeting. Is that is that kind of how you asked it? Why don't you go stand? >> Yes. So, um you know,
so yeah, we we didn't feel that uh that this process was going to be one meeting deal where we show up and guys what you would like and happy. So, um we decided to take a take
a smaller step or we decided to take bigger step, put much more effort into generating concepts, plans, um renderings, whole nine yards.
I imagine you had a chance to take a look at the 100 pages that we generated of information. Um there may be some questions you have um some things that you uh find compelling or or less than
compelling and so if we can find out what your concerns are then we can make sure to address them more completely next time we're in front of you. I can't speak for it
real. We're discussing it. There's no voting going on here. Doesn't mean The lot right next door that's part of this property. Have you considered keeping the yellow house
and somehow incorporating some new structure next to its yellow, your museum or office or whatever you were thinking.
still that house because I I saw that shed back there too and I didn't realize it was sold that that's my opinion right now doesn't mean I couldn't have my mind
that would be somehow to keep that house and incorporate something new and still get your project. Have you thought about that at all?
We have it's not off the table. >> It's what? >> Not off the table. >> It's not off. >> Right. We haven't generated because we really wanted input that we had. Again, I can't speak for the board
or anybody else here, but you did ask and I personally would be open to seeing a project working on that empty loting house. That's just my
throw. This is a discussion. >> No. Um but I and what Anita has um >> So would you would you consider kind of changing course a little bit?
>> Absolutely. Yes. I'm sure the board would be fully open. We're here to look at the build. I'm sorry. I go there. >> I don't know. Do we have anything else
to say? Anybody have any other comments? I think it's great even though we started >> and I did get enough out of this. I I think so hearing us tonight. Um presentation
>> we'll reconvene and more information you'll need. We're not even there. >> Well, we assume committee we assume that uh the city has looked at ordinances and
all of that. This committee does not deal Good point. Thank you. >> Okay. Any more discussion on this? >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. We're going to move on then
for our next item. Thanks for for what you did. See what's next. Okay. Number seven, board and staff comment. >> I don't have any further comments. >> Questions
is Five people. >> Yes, we do need lost. >> I do believe there is an active there is an active application in right now.
One new board member soon. But yes, We need board members. >> We do. And um is there a way to let people know? >> Yes. I I believe we do
advertise that we are looking and I think one of the best ways to to do that is for you guys to reach out to, you know, citizens, your neighbors, people you know that are Uh all right, if there's no more uh
comments, we will adjourn at 8:07. Thank you everyone.