City Council Public Meeting Recap Regarding Mirror Lake's historic district application

On July 15, 2021, the City Council conducted a public meeting on their consideration of whether to initiate a local historic district application for the Mirror Lake neighborhood. To everyone who participated in this meeting, thank you for your constructive input. The City Council discussion included responses to public comments received, questions about process and distinctions betweenlocal historic districts and multiple property listings, and concerns expressed about a forthcoming decision to locate the 2nd District Court of Appeals in downtown St. Petersburg. The City Council Members unanimously voted to defer this item to October 14, 2021.

• Link to Video of City Council Meeting:
• Staff presentation starts at 04:19:50
• Public comments start at 04:35:25
• City Council discussion starts at 06:02:50
• City Council vote at 07:09:45
• Meeting Agenda (see pages 128-158 of 826)

Frequently Asked Questions

How will this deferral impact my ability to obtain construction permits?

It won’t. There is no active application for local landmark designation; therefore, there is no hold, delay, or requirement for a separate Certificate of Appropriateness (“COA”). This requirement will only be activated if the City Council votes to initiate a local historic district application, which will not happen before October 14, 2021.

What if my property is on the List of Potentially Eligible Properties?

The study area includes 10 properties currently listed in the 2006 List of Potentially Eligible Properties (“PEL”). See page two of the City Council report for more information. Under current City Code, Section16.30.070.2.11, these properties are subject to a 30-day stay of demolition and public notice. This is an existing City Code requirement and does not result from the current study.

What if I am proposing redevelopment?

Under current City Code, Sections 16.70.040.1.4.D (Site Plan Review) and 16.70.040.1.5.D (Special Exception), redevelopment may be subject to review criteria that requires sensitivity to on-site and adjacent historic resources relating to scale, mass, building materials, etc. This is an existing City Code requirement and does not result from the current study.

Am I allowed to demolish my building(s)?

Maybe. In addition to the existing limitations above relating to PEL properties and review criteria for a Site Plan Review and Special Exception, City Code Section 16.20.120.4.5.C notes that a demolition permit may be issued only after a site plan has been approved, any pre-demolition conditions of the approval have been complied with, and a complete application for building permit has been submitted. Certain exemptions are referenced and cross-linked in the code. This is an existing City Code requirement and does not result from the current study.

My building is a contributing resource to the existing Downtown St. Petersburg National Register Historic District. I am interested in renovating my building; are there any available incentives?

Yes. Renovations on a contributing resource to any National Register historic district qualify for a local ad valorem (property) tax exemption and may also qualify for a federal rehabilitation tax credit if the property is income-generating. This year’s applicants alone will each receive an annual ad valorem savings of approximately $2,400.

Link to Public Information Meeting

On June 22, 2021, a public information meeting was hosted by City staff. The meeting is now available online and will remain posted through October:

• Link to Video of Public Information Meeting; Passcode: rifr?+^5

Future Schedule

• 06-22-2021: Public Information Meeting COMPLETED
• 07-15-2021: City Council discussion whether to initiate a designation application DEFERRED
• 10-14-2021: City Council discussion whether to initiate a designation application

Resources and Contact Information

For a copy of the 2004 National Register listing and other related materials, including links to the City’s Historic and Archaeological Preservation Overlay, St. Petersburg Design Guidelines for Historic Properties, interactive historic preservation map, other meeting materials and archived videos, please visit the City’s current planning projects page [LINK].

Conclusion

The City’s Urban Planning and Historic Preservation Division will continue to send information emails regarding this potential application and update the City’s current planning projects web page accordingly.

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