Following feedback from residents regarding Plant City’s historic preservation ordinance, city commissioners approved Jan. 13 changes that further define the duration of the ordinance’s certificate of appropriateness, the document required during a renovation project in the city’s three historic districts.
The ordinance now stipulates that a certificate of appropriateness is good for one year. However, once the homeowner obtains an also-required building permit, the certificate of appropriateness then would mirror the time limits associated with building permits. Time limits on building permits are extended for six months following every inspection.
Although the new language will help eliminate certificates of appropriateness that are issued but never followed by any construction, it won’t necessarily alleviate some residents’ concerns. Linda Miranda said a home across the street from her has been under construction for 18 months.
“When I look from my front porch, I have a lovely view of a port-o-let and a Dumpster full of trash,” she said. “I would think you might want to entertain the addition of some kind of end date. This will go on forever, and it has been a worry to all of my neighbors and myself.”
City Manager Greg Horwedel said the building permit guidelines are mandated by the state.
“If there is a valid building permit and there are inspections every six months, then the building permit would stay in effect,” he said. “Once they miss the six-month threshold, the building permit — at the discretion of the building official — could be withdrawn. And once that occurs, the certificate of appropriateness also would cease to be in effect. The applicant would have to go back to get a new certificate of appropriateness and building permit.
“We have to abide by what the state guidelines are for timelines for building permits,” Horwedel said. “We try to make sure there is a good-faith effort on the property owner’s part. We certainly don’t like to hear thing like (projects) dragging on for years.”
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.
IN OTHER NEWS
• The city authorized the purchase of land from Walden Woods Village LTD. for the construction of turn lanes at State Road 39 and Alexander Street. The city contracted with the Florida Department of Transportation to purchase the stormwater pond servicing North Park Road. In lieu of an outright purchase of the pond, the city and FDOT agreed the city could provide a project utilizing the funds. The purchase price was $35,000.
• The City Commission recognized the Plant City Dolphins organization for its 2013 season, which included wins at the 2013 United Youth Football League National Championships, the 2013 Superbowl and the 2013 Turkey Bowl.
• City Manager Greg Horwedel said the United Youth Football League National Championships, held Dec. 7 to 13, at the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex, brought in more than $5 million in local economic impact.
• Fifteen crepe myrtle trees have been planted in the median of South Alexander Street near Timberlane Drive, as well as in the median of West Alexander Street near East Timberlane Drive and in front of Plant City High School. These trees replace the magnolias that were previously placed along Alexander Street and did not survive. The crepe myrtles were received from Tampa Electric Company as mitigation for trees removed during the installation of power lines along East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
• Two crosswalks serving Hillsborough Community College have been installed and the road reopened. Project costs so far are $90,000; additional landscaping work along the corridor will bring the estimated cost to about $100,000 of the original $200,000 budget.