Report of the Alachua County Historical

Commission

November 22, 2011

Historical Commission Mission : To promote, preserve and

protect Alachua County’s historic resources

Report Summary & Purpose Provides a general overview of information

pertaining to Historic Preservation & intent of the Comprehensive Plan Historic Preservation Element

Historical Commission Requests BoCC to authorize “Completion of Historic Preservation Master Plan with objective to pursue Certified Local Government status” 

To protect, enhance and support historic resources and properties and paleontological resources within Alachua County

Establish a Historic Preservation Master Plan* Site-specific identification and analysis of

historic resources and properties in development approval

Promote Heritage Tourism

*(2008 Evaluation & Appraisal Report recommendation to follow up)

Historic Preservation Element(HPE) Adopted 2002 and Effective 2005

1. Identify Lead agency 2. Mechanism for coordination of Alachua County Historical Commission, & 3 County

Departments (GM, EPD & PW)3. Consider Certified Local Government 4. Mechanism for pursuing grants and other funding5. Establishment of a methodology to qualify a

historic resource or property as significant6. Maintain an inventory of historic resources and

properties7. Creation of a Historic Preservation Ordinance

Master Plan Minimum Requirements per HPE Policy 1.1.2.

Positive Economic Impact

•Enhanced Property Values & positive impact on neighborhoods

•Heritage Tourism

Herlong Mansion B&B, Micanopy

Historic Pres. total $213.8 million grants[Treated as $275.5 million in present value]

3,790 jobs statewide$152.5 million in income$197.2 million in gross state product$58.8 million in total taxes [state/local $16.5]$176.7 million in in-state wealth

Source: 2010 Update, Economic Impacts of Historic Preservation in Florida, UF

Statewide Economic Preservation Impacts 2002-2008

2013 known state grant funding is $115,000 for Certified Local Governments (CLG)

2012 Legislative appropriation will determine level of 2013 grants for other applicants

Chapter 267, F.S. (The Florida Historical Resources Act) is key authority for state

historic preservation law; Section 267.061[1][a]6- requires state to assist local governments to expand and accelerate their historic preservation programs and activities.

Next Cycle of Historic Preservation Grants has very limited funding

CLG Status County Eligible for state grants CLG links federal, state & local governments into

a preservation partnership for property identification, evaluation and protection

Approval of local preservation ordinance by State required- Standard online form; Certification requests are reviewed by state staff within 45 days

CLG also requires county to document historic preservation ad valorem exemptions, creating a more convenient local process for owners; may result in more adaptive use & repairs.

CLG would allow more grant opportunities

Report Recommends County for Certified Local Government

Certified Local Governments

Micanopy [photo] Newberry Gainesville

CLG jurisdictions already established will continue to implement and enforce historic preservation programs independently

CLG Historic Districts

Cert. OfAppropriate-ness (COA) *

Administrative Staff Time Required

Special Circumstances

Gainesville 3 HistoricPreservation Board (HPB)

Historic Preservation Planner; includes ad valorem exemptions

City Comm. Redev. Agency also supports historic pres. & adaptive use

Micanopy 1 National Register of Historic Places

HPB Town Administrator with support staff; no ad valorem exemptions

Most of Town is National District; Heritage Tourism econ. Base; Historic Society active

Newberry 1 Local Planning Agency serves as HPB

Planning Director staffs HPB; Assistant Planner grant work; no no ad valorem exemptions

Compact Town District; Main Street Program is major focus* COA Authority refers to decision-making for proposed property

alterations

Requires ordinance to establish a historic preservation board to develop and oversee the functions of its historic preservation program

[Note: County Historic Commission could be assigned more duties/authority]

Existing Historic Ad valorem ordinance allows exemptions for 10 years, at such time the increased value added to tax rolls

Certified Local Government (CLG)

Sec. 39.7.08. Designated organizations for review of applications.(a) Local historic preservation offices approved and certified by the department of state which are located within the county, or the division of historical resources of the department of state…. depending upon a property's location as follows:(1) Property in the county located within an incorporated municipality which has a local historic preservation office approved and certified by the department of state shall be reviewed by that local historic preservation office;(2) Property in the county located within incorporated municipalities which do not have local preservation offices approved and certified by the department of state shall be reviewed by the division of historical resources of the department of state; and(3) Property in the county which is located within the unincorporated areas shall be reviewed by the Division of Historical Resources of the Florida Department of State. [This will require amendment if County is approved as CLG]

Review Process for Historic Ad Valorem Exemptions

Administrative Process with review by Historic Board/Commission

Possible eligible properties identified as integral parts of historic districts that do meet the criteria or if properties fall within specific categories noted on the form

Simplified form from National Historic Register process

Report Recommends County Registry for Historic Properties

Recommended form based on national registry standards

All 2000 Historic Survey properties Additional 1950s era and newer potentially

eligible when 50 year criteria met and if meeting all the other standards required

Listing will document property owner interest in participating in preservation, allow grant search support & possible grant leverage , allow basis for ULDC Chapter 406 review

Alachua County Local Registry

Add detail on County archaeology resources- noting Florida Public Archaeology Network community partnership

Explore possible partnerships to facilitate grant funding possibilities for public workshops for completion of Master Plan

Consider Assessment & Design Tool

Historic Districts provide focus for efforts & promote historic preservation identity-

Rural Clusters possible districts (note FLUE 6.4.5)

Future amendment of Code Sec. 39.7.08. and consideration of amendment to ULDC Chapter 406 regarding County Registry

Historical Commission next steps

BoCC Action Requested Historic Commission requests BoCC to

authorize “Completion of Historic Preservation Master Plan with objective to pursue Certified Local Government status” 

Staff recommendation: Accept report and direct Historic Advisory Board & Staff to complete historic preservation master plan, finalize local historic registry, and pursue CLG status for Alachua County County