[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6179573,"mediaKeyId","5126105-017500865692d1db90e12e1ea31445d3","parentId",5126105,"title","Board recommends city amend rules to allow adaptive reuse of historic places of worship as single‑family residences","audioSeconds",749,"startMs",3273000,"endMs",4022000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5126105-017500865692d1db90e12e1ea31445d3&start=3273&end=4022","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5126105-017500865692d1db90e12e1ea31445d3/thumbnail_3273000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6179573/Delray-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Board-recommends-city-amend-rules-to-allow-adaptive-reuse-of-historic-places-of-worship-as-singlefamily-residences","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179573-21cb4b91a6abcc4a1bdd5f56ab43300e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770424167&Signature=E7GLkLKWqq~OIMYahGLzjnM7f7y8zVrMYv8hxGHzQ9nw3JyVFZ7BugBWi4Yf-12T9iPidCuyTAz06hi3cYBH~36yES4Ym6CI13MfzX9ADWcwpoMICxEzyJ2sLrwmSWx~7Cx9UYiYiPSD38zXG7xh~Bolji1FWIZ5VdmU0w-BKyF9sDLmCDGqTyFV2j4ihiE-B7LR-qd9xbRJ658lXE6ivmOGNIUneTMRlxypVjgffBbCaQIVY1qvUzkdOUle~A4ofa5~MV86XV~vkh3vUSZefFYIX2HuvhZaUdFgE1Vi7y2M~G1EDsw8iCL~Uw7WpAWJS0ZOSW75h2CnlLkbSBaWYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Delray Beach, FL","date","2025-07-03T12:44:05.463Z","article","The Delray Beach Historic Preservation Board voted to recommend City Commission approval of two related measures to allow adaptive reuse of historic places of worship as single‑family residences within community‑facility (CF) zoning, provided the historic structure is preserved and any modifications comply with the city’s historic‑preservation standards.

Planner Rebecca Dossery and applicant representative Jeff Costello described the changes as narrowly tailored: the comprehensive‑plan text amendment would add policy support for adaptive reuse of historic places of worship as residential uses; the LDR amendment would add the new principal permitted use and apply development standards from the R‑1A single‑family district (for consistency) while exempting some CF‑specific rules that do not apply to existing historic buildings.

Why it matters: The change creates a regulatory pathway for owners of historic church buildings in CF zones to convert those contributing structures into a single‑family residence while keeping the historic resource on the map for heritage and visual compatibility review. Staff said the amendment has limited applicability — only a handful of historic places of worship in CF zoning would meet the criteria.

Staff and the applicant emphasized that the change is limited to the historic structure itself; it does not automatically permit additional new residential development on other parts of a parcel or override other applicable site standards. Rebecca Dossery said the amendments include definitions distinguishing “historic place of worship” from general “place of worship” and that any future site changes would be subject to COA review and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.

Board members discussed public‑access concerns and site constraints such as setbacks, parking and flood‑elevation requirements. The board asked whether historic features like steeples would be protected; staff said tall historic elements would remain and would not be subject to forced removal. Staff also suggested the board could consider requiring an interpretive marker as part of an adaptive reuse condition; the board encouraged that idea but left detailed policy language to staff and commissioners.

The board voted to recommend approval of both the comprehensive plan text amendment (ordinance O8‑25) and the LDR amendment (ordinance 07‑25). The roll call vote was unanimous among attending members. The measures now move to the City Commission for action.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HPB Meeting 07-02-2025 5:01 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Historic Preservation Board recommended ordinances to amend the comprehensive plan and land‑development regulations to permit single‑family adaptive reuse of historic places of worship in CF zoning, limited to the historic structure and subject to preservation standards.","taxTitle","Delray Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida","taxId",5598,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6179578,"Board approves COA for 49 Palm Square after debate over synthetic siding; front facade must be natural wood",534,1892000,2426000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5126105-017500865692d1db90e12e1ea31445d3&start=1892&end=2426","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5126105-017500865692d1db90e12e1ea31445d3/thumbnail_1892000.jpg","/articles/6179578/Delray-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Board-approves-COA-for-49-Palm-Square-after-debate-over-synthetic-siding-front-facade-must-be-natural-wood","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179578-2039f2768d403052d9fb7c22487799d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770424167&Signature=P5hQp44heuzzEK8ZMcH8Kj5JdhETbXVtUr9IFsjb5eqx6A0lddjNyyLqZU1-CNydY-tsok2xEkqQYfTg6-GEqfWBCQLST8e0Iv8-TcFmfb2jRKgG1xWq~mIB-Az3GVOAXAdGKq~EoODjcxnxtXgFvBop5fA6ieWPOa5x4P8T8ZsZGC-yEwONyf4US7NRD3OyGhpkMuaeLaTgMgskZGUr-9eUTxjR6Bk7l8djn-hag9XdD~F7X4w9effZDMdA72nhv27mHTPkKfGvOdFqO09c~sGBFXeItO4Bt3wvRrLBXUT69-E4rIjVmFF~pJIkzVxR1hqK~wXeaYNb9ZIe5-7REA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Delray Beach Historic Preservation Board voted to approve a certificate of appropriateness for 49 Palm Square, but attached conditions requiring the western-most front building plane — the elevation visible from Palm Square — be replaced with natural wood siding from the scalloped gable down to ground level, excluding the enclosed front porch. The board also instructed staff and the applicant to consult on finish details.

The action followed a contested review of work performed without a permit that replaced the structure’s exterior siding city staff described as a full re‑siding with a composite material (Azek). Michelle Boylan, principal planner with Development Services, told the board the building’s siding had been completely replaced and that the building department requires either a Notice of Acceptance (NOA) or a licensed professional’s letter confirming the installed material meets the Florida Building Code.

Why it matters: The decision balances two priorities for local preservation authorities — maintaining historic material authenticity on visible primary facades while allowing durable materials in locations with lesser visibility or environmental exposure. Planning staff warned against setting a broad precedent of replacing entire primary elevations on contributing structures with composite materials without compelling evidence of deterioration.

Applicant Roger Cope said much of the porch, brackets, shutters and trim are original wood; the siding question remains. He told the board the contractor and owner were prepared to replace the primary front façade with natural wood if that is the board’s condition. Cope also said he expects an NOA to be available to the applicant by the time permits are filed.

Staff referenced the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Preservation Brief 16, noting guidance that “replacing siding on a primary or other highly visible elevation with a composite substitute material is not recommended.” Board members split on broader policy concerns: several expressed concern about precedent and the availability of long‑lasting wood alternatives in a waterfront community, while others said the workmanship and visual compatibility were acceptable. A compromise amendment — replacing only the front plane with natural wood and excluding the enclosed porch — won support.

The motion approved the COA 2025‑176 with the conditions described. Roll call was unanimous among attending members: John Miller, Carol Perez, Vlad Domitreski, Chris Cabasas and Jim Chard voted yes; Peter Dwyer was absent.

Next steps: The applicant must submit the specified exterior wood replacement on the front building plane and consult with staff on finish details; the building department still requires either an NOA or a licensed-professional letter for the installed siding to meet Florida Building Code wind-load attachment requirements. Code-enforcement fines connected to the unpermitted re‑siding remain a separate administrative matter.

","After lengthy debate over substitute siding, the Historic Preservation Board approved a certificate of appropriateness for 49 Palm Square conditioned on replacing the primary front building plane’s Azek siding with natural wood and staff consultation on finish.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6179583,"Historic bungalow at 108 N. Swinton wins ad valorem tax-exemption recommendation",1018,826000,1844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5126105-017500865692d1db90e12e1ea31445d3&start=826&end=1844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5126105-017500865692d1db90e12e1ea31445d3/thumbnail_826000.jpg","/articles/6179583/Delray-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Historic-bungalow-at-108-N-Swinton-wins-ad-valorem-tax-exemption-recommendation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179583-7d6c4b898a2d3161b69ad7da8093f41a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770424167&Signature=KmgEZAN1UioD3~mF6y-nDAfL~GerL4QCYFh45hstGOtUAmF3vgr750z0seME2JJPOHyGIxA4NoPYGorFMlB2hXm72NBVVcYd3MLcId3YPzu019X4D9nUQ0CEZy3ytmNmotgewjX8jGTkDSzFtW9rxoTbmTo~QkfLgf6HVHfuJQTBZqczY50427tP1LZOMJQacbApVtl6nPo-x55O-JUTRM7TemLksAa2LR4RNsKUBn~5rUH9OGpiWl-p6KUK501WbeEuqdTG9wsG1aFSvyyb0LXJgs1sfjW8bSlppi6AGD2L9JIdj7GT2wnMkkW8rVokMV8ME~w3~et-6y7YkW5BrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Delray Beach Historic Preservation Board on Thursday voted to recommend the City Commission approve an ad valorem tax exemption for the restored property at 108 North Swinton Avenue, finding the project consistent with the comprehensive plan and land development regulations.

The recommendation followed a presentation by property owner Tracy Pickett, who described structural repairs and a new 1,383-square-foot rear addition, and a staff review that confirmed the house is a contributing structure in the Old School Square Historic District. Board members cited preservation of the building’s historic character and workmanship in their remarks.

Why it matters: The exemption would reduce the property owner’s property-tax obligation tied to the approved restoration work and is intended to encourage preservation of contributing historic structures in Delray Beach’s locally and nationally designated district.

Pickett told the board she retained original window sizes and reconstructed the front porch to match historical appearance after discovering termite and structural damage that required reinforcing studs, trusses and footings. Historic planner Michelle Hewitt presented the staff background, noting the property is a 1‑story bungalow constructed in 1925 and is located within the Old School Square Historic District.

Members of the public praised the rehabilitation during the hearing. George Wall, who said he documented the work beneath the house, commended the structural work and finish. Kathy Appleton called the project “one of our outstanding examples of restoration and preservation in the city” and urged approval of the tax abatement.

Board discussion focused on whether the work preserved the building’s character and met review criteria in the Land Development Regulations and the comprehensive plan. Board members who spoke described the restoration as “well done” and said the project retained historic scale and features. A motion to recommend approval carried with five yes votes; one member was absent.

Next steps: The board’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Commission, which makes the final determination on ad valorem exemptions.

","The Delray Beach Historic Preservation Board voted to recommend a city commission grant an ad valorem tax exemption for a restored 1925 bungalow at 108 North Swinton Avenue after hearing homeowner testimony and public support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board recommends city amend rules to allow adaptive reuse of historic places of worship as single‑family residences

Board approves COA for 49 Palm Square after debate over synthetic siding; front facade must be natural wood

Historic bungalow at 108 N. Swinton wins ad valorem tax-exemption recommendation