Local board approves Duvall House exhibits including Seminole chickees

Members of a local Citrus County board voted 3–0 to approve a permit application from the Duvall Preservation Trust to place three Seminole-style chickees and a nonfunctional outhouse as interpretive exhibits at 7801 South Floral City Road in Floral City.

The trust’s representative, Vaughn McIntyre, described the project as a small set of outdoor exhibits intended to “show how people lived in the different ages in this area” and to attract more visitors and donations to support ongoing preservation of the Duvall House. McIntyre identified the trust as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and said the site plan locates the structures centrally on the property and envisions a U-shaped path around them.

Board members and several attendees raised two recurring issues during the discussion: the historical evidence tying chickees specifically to the exact footprint of the Duvall House property and how to secure the new structures from unauthorized use. McIntyre said the trust relied on period drawings and consultation with the Atatthiki (Seminole) Museum and with builder Ronnie Billie, who provided a letter included with the application stating he is a full-blood Seminole and that Seminole craftspeople would build the chickees. McIntyre said the trust also plans to use pressure-treated posts and reclaimed barn wood for cladding.

The board’s staff representative noted that, under the Florida Building Code (cited in the meeting as section 102.2), the small, open-air chickee structures and the outhouse are exempt from a plan review because of their size and construction type; however, the permit still must be issued after the administrative submission is completed. McIntyre and staff agreed the review being done that day was an administrative review intended to speed the permit process.

Several speakers warned that the site has a local population experiencing homelessness and that unattended small structures could be misused. Attendees suggested security cameras, physical barriers and posted rules; board members observed that the structures are removable and could be taken down if they become a problem. One attendee said the trust would have to address security as part of the ongoing maintenance and operations.

After discussion, a motion to approve the construction as proposed was made and seconded. The board recorded three ayes and the motion passed. The board and staff clarified that, in this instance, the board’s approval does not require an additional step to the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners and that permit issuance remains contingent on completing the administrative items for the permit file.

What was approved: a permit application to construct three Seminole-style chickees and a nonfunctional outhouse as interpretive exhibits on the Duvall House property at 7801 South Floral City Road. The Duvall Preservation Trust said the exhibits are intended as a tourist and educational attraction to increase visitation and donor support for long-term preservation.

Next steps: the trust must complete required administrative information for the county permit file; staff will issue the permit once the administrative package is complete. The board did not set additional conditions in its vote but discussed security and removal as practical measures if unauthorized use or safety problems arise.