Architects present conceptual design for Catholic Community Foundation building at 205 Harbor Drive N.

City planner Britney Smith introduced a pre-application at the Jan. 8 Historic and Architectural Preservation Board meeting for a proposed demolition and rebuild at 205 Harbor Drive North by the Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida.

Architect John Holtz (Plunkett Racich Architects) presented a preliminary design for a roughly 2,100-square-foot, single-story operations building. He described a front portico, a large conference room at the front of the building, perimeter offices, an off-white stucco finish, a cast-stone base, and a barrel-tile-like metal roofing product intended to evoke local historic roofing while offering storm and cost efficiencies. Holtz said five parking spaces are proposed and that shared parking at the nearby cathedral is being considered.

Board members asked for a clearer site plan showing lot placement and adjacent streets and encouraged the applicants to include contextual photos and Google Street View imagery. Several members recommended adjusting window proportions and adding divided lights on the street-facing side to better relate the building to its residential context. Members also suggested a more pronounced base or water table, cautioned against shiny or metal-looking brackets and finishes, and recommended wood or stucco brackets or matte/sand finishes to better match the Venice theme.

Britney Smith said staff had not completed a formal review and that this pre-application was intended to give applicants early feedback so they can refine materials and plans before a formal COA and tax-exemption submittal. The applicants said they will provide material samples and a more detailed site plan for the next formal submittal.

Next steps: applicants will prepare a formal application with contextual photos, samples, and an expanded site plan for a subsequent board review and Certificate of Appropriateness/permit process.