Resident urges streamlined demolition review for flood-damaged non-historic homes

During the public-comment period at the March 19 meeting of the St. Augustine Historic Architectural Review Board, resident Mike Davis described repeated flood damage to his 1965 kit house and urged the board and staff to streamline the demolition and repair review process for non-historic properties.

Davis said one room in his house sits below a seven-foot elevation while some exterior elements are below an eight-foot freeboard; he argued that using the stricter measurement prevents owners from moving forward and forces them into lengthy hearings. "If they're non historic and there's a way to let that owner bypass this process, we should be trying to help them," he said, adding he had to submit multiple rounds of documents to satisfy staff and state requirements.

Board members and staff acknowledged confusion over datums and the 50-year threshold and discussed whether an initial staff administrative screening could identify clearly non-historic, flood-damaged properties and reduce barriers for owners unfamiliar with the process. Staff and members agreed to continue the discussion and suggested additional staff review or clearer guidance could help owners rebuilding after floods.

No formal action was taken; the topic was discussed in the context of ongoing demolition-review procedures.