HomeMy WebLinkAboutHEPB Fact SheetHISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD
FACT SHEET
NAME "The Little House" in Ye Little Wood Subdivision
ADDRESS 3848 Little Avenue
PROPERTY
DESCRIPTION PART OF LOTS 18 & 19, BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER
OF LOT 19. The current description includes two lots, although the
historic house is located only on Lot 19. A 1924 Sanborn map illustrates
a concrete patio constructed on Lot 20.
The Board should consider only Lot 19 in their considerations.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION Evaluation of a proposal for designation for conformance with the criteria
for designation as a historic site.
BACKGROUND
This request for local historic designation was submitted by the Ye Little
Wood Historical Society, Joan Morris; Executive Director and Joyce
Landry and Ute Vladimir; President and Vice -President, respectively.
On January 2, 2007, the Board found that the property appears to meet
the criteria for designation and voted to direct the planning department to
prepare a designation report in accordance with section 23-4(b)(1).
ANALYSIS Please see the Designation Report.
PUBLIC ACCESS
This residence is an extraordinary survivor of the Grove's early history.
Its architecture with its indigenous coral rock elements are exceptional,
and further it was the home of the original developer William V. Little. It
clearly qualifies as a historic site under the criteria set forth in Chapter 23.
However, there are two main issues which are problematic to the
essence of the core notion that historic preservation, as performed as a
function of city government, is for the public purpose.
The subdivision is not one that merely restricts access, but is actually a
private road, maintained and cared for by the residents of the
neighborhood. Additionally, the parks within the enclave are not
considered public parks and are not maintained by the city's Parks
Department.
There are instances of other governmental programs where the issue of
public access has actually been addressed by state statute (specifically,
Section 617.0125 Florida Statutes). For example, in ad -valorem tax
ordinances, there is a category of properties which are eligible for total
tax exemption; however, such properties must be open to the public a
certain number of days out of the year.
Perhaps if the Ye Little Wood Association were to consider opening their
community to the public certain days out of the year, then there is the
opportunity to address this issue of serving a public purpose.
Item #10
April 3, 2007
SITE VS DISTRICT
RECOMMENDATION
While certainly the Little House in Ye Little Wood has been shown to
comply with more than one criterion for designation, it became apparent
during documentation that the neighborhood of Ye Little Wood contains
numerous original structures and homes that would qualify as historic.
Additionally, the roadways, designated parks and lots remain virtually
intact since the time they were platted. To single out one property owner
for designation when the entire neighborhood clearly qualifies as historic
is an inequitable use of the preservation legislation.
For the reasons indicated above, the Preservation Officer recommends
that the Little House in Ye Little Wood not be designated as a historic site
at this time.
if the Board chooses to designate the property, it should only be for Lot
19.
Item #10
April 3, 2007