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Ord 13-09ORDINANCE NO. 13-09 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE RESURVEY REPORT OF NASSAU STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT INCLUDING EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE TO 1964 AND RECLASSIFYING 5 PROPERTIES FROM NON-CONTRIBUTING TO CONTRIBUTING, PROVIDING A GENERAL REPEALER CLAUSE, A SAVING CLAUSE, AND AN EFFECTNE DATE. WHEREAS, the City retained RJ Heisenbottle Architects, Inc., to resurvey the Nassau Street Historic District and the City Commission accepts the survey recommendations to extend the Period of Significance, correct the district name from Nassau Street to Nassau Park Historic District, and seek listing of the district on the National Register of Historic Places; and, WHEREAS, the Nassau Street Historic District was originally designated and placed on the Delray Beach Local Register of Historic Places in 1988 with a Period of Significance spanning from 1935-1943; and, WHEREAS, RJ Heisenbottle Architects, Inc. resurveyed the Nassau Street Historic District and those properties originally classified as contributing for continued significance and maintenance of historic integrity; and, WHEREAS, RJ Heisenbottle Architects, Inc. resurveyed the Nassau Street Historic District and those properties originally classified as non-contributing for current significance and recommends that the Period of Significance be extended through 1964; and, WHEREAS, the Nassau Street Historic District was originally and is currently significant for its collection of architecture representative of the period from 1935-1943; and, WHEREAS, 5 structures now meet the eligibility criteria for contributing status, attributed to the newer resources built 1949 through to 1964, as these buildings have had minimal alterations or their alterations were completed in an appropriate and compatible manner consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation; and, WHEREAS, the Nassau Street Historic District was originally and is currently significant under the Secretary of the Interiors Criterion A for significance due to associations with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad pattern of the City's history such as the development of early neighborhoods in Delray Beach, and representation of 1930s settlement Ord. No. 13-09 following the Land Boom of the 1920s and including a small amount of post World War 11 growth from the 1940s through the 1950s; and, WHEREAS, the Nassau Street Historic District was originally and is currently significant under the Secretary of the Interiors Criterion C for significance as it embodies one or more distinctive architectural styles or types such as the Cottage, Masonry and Frame Vernacular, and Ranch styles, and many of the Cottage style structures can be attributed to renown architect Samuel Ogren, Sr.; and, WHEREAS, Section 4.5.1 of the Land Development Regulations of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Delray Beach provides for the change of historic classification of historic sites and districts; and, WHEREAS, RJ Heisenbottle Architects, Inc. found that the Nassau Street Historic District was erroneously named as such, and recommends that the name be corrected to the Nassau Park Historic District; and, WHEREAS, RJ Heisenbottle Architects, Inc. found that the City should seek listing of the Nassau Street Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places; and, WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Board held a duly noticed public hearing in regard to the Final Resurvey Report for the Nassau Street Historic District on March 4, 2009 and voted 6 to 0 to recommend approval of acceptance of the Final Resurvey Report and its recommendations including the changes of historic classification for 5 properties within the Nassau Street Historic District; and WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach adopts the findings in the Final Resurvey Report for the Nassau Street Historic District; and WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach adopts the findings in the Historic Preservation Board Staff Report dated March 4, 2009; and WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach finds the ordinance is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan; and WHEREAS the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach has conducted a duly noticed public hearing in regard to the adoption of the Final Resurvey Report for the Nassau Street Historic District. NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. That the recitations set forth above axe incorporated herein. Ord. No. 13-09 Section 2 That the Final Resurvey Report for the Nassau Street Historic District is included as Attachment A. Section 3 That the properties listed in Attachment B are hereby classified as set forth in Attachment A and in accordance with and under the provisions of Section 4.5.1 of the Land Development Regulations of the City of Delray Beach, Florida. Section 4 That Section 4.5.1, "Historic Preservation Sites and Districts" Subsection (L), "Designation of Historic Districts", Sub-subsection (1), "Nassau Street" of the Land Development Regulations of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, be and the same is hereby amended to read as follows: (1) NASSAU S-'1F PARK which consists of Lots 2-19 of Nassau Park, as recorded in Plat Book 16, page 67 of Palm Beach County, Florida; Lots 1-12 of Wheatley Subdivision, as recorded in Plat Book 16, page 98 of Palm Beach County, Florida; and Block E, Lot 4 and Block F, Lot 1 of John B. Reid's Village as recorded in Plat Book 21, page 95 of Palm Beach County, Florida. Section 5 That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith be and the same are hereby repealed. Section 6 That should any section or provision of this ordinance or any portion thereof any paragraph, sentence or word be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid such decision shall not affect the validity of the remainder hereof as a whole or part thereof other than the part declared to be invalid. Section 7 That this ordinance shall become effective immediately upon passage on second and final reading. the ~ASSED AND ADOPTED in regular day of ~~ , 20C ATTEST: City Clerk First Reading J ~~ Second Reading ~ ~ ~~ Ord. No. 13-09 MEMORANDUM TO:Mayor and City Commissioners FROM:Amy E. Alvarez, Historic Preservation Planner Paul Dorling, AICP, Director of Planning and Zoning THROUGH:City Manager DATE:March 11, 2009 AGENDA ITEM 10.B. -REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 17, 2009 SUBJECT: ORDINANCE NO. 13-09 (FIRST READING/FIRST PUBLIC HEARING) ITEM BEFORE COMMISSION The item before Commission is consideration of Ordinance 13-09 which adopts the recommendations of the Nassau Street Historic District resurvey report, including expansion of the Period of Significance to 1964, reclassification of 5 properties, and correction of the district?s name. BACKGROUND The City hired RJ Heisenbottle Architects, Inc. to conduct a survey of the Del-Ida Park, Nassau Street, Old School Square, and West Settlers Historic Districts from July 2008 ? January 2009. The objective was to survey all properties developed at least thirty-five years ago within each of the aforementioned districts and to identify those which contain both contributing and non-contributing buildings and structures. An historical overview of each area was provided in the final report. The City Commission reviewed the following recommendations of the final survey report for the Nassau Street Historic District at its workshop on February 10, 2009: That the Period of Significance (POS) be extended to 1964 (currently spans 1935 to 1943); That listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) be sought for the entire district; and, That Ordinance 97-87 be amended to correct the name from Nassau Street Historic District to Nassau Park Historic District. Ordinance 13-09 provides for the POS extension to 1964, the reclassification of 5 properties, and the name change from Nassau Street Historic District to Nassau Park Historic District. Additional analysis is contained within the attached HPB Staff Report. Ordinance 13-09 also contains two attachments: Attachment A ? Nassau Street Historic District Resurvey Report, and Attachment B ? Nassau Street Historic District property list including dates of construction, architectural styles, and classifications. The recommendation for listing on NRHP will be explored in the coming months and, if supported, will be adopted by a separate Ordinance. REVIEW BY OTHERS The Historic Preservation Board (HPB) reviewed Ordinance 13-09 at its March 4, 2009 meeting where a recommendation of approval was made, on a vote of 6-0. RECOMMENDATION Approve Ordinance 13-09, for the adoption of the resurvey report including the expanded Period of Significance, reclassification of 5 properties, and name correction to Nassau Park Historic District. MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Commissioners FROM: David T. Harden, City Manager DATE: April 1, 2009 SUBJECT: AGENDA ITEM 10.A. -REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 7, 2009 ORDINANCE NO. 13-09 (SECOND READING/SECOND PUBLIC HEARING) ITEM BEFORE COMMISSION This ordinance is before Commission for second for acceptance of the resurvey report of the Nassau period of significance to 1964, reclassifying five (5) and changing the name of the district to Nassau Park. reading and second public hearing, providing Street Historic District including extending the properties from non-contributing to contributing BACKGROUND At the first reading on March 17, 2009, the Commission passed Ordinance No. 13-09. RECOMMENDATION Recommend approval of Ordinance No. 13-09 on second and final reading. ORDINANCE NO. 13-09 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE RESURVEY REPORT OF NASSAU STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT INCLUDING EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE TO 1964 AND RECLASSIFYING 5 PROPERTIES FROM NON- CONTRIBUTING TO CONTRIBUTING, PROVIDING A GENERAL REPEALER CLAUSE, A SAVING CLAUSE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City retained RJ Heisenbottle Architects, Inc., to resurvey the Nassau Street Historic District and the City Commission accepts the survey recommendations to extend the Period of Significance, correct the district name from Nassau Street to Nassau Park Historic District, and seek listing of the district on the National Register of Historic Places; and, WHEREAS, the Nassau Street Historic District was originally designated and placed on the Delray Beach Local Register of Historic Places in 1988 with a Period of Significance spanning from 1935-1943; and, WHEREAS, RJ Heisenbottle Architects, Inc. resurveyed the Nassau Street Historic District and those properties originally classified as contributing for continued significance and maintenance of historic integrity; and, WHEREAS, RJ Heisenbottle Architects, Inc. resurveyed the Nassau Street Historic District and those properties originally classified as non-contributing for current significance and recommends that the Period of Significance be extended through 1964; and, WHEREAS, the Nassau Street Historic District was originally and is currently significant for its collection of architecture representative of the period from 1935-1943; and, WHEREAS, 5 structures now meet the eligibility criteria for contributing status, attributed to the newer resources built 1949 through to 1964, as these buildings have had minimal alterations or their alterations were completed in an appropriate and compatible manner consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation; and, WHEREAS, the Nassau Street Historic District was originally and is currently significant under the Secretary of the Interiors Criterion A for significance due to associations with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad pattern of the City's history such as the development of early neighborhoods in Delray Beach, and representation of 1930s settlement following the Land Boom of the 1920s and including a small amount of post World War II growth from the 1940s through the 1950s; and, WHEREAS, the Nassau Street Historic District was originally and is currently significant under the Secretary of the Interiors Criterion C for significance as it embodies one or more distinctive architectural styles or types such as the Cottage, Masonry and Frame Vernacular, and Ranch styles, and many of the Cottage style structures can be attributed to renown architect Samuel Ogren, Sr.; and, WHEREAS, Section 4.5.1 of the Land Development Regulations of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Delray Beach provides for the change of historic classification of historic sites and districts; and, WHEREAS, RJ Heisenbottle Architects, Inc. found that the Nassau Street Historic District was erroneously named as such, and recommends that the name be corrected to the Nassau Park Historic District; and, WHEREAS, RJ Heisenbottle Architects, Inc. found that the City should seek listing of the Nassau Street Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places; and, WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Board held a duly noticed public hearing in regard to the Final Resurvey Report for the Nassau Street Historic District on March 4, 2009 and voted 6 to 0 to recommend approval of acceptance of the Final Resurvey Report and its recommendations including the changes of historic classification for 5 properties within the Nassau Street Historic District; and WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach adopts the findings in the Final Resurvey Report for the Nassau Street Historic District; and WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach adopts the findings in the Historic Preservation Board Staff Report dated March 4, 2009; and WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach finds the ordinance is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan; and WHEREAS the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach has conducted a duly noticed public hearing in regard to the adoption of the Final Resurvey Report for the Nassau Street Historic District. NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. That the recitations set forth above are incorporated herein. Section 2 That the Final Resurvey Report for the Nassau Street Historic District is included as Attachment A. Section 3 That the properties listed in Attachment B are hereby classified as set forth in Attachment A and in accordance with and under the provisions of Section 4.5.1 of the Land Development Regulations of the City of Delray Beach, Florida. Section 4 That Section 4.5.1, "Historic Preservation Sites and Districts" Subsection (L), "Designation of Historic Districts", Sub-subsection (1), "Nassau Street" of the Land Development Regulations of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, be and the same is hereby amended to read as follows: (1) NASSAU ~ PARK which consists of Lots 2-19 of Nassau Park, as recorded in Plat Book 16, page 67 of Palm Beach County, Florida; Lots 1-12 of Wheatley Subdivision, as recorded in Plat Book 16, page 98 of Palm Beach County, Florida; and Block E, Lot 4 and Block F, Lot 1 of John B. Reid's Village as recorded in Plat Book 21, page 95 of Palm Beach County, Florida. Section 5 That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith be and the same are hereby repealed. Section 6 That should any section or provision of this ordinance or any portion thereof any paragraph, sentence or word be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid such decision shall not affect the validity of the remainder hereof as a whole or part thereof other than the part declared to be invalid. Section 7 That this ordinance shall become effective immediately upon passage on second and final reading. PASSED AND ADOPTED in regular sessic the day of , 200_. ATTEST: City Clerk First Reading Second Reading ATTACHMENT A CITY OF DELRAY BEACH RESURVEY OF FOUR LOCAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS NASSAU PARK HISTORIC DISTRICT Prepared by: R.J. HEISENBUTTLE ARCHI~ September 30, 2008 NASSAU PARK HISTORIC DISTRICT HISTORIC SURVEY REPORT The City of Delray Beach has retained the firm of R.J. Heisenbottle Architects, P.A. (RJHA) to resurvey four areas within the city previously listed on the Local Register of Historic Places as Historic Districts. The four areas to be studied are Del-Ida Park, Nassau Park, Old School Square, and West Settlers Historic .Districts. RJHA's task will be to prepare individual Survey Reports for each of the four historic districts that will provide the following information: • Historical overview of the district • Review existing criteria for determining contributing and non-contributing structures • Recommendations on extending Periods of Significance, where appropriate, within the district • Update Florida Master Site File forms for previously recorded structures • Prepare new Florida Master Site File forms for previously unrecorded structures • Prepare maps and photographs for all sites within the district The survey will be conducted for all structures that are thirty-five (35) years or older. Information will be provided in both digital and paper format. This Survey Report covers the Nassau Park Historic District, originally designated in 1988, after one of the most historically and architecturally significant houses in the area ("Seawinds" located at 234 South Ocean Boulevard) was demolished. At the time of designation the 50 year threshold for considering structures as contributing barely covered the original development period for Nassau Park (1935-1941). This report will review and make recommendations whether there is justification for extending the current Period of Significance as a tool for determining historical significance. BOUNDARIES The Nassau Park Historic District is clearly defined by the original boundaries of the development, the first planned residential development south of Atlantic Avenue and east of the Intracoastal Waterway. The district extends for two blocks along Nassau Street, from Venetian Drive to the west, to South Ocean Boulevard to the east. It includes single family residences within three separate subdivisions-John B. Reid's Village, Wheatley's and Nassau Park, from west to east. The district boundaries have become even more clearly defined as the surrounding area's density continues to increase with the construction of higher density, multi-family structures. 2 CONTEXT The Nassau Park Historic District consists of two blocks located in Delray Beach east of the Intracoastal Waterway and three blocks south of Atlantic Avenue, lying between Venetian Drive and South Ocean Boulevard. Its close proximity to the beach and to the downtown area of Delray Beach has made this a highly desirable neighborhood since it was originally conceived in 1935 as the first planned residential development south of Atlantic Avenue. The increasing development pressure that surrounds the Nassau Park Historic District contributes to its present day desirability, steadily rising property values and sense of urgency to preserve this small residential community as one of the few remaining historic enclaves representative of the early days of life in Delray Beach. It is important to note that the Period of Significance identified in the Nassau Park Local Register Historic District Designation Report coincides with the date of construction of the original structures of the Nassau Park residential development (1935-1941). The Period of Significance was later extended to 1943, but only five houses were built after that date, one in 1949, three in the 1950s and one in 1964. Although the Nassau Park Historic District Designation Report, prepared in 1988, lists these later houses as being without historic significance, it also points out that they do not adversely affect the aesthetic profile of the street. One reason why the Designation Report identifies the later houses as being without historic significance is that they had not achieved the fifty year threshold generally required as one of the criteria for historic designation at the time when the report was prepared. One of the objectives of the Delray Beach "Resurvey of Four Local Register Historic District" project is to expand the Period of Significance so that structures that are thirty five (35) years or older may be recorded in the Florida Master Site File, thus providing a "cushion" for this data base to be up to date when considering structures' eligibility for listing as "contributing" within designated historic districts. After careful study of the buildings within the district boundary, it is our recommendation that the Period of Significance should be extended up to 1964, the date when the last of the single family residences in the Nassau Park Historic District was built. In observing the development patterns of Delray Beach and particularly of those areas surrdunding the Nassau Park Historic District, it becomes evident that no substantial development changes took place from the Resort Era of the 30's and 40's decade until the latter part of the 1960s and early years of the 1970s. Whether along the commercial areas such as Atlantic Avenue or in the single family residential areas such as Nassau Street, buildings were predominantly of small scale, low rise construction. The Delray Summit Apartments, built at 1000 Lowry Street in 1965 and the Barrton Building, constructed along the Intracoastal Waterway in 1971, are among the first multi-family high rise structures in Delray Beach. Although it is true that these buildings paved the way for a new large scale development trend in the community, this trend had not quite started by the recommended 1964 cut-off date for the Period of Significance and its impact on the Nassau Park neighborhood was nowhere to be found yet. 4 Just like the development trend in Nassau Park remained constant from the 1930s through the 1960s, albeit slower after the initial construction boom, so did the overall building typology. Although the few houses constructed between the 1950s and the 1960s may lean more towards the Ranch Style popular in those years or towards a simple masonry vernacular type, their use of scale, setback and materials still convey a cohesive architectural aesthetic within the district. The dramatic contrast of the larger scale development that currently surrounds the Nassau Park Historic District further reinforces that the architectural and contextual significance of this compact, single-family residential area, is the result of the "tout ensemble" of structures contained within the district's boundaries, including those of later construction date. Therefore, all the single family residential units built in the two block stretch of Nassau Street between 1930s and the 1960s are recommended to be considered as contributing structures to the Nassau Park Historic District. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE The continuous period of settlement and development of .Delray Beach traces back to 1894 when William S. Linton, U.S. Congressman from Saginaw, Michigan, purchased a half section of land in the area we know today as Delray Beach from the original homesteaders. Mr. Linton, encouraged by the development opportunities that Henry M. Flagler's extension of the Florida East Coast Railway brought to the South Florida area, started a settlement, recorded the town plat and named the town after himself. But soon after, when a hard freeze devastated the local crops, Mr. Linton fell on hard times and defaulted on his land payments. Some of the early settlers left, while W.W. Blackmer rallied those who remained and renamed the town Delray, after a section in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan. During the early years Delray developed as an agricultural and fishing community, aided by the railroad chat facilitated transport of crops to points north. Pineapples and tomatoes were big contributors to the early local economy. Delray received many blue ribbons at the Palm Beach County Fair for its produce, and in fact, during a Fourth of July parade in 1914, the town sported a float dressed up as a giant tomato. The lure of the warm climate and beautiful beaches soon began to attract visitors to the town of Delray. In 1902 the Chapman lnn opened as the first building dedicated to hotel use. In 1911, after the Bradshaw family relocated to Delray from their native Kentucky, they began ranting rooms to fellow Kentuckians arriving to settle or to visit. Their house became known as the Kentucky House. By 1920 the Bradshaw family had expanded their operation to a full fledged hotel. But it was the real estate boom of the 1920s that had the most profound impact in turning Delray into a resort town. Eight new hotels, among them the Alterep, later renamed the Colony, the Seacrest, and the Casa Del Rey, became destination places for visitors from up north. While tourism was claiming an important role in the local economy, the town was also attracting a new breed of prominent seasonal residents, who made Delray their winter home. In 1927 the town of Delray and the town of Delray Beach merged and incorporated as the City of Delray Beach. The permanent population grew to about 2,000; a new high school was built, along with places of worship, theaters, golf and polo sports clubs, and commercial establishments. Delray Beach clearly left its imprint on the Florida map during the 20s decade. Although the Stock Market Crash and the Great Depression were felt in Delray Beach like elsewhere during the 1930s, the blow was lessened by the fact that the community had developed a strong colony of winter residents who kept coming back. These were not the very wealthy of Palm Beach who may have been hardest hit by the Depression, but rather a group of artists, writers, entertainers, sports figures and socialites who could afford, and looked forward to, a winter getaway from the hard realities of the times. This resulted in a surge in new construction of fairly modest residential and commercial buildings. While Delray Beach was ranked 50`i' in population in Florida during the 1930s, it was also ranked 10`h in the state in new construction. One of the areas that flourished during the 1930s was Nassau Park. Originally platted as Asbury Park Heights, it was renamed Nassau Fark in 1935 by developer R.C. McNeill, who commissioned architect Sam Ogren, Sr. to design the first house, located at 234 South Ocean Boulevard in 1935, now demolished. Sam Ogren Sr. was recognized as the most prominent early architect in Delray Beach, for his designs of the 1925 High School and Gymnasium at Old School Square, the Arcade Building on Atlantic Avenue and Marine Villas in the Marina Historic District. Ogren Sr. is referred to as the "Father of Delray Beach Architecture". Born in 1899 in China, Ogren Sr. had no formal architectural training, ye# he was a registered architect who went on to design over 200 local buildings, mostly in the Spanish and Mediterranean Revival style. Considered to be the first planned residential development south of Atlantic Avenue, Nassau Park's close proximity to the beautiful sandy beaches and the charming, simple yet stylish architecture of its small scale houses made this neighborhood highly desirable and successful from its inception. A newspaper article from the Delray Beach News dated February 1, 1935 for Ray-Del Realty Co. describes Nassau Park as "West Indian Charm Along Delray Shores". The ad further proclaims "We will build to suit your own needs, charming Nassau cottages, designed by our own architects, containing two and three bedrooms at costs amazingly moderate". Although it does not specifically name Samuel Ogren Sr. as the architect, since he was contracted to design the house at 234 South Ocean Boulevard which served as the model, it is possible that Ogren Sr. may have been involved in the design of the other houses in the original development. Eighteen houses were built between 1935 and 1941. Four additional houses were built after the initial planned development phase, two during the 1950s and two during the 1960s. The original houses were simple cottages and have been described in the "Nassau .Park Historic District Designation Report" as inspired by the Colonial-Cape Cod Revival Style {See Architectural Significance Section). The Designation Report best describes Nassau Park as evoking "a memory of prosperity, pleasure, leisured relaxation and style which was the essence of 1930s life in Delray Beach". 6 "SEAWINDS". 234 SOUTH OCEAN BOULEVARD. 1935 FIRST HOUSE IN NASSAU PARK The five houses built in Nassau Park in subsequent years did not follow the same exact architectural style of their predecessors. Yet their scale, setbacks and materials allow them to blend into a harmonious whole, all of them pieces of the same fabric that distinguishes this neighborhood from the rest of its rapidly changing surroundings. The stability of the area is most notable, having escaped after over seventy years since its creation with hardly any of the original buildings being demolished or new intrusions being added. One of the original houses dating back to 1935, located at 234 South Ocean Boulevard, was demolished in 1988 to make room for a much larger multi-family residential structure. This action could have signaled the end of Nassau Park as a single family residential neighborhood by bringing about a domino effect of new development and construction. Instead, that single demolition became the rallying cry that resulted in the designation of the Nassau Park Historic District. Today the area is flourishing and most of the small quaint cottages have undergone substantial rehabilitation by caring owners who appreciate the historic value of their properties. This in turn has resulted in a marked increase in property values for the neighborhood, which is still, or again, like in its heyday, one of the most desirable places to live in Delray Beach. 7 ARCHITECTURAL. SIGNiF1rCANCE The houses of the Nassau Park Historic District distinguish themselves not as fine. representative exarnpies of a particular architectural style but rather for their laid -back simplicity, small. scale .and the character they convey as a seaside community, Their significance lies not in the individual units but in the way they come together to form. a harmonious whole. Stylistically they seem most comfortably described: as Cottages, although they have received more fanciful titles such as Colonial-Cape Cod .Revival and even Tropical Cape Cod Revival.. The fact is that this group of cottages is unpretentious, not historical. enough in nature to be tagged Colonial,. not northern enough for Cape Cod Revival and certainly hard to visualize as. a Tropical Cape Cod Revival, which borders on oxymoron. Perhaps a more accurate description may be found in the 1935 newspaper ad pxeviously mentioned that refers to therm as "Nassau.cottages". .A-: ~~~ __r_ _ ._..1~ _ ,,~. ,, ~ ,. .~~ .,, .• 9~' ~~ t YI i V~~1~~~;~ ~ ~ j~h~. y~9aky-r%wpLJ .'tea" ..b~ ~ _ ~ ,4 `~_ , 22b SOUTH OCEAN BOULEYARD.1935 The Nassau Park houses are ;for the most part. one story, either balloon wood frame or concrete block and stucco Construction with gently sloping gabae and hip roofs. Decoration is sparse, generally concentrate. d around doorways which sport classically- inspired carved woad. detailing described in the Designation Report as "Georgian or Adam doorways". The-wood frame houses are faced in horizontal weatherboards and many have corner boards as subtle decorative touches.. Operable. wood shutters adorn windows. on. many, adding a decorative element while having a functional purpose. The few houses that are two stories, such as those located at 1104 and 11.12 Nassau. Street, still maintain the same sense of scale as the smaller 8 226 SOUTH OCEAN BOULEVARD. 2008 ones by combining a two story mass with a smaller one story wing or extension, thus breaking down the overall size of the structure. The five houses that were built subsequent to the original development for the most part digressed from the Cottage style in favor of a more generic 1950s Ranch-inspired vernacular. The house located at 1009 Nassau Street is an exception. It is the last house to be built within the district boundaries, yet its design is a fine example of the small scale cottage design that characterizes the original structures in the district. The residences located at 235 Venetian Drive and at 1010 Nassau Street, however, are fine representatives of the trend toward the Ranch style of construction, while maintaining the cohesive typology of the overall district. Similarly, the houses have undergone alterations and additions over the years without significantly detracting from the visual character and intent of the original development. The house located at 1109 Nassau Street is set back in the property, and a two story garage structure was built on the front portion of the lot. Although the appropriateness of this addition may be questionable due to its location on the site, it is still well integrated with the streetscape by the use of materials and details, including the use of a second story balcony with wooden railings that softens the overall appearance of the new structure. In spite of stylistic variations, alterations and additions, the single family residences that comprise the Nassau Park Historic District maintain and contribute to the sense of place of the neighborhood by their cohesiveness of scale, setbacks, use of materials and overall character. it is that sense of place that makes the Nassau Park Historic District special. This series of cottages are clearly distinct from anywhere else in Delray Beach. Other historic districts provide glimpses of the city's past through the architecture within their boundaries. Thus one can encounter examples of pioneer era frame vernacular structures such as the Sundy House and the Clark House, the Bahamian style Cathcart House, or a 1920s bungalow all within a short distance of each other along Swinton Avenue. Or even in sharper contrast may be fine examples of the Mission style and the more ornate Mediterranean Revival style just around the corner. This variety of styles lends a richness and historical continuity to the city's fabric. But in the compact, two-block-long stretch of the Nassau Park Historic District one steps back to one specific point in place and time-1930s beachside residential resort living in Delray Beach at its finest. ` RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that the Period of Significance for the Nassau Park Historic District be extended to 1964, to include the five additional structures built during the 1950s and 1960s decades. When the district was originally designated in 1988 many of the structures had barely achieved the SO year threshold to be considered as "Contributing" under generally accepted criteria for historic designation. Twenty years later, the district maintains its historical and architectural integrity. Only one of the original structures has been demolished and no new construction other than the multi-family development located at 1180-1190 Nassau Street that replaced the demolished house has gone into the designated area. Although the five structures subsequent to the original development are not exactly built in the same architectural style, they are nevertheless single-family residences, consistent and compatible in scale, setback and materials with the overall character and intent of the original development. The recent development trend towards multi- family residential structures that surrounds the Nassau Park Historic District reinforces by contrast the 9 cohesiveness of the district and justifies deeming all of the single-family residences within the district boundaries as "Contributing Structures". When the Nassau Park Historic District was officially designated through Ordinance #97-87, a scrivener's or typographical error listed it as "Nassau Street Historic District". The historically accurate name and original intent of the historic district designation was always for the name to be recorded as "Nassau Park Historic District". It is, therefore, recommended that the above-referenced ordinance be amended to show the official name of the designated district as "Nassau Park Historic District". It is our professional opinion that the locally designated Nassau Park Historic District is poten#ially eligible for listing as a National Register Historic District. It is recommended that the City of Delray Beach consider undertaking the preparation of a National Register Historic District Nomination Proposal for Nassau Park Historic District. The existing level of documentation on the Florida Master Site File forms and on the Local Register Designation Report will need to be reinforced for a National Register nomination proposal. Additional information on the developers, architects and original owners will be necessary to make the district eligible for National Register listing, but the district's unique, fairly intact qualities will only increase its significance both under local and national eligibility criteria with the passing of time. SOURCES • Florida Master Site Files. Delray Beach. • Historic Sites Files. City of Delray Beach Planning Department. • Delray Beach Historic Sites Survey. By John P. Johnson. Historic Palm Beach County Preservation Board. Juiy 1987. • Nassau Park .Historic District Designation Report._-1989. • Delray Beach Property Appraiser's Records. • Delray Beach Historical Society files. • Historical Society of Palm Beach County files. • Delray Beach. Postcard History Series. By Dorothy W. Patterson and Janet M. DeVries.2008. Arcadia Publishing. • "The Delray Beach Style". By Dorothy W. Patterson, Archivist. Delray Beach Historical Society. 1999. • "Delray Beach Lifestyles - 1915 to 1935". By Dorothy W. Patterson, Archivist. Delray Beach Historical Society. 2006. • Sam Ogren Sr. Obituary. Palm Beach Post. February 22, 1988. • Sam Ogren Sr. Obituary. The Miami Herald. February 22, 1988. • Newspaper Advertisement. Delray Beach News. February 1, 1935. 10 z ., ~ ~ ~i R ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~Q~{ ~ @ ~f ~ ~ g~ ~6 ~ .~ 1^ ~YE,N~IX B RE~OURCE5 yED .MAp OF SURD 13 z (~QVER NOUSF GONDn o__-.____ _._....__-__..___~ . ....~__. ~. C?CEAN ~'L,~CF COCONUT Rn1N Af-1AMi ~ t AVENUE 1 L ~_..,_._ ! _._ .. JARI~ItV t~CL MAF' ___~ CONDO? ~r .... .. ....~ _._ ~.1.~. ~bUw¢z r-waa ,,, Ouw~z ! R ,. ya ^~ .q, d z¢MgF¢~ N!-KWWi- _ ... ~ ~ ,~ © f 11 /~ <r, JJ 1 t~ / f j,. .` ~ { .. '~ ~~ }-zowgwaw sA~mw c.~OZi~p LANIKAI 1/IL~AS GDIVDO 5 N W. K y, O U l~ Ordinance 13-09 Attachment B Nassau Street Historic District Property Classification List Address Classification Year Built Style 1009 Nassau Street Contributin 1964 Cotta e 1010 Nassau Street Contributin 1956 Ranch 1015 Nassau Street Contributin 1938 Cottage 1018 Nassau Street Contributin 1938 Cotta e 1019 Nassau Street Contributin 1939 Cotta e 1022 Nassau Street Contributin 1938 Cotta e 1023 Nassau Street Contributin 1935 Cotta e 1026 Nassau Street Contributin 1956 Mason Vernacular 1027 Nassau Street Contributin 1938 Cotta e 1029 Nassau Street Contributin 1941 Cotta e 1030 Nassau Street Contributin 1939 Cotta e 1101 Nassau Street Contributin 1937 Cotta e 1104 Nassau Street Contributin 1935 Frame Vernacular 1109 Nassau Street Contributin 1937 Cotta e 1112 Nassau Street Contributing 1935 Frame Vernacular 1119 Nassau Street Contributin 1936 Cotta e 1120 Nassau Street Contributin 1938 Cotta e 1122 Nassau Street Contributin 1938 Cotta e 1127 Nassau Street Contributin 1936 Cotta e 1160 Nassau Street Non-Contributin 1993 1170 Nassau Street Non-Contributin 1993 1180 Nassau Street Non-Contributin 1993 1190 Nassau Street Non-Contributin 1993 226 South Ocean Boulevard Contributin 1935 Cotta e 226 South Ocean Boulevard Contributing 1935 Cotta e 229 - 231 Venetian Drive Contributin 1949 Mason Vernacular 235 Venetian Drive Contributin 1950 Ranch 1/1 HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD MEMORANDUM STAFF REPORT MEETING OF: MARCH 4, 2009 ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE 13-09 PROVIDING FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE RESURVEY REPORT OF NASSAU STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT INCLUDING EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE TO 1964 AND RECLASSIFYING 5 PROPERTIES FROM NON-CONTRIBUTING TO CONTRIBUTING. ITEM BEFORE THE BOARD The item before the Board is that of making a recommendation to the City Commission regarding Ordinance 13-09 providing for the acceptance of the resurvey report of Nassau Street Historic District including extension of the Period of Significance (POS) to 1964, and reclassifying 5 properties from non-contributing to contributing, pursuant to Land Development Regulations (LDR) Section 4.5.1(N), Criteria for Change of Historic Classification and 4.5.1(0), Procedures for Change of Historic Classification. BACKGROUND The City hired RJ Heisenbottle Architects, Inc. to conduct a survey of the Del-Ida Park, Nassau Street, Old School Square, and West Settlers Historic Districts from July 2008 -January 2009. The objective was to survey all properties developed at least thirty-five years ago within each of the aforementioned districts and to identify those which contain both contributing and non- contributing buildings and structures. A historical overview of each area was provided in the final report. The City Commission reviewed the recommendations of the final survey report for the Nassau Street Historic District at its workshop on February 10, 2009. The final report to be adopted is for the Nassau Street Historic District. The recommendations are as follows: • That the Period of Significance* (POS) be expanded to 1964, which would reclassify the following properties from non-contributing to contributing: Pro,oerty Address Date Style 1009 Nassau Street 1964 Cottage 1010 Nassau Street 1956 Ranch 1026 Nassau Street 1956 Masonry Vernacular 229-231 Venetian Drive 1949 Masonry Vernacular 235 Venetian Drive 1950 Ranch * The current Period of Significance spans from 1935 to 1943. • That listing on the National Register of Historic Places be sought for the entire district. • That Ordinance 97-87 be amended to correct the name from Nassau Street Historic District to Nassau Park Historic District. Ordinance 13-09: Nassau Street Historic District Resurvey HPB Meeting March 4, 2009; Page 2 of 4 Period of Significance The resurvey report notes that since its 1988 designation, the Nassau Street Historic District has maintained "its historical and architectural integrity." The recommendation to extend the Period of Significance to 1964 has been justified in that it includes the later (eligible) development within the district. The development trends remained constant from the 1930s through the 1960s, as did the overall building typology. Although the few houses constructed between the 1950s and the 1960s may lean more towards the Ranch style popular in those years, the new structure's use of scale, setback, and materials still conveyed a cohesive architectural aesthetic within the district throughout the new POS. The POS extension would change the classification of five properties currently deemed non-contributing, which were constructed from 1949-1964. In addition, the report notes that the "cohesiveness of the district" is reinforced by the contrasting multi-family residential structures that surround the district. National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) Listing on the NRHP would provide additional recognition for the district, and additional review criteria or restrictions would not be placed on those properties located within the boundaries. While City Staff may proceed with an application for listing on the NRHP, research and application preparation assistance will be needed by residents within the district, or other interested parties. The application for listing would be processed via recommendation of support by the HPB to the City Commission. The HPB review should include property owners within the district as a way of keeping them informed and involved, and should occur prior to completion and submittal of the application. Once the application is submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for review, a letter or newspaper advertising will be provided, at which time a property owner will have the opportunity to formally support or object to the listing. Name Correction Ordinance 97-87 refers to the Nassau Street Historic District while the designation report refers to the more widely recognized name of Nassau Park Historic District. The survey recommends it be referred to as only the Nassau Park Historic District. This correction is provided for in the attached Ordinance, with the correction being made to the LDRs. Ordinance 13-09 includes Attachment A, the Final Report for the Nassau Street Historic District, and Attachment B, which notes each property and its date of construction, historic classification, and architectural style. Consideration of Ordinance 13-09 is now before the Board for review and recommendation to the City Commission. ANALYSIS Pursuant to LDR Section 2.2.6(A), a Historic Preservafion Board for the City of Delray Beach is hereby created. The ur ose of this Board is to foster and promote the recognition, protection, enhancement and use of historic resources in the City of Delray Beach and to have a lay body which shall have authority to act on matters pertaining to historic preservation. Pursuant to LDR Section 2.2.6(D)(1), Duties, Powers, and Responsibilities, the Historic Preservation Board shall develop, maintain, and update a survey of archaeological sites, properties, buildings, structures, and districts of special historic, aesthetic, architectural, cultural, or social value or interest. The Board will endeavor to improve, expand, and make more accurate the survey as additional documents, information, oral histories, and other such materials may become available, and it will periodically reevaluate the survey. The Board will Ordinance 13-09; Nassau Street Historic District Resurvey HPB Meeting March 4, 2009; Page 3 of 4 work with the City Historical Society, the State Bureau of Historic Preservation, and other appropriate public and nonprofit organizations in maintaining this survey. Pursuant to LDR Section 2.2.6(D)(2), Duties, Powers, and Responsibilities, the Historic Preservation Board shall nominate properties for designation, and regulate such properties, structures, buildings, sites, districts, and the like so designated as historic sites and/or historic districts. STAFF COMMENT: The LDRs specify that as part of the HPB duties, the Board shall protect historic resources, and update surveys of historic resources. The resurvey of the Nassau Street Historic District complies with this requirement. LDR Section 4.5.1(N), Criteria for Change of Historic Classification (1) A survey of all historic districts may be conducted by the City every five (5) years. The survey report may recommend changes to the historic designation and/or classification of properties located within or immediately adjacent to a designated historic district. (b) Criteria for Change of Historic Classification: If a City-initiated survey conducted within the last five (5) years reveals that a property within a historic district should be reclassified as either contributing or non-contributing, then the classification may be revised in accordance with LDR Section 4.5.1(0) and shall be determined as follows: 1. The survey recommends the inclusion of an additional "Period of Significance'; which would reclassify properties from non-contributing to contributing, or; 2. The survey recommends that a property or properties have been so significantly altered that the changes are irreversible and have compromised the structures historic integrity of the structure, which would reclassify the structure from contributing to non-contributing. STAFF COMMENT: The subject survey meets the criteria for change of historic classification as it was conducted within the last 5 years (complete January 2009), and the survey recommends that the Period of Significance be adopted which would reclassify 5 properties from non-contributing to contributing. Therefore, the reclassifications of the aforelisted properties may be reviewed. LDR Section 4.5.1(0), Procedures for Change of Historic Designation and/or Classification (2) Procedures for Change of Historic Classification: Applications to change the historic classification of a property or properties within a historic district shall be made to the Historic Preservation Board and maybe initiated by written request of.' (a) The Historic Preservation Board based upon the recommendations of a City- initiated survey completed within five (5) years prior to the application; or (b) The City Commission based upon the recommendations of aCity-initiated survey completed within five (5) years prior to the application; or (3) The Planning and Zoning Director or his/her designee shall conduct a preliminary evaluation of the information provided on each application to determine if it generally conforms Ordinance 13-09; Nassau Street Historic District Resurvey HPB Meeting March 4, 2009; Page 4 of 4 with criteria in LDR Section 4.5.1(N)(1). The Planning and Zoning Director or his/her designee shall then prepare a report which shall contain the following: (b) Change of Historic Classification: 1. Analysis of the properties to be reclassified; and 2. A staff recommendation as to whether or not the properties should be reclassified due fo either: a. loss of historic integrity as a result of irreversible alterations to a contributing property; or b. inclusion of an additional "Period of Significance" per the survey recommendations. STAFF COMMENT: It has been determined that the subject request conforms with Section 4.5.1(N)(1), and the recommendations have been justified within the report with respect to the expansion of the POS to 1964. The information has been provided and reviewed by Staff and deemed to be complete. The properties recommended for reclassification were developed between 1949 and 1964 and have become a part of the historic Nassau Street streetscape. While they differ from the architectural style of the original development, they are compatible and illustrate the development typology of their time. Staff recommends that the POS expansion be accepted. Staff also recommends that the City support the application of the Nassau Park Historic District (name modified per subject Ordinance) to the NRHP with application preparation assistance provided by residents and interested parties, as well as the name clarification/change from Nassau Street to Nassau Park. RECOMMENDATION Recommend approval to the City Commission of Ordinance 13-09 providing for the reclassification of 5 properties from non-contributing to contributing, preparation of an application for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, and change of the name from Nassau Street to Nassau Park Historic District. Prepared by: Amy E. Alvarez, Historic Preservation Planner Attachments: • Nassau Street Historic District Map • Ordinance 13-09 and Attachments A and B