St. Augustine Comprehensive Plan 2040 Mapping Our Future Amy McClure Skinner, Deputy Director Planning and Building Department City of St. Augustine Joint Workshop Historic Preservation Element update March 14, 2019

The existing Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2011. There are 10 Elements or Chapters that make up the Plan; 9 are required 1 is considered optional by Statute. The Elements are: Future Land Use Transportation Infrastructure Housing Historic Preservation (optional) Conservation and Coastal Management Recreation and Open Space Intergovernmental Coordination Capital Improvements Public Schools and Facilities

2014 Community Vision St. Augustine will be a livable, authentic, waterfront city that builds upon rich history and environment to create a distinctive community character founded on a healthy vibrant economy, a diverse mix of people and experiences, and a valuing of its natural assets. The development and execution of the Vision Plan will consistently seek to develop and use a set of governing principles, practices, and processes that balance the interests of residents, businesses institutions, and visitors which contribute to a livable, authentic, character based, and vital community.

Review and Evaluate Identified Themes Over the course of the 2018 Comprehensive Plan evaluation five (5) themes were identified from the citizen and Board feedback: “Preservation” of St. Augustine is important. This includes historic preservation, preserving quality of life, infrastructure, heritage, neighborhoods and the environment. Consideration of impacts on the environment is important. This includes sensitive lands, perils of flood and sea level rise, conservation zone developments, and conservation and water supply issues. Mobility issues in and through the City are important. This includes forms of mobility, parking and people moving, actual “wear and tear” impacts on the City infrastructure and residents, and the potential “critical mass” implications for a small town that functions like a real urban area.

Identified Themes, cont’d Over the course of the 2018 Comprehensive Plan evaluation five (5) themes were identified from the citizen and Board feedback: Recognition of development pressures is important. This includes infill development, redevelopment, compatibility, affordability, and density and intensity issues. Recognition of the impacts of increased tourism and population growth in St. Johns County on the City is important. This includes physical, preservation, infrastructure, affordability, quality of life, and mobility concerns.

Define Terms Historical: such as. a : famous or important in history. b : having great and lasting importance. c : known or established in the past. d : dating from or preserved from a past time or culture, historic buildings, historic artifacts. Preservation: the act, process, or result of preserving something: such as. a : the activity or process of keeping something valued alive, intact, or free from damage or decay, preservation; preservation of an old tradition; buildings; artifacts

What Does success look like? How are we going to preserve St. Augustine? Describe success: What is the right balance? Preservation/livability Culture/economy Protection/development

Updated Data and Analysis Draft attempts to expand the conversation of preservation to protecting cultural resources, and preservation of the City’s neighborhoods and sense of place – beyond just the core area downtown. Includes reference to the overall vision and land use plan for the City. Expand the conversation of threats to historic resources, and priorities to preserve the threads of resources that make up the fabric of 450 years of European history and before. All the information will be updated.

Updated Goals, Objectives and Policies (GOPs) These are just a first draft of proposed GOPs. The basis for the draft is the Historic Preservation Master Plan. Both Boards and the Public will have an opportunity to review them in more detail at future meetings. The GOPs are broken down in sections: Historic Resources Reducing Historic Building Demolition Hazard Mitigation Historic Preservation Planning Archaeology program Economics Education and Advocacy

Updated Goals, Objectives and Policies (GOPs) The overall goal of the City’s historic preservation program is to protect and preserve the historic resources of the City’s built and archaeological environment, understand and enhance the City’s historic integrity, promote an authentic, livable community amid changing environmental circumstances. Proposed Goals: Historic Resources Complete a Historic Resources Inventory across the city…; Present the city’s history as inclusive and accessible as possible in an effort to increase local pride and community support of historic preservation activities;

Updated Goals, Objectives and Policies (GOPs) Proposed Goals: Reducing Historic Building Demolition Preserve and protect the historic character of St. Augustine by minimizing the demolition of historic buildings and structures Provide clear guidance to applicants regarding the type and level of review required and the anticipated outcome of proposed applications based upon a property’s designation and level of significance; Hazard Mitigation Although there is significance in all historic resources, St. Augustine benefits from the richness of its Spanish Colonial-era development – unlike any other city in the United States. The Town Plan Historic District is particularly rich in history, but it is also highly vulnerable to damage from both flooding and storms.

Updated Goals, Objectives and Policies (GOPs) Proposed Goals con’t: St. Augustine is not unique in seeking to address this dilemma. Other cities with irreplaceable sites have recognized that a disaster, whether natural or man-made, could destroy unique archaeological and architectural resources. To provide a record of a property in the event of a disaster, detailed documentation techniques should be employed, and protection of the city’s historic resources from potential hazards should be a priority; Historic Preservation Planning Preserve and protect the historic sites and culture of St. Augustine, including its neighborhoods, districts, structures, buildings, vistas and heritage. Streamline the HARB review process to expedite application review, encourage more community participation and reduce the time burden on members and staff for meeting preparation and participation;

Updated Goals, Objectives and Policies (GOPs) Proposed Goals con’t: Archaeology Program Provide sufficient support to the Archaeology Program for the performance of duties in accordance with the requirements of the Archaeological Preservation Ordnance by providing additional staff, increasing conservation efforts and sustainable management and protection of artifact collections and archives; Economics Integrate Preservation into all aspects of city governance impacting neighborhoods, tourism, infill, commercial revitalization, and redevelopment; Education and Advocacy Encourage institutions, organizations and groups across the city to promote historic preservation and archaeology awareness, activities and support.

Main Differences from the Existing 2011 Plan Expanding the perspective of preservation Expanding the discussion to include “Cultural Resources” Adding conversation related to Hazard Mitigation Acknowledging the growth of the Archaeology Program, and Trying to encourage the participation of a variety of “stakeholders”

What is good about St. Augustine that already exists that we should encourage, focus on, and build on?

Additional Discussion / Questions? Amy McClure Skinner Deputy Director Planning and Building Department City of St. Augustine askinner@citystaug.com