Heritage Preservation Board

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Overview of the Heritage Preservation Board

The Heritage Preservation Board consists of five members and one alternate member appointed for four year terms by the Board of Commissioners.  The Heritage Preservation Board meets on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

The powers and duties of the Board include:

  • Conducting special studies as directed by the Board of Commissioners to identify historically, architecturally and archaeologically significant properties, structures and areas that exemplify the cultural, social, economic, political or architectural history of the nation, state or city.
  • Recommending to the Board of Commissioners the designation of individual sites, districts and archaeological sites that are historically or archaeologically significant.
  • Developing and recommending to the Board of Commissioners additional design guidelines for alterations to landmarks or buildings within historic districts
  • Issuing Certificates of approval in accordance with the terms of the City Code to regulate alterations, new construction, relocation and demolitions affecting designated properties
  • Recommending to the Board of Commissioners amendments to the City Code, the building codes and to the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Tarpon Springs.
  • Establishing and recommending to the Board of Commissioners additional guidelines, criteria and standards of approval for the issuance of Certificates of Approval.
  • Promoting public awareness of historic and archaeological preservation.
  • Nominating landmark buildings, archaeological sites, and historic districts to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Establishing and recommending to the Board of Commissioners an awards program and marker program in order to foster continuing education.

ELECTRONIC PLAN REVIEW – Beginning November 1, 2021
The City has implemented a new electronic plan review process that allows applications to be submitted digitally through an online portal. This new application submission process is more efficient for routing plan review to departments simultaneously allowing for shorter review time periods.

Step 1:  Please visit the document library to download the correct application either under Planning and Zoning: “Permit Applications:” or Heritage Preservation: “Certificate of Approval Application”.

Step 2: Visit https://gp-tarponsprings.eplansoftreview.com/#/login?portal=TSDR and submit the application with plans and other necessary documents.

Step 3: Submit payment via check or money order made payable to “City of Tarpon Springs” and mail it to Planning and Zoning, P. O. Box 5004, Tarpon Springs, Florida 34688.

You will receive regular email updates from Eplansoft as your project moves through the process.

 

National Register / Local Historic District Design Guidelines Manual Update

The City is updating its National Register/Local Historic District Design Review Guidelines Manual. This document provides guidelines based on the Secretary of Interior’s Standards, for rehabilitation of buildings located within the National and Local historic districts in the City of Tarpon Springs. This manual was last updated in 1999.

Final Design Review Guidelines Manual for Board of Commissioners

Heritage Preservation

The historic resources of Tarpon Springs are a vital ingredient of the city’s unique sense of place. Without the individuality of the city’s historic structures and National Register Historic District, Tarpon Springs would appear indistinguishable from other communities.

The Historic Resources Element (Chapter) in the Tarpon Springs Comprehensive Plan outlines the programs, incentives and methods available to the Community. The element provides for establishment of administrative procedures to review and mitigate the impact of future development on prehistoric and historic resources. The element encourages the adoption of legal and financial incentives for preservation, as well as educational and informational programs designed to inform residents of the city’s historic and cultural heritage. Also, the element promotes communication and cooperation among Federal, State, city and private organizations involved in the historic preservation process.

In 1990 the city adopted the Historic Resources Ordinance and established a local Historic District which incorporated the National Register Historic District and created the Heritage Preservation Board (HPB) to maintain the historic charm and character of Tarpon Springs. The HPB reviews proposed improvements and modifications to structures located in the historic district through the Certificate of Approval process. The board uses design guidelines and adopted standards in the city’s Land Development Code to review any construction, alteration, restoration or rehabilitation that requires a building permit and affects the exterior appearance of buildings in the district.