HARC Proposes Rewrite Of Historic Construction Guidelines

By Pru Sowers

Bruised by angry complaints over its recent decision allowing a large home to be built at 616 Eaton St., the Historical Architectural Review Commission (HARC) wants to rewrite the city’s residential and commercial building code in the Key West historic district.

Walking a difficult line between maintaining the historic areas of the city while still including demands for more contemporary architecture, HARC Chair Bryan Green led a public workshop Dec. 11 to get input on a proposed set of guidelines for new construction in the historic district, as well as new guidelines for signage in the district.

“The guidelines now are so badly constructed. All of the [current] guidelines are pretty poor,” Green told a crowd of about 60 who attended the workshop in the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center. “It’s difficult to have a one-size-fits-all without a document becoming unwieldly.”

The proposed guidelines for new construction in the historic district were included in an 11-page document Green handed out at the workshop, asking for input from the attending architects, builders, real estate lawyers and residents. While not mentioning 616 Eaton St. decision – which granted approval to an 11,000 square foot home with a roof deck, a decision that is being appealed by a group of neighbors who object to the architectural style and size of the proposed new structure – Green said that new construction permit requests are rising in Key West, many from what he termed “very wealthy people wanting to build something not of Key West.” Not only are the proposed new structures larger than other homes in their immediate neighborhood, they include contemporary touches such as roof terraces, which are not a part of the historic architecture prevalent in the city. And the problem HARC has is that the current construction guidelines don’t specifically outlaw the more modern elements.

“Some want more contemporary. Some want less contemporary. Some want less but the guidelines don’t support that. We’re in this bit of a mishmash situation right now,” Green said.

The proposed guidelines state that new construction should not destroy any remaining historic materials or features of a property. The guidelines also try to “incorporate new construction without sacrificing the qualities that make the historic areas of Key west so unique.”

“The primary goal is to preserve, protect and, where appropriate, enhance existing historic context,” the new guidelines state. “A contemporary structure that respects the historic context can very well fit within our historic districts if fundamental design principals are followed.”

The new guidelines received a cautious thumbs-up from the audience. One architect said the guidelines were “95 percent there.”

“You’ve got a winner here. It will help retain the character of Key West,” said another builder.

Attorney Hugh Morgan wanted even more specific construction guidelines to ensure that modern homes, which are cropping up in the historic district, are kept out.

“They are offensive to the idea of keeping old Key West old,” he said.

And stronger guidelines would help builders, who must respond to their clients’ contemporary demands even if they would prefer to build a more traditional structure.

“I’m not anti-contemporary. But contemporary is what’s driving the bus,” said builder Paul Misch.

Architect Tom Pope had at least one reservation about the guidelines. The more specificity, the less architects can put their design talents to use, he worried.

“We need to make sure there is room for creativity. Right now, I’m concerned these guidelines don’t allow creativity,” he said.

The guidelines have a long way to go before becoming part of the Key West building code. HARC, the Key West City Commission and state building officials must approve any change in the local building code.

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