Each City Commission member disclosed their verbal and written communications, site visits, and expert opinions received.
Mayor Seiler and the Commission welcomed newly hired Trisha Logan, Planner III for the Department of Sustainable Development, and the City Historic Preservation Officer. Ms. Logan who gave her educational background in historic preservation and experience with municipalities, stating she has not had an opportunity to participate with this item.
Mayor Seiler recognized Robin Merrill, 300 SW 1st Avenue, who addressed the Commission in support of this item and thanked the Commission for hiring a Historic Preservation Officer. She stated the Flagler Village Association voted unanimously for the proposal approving the Landmark Designation for the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Fort Lauderdale (Church) located at 441 NE Third Avenue - HPB Case H16016.
Ms. Merrill discussed the voting record of the Historic Preservation Board on December 5, 2016 stating the vote was unanimous as the Church met five criteria, noting only meeting one criteria was necessary. Ms. Merrill expounded on the five criteria as noted in her PowerPoint presentation.
A copy of Ms. Merrill’s PowerPoint presentation is attached to these minutes.
Mayor Seiler recognized Paul Pfadenhauer, 1842 Coral Ridge Drive, who addressed the Commission in support of the preservation of the Church. Pastor Pfadenhauer expounded on his pastoral work, his support of the landmark designation for the Church and past development proposals. At the request of Vice Mayor Trantalis, Pastor Pfadenhauer confirmed that he was not requesting the Commission to negotiate with the current developer on the Church’s behalf.
Mayor Seiler recognized Rosalyn Scherf, 1060 Tyler Street and a member of the congregation, who addressed the Commission in support of the preservation of the Church, reiterating its history and service to the community. Ms. Scherf urged the Commission to make a decision soon.
Mayor Seiler recognized Sara Randel, 816 NE 816 17th Avenue, who addressed the Commission, supporting preservation and historic designation of the Church in order to assist in balancing progress and growth, and preserving historic aspects of the area to maintain the character of the community.
Mayor Seiler recognized Michelle Nunziata, 315 NE 3rd Avenue and on behalf of the Flagler Village Civic Association, who addressed the Commission in support of this item. Ms. Nunziata also commented on meetings with the developer. In response to Mayor Seiler’s question, Ms. Nunziata confirmed the Flagler Village Civic Association voted unanimously to designate the Church as a historic landmark.
Mayor Seiler recognized former Commissioner John Aurelius, 2864 NE 24th Court, who addressed the Commission in support of designating the Church as a historic landmark, commenting on his experience with the City when requesting assistance on other historic projects. Mr. Aurelius made recommendations on how the Commission should proceed to allow the public to gain a better understanding of the issue and available options.
Vice Mayor Trantalis commented that there have been discussions with the proposed developer about repurposing the building, preserving the façade and other aspects that will be dependent on the decision made by the Commission. Mr. Aurelius commented on the costs to preserve the building and who would pay those costs.
Mayor Seiler recognized Judy Sommers, 400 N.E. 17th Way, who addressed the Commission, stating her history in the City and with the Church. Ms. Sommers thanked the Commission for hiring a Historic Preservation Officer to address the numerous historic properties in the City. She asked the Commission to work towards preserving other historic buildings.
Mayor Seiler recognized Christopher Brennan, 2721 NE 14th Street, who addressed the Commission in support of this item, noting his close personal and family ties with the Church and recognizing its historical significance. Mr. Brennan suggested listening to the developer to understand his plans to preserve the historical areas of the property.
Mayor Seiler recognized Nancy DeMartini, 3900 NE 18th Avenue, who addressed the Commission, commenting on her personal history with the Church. She supported the historic designation of the Church, stating the need to strike a balance between respect for both the past and the present.
Mayor Seiler recognized Count Rosenthal, 1237 NW 4th Avenue, who addressed the Commission and commented on his research into this issue. He discussed the responsibility of those in favor of the historic designation of buildings to have a plan to fund the associated costs. He recommended the Commission defer this item to allow the developer to present a plan that would preserve the historic parts of the property.
Mayor Seiler recognized former Commissioner Tim Smith, 1720 NE 9th Avenue, who addressed the Commission in support of this item. Mr. Smith thanked the Commission for their many hours of hard work. He noted the importance of preserving the major buildings enumerated in the Historic Preservation Board’s list of historic buildings. He suggested the Commission have this as a Conference Meeting item in order to address funding issues. Mr. Smith stated the Church is one of those on the Historic Preservation Board's list of unique, historic properties that should be saved and designated as a historic landmark. He recommended the Commission approve this item.
Mayor Seiler recognized Richard Rubin, 720 NE 4th Avenue and past President of the Council at the First Lutheran Church, who addressed the Commission in support of this item, commenting on the history and details of past negotiations with a developer. He commented that the Church could pay for the costs associated with its historic designation, stating he Church can be self-supporting through its work with organizations it has worked with in the past.
Mayor Seiler recognized Michaela Conca, 907 N. Federal Highway, who addressed the Commission in support of this item. She commented on why the Church should be designated a historic landmark, noting the Church could be included as part of the City’s Annual Historic Homes Tour during the holiday season.
Mayor Seiler recognized Pastor Brad Schmidt, 700 SE 8th Street and Pastor of City Church of Fort Lauderdale, who addressed the Commission in support of this item. He stated what a City values can be evidenced by its great buildings, stating it is a great building with historic significance. Pastor Schmidt gave a brief historic overview of the Church’s community service, stating as a citizen he felt it should not be converted into commercial space, but instead be used as a place for the community to use for the common good, reflecting the City’s values. For the record, Pastor Schmidt submitted a petition signed by over 430 people in support of historic designation.
A copy of the petition submitted by Pastor Schmidt is attached to these minutes.
Vice Mayor Trantalis asked Pastor Schmidt if the congregation grew to the point of needing to expand to another facility, who would maintain the Church. Pastor Schmidt acknowledged the growing congregation and popularity of the Church, stating there is room to expand the congregation in the sanctuary in addition to the option of having additional services throughout the day. Pastor Schmidt stated his congregation has a long-term commitment to the Church.
Mayor Seiler recognized Johnny Contini, 888 Spoonbill Circle and member of the theatrical group New City Players, who addressed the Commission in support of this item. Mr. Contini stated he was also representing Joanna Peterson who could not be present. He read a statement from Ms. Peterson in support of the Church being designated as a historic landmark, stating it will uphold the spiritual, emotional and communal needs of the neighborhood with the goal of providing care and support for everyone in the community. Her letter urged the Commission to support this designation. Mr. Contini noted Ms. Peterson’s letter appeared in the February 21, 2017 edition of the Sun Sentinel Newspaper.
Mayor Seiler recognized Ryan Maloney, 1858 NE 33rd Street and member of the theatrical group New City Players, who addressed the Commission in support of this preserving the Church. Mr. Maloney expounded on his reasons for his family relocating from Indianapolis to Fort Lauderdale, noting their commitment to the area. He noted the litany of community and neighborhood services provided by the Church, commenting on its ability to assist the downtown area in flourishing.
Mayor Seiler recognized Eric Anderson, 888 SW 21st Street, Boca Raton, who addressed the Commission, stating he grew up in the City and his father was the minister of this Church from 1960 until 1985. Mr. Anderson gave an overview of the Church, noting its long history as an outreach church feeding the homeless, embracing the Haitian community by having services in Creole, and welcoming the repatriated South Vietnamese in the 1970's, noting they all became part of the Church’s family. Mr. Anderson stated that as an architect, he feels the developer and their design professionals could come up with a viable solution to maintain the structure and its viability.
Mayor Seiler recognized Tim Davis, 3212 Comoly Club Road and member of New City Players theatre group, who addressed the Commission in support of this item. He stated the New City Players has utilized the Church for performances with the goal of promoting the City through a celebration of the arts. He noted that young people in the City appreciate the appeal of historic buildings and the culture they represent. Mr. Davis commented the Church serves the community and fosters the greater good of the people. He requested the Commission to designate the Church as a historic site.
Mayor Seiler recognized Steve Glassman, designated representative for the Broward Trust for Historic Preservation (Trust), who addressed the Commission in support of historic designation of the Church. Mr. Glassman gave an historic overview of the Trust’s meetings and voting record on designating this Church as a historic landmark, stating this issue deserves the Commission’s serious consideration. He commented on the Trust and the community concern over the removal of the Church’s stained glass windows as well as the possible demolishment of the Church, similar to what has happened with other historic structures.
The Trust urges the Commission to make changes to its Code of Ordinances whereby permits are not issued for structures that are in the process of being considered for historic landmark preservation and the requirement for an approved site plan prior to any demolition permits being issued. He noted designating this Church a historic building does not preclude making changes to its structure, stating that the developer can propose any site plan for adaptive reuse and return to the Trust for a Certificate of Appropriateness. Mr. Glassman also discussed the developer’s ability to apply for grants and federal tax credits for commercial use. The Trust urged the Commission to uphold its Advisory Board’s unanimous vote for historic landmark designation.
Mayor Seiler recognized Marla Sherman Dumas, 1145 Harrison Street, who addressed the Commission in support of this item. Ms. Dumas discussed the appropriateness of the adaptive reuse of this property, citing examples of Cinema Paradiso, a former church, and its history in the downtown area and the Abreu Building in the Sailboat Bend area now actively used as a museum. She cited other examples of adaptive reuse in South Florida. She discussed the importance of the City’s history tied to the Church, recommending adaptive reuse as an option.
A copy of Ms. Dumas submission to the Commission is attached to these minutes.
Mayor Seiler recognized Charles King, 105 N. Victoria Park Road, who addressed the Commission in support of this item. He acknowledged the rarity of this Church, commenting on its value and recommending the historic landmark designation. Mr. King also discussed the Church’s recent history in the neighborhood and other historic designations.
Mayor Seiler recognized former City Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom, 66 Nurmi Drive, who addressed the Commission in support of this item. She acknowledged the positive diversity of advocates who spoke tonight in support of designating the Church as a historic landmark. Ms. Rodstrom stated her concerns with the Commission’s process, stating the developer and architect should have addressed the Commission prior to getting the public’s input. She also stated an outstanding architect can work with this building, design something to preserve it and making it something magnificent for the community.
Mayor Seiler recognized Merrilyn Rathbun, City Consultant, who addressed the Commission. Ms. Rathbun spoke on the ability to make changes to buildings with historic designation, noting changes can be made and discussing the procedures and requirements involved with the Historic Preservation Board to receive a Certificate of Appropriateness. She also commented on the preferred ways of making changes to historic landmarks.
Vice Mayor Trantalis commented on his experience with historic landmark buildings in the Sailboat Bend area, noting the contentiousness and onerous nature of the process due to the uniqueness of each building.
Vice Mayor Trantalis stated his desire to preserve the Church building along with the need ensure the process is less burdensome, which would allow for repurposing or enhancing its current purpose without incurring excessive costs.
Ms. Rathbun stated that the new Historic Preservation Officer will be able to assist applicants through the process along with design guidelines, commenting on the necessity of extra oversight and the additional layer of governance.
Mayor Seiler recognized Pastor William Knott on behalf of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Inc., who addressed the Commission clarifying aspects of the Church congregation’s determination to sell their building and invest the proceeds into the City’s underserved populations. He shared his history with the Church, his additional cleric responsibilities and duties, stating fifteen congregations are now working now together to serve community needs in areas such as the arts for youth and campus ministry. He stated this work is being done in lieu of the congregation paying for a building it cannot afford.
Pastor Knott noted the financial circumstances involved in the offers received and rejected, noting the Church’s revenue stream from rentals was not adequate to sustain the $50,000 annual costs of the building.
Pastor Knott stated neither the Church nor any of its congregation’s officers were contacted by any Staff regarding the details of the decision to sell the Church. Additionally, no members of the Historic Preservation Board or the Trust have been active supporting members of the Church’s congregation. The congregation made a choice to sell the building to a responsible party. Pastor Knott gave an overview of the offers made to the Church, commenting on its mission and ministry to serve the community’s needs. He also stated it is the Commission’s responsibility to determine the historic designation and its scope. He commented on the ability and willingness of the developer to understand, maintain and preserve the value of the building’s history. He commented on the building’s deteriorating condition due to age and its cinderblock construction, with a stone façade that came from the former Saint Anthony Church building. Pastor Knott recommended the Commission look at the developers plans to ascertain what he proposes.
At the request of Commissioner Roberts, Pastor Knott reiterated and clarified that the façade is historic but the building itself was not moved block by block, rather it is a cinderblock building with an applied historic façade. Additionally, Pastor Knott stated the stained glass windows were not part of the original façade and the Church no longer retains ownership of the stained glass windows. Pastor Knott stated that Father Plunkett did not design the First Church building. Father Plunkett designed the Saint Anthony Church building.
Mayor Seiler recognized Courtney Crush, Esq., on behalf the developer, Itay Avital of the Tahoe Group, who addressed the Commission. Ms. Crush stated Mr. Avital owns all of the south side of the entire block and the Church property is under contract for a proposed mixed use community development. Ms. Crush discussed the history, efforts and commitment to integrate the Church into the development of this mixed use residential community. She requested the Commission defer a decision on this item to request and allow for the adaptive reuse of the Church in the developer’s project. The developer would then present the Commission with a conceptual site plan that would be a prime example of incorporating adaptive use of the Church in this community.
Mayor Seiler recognized Itay Avital, Developer for Tahoe Investment Group, who addressed the Commission, commenting on the history and progress of the contract and negotiations with the community. Mr. Avital acknowledged the desired changes, stating they are willing to make those changes to preserve the sanctuary building in its entirety. If the Church is designated tonight as historic landmark, it will impede the efforts incorporate the sanctuary with an adaptive use. They will work quickly and efficiently to present a site plan to the Commission that incorporates the Church and creates something very unique and a gem for the community. He committed to not requesting any type of building or demolition permits prior to making this presentation to the Commission.
Mayor Seiler recognized Assistant City Attorney D’Wayne Spence who addressed the Commission stating if the Commission is considering deferring this item, he recommended keeping the Public Hearing open as it is the evidentiary part of the hearing. Mayor Seiler acknowledged that this is good advice and kept the Public Hearing open.
Mayor Seiler stated he would like to see this building preserved and recommended continuing this Public Hearing to give the developer an opportunity to come up with an adaptive use site plan. He recommended putting conditions in place that would prevent any work being done that would impact the structural and historic elements of the building.
Commissioner Rogers was concerned in the interim about maintenance of the property. Pastor Knott confirmed that the Church continues to maintain the property and will continue to do so. Pastor Knott stated he Church took their stained glass windows for their new building and they are not using the money from the sale for a new building. He commented on their future plans for the stained glass windows.
Commissioner Roberts commented that the end goal is similar to that of the Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel.
Discussions continued on the good faith required by all parties. Pastor Knott confirmed that no further items would be removed from the building or anything altered in any manner until a decision is made by the Commission. Mayor Seiler requested Staff to video tape both the inside outside the Church to confirm its current condition and confirmed the only alterations would be landscaping, upkeep and maintenance. Pastor Knott agreed to Mayor Seiler’s request.
Ms. Crush confirmed the video tape would be provided to the City Clerk tomorrow, February 22, 2017. Assistant City Attorney D’Wayne Spence confirmed the appropriateness of the video tape.
Commissioner Rogers asked Mr. Avital for confirmation of his agreement to preserve the main sanctuary of the Church. Ms. Crush responded for Mr. Avital confirming the new design will keep the entire sanctuary area of the Church. Ms. Crush pointed out the portion of the illustration containing the sanctuary that would remain, which she submitted for the record.
A copy of Ms. Crush’s submission is attached to these minutes.
Vice Mayor Trantalis commented on additional considerations as a result of preserving the main sanctuary. The structure will be taller and the developer may be applying for Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) funds, all of which will be part of the conversation with the CRA Advisory Board. As such, he stated a deferral on this item is appropriate.
Mayor Seiler requested Ms. Logan be at the video taping of the Church. Ms. Logan confirmed.
Assistant City Attorney Spence stated his concern about the conditions that the Commission is requesting and the submission of a site plan as evidence for the record at the Public Hearing which is not part of this item’s review for the Church’s historic designation application.
Mr. Spence stated evidence cannot be accepted that is not relevant to the historic designation, recommended the following:
• The Commission can continue the Public Hearing to a date certain and continue to consider evidence presented toward the criteria for historic preservation designation; or
• The Commission can close the Public Hearing and vote for approval or denial of the application.
Mayor Seiler recommended continuing the Public Hearing to a date certain and the designation will be deferred to that date. He confirmed the Commission’s request for a video tape to be submitted as part of the ongoing Public Hearing and supervised by Ms. Logan. During this continuance, the only alterations to the Church will be maintenance, landscaping and upkeep. Pastor Knott confirmed. Ms. Crush confirmed. Ms. Merrill confirmed. Mayor Seiler confirmed the Public Hearing remains open and the continuance will not affect any timelines.
Vice Mayor Trantalis commented on the benefits of having a Historic Preservation Officer that will assist in the development process by allowing the business community to know in advance properties designated as historic. He also expounded on the need for an ordinance to address the transfer of development rights, recommending to City Manager Feldman bring this forward to the Commission.
Commissioner Rogers made a motion to continue this Public Hearing until May 2, 2017 as set forth in this record and agreed to by the applicant, the developer, and the property owner. Commissioner Roberts seconded the motion.