TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Timothy Stillings, Development Services Director
THROUGH: Mark R. Lauzier, City Manager
DATE: October 16, 2018
Title
ALWAYS DELRAY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: PRESENTATION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ELEMENT
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Provide comment and direction regarding the proposed Historic Preservation Element of the Always Delray Comprehensive Plan.
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Background:
The update to the Delray Beach Comprehensive Plan, which has been branded “Always Delray,” began in 2016 with the creation of a Steering Committee, appointed by the City Commission. Community workshops were held to discuss and receive public input on each element. This input was utilized to formulate the draft elements, along with the input of Subject Matter Experts on each topic, which consisted of City Staff, consultants, and community members.
The Historic Preservation Element (HPE), which is new to the Comprehensive Plan, provides the history of Delray Beach, background of and framework for the City’s historic preservation program, and recommendations on how to move forward to protect the city’s historic resources and assets. Florida Statute 163.3177 does not require the provision of a stand-alone historic preservation element, but the Statute does include several provisions that require that historic preservation efforts be included. The required historic preservation-related language was previously found throughout the plan within multiple elements, depending on the topic. An appendix is provided which outlines those Statute requirements applicable to the HPE, and indicates how the requirements have been met. Please note that the requirements in the appendix may also be met within other elements.
Inclusion of the HPE provides the City with a direct path to support and enhance historic preservation initiatives and programming, while further emphasizing the importance of historic preservation to Delray Beach. The Goals, Objectives, and Policies will guide both the City and community on topics such as preservation, protection, enhancement, and support of historic resources, incentives for historic preservation, education and public awareness, and recognition.
The Element is comprised of two documents, the Data, Inventory, and Analysis (DIA) and the Goals, Objectives, and Policies (GOPs). The HPE sets forth four goals:
GOAL HPE 1 PRESERVE, PROTECT, ENHANCE AND SUPPORT
Secure for future generation the opportunity to share in the unique heritage of Delray Beach, and promote the preservation of historic archaeological and cultural resources, through purposeful identification, protections and continued use of buildings, structures, and districts, which exhibit significant architectural qualities or are associated with important cultural events and/or people in the City’s history.
GOAL HPE 2 HISTORIC PRESERVATION INCENTIVES
Support and expand the City’s historic preservation program through financial incentives, adaptive reuse, and promotional programs.
GOAL HPE 3 EDUCATION & PUBLIC AWARENESS
Increase public awareness of the cultural importance and economic value of the preservation of historic resources.
GOAL HPE 4 RECOGNITION
Celebrate and recognize historic and cultural resources to increase the prestige of ownership and community pride.
Note: This draft of the Historic Preservation Element Goals, Objectives, and Policies may be modified/augmented to coordinate with the recommendations of other Elements as they are finalized.
Review by Others
The HPE was reviewed by the Steering Committee on May 16, 2018.
The Historic Preservation Board reviewed a draft of the Goals, Objectives, and Policies at its meeting of June 13, 2018. At its meeting of August 1, 2018, the Historic Preservation Board made a recommendation of approval to the Planning and Zoning Board on the proposed Goals, Objectives, and Policies, as well as the Data, Inventory, and Analysis.
The Planning and Zoning Board at a public hearing held on August 20, 2018 recommended to the City Commission approval of the new Historic Preservation Element on a 5 to 0 vote.
City Attorney Review:
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency.
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
Any financial impact of the proposed comprehensive plan will be presented at the Transmittal Hearing with the final draft of the plan.
Timing of Request:
Once all elements have been reviewed by the City Commission, final drafts will be prepared for a Transmittal Hearing of the full Always Delray Plan.