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Historic Preservation Board Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 19th, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Call to Order-Tracy Sullivan
Staff Present: William McCaw-Historical Preservation Specialist/City Planner,
Carlos Maldonado-Planning Support Specialist.
Roll Call-Carlos Maldonado
Members Present: Tony Kerns, Tracy Sullivan, Erica Free Man, Shaila
Velazquez.
1.Consent Items
1.1 Approval for Historic Preservation Board Meeting Minutes From 1/22/26
All members motioned for approval of the minutes.
2. Business Items
2.1 5411 10th Street Certificate of Appropriateness
This item was previously on last months Historical Preservation Board
Meeting agenda. It’s regarding the windows facing the street that need to be
replaced with wood frame. Also the board made it clear that
moving forward this will be a standard requirement on any homes within the
district. The other concern is the feasibility of this requirement for the
windows. So if we're going to require wood frame windows, we must take into
consideration things like the time frame, overall cost, and if the construction
materials and labor is available at the time. The board can require wood frame
windows, wood panel siding, anything within architectural and design
standards that is within the purview of the historic
district. Regarding the application they only had listed the aluminum frame
windows and now they're providing 3 separate options or 3 quotes. The quotes
are now looking at vinyl, aluminum trim. Due to the windows going to be made
from scratch these wood frame windows didn’t have a direct quote. An
example window would have to be built for review and finalizing. The
applicants Scott & Laurie Meyer were present. They had a presentation
showing examples/pictures of their property with the proposed windows. Per
Mr. Meyer the reason why there might not be a good picture of the window
City of Zephyrhills
5335 8th Street | Zephyrhills, FL 33542 | 813.780.0000 |
ci.zephyrhills.fl.us

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was that Home Depot and other window manufacturers can't make the kind
that lift up. They can only do straight window pops out, which would be
completely different than what’s already there. Mr. Meyers request tonight was
to ask if the board could reconsider their request of the original proposal of the
South Windows which were originally all vinyl windows. Those were
the better options for storm protection. Glass windows with the insulation, are
the best as far as keeping the UV out, keeping the heat out, and protecting the
temperature on the inside of the house. And those windows would match the
rest of the house. The trim, everything else outside the house would be a
wood trim. Per Tony Kerns the window don’t need to have the
same function they only require the wood window that will match the
originals. Per Mr. Meyer why he wants the board to reconsider was the concern
if you look at the picture of the house on 10th Street, the original house is the
part that's under the roof. Everything outside of that roof has been added on.
And from basically the 60s and 70s, we added, we improved the back in 2010,
but even then We feel it was probably a barn or a carriage house because in
the records, when we had this done originally, and I worked with Ms. Johnson,
she looked at the records and the records of the house said it was just an
existing structure, which was completely different than the rest of the records
in the Zephyr's history. They did say it was an existing home. Mr. Meyer
believes the board is imposing wood on a house that didn't have it
originally. Also he mentioned that a lot of businesses say they do
wood windows and once they get a come out for
the quote the manufacture says they can’t do it. Some recommend not to
do wood in this environment. Tony Kerns recommends going to American
Craftsman Windows, they might be able to make those windows. Mr. Meyer
has previously had items approved via the Historical Preservation Board 4
times his done the barn and other windows previously. Per the board they will
recommend tabling this item and coming back once they get
more alternatives options for the window replacements. Additional comments
from W. McCaw were on window alternatives being aluminum frame windows
with wood paneling or a wood facade on the window. So that from the street,
it appears to match the original design language,
but it's improved because it's now an aluminum window. So that's something
that is used pretty extensively through the state, but not every municipality
does. And that's entirely up to the board. Also he mentions the increase in the
historic facade grant to $7,500 is going before the city council. The second
hearing in March, so March 9th, would be when that goes into effect. Also
tabling the item could help the applicant once this item comes back the
Council should’ve approved the higher grant amount.
Recommendation: To table the item and continue for another meeting.
City of Zephyrhills
5335 8th Street | Zephyrhills, FL 33542 | 813.780.0000 |
ci.zephyrhills.fl.us

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2.2 Updated Historic Preservation Ordinance
This item was introduced by W. McCaw. This was previously
reviewed in prior HPB meetings and is ready to move forward with the CLG
certified local government program. This ordinance has
been coordinated with the state. It will be presented to City Council for
approval, pending the Historical Preservation Boards approval. Some of the key
changes are just structural changes with how the ordinance was worded in
compliance with the state standards. One of the first things is we have to
define and clarify the purpose of the board. It's just legislates of what is the
goal of the Historic Preservation Board that was previously lacking. Some
topics weren’t included in the ordinance. Per William we have to now publish
a map of the historic districts and include it in the ordinance. Once we move
forward and potentially expand the historic district to the west side of Gall Blvd,
or if we expand the historic district outward from its current boundaries,
that would also need to be included. Also with the proposed changes the
state would need 30 days of notice prior of any board meetings. At the end of
the fiscal year they’ll provide a month to report changes to rules and
procedures and any changes to the board. The full ordinance was provided via
the packet along with comments from both William and
the states representative. New terms for board members will be voted at this
upcoming City Council meeting. If any issue/vacancies happens with the
existing board members they can appoint those board members in interim
times. Additional comments were that a new chair person will be appointed in
June. Other comments made were The certified local government program
means the small matching grant, which is a community development block
grant, typically is $50,000 matching any program that the city is engaging
with. However, once we're a certified local government, it no longer has to
match. So it's no longer the city has to provide $50,000 and then the state
would match it. is now just a $50,000 grant that we can apply for whatever
purpose it is with the city, whether that's doing a new survey,
whether that's updating signage. I know we've talked about before updating
the street signs and lighting within the historic district to provide a better
aesthetic than just the basic steel street signs. So that is one of the things we
could use that CDBG grant for. Any property in the historical district is a
contributing structure and will be eligible for the incentives that we
provide. the city has on the books a tax exemption, but it is specific to the
increase in value for any restoration that you do. So if you're doing work on a
historic property and the property is valued at $100,000 and your restoration
and rehabilitation of that property brings that value up to say 150,000, that
50,000 increased value in tax or in the $50,000 increase in value of the home,
you would get an ad valorem tax exemption for. So you would still be taxed as
City of Zephyrhills
5335 8th Street | Zephyrhills, FL 33542 | 813.780.0000 |
ci.zephyrhills.fl.us

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if your home was valued at $100,000, even though it's valued more because of
the restoration work that you did. It is only for, I believe, 10 years. And it is not
all taxes, It's an ad valorem tax. The school tax still applies. But it is a significant
tax exemption if you're doing major repairs or renovations.
No additional comments.
Recommendation: All board members motioned for approval.
2.3 Discussion of Potential Board Members
The discussion was led by W. McCaw, he mentioned he has a of couple of new
applicants for the board. There are currently 3 vacancies (2 alternates and 1
permanent). William conducted a few phone interviews and has now
narrowed it down to 3 applicants. All 3 members were present and have
knowledge of the historical district and understanding for serving
on boards. Also some have experience in the government sector. The
applicants will still be required to be voted in by City Council.
3. Noted Items
A brief discussion regarding the City Cemetery was discussed. Concerns that
the original gates from 1939 that were brick pillars with a white wooden fence
had the pillars demolished. That wasn’t what was voted upon. The
board wasn’t told of this action. City Council member mentioned
he wasn’t properly informed that they were being torn down. Some comments
were that they were deteriorating really bad so it was mandatory to be
done. A Prior city council agenda had the cemetery listed but the
description didn’t clarify they were going to tear down the pillars. The board
mentions that prior Historical Preservation employees had brough the idea
for updates done to the cemetery but its never officially come forward to be
voted on. A further discussion will need to take place for the cemetery
concerns.
Adjourn
City of Zephyrhills
5335 8th Street | Zephyrhills, FL 33542 | 813.780.0000 |
ci.zephyrhills.fl.us