Chapter 26 - City of Punta Gorda

ARTICLE 8
STANDARDS OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY
Section 8.1. Demolition and Relocation of Historic Buildings
An application for demolition or relocation of a structure on the National
Register of Historic Places, Florida Master Site File, or a Local Historic Landmark shall
be referred to the Historic Preservation Advisory Board for review and
recommendation. In all instances the City Council shall have the first right of refusal to
purchase or accept for dedication a historic structure prior to issuance of a final
demolition permit.
(a) Designated Buildings and Structures. An application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness authorizing the demolition or relocation of a landmark building
or structure within a historic district may not be denied. However, the effective
date of such a certificate may be delayed for a period of up to 18 months from
the date of approval. The maximum period of delay authorized by this section
shall be reduced by the City Council upon review and recommendation of the
HPAB where it finds that the owner would suffer extreme hardship or be
permanently deprived of all beneficial use of or return from such property by
virtue of the delay. During such period, the Historic Preservation Advisory Board
or its agent may consult with the owner and with any other parties in an effort
to find a means of preserving the building. If the Historic Preservation Advisory
Board finds that the building has no particular significance or value toward
maintaining the character of the district it may recommend that City council
waive all or part of such period and authorize earlier demolition or removal.
(b) Non-designated Buildings and Structures. An application for a Demolition
Permit for non-designated structures [structures which are 50 years of age or
older and/or listed on the Florida Master Site File but not located in a
designated district] which do not constitute an emergency situation, shall be
delayed for a period of up to 45 days from the date of approval. The maximum
period of delay authorized by this section shall be reduced by the City Council
upon review and recommendation of the HPAB where it finds that the owner
would suffer extreme hardship or be permanently deprived of all beneficial use
of or return from such property by virtue of the delay. During such period, the
Historic Preservation Advisory Board or its agent may consult with the owner
and with any other parties in an effort to find a means of preserving the
building.
Section 8.2. Development Agreements
The City Council, in its sole and exclusive discretion, may enter into
development agreements with the legal and equitable owners of real property within
the City limits as is provided in Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, and as is further set
forth under the terms of this section. The entry into a development agreement by the
said City shall in no way whatsoever limit or modify any legislative power by the said
City to adopt ordinances, resolutions, regulations or to make executive, administrative
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