Agenda Cover Memorandum for 11/ - City of West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH CITY COMMISSION
Agenda Cover Memorandum
Originating Department:
Historic Preservation (HP)
Subject:
Meeting Type:
Regular
Special
Agenda Date:
11/28/2011
Advertised:
Required?: Yes No
Date: 11/18/2011
Paper: PB Post
ACM#:
18706
Public Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance No. 4385-11 for the designation of the Wagg
Building, 215 South Olive Avenue, on the West Palm Beach Local Register of Historic Places.
Ordinance/Resolution:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF WEST PALM
BEACH, FLORIDA, DESIGNATING THE WAGG BUILDING AS AN HISTORIC SITE
ON THE WEST PALM BEACH REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES; PROVIDING A
CONFLICTS CLAUSE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.
Staff Recommended Motion:
Approve Ordinance No. 4385-11, designating the Wagg Building, located at 215 S. Olive
Avenue, as an Historic Site on the West Palm Beach Register of Historic Places. This motion is
based upon the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Board, the factual testimony
presented, the application submitted, the staff report, and the finding that the criteria set forth in
the Zoning and Land Development Regulations has been met.
Background:
This item was approved at First Reading on November 14, 2011.
This five story, Mediterranean Revival style commercial structure was built in 1925 by J.S.
Wilson and designed by the premiere boom time architectural firm of Harvey and Clarke. The
building’s design is inspired by the University Building in Salamanca Spain. A two-story CBS
addition was constructed in 1963. The structure is known as the Alfred H. Wagg building and
recorded under Florida Master Site File number 8PB00693.
The building is located on the west side of South Olive Avenue and between Datura Street and
Evernia Street within the City’s downtown. The character defining architectural features include
enriched window surrounds, a decorative parapet at roof, wooden outriggers, a coat of arms, and
a decorative frieze band across the top of the first floor.
In addition to being an outstanding example of commercial Mediterranean Revival architecture
by a local builder and a well known architectural firm, the property is associated with Alfred

AGENDA COVER MEMORANDUM Page 2
C.M. #________ Date:__________
Wagg, who contributed to the broad patterns of the City’s history. He surveyed and platted the
majority of the City during the boom years.
On September 27, 2011, the Historic Preservation Board unanimously (7-0) recommended to
designate this property as an historic site on the West Palm Beach Register of Historic Places.
The property is located in Commission District 3, Commissioner Kimberly Mitchell.
Fiscal Note
Current Year: Annualized: Budgeted: Unbudgeted: Funding Source:
Comment: No fiscal impact.
Electronic Attachments:
Click here for assistance with naming convention.
Is this ACM related to a Grant? Yes No
Originating Department - Approved by: Richard Greene on 11/15/2011
11/15/2011 City Attorney's Department
11/16/2011 City Administrator
Return to Agenda

ORDINANCE NO. 4385-11
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH,
FLORIDA, DESIGNATING THE WAGG BUILDING, LOCATED AT 215 S. OLIVE
AVENUE, AS AN HISTORIC PROPERTY ON THE WEST PALM BEACH REGISTER OF
HISTORIC PLACES; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE; PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
* * * * * * *
WHEREAS, the applicant, Raymond Nordine, submitted an application to the City of West
Palm Beach on behalf of the owner, RHN Investments Ltd., for the designation of the Wagg
Building, located at 215 S. Olive Avenue, as an historic property eligible for listing on the West
Palm Beach Register of Historic Places in accordance with Section 94-48 of the City of West Palm
Beach Zoning and Land Development Regulations; and
WHEREAS, the City Historic Preservation Planner has reviewed such application and
determined that the Wagg Building is an historically and architecturally significant structure which
is of high importance; and
WHEREAS, the Wagg Building is an excellent example of the Mediterranean Revival
architectural style; and
WHEREAS, the Wagg Building was constructed by J.S. Wilson; designed by the
architectural firm of Harvey and Clarke, and is an excellent example of this firm’s work; and
WHEREAS, the Wagg Building is identified with the Land Boom Period in West Palm
Beach (1920-1928); and
WHEREAS, the loss of the Wagg Building would be significant to the City; and
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Board, at its meeting of September 27, 2011, held a
public hearing on the application for the designation of the Wagg Building as an historic property
under HPB Case No. 11-44, and recommended that it be designated as an historic property and listed
on the West Palm Beach Register of Historic Places.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, that:
SECTION 1:
Upon consideration of the recommendation of the Historic Preservation
Board, the factual testimony presented, the application submitted and the staff report,
the City Commission hereby makes the following findings:
1

ORDINANCE NO. 4385-11
1. The subject building, the Wagg Building, is an architecturally significant
structure which is of high importance. It was constructed in 1925.
2. The subject building is an excellent example of Mediterranean Revival
architectural style within the City.
3. The subject building was designed by Harvey and Clarke and is an excellent
example of this master firm’s work.
4. The subject building is identified with the Land Boom Period West Palm
Beach (1920 -1928).
5. The loss of the subject building to the City would be significant.
SECTION 2:
The structure that lies within the following described property in the City of
West Palm Beach, Florida, is hereby designated as an historic property and shall be
listed on the West Palm Beach Register of Historic Places as an historic property, to
wit:
THE NORTH 49.9 FEET OF THE EAST 55.88 FEET OF LOTS 19 AND 20, BLOCK 11,
TOWN OF WEST PALM BEACH, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN
PLAT BOOK 1, PAGE 2 OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA.
SECTION 3:
The City Historic Preservation Planner shall ensure that the designation of the
Wagg Building as an historic property shall be noted in the records of the Planning
Division of the Development Services Department.
SECTION 4:
A certified copy of this Ordinance shall be recorded by the City Clerk in the
Public Records of Palm Beach County, Florida.
SECTION 5:
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith be, and the same
are hereby repealed.
2

ORDINANCE NO. 4385-11
SECTION 6:
This Ordinance shall take effect in accordance with law.
FIRST READING THIS DAY OF , 2011.
SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE THIS DAY OF , 2011.
(CORPORATE SEAL)
CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH
BY ITS CITY COMMISSON
ATTEST:
____________________________
CITY CLERK
______________________________
PRESIDING OFFICER
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
Approved as to form and legality
By: ______________________
3

PLANNING DEPARTMENT
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD CASE NO. 11-44
215 S.OLIVE AVENUE
I. CASE NO.: 11-44
II. DATE: September 27, 2011
III. APPLICANT: Raymond Nordine
IV. OWNERS: RHN Investments Ltd
V. ADDRESS: 215 S. Olive Ave (aka 307 Evernia Street)
VI. REQUEST: Nomination of an Individual Site to the West Palm Beach
Register of Historic Places
VII. HISTORIC DISTRICT: N/A
VIII. DISTRICT: Commission District 3,
Commissioner Kimberly Mitchell
IX. NOTIFICATION: Palm Beach Post: August 22, 2011
VIII. HISTORY
A. YEAR BUILT: 1925
B. ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Mediterranean Revival
C. CONDITION: Excellent
D. ARCHITECT/CONTRACTOR: Harvey & Clarke/JS Wilson

IX. BACKGROUND
This five-story, Mediterranean Revival style commercial structure was built in 1925 by J.S.
Wilson and designed by the premiere boom time architectural firm of Harvey and Clarke.
The building’s design is inspired by the University Building in Salamanca Spain. A twostory
CBS addition was constructed in 1963. The structure is known as the Alfred H. Wagg
building and recorded under Florida Master Site File number 8PB00693.
The building is located on the west side of South Olive Avenue and between Datura Street
and Evernia Street within the City’s downtown. The character defining architectural features
include enriched window surrounds, decorative parapet at roof, wooden outriggers, a coat of
arms, and a decorative frieze band across the top of the first floor.
In addition to being an outstanding example of commercial Mediterranean Revival
architecture by a local builder and a well known architectural firm, the property is associated
with Alfred Wagg, who contributed to the broad patterns of the City’s history.
(See Attachment I –Letter from owner.)
X. RECOMMENDATION
[X] Approve [ ] Deny [ ] Approve with Conditions
It is the City staff’s recommendation that the Board Approve the applicant’s request to
designate the commercial structure located at 215 S. Olive Avenue as a Historic Site. It
meets Criteria A, B and C as defined in Article IV, Section 1 of the Historic Preservation
Ordinance (3554-02). Specifically, the building is at least 50 years old; it is associated with
events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of the City’s history;
and it embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction
that represents the work of a master, as well as possessing high artistic values that represent
a significant and distinctive entity whose components may lack individual distinction.
If the Board recommends approval of the request to designate the structure, located at 215 S.
Olive Avenue an Historic Site, the City staff recommends the following wording for the
Findings of Fact:
This case came to be heard on September 27, 2011, at a public hearing before the City of
West Palm Beach Historic Preservation Board on the application of Raymond Nordine for
the owner, RHN Investments Ltd, for the designation of the Wagg building, located at
215 S. Olive Avenue, as an Historic Site under Ordinance 3554-02. The Board, upon
reviewing the report and recommendation of the Historic Preservation Planner and
hearing testimony from the public on such application, makes the following Findings of
Fact:
FINDINGS OF FACT

1. The subject building is an architecturally significant structure which is of high
importance. It was constructed in 1925.
2. The subject building is an excellent example of the Mediterranean Revival architectural
style within the City.
3. The subject building was designed by Harvey and Clarke and is an excellent example of
this master firm’s work.
4. The subject building is identified with the Land Boom Period West Palm Beach (1920 -
1928).
5. The loss of the subject building to the City would be significant.
Prepared and Respectfully Submitted by:
__________________________
Friederike H. Mittner
City Historic Preservation Planner