Advertisement Ordinance makes it easier for homes to be declared historic Winter Park commission helps residents preserve buildings Share Shares Copy Link Copy

By a close vote, the Winter Park City Commission made it easier for neighborhoods to get historic designation.The move could help protect certain areas, making it somewhat harder to get permission to demolish buildings.It comes during a time when the number of building demolition permits is going up.City officials said they want to be clear that homes in the newly created historic districts can still be demolished, but now there is more scrutiny.In 30 years, 60 homes have been demolished that could have been considered historic.There have been two close calls. One came in 2001 with Casa Feliz. Built in 1933 and designed by architect Gamble Rogers, the home was spared the wrecking ball and moved across the street, where it is being used for everything from funerals to weddings.“That would be very sad because I just might get married here,” local resident Kiki Gerald said.Preservationists were so eager to save the Capen House, which was built in 1885, that they raised the money to cut it in half and moved it in two pieces across Lake Osceola to its new home next to a museum.To prevent more historic homes from being destroyed, the Winter Park City Commission recently revised an ordinance that now makes it easier for neighborhoods to have their area declared historic.It used to take a two-thirds vote approval from the neighborhood to pass. Now, it takes 50 percent plus one.“Part of the charm here in Winter Park is its history. So this ordinance does help protect those homes and structures that are declared historic,” said Clarissa Howard of the city of Winter Park.In anticipation of possibly more homes being declared historic, there has been a spike in applications to demolish homes. Compared to the last four months of 2014 to 2015, the number of applications has almost doubled from 17 to 32.Katie Campbell’s home was built in 1926. She said she adores the home but sees the appeal of trading in the old for new.“Everything is perfect, wonderful. At least when I wake up, I have character,” she said.Other residents said the improved economy inspired the spike in permit applications.