1. Historic Preservation in Hillsborough County

By: Dyan Elizabeth Backe, AICP, Senior Planner, Zoning Section

The purpose of the Historic Landmark Program in Hillsborough County is to preserve and protect the historic resources that are the heritage of the community.  Once altered or destroyed, these resources are not replaceable; therefore, a Historic Landmark Program was established in Hillsborough County to recognize sites which embody the heritage of the County.

The Historic Resources Review Board (HRRB), created by the County Commission in 1992, reviews applications for landmark status prior to review by the Planning Commission and the County Commission.  There are ten criteria against which a potential landmark is reviewed; in addition, a potential landmark generally needs to be a minimum of 50 years old.  A potential landmark qualifies for the designation when it meets one or more of the following criteria:  It:

• Is associated in a significant way with the life of a person important in the past.
• Is the site of an historic event with significant effect upon the community, state, or nation.
• Exemplifies the historical, cultural, political, economic, or social trends of the community, state, or nation.
• Embodies those distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style, period, or method of construction.
• Contains elements of design, detail, materials or craftsmanship of outstanding quality or represents a significant innovation or adaptation to the Florida environment or constructed of materials not now used.
• Has value as a building that is recognized for the quality of its architecture and that retains sufficient features showing its architectural significance.
• Has yielded, or is likely to yield, archaeological information important to prehistory or history.
• Is in a geographically definable area or neighborhood united by culture, architectural styles or physical development, which has historic or cultural significance in the community.
• Because of its prominence or spatial location, contrasts of siting, age, or scale is an easily identifiable visual feature of the community and contributes to the distinctive quality or identity of the community.
• Is where veterans of America’s wars are buried and where public tribute may be paid in their memory.

The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners has designated over 29 historic landmarks in Hillsborough County since the early 1990’s.  Owners of historic landmarks may be able to take advantage of the following programs:

• Property tax exemptions for the increased value of the property following rehabilitation
• Tax credits for income producing properties
• Matching grant program for exterior improvements
• Application for special public interest zoning which permits uses such as a bed & breakfast, antique shop, book store, and café.

Once a property is designated a Historic Landmark by the Board of County Commissioners, the Historic Resources Review Board (HRRB) works with the property owner to develop design guidelines and a preservation plan for maintaining the property.  Depending on the extent of future work on the site, a Certificate of Appropriateness from the HRRB may be required before embarking on exterior renovations, except for normal maintenance.

The Historic Resources Inventory was last updated in 1998; since the last update there may be additional unidentified historic resources located in the County from the Twentieth Century. 

2. Twentieth Century Preservation: The International Style

The architectural style known as the International or Modern style was inspired by the work of such architects as Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and has a basis in the following three concepts:

• Function is the fundamental design element to be expressed.
• Construction should utilize new technologies.
• Modern architecture should not reference prior architectural styles.

Elements of this style include:

• Flat roofs with little or no overhang
• Flat smooth cornices
• Unadorned smooth wall surfaces
• Windows which are flush with exterior walls
• Absence of decoration
• The use of materials in their purest form (i.e. glass for entire walls)
• Steel displayed freely as a major design element

The pictures shown to the left are from the Hugh M. Garvey House, designed by architect John Benya and built in 1959.  This home, which exhibits several of the design elements from above, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is located in Leland Grove, IL.

See also the current edition of Preservation Magazine for an article on Modernist treasures in New Canaan, CT.

(Elements above from the International Style are as described in Historic Preservation: An Introduction to Its History, Principles, and Practice by Norman Tyler, Ted J. Ligibel, and Ilene R. Tyler)