Subject:
Title
Case No. DES-25-01
A request for designation of the historic resources located on the land parcel associated with 1334 Riverside Avenue in Anclote, unincorporated Pinellas County, as a Landmark on a Landmark Site.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Based upon the evidence and findings contained in the staff report and associated exhibits, Case No. DES-25-01 is recommended for approval.
Adopt the resolution approving the designation of the five historic resources located on the land parcel associated with 1334 Riverside Avenue in Anclote, unincorporated Pinellas County, as a Landmark on a Landmark Site as per Section 146-6, Pinellas County Code.
• The property owner is seeking historic designation of the five historic resources located on the property associated with 1334 Riverside Avenue, Anclote including the single-family residence, above-ground cistern, garage, storage building, and the site, both on land and submerged, where the river dock and stilted warehouse associated with the Green Meyer General Store once stood.
• The property owner has received a Substantial Damage Letter from Pinellas County because of damage to the residence on the property incurred during the 2024 hurricanes. Variances from building and floodplain regulations are available for buildings designated as historic, as allowed under Chapter 11 of the Florida Building Code and FEMA guidelines. The variance allows for flexibility in the rehabilitation of the building in a manner that preserves its historic character and ensures continued historic designation.
• The staff report prepared for the case includes findings whereby 15 of the 21 significance criteria outlined in Section 146-6, Pinellas County Code applies to the historic resources located on the subject property. Staff findings also conclude that any damage to the property associated with the 2024 hurricanes has not adversely affected the integrity of historic resources on site. The staff recommendation is for approval of the proposed designation.
• The County Historic Preservation Board recommended approval of the proposed designation (vote 7-0). No one appeared or provided correspondence in opposition. One piece of correspondence has been received in support of the designation.
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Strategic Priorities:
Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.4 Improve environmental quality
1.5 Strengthen resilience and adaptation
Summary:
Summary
The following Exhibits are included as attachments to the staff report:
• Exhibit A - Application for Historic Landmark
• Exhibit B - Current Photos
• Exhibit C - Historic Images
• Exhibit D - Location Maps
• Exhibit E - Historical Overview
The Vinson House Resource Group is recommended to include the following resources:
Resource # One (1): Single-family residence Resource type: Primary building
Date of construction: circa 1895
Architectural style: Frame vernacular
Character defining features include the following components of the single-family residence: the form, height, and plan of the main block of the building; materials, pitch, and configuration of the main roof; materials and type of the foundation; position, placement, and opening size of fenestration on all sides; materials, type and dimensions of the exterior cladding and trim; materials, access points, roof type, roof pitch, roof configuration, ceiling, rafters, decking, chamfered posts and trim of the open section of the veranda porch; materials, roof type, access point, and decking of the rear porch; materials, type, configuration, means of operation, and trim of the windows; and the materials, style, type, and trim of the exterior doors on the front, rear, and west side of the building.
Existing condition and threats:
• As of the writing of the staff report, the building appears to be in good condition overall and habitable.
• Although the property owner has received a Substantial Damage Notice from the County regarding effects of flooding related to storm surge from Hurricane Helene (2024), the effects of this storm did not have an adverse effect on the historical integrity of the building.
• The roofs on the main block and veranda porch of the residence were damaged during Hurricane Milton (2024) and have since been repaired and replaced. The owner has expressed the intent to cover exposed areas of the plywood porch ceiling with new wood beadboard that will be historically compatible in appearance.
Rehabilitative & adaptive use proposals:
• The property owner has stated that he will continue to occupy the house as his primary residence for the foreseeable future and intends to maintain the historical appearance of the building’s exterior as seen in the photos provided in Exhibit B of the staff report.
Resource # Two (2): Above-ground cistern Resource type: Accessory structure
Date of construction: circa 1915
Character defining features include: the placement and position of the cistern on site; the height and diameter of the structure; the materials used in its construction including stucco, iron struts, and masonry walls.
Existing condition and threats:
• The outside layer of stucco is spalling in places.
• Cracks in the walls have allowed vegetation to grow which is accelerating deterioration of the masonry.
• As of the writing of this staff report, the overall condition of the structure is fair.
Rehabilitative & adaptive use proposals:
• Although the cistern is not currently used for its intended purpose, the property owner has stated that he desires to retain the structure in place as one of the significant historic resources on the property.
• Some repair to stabilize the masonry structure will be necessary in the short term.
Resource # Three (3): Dock & warehouse site Resource type: Archaeological site
Date of construction: circa 1895
Resource description: As shown in the historical photo attached to the staff report as Figure C-5, a wooden dock with a frame warehouse constructed over the water once projected about 200 feet into the river from the shoreline of this property. The dock consisted of wood pilings with braced-frame wood deck boards. The single-story, balloon-frame warehouse building was rectangular in plan and was covered by a moderately pitched gable roof. Although the dock and warehouse were demolished years ago, evidence of these structures likely exist as an archaeological resource beneath the ground surface on the riverbank and at the river bottom. To date, no formal archaeological investigations have taken place.
Character defining features include: any material that remains of the dock and warehouse structure and artifacts associated with the use and operation of the structures located on and below the river bottom; and any remnants of the wooden and masonry retaining walls located in the riverbank along the property frontage.
Existing condition and threats:
• The condition and extent of any archaeological deposits is currently unknown.
Rehabilitative & adaptive use proposals:
• The property owner has expressed interest in constructing a new dock and boat house similar in appearance to the dock and warehouse depicted in Figure C-5 and Figure C-6 sometime in the future. However, no formal proposal or plans are currently available.
Resource # Four (4): Garage Resource type: Outbuilding
Date of construction: 1945
Architectural style: Frame vernacular
Character defining features include: the placement and position of the outbuilding on site; the form, size, and height of the outbuilding; the pitch, configuration, and materials of the roof; the type and materials of the foundation; the size, type, materials, and access point for the doors; and the materials used and position of exterior wall cladding.
Existing condition and threats:
• Ongoing deterioration of roof, walls and foundation is evident.
• As of the writing of this staff report, the overall condition of the building is fair, but appears to be weathertight.
Rehabilitative & adaptive use proposals:
• Although no longer used as a garage to shelter vehicles, the property owner intends to continue use of this outbuilding for storage of tools and equipment for the foreseeable future,
• The property owner has expressed interest in constructing a new garage adjacent to this outbuilding to shelter vehicles. However, no formal proposal or plans are currently available.
Resource # Five (5): Storage building (aka “Safe House”) Resource type: Outbuilding
Date of construction: 1945
Architectural style: Masonry vernacular
Character defining features include: the placement and position of the outbuilding on site; the form, size, and height of the outbuilding; the pitch, configuration, and materials of the roof; the type and materials of the foundation; the size, type, materials, and access point for the entrance door; the opening size and placement of windows; and the type and materials used in construction of the walls
Existing condition and threats:
• As of the writing of the staff report, the overall condition of the building is good,
• A new standing seam metal roof that is historically compatible in appearance was installed on the outbuilding three years ago.
Rehabilitative & adaptive use proposals:
• The property owner intends to continue use of this outbuilding for climate-controlled storage of personal items for the foreseeable future.
Period of significance for resources on site: 1870-1945
The year 1870 has been recommended as the start of the period of significance for the Vinson House Resource Group because this appears to be the earliest year that the first Green Meyer Merchandise general store may have been in operation (see the photo provided as Figure C-1 in the staff report). The year 1945 has been selected as the end of the period of significance because, in accordance with information provided by the Vinson family, (see Figure B-8), this is the year that the frame garage (Resource #4) and masonry storage building, aka “The Safe House”, (Resource #5) were constructed.
In summary, it is the staff opinion that the historic resources in the resource group have met the significance criteria outlined in Sec. 146-6(e)(e), Pinellas County Code as follows:
• Historic Resource Integrity Criteria - All seven (7) criteria have been met.
• General Significance Criteria - Four (4) of the five (5) criteria have been met.
• Historic/Cultural Significance Criteria - Two (2) of the five (5) criteria have been met.
• Architectural/Aesthetic Significance Criteria - Two (2) of the four (4) criteria have been met.
It is the staff recommendation that the request submitted by the property owner for designation of the Vinson House Resource Group located at 1334 Riverside Avenue in the unincorporated community of Anclote as a Landmark on a Landmark Site as provided for in Sec. Chapter 146-6, Pinellas County Code be approved by the Board.
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Background Information:
The Pinellas County Historic Preservation Board (HPB) unanimously recommended approval of the request during its October 15, 2025, public hearing (vote 7-0).
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Staff Member Responsible:
Gregg Mims, Director, Housing and Community Development
Tom Scofield, Principal Planner, Historic Preservation; Housing and Community Development
Partners:
N/A
Attachments:
Staff Report and Exhibits
Resolution
Presentation
Email in support of designation
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