HISTORIC CONTEXT AT RISK: PLANNING FOR TROPICAL CYCLONE EVENTS IN HISTORIC CEDAR KEY By JENNIFER MARIE WOLFE A THESIS PRESENTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 2006 Copyright 2006 by Jennifer Marie Wolfe This thesis is dedicated to my wonderful husband Matt. Your constant love and support has made all of this possible. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I want to first thank my thesis committee for their support over the duration of my graduate studies and thesis research. Professor Peter Prugh was my first experience with the University of Florida’s preservation program during my study at the Preservation Institute: Nantucket. He began as a teacher, introducing the concepts of historic preservation with class work and field trips but quickly evolved into a mentor by exposing me to the historic preservation profession through conferences and research projects. When I began to investigate Florida’s Gulf Coast for thesis research opportunities, Professor Prugh guided me toward productive endeavors and offered insightful perspective. The committee chairperson, Dr. Charlie Hailey, challenged my thought process but also provoked my interest in coastal communities with a preservation technology emphasis. Professor Susan Tate was also an instrumental figure who helped to formulate a meaningful study for which I am very grateful. The dedication of this committee was an invaluable component for the success of this thesis. During the course of my research, I encountered other individuals that contributed to the work presented in this thesis. The staff at Cedar Key City Hall and the Historical Society were especially informative, particularly Dr. John Andrews, who facilitated the initial project that developed my unique interest in Cedar Key. From this initial project I also had the pleasure of working with Ursula Garfield, whom I have to thank for creating the analytical maps that illustrated the findings of my study. I am also grateful to Richard Brosnaham of West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc. for guiding me through the iv Historic Pensacola Village after Hurricane Ivan struck the Florida Panhandle in 2004. These relationships were influential to the direction and application of my thesis. My employers and the administration staff of the School of Architecture deserve recognition for the flexibility and guidance afforded to me while I pursued my graduate education as a working student over the last four years. Finally, I would like to thank my family and friends for their continued support of my educational pursuit. I must also include my dog, Bailey, for providing necessary distractions and constant comfort especially during the final months. Most importantly, I am indebted to my husband, Matt, for his abiding encouragement and loving support. His faith in me delivered the endurance and confidence I needed to succeed in this endeavor. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. iv LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................. ix LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................x ABSTRACT..................................................................................................................... xiii CHAPTER 1 PURPOSE OF RESEARCH.........................................................................................1 2 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................3 3 EVOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC CONTEXT IN CEDAR KEY ..........................12 Historical Sketch.........................................................................................................14 1839-1861: Before the Tracks............................................................................15 1862-1884: Railroad and Reconstruction...........................................................17 1885-1932: Decline and Destruction..................................................................18 Architectural Sketch ...................................................................................................24 Historic Commercial Sector ................................................................................27 Island Hotel ..................................................................................................28 F.E. Hale Building........................................................................................30 Schlemmer buildings....................................................................................30 Prescott Building..........................................................................................32 Lutterloh Building and Lutterloh Store........................................................32 Historic Residential Sector..................................................................................34 Coachman House..........................................................................................36 Old Block House ..........................................................................................37 Reynolds’ House ..........................................................................................37 Kirchaine House...........................................................................................39 W.R. Hodges House .....................................................................................40 John Richburg House ...................................................................................41 Christie’s Pottery..........................................................................................41 Sense of Place.............................................................................................................43 vi 4 LITERATURE REVIEW...........................................................................................48 Framework to Engage Historic Preservation with Disaster Management Planning...48 Historic Preservation Principles .................................................................................51 Mitigation for Historic Resources ..............................................................................54 5 RESEARCH METHODS...........................................................................................57 6 DISASTER PLANNING FOR HISTORIC RESOURCES IN CEDAR KEY ..........61 Current Preservation Policies: Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations ............................................................................................................62 Evaluation...................................................................................................................66 Planning Methodology................................................................................................68 Cedar Key Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.................................69 Levy County Local Mitigation Strategy..............................................................78 Historic Resource Inventory and GIS..................................................................80 Division of Resources..........................................................................................86 7 MITIGATION COORDINATED WITH REHABILITATION STANDARDS .......89 Maintenance................................................................................................................92 Building Interventions ................................................................................................96 Building Interventions – Evaluating Five Degrees of Mitigation ....................101 Basic Property Improvements ....................................................................101 Retrofitting .................................................................................................101 Elevation.....................................................................................................109 Relocation...................................................................................................112 Demolition..................................................................................................113 8 MITIGATION RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COORDINATOR .....................................................................................................115 Planning Resolutions ................................................................................................115 Preparatory Phase .....................................................................................................123 Recovery Phase.........................................................................................................125 Rebuilding Phase ......................................................................................................127 9 SEARCHING FOR DESIGN COMPATIBILITY IN CEDAR KEY’S HISTORIC DISTRICT ................................................................................................................131 Visual Compatibility Standards................................................................................134 Height ................................................................................................................134 Rhythm of Solids to Voids in Front Facades.....................................................137