Manatee County Commission appoints new Historic Preservation Board

MANATEE -- Five people have been appointed to a new Manatee County Historic Preservation Board, the culmination of several years of effort to save area historical and archeological treasures.

New board members are Aimee Angel, Sandra Jo Forney, Jeffrey T. Moates, Alexander Breitinger and Stuart J. Roth.

The appointments this week were just one of a number of steps the commission has taken to help protect historic structures, which have been disappearing in increasing numbers as development overtakes them.

"I'm proudest of the number of qualified applicants we had who applied to be on the preservation board," said Cathy Slusser, director of historical resources for the office of the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court. "I think it will be a very strong board that will provide leadership as we move into the future."

In October, the county earned a "certified local government" designation, which will allow it to grant properties "significant historic landmark" status, and to apply for available grant funding, said Kathleen Thompson, county planning manager.

The designation also permits the county to apply for technical assistance from the state, she said.

Only property owner can apply for landmark status, Thompson said, but the designation stays with the property even when sold.

"It shows our county's commitment to saving what's important from the past for the future," she said.

Earlier this year, the board passed its first historic-preservation ordinance to encourage proper maintenance of historic structures, said Slusser.

A final piece is in the works: Tax incentives to help owners restore historic properties.

"I'm eager to see it passed," said Slusser. "That's the last component we'll need."

If a property owner invests in a historic building, preservation investments will not affect the property tax bill over a 10-year period, she said.

"In order to qualify, they would go before the historic preservation board," said Slusser.

Sara Kennedy, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7031. Follow her on Twitter@sarawrites.

This story was originally published December 19, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Manatee County Commission appoints new Historic Preservation Board ."