Open architecture, landmarks boards to out-of-state architects, panel recommends

Out-of-state registered architects should only be able to serve on architecture and landmarks commissions in town if qualified Florida registered architects are unavailable, the Ordinances, Rules and Standards Committee recommended Wednesday.

The Architectural Commission and Landmarks Preservation Commission currently consist of seven members and three alternate members. At least two members, but no more than three, are registered architects in the state. All have to be town residents registered to vote in Florida, except for one nonresident architect position on the landmarks board.

The committee discussed whether to widen the pool and allow registered architects from other states to fill the two architectural seats. Members asked whether out-of-state architects were fully familiar with design and building-related issues in Florida, and whether there was a need for more candidates. There are at least a dozen architects registered in Florida eligible to serve on town boards, according to town documents.

Several residents said there is a need.

Were not opening ourselves up to get the best of the best, said William Strawbridge. What concerns me most is that we are very well qualified to handle our vernacular buildings, but where we have big trouble is anything thats modern or post modern.

William Feldkamp said there might not be an issue now with finding qualified Florida architects to serve on town boards, but that its worth the while to worry about the day it does happen.

Strawbridge and Feldkamp suggested the board recommend opening one architect seat up to anyone whos licensed. We protect our local, but we allow the best if they want to show up, Strawbridge said.

However, the committee pointed out that out-of-state architects can still apply for one of the other five non-architect seats on town boards.

Lets keep it the way it is today, except in instances we cant find a registered Florida architect, Committee Chairman Bill Diamond said.

The recommendation will go before the Town Council.

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Open architecture, landmarks boards to out-of-state architects, panel recommends