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BACKGROUND
Encompassing
the neighborhoods of Lawsona/Fern Creek and Thornton Park, the Lake
Lawsona Historic District was established in 1994 as a local
historic district. Platted and developed between 1911 and the 1950s,
the district contains approximately 500 buildings and is
illustrative of the growth patterns of the city in the first half of
this century with its mix of residential, educational and commercial
structures.
A
variety of architectural styles and forms can be found in the
district including bungalows, Craftsman, Minimal Traditional and
Colonial, Mediterranean, Mission, Neoclassical and Tudor revivals.
Bungalows are the predominant contributing structures in the
district.
Three
sites within the Lake Lawsona Historic District have been recognized
as local historic landmarks. They are H.H. Dickson Azalea Park
(1935), the Washington Street Bridge (1926) and Orlando
High School, now Howard Middle School (1927).
Dickson
Azalea Park is named for a city beautification advocate and
co-founder of one of Orlando’s earliest department stores,
Dickson-Ives. The park consists of five acres of lush vegetation
through which Fern Creek flows. Rustic stairs and walls direct the
visitor through the park and out of the ravine. Above the creek’s
embankment is the Girl Scout Little House (1940) at 119 North Celia
Lane, which has served as a clubhouse for more than half a century.
Just south of the Girl Scout Little House is the Beaux
Arts-influenced Washington Street Bridge which traverses the park
and Fern Creek. |
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The
Neoclassical Revival Orlando High School is located at 800 East
Robinson Street. The last class graduated in 1952 when Boone and
Edgewater high schools opened. Distinguished alumni include
astronaut John Young, former Orlando mayor Carl T. Langford, actor
Buddy Ebsen and Nobel Prize winner for medicine, Dr. Marshall W.
Nirenberg.
PERMITTING
Before
you make certain exterior changes to your property, a
Certificate
of Appropriateness must first be issued by the
Historic
Preservation Board. Exterior changes that will minimally impact
the appearance of a structure such as re-roofing, fences, paving and
repair with matching materials can be expedited by the Minor
Review Committee of the Board in 2 to 10 days. Major
modifications that would significantly impact a property in the
district, such as alterations, additions, new construction,
relocation and demolition, require a hearing of the Board for
approval. Expect approximately seven weeks from the closing date
until the Certificate of Appropriateness is issued. The City charges
no fee for design consultation or Board review.
There
are exceptions to these requirements. Approval does not have to be
obtained for landscaping; any change to the exterior that is not
subject to view from one or more public streets, parks or lakes;
color; and emergency repair that will not change the exterior
design. In addition, chain link fences may not be installed where
they are visible from the street, parks or lakes.
INCENTIVES
The
City takes an active role in preserving the architectural heritage
of the Lake Lawsona Historic District and offers a property tax
exemption for contributing buildings in the district.
The
City offers a property tax exemption to property owners for
the substantial rehabilitation of contributing structures in the
district. This 10 year exemption applies to 100% of the City’s
portion of the property taxes attributed to the increase in property
value due to rehabilitation. The exemption period remains intact
with the sale of the property.
INFORMATION
For
further information regarding the Lake Lawsona Historic District or
questions concerning modifications to structures or property within
the district, contact the Historic Preservation Officer at (407)
246-3350, or the Historic Preservation Board recording secretary at
407.246.3416. Permitting, located on the ground floor of City Hall,
can assist you with questions regarding the necessary permit(s) for
your project. Contact Permitting at (407) 246-2271.
