Proposed demolition of the Magic Beach Motel in Vilano Beach encountered a setback Monday, June 30, when the St. Johns County Cultural Resource Review Board (CRRB) ruled that the owner hadn’t provided sufficient alternatives.
This desire for alternatives is largely related to the motel’s historic cultural significance, a point of debate between those supporting the demolition and those opposing it.
The board did not rule on the demolition permit application itself, which owner Vilano Beach Lodging (managing member Tejal Patel) filed on Jan. 15.
The motel, built in 1951 and originally named the Blue Ocean Motel, is one of few examples of the Late Moderne Style locally. A number of alterations have been made over the decades, and multiple attempts to have it listed on the National Register of Historic Places have failed.
However, in 2021, the St. Johns County Resource Review Board designated the motel as a “significant cultural resource,” giving credence to its historic character.
This historic question is critical as it could provide an exception to the Florida Building Code’s Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage 50% Rule. If the motel is not historic, and therefore doesn’t enjoy the exception, the owner would have to bring the entire property up to the current code once he spent $527 toward that end, according to a report from Fisher & Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design.
The cost would be significant. According to another report by Chris Sabourin of Sabo Structural Engineering, “Bringing the existing building up to current standards is not a practical or economically feasible option.”
Upon reception of the demolition permit application, county staff requested from the applicant a Historic American Buildings Survey and a Cultural Resource Management Plan (CRMP). The latter found, among other things, that the property was partially located in a flood zone and would require elevation to forestall flood damage in extreme conditions.
Residents living in the vicinity of the motel challenged this.
When the issue came before the CRRB in April, the board deferred review of the plan until the June meeting, recommending the applicant submit structure reports to address preservation or rehabilitation.
In May, the owner submitted five reports in an attempt to address the board’s concerns.
In response to a request from the county for a state historic preservation report, Kyra Lucas of the Bureau of Historic Preservation offered some clarity on the board’s options, writing, “It is very painful to see such a beloved, beautiful and historically and architecturally significant motel up for demolition.” Lucas conceded that most regulations allow property owners the right to do as they please with their properties.
Seventeen people addressed the board during public comments Monday.
“Today comes down to a choice between preserving our history and saving a sense of place versus new economic revitalization,” said Sacha Martin of the Save the Magic grassroots group. She requested the board members remember their mission to preserve the community’s culture where possible.
Vilano Beach Main Street founding president Vivian Browning, however, said, “I believe in following the Constitution. People have the right to buy property and sell property and have rights of developing their property.”
The motel at 50 Vilano Road was used in the Netflix series, “3 Body Problem,” and “Safe Harbor” starring actress Rue McClanahan.
An appeal of the board’s decision would go before the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners.
