TARPON SPRINGS — The Heritage Preservation Board voted 4-1 to reject a city request to replace the cedar shingle roof on the historic Safford House with composite materials, a move members said could jeopardize the museum’s national and state landmark status.
The Safford House, built in 1883, was home to Dr. Mary Jane Safford, Florida’s first female physician and the first female gynecologist in the United States, and her brother Anson P. Safford, who developed much of Tarpon Springs. It was the first building in the city individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Brandon Groc, director of Cultural and Civic Services, the department that maintains the Safford House, told the board his department had spent two years searching for a roofing solution. He said the roof had been deteriorating slowly, then damage accelerated after last year’s back-to-back hurricanes.
Groc said a local contractor recommended composite shingles as an alternative to cedar. He argued the composite material lasts longer, requires less maintenance and aligns with the city’s sustainability goals. He acknowledged the cost of cedar shingles is slightly less upfront but said savings from composite materials add up over time.
“From far away, you squint your eyes a little bit, you can’t tell the difference,” he told board members.
Groc cited the Secretary of the Interior’s standards, saying they allow for composite materials in cases involving sustainability concerns or challenging climates.
But Principal Planner Carolyn Lanford, in a staff report to the board, said the project would have an adverse impact on the architectural integrity of the structure, which was restored specifically for use as a museum appearing as it did in 1893.
Lanford said the double-gable wood shingle roof is a significant architectural feature that has been consistent throughout the building’s history. She noted the original roof trusses, gables and gable windows were raised intact when a second story was added in 1887, and wood shingles have been present on the main structure throughout.
“Composite materials were not extant at the time of construction and are therefore inherently inconsistent with the original architecture,” she said, adding that changing roofing materials when historically accurate materials are readily available is inconsistent with city code, restoration goals and the Secretary of the Interior’s standards.
Board members sided firmly with staff.
Newly seated member Cyndi Tarapani said cost was not a consideration anywhere in the preservation code. She noted the city renovated the building with state and national funds and furnished it in a historically appropriate manner.
“I think we’d be having a different conversation if the cedar shakes weren’t available,” she said, “but in this case the cedar shakes are available.”
Tarapani said the Safford House’s purpose as a house museum is to educate visitors and residents about how people lived, the architecture of the era and the building materials of the time. She warned that if the city does not hold itself to its own design guidelines for the building, it cannot credibly enforce those standards on private property owners.
“We need to hold ourselves to the higher standard,” she said.
Newly seated member and former Mayor Anita Protos said she wanted to preserve the original materials.
“If we change that roof over what we’ve got, we’re going to lose everything,” she said.
Board Chair Philip Mroninski cast the lone dissenting vote, citing fire safety concerns. He said composite shingles are fire retardant and noted he has seen old structures with wooden roofs go up in flames.
“I’m not sure having this composite roof would degrade the historic significance of the building,” he said.
After the 4-1 vote, board members gave Groc an opportunity to return with an amended application. He declined.