Citing a shifting job scope, town's first historic preservation planner steps down

Laura Groves van Onna moved cross-country to join the town of Palm Beach as its first historic preservation planner.

A year later, she decided it was time to step away.

Groves van Onna, who relocated to Palm Beach County from Fresno, California, resigned her position July 23.

An urban planner with a background in historic preservation, the Dallas native said she decided to step down because her duties became less clear-cut amid a transition period in the town's Planning, Zoning and Building Department.

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The transition period began before she was hired, Groves van Onna said, and she said she hopes it "continues for the better" after her departure.

"The historic preservation planner position was perhaps not as clearly defined for everyone as it could have been, especially as a newly established position," Groves van Onna said Friday. "Additionally, it shifted over time, and was altered substantially from how it was initially presented to me.

"I sincerely hope this position receives the footing it deserves — that Palm Beach deserves — in the future."

Groves van Onna, 34, was hired last July to fill a position that was created to administer architectural review and assist the town with its preservation efforts.

During her tenure with the town, she helped establish and implement the Historically Significant Building program, which resulted in the designation of 16 properties; identified and developed further incentives for landmarked properties; and worked with Jacksonville-based consulting firm Environmental Services Inc. to complete the Town of Palm Beach Historic Site Survey Report in December 2020.

She also recommended 20 properties to be placed under consideration for landmark designation, and helped update the Project Designation Manual and Guide for the town's architectural and landmark boards.

"Laura was helpful in increasing the number of buildings that are reviewed each year by the town for possible landmark consideration, and she worked for several months on various ways to provide more incentives to landmark property owners," said Wayne Bergman, director of the Planning, Zoning and Building department. "The town wishes her success in her future endeavors."

Groves van Onna said she enjoyed the time she spent in Palm Beach as its first historic preservation planner, and she was glad to have helped assist the town through the COVID-19 pandemic and the surge in development review. 

"I am grateful to have worked with caring, insightful, and supportive elected officials, commissioners, residents and fellow staff, as well as local professionals and organizations such as the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach," she said.

Groves van Onna, who is remaining in the area, said she will weigh her options in the preservation planning field, but her next steps include the expansion of her family's business, which has roots in the Netherlands and is dedicated to architectural photography.

Bergman said the town plans to fill the position of historic preservation planner.

Jodie Wagner is a USA TODAY Network of Florida journalist. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

@JRWagner5