Historic Review Board

MINUTES TOWN OF FORT MILL HISTORIC REVIEW BOARD October 12th, 2021 112 Confederate Street 4:30 PM Present: Chairman Louis Roman, David Booth, Megan Brinton, Scott Couchenour, Elizabeth Leventis, Planning Director Penelope Karagounis, Senior Planner Alex Moore Absent: Samantha Nifong, Jessica Scarlett Guests: Randall Hanauer, Derick Moyle, Drew Gaertner CALL TO ORDER Chairman Louis Roman called the meeting to order at 4:35 PM. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Louis Roman entertained a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Couchenour made a motion to approve the minutes from the September 14th, 2021, meeting as presented. David Booth seconded the motion to approve the minutes. The minutes were then approved by a vote of 5-0. NEW BUSINESS 1. Request for Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) The first item on the agenda included a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) submitted by Sign Techniques and R. Hanauer Fine Accessories to install a projecting sign and to paint exterior portions of the building located at 212 Main Street. Senior Planner Alex Moore gave an overview of the application and associated materials for this COA application. He noted that 212 Main Street is located within the Historic Preservation District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Moore first stated the parameters for the design of a projecting sign within the downtown area of Fort Mill. Requirements for a projecting sign: The maximum area is 12 square feet; the sign cannot extend more than 3’ from the façade of the building; No more than one projecting sign per business; The bottom of the sign must be 8’ above the sidewalk. He then noted the appropriate examples as presented on page 14 of the HRB packet with the proposed design of this projecting sign on page 17 of the HRB packet. He stated that staff has determined that this sign meets the area requirements and the general design guidelines of the historic district. Senior Planner Moore then presented the proposal to paint portions of the exterior of the building “China White.” The applicant indicated that he intended to paint the existing, gray panels on the façade, the rear elevation, along with the exposed, southwestern facing wall of the building. Moore stated that staff recommended approval for both the projecting sign and proposed exterior paint changes. Megan Brinton noted that there had been a similar case the previous month with existing, unpainted brick that was originally proposed to be painted along with the front and rear elevations of the building. She stated that it would be her desire for the unpainted brick at 212 Main Street to remain unpainted since this building was now 71 years old. Chairman Roman asked the applicant, Mr. Randall Hanauer, if he had any comment about the proceedings. Mr. Hanauer indicated that he was amenable to only painting the rear elevation of the building and leaving the unpainted brick as is. Ms. Brinton then made a motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness for the projecting sign and the implementation of exterior paint color of China White to the gray portion of the façade, the entirety of the rear facing façade, but excluding the unpainted, southwestern facing façade. Scott Couchenour seconded the motion. Then, with a vote of 5-0 the HRB voted to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for 212 Main Street as noted above. 2. Request for Certificate of Appropriateness The second item on the agenda included a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for extensive refurbishment of the exterior of the building and property located at 314 N. White Street. Senior Planner Moore provided an overview of the application and associated materials for this COA application. He noted that 314 N. White Street is located within the Historic Preservation District but not on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). While the property is zoned R-15, it is currently within the rezoning process having successfully been through first reading at town council the previous evening, October 11th. He additionally noted that the purpose of the exterior and site improvements would be to transform the property from its former use of a service station into a fast-casual restaurant. This scope of work will seek to retain the building’s original character while improving all aspects of the building and site. This would include the removal of the existing, freestanding car wash located on the property. Moore then presented external pictures of the existing building and site along with illustrations of the front, rear, and side elevations reflecting the proposed improvements. The submittal envisioned the following treatment of the front elevation: i. The vertical signage fins on the building are existing and will remain. ii. There is an existing stucco finish over the masonry which comprises these fins. This stucco will be removed and then their plan is to paint the masonry. i. The existing glass will remain. ii. The existing paint on the glass will be removed.  iii. The existing storefront door will be removed and replaced. The transom and frame will remain. iv. The corrugated metal fascia will remain and be painted. v. The roof eave as shown will remain and will be repaired. vi. The lower fascia will be repaired or replaced. vii. The existing garage doors will be replaced. Going left to right, the first garage door will be replaced with a new overhead garage door; the second garage door will be replaced with an exterior service window with rollup garage door; and the third garage door will be replaced with a new storefront. Each of these will be styled similarly to the existing garage doors. viii. The CMU Block on other sections of the building will be treated the same as the vertical fins, with the stucco removed and then the masonry will be painted. ix. The addition on the south side of the building will be removed. He then presented the proposed treatment of the rear elevation as follows: i. The backside of the vertical signage fin as shown will be treated like the front elevation. The existing stucco will be removed, and the CMU block will be painted. ii. A new service door will be added. iii. The concrete masonry block will have the existing paint removed and then it will be repainted. iv. As noted on the front elevation, the building addition will be removed. v. The existing roof eave will be repaired. vi. The proposed ± 450 square foot addition on the rear of the building is to accommodate cold and dry storage. vii. This portion of the finished, rear elevation will have a company graphic. The proposed treatment of the side elevation of the building included: i. Again, we see another view of the fin. Here we will have any existing materials removed which overlay the concrete masonry. The masonry will be repaired as needed and then painted. ii. All existing paint will be removed from the glass. iii. Concrete Masonry will be repaired and repainted. iv. The lower fascia projection and coping will be painted matte black. v. The corrugated metal fascia will be painted warm white. vi. The roof eave will be painted matte black viii. The side elevation view of the proposed ± 450 square foot addition on the rear of the building is to accommodate cold and dry storage. Senior Planner Moore then noted that the architectural plans submitted by the applicant indicated that sandblasting would be used to remove portions of stucco from the concrete masonry block on the building. He stated that sandblasting of masonry surfaces is not permitted within the town’s historic district. Drew Gaertner with Durban Development responded that they would certainly be agreeable to working with town staff to come up with a more acceptable method for removal of the stucco from the building. Chairman Roman then stated, in that stucco was placed over masonry block rather than brick, if Durban Development encountered problems in seeking an alternative method, the issue could be revisited. Moore then presented several perspective schematics showing the front, side, rear, and overall illustrations as envisioned on the site. He then noted that the existing canopy will remain on the site and be used within the outdoor seating area. He then stated that Durban Development was not seeking approval on signage at this time. Moore indicated that the applicant would need to return to HRB at such time they deemed appropriate for signage review and approval. The signage would be reviewed as part of the existing application and would not require additional filing fees. Chairman Roman then asked the HRB if there were any further comments or questions regarding the application for the COA. Elizabeth Leventis asked what year the freestanding carwash was constructed. Senior Planner Moore opined that it was likely constructed in the early 1980s. Ms. Leventis then complemented Durban Development on their effort in maintaining the integrity and historic elements of the building. Ms. Brinton concurred with this. Mr. Couchenour stated that he had seen the Bossy Beulah’s project located on Freedom Drive in Charlotte and that if this one turned out similarly, then it would be a great addition to Fort Mill. Chairman Roman then noted that the application would remain open pending additional information regarding the project signage. He then asked if there were any other questions or comments regarding the COA application. There being none, he entertained a motion. Ms. Leventis made a motion to approve. Mr. Couchnour seconded the motion. Then, with a vote of 5-0 the HRB voted to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for 341 N. White Street as noted above. 3. Request for Preliminary Bailey Bill Certification The third item on the agenda included a request for preliminary Bailey Bill certification for the project at 341 N. White Street. Senior Planner Alex Moore gave an overview of the application and associated materials. The Town of Fort Mill Code of Ordinances authorizes a Special Tax Assessment for Rehabilitated Historic Properties that meet the criteria for eligibility This is authorized by Section 5-21-140 of the SC Code of Laws and is generally referred to as the Bailey Bill. Upon final certification, the Bailey Bill allows the property’s value to be assessed at the pre- rehabilitation value for a period of 20 years. It should be noted that this is only for the Town of Fort Mill as York County does not participate in the Bailey Bill Program. He then noted that the goal for the Bailey Bill within the Town of Fort Mill is to encourage the rehabilitation of historic properties, promote community development and redevelopment, encourage sound community planning, and to promote the general health, safety, and welfare of the community. Senior Planner Moore stated that the following work would be reviewed as part of the Bailey Bill preliminary certification application: 1. Repairs to the exterior of the designated building. 2. Alterations to the exterior of the designated building. 3. New construction on the property on which the building is located, including site work.  4. Alterations to interior primary public spaces, as defined by the reviewing authority. 5. Any remaining work where the expenditures for such work are being used to satisfy the minimum expenditures for rehabilitation, including but not limited to, alterations made to mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems. The standards for the historic rehabilitation are noted on page 47 of the packet. To be eligible for the Bailey Bill special tax assessment for rehabilitated historic properties, the property must meet one of the following criteria: • Property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), individually or as a contributing property within a National Register Historic District. • Property is at least fifty (50) years old and has been determined to be eligible for listing on the NRHP by the SC Department of Archives and History. • Property is at least fifty (50) years old and is located within the Town of Fort Mill Preservation District • Property was designated, by resolution, as eligible by town council pursuant to the eligibility criteria in Chapter 2, Article IV, Division 3, Sec. 2-201(b)(2)(b) of the Town of Fort Mill Code of Ordinances. In this instance, the property at 314 N. White Street is at least 50 years old, the principal building having been constructed in 1956, and is located within the Town of Fort Mill Preservation District. Additionally, historic properties must receive both preliminary and final certification. For commercial properties, the minimum investment is 20% of Fair Market Value (FMV). For 314 N. White Street, the FMV of $415,524.00 has been determined via the most recent appraised value published by the York County Tax Assessor. Thus, the minimum investment required by the applicant for this project will be $83,105.00. The applicant’s estimated investment currently is $860,964.00. Senior Planner Moore then provided the HRB with interior pictures of existing conditions within the building to view. Drew Gaertner, the applicant’s representative, then gave a brief overview of the proposed internal improvements to the building. There was then some discussion regarding the proposed site plan about the sidewalk located adjacent to N. White Street. David Booth then asked about the proposed planting plan as included within the plan-set. Senior Planner Moore noted that the applicant would need to include additional landscaping materials at the rear of the property which is adjacent to residential. Mr. Booth then asked if the streetscapes for this project and that of the existing Springs Building would be synced. Senior Planner Moore indicated that he did not know if they planned to do this. Moore then presented a general overview of the occupancy plan which included outdoor seating under the existing canopy. There being no other comments or questions from HRB members, Chairman Roman entertained a motion regarding the Bailey Bill preliminary certification. Elizabeth Leventis made a motion to approve. David Booth seconded the motion. Then, with a vote of 4-0 (Megan Brinton left the meeting early due to a family commitment) the HRB voted to grant preliminary Bailey Bill certification for the property at 341 N. White Street. There being no other business, Chairman Roman adjourned the meeting at 5:26 PM Respectfully submitted, Alex J. Moore, AICP Senior Planner November 24th, 2021