Historic Review Board

MINUTES TOWN OF FORT MILL HISTORIC REVIEW BOARD December 12th, 2023 112 Confederate Street 4:30 PM Present: Chairwoman Megan Brinton, Vice chairman David Booth, Scott Couchenour, Hynek Lettang, Joanne Walker, Planning Director Penelope Karagounis, Planner Lauren Childress, Senior Planner Alex Moore Absent: Elizabeth Leventis, Jessica Scarlett Guests: Josh Williams CALL TO ORDER Chairwoman Megan Brinton called the meeting to order at 4:34 PM. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairwoman Megan Brinton indicated that the first order of business was to approve the minutes from the November 14th, 2023, HRB meeting. She noted a scrivener’s error on page 7 necessitating the addition of the word “member” between “HRB” and “Elizabeth Leventis.” Scott Couchenour made a motion to approve the minutes with the recommended change as noted by Chairwoman Brinton. Joanne Walker seconded the motion. Then, by a vote of 4- 0, the minutes for the November 14th, 2023, meeting were approved. NEW BUSINESS 1. Request for final Bailey Bill Certification The first item on the agenda included a request for a final Bailey Bill certification at 215 Main Street. Senior Planner Alex Moore gave a brief overview of the application and associated materials for this request. He stated that the Bailey Bill is a local government tax abatement program authorized by the State of South Carolina and that the purpose is to promote rehabilitation of historic properties in the state. It allows local governments to lock in a special property assessment, based on a property’s fair market value prior to rehabilitation, for up to 20 years. During this time, the respective tax payments do not include any increase based on the eligible renovations. Bailey Bill projects must incur minimum expenditures for rehabilitation as defined by local ordinances. In Fort Mill, the minimum investment amount is 20% of FMV. Moore then stated that 215 Main Street received preliminary Bailey Bill certification in April 2022. This process established the pre-rehab, fair market value at $499,000.00, which was determined via a sales contract. With this, the minimum 20% required investment in this property is $99,800.00. The investment back into the property was $396,345.28, or 79% of the FMV, thus meeting the minimum investment requirement. Senior Planner Moore then shared pictures of the project which illustrated the pre-rehabilitative and post- rehabilitative conditions of 215 Main Street. These photographs included the façade, first and second floor on the interior of the building, as well as the rear elevation of the building. He also noted that the building’s owner had returned to HRB in March 2023 and obtained approval from the board to paint the front door peppercorn and to also paint the brick on the rear elevation of the building peppercorn. The rear elevation brick had previously been painted. Vice Chairman David Booth arrived at the meeting. Senior Planner Moore then presented the standards for rehabilitation. To be eligible for the special tax assessment in the town of Fort Mill, historic rehabilitation must be conducted according to these standards: (1) The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alterations or of features and spaces that characterize each property shall be avoided. (2) Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development shall not be undertaken. (3) Most properties change over time. Those changes that have acquired historic significance in their own right shall be retained and preserved. (4) Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property should be preserved. (5) Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement or of a distinctive feature, the new should match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical or pictorial evidence. (6) Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials shall not be used. The surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken using the most gentle means possible. (7) New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the historic property and its environment. (8) New additions and adjacent new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired. Senior Planner Moore then asked the board if they had any questions or comments regarding the standards of rehabilitation in relation to the project at 215 Main Street. There being none, he noted that staff recommended that the final Bailey Bill certification be approved. He indicated that the COO of 215 N. Main LLC, Josh Williams, was in attendance. Chairwoman Megan Brinton asked Mr. Williams if he had any questions or comments regarding the project. Mr. Williams indicated that he did not. Chairwoman Brinton then asked HRB members if there were any questions. Chairwoman Brinton then asked if the Bailey Bill program only involved Fort Mill taxes. Senior Planner Moore stated that this was correct as York County is not a participant in the local Bailey Bill program. HRB member Scott Couchenour stated that the Fort Mill School District also does not participate in the Bailey Bill program, so that portion of the of the tax bill is also not reduced. Chairwoman Brinton then asked Mr. Williams if they did much on the exterior of the building other than painting. Mr. Williams stated that this was correct. Chairwoman Brinton asked if this building was originally a bank. Senior Planner Moore stated that this was correct. HRB member Joanne Walker asked if it was a bank vault door that was visible in the background of one of the interior photographs. Senior Planner Moore stated that this was true and that this is where the kitchen is currently located. Mr. Williams then stated that this is one reason that they were not able to install a hood system in the building and use a TurboChef ventless rapid cook oven. Mr. Couchenour noted that his work within the building revealed that the vault door was very solid and not going anywhere. There being no further discussion, Chairwoman Brinton entertained a motion. Ms. Walker made a motion to approve final Bailey Bill certification for 215 Main Street. Vice Chairman David Booth seconded the motion. By a vote of 5-0, the HRB approved the motion to grant final Bailey Bill certification to 215 Main Street. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION 1. Adoption of 2024 Meeting Calendar Planning Director Penelope Karagounis presented the 2024 meeting calendar which included the dates of the HRB meetings. The HRB meetings will remain on the second Tuesday of the month at 4:30 PM. Ms. Karagounis also introduced planner Lauren Childers to the HRB. Ms. Karagounis indicated that with the addition of Ms. Childers, the planning department had a full compliment of staff except for the yet to be filled development coordinator position. Chairwoman Brinton asked Ms. Karagounis if Ms. Childers would be working with the HRB. Ms. Karagounis indicated that Ms. Childers would be working on HRB related projects such as staff reports, even though she might not attend all meetings. Additionally, Ms. Karagounis stated that Ms. Childers would also be involved with planning commission. Chairwoman Brinton and the HRB welcomed Ms. Childers to the town. There being no further business, Chairwoman Brinton entertained a motion to adjourn. Mr. Couchenour made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Walker seconded the motion. By a vote of 5-0, the meeting adjourned at 4:48 PM. Respectfully submitted, Alex J. Moore, AICP Senior Planner December 21st, 2023