Historic District Preservation Commission (HDPC)

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA OLD VILLAGE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MARCH 11, 2019 MINUTES Green arrows in minutes are hyperlinks to the recording Attachment 1 - STAFF REPORT Present: Leigh Rowe, Louisa Montgomery, John Hackenberg Absent: Ann Dovre Staff: Austin Rutherford, Joe Juan, James Aton, Jane Yager-Baumrind Mr. Rutherford called the meeting to order at 5:00pm and stated that a temporary chairman would need to be determined for this meeting. The Commission elected Leigh Rowe as temporary chairman. I. Approval of Agenda Ms. Montgomery moved for approval of the agenda. Mr. Hackenberg second the motion. All in favor. II. Approval of Minutes - February 11, 2019 Ms. Montgomery moved for approval of the minutes. Mr. Hackenberg second the motion. All in favor. III. Correspondence No correspondence. IV. General Public Comment There being no public comment, Ms. Rowe continued with the agenda. V. Consent Motions No consent items  Old Village Historic District Commission March 11, 2019 Page 2 of 9 VI. Business A. 107 Bennett Street – Historic 6144 – (TMS 517-15-00-074) Applicant is seeking Final Review for a pool and pool house. Mr. Rutherford reviewed staff comments with the Commission (attachment 1). Mr. David Johnson, Tidal Pools, 1431 Headquarters Plantation Drive, Johns Island, SC 29455. Mr. Johnson reviewed the application. There being no public comment, Commission moved to make a motion. Ms. Montgomery moved for approval of pool and structure at 107 Bennett street. Mr. Hackenberg second. All in Favor. B. 237 Middle Street – Survey 6045 – (TMS 532-09-00-022) Applicant is seeking Preliminary Comment for extensive renovations and additions to a single-family home and a new pool. This item was withdrawn by the applicant. C. 908 Pitt Street – Survey 5969 – (TMS 532-13-00-058) Applicant is seeking Final Review of revisions to plans for a single-family family home. Mr. Rutherford reviewed staff comments with the Commission (attachment 1). Mr. Cooper Williams, Clarke Design Group, 357 North Shelmore, Mount Pleasant, SC 20464. Mr. Williams reviewed changes from the originally approved design. There being no public comment, Commission moved to make a motion. Ms. Rowe moved to approve design changes that were made in the field for the blue stone, horizontal louvers, noting they are against guidelines and wire guardrail. Ms. Montgomery second. All in favor.  Old Village Historic District Commission March 11, 2019 Page 3 of 9 D. 0 Chicco Lane – (TMS 532-05-00-032) Applicant is seeking Preliminary Comment for new construction of a single-family home. Mr. Rutherford reviewed staff comments with the Commission (attachment 1). Ms. Heather Wilson, architect, reviewed the application with the Commission. Ms. Rowe stated her concern with the trees, the setbacks and she would not approve the widows walk since it is against OVHD guidelines. Mr. Hackenberg asked if the widows walk could be modified. Ms. Wilson stated it cannot because of the stair codes. Ms. Carol Tinkey, 208 Venning Street, Ms. Tinkey stated she is against the widows walk and has concerns with the setback. Ms. Joann Cook, 631 Pitt Street, stated she objects to the setback being too close and expressed concerned with trees that are on the lot line. Ms. Ruth Brennan, 121 Chicco Lane, stated she is concerned with the setbacks, the need for variances. She expressed concern with tree integrity and that the tree root systems would be at risk. She also expressed concern about drainage. Mr. Keith Jones, 121 Chico Lane, stated that he is against the widows walk and expressed concerned about the house being built within five feet seven inches of his property line. There being no further public comment, Ms. Rowe closed public comment. Mr. Rutherford suggested that the Commission give clear feedback regarding the widows walk and louvers. Ms. Rowe expressed concern about the setbacks and that the Commission has not approved widows walks in the past.  Old Village Historic District Commission March 11, 2019 Page 4 of 9 Mr. Hackenberg and Ms. Rowe both stated their concern regarding the trees due to the size of this property. Ms. Wilson addressed how tight this property is to Chicco Lane and their desire to save the live oak in back because of the character of neighborhood. E. 370 Schweers Lane – Survey 6038 – (TMS 532-13-00-074) Applicant is seeking Final Review to perform a demolition and replacement of a single-family home. Mr. Rutherford reviewed staff comments with the Commission (attachment 1). Mr. Michael Warnock, Ms. Katie Duncan, and Mr. Neil VanDalen reviewed the request with the Commission. Ms. Montgomery expressed concern with the spiral staircase and elevator shaft and suggested that it was too “industrial”. Mr. Warnock answered that this might be able to be reconfigured. Mr. VanDalen suggested that the elevator shaft would not be seen from the harbor. Ms. Montgomery asked if the “stilts” could be redesigned. Mr. VanDalen answered that they tried to maintain as many of the original features as possible. Mr. Hackenberg asked if the footprint of the house would change. Mr. VanDalen answered in the negative and stated that the main change would be the additional story and addition of gables. Mr. Hackenberg asked if the elevator goes to all stories. Mr. VanDalen answered in the affirmative. Mr. Hackenberg asked if there would be parking in the back. Mr. Warnock answered in the negative. Ms. Rowe expressed concern with the spiral stairwell and the elevator and how far it extends. Mr. VanDalen answered that it would extend out approximately thirteen feet. Ms. Rowe stated that there is no front porch and that if incorporated, it would soften the massing of the structure. She stated that she is not in favor of the “cupola-type” extension. Due to technical difficulties, the Committee convened for a short break at 6:05 pm and reconvened at 6:09 pm.  Old Village Historic District Commission March 11, 2019 Page 5 of 9 Mr. Hackenberg suggested that the house would not be seen from the harbor. Ms. Duncan stated that the landscape plan includes significant plantings around the home that will help to soften the massing from the street and harbor. She stated that another consideration is the number of significant trees in the back yard. Mr. Kevin Schuler, owner, stated they have worked to keep the integrity of the home and have made the changes suggested by the Commission during the conceptual review in December. He also suggested that the home is conducive to the neighborhood unlike some of the newer homes the Commission has approved. He also explained this home cannot be economically rehabilitated and is the main reason for the demolition. Ms. Rowe stated that her main concern is the “tower” that houses the elevator and staircase. Ms. Montgomery asked if the demolition could be approved with conditions. Mr. Rutherford answered that it might be better to address the demolition separate from the approval of the site plan. He suggested that if there are significant design changes are desired, then it might be better to defer the request. Ms. Rowe suggested that the makeup of the Commission is significantly different from when this request came before the Commission in December and it would be unfair to the applicant to completely require a redesign. Ms. Montgomery moved for approval of demolition in order to bring the new structure up to code and make it a reasonable environment for the family and under the condition that the building permit application has been submitted before demolition is approved. Mr. Hackenberg seconded the motion. All in favor. Mr. Hackenberg moved for final approval of the request. Ms. Montgomery second the motion. All in favor. F. 101 Pitt Street – Historic 5934 – (TMS 532-01-00-079) Applicant is seeking Preliminary Comment for alterations to the side covered porch,  Old Village Historic District Commission March 11, 2019 Page 6 of 9 additional doors for ADA-accessible restrooms, and a new rooftop A/C condenser area. Mr. Rutherford reviewed staff comments with the Commission (attachment 1). Mr. Luke Jarrett, Synchronicity reviewed the request with the Commission. Ms. Montgomery stated she is happy with the ADA changes. She expressed concern with the noise from the HVAC units and asked if they could be moved. Mr. Hackenberg stated he is happy with the changes. Mr. Mike Tinkey, 208 Venning Street, stated he is not opposed to the ADA changes. He asked that the HVAC units all be located together and screened to minimize noise. Ms. Carol Tinkey, 208 Venning Street, expressed concern regarding what screening material would be used for the louvers. She also expressed concern about the back area near the refuse and how this area would be utilized. There being no further public comment, Ms. Rowe closed public comment. Ms. Rowe asked for verification of the screening material for the HVAC units and refuse area. Mr. Jarrett answered that it would be a gaft painted wood screening system. He stated that the refuse area would be fenced. Mr. Hackenberg asked if their intent is to consolidate the HVAC units in one area and if there would be a generator. Mr. Jarrett answered in the affirmative and stated that there are currently no plans for a generator. VII. Staff Approvals No staff approvals  Old Village Historic District Commission March 11, 2019 Page 7 of 9 VIII. Discussion of Future Road Name Sign Design in Old Village Per Federal and State Regulations Mr. Aton updated the Commission on the new federal mandates regarding street signage. Ms. Joanna Keegan, 206 Live Oak Drive, suggested they investigate the type of signs Palmetto Bluff has installed in their neighborhood as well as maybe adding some lighting. Ms. Carol Tinkey, 208 Venning Street, expressed concern with the new signage and suggested that the signage should be consistent. She asked for clarification on the signage required above the obelisks. Mr. Mike Tinkey, 208 Vennng Street, suggested that the Town research what other municipalities are doing, such as the City of Charleston and if there are exceptions allowed for historic areas. There being no further comments, Ms. Rowe closed public comment. The Commission suggested that the signage should show that it is part of the historic district and should be consistent with the obelisk signage in color; white with black lettering. Mr. Anton stated that federal guidelines mandates that only those areas on the national historic registry can be identified as such, so he is not sure that the entire historic district could be identified. He stated that if a decorative post is desired, it would require identifying funding for these posts. Mr. Hackenberg asked is powder coated posts have been considered. Mr. Anton answered in the affirmative, but the Town opted for the aluminum posts. The Commission asked that images of the white sign with black lettering be brought back to the Committee in addition to images showing a powder coated post. IX. Update on Proposed Residential Parking Permit Study Mr. Anton reviewed the results of the Parking Permit Study with the Commission. He stated that based on the study, no parking permit program would be considered.  Old Village Historic District Commission March 11, 2019 Page 8 of 9 Ms. Carol Tinkey, 208 Venning Street, suggested that the historic district has been significantly impacted due to the overlay district. She stated that many of the streets were laid out before cars were invented. She expressed concern with the proposed construction of the inn on Hibben and Whilden streets. Ms. Joanna Keegan, 206 Live Oak Drive, expressed concern with parking near Shem Creek and patrons parking in front of homes causing a disturbance as well as abandoning cars on her property. She suggested that residential parking permits would be a good fit for the community. She suggested that there should be some way to limit parking in the neighborhood for restaurants and other commercial uses that are nearby. She suggested that there should be some way to enforce “no parking” areas in the Old Village. Mr. Mike Tinkey, 208 Venning Street, suggested that there is a parking issue affecting the neighborhoods from the Shem Creek area. He suggested that this is affecting the quality of life for the neighborhood. He suggested that there is also noise affecting the neighborhood. Another factor is that the resident and child safety is being affected. He suggested that a parking permit program needs to be revisited. Mr. Chris Coleman, 118 Pitt Street, stated that he agrees with Mr. Tinkey’s comments. Ms. Allison Daley, 204 Live Oak Drive, stated that she was not able to attend the public meeting due to illness, but did email the consultant her concerns. She suggested that there is not enough off-street parking and would appreciate more investigation into this issue. There being no further comments, Ms. Rowe closed public comments. Mr. Rutherford stated that all comments regarding Earl’s Court should be directed to the Legal Department. He stated that issues regarding intoxication, littering, etc. should be forwarded to the Police Department. Ms. Montgomery suggested that limiting parking times could be an option and that signage indicating time limits could be installed that might deter someone from parking in those areas. Mr. Aton answered that this could be considered, however,  Old Village Historic District Commission March 11, 2019 Page 9 of 9 there is not sufficient staff to enforce those parking time limits and it would require amendments to the Town Code of Ordinances. Ms. Montgomery suggested the restaurants could make arrangements with the parking garage at Shem Creek. Mr. Anton answered that this would be a civil agreement between the parking garage owner and restaurant owners. Ms. Rowe asked the reason for the parking permit study. Mr. Anton answered that it was requested in order to determine the main causes and issues as well as solutions for those issues. He stated that another consideration would be that those existing parking pads in the right-of-way would have to be removed. Ms. Rowe asked is a homeowner could block off the parking pad with posts and chains. Mr. Anton answered that because the parking pad is in the right-of-way it should not be allowed. Mr. Hackenberg asked if this program has ever been activated. Mr. Anton answered the study was conducted not only for the historic district, but whether this could be implemented for areas Town-wide. He stated that the Transportation Committee agreed not to move forward with the parking permit program. Mr. Hackenberg suggested that this is a program that is needed for the Town. Ms. Rowe asked if there are other municipalities experiencing this same issue. Mr. Anton answered that the Town did meet with the City of Charleston on this issue to see what remedies they have implemented for their historic areas and other areas throughout their city. X. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair Mr. Rutherford stated the Commission could postpone to a future meeting to elect a Chair and Vice-Chair. The Commission agreed to defer election of chair and vice-chair to the next meeting. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:33pm. Submitted by, Jane Yager-Baumrind