Historic District Preservation Commission (HDPC)

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA HISTORIC DISTRICT PRESERVATION COMMISSION JUNE 12, 2023 MINUTES STAFF REPORT Present: Robert Crosland, Chair, Gene Gallogly, Corey Barber. Absent: John Hackenberg Staff: Kara Browder, Bryan Hankinson, Lynnette Lynes Mr. Crosland called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. I. Approval of Agenda Mr. Barber moved for approval of the agenda. Mr. Gallogly seconded the motion. All in favor. II. Approval of Minutes Mr. Barber moved for approval of the minutes. Mr. Gallogly seconded the motion. All in favor. III. Public Comment There being no comments, Mr. Crosland continued with the agenda. IV. General Correspondence All correspondence received was linked to the agenda. V. Consent Motions There being no consent motions, Mr. Crosland continued with the agenda. VI. Business - A. 224 Queen Street – Survey 6094 / Historic (TMS # 5320500022) Final Review for fencing, home renovation, and alterations. Mr. Hankinson reviewed staff comments with the Commission.  Historic District Preservation Commission June 12, 2023 Page 2 of 6 Mr. Keith Harris, applicant, stated that he was available for questions. Ms. Linda Balzac, 422 Hobcaw Drive, stated that she worked previously on this home. She suggested that since there was already asbestos that is original, they should be allowed to be replaced with cementitious material. She also suggested that allowing a composite for the windows to reduce rot. Mr. David Creech, 212 Center St, suggested that the guidelines should be followed, particularly with historic homes. He suggested that if there is a deviation to allow the cementitious siding, it should be a minimum of 5/8 inches to allow the correct channel line. There being no further comments, Mr. Crosland moved to Commission questions. Mr. Keith Harris, applicant, answered questions from the Commission. He asked that cementitious material be allowed to match the newer existing material. He stated that the siding would match the existing color. Ms. Louisa Montgomery, 404 Church St, suggested that clad windows have been previously approved for historic homes. She suggested that the thicker cementitious siding would be appropriate. She suggested that given the humid climate, the deviation from wood should be considered. There being no further comments, Mr. Crosland closed public comment. Mr. Barber moved for approval with the condition that the windows be a wood simulated divided light product and that the siding profile be thicker than the typical track home cementitious siding with final approval by staff. Mr. Crosland seconded the motion. All in favor. B. 717 Royall Avenue – Survey 5988 / Non-Historic (TMS # 5320900092) Preliminary Review for addition. Mr. Hankinson reviewed staff comments with the Commission. Mr. Wentz Chesson, architect, reviewed the request with the Commission.  Historic District Preservation Commission June 12, 2023 Page 3 of 6 Being that BOZA approval might be needed, the Commission suggested that this project receive any variances prior to resubmittal to the Commission. C. 305 McCants Street – Survey 6083 / Historic (TMS# 5320900079) Final Review for addition and porch and deck relocation This item was removed from the agenda by staff due to a code compliance issue. D. 448 Church Street – Survey 6190 / Historic (TMS# 5320100091) Final Review for partial demolition, addition, and new accessory structure Ms. Browder reviewed staff comments with the Commission. Ms. Linda Balzac, architect, reviewed the request with the Commission. Mr. David Creech, 212 Center St, expressed concern with the proposed design. He suggested that the staff comments at the previous meeting are the same as those presented at this meeting. He suggested that the proposed design is not consistent with the historic district. He suggested that because of the home being historic, it should have the “strictest scrutiny” as indicated in the historic district guidelines. He asked the Commission to defer this project. Mr. Dennis O’Neal, 308 Venning St, expressed concern with the proposed construction as this is a prominent location in the historic district. He suggested that the length of the home should not be more than ½ the size and suggested that this is not the case. He suggested that the rear setbacks are not in compliance. He suggested that if it is raised two feet, it would cause a drainage issue. He suggested that the screened porch is not consistent with other homes in the area. Ms. Emily Hyder, 436 Church St, expressed concern with the proposed construction and the scale of the home on this prominent corner lot. She suggested that the new construction appears to be higher when looking at it by the “naked eye”. She expressed concern with the chimney removal and that there is a screened in porch. She suggested that the BAR is not correctly calculated. She expressed concern that the shed and driveway would be located  Historic District Preservation Commission June 12, 2023 Page 4 of 6 in close proximity to her front door. She expressed concern with drainage and that if additional fill is brought in, it would cause a drainage issue. Mr. Mike Tinkey, 208 Venning, expressed concern with the proposed construction and agrees with staff comments. He stated that there are other neighbors in the neighborhood are opposed to the project. He suggested that the new construction is not subordinate to the historic structure and there are no screened porches in the vicinity. He suggested that the fabric of the historic home should be maintained and not changed. He suggested that the project should be reconsidered to be in keeping with the character of the historic district. There being no further questions, Mr. Crosland moved to Commission questions. Mr. Crosland moved for denial Mr. Gallogly seconded the motion. Mr. Barber moved to amend the motion to add the findings that the denial is based on the streetscape and proportion of the new construction to the existing historic home. Mr. Crosland seconded the motion. Mr. Barber withdrew his amendment and Mr. Crosland withdrew his second for the amendment. Mr. Crosland withdrew his motion. Mr. Gallogly withdrew his second. Ms. Louisa Montgomery, 404 Church St, suggested that the garage is too “bulky” and the proposed construction too massive. She suggested that the addition should be more in keeping with the historic district. There being no further comments, Mr. Crosland closed public comment. Mr. Barber moved for denial based on staff’s recommendation and with the findings that the garage is to large and bulky and not in keeping with the streetscape. Mr. Crosland seconded the motion. All in favor. E. 605 Pitt Street – Survey 6097 / Non-Historic (TMS # 5320500029) Final Review for home addition, fences, and outdoor kitchen. Ms. Browder reviewed staff comments with the Commission.  Historic District Preservation Commission June 12, 2023 Page 5 of 6 Ms. Balzac, architect, reviewed the request with the Commission. Ms. Julia Shealy, 217 Queen St, asked that the request be denied as what has already been accomplished has had a significant negative effect on the historic district, the streetscape, and surrounding property values. She suggested that the outdoor shower and sink would encroach into the setback and would be in close proximity to their home. She asked that the outdoor kitchen be denied as it would cause visual and noise pollution. Mr. Andy Shealy, 217 Queen St, expressed concern with the proposed construction. He expressed concern with previous approvals causing significant impact to their home. He suggested that the outdoor shower and sink would cause negative impact into their way of living. He suggested that the outdoor kitchen and shower have already been plumbed and suggested that this is therefore an “after-the-fact” approval. He asked that the request be denied. Ms. Susan Harris, 224 Queen St, is in opposition of the proposed balcony as it would impact the existing tree, would encroach into the setback and would impede their home. She suggested that the size and mass should be considered for this lot and if the proposed construction is appropriate. Mr. Tinkey, 208 Venning, expressed concern with the previous approvals and how it impacts the historic district. He agreed with the Shealys and Ms. Harris that the proposed construction is not in keeping with the historic district and the character of the neighborhood. He asked that this request be denied. Ms. Jennifer Gestnor, 1600 Longhorn Drive, expressed concern with the changes that have been approved and the negative impact it has had on the character of the historic district. She suggested that the proposed construction is not in keeping with the character of the neighborhood. She suggested that the proposed changes should not be allowed and the request be denied. There being no further comments, Mr. Crosland closed public comment. Mr. Barber moved for approval of the request with denial of the outside shower and sink based on the impact to the streetscape. Mr. Crosland seconded  Historic District Preservation Commission June 12, 2023 Page 6 of 6 the motion. Motion passed on a 2 to 1 vote with Mr. Barber and Mr. Crosland in favor; Mr. Gallogly opposed. VII. Staff Level Approvals A. 311 Middle Street – Survey 6026 / Historic (TMS# 5321300002) Replace shingles with like material B. 111 Live Oak Drive – Survey 6244 / Historic (TMS# 5171500058) Redesign to a smaller pool and less decking. C. 111 Hyer Street – No Survey / Non-Historic (TMS # 5320900059) Change to previously approved plans for windows. D. 753 Pitt Street – Survey 5902/ Historic (TMS # 5320900046) Alteration to newly constructed accessory structure. Change a door to be a window. E. 404 Church Street – Survey 6196 / Non-Historic (TMS # 5320100099) Replace existing rear windows. VIII. Discuss possibility to determine building line/front yard setbacks Ms. Browder reviewed staff comments with the Commission. She stated that Legal staff was not available at the meeting and suggested a deferral to the next meeting. Mr. Crosland moved for deferral. Mr. Gallogly seconded the motion. All in favor. IX. Discussion of Items for Next Agenda The Commission agreed that the following item should be discussed at the next meeting: ➢ Discussion on screened porches allowed in historic district. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:04 pm. Submitted by, L. Lynes HDPC06122023