Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Okay. I'd like to call the meeting for the design review board uh together for the um May 5th meeting. Uh the purpose of the board is to review applications for certificates of appropriateness for construction, alteration, demolition, relocation of structures in the Akens historic districts in an effort to help Aken retain its historic character. We'll begin by reviewing the minutes uh from our previous meetings. After the board votes on the meetings, then we'll start to call applicants to the podium to speak. Our secretary will be introduce each of the applications. Uh when you come forward, I would ask that if you're speaking uh to coming forward to speak, you give your name and address for the record. I'd also ask that you speak into the microphone. I'm not sure if I'm doing that right now, as a matter of fact. Um and um the board will the board will give everybody a chance to speak if you want to speak on an application and we'll do some debating and then we'll have a vote. I would ask, please forgive me tonight. That's not the last time I do that. Um, I would ask if the um um if you're not an applicant and you want to speak that you would limit your comments to about five minutes just in the interest of time. Uh we've got a a pretty thick package tonight, but there's only six or eight things and and hopefully we'll move pretty quick. Um but uh having said all that, I'll ask if there's a motion from the board on the minutes.

Okay, Mr. chairman. Uh I make a motion that we approve uh the for March the 26 special call work session. The uh minutes from March 28th special call work session and from the special call work session on April the 7th. Do I have a second?

I second it, Mr. Okay, we've got a motion to approve um various meetings minutes and a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. All those opposed? Seeing none, the motion carries. Okay. Uh Rebecca, would you please uh introduce our first application? Item A, under old business, application number CERD26-000011077. Applicant Robert Miller is requesting approval to construct a new wall at 616 Park Avenue Southeast, Taxmap, Parcel 121-06-14-013. The property previously had a rottedwood fence along Park Avenue and the applicant replaced it with a stone wall prior to receiving an approved certificate of appropriateness. The applicant is now requesting to remove the stone wall and replace it with a white brick wall. The proposed wall will be located along Park Avenue in front of 616 Park Avenue and approximately 15 to 19 ft long the property line between the cottage and the Salvation Army building at 604 Park Avenue Southeast. It will stand 48 in tall along Park Avenue and part of the side elevation, then increased to 5T as it connects to the existing 8ft tall wall. The proposed wall will match and tie into the existing white wall on the property. A raw iron gate is also proposed to be installed along with two lights on the front face of the two columns framing the gate. This property is located in the old Aken overlay in a zone downtown business. The Aken Historic Resource Survey Card lists the construction date as early 20th century. The Aken County Assessor's Report lists the construction date of the building as 1918. 151 Ory Street, which is connected to 616 Park Avenue as part of a duplex, is a new construction that was approved by

the DRB in 2024 through certificate of appropriateness number CERD24-00173. The white brick wall along AI and part of the Park Avenue property line was previously retroactively approved by the DRB in 2026 through certificate of appropriateness number CERD26-00001044. Additionally, the DRB approved the construction of an 8-ft tall white wall on the property at the April 7th, 2026 DRB meeting through amended certificate of appropriateness number CERD26-001066. This application originally also requested retroactive approval of the stonewall currently existing along Park Avenue on this property. However, after discussion with the board, the applicant requested to amend the application to remove this stonewall from that application. Zoning ordinance section 4.1.4.b fences and walls in non-residential districts states a fence or wall in any non-residential district shall not exceed 8 ft in height. And I believe Mr. Miller is here to represent himself. Give us your name and address for the record, Mr. Miller.

Robert Miller, live at 151 Ory Street, Akens, South Carolina. And uh it's pretty self-explanatory what was set up, you know, y'all put up there and that's how it's going to look. And I think it would really really make that area pop right there.

Right. Well, I agree with you that the um to continue the fence from your new house on down around the cottage uh would would blend better uh than than the than the rock block looking wall. So, um I don't really have any questions for you, but I'll open up to the board. Um anybody on the board questions for Mr. Miller? Just to uh clarify, are you also asking for approval of the um lights that are shown on exhibit A, page six? The the lights. Say that again. Listen. The lights, the three lights, the two

the lanterns on the fence. You got the two front lights on the columns there. That light to the right on the eight foot is already there. No, I'm talking about the the two at the walkway and then the one on the um I guess it's the left. Yeah. Yeah. Those those three, right? Yeah, three. Okay, that's correct. Okay. And those are going to match the ones that are on the new wall as well. Okay. All right. Pretty straightforward. We're gonna see if anybody wants to speak in favor of against your application. All right.

Thank you. All right. If there's anyone in the audience who would like to speak in favor of this application, please come forward at this time. If there's anyone in the audience like to speak against this application, please come forward. All right. Seeing none, uh, I'm ready to entertain a motion from the board. Hey, Mr. Chairman. Um, may I make a motion?

Please do. I have an application number CD26-001077 uh in consideration of the old a overlay district applicant uh name Robert Miller or Miller Holdings and Trust LLC location is 616 Park Avenue Southeast Texas parcel number 121-0614- 013. I find that the project uh is found u to be in accordance to our old Aken overlay district guidelines. Uh specifically as I flip through this packet specifically uh sections uh site design downtown commercial type fences and railings found beginning on page 14. Um and old masonry fences is a material that is uh found in in the district. Sir um that's it. Thank you. Second.

Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion?

Yeah, I'd like to discuss. Um I'm a little tongue tied. It's been a while. I've been out of the saddle, but I'm back in. Um I thank you for what you did, sir. Uh it it is in harmony with the district. Uh that first stone fence, as I reflected and I told you, I was like, well, your mason is already there. Just I think it'll be behoove all of us and it look continuous if you just continue that masonry fence. uh you took uh what we stated and you brought us some renderings and I think it looks amazing. Um and it it's not as offputting as it once was. Looks great. Okay. Any other discussion? Okay. Seeing no further discussion, I'll ask for all those in favor raise your right hand. All those opposed? Seeing none, it's a unanimous vote. Thank you, Mr. Miller. Appreciate you working with the board. and um and and I'd like to ask you to try to get approval in advance in the future.

Thank you. Okay, let's move on to the next uh COA. Item A under new business application number CERD26-001073. The applicant has requested that we postpone this application to the following meeting.

Okay. Item B under new business application number CERD26-00001074. Applicant Eric Gordon is requesting approval to replace the existing mural at 214 the Alley Southwest Taxmap parcel 121-21-06-00004. The existing mural was painted on removable panels and the proposed new mural will also be installed using removable panels. No changes are proposed to the building's exterior architecture, brick work, or permanent structural elements. The applicant proposes that the work is limited solely to replacing the artwork and its removable panel system. This property is located within the old Aken overlay and a zone downtown business. The arts commission met on April 15th, at which time they reviewed submissions for the proposed mural and narrowed down the entries using a rubric which is included in the application. The proposed mural was selected by the commission using this rubric. The arts commission's request to remove and replace the existing mural is part of a broader effort to promote the Aken downtown cultural district. The city of Aken has recently been designated as a South Carolina cultural district and the proposed artwork is intended to support that initiative. In proposing the submitted mural, the arts commission satisfied the requirement for the DRB to receive a recommendation from the arts commission as outlined in the Old Aken design guidelines section 6.1 miscellaneous guidelines artwork on page 114. The section states, "Art installations in the Old Aken overlay district subject to the adopted design review process and guidelines must first be reviewed by the Aken Arts Commission prior to submitt of a certificate of appropriateness. The Aken Arts Commission shall review proposals and issue a recommendation to approve or deny the design review board utilizing established criteria to assess artist capacity and the artistic merit and appropriateness of the proposal. I

believe Eric is here. Please give us your name and address for the record. Good evening. My name is Eric Gordon. My address is 327 Lauren Street Southwest. in your capacity here tonight. Um I am here as the staff liaison for the arts commission for the city of Aken. Thank you. Anything you want to add to uh the staff comments? Um I think uh from what staff said it explains it. Um as earlier I just want to mention um sorry a little tongue tied also. It's all good. So, just want to mention that

being designated a downtown a cultural district by the uh state of South Carolina and also having the backing of of of the city council.

Um we're looking at this to kind of expand artistic the cultural footprint of downtown. And I think one of the main aspects of doing this is one to allow everyone to know the amount of artists, musicians, sculptors, whatever word you want to use that exist in the city of Aken. And on the second side of that is Aken is a fantastic downtown. Um, it is a welcoming downtown for for many, but it it can um also be intimidating for some because our restaurants are expensive and and our stores are a little bit higher price and that's in Aken and that's great, but having public art is something that anyone can enjoy and come in and experience for free and feel part of a community and feel more of a part of Aken. And um this piece that was chosen by the arts commission. Um you can see some of the information in the packet was strongly felt to reflect um this uh sense of bringing anybody in. Anybody can be the people in those pictures no matter who you are. Um, and then the other item I wanted to say, uh, I believe that also, uh, Wendy, uh, uh, Wendy Hirs, um, our the chair of our commission, um, handed out something that was what we sent out in our call to artist to bring something to downtown Aken that, you know, is different than what was there that than what's there now. um something that will still keep you're still going to keep the building. You're still going to have it set back. It's still going to be Aken, but now it's opening. It's making Aken wider.

So, that's my that's my overview. Thank you. Um I do have a a comment for you and um I'm I want to say that I'm in favor of everything you're doing. Okay. Thank you.

So, um so don't take a negative comment as being against what you're trying to accomplish here because I'm in favor of it. I do uh strongly believe that we need to make Akenfield open and more inviting to guests and so completely agree with that. Um I also realize that this board is is charged by city council to try to retain the character of downtown and I think that it's possible for our board and your board to come together and work together uh to to accomplish both of our goals. And um and I and I think that this artwork that you've proposed here tonight is in keeping with both of our goals. And so I wanted to say thank you for uh for what you're doing and thank you for uh for what you've brought with us here tonight. And I hope that we never get to a point where we do have to disagree on something.

So uh anyway, that was my record my comments. Any other saying that? Yeah. Any other comments from the board? Yeah. Okay. John, I just want to make Eric, would you uh just for part of public record and and people that may be watching and we'll look at the uh video of the meeting at a later date, you know, it's important and you talked about the South Carolina Cultural District,

you know, uh how does that really impact Aken? I mean, is do we get a lot of uh communication uh throughout the state about what the things that we're doing? Do we post that? Is there some sort of a a statewide website that you go to to get information about the different cultural cities?

So, there is a statewide website which is under the South Carolina Arts Commission. It's part of their main site where they do talk about, I believe it's now 13 um districts. I believe it's 13 districts around the state um that have been allowed into this program and they do talk about what we're doing. We give them updates. We have meetings with them. We also just completed our yearly, it's not a reacreditation, like an annual report and we just submitted the annual report for the cultural district to let them know what the age groups are coming, what percentages, how many people, what increases we've had. We actually had a 3.4% 4% increase in the cultural district from fiscal year 24 to fiscal year 25. Um, and some of that is just because of the popularity in downtown and tourism and whatnot. Um, so that is one place to find it. The other place is we do currently have a page on our website which is just a page about the cultural district which we uh do plan on expanding as we bring in a new marketing company for visitation. Um, and that's another area. We do have um the art walk which is something that occurs in downtown which the arts commission is involved in and that's going to also be um going through some changes in the next goound to kind of bring it up to a level where it is more artists on not you know nothing wrong with crafters we love them at the farmers market but we want to bring artists who are coming into to to show their work and show what Aken has um uh to offer. So, um I hope that does that answers your question.

Well, it it does. Thank you for Eric. Just another comment. I have customers coming moving here from other parts of the country and trying to explain to them all the things that uh that Aken is noted for now. Yeah. That we didn't have before. Like uh we talked earlier about the symphony and and the center for the art, things like that. and I could not find a place that I could point them to that really gave what I felt like was a real full uh idea of the potentials uh things that they could do once they got here. Uh we're very unusual for a city this size. We're uh it's it's a metropolitan small town

and uh I mean we the the symphony is great. uh the the Center for the Arts. A lot of things going on there and I know it's hard to get everything, but um you know, we we have these things. You're part of it. And uh I'd just like to see more more uh more avenues that people can uh find those things that uh when they move to town. Um if I could mention three quick things just so you're aware of them and and for when your people are moving to town. Um, Akin does come out with an art guide every August that details uh, Aken Musicfest. It details things going on in the art district. It details the dates for the symphony, the shows at the uh, Aken Center for the Arts, and that comes out, like I said, every August. Um and then uh at our visitors center besides having our Aken visitors guide, one thing that we do have which was redone which I really love is Aken puts out a booklet of five maps and someone would say well why do you need five maps for your area? Well, one map is kind of an overview and then another map is downtown. But then another map is the district. showing people, hey, this is something that is here and it has the speed limit on right on the page if they're going to go there. Um, another page is the cultural district explaining what's in the cultural district. And then the last map is Citizens Park because that is used by so many visitors who are coming here for games. So, I feel that that is a piece that if you want to check out, I'm happy to drop them off with you. um that could always be used to show, but we will be creating a cultural park, cultural district um brochure that will match the other um Hopeland's Gardens brochure, which we just redid, the train museum brochure, and it'll all be like a packet of all the different facets of of different layers of history and culture throughout Aken.

Yeah. Awesome. I think as we've stepped up our game here in Aken that, you know, we need to continue our communications to new people and and even people, you know, there are people in town that have lived here all their life, don't know about all the things we've got going on. When I hear people say there's nothing to do in Aken, I'm like, you could walk outside your door and not spend a dime. Well, thank you. I did it wasn't meant as a criticism. No, no, take it as one, but I if something to be proud of and something that we need very much so.

Thank you so much. Any other questions or comments from board? Okay, I'll let you sit down and we'll see if there's any public comment. At this time, I'd ask anyone who wants to speak in favor of this application to come forward. Seeing none, uh, anyone opposed would like to speak at this time? Okay. Uh, not having any public comment, I'd ask if a member of the board would like to make an application regarding this. I mean a motion regarding this application. Mr. Chairman, I would like to make a motion, not an application, sir.

Thank you. Quite welcome. Uh on application number CERD26-001074 and the matter of Eric Gordon represent the city of Aken. Uh the location is 214 the alley southwest. I move that the board find as facts that the proposed project is in harmony with the historical architectural character of the district uh in which is located due to uh the old akin design guidelines. Special attention to section 6.1 miscellaneous guidelines of artwork on page 114. I'd also like uh to make a special notation that this uh was forwarded to us, our recommendation was forwarded to us by the arts commission and um pretty much it.

Okay. Do a second. I second. And I I was remissed when I was making a comment. Thank you to the arts commission because you have some insight that that I don't have and I I'm sure we we always appreciate people's expertise being pointed in our direction. Thank you. All right. Great. Um, any further discussion by the board?

I like the direction that is going. Um, you good? Okay. All right. Uh, seeing there's no further discussion, I'd ask all those in favor, please raise your right hand uh for this for this motion. Okay. All those opposed? Seeing none, motion carries. you've got your COA and thank you for what you guys do to support us. Really appreciate it. Okay, let's move on to the next applicant.

Item C under new business, application number CH26-047. Applicant Cameron Scott is requesting approval to enclose a porch at 619 Barnwall Avenue Northwest. Taxbat parcel 104-20-16-00001. The applicant is requesting approval to enclose the front entry porch of the school to provide a security barrier as indicated in the application. The applicant is proposing enclosing the porch with new doors and windows. The windows are proposed to be white fixed aluminum clad casement units with 2-in frames and simulated divided lights along with wood infill panels below the windows featuring a recessed flat panel below the sill. The proposed window configuration would resemble a prior enclosure of the porch as shown in a historical photograph included in the application. The proposed door will be a white painted wood single light door measuring 3 ft x 7 ft with a transom. This is a contributing property located within the historic overlay district, specifically historic district 3 and is owned limited professional. The Aken historic resource survey card lists the construction date as 1905. The applicant recently submitted a certificate of appropriateness application for security fence to be installed around the property which was administratively approved under certificate of appropriateness number CER26-045. The applicant did also provide uh a sheet of updated drawings which will be added to the record after this meeting. And I believe Mr. Scott's here to represent the application.

Give us your name and address, please. My name is Cameron Scott 23 Society Hill Drive in here in Aken. Anything you want to add to the staff comments?

Uh I think Rebecca's explained it pretty well. I mean, it's uh as you can tell with this school, it's it's uh pretty open on three or four sides and and with what we see across the United States and and what's happened in a lot of schools that this this is a big uh push in the school is to secure the the the immediate surrounding of this of the building to try to give a little bit more protection to students that are here at the school. So, as Rebecca said, we've already got staff approval for fencing to provide enclosure at the sides and back of the school. And so, this would give us a security vestibule at the front. And so, uh what we're proposing to do is sort of picks up on what was there in the past. Uh there was a whether it was enclosed on all sides, we don't know. But this was a a view we feel like from the 60s that had trans windows in there with muttons at the top. And so we are proposing to uh pick up on that theme of way it was back in the 60s and uh and then provide a security enclosure. So this will this will be a second means of secured access uh from somebody coming to the school. This is the front door to the school. And so, uh, this will there'll be two levels of security. This is the first level. Then when you're into vegetable will be the second level. And so the hope is that any threat that comes to the school, we slow them down, stop them, trap them, do whatever. So this we feel like is needed at the school.

Well, thank you for your efforts to protect our students. And also, I'd like to say thank you for uh doing a little research and trying to restore some of the uh the former architectural features and accomplish both at the same time. I I applaud your efforts on both parts. Thank you. Um does anyone from the board have any questions for Mr. Scott comments?

Okay, Cam. Thank you. Anyone in the public want to speak in favor of this application? Anyone opposed to this application would like to speak now? Okay. Seeing none, I'd like to ask a member of the board for a motion. Mr. Chairman, with respect to um application number CER 26-047, I move that we approve this application as submitted on the grounds that the applicant is restoring the looks of this porch to its historical look and it's therefore appropriate under our historical guidelines.

Second. I second it. Motion, Mr. Chairman. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Yeah. Um, I've looked uh extensively on this and it's two matters, security and also uh appearance of a previous time. So, I thank you for being a vigilant cam and uh just simply put just doing the right thing. Um, and it looks good. So, it's very functional and uh thank you. Yeah. Anybody else? When are you gonna start?

No, Josh is doing it now. Any comments, Leland? I I think Well, I used to live across the street from it. I'm getting ready to move, but yeah, I think I thought that was why they wanted the security, you know.

Yeah, I'm in favor of it. It looks great. Yeah, me too. Okay. Uh without any further comments or discussion, I'll ask all those in favor of the motion, please raise your right hand. Uh all those opposed uh unanimously carried. Thank you both very much for what you do. Okay, Rebecca, will you take us to the next application?

Item D under new business, application number CH26-051. Applicant Chris Ravenel is requesting approval to construct a pool house at 726 Grace Avenue Southeast. Taxmap parcel 121-10-21- Z004. The proposed new pool house will include wood and brick siding and a Da Vinci slate roof, all in colors intended to match the existing house. It will be approximately 43 feet by 36 feet. The window shutters will be painted Benjamin Moore's Essex green. The proposed windows will be the aluminum clad Marvin ultimate window with simulated divided lights in the color white. These windows will match those that were approved for the primary residence and certificate of appropriateness number CER26-025 at the December 2nd 2025 DRB meeting. This is a contributing property located in the historic Overlay district, specifically historic district 1 and is zoned single family stable. The AEN historic resource survey card lists the construction date as 1929. The Aen County Assessor Report lists the construction date of the primary residence as 1928. In January of 2026, the owner received an administrative approval to install a swimming pool on the property through certificate of appropriateness number CER26-037. An administrative approval was permitted according to the historic overlay district matrix. This pool is currently in the process of being installed. As Mr. Donahe here to speak.

Oh, sorry, Mr. Raven. Give you Yeah, give us your name and address, please. I'm Chris McCarthy. I'm the architect for Ravenel Construction. I'm here on behalf of Ravenel and Mr. Don. Um, my address is uh 2604 Augustus Street, Daniel Island, Charleston, South Carolina. Thank you. Anything you want to add to the staff comments? No, sir.

Okay. All right. Well, um, we had talked a little bit about this in the work session and, um, and I and I made the comment that I felt like the house was the the pool house would be in keeping with the style and um, Miss Nullles pointed out that the siding is different. Um, would you elaborate a little bit about um, the lap siding versus the brick like the main house? Yes. I think you had said something about the outouses buildings were more the existing barn and the carriage house both have um white clapboard where at a loss to find comparable brick and the owner doesn't want to have similar Yes sir.

He also owns another uh estate in New York and it's mostly a colonial white clapboard. He likes that look. And historically, a folly or an accessory building is usually very different than the main building. So, that's the reason why we're going this direction. Thank you for those comments. Um, that was really the only comments I had. Um, board discussion, comment for Mr. uh, McCarthy.

Okay. Thank you to them. All right. Anyone um in the public here like to speak in favor of this application? Anyone like to speak opposed to this application at this time? Please give us your name and address for the record. Faith Hawks, 725 Grace Avenue. Good evening. Um, I actually live right across the street and this is an unusual property because the front faces away from the street and the back faces the street, right?

My husband keeps on saying that's the front of the house. I'm like, "No, it's not. It's um it is the back of the house." So, I understand how the pool, you know, was an administrative approval. It does belong in the back. This particular building is also going to be at the back of the pool. So, um I was just concerned really about how close it would be to Grace and the landscaping since it's changed ownership. Um unfortunately, we had the hurricane right in 24. All these trees came down in that particular area for both pro both of our properties,

right? And since then, there hasn't been any work on the landscaping, which I totally understand. Um, but there's been lots of work on the building itself. And the work is beautiful. It's being, you know, super well done, very well detailed. Um, usually an application is required to have a landscape plan, right? Do we have one, Rebecca? We can pull up a plot plan or a landscape plan. Okay. On the right, more in the center there.

Right. But it doesn't show And what it doesn't show is it doesn't show the property lines, right? Yeah. Right. And it should also be showing um you know any landscaping is being considered. Right. I agree with you. I'm only concerned too is that since it's been under new ownership, they haven't been taking care of the landscaping that's on Grace. And I don't know if that is their responsibility or the cities. The city started to come by and clear part of it and then everyone in the neighborhood said stop. Um so, you know, that's that's a question that I had.

Right. And living across the street, you look at it every day. Yes, I do. Right. And there's construction debris um right outside my gate. So, and it's been there. Can you blow up that picture on the left any Rebecca or is we what we see is what we get. M. So this looks like the note says 60 ft from the Does that say S Y sideyard? Yeah. Okay. So that's I mean certainly within the guidelines, right?

And I I would just ask for a landscape plan. You know, what is the plan for the landscape and what is the plan for the streetscape? because that's really the public eye, right? That's what you all are charged with taking care of. And I guess I I'm sorry I'm too close to the mic. I guess I hadn't really thought about the landscape plan, although this is a new construction and our guidelines say that you need a landscape plan for it because the rest of the property is already so heavily landscaped. It just didn't dawn on me uh to ask that question. Mhm.

Um and of course from the street um you said your neighbors pretty much like the rustic look, let's say. Yes. And so um I understand your comment though. Um so um I'll um see if Mr. McCarthy would like to answer your questions. Okay. About that. Anything anything else while you're up? No, I just I would like to repeat myself in terms of the quality of construction has been is great. I certainly respect your opinion. Thank you. Yeah, come on up.

I want to thank the adjacent neighbor for comments and they're well founded. Um, so we are going through a major renovation on the site. So there's really no point at this time to do a lot of landscaping. However, I will say um that we are going to build a service yard with fencing and landscaping to contain gas meter, electric meter, pool equipment, etc. I will say that Mr. Donna wants complete privacy when the project is completed. So, we will be filling in along Grace Avenue. Um, and Mr. Donah wants everything perfect. So, it's going to be perfect. Okay.

Um, I'd be glad if we could get a conditional approval. I'd be glad to work with staff to bring in a landscape plan for the new construction. I think as long as you submit it later, we'll be okay. Okay. Is Is that okay? Yep. Okay. All right. Thank you. Um, anybody else want to speak about this application before we go to a motion? Okay. All right. Um, I'll entertain a motion. Don't everybody step up at once here? Uh, Mr. Chairman, it's me again. I'd like to make a motion.

Thank you.

Okay. Uh on application number CH26-051, I move that the board uh find as facts that proposes the project at 726 Grace Avenue Southeast, text par number 121-10-21-004 in the historic overlay district, specifically historic district 1, is found in harmony with the new construction ression of the pool house considering the material the character but uh I ask that the board um a subject of approval of this complete project that the applicant present a landscape plan that has to be approved. So, we either have to vote up or down tonight, right? Or can we do a conditional approval? I'm asking. So,

okay. Or or should we say something like um subject to a landscape plan at a later submitted a later date or or what's the right way to handle this? Speaking of your mic, technically the the point that's been raised is that the application isn't complete. Right. Correct. And because it has to to be complete, it has has to have the landscaping plan to go with it. Um, in those scenarios, in the two year and a half I've been working with y'all, I think what y'all have usually said is we're going to continue it until you can provide us that additional information.

Okay. um you have done some conditional approvals u and conditioned on things like a designation being provided by city council etc. Um, so I think you can do it either way, but I do think the more appropriate way even though it is a little more timeconuming is that it would be a finding that the the application isn't complete because it didn't provide a landscaping plan. In that scenario, I I think what y'all again what y'all traditionally done is move that to the next meeting to allow them to come forward with the the landscaping plan. So So Mr. Mr Chairman, can I resend uh Yes. The motion made because of uh discussions with legal counsel? Yes.

Under our direction, I I uh resend that uh motion. Would you like to make another motion? Mr. Chairman. Yeah.

So, it seems that the problem here is not the landscaping with the pool house, but the landscaping generally. So, um I'm wondering why we would turn down the application for the pool house when what's really wanted is a broader landscaping plan for the whole property if I understood Miss Hawk's um comments correctly. So, I'm in favor of um voting to approve tonight because I mean I do you really want a landscaping plan for a pool house? I mean that's Frank.

Yeah, Mr. Chairman, the way I interpret it was, and maybe I'm wrong, uh, is that the pool house is just an addition to a bigger parcel, right? It's an accessory structure. Yeah, just an accessory structure. Um, in consideration that that the existing house is present is there. It's touchy. I mean, is it a court enforcement issue? Is it a city issue? is is you know it's just a multitude of things but yeah come back up we're all trying to make make progress make sense of it

maybe I wasn't clear I mean what you see the reason that my husband thinks it's the front door is because you see the backyard you don't see the front of the building at all the way it's oriented you can see on the back um so that's really what's being presented to the public and your concern is what is being presented to the public, right? So, the only landscaping I was concerned about is around the pool house. Okay. Because we're not going to be we're not going to be seeing that facade anymore. We're going to be seeing the back of the pool house. So, and that's because of the trees were damaged along the property line.

Right. That opens up the pool house, the new pool house. Right. Right. Mr. Chairman. Yes. The way we've got this where the landscape has to be approved when you're building the house or doing nobody knows what they want for landscaping when they're building a new building. When I built my new house, you know, my landscaping has changed. And I don't see why we can't let them come back. That's what I was thinking. For a separate COA for the landscaping. I mean, that just makes more sense,

right? I and I'm in agreement with Mr. Reynolds. Um because landscaping and construction is the last thing that you do. Um and it would behoove the the applicant, you know, as as he or she decides to build the pool house, it could delay this months on the basis of a plan. That's why originally I thought maybe a conditional approvement of the building itself with the condition that they come back with the landscape plan. Um well that's my train of thought.

You know in my thought and faith you may or may not agree with me is the intent of the guide that we have our our historical guide is if you're building a new house we don't want you to build a house in the middle of the lot and stark no landscaping. And so if you're building a new house, we want to see a landscape plan.

And so because of that as my my thought process, when I saw an accessory building, you know, and not the primary structure, I I didn't really consider landscaping as being necessary, but I do concede the point that is a new structure, you know. So, I think we're in a little bit of a gray area here in terms of what the intent of the guidelines are and and how we function it. I would I would like to propose that someone make a motion, if council's okay with it, um that we we vote on the application we have here tonight and that that we don't just rubber stamp um a landscape plan at a later date, but that it's able to be administratively reviewed

uh for approval at a later date. Um do you do you have a problem with I think that's what I made the motion originally, right? Well, we're we're talking. Yes, sir. You know, and I appreciate what you're doing. Um, but because this is not the primary structure. Well, and I'm understand that if you look at the plan, look at the plan of the pool house, right? And the plan of the house, right? They're not so dissimilar in size. Now, of course, the house is two stories. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Um, but it's a it's going to be a big structure. Right. Right. Yeah.

Mr. Chairman, I I think the original uh motion stated exactly what what uh we're talking about and uh I'll second it. Well, that motion's already been withdrawn. Yeah. So, you'd have to you'd have to start from scratch. Take it again then. Are you okay, Daniel? I'm just I'm trying to read the guidelines to get you a more concrete answer, but because on page 91 of the old Aken or excuse me, the historic Aken overlay uh guidelines, when it talks about new buildings, it doesn't limit it to a a residence. It just says a new building, new buildings, right? Um and that obviously this is a new building, right? Um,

I take part of the blame, you know, because because I didn't say, "Wait, we need we need that." So, it's partly my fault, but give me a second. We've certainly done it before, right? If you look at the elevation, it shows some landscaping. Look at the elevation of the house. It's got it's got plants around it. Yeah. I mean, I'm right. Maybe not. What I mean, I see landscaping. Yeah.

I think from Faith's perspective, it's more the back of the house, you know, is what she's she's questioning. And it's because of the storm damage. And it's kind of a cascading effect that that leads you to that. just trying. Yeah, come on up. Um, in my experience, a lot of municipalities require a landscape plan prior to issuing a certificate of occupancy, right? Maybe that's something we could consider.

Well, I appreciate that perspective and I agree with that perspective. Um, but that's not the way our guidelines are written. So, you know, let me see what we can do to help you out. Um, I have every confident that it will look good when y'all are finished. Okay. That's not the question here. Well, it's more of a procedure. The pool is going to be finished in June. Mhm. And the owner would like to obviously get the pool house underway, right? If we have to get a landscape designer and a plan and refile, it could be two to three months before we get an approval. So time is a little bit of a consideration for us, not for the board.

I apologize for the uh delay, guys. I know y'all have better things to do, but please bear with us for a minute. So, uh, Mr. Chairman, I'm going to ask a very stupid question because I was looking through um the packet and um I I'm not sure where u for the historic district the landscaping plan is required in the guidelines.

I don't have my book with me. So, Mr. Chairman, um, under 5.2.3C, which talks about application for certificate of appropriateness. When you go down to number two, applications for a certificate shall be accompanied by the following unless waved by the secretary or otherwise specified on the application form provided by the board. And when you get to subp part C, it says plot plan or site layout showing all existing structures and any improvements affecting appearance such as walks, walls, terraces, accessory buildings, signs, lights, plantings, and other elements. And I think where y'all have traditionally where y'all have traditionally found that that requires a landscape plan to go with what you're doing is where it says plantings. Mhm.

So, it it does not say specifically a landscape plan. I understand, but it does say that unless it's been waved by uh the secretary that it has to include the plantings.

Thank you. I apologize for putting you on the spot. Okay. Um, well, it sounds like it's put the authority back on the secretary, which is not something I like to do. Um, do you have a problem with us submitting a landscape plan or do you feel like one should be required?

I did not feel like one was necessary for the specific application, so I did not request it. Okay. Um so you know usually unless the board specifies me to request something like that I you know for an accessory structure I haven't. Okay. So per the ordinance the secretary and wait it's decided that we don't need to require one for this application. So based on that um I'll ask if there's a motion from the board on the application. U back in the s again. Mr. Chairman. Can I try it again? Please do.

I will. Uh, on application number CH26-051, applicant Chris Ravvenel, um, location of the property 726 Grace Avenue Southeast. I move that the board finds that the project is in harmony with the prevailing historical character architecture character of the district. Um, which is supported by documentation from my design review man specifically new buildings found on page 91. Uh the application takes special notation of windows, doors, corners, uh detail and also the material that is composed of is in wood and brick and I make the motion that this uh I move that the certificate is found in harmony.

Yeah. Okay. Second. All right. We have a motion in a second. Any discussion from the board? Yeah. I would like to talk a little bit if that's okay. Yes, sir.

This is definitely a touchy subject. Um, I think that based on the bounds, uh, also on the record with support or counseling from our legal counsel here and, uh, considering Rebecca was put on the spot, I think that we're not doing anything that's necessarily wrong. Um and uh within the bounds we we always try to encourage people to come take a bill do what they would like to do if they have the the means the resources or what have you. Um and I see as a a lowly builder here that if this application is denied it may take 3 to 6 months and everyone knows uh that construction projects operate a lot of times off of steam. And if it loses steam, three to six months could easily turn into 12 months. Um, if we can't do anything, I think legally as a quasi judicial board to help someone uh pursue their dreams of build their pool house, I think we should.

And Mr. Mr. Chair, if I could if you if you read the new buildings section in context, it even has a section on vegetation and the focus is on significant existing vegetation, especially plantings from old gardens and trees should be retained. So, it it doesn't really speak in terms of a new landscaping plan. um when y'all have dealt with a single family residence where they're having to come in and grade and clear and things like that, that's where y'all have always requested the landscape plan because if you're going to be tearing things out, what are you going to be putting back, right?

Um so I would just add that for context for your discussion that the section we're dealing with when it talks about vegetation focuses more on preserving the existing vegetation. So, if they were going to cut down a giant oak to put that cool house there, that would be something y'all absolutely should be considering. Thank you for those comments. Any other discussion from the board? Okay. Um, that I'm certainly hoping that we will see a landscape plan that will address Miss Hawk's concerns. Okay. Thank you.

Yeah. Okay. Thank you for that. Any other comments? Okay. Well, I'd uh like to ask the board, all in favor of the motion, please raise your right hand. All those opposed is carried unanimously. Um Mr. McCarthy, would you do me a favor? Would you please give your business card to Faith? Both of y'all are architects. I think that y'all under you both understand the importance of landscaping and um and I can personally vouch for both of you for good character. So, I'm I'm expecting y'all to to work together in good faith. Thank you. Okay, let's move to the next application.

Item E under new business, application number CH26-041. Applicant Chris Jackson is requesting approval to conduct a redevelopment project at 221 Greenville Street Northwest, tax map parcel 104-84-02-00002. The proposed project includes work on multiple structures including removing and constructing additions, a greenhouse construction, a refreshment stand construction, event patio repaving and gazebo removal, accessory structure constructions, guest house constructions, and a pool installation. A more detailed description of the proposed work can be seen in exhibit A. This is a contributing property located within the historic Overly District, specifically historic district 3 in his own downtown business. This property does not have an Aken historic resource survey card, but the designation application for historic district 3 lists the property as one of the key properties that contribute to the district. The property at Rose Hill was reszoned from limited professional to downtown business on July 14th, 2025 through ordinance number 07142025. Zoning ordinance 5.3.1 states the old Aken overlay district applies to land zone downtown business and the area shown on the map adopted by city council on April 14th 2008. Therefore, amending the zoning of Rose Hill from LP to downtown business automatically extended the old Aken overlay to the property. However, zoning ordinance 5.2.1 2.1 states any property or structure listed on the Aken historic register shall be subject to the historic overlay and its restrictions. Rose Hill was listed as one of the key properties to contribute to the district on the Aken register when historic district 3 was passed. So Rose Hill is a contributing property located in the historic overlay district and is listed on the Aken historic register. Reszoning the property to DB

also added the old Aken overlay to the property. Therefore, the DRB will need to review the proposed project in light of both the historic overlay district guidelines and the old Aken overlay guidelines and then apply whichever set of guidelines are more restrictive for the project. The applicant submitted conceptual plans to be reviewed at the March 3rd, 2026 DRB work session without being added to the March regular meeting agenda as is compliant with DRB bylaws section 5.6.7. At the March 3rd work session, the DRB requested a site visit. A site visit was then conducted April 7th, and the application was once again reviewed at the April 7th work session without being added to the regular meeting agenda. Will the applicant step forward, please?

Give us your name and address. Good evening. I'm Chris Carter, 221 Greenville Street. Anything you want to add to the staff comments, Mr. Carter?

I do. And let me know if I I get a little lengthy, but just want to give you a little broader overview of kind of who we are and what we're about. 19 years ago, Gene Rice and I founded Vantage Partners with the purpose of building community through commercial real estate. Rose Hill is one of the most incredible places I've ever encountered. Over the last 18 months, I've come to understand how cherished it is in the Aken community. So much history and memories have been created here over the last 128 years. We appreciate you entrusting us with this next evolution so Aken can make another 128 years of memories here. Unlike most other developers, Gan and I will only work on two or three projects at a time with a plan to own them long term. We also invest a significant amount of our own money into the deals. So, we're fully vested in the long-term success. Over the years, we've developed about 25 projects ranging from $2 million up to $140 million. Many of which have historic structures that we restore and we bring back to life. A lot of people have asked me, "How do we choose the projects that we work on?" And even though I believe the simple, honest answer is that God guides us, I feel like most people have a hard time digesting that answer. So I wrote down a few of the following guide guiding principles that we try to live by in our developments. We must have the opportunity to inc to create incredible public gathering spaces where people can come together to

build community over food, drink, music, art, and experiences. We utilize classic architecture with quality materials that will last a 100 plus years. But we realize that pretty architecture only accounts for about 30% of the overall success. It's really about choosing bestinclass operators and partners that have a desire to be part of the fabric of the community to constantly build it up. Other questions we ask ourselves, are we spreading joy? Are we consistently being of service to others? Are we making decisions based off of 30-year horizons and 30-year relationships? Are we being good stewards of the properties that we're entrusted with? Are we recycling cash back into the community? Are we partnering with and doing business with folks that have the right intentions and the same moral compass? Every project we do, we put a cornerstone in. And it simply says, bless those who build community. Nine years ago, we had the opportunity to partner with the city of Duth to develop a large portion of their historic downtown. Mayor Harris wrote us an endorsement letter and I I just like to read a couple of sentences because I know I kind of ramble but she said uh to whom it may concern for the last several years the city of Duth has had the opportunity to work with Chris and Jean to design plan and implement a placemaking project in historic downtown Duth. We have Chris and Jean to thank for our accomplishments and our successes. They were the coaches we needed as their creative minds empowered us to be bold and take the leap. After years of working together, we came to trust Chris and Jean with many of our questions as we worked through the development of our entire downtown. I'm a big fan of Chris and Jean. And I

hope this letter of accolades will help you realize that their integrity, skills, connections, and knowledge of new development and redevelopment will be unsurpassed. For this project, we've assembled one of the best teams that we've ever worked with, and most of them are here tonight. A little bit about the project. Uh, our team has been working handinhand with local, state, and federal historic reviewers to fully restore the historic structures, the gardens, the walls, and the paths. It's an entire 4 and a half acre city block. We've been meticulous to document all of the amazing trees and the plants on the property, the mo majority of which will be preserved. The pedestrian experience within the walls of the property is paramount to us. We want to limit vehicular traffic within the walls. We're creating a public art walk along the paths focused on local artists. Currently, there are about 30 keys on the property and we'll be adding about 25 more. We'll also be restoring the horse stable building to be a public-f facing restaurant with an incredible patio and fire pits to gather around. Rose Hill is an incredible, incredibly complex project. We've already spent 18 months of work to reach this point. We understand there's going to be minor tweaks and changes in the coming months, but we ask that you approve our submission tonight and let us work with staff on the minor items as they evolve. This will allow us to stay on track with our timelines of opening in the fall of 2027. We really appreciate your support and thank you and sorry for rambling.

That was good. Uh, and I appreciate the perspective that you've put on the record here. Um, I'd like to say that, you know, personally I've been impressed with the way you guys have approached the project and um, and I I can't wait to see the results. You know, uh, it is certainly um, in my mind an extensive project. Um, and I think that this plan, you know, exemplifies just how extensive it is. Um, and I appreciate you're taking the time a few weeks ago to host this board uh and to do a walkound on the property to give us some sense of scale

and um and what and what your vision is for the future. So again, I've been completely impressed and um and I I appreciate what you're doing not just for yourselves but also for the city of Aken and um I hope that that shows.

Thank you. Uh, I don't have any specific comments because I think I understand what you're wanting to do with your demolitions, um, as well as your new constructions, but I would like to get a couple of comments on the board on the record about those. So, if you don't mind, um, which page could you point to the best and say, you know, this structure is being demolished, you know, and in its place, we're going to do this and just kind of walk us through um an overview of what you're planning. Is this the right one or is there a different one? That's a landscape plan. That's probably the better one. Okay. Well, go back

go back to that one with the yellow. Okay. That's right. So, there may be a laser pointer near you if you want to point at it. Um, no, that looks like an ink pen. Just a pen. Yeah. Okay. Sorry. There's usually a remote there. That's okay. That has that. Oh, is that it? Yes, sir. Okay. Here we go. Chris, if you could walk back over to the mic and use this pointer, then maybe we can hear you on the record and and see what you're pointing to at the same time. Thank you. So there is if you see the red outline the dashed outline

this um is a garage building that the National Park Service and the state shipo deemed to be non-contributing. It was added a much later date. There is a structure here that there was added on to about five times over over the history. And they said that there's probably a historic house somewhere in the middle here, but that it had been I don't want to use the word bastardized, but it it had been changed so many times and added on that that it was it's non-contributing as well.

Correct. Um, uh, that is the only that's the only demolition that we have going on. The the main house. Oh, actually, take that back. There's a little sun room on the front that was added much later. Um, that is not it's structurally unsafe and it was not u in its current state, not deemed historic, but we're going to tear it down and rebuild it almost exactly how it was historically. Um anything in the stables area?

No. You'll see that um between the stables here that's number 14 and the cottage which is historic. There's a little connection that was built in we think the 50s or 60s that is um not in good shape and is not is not contributing. There's a little rear portion of 13. So 13 is a historic cottage and right on the back of it is like a laundry room and a little addition that came maybe in the 70s or 80s. And so that's that's coming off. But that's um Okay.

And there's one little I'm sorry. And there's one little garage building that was added they think in the 50s or 60s here that is also non-contributing. Okay. And then talk to us about your new structures or your additions. Yeah, please. Another little um space with um red dotted lines right below the cottage there in the stables. The kitchen. Go up. Go up. Kitchen stables. Yeah. Right there. That Yeah. Could you address that, please? Sure. So, I think we even have an easel if you want to talk about that.

Sure. Um that please give us your name for the record, sir. My name is Eric Bethany. Um, I'm the architect on the project. Um, so that specific structure that we're talking about right here, this is also a non-original addition to the stables building that at some point in the recent past has suffered some sort of impact to this specific area and is structurally unsound. Um, so we're going to take that down and um replace it with a with a historic we're basically replicating a historic structure that was originally attached to the end of the stables. Okay. Thank you.

Yeah. Um, now if you would talk about um it looks like most of the yellow are things that you're adding. Why don't you just kind of give us a brief overview of those things?

Yeah, of course. Uh, I'll start at the Phelps house up here. number one. Uh Chris Carter already mentioned the reconstruction of the sun room right here. This volume right here labeled number two. The perimeter of that structure are uh existing masonry walls that enclose a service courtyard. So this is an open air courtyard that contains uh storage sheds um just some sort of utilitarian structures. We are proposing to demolish those non-original sheds and construct a new enclosed structure in here that's going to house uh a new ADA compliant guest suite uh as well as some service sort of back of house functions. Um so that's that structure there. Moving on, number four is the chapel. We are going to add a small extension to the back of that structure to house uh some uh food and beverage back of house space. Number three is a a greenhouse structure. Uh this will be sort of a steel and glass structure. This portion of the property, if you look back at historic maps before the chapel was here, there were um two to three green houses right in the footprint of this. So, we're bringing back a greenhouse right in that same area as a reference to the historic uh site layout.

That's correct. And the bell tower right now is right where the laser is. Yep. And we are pick that up and move that to this little rectangle right here. It's not marked on the planes. Good. But uh that bell tower I don't the the chapel is not um I can't remember the exact date of construction but it does not date back to as far as the

the 80s uh when the when the the school was there. So um the chapel and the bell tower are not u contributing historic structures. Um but the bell tower is cute so we want to keep it if we can. Um all right moving down. Um obviously the largest new structures are this structure labeled number eight uh seven eight and nine and 12. These are the two new guest house structures. These structures will house uh new guest suites um some amenity spaces like fitness and um and then also a small catering kitchen that will service uh events on this event lawn here. This event lawn is an existing flat space. This originally were was uh tennis courts um 100 years ago and um is one of the few large flat spaces on the property. It's a great open space, amazing shade here, great outdoor event space. So, we need a small catering kitchen and restrooms to service that functionality. Um and that gazebo in the middle of the court,

the gazebo is not original. Also constructed in the 80s or 90s. uh we are proposing to remove that structure just to open up that court um so you can take advantage of the whole the whole space and one of the main purposes is um we've had so many people tell us they've had their weddings there over the years and that's kind of the perfect spot to have the weddings and so that's that's the purpose of it. Thank you.

I don't want to skip over the structure labeled number five and structure is a generous word. This is really more of a open air outdoor bar counter refreshment stand, not an enclosed condition structure. Um, so again, we have the the two new guest house structures. Um, happy to talk further about the design of those, but you can see we've pushed those structures to the perimeter of the property as much as we can. We actually pulled them a little bit in um after some some comments from the the um the board recently. Um, but the idea here again is to preserve the open space on the interior of the property, which as Chris mentioned in his uh intro is really the the star of the show. We want folks out on the property enjoying the incredible grounds and and you know, gathering um to the stables labeled number 14. We are, as Chris mentioned, proposing to connect the stables, the existing cottage number 15 and the existing cottage number 13 with new additions. Um, so I'll talk you through those. Uh, the design of these additions. Chris mentioned that we're working with national and state level uh historic uh groups, Shipo and NPS. Um, and so everything we've designed is is in accordance with the secretary for the interior standards. The intent with this specific addition right here is to design a lowprofile structure that really just connects 14 and 15 and also provides some critical back of house kitchen space. Part of the footprint in red that's being demolished is a uh some kitchen back of house space and a walk-in refrigerator um that were sort of half h half-hazardly added onto the back of the structure. So, we're taking those off to clean that up. This will be the new kind of front entrance to that public facing restaurant. So folks can come right off of Edgefield and enter that restaurant that way. Um that also allows us to take

some of that kitchen functionality out of the historic buildings and put it into this new construction building and kind of restore those historic buildings back to the way they were originally. I mentioned earlier that we are reconstructing or proposing to reconstruct an additional or original addition to the the end of the tables building. We have photos in the application if we want to look at those later. But um in our research, we uncovered that there was originally a two-story structure at the end of the stables. Um and so we are proposing to bring that structure back. This footprint here is the closest we have based on historic references and and resources um to recreate that structure. So that's what this rectangular footprint is here. And then this again here connecting that new addition to state the historic cottage 13 is another sort of lowprofile connecting addition and those are all the new structures.

Thank you. I appreciate that walk through. I think it helps give us context to our conversation. Um earlier in the work session we had talked about uh specific architectural details, windows on new structures, doors on new structures, um carnish details, what type of moldings you may or may not have around the new buildings, um as well as uh roofing and siding colors and things like that. And I think uh what you said to us and I just want to reiterate it for the record is that you will be developing those additional details and submitting those for a later administrative approval. So that's that's not included in the application tonight. But to be clear, what you are trying to accomplish tonight is to get our permission to go ahead with the demolition as you just described and permission to start construction on uh getting the foundations and all ready for the various new structures. And so you are looking for a certificate of approval um for that aspect of the projects. Is that am I clear or did I get it wrong?

That's correct on all counts. Okay. Okay. All right. Um, I think that's all the questions comments I had, but I want to open up to the board uh to see if anybody else had any comments, questions for Chris and Eric. Mr. Chairman, I have a couple, please. So, um, so you've been working with the the um state historic preservation office and uh the what who else other than the um on the national level? Uh the National Park Service as well. National Park Service. and they are aware of your plans to um demolish some of the non-contributing buildings and they have asented to that.

They have. We have an approved part one application. I can um I can let our my colleague Chris Jackson um speak to what we've accomplished so far in that coordination process. So, so where I'm going to on this is if the shipo and the national park service think that the um demolition is appropriate, who am I to um contradict the experts and you know it just helps us to um justify demolition which is a serious thing. Right. Thank you, Lucy. Anyone else on the board comment? I don't think we got an answer quite yet. Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. Okay.

I'm Chris Jackson. um 987 R Street. Um if I may, thank you guys for being on this board. You guys are like the the stakeholders of historic preservation for your community, protecting like everything about your your community's cultural heritage in the physical realm. I'm on my own HPC, the historic preservation commission, my community. I know how hard your job is. It's not easy. And you have this big packet in front of you. There's all these details that you got to work through. This piece about the National Park Service and and um historic preservation for tax credits is a big part of what Chris brought me in on for this project. And we have to clear the record there, we have submitted a part one application, which has been reviewed by the state and the federal government um for tax credits. And so they have opined about the history of this property and its significance, its period of significance and they have told us which buildings are contributing and not. What they have not done is received our plans for proposed work and that's what we're doing with you all today. We hope to take that any inputs needed to the National Park Service via a part two application and we will probably have some negotiation with them as well. And there may be us coming back not only to talk about windows and doors and trim details. It may be coming back and saying well the park service thinks that something right and so we will come back to you guys. I am almost certain of it at this point. We're we're planning on it. And so does that give enough context

your question? But I mean generally they're aware of what you want to do and nobody has said no no no don't tear that down. They have we have proposed things informally and they have given us feedback. They even walked the this the shipo uh tax credit reviewer walked with you all same time you all were here for public meeting last round on site. We've received a ton of input back from that and we want to receive y'all's feedback to make this thing as clean as we can for the next step. Thank you. Yeah, that's very helpful. Anything else, Lucy? Nope.

Okay, thank you. Anybody else? ju just that um the uh the way you presented this has been very inclusive of a lot of folks community and and us as well and you know I don't think there's been a single question that we've asked you that you haven't given us a reason behind your logic and and making the decisions you've made and uh we really appreciate that. Anybody else? All right, we'll allow these gentlemen to sit down and we'll open up the mic for public comment. Anyone want to speak in favor of this application, please come forward at this time. Yep. Please come forward. Give us your name. to our board. I normally don't come before any group that's appointed by council to make comments, but I will make comments with this. I have been connected for almost two years or longer with the request for Rose Hill and I have witnessed personally and some others as well for neighborhood associations being informed of what was taking place coming on the campus as I' as I will call it right now to be to look at diagrams to hear comments uh from the developers step by step of what was taking place. That is highly unusual with every step they're aware of what is taking place within their community. I applaud you um for I don't know what you're going to how you're going to vote uh but I

applaud you uh number one for the way you've handled things and frankly I like the way you handle your sessions here. you exercise diplomacy, patience and uh respect for our citizens and which means that they gain respect for you uh based on the manner of which you go the governance policy. So I thank you for that. But I can't be happier personally. This is Lesie and William Price having been on the campus there. Uh and Barbara, I'm gonna speak for you as well. Uh we are very happy to see the progress that they've made but the engagement that they have involved the community at the extent that they have. My comments is concluded. Normally when a politician gets up here they don't know when to shut up so you have to do time up and say sit down.

Councilwoman Price we really appreciate you and Council uh Lady Morgan for taking your time to involve yourself in this process. So, thank you both for being here tonight and for speaking. Uh, anyone else in favor? David, please give your your name and address.

Good evening. David Blake, Magnolia Street. Um, I'm here uh representing Historic Aken. and um we've been working with them and and it's I mean I I know you all have too, but it's been so impressive to see the uh how uh every question we had too. And then to watch them over the many months, this is a complicated site, you know, its beginning, the evolution of it, everything. These people have taken such care and time and you have a team of experts, very well educated, experienced people who have done this sort of thing before. We are so lucky in Aken to have this um and what they've done is is in in historic Aken's opinion really important for the future of the community. And we really uh thank them too for even when things were uh complicated at times these people made the right decisions as as a team to reduce size and scale and but always recognizing the right architectural details and the significance of those and so I mean I just can't say enough uh or give enough support to to to to what these people are doing and and still have so much more to do. But but thank thank you so much.

Thank you. Okay. Anybody else want to speak in favor of this application? All right. Seeing none, I'll call. If there's anyone want to speak opposed to this application, please come forward. Okay. Uh seeing no further public comment, I'll ask if there's a member of the board like to make an uh a motion for tonight. Sir, Michael. E R H. Oops. Okay. Yep.

Sorry.

26-041. Um, I move that we approve this application as submitted, including the demolition of certain um property, certain elements of the property as requested in the application and also approve um new construction as outlined in the application. Um the grounds being that um this application meets our um requirements for first of all for demolition and um second of all for new construction and that it will um contribute to the harmony of the district.

Would you add um about the administrative approvals for the Oh yeah. Yes. Of course with the understanding not the condition the understanding that any um further design elements that um need to uh any changes um which would be um you know fine-tuning I guess would come before the board for approval. Uh do I have a second? I second that motion. Mr. Chairman, any comments, discussion?

Uh, I'd be remiss if I did. I thought it was a a great idea. I thank you for what you're doing. Um, not only for for the city, but specifically and especially for that community. Uh, you're breathing new life into that community. And, uh, it it can start with with a simple plan. And uh you know, everyone's wondering what's going on and that building has sat vacant for a long time. I drive by often and uh you know, you think about the possibilities and I think that you all are are the group that's going to pull it off and and do it well.

And so I'd like to say thank you for taking this on and really um working hard to preserve one of the most significant historic properties in our city. Great. Thank you. Anybody else? Okay. Hearing no further comment from the board or discussion from the board, I'll ask for all those in favor of the application, please raise your right hand. All those opposed, seeing none, it can it carries unanimously. Thank you for what you've done. Okay. We just want to be invited to the ribbon cutting.

All right, Rebecca. What's next?

Item F under new business. Application number CH26-049. Applicant Jaclyn Orstrom is requesting retroactive approval to construct a new fence at 618 Magnolia Street Southeast. Taxmap parcel 121-13-02-00007. The applicant represented by Wilkins Bird is requesting retroactive approval to construct a new fence along the right side property line as indicated in the application. The proposed fence is a 5-ft tall wire fence with two lines of barbed wire that adds an additional 9 in to the height of the fence with the top line of barbed wire standing at a total of 5'9 in. We may want to clarify this height. Uh I think there was some additional photographs provided. Um, the proposed fence will extend over a small portion of the front property line to connect the existing fence along the front property line. 618 Magnolia Street, previously addressed 544 Magnolia Street, is a contributing property located in the historic Overlay District, specifically historic district 1 and is zoned single family stable RSS. The Aken Historic Resource Survey Card lists the construction date as 1929. The Aken County Assessor Report lists the construction date of the building as 1931. Zoning ordinance section 4.1.4.C. Fences and walls in residential districts states in the area between the plane of the front of the principal building and any street. No fence or wall shall exceed 4t in height except where a higher fence conforming to these regulations exist on a common property line of an adjacent lot, in which case the proposed fence may be no higher than that fence. No fence or wall or any other portion of the lot may exceed 6 feet in height. However, zoning ordinance section 4.1.4D states that the designer view board shall have the authority to permit a

fence or wall in historic district up to a height of 12 ft. I believe Mr. Bird is here. Oh boy. Okay. Um, would you introduce yourself, Mr. Bird?

Mr. Chairman, members of the board, I'm Wilkinsburg, 434 Berry Road. Um, I've been asked to uh speak on her behalf by Mrs. Orstrom who is uh out of state at her home in Virginia and and uh celebrating a birthday of a daughter and granddaughter this evening. In any event, um let me uh try to trace the situation and speak to questions that were raised in the work session. Um, by way of very brief background, this u property includes a really rather outstanding Willis Iran house that was in totally ruinous condition when Miss Orram bought it about 15 years ago. Uh she uh and her contractor and restoration architect did a spectacular and historic Akin recognized its uh its qualities. the restoration of the house. She later added to it the original stable and carriage barn that are adjacent which had been cut off and ultimately um included all of these properties in a conservation easement that she gave to uh the Aken Land Conservancy. Now the reason for uh for going into that is just to trace for you her dedication to this property. Uh, I say without any reluctance that she truly loves it and feels very protective about it. I'm finally getting to something that might be relevant to you in the matter that is before you tonight. Now, I feel in an awkward position. That's my problem. But as many of you may realize, what we have before us is a very unfortunate uh situation between two neighbors who

are at odds. Uh I happen to be fond of both the neighbors and I'm not prepared to say anything derogatory about either of them and I do not want to drag the design review board into that dispute. Yeah. and we're not going to be drugged into it. I I trust we operate off facts. That's right.

In in any event, uh let me turn now to the real uh facts of this situation. As I think all of you realize, this relates to a fence. I would call it a wire fence that runs along uh much of the southern boundary of this property. I would ask you uh if you're game for it to look at page four of the materials uh there's a very good aerial map there that traces uh where this fence is and the uh the fence both existing fence and uh an unfinished little L right out at uh Magnolia are the blue line uh roughly the middle of the page there. Um, now the existing part runs from the upper part of that blue line down to the uh front or magnolia edge of the neighbor, Mrs. Kato's uh stable and uh barn along that property line. It stops there. Presently, uh, an element of what I understand is before you tonight is a request to continue the fence from that point. It's roughly, by my accounting, about 40 ft out to Magnolia and then a slight L return going north along there,

which will tie back into the white.

Exactly. which ties into an existing uh full rail white fence with wire behind it. Thank you. Thank you. I was going to refer to the page, but that that shows it. And it would uh emerge, so to speak, in the foliage there just to the right of the existing column and then turn to join it. The uh the nature of that I think is is undefined by the materials that have been submitted and to the degree that the the board would be game to uh give your advice and your approval of of a form for that. Uh I feel sure the applicant would follow it. Now uh let me speak briefly to the the height issues. Um there are as has been discussed some metal support poles running along the length of the existing fence. Uh they are thoroughly utilitarian and I think we can all concede this whole fence is utilitarian. It is plain as can be. Um why is it there? Well uh one of the members Mr. Mcichael as I recall uh divined um an aspect of it. Uh Mrs. Orstrom is uh resident in Aken only several months of a ye of the year less than half the year ordinarily from Thanksgiving maybe to late winter. Um as I said she loves this place. She wants it to be safe. Um it uh is her feeling that this um property line is not safe and that is what she tells me is her motive for putting this

up. Now, as was discussed in the um the work session, there is an existing I would call it a 4ft high wire fence that runs exactly along this uh this pattern for the the taller new fence. The wire fence again a question that came up back there is largely intact but there are areas where I have seen and recently as today that it is pulled loose uh whether by a tree fall or who knows what from its supporting thing. So it's not completely a 4-foot intact fence there. um she wants something that she feels is a more certain um protection along this line. Much of it and I think this relates to the security issue as well. much of it um by my rough calculation 100 feet because uh Miss Kato's uh uh utility building barn stable is uh is an impressive structure and lengthy as you see from the the aerial view there. Much of it is hidden there. It is behind the barn. Uh Mrs. Kato, if somebody snuck back there, wouldn't know it. Uh if they came from either side, it would be unseen. Uh I understand that to be an aspect of the desire for the higher fence and although she has not said this in so many words, an aspect of why she feels the um the barbed wire is needed on the top. Um I think that relates to oh I should also add that there was a question in the back about the distance between the two

fences. It is not a matter of feet, it is a matter of inches. They are all but on top of one another. Um, Miss Orstrom tells me that the existing or the earlier 4-foot fence is uh on Miss Kato's side. The new fence right adjacent to it is on her side according to Miss Orstrom surveyors. Um, now to uh to move from that point to the unfinished portion, this what I call the little L that runs from the corner of the barn out to Magnolia and then joins the existing full rail uh fence. Um, I have no uh guidance honestly on just what design is sought there. There is heavy um h there's there we go. That's the best one. As you see, there is heavy vegetation in there. Um I'm not a surveyor. I could not find a a pin along the Magnolia frontage, but my gauge from the corner of Miss Kato's barn forward is that the little connector uh going as we see it from the right of the the white pier there is not lengthy. Uh 4t or less was my measurement of what it would be. So it would be a very modest little little connector.