Georgetown, City of

The agenda for this special meeting includes the review of Old Business items and New Business items. Old Business items involve requests for revisions to previously granted approvals for a property at 124 Orange St. (increasing closet area and removing windows), revisions pertaining to door style, window reconfiguration, and HVAC relocation for a property at 228 St. James St., and a request for repair involving replacing wooden windows with clad wooden windows at 12 St. James St. New Business focuses on a request to install a black aluminum fence at 402 Highmarket St. Additionally, the Board will discuss a compliance issue regarding previously approved improvements at 325 Orange St. that violate required side yard setbacks.

The Architectural Review Board addressed several applications concerning property alterations and new construction within residential zones and the Historic Buildings District. Key old business items included the approval of an alteration to enclose a porch at 409 Screven St. by maintaining the footprint and using compatible masonry, and the final review approval for new construction, alterations, and additions to the Episcopal Church of the Parish of Prince, and George, Winyah, at 300 Broad St. New business saw the approval of retroactive work at 325 Orange St., which involved installing a concrete slab and a metal roof, and adding shutters. Another application for 124 Orange St. was approved with the condition that renovations commence only after the property sale finalizes, involving column changes, garage enclosure, and fence installation. Approval was also granted for a 900 sq ft rear addition with an enclosed walkway connector at 313 Front St., despite neighbor concerns regarding lot size, drainage, and neighborhood character. Finally, the board allowed discretion between a stockade or shadow box fence style for the property at 719 Prince St. Board discussions covered window restoration protection methods, updates on the new compliance inspection process utilizing a contracted building official, refinement of Community Appearance Board standards, and plans to integrate current guidelines into the Unified Development Ordinance. The board also authorized the Chairman and Staff to issue Board Orders and Certificates of Appropriateness (COA's) from the meeting.

The purpose of this workshop, conducted as a moving tour, was to observe and discuss historic structures within the Historic Buildings District. Members participated in a trolley ride to view historic buildings and gain contextual understanding of the district's architectural character and preservation considerations. General observations and informal discussions took place regarding the historic significance and architectural features of the buildings.

The meeting commenced with the approval of agenda amendments, including restructuring the order of business and adding motions authorizing the chairman and zoning administrator to issue Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs) in the secretary's absence. Old business focused on the revision request for a new construction commercial project at 1101 Church Street, involving modifications to exterior drainage, lighting, railing materials, and window specifications, as well as presenting a preliminary parking layout. The revision was conditionally approved. New business involved the approval of three slim wall-mounted signs for a property at 219 Church Street, ensuring compliance with signage and design overlay regulations. The board also reviewed proposed modifications to the Urban Core Design Overlay in the Unified Development Ordinance, specifically addressing concerns about building height allowances (up to 90 feet) in commercial districts. The board motioned to approve the UDO changes with the removal of the 90-foot height provision for future comprehensive review. Finally, the board authorized the Chairman and Staff to issue COAs for the meeting date.

The workshop focused on the review and revision of a previously approved design for a new construction commercial project located at 1101 Church Street, which required the applicants to return due to a zoning violation letter. Key discussion points involved the board's limited role in reviewing only new features against design guidelines, separate from the zoning enforcement process handled by staff. Concerns were raised regarding applicants proceeding with changes without prior board approval, leading to discussions on improving education for contractors regarding Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) requirements. The board reviewed specific deviations, including changes to window specifications (from operable Pella to direct-set single windows), door configurations, and column designs. A significant portion of the discussion addressed the inadequacy of current design guidelines, which were characterized as subjective and outdated. It was announced that a professional consultant will be engaged to revise the guidelines and improve procedures, potentially introducing Technical Review Committee meetings. Next steps included a formal review and voting process at the next meeting regarding the violation items, and the applicants preparing separate applications for signage, landscaping, and parking lot design.