[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6693916,"mediaKeyId","2172891-6638c3563fcfb2c56989922c6ab2afe8","parentId",2172891,"title","Aiken council amends Friendship Baptist Church landmark designation to allow new multipurpose facility","audioSeconds",1532,"startMs",4270000,"endMs",5802000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172891-6638c3563fcfb2c56989922c6ab2afe8&start=4270&end=5802","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172891-6638c3563fcfb2c56989922c6ab2afe8/thumbnail_4270000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6693916/Aiken-City/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/Aiken-council-amends-Friendship-Baptist-Church-landmark-designation-to-allow-new-multipurpose-facility","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6693916-c9c2a7359d9b0eeafc8fcb17d8b53f82/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205255&Signature=Yg7l3HwxiN0qTb34-lGp8nX20W9hxxzpkzYX6~XcLTN9oxA1aJGSBMU0CIJjd1C-1qAF1~NlAsaiymU-rJPi~eImtbiNZ4CxFwhb6lH3oVeHsR0lbTXXBDhtV-fdXm1SgPTBGJMTX0D6Najxnfb9L67V62bP6gCmiWsjdnAd9bA0~mGsOosm5U0TXqd~Rw8pL8I5OYCI2cs~y2n~yOv0r5FhPRpQcD64O6qiGRFT8JP9aYtdBsBikbJLMO3K9EWvqS93ft-HZGAMliX6juGZ7yYJuPbRAc07j-7H25X7zbxCWASyLD56Nx0wWICP9PFRJzOpoMGbsdLvQWWzt7LKCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Aiken","date","2025-01-28T05:52:33.437Z","article","Aiken City Council on Jan. 27 approved an ordinance to amend the historic designation for the Friendship Baptist Church complex at Richland Avenue East and Kershaw Street, allowing the congregation to keep the sanctuary as a landmark while reclassifying the parsonage as a contributing structure and the activity building as non‑contributing.

The change, adopted at first reading with unanimous council support, follows a recommendation from the planning commission. The ordinance as approved preserves the sanctuary’s landmark protections but reduces the regulatory constraints on the activity building so the church can pursue a new multipurpose facility with greater flexibility for exterior and interior work.

Church leaders and multiple congregants told council the existing administrative and activity buildings are deteriorated, not ADA‑accessible and costly to insure or repair. Pastor T.C. Edwards and trustees described plans to relocate the parsonage a short distance to preserve its historic fabric while using the former activity building footprint to build a modern, accessible multipurpose space for worship-related programs, food distribution and community services. Trustee chairman Donald Williams said the congregation voted overwhelmingly in favor of the amendment.

Preservation advocates and members of the public urged caution, stressing the parsonage’s architectural significance — prepared in the record as designed by African American craftsman Edinburgh Grama — and warning that a change to contributing status reduces protections that apply to a landmark listing. Historic preservationists recommended stronger conditions or a preservation plan to ensure the parsonage’s materials and features would be recorded and conserved if moved.

Council members said they heard both sets of concerns. Council members noted the congregation's repeated assertion that the parsonage cannot be maintained or insured in its current location and that the congregation is pursuing relocation to keep the house intact. When council voted, they approved the planning commission’s recommendation and moved the ordinance on first reading.

The action allows the church to pursue design and funding for a multipurpose facility and to proceed with the relocation plan for the parsonage. Council recorded no specific timetable beyond standard permitting and design review processes; the ordinance's final adoption will follow the city’s public hearing and second‑reading schedule.

Clarifying details provided during the meeting include: the parsonage is planned to be relocated less than 1,000 feet from its current site; church leaders reported the congregation voted roughly 97 to 2 in favor of the designation change; the activity building dates to circa 1930 with an addition in 1977; the sanctuary remains listed as a landmark from the city’s 1994 designation.

The council’s first‑reading approval means the planning and design review processes that follow will determine precise preservation measures, construction timing and any grant or funding applications the church pursues.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Aiken City Council Meeting January 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Aiken City Council on Jan. 27 approved an ordinance to amend the historic designation for the Friendship Baptist Church complex at Richland Avenue East and Kershaw Street, allowing the congregation to keep the sanctuary as a landmark while reclassifying the parsonage as a contributing structure and the activity building as non‑contributing.","taxTitle","Aiken City, Aiken County, South Carolina","taxId",52307,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6693906,"Aiken Town Park redevelopment advances; developer says retail, apartments and park work moving into vertical construction",284,1084000,1368000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172891-6638c3563fcfb2c56989922c6ab2afe8&start=1084&end=1368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172891-6638c3563fcfb2c56989922c6ab2afe8/thumbnail_1084000.jpg","/articles/6693906/Aiken-City/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/Aiken-Town-Park-redevelopment-advances-developer-says-retail-apartments-and-park-work-moving-into-vertical-construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6693906-e10d5bf2175f92b3e6353b1c2fcbe167/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205255&Signature=YU8Qdb9dwv1eBS58cST4xi~VzmREU30JVGBZ9Uc9Au-z6Y7~4gLpCU9limeZ0TypY7hDoSgSfJ3e4eAOig8J8eechOFNZpWlq8yiwOS080VT5mjolsMg3liVrhzmPjoG3fC1hAenhC19Xi63--No9efXulUxlMTsXHsthC-ChFkwv3ZFcp5CZ-pqaJfCelS-ajN1UjuMBuXeAsrd6Uwegzz0GP0V3pkkVq8m979jOXlIsRwL09L545YOU6nfI23oCdhhuecuDmES6ho41Wlah43nKHG3R2R8423y4zIGMAqfpLx7j4p72CYHRSoJjhruggvQ4TbHYAdEEhDjRgtLIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Southeastern representatives updated Aiken City Council on Jan. 27 about work at the former Aiken Mall site, now being developed as Aiken Town Park. Jason Long, senior vice president for Southeastern, told council the project has progressed from demolition and site work into vertical construction.

Long said two of six planned retail buildings have been completed and occupied by tenants, with two additional retail buildings nearing turnover within 30–45 days. The developer is also rising two apartment buildings and a club building; Long said the multifamily component is the largest private investment on site, with a phased target occupancy in late 2025 and broader site completion expected in mid‑2026.

Work to finish the city‑oriented components — the central park, amphitheater and perimeter walking loop — is scheduled to resume in the near term. Long said site work crews were remobilizing for curb installation and landscaping, and amphitheater construction should be completed within about two months, with park finishes arriving in spring and summer.

On estimated project scale, Long and another Southeastern representative discussed order‑of‑magnitude costs. One exchange in the meeting placed the total private investment north of $40 million; the speaker said that figure “may not include some public improvements.” Long emphasized the park amenity will be central to attracting retailers and encouraging customers to “stay” for events rather than only shop.

Council members asked for details about tenant mix and pedestrian links. Long declined to name tenants ahead of their announcements, saying retail partners typically prefer to reveal those plans themselves; he indicated restaurants and retailers would be announced soon. He confirmed the central park will include an amphitheater, lawn, playground and a paved loop of roughly one mile around the perimeter to serve nearby neighborhoods.

Council members thanked the developer for the update and expressed optimism about the town‑center concept. The city’s role in park finishing work and public improvements will proceed through standard permitting and construction procedures; council did not vote on new expenditures during the update.

Clarifying details included: two retail buildings complete, two under construction and near turnover within 30–45 days; the developer estimating total private investment “north of $40,000,000” (figure presented in discussion and not an adopted city figure); central park loop described as just under a one‑mile paved walking trail; phased multifamily occupancy expected by late 2025 with overall multi‑phase completion mid‑2026.","Southeastern, developer of the former Aiken Mall site now branded Aiken Town Park, told Aiken City Council on Jan. 27 that retail buildings are turning over, apartment buildings are under construction and the central park and amphitheater will see major work this spring.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6693911,"Council designates Bostwick–Hitchcock stables \"non‑contributing\" after months of dispute",83,9526000,9609000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172891-6638c3563fcfb2c56989922c6ab2afe8&start=9526&end=9609","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172891-6638c3563fcfb2c56989922c6ab2afe8/thumbnail_9526000.jpg","/articles/6693911/Aiken-City/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/Council-designates-BostwickHitchcock-stables-noncontributing-after-months-of-dispute","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6693911-1616dcdb3199d8469f4c931a77e9d4ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205255&Signature=h-6xE~hZxZI3CjC-z~aWgiB27Rg-kxkNKQhkQw2BXkS8jCCRuw7kMrKKEf2MS2-QkhJiVCaeAIdXm1JbuB6Rcy-Z0XpOq4RJTjoOnQjEcOmLMTSApO7TTXNnbbAt7mFpOtAVALOEecZ-f3xkUUiNjiIwR6tjwVBo4DHpgXFxmipUMonvWCH3eX0X-YcoWzvnxC4JcUfU99nDQODpqStupTY-8wxUUDSowspz5vl7yp~BOaZbyUKhvIVPUx8QMreP7BvBA3bYTRAYW99kvYUnV97WUdfhDDWrpsWFbCUSJQzNasnU-St2Ik7UX3jsd~T1Ar0GZxx9rjLnef4rsVMdPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aiken City Council on Jan. 27 designated the Bostwick–Hitchcock stables (Warren Street SW, tax parcel 105‑12‑1‑006) as non‑contributing structures on the city historic register. The planning commission had voted 7–0 to recommend non‑contributing status after the DRB’s earlier 4–3 recommendation for contributing status.

The designation was the focal point of a heated multi‑month review that brought competing views about preservation, property rights and process. Supporters of contributing status — including the Historic Aiken Foundation and preservation scholars — said the stables meet multiple criteria for historical significance tied to Aiken’s equestrian history and the families associated with the site. They urged that the DRB designation be upheld so the board could apply the higher review standard for demolition or alteration.

Property owners and the prospective purchasers, the Kisner family, urged designation as non‑contributing. They and several neighbors said the structures are deteriorated, not suited to modern equine uses, and that non‑contributing status would allow the DRB to evaluate an applicant’s certificate of appropriateness under a lower burden. The prospective owners presented engineering reports and an intent to preserve at least portions of the stables; members of the Bostwick family submitted letters supporting the Kisners’ stewardship plans.

Public comment included equestrian historians, preservationists, longtime local residents and members of the Bostwick and Hitchcock families. Several speakers raised concerns about process irregularities during the DRB and planning commission review, and others emphasized the need for rapid resolution to allow preservation work to begin.

When council took a vote to adopt the planning commission recommendation, the motion passed with a 6–1 tally in favor of designating the stables non‑contributing. Council discussion emphasized property owners’ rights, the potential for a preservation‑minded redevelopment led by the Kisners, and the need to move forward after months of contested process.

The non‑contributing designation places the stables on the city historic register but allows future DRB consideration of demolition or partial demolition under a lower standard than would apply to a landmark or contributing structure. The Kisner team told council they plan to submit a certificate of appropriateness and preservation plan to the DRB and to preserve portions of the structure where feasible.

Council’s decision does not itself authorize demolition; any work will require the DRB process and applicable permits.

The controversy prompted multiple calls during the meeting for clearer procedures and earlier owner–applicant communications during designation reviews; several council members said they would pursue procedural clarifications to avoid similar disputes.
","After lengthy public comment and competing recommendations from the Design Review Board (DRB) and Planning Commission, Aiken City Council voted to add the Bostwick–Hitchcock stables to the city historic register as non‑contributing, clearing the way for the property owners’ planned preservation and partial replacement work.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6693902,"Aiken reports 122,000+ cubic yards of storm debris collected after Hurricane Helene; cleanup spending tops $1.58 million so far",181,1603000,1784000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172891-6638c3563fcfb2c56989922c6ab2afe8&start=1603&end=1784","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172891-6638c3563fcfb2c56989922c6ab2afe8/thumbnail_1603000.jpg","/articles/6693902/Aiken-City/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/Aiken-reports-122000-cubic-yards-of-storm-debris-collected-after-Hurricane-Helene-cleanup-spending-tops-158-million-so-far","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6693902-84a2335054fbb13816a1fc308217431f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205255&Signature=alzT17vMq6cdMb~y-XQpyDes2KsA4p1mPAb2OcYwbqjbxNFHZO7zM7lhhJkT4jPUxiyUxkoShioQ4rFOxnPgaeuO~obZevF~jTFFqdfhFx3rosSEUhAD8ZVuH~A0C~8yH~hpV6aZz1lrN9rYnjNC76IoPZa82GC2VtHG7fPEsx0a3bKthHSrIuYh0yOupWRkVL7gCtsRlKpem8pgIgs1bfS6sOakQrDHPIkJgMMZvBhbzeiKcxlVoMBB0uD9QWaGBloAE03jsSjDpFZiyvOOntncLmYcCJu1GSbYq6tcCTKwtwONCD0cy6YBHljqF~hG6dhJ2~Skv6Bl3BteGhIHgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told Aiken City Council on Jan. 27 that recovery from Hurricane Helene continues and that crews have collected substantial volumes of storm debris during multiple passes.

Staff reported that private contractor SDR had collected 57,770 cubic yards of storm debris through Sunday, Jan. 26, and that city pickup on the second pass had collected an additional 64,452 cubic yards as of the prior Friday. Combined with other contractor activity, staff said the cumulative debris removed from public rights‑of‑way and city‑collected locations exceeds 122,000 cubic yards to date.

The city noted that South Carolina Department of Transportation contractors are also removing debris from state roads; DOT has not provided a site‑specific city total for that separate collection. Staff said roughly half the city’s grapple trucks and containers have shifted to regular yard debris pickup as of the reporting date, to move the service back toward routine schedules after the initial emergency cleanup.

On costs, staff reported $1,580,174 in non‑payroll expenses recorded so far for storm cleanup; an outstanding invoice from SDR remained pending and staff cautioned that the total will rise once the contractor’s final billing is received. The city plans to continue updating the public storm‑cleanup map on social media and the city website.

Council accepted the update as informational; staff said the standalone agenda item on Helene recovery may be retired but that routine cleanup reporting will continue.","City staff updated council on Hurricane Helene recovery: city and contractor SDR have collected hundreds of thousands of cubic yards of debris, department of transportation contractors are working state road cleanup, and non‑payroll expenses recorded to date are $1,580,174 (additional invoices pending).",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6693897,"Aiken council: votes at a glance from Jan. 27 meeting — annexations, rezones, ordinances and service resolutions",6752,2859000,9611000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172891-6638c3563fcfb2c56989922c6ab2afe8&start=2859&end=9611","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172891-6638c3563fcfb2c56989922c6ab2afe8/thumbnail_2859000.jpg","/articles/6693897/Aiken-City/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/Aiken-council-votes-at-a-glance-from-Jan-27-meeting-annexations-rezones-ordinances-and-service-resolutions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6693897-bdb2088fff7051b3c9c51dd43bb9e0ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205255&Signature=iY7z8VZ-UysFcXK-qcKWSz0Mf06rA7KO2GZlq9hNKvbbMHN9-H0yfCKjiL~FygogO455EaOHwS9l7yzAVAmDDl6cCaKotSCstq3OE0xB4q5Tj2I0WDa7NnWmCpI~4AxjGrLpJ3f0QXnCzn1ZSpOK4XMve5d7QVZOrExNU9eJWLI49vpi4Sg-Jju0ebL0NFoIAaAmtnRb2g0wE8jr6TA5hPRfy7VMz8xZHElIOiDuNJQc5UydUfIAypkFdhr6HnTTK2IR3yM1NuPzSDxxLUniH31CdqiVF1DhHBKKIsLxqVnju3RwhDQaytf8mt89afYpqYwlezPPZkDm4q~MZkShow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aiken City Council voted on multiple ordinances, rezones, budget amendments and service resolutions during its Jan. 27, 2025 meeting. Below is a concise summary of formal actions recorded on the official meeting record.

Key votes and formal outcomes

- Historic designation, Friendship Baptist Church (First reading) — Approved. Council adopted the planning commission’s recommendation to amend the complex’s designations: sanctuary remains landmark; parsonage amended to contributing; activity building amended to non‑contributing. (Motion: Councilwoman Gregory; Second: Councilwoman Diggs; vote: unanimous among members present; one recusal.)

- Bostwick‑Hitchcock stables (Designation) — Approved as non‑contributing. Council adopted the planning commission recommendation to designate the stables non‑contributing after a contested public process (vote recorded as 6 yes, 1 no; one recusal). The designation places the stables on the city register but allows DRB review under the non‑contributing standard; any demolition or partial demolition will require DRB review.

- Annexations and rezones (second readings/final votes): Several annexations and rezones on the consent/regular agenda passed on second reading, including:
• Annex and zone 5 Ivy Circle — Approved (second reading, unanimous).
• Annex and zone 17662 Notch Road (RS10) — Approved (second reading, unanimous).
• Rezoning 740 Teague Street NW from PI to LP — Approved (second reading, unanimous).
• Rezoning 2223 Whiskey Road from General Business to Planned Commercial (with a landscape‑screening amendment to permit 2–3 ft evergreen foundation plantings rather than 7 ft screening) — Approved (first/second reading as appropriate; amendment adopted).
• Multiple other first‑reading rezones and annexations on the new business list were moved forward with council motions and will proceed to subsequent readings as scheduled.

- Ordinances and policy changes:
• Beer and wine in public places (Aiken Town Park) — First reading approved. The ordinance amends city code section 6‑4 to allow on‑park consumption of beer and wine (no spirits), in designated cups and in defined park areas, mirroring the alley plaza program.
• Tiny homes (emergency/transitional) zoning amendment — First reading approved. Council advanced an ordinance to allow emergency and transitional tiny homes under tightly defined conditions (nonprofit‑led projects on certain zoning districts or on nonprofit property). The ordinance was clarified during discussion and will return for second reading with staff clarifications.
• 2024–2025 budget adjustments (second reading) — Approved (general fund, planning, public safety, water & sewer line items as listed in the packet).

- Utility service resolutions (petitions from developers / county): Council approved multiple resolutions authorizing provision of water and/or sanitary sewer services to developments outside the city limits under the city’s policy for providing services to unincorporated areas. These were conditioned on engineering approvals, landscape and open‑space compliance, SCDOT encroachment permits where needed, traffic impact studies and recorded agreements. Service approvals included:
• Wire Road (across from Nobles Lake Road) — water service for 157 single‑family lots (resolution approved).
• Bridge Creek (Edgefield Hwy / Allen Ave) — water and sanitary sewer for a planned development described in the packet (resolution approved).
• Columbia Highway / Beaver Dam Road parcel (31.9 acres initial phase) — water and sanitary sewer for the first phase (resolution approved; developer described workforce housing plans).
• Aiken County Gun Range Road (fire training center, county‑owned) — water and sanitary sewer approved; annexation anticipated when parcels become contiguous.

- Boards and commissions: Council confirmed nominations to boards and commissions and approved reappointments as listed on the agenda; votes recorded as indicated in the minutes.

What to expect next

Most zoning ordinances passed on first reading will return for second reading and final adoption. Projects granted water or sewer service must still complete planning, engineering, traffic and SCDOT approvals; council included standard conditions and required executed service agreements to be recorded.

The council’s decisions on historic designations and the stables have set the procedural posture for subsequent DRB reviews, certificate of appropriateness requests and potential permitting applications.

If readers want specific vote tallies, ordinance numbers, or the staff‑recommended conditions for any item, those are available in the official meeting packet and minutes filed with the city clerk.","Council approved multiple first and second readings, rezones, and resolutions including annexations, zoning changes, a public‑consumption beer/wine ordinance for Aiken Town Park, budget amendments, and approvals to provide water and/or sewer service to several county developments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Aiken council amends Friendship Baptist Church landmark designation to allow new multipurpose facility

Aiken Town Park redevelopment advances; developer says retail, apartments and park work moving into vertical construction

Council designates Bostwick–Hitchcock stables "non‑contributing" after months of dispute

Aiken reports 122,000+ cubic yards of storm debris collected after Hurricane Helene; cleanup spending tops $1.58 million so far

Aiken council: votes at a glance from Jan. 27 meeting — annexations, rezones, ordinances and service resolutions