[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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],{"_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",6053218,"mediaKeyId","3376125-8c5a3c5aafd5df1f8c44a433e9a71c5e","parentId",3376125,"title","Design board offers material and roofline guidance to Huntington Bank plan at Sawmill Center","audioSeconds",778,"startMs",9014000,"endMs",9792000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3376125-8c5a3c5aafd5df1f8c44a433e9a71c5e&start=9014&end=9792","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3376125-8c5a3c5aafd5df1f8c44a433e9a71c5e/thumbnail_9014000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6053218/Summerville/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Design-board-offers-material-and-roofline-guidance-to-Huntington-Bank-plan-at-Sawmill-Center","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6053218-9df421c598f9d351e4c025233a442c67/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153821&Signature=RgxzbSYVhiXKvA22b0FS6dcNXkiHRPGR22D9ch1JOx8tb1P9EJ8Gk3yknVSFgAEVWeQEMsvIadPoh9fwTTa1aqjufvOO0X2~d7knNf4JoQ6QDaiWw9u5-6sjcibmX1myO2SHy0-APIl9YCkVSYM6kJbh~Gfr4O2ZN~ZW6Gx9IhUJp5HLPgZ6fMXNRLUHkitghl9bnLIiyVXntaViCL1StrdNBlD-P~zSIIHDCSNa-mAyHRfjkLlmkD3LcfPGAYz~zg5xsplLd2IOPIkzETiC3y8J6eHP2O30grP6IdfknlxWc6qchw~nqmbtGgqKLjOP8eKPc-ClDTAONMYNMVZZaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TownSummSC","date","2025-04-25T00:39:01Z","article","Huntington Bank’s proposed 2,200‑square‑foot bank building at Sawmill Center was presented in concept form on April 24. The developer and project team said the small outparcel would include a two‑lane drivethrough with a drive‑up ATM, plaza paving at the front and a building that draws from sawmill‑era precedents for material cues.

Designers proposed a painted board‑and‑batten siding with a dark green standing‑seam roof and accent green brand colors at the gables. Board members applauded the attempt to reference local sawmill architecture but urged several changes before a conceptual approval could be supported: use a darker, more muted palette; add traditional Lowcountry details such as overhangs, articulated gable ends and brick base elements; reduce the size and visual impact of logo signage so it does not read as a ‘Toys R Us’‑style display; and provide samples of the proposed brand green in a physical sample board.

Staff and the developer also discussed site layout and a landscaped island at the entry; civil staff asked the team to confirm parking and curb alignments shown on the site plan and noted that cross‑access easements and pedestrian connections remain important for the Sawmill Center master plan. Designers said they will return with revised elevations that add Lowcountry detailing, adjusted rooflines and material samples.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DRB April 24, 2025 @4PM","oneSentenceSummary","Developers and Gensler presented conceptual plans for a Huntington Bank outparcel at Sawmill Center. The board asked for stronger Lowcountry references, darker palettes and reduced branding prominence on facades and signage.","taxTitle","Summerville, Dorchester County, South Carolina","taxId",4554,"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},6053223,"Design Review Board denies preliminary approval for 42‑unit 'Sawmill Crossing' after concerns about height, massing and open space",1721,4755000,6476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3376125-8c5a3c5aafd5df1f8c44a433e9a71c5e&start=4755&end=6476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3376125-8c5a3c5aafd5df1f8c44a433e9a71c5e/thumbnail_4755000.jpg","/articles/6053223/Summerville/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Design-Review-Board-denies-preliminary-approval-for-42unit-Sawmill-Crossing-after-concerns-about-height-massing-and-open-space","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6053223-9bfc6da82be6aad53fa1f468d266b3cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153821&Signature=isvcKHqtRPmpE5QpTVZzi4ZD5vpoDA8g-nQR9vmIc5bgUUnhlhVBo6PLSp4zM24HB0O4w2U6zvfVlKzxInZpRttsosOa4uNMajjg6OTGmNGs4OZVWexm25WrrqoC-M37-JvCjNsVHU~KMZReH2cOybi-V3gvpOW-gYhguFRj0Qys0~Z8jIJb5uyFar749puiJLkyqfN2pa9PHm~oftthRF~jfKp49jRR0OKxVqCKVEIhaqdOQpQ2g6DHtPrlgYyNKdMcbOA32xRSAYsU1tILnS7mIIneX6pJ5~1tlk6rkLK5Hj3bS4Hqrz1JxbGaE5xXnpCjEsD-wzMe9ZOzhKfXTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Somerville Design Review Board on April 24 denied preliminary approval for Sawmill Crossing, a proposed 42‑unit apartment project at 615 North Cedar Street, after extended design review and public presentation.

The project team — including Gabby Perdue (design firm Designs), Tim Bratcher (Carolina Engineering) and Josh Tiller (landscape architect) — described a four‑story, 42‑unit building with 6 one‑bedroom, 25 two‑bedroom and 11 three‑bedroom units, internal amenities and a parking layout with permeable paving and underground detention. The team also provided an arborist evaluation and a landscape plan showing preserved perimeter trees and proposed peninsulas for mature canopy trees.

Board members raised multiple design objections. They said the four‑story mass facing Cedar Street appeared out of scale next to nearby two‑story buildings and single‑family conversions; several members recommended stepping the building down toward adjacent houses, reducing top‑floor massing or changing the unit mix to allow three stories rather than four. Members also said the site had too much surface parking and too little usable common open space for families and children; they suggested moving buildings closer to the street to create a visible, usable “park” area and adding fences, columns or brick columns to better tie the frontage to Somerville’s character.

After discussion the board voted to deny preliminary approval. The applicant was instructed to return with revised plans that reduce perceived massing, add clear pedestrian connections and demonstrate more and better‑integrated open space. Staff said the applicant may resubmit a significantly revised plan for reconsideration.","Design Review Board votes to deny preliminary approval for the 42‑unit Sawmill Crossing on North Cedar Street, citing scale, bulk and insufficient usable open space; applicants were told to return with reduced massing and more pedestrian‑oriented site features.",{"_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},6053228,"Somerville design board hears presentation on proposed public safety campus; architects stress Lowcountry materials and campus layout",385,455000,840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3376125-8c5a3c5aafd5df1f8c44a433e9a71c5e&start=455&end=840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3376125-8c5a3c5aafd5df1f8c44a433e9a71c5e/thumbnail_455000.jpg","/articles/6053228/Summerville/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Somerville-design-board-hears-presentation-on-proposed-public-safety-campus-architects-stress-Lowcountry-materials-and-campus-layout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6053228-99c7c8a697397054aa249e8836f7d4c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153821&Signature=AIG2aXrm7gGqcWDkp25zZ8iG4cTtpsRZyN3uzlzlu4OKXJCE3M5QPJk2yi8-kVu8lTtlAe3np2HysvJNOpvwz3GtmZZVgXrNjO6SNvwXdsoyYjMllJnNu6mRCV2uyyzZVlilaI7tEtigGOdXv5qi6JEV6TCEb0GKS9P0lfan7-aIN-g5YqnE1AKbSm6jLEnjSYrTeJZxhB-oeXAmKPYES~DcFbpmKmVd9iGlwYDDYs7QJ3Ll9BifQ77rrqx0vuKjruHwYz7VzTjOWDwaf8vTAT~LBETxU5cKJYBJH5-IXw8rriP1QYV~yOn1V9mer4pbD5hbkMvin2JSLEehzfietA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town of Somerville staff and Creech & Associates presented the design for the proposed Public Safety Campus during the April 24 Design Review Board meeting, asking the board for early feedback on massing, materials and site layout.

Frank Neal, Somerville’s director of community and economic development and project manager for the campus, described the project as a long‑planned civic campus intended to house police, municipal courts and the fire station, plus a public parking deck. Brent Green, principal and lead designer at Creech & Associates, walked the board through three buildings oriented around a civic plaza, a parking garage, a rear secured service area and a stormwater pond that must be retained on site.

Design drivers noted by the team included: clear separation of police, courts and fire programmatically; a civic plaza aligned with a parking tower and crosswalk; a darker brick accent with a lighter predominant brick field; cast stone base details; and colonnades to create a unified composition. The fire station was sited with a required 50–60 foot setback for apparatus access.

Board members praised the massing and plaza concept but asked the team to restudy some material selections and color palettes to better reflect local precedents. Members asked for: a redder or darker local brick reference to tie into downtown character; clarification on glazing treatments and ballistic glass locations; confirmation that the parking deck cladding will relate architecturally to the campus; and added landscaping or screening along the garage’s rear elevation to buffer adjacent single‑family lots.

The project team said they will return with more detailed material samples, a revised brick palette keyed to local precedents and additional study of the stormwater pond edge and pedestrian crossings with SCDOT. No formal board vote was requested at this conceptual presentation.","Town staff and Creech & Associates presented a multi‑building public safety campus — police, municipal courts, fire station and a parking garage — for site and facade feedback. Board members praised the concept but asked for more detail on materials, brick color and pedestrian connections.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":80,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6053232,"Design Review Board: approvals for signs and small projects; Sawmill Crossing preliminary denied",6073,403000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3376125-8c5a3c5aafd5df1f8c44a433e9a71c5e&start=403&end=6476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3376125-8c5a3c5aafd5df1f8c44a433e9a71c5e/thumbnail_403000.jpg","/articles/6053232/Summerville/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Design-Review-Board-approvals-for-signs-and-small-projects-Sawmill-Crossing-preliminary-denied","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6053232-94069243f9a84119211ecdf107b80281/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153821&Signature=mZ8MF2mtAl4mmExSwtbOiLhOpNtIsIhULQtkz3-mNQqr8l-jMX93ySLZ4Eh~xCJs0fcpS2ZWV02VmTp5WwocE7ibcTlOCjFCr5-ACB6moG0ed7hIfIxoHSMq2DsdByZmx8Bp0C74U1r-2WODU4U1WAAjdXACV~wkSgc4cUpBfpv81H6Yrw8Drx0KfeQSkm9c-sNh6AzSGQBIhYg6aNlfBk4BMdghHwb7hMEQwYJT1CPaxKhGygi0o~Mg9lVVWmrhDYWfM7CNBefRbOnuOnwbK~zeVEP34~x5s6WhHp7CJXHBWtzhgeJBnSqUlAzz6bwCqUBlsKYIxhaAFQVWR-fGFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Somerville Design Review Board on April 24 approved several smaller projects and issued a denial of preliminary approval for a large multifamily proposal.

At the meeting the board voted to allow two monument signs and associated landscaping at a Bank of America branch, and approved a mail‑kiosk structure at the Pineland Preserve amenity center. Members also granted final approval with conditions for a small addition at 314 West Fourth North and for the MUSC Somerville medical facility, with staff review of specific materials and canopy/lighting adjustments.

The board declined to grant preliminary approval for Sawmill Crossing, a proposed 42‑unit apartment building at 615 North Cedar Street. Board members said the proposal’s height, massing and lack of usable open space did not fit the immediate neighborhood and the town’s form‑based expectations. The motion to deny preliminary approval passed on a voice vote.

Other items returned direction or deferment. The board provided conceptual feedback to several commercial proposals — including preliminary elevations for a Huntington Bank outparcel at Sawmill Center, a proposed Sphinx convenience store on Hudson Drive, and a Coastal Suds laundromat on Ladson Road — and asked applicants to revise materials, rooflines and landscaping to better match Somerville’s Lowcountry character.

The board’s actions were largely unanimous on the items voted. Staff will track follow‑up conditions and return items to the board when applicants submit revised plans for preliminary or final review.","The Somerville Design Review Board approved two monument signs, a mail kiosk and a small storefront addition, and approved final plans for a medical facility with conditions. The board denied preliminary approval for the 42‑unit Sawmill Crossing apartment project and deferred final action on a large multi‑building residential proposal.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Design board offers material and roofline guidance to Huntington Bank plan at Sawmill Center

Design Review Board denies preliminary approval for 42‑unit 'Sawmill Crossing' after concerns about height, massing and open space

Somerville design board hears presentation on proposed public safety campus; architects stress Lowcountry materials and campus layout

Design Review Board: approvals for signs and small projects; Sawmill Crossing preliminary denied