Austin Zoning Commission defers decision on 1480 Austin Grill construction due to tie vote

A proposed historic preservation project in Charleston County faced a setback during the Historic Preservation Commission meeting on June 18, 2025, as a tie vote led to its deferral. The project, which aimed to build a new structure on a flag lot, was deemed to meet the necessary criteria by some commissioners, who noted that any negative impacts had been minimized and that the existing trees would be preserved.

Despite the positive assessment, the vote resulted in three commissioners supporting the project while three opposed it, leading to a tie. According to the commission's new rules, this tie means the proposal will be revisited at the next meeting, allowing the applicant to present the same application unless changes are made.

Commissioner Halvorsen expressed confidence in the project’s compliance with standards, while discussions also touched on the size of nearby homes and their construction history. The commission hopes to have a full quorum at the next meeting to reach a decisive outcome.

In a related note, a correction was made regarding the minutes of the previous meeting, with Commissioner Johnson clarifying her presence and changing her vote to an affirmative. This amendment will be reflected in the official records. The commission is set to reconvene next month to further discuss the project and any potential modifications.