Historic commission approves Certificate of Appropriateness for Allan Lockwood House after reviewing unpermitted work
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Summary
Bluffton Historic Preservation Commission approved a COA for the Allan Lockwood House in Old Town Bluffton, accepting staff recommendations and imposing two conditions after staff identified prior unpermitted work on chimneys, foundation and porch.
The Bluffton Historic Preservation Commission on March 5 approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for the Allan Lockwood House, a 1,930-square-foot residence in the Old Town Bluffton Historic District, after staff reported previous unpermitted work and recommended conditional approval.
The commission’s action follows a staff report that the application was submitted to document and approve work already completed without a permit and to ensure subsequent work conforms to the town’s Uniform Development Ordinance. Glenn (staff member) told the commission that earlier site-feature approvals had addressed chimney repairs beginning in January 2023 but that later inspections found additional unpermitted work to the foundation and front porch. “This application is a little bit different in that this is being submitted to approve work that's already been completed without a permit,” Glenn said.
The staff timeline presented to the commission traces approvals and inspections from January 2023 through June 2024: an initial site feature to address two chimneys (January 2023), a second site-feature for exterior siding and window repair (March 2023), an amended site feature adding a third chimney (May 2023), a July 2023 site visit noting additional unpermitted foundation and porch work, a COFA application submitted and later withdrawn in 2023, and a new site-feature approval in June 2024 for roof work. Staff reported work stopped on Aug. 1, 2024, when further unpermitted activity was identified.
Staff recommended approval with two conditions. The commission approved the COA with the town’s recommended conditions, which include providing the exact location of the service yard and ensuring the service-yard fence screens equipment from public view and does not exceed six feet in height, consistent with the UDO. Glenn cited the applicable review criteria in the town’s Uniform Development Ordinance, noting the commission must consider Section 3.183 and related standards when acting on a COA.
Bruce Trimber, interim executive director of the Bluffton Historic Foundation and Hayward House, introduced himself during public comment and spoke in support of the project. “We’re really excited the fact that something’s happening to that facility, and we’re looking forward to having a completion on that and making it look very nice,” Trimber said.
The motion to approve the COA and the two staff recommendations passed by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting minutes. The commission chair said a letter with next steps would be sent to the applicant the following morning.
Background: The commission packet notes the structure was included in the Bluffton Historic District listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996 and designated a contributing resource to the Old Town Bluffton Historic District in February 2008. The COA considered only architectural elements; any future site elements such as new parking, driveways, sidewalks, landscaping or lighting would require separate review and permits.
The commission’s approval authorizes the applicant to proceed subject to the listed conditions and any building permits required by the town.
