Historic commission approves COA for new house and carriage house at 34 Tabby Shell Road in Old Town Bluffton

The Town of Bluffton Historic Preservation Commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness Feb. 5 for construction of a two‑story single‑family residence of approximately 2,325 square feet and an associated carriage house at 34 Tabby Shell Road in the Tabby Roads development in Old Town Bluffton.

Staff presented revised plans prepared in response to earlier commission directions and recommended approval with conditions, including submission of a complete window and door schedule, specification of standing‑seam roofing material, identification of gutter and downspout materials, and demonstration that the project will provide 75% tree canopy coverage along with a tree removal permit. Staff also asked the commission to determine whether certain proposed materials meet the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO): Permacast columns (not permitted in the UDO as submitted), powder‑coated metal railings for the second‑floor porch, and a composite (wood‑composite) garage‑door alternative.

Applicant representatives Sawyer Graham and Preston Glover (Sea Island Construction Group) told the commission that the columns were a drafting error and will be pressure‑treated pine rather than Permacast, that the roof will use standing‑seam aluminum, and that windows will be Marvin ELEVATE series (wood‑clad/fiberglass‑clad product). The applicant agreed to provide updated window and door schedules. Commissioners and the applicant also discussed drainage from a second‑floor porch; the applicant proposed eliminating through‑deck weep holes and instead pulling the fascia forward half an inch to create a flashing/drip edge that allows drainage. The commission asked staff to include the drainage detail in conditions.

During discussion commissioners noted that powder‑coated metal railings have been installed on nearby properties and that the commission had previously leaned toward allowing that material in the neighborhood; they also said wood columns (pressure treated as the applicant stated) would address the UDO concern. The commission voted to approve the application with the conditions described by staff and the additional condition that the drainage/beading detail be modified per the discussion (remove weep holes and adjust the fascia) and that the determinations permitting the powder‑coated railings and the wood‑composite garage doors be recorded in the approval.

The commission’s action included a requirement that staff verify the 75% tree canopy coverage on the landscape plan and that a tree‑removal permit be submitted. The approval was taken by voice vote; the transcript records the motion, a second and the chair calling “All in favor? Aye.”