Council majority issues historic certificates on Grantham Homes appeals; training for commission noted

Charleston County Council heard an attorney recommendation to issue historic certificates for three parcels presented by Grantham Homes after the Charleston Historic Preservation Commission denied certificates.

The county attorney told council the recommendation of her office was to issue the certificates based on information developed during the appeal. "It is the recommendation of my office that this council issue a historic certificate in lieu of the information that we've learned during the appeal process," the attorney said.

Councilmembers discussed the historic preservation commission’s decision and training provided to new commission members. Councilmember Moody said he supported the recommendation and noted troubling remarks in the preservation commission’s minutes; staff said the county had provided refined training for the commission earlier in the week, including two members appointed in January.

The motion to follow the attorney’s recommendation was moved and seconded and the chair called for the ayes; the motion passed (the clerk recorded votes with two nays noted during the voice vote sequence). The council did not provide further detail in the public record about the substance of the certificates beyond the attorney's recommendation.