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Planning commission approves small subdivision near 10‑Mile historic district despite Historic Preservation Commission objection
Summary
Charleston County Planning Commission approved a two-lot subdivision for a Liben Road parcel inside the 300-foot buffer of the 10‑Mile historic district even though the county Historic Preservation Commission found the plan inconsistent with the cultural resource element of the comprehensive plan.
CHARLESTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION — The planning commission voted Aug. 11 to approve a minor subdivision that will split a 0.78-acre parcel on Liben Road into two lots, a decision that drew objections from the county Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and nearby residents.
What staff reported: Subdivision staff said the plat application (SBDV-03-24-02743) complies with the Charleston County Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance and with state statutes governing planning commissions. The parcel is in the 300-foot buffer surrounding the 10‑Mile historic district; state law requires HPC review of subdivision plats within that buffer. Staff noted the subdivision application included restricted-covenant research and notification to interested parties.
Historic Preservation Commission report and public comment: The HPC reviewed the plat and concluded, by a 7–1 vote, that the proposed subdivision is not consistent with the cultural resource element of the comprehensive plan, citing goals and strategies to preserve settlement patterns and rural historic landscapes. Neighbors and a Copahee View HOA board member, Cassie Hess, urged denial during the Planning Commission meeting, citing flooding and precedent concerns and asking the county to require stricter stormwater controls if the subdivision moved forward.
Commission deliberation and rationale: Planning staff said the application met the technical requirements of the zoning ordinance. Commissioners who supported approval noted that the parcel’s proposed lot sizes are similar to nearby lots and that the Planning Commission’s role is to evaluate conformance with the zoning code; they encouraged neighborhood groups that want stronger protections to pursue overlay zoning or other changes to the ordinance.
Outcome and appeal rights: The Planning Commission approved the final plat. Because subdivision approvals by the Planning Commission are a final decision, the meeting notice reminded interested parties that any appeal must be filed in Circuit Court within 30 calendar days of the decision.
Limits: The approval relied on the county’s subdivision and zoning code compliance; it does not change the underlying zoning. The Historic Preservation Commission’s consistency finding was transmitted to the Planning Commission as required by ordinance but was advisory, not binding on the Planning Commission.
